Romans Ch 1

Hi all! hope you are enjoying your break! I also pray we enjoy Jesus over our breaks. I know during the semester I think to myself, man it will be nice when I have less restricted time to be with God, and now we have it! I hope I can better use my time than I have in the past.

So I was supper excited when Amber gave us a challenge to be in the word over break. I hope you guys take the challenge with me. It most certainly will be well spent time!

As I was reading chapter 1 of Romans I was realizing the truth of this statement. A few things that really struck me: scripture is in quotes, my thoughts in parenthesis.
"Yes they knew God, but they wouldnt worship him as God or give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God is like." (like hmm.. God would rather me spend the next three hours hanging out with my family watching football. I could spend half and hour with him since i wont have time later today, but i should be with my family) "Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools."

"They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the creator himself" (sounds a little familiar, especially this time of year when so much emphisas is put on material things as well as family. yes we should love our family but not as much as we love God. Thats hard for me sometimes.)

"They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway."


This chapter is very challenging and I think is perfect for getting me off on the right foot over break. I need to keep things in perspective through God's eyes, not through my own, my families, friends and certianly not through societies eyes.

Love you girls. hope you experience God in amazing ways this month!

M.I.A. !!

Hey Ladies! What a wonderful few weeks it has been =]. I hope that you all are experiencing growth and encouragement in Christ daily - thank you for doing this walk together!

As you all know, this is Encounter's week of 24/7 prayer. The campus house is open every hour of every day until midnight next monday (November 7th). Prayer is such a beautiful way to invite Christ into your heart daily, I hope that this week (and God working through this week) can impact you! Feel free to go to the campus house any hour. Also, there will be midnight worship at the campus house every night through next monday.

IMPORTANT FOR SMALL GROUP:
-This week we will meet at the campus house. It is 24/7 prayer, so we will be meeting amidst the prayers around us =].
-I will be at the campus house from 5-7 tomorrow, and I would love to pray with all of you! Come if you have a free moment!
-Who wants to get dinner with me at 7? =]
-Small Group will meet as usual at 8:00. Bring your Romans 1 bags! Can't wait to hear what God brought to your attention this week!

In HIS Grip..

My Favorite Scripture

Hey girls!! I just wanted to share with all of you my favorite piece of scripture. It really made me come into check with where I was in my walk with God a few years ago, and has been really special to me ever since.

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Love you girls!! I hope this really resonates with some of you :) See you all tomorrow!!

wednesday bonfire!

Hey girls, I know not everyone gets a chance to check this so I posted on facebook too.


What all are you guys thinking of bringing on wedesday night for our bonfire? (By the way I am pumped. There was a bonfire here the other night and it got me so excited for ours!)
I will have things for smores and a main dish. Any suggestions?

Also if you guys need to use the kitchen to bake or cook anything feel free to come over early! I will be home after 1pm so you can stop by anytime after that. My number is 309-712-6056

love you girls! Have an awesome first half of the week!

The Proverbs 31 Woman

<sup>Proverbs 31:25-31

25</sup> She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Michelle brought up this scripture last night at group - and I think it is a great re-focus-er!  Look at how she is described: clothed with dignity and strength (vs.25), faithful and wise (vs. 26), she is BUSY -but faithful! (vs.27). Then, look at the wisdom offered at the end - a woman who FEARS the LORD is to be praised (vs.30), and the goal is for her busy works to bring praise to the city - or, GOD! (vs. 31).

So, Women, Where is your focus today? Are you taking on this description? YOU can be the Proverbs 31 woman that God wants you to be, just seek him today in your actions and busyness =].

Let WISDOM (Christ's Wisdom!) Win today!

Dear W.A.G.H. - you are great. No, really, I mean it. I walk away encourage every Wednesday from small group - and I have each of you to thank for that. Community is a beautiful thing, and I love seeing us grow into one. Thank you for having hearts not only for Christ, but also for each other. Keep striving after HIM, and he will guide and direct you =].

Just some thoughts from last night...

Proverbs 8 (1-8, 17-21, 32-36)

Wisdom’s Call

 ¹ Does not wisdom call out?
   Does not understanding raise her voice?
² At the highest point along the way,
   where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³ beside the gate leading into the city,
   at the entrance, she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O people, I call out;
   I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
   you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
⁶ Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
   I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷ My mouth speaks what is true,
   for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are just;
   none of them is crooked or perverse.

¹⁷ I love those who love me,
   and those who seek me find me.
¹⁸ With me are riches and honor,
   enduring wealth and prosperity.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than fine gold;
   what I yield surpasses choice silver.
²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,
   along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
   and making their treasuries full. 

³² “Now then, my children, listen to me;
   blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
   do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
   watching daily at my doors,
   waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
   and receive favor from the LORD.
³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
   all who hate me love death.”

I would encourage you to read Proverbs 8, specifically the sections here that talk about wisdom. At group we talked about following God's direction instead of rejecting it for our own - what does Proverbs 8 say about listening to God's wisdom? Look at the contrast between people described as wicked and righteous, what separates them? And finally, in vs. 32-36, what happens to those that follow the Wisdom of God and those that do not? To me, this is a HUGE wake up call.

Please Be My Strength

Beautiful. True.

Take some time this weekend to reflect on JESUS. He alone gives you what you need each day, thank Him for it, praise Him for it! Have a blessed weekend, ladies!

Beautiful, Wonderful, Great, Grand!

This has been a fabulous week - I hope all of you can say the same! I loved small group last night, you all are seriously a blessing in my life and the lives of each other. Since we ended in an individual type prayer on Wednesday, we didn't get a chance to share a lot with the group about our prayer requests for the week. I think one of the most important functions of a small group is to encourage each other by praying for each other - so if you would like to comment on this with how we can be praying for you, I would love that =].

Also, If you are meeting to 'read in between the lines' of 1 Samuel, I will see you tomorrow at Einsteins at 10:00 am! (Joran and Brittany for sure will be there!)

in HIS grip - Amber

Come Thou Fount

This is one of the most beautiful hymns I have heard - It is the one we sang at group tonight. Let the words this week be your prayer, Go to God - your help (Ebenezer!)

(Mumford and Sons is not a Christian Band, but this version is fantastic! ha)

Awkward Family Photo

Here are some photo examples =]. Obviously we don't have clothes like this - but you all get the idea =]. We are going to be over the top cheesy and stereotypical girls ha. Can't wait!

Fall is Fabulous!

Fall is Fabulous for many reasons - but I am going to give you to specifics for now =].

1. FALL RETREAT! I am fresh off of fall retreat - as are some of you - and I am on quite the God high at the moment! He met us in a real way, and I am sitting here completely in awe of his creative ways of getting to our hearts. If you would, join me in praying for the individuals (in our small group and out) that were on the retreat - alot of times when we experience God in real ways, our enemy tries to attack us and tear us back down. I am just praying a prayer of protection, that the growth that happened this weekend for everyone would continue - and not hault or backslide. 

2. STARVED ROCK! This trip is going to be taking place on Sunday, October 9th - a week from today! I am really excited, this will be a trip for only our small group. We will drive down together, and then spend the day in the state park hiking (we can make it as intense or easy as you guys want, don't worry!) and really getting to know eachother =].  Plan on about 12:30 to 7:30, and I will send more details to you girls soon! Please comment whether or not you can come (I picked this date because almost everyone said it worked for them =]).

I pray that you all experience God in a unique way this week - seek him, and you WILL find him =].

reading in between the lines

I am really excited that some of you want to work through all of 1 Samuel! It is so beneficial to study the Word of God, and having so many of our group members desiring to do that is FABULOUS =]. You guys have a copy of our weekly reading schedule for small group, and you can see that we don't cover every chapter. Personally, I don't want to miss any pieces of the story - so I am going to intentionally go through the in between chapters during the week. I am going to do this on Fridays at 10:00 am on campus, who is with me? Starting this week! You don't have to read ahead or prepare, we will do it together - and learn together! Comment on this post, or text me today, if you are planning on doing this. I will be at Einsteins at 10:00 tomorrow morning!

Holy wow...the Spirit lives in us!!!

Hey Girls! I was super encouraged by those of you at group last night. Sometimes it is hard to understand where God is (and who he is) in Old Testament stories - 1 Samuel is written in a time when the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) did not inhabit believers.  Instead, God revealed his presence when he willed to do so. I love seeing us as a group working through this story together, and seeking a better understanding of who God is, and why we are so blessed to live in the New Covenant  with the Holy Spirit inside of us.  Thankyou for being willing to ask questions, seek answers, and be vulnerable in prayer with eachother!

1 Corinthians 3:16
"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"

I hope that you find encouragement and rest in the fact that YOU are God's temple, and the Spirit lives within you! =]

Group Details 9-28

Jessica has volunteered her apartment for this week, and I think it would be fun to go away from our normal site (at Michelle's) to let Jessica host for a week! Jessica lives within walking distance of the campus house - so we will meet at the Campus House at 7:50 sharp to walk over together =].

We will be reading 1st Samuel ch. 4 this week, so feel free to get a head start!

Two weeks ago at group I handed out letters for you to write to God. Try to take some time today and tomorrow to think about where your heart is, and where you are in your walk with God. This will be a very cool thing to look back at in December at the end of the semester! I would like to get all of these back this week if possible!

here are a few questions to guide you:
-What are you passionate about, and is it helping you to grow towards God and glorify him? (Hannah was passionate about wanting a child)
-Is there something that you are holding from God, some area of your life or plan you want to be in control of? (Hannah could have held her son from God)
-What would you like to see yourself change this semester? (How you pray, spending time with God, acting on a conviction, fixing a relationship, ect.) 
* REMEMBER: You don't have to answer those questions, they just getcha thinkin :). This is a very personal letter between you and God, so literally - right your heart! I will not look at them, don't worry!

Announcements for the Week

1) Fall Retreat is this weekend! If you will be in town, you need to go! Seriously, it will be well worth your time! I am so pumped =].

2) The Bible Study reading schedule for the semester on 1st Samuel for small group does not include every chapter. It is set up this way on purpose, to encourage you to spend time outside of group during the week reading the in-between parts. I think it would be great if some of you wanted to go through these parts together during the week! I will be doing this on Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 on campus, starting this week! Let me know if you want to join me!
***if you can't do friday, but have another time in mind, comment on this post and maybe someone else in group has that time available as well!

3) The Starved Rock trip is a-go for Sunday, October 9th! We will leave right after lunchtime (around 12:30) and stay until after dinner (getting back around 8:00). I will get more details, but request off work or work ahead in homework so you can go! It will be so much fun for our small group to do together =].

I am definitely not tech savvy but that's okay!

Hey Ladies! I am SO excited that this blog is finally up and running! (It is only week 3, right? =]).  I want this to be a place for us to not only get information about what is going on at Small Group and Encounter, but also to post our thoughts and prayer requests/updates througout the week!  If you were hit by something in the Word (or in life!) during the week, share it here - because I bet someone will find encouragement from it. We can post pictures, videos, and text - this will be fun!  I added you all as co-authors, and if you go to your settings you can post from your phone, which is pretty cool.  Anyways, look around, have fun, and let the blogging begin!!