His Grace is Sufficient

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

Last week only Christina and I met because Janet had to work that day. We decided to set our Galations study aside until Janet was with us so that we were all on the same page. Instead, we decided to focus on trusting God with EVERYTHING in our lives and allowing His grace to be sufficient for us. As Christina and I shared different events in our lives, both past and present, we started asking ourselves if we truly let God have control of every aspect of our lives or if we pick and choose the things we think we can let go of. No matter how long a person has been a Christian or how mature one is in their faith, giving every single aspect of one's life completely over to God is not an easy task. Why do we do this? Life can be so much easier if we didn't try to control it all the time. This then lead us over to the Old Testament in Proverbs 3:5-8. Verse 5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." When we try to control things is when situations usually fall apart because we don't have the bigger picture, only God does. The scripture goes on to say that when we surrender all to God and turn to Him, "it will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." Amen! I shared with Christina a story I had recently heard that reminds me that if I don't surrender to God's will, He will start making things uncomfortable for me until I'm obedient. The story is of a mother eagle that creates a soft, cozy nest for her little babies. She makes the nest as comfortable as possible while the babies grow and gain strength. Sometimes, though, some of the babies get too comfortable and don't want to leave their place of safety and comfort. The baby eagles won't learn anything if they stay in the comfort of the nest, so the mother eagle begins to slowly take away the comfort of the nest until the nest becomes thorny and uncomfortable to the point that the babies want to get out. I know God has done that several times in my life. He has had to make my "nest" uncomfortable and thorny in order for me to step out of my comfort zone and take flight in the new adventure He has for me, which is always so incredible that I often wonder why I resisted the change in the first place.

Now for the coffee shop. We went to Corner Bakery in Glendora. This is always a favorite of mine! They have delicious breakfast, teas, coffee, baked items and so much more. Christina and I both ordered scramblers, which were delicious. I give Corner Bakery 2 thumbs up!

Love My Coffee Gals

As stated before, we didn't meet this last week because all 3 of us had major things going on: Janet had a respiratory infection, Christina was home with Ryder who had a high fever and me, well I was busy passing a kidney stone. I can't believe how much I missed being with my girls. I have come to rely on them so much to encourage me, pray for me and love me regardless of the silly mistakes I make. After a VERY difficult Mother's Day, I was hurting deeply and wanted my girls! I was so sad we had to skip the week, but through the wonderful world of email, Facebook and text messaging, we were all in touch. They spoke scripture to me and encouraged me and reminded me that all our troubles on earth are temporary. God is with us as we walk through this imperfect world until we live with Him and all His glory for eternity. I praise God every single day for Janet and Christina. He has placed them in my life at such a critical point in my journey of life. That is no coincidence, that is God! I love you ladies! Thanks for being the hands and feat of Christ right here on earth. Love to all, Shawna

Spiritual Food

We had to take this week off, due to illness. I started running a fever on Friday morning. On Saturday, my husband took me to urgent care in Claremont, where I was diagnosed with a respiratory infection. I was given antibiotics and cough syrup with codeine. Although my lungs are still congested, I'm feeling much better.

Since we had the week off, I thought I would try "McCafe" with my son. I got an iced mocha that was very good. We decided to enjoy them at home, since we were in a hurry. I would get them again, as long as I had someplace else to drink them.

I have been thinking about all the things we put in our bodies and how careful we sometimes are about food and drink. We also need to be concerned about spiritual nourishment. Modern culture is saturated with unhealthy spiritual food. It does not make for a smooth highway for God into our souls. We let ourselves be bombarded by the media to adapt to the ways of the world. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Phil 4:8

Bitting more than i can chew, and i am not talking about the cheese cake..

Here's a picture of my Mommy she is one of my ROCKS.

Classic coffee was nice, i like my drink a lot it was a white chocolate mocha and i got a bite of cheesecake, really just one bite. My bite was really yummy i wish i got two bites.
Ryder was a little fussy. i believe he was going to let it be known he wanted his nap.

Wow this past week have been crraaazzzzy! I tend to get off track as well. I didn't know Paul was Saul. That is really interesting, i am more curious about that.
²My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
I love how Paul states his purpose, reminding me of what my purpose is and not the things of this world. i get so caught up in distraction that i miss my joy or blessings. Then i beat myself up for missing my purpose, I stress about things unworthy of stress. I am so grateful for this group, it helps get me back on track:)
For me this study was a lot about progress not perfection. It takes away my human pressures of being a Christian. HaHa.. how funny and not to get off track, which is exactly the opposite of what I have been doing this past week.
God has made it clear to focus on the good in my life he is definitely there. I am practicing to go to my Bible for answers rather than relying on my self, it is hard. But is is worth it!
So with that said i am giving it all to God! My family, my puppy, my worries, my fears, my joys, etc. giving it all to Him. God is good I can't, but He CAN!
^"14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."
I can't even begin to explain how much this passage hit my heart, that whole story would be for another blog. If i even had a speck of doubt in my heart that Jesus loved me this passage blew that speck millions of miles away from my heart:) Jesus loves me, and He loves you TOO!!

My Walk with Christ

Enjoyed Classic Coffee today. I'm trying cafe mochas everywhere we go. No desserts for me... the drink is sweet enough. I liked the atmosphere, but I would have liked some nice, big comfortable chairs.

It took us awhile to get on track today, but once we finally did, the bible study went well. Since I'm fairly new to studying from the bible, it takes awhile for the readings to "sink in." I also must admit that I'm not real good about reading the bible, devotions, etc., on a daily basis. Quite the opposite of what Paul wrote about in Colossians. I spend way too much time getting sucked into things that are not eternal. Watching too much TV, spending too much time on the internet, buying unnecessary things, wanting to be thin, worrying about things that won't matter a week from now. We live in a society where we are judged by others... What we wear, where we live, what we drive, etc. I'm guilty of the same.

I know I need to change my ways and get back on a Godly path. I love going to CCV and really enjoy the sermons. Sometimes I find myself walking in the darkness. Good to know that He is beside me.

"Classic" Small Group

Today was "small group" Wednesday. We met at Classic Coffee in Glendora. I'll start with my review of the coffee shop. I got a caramel frap and a blueberry scone. It was delicious! The people that work there are beyond kind and helpful. They have tables set up inside, outside and in a hallway between businesses. We chose the hallway because we wanted to be indoors, but also didn't want the distractions of the coffee shop. I had been there once before and had a pleasant experience and would definitely go again.

Today we studied Colossians 2:1-15 and reviewed last weeks scripture from Col. 1. We talked a lot about how we, as Christians, are not bound to the laws of this world. Our worldly, sinful lives died at the cross. We have been made new in Christ. This world and it's sinful ways will try to get us off track, but when we hold on to God's promise, He promises us His reward for us. Paul reminds us to be encouraging to one another to stay on track. Oh how I love the writings of Paul. God used him to do amazing things. Although he was born as Saul and started as an evil man, God called him to be a man of God and changed him completely from his old life as Saul to his new life as Paul. God can do that to anyone who cries out to him. He may not change our name, but he will make us a new creation. Praise God! Shawna

Came to Believe

Hi I am Christina, i am the baby of the group, well actually Ryder is the baby of the group, but out of the ladies i am the youngest. My relationship with God i believe is still fresh in my life. I always believed in God, i just never understood how he could help me, or apply him to my life. I always thought he was only here for "holy" people. Most of my teens and young adult life i was lost and walked away from God. Many times i could remember even feeling angry with him, i would think "how could He have dealt me with such cards in my life?" I have walked in some pretty dark places in my life and despite what choices i made i can see now that God has always Loved me. I came to believe about three years ago, I saw hope and that was all i needed to get the fire inside my heart to ignite.
About two months ago i was baptized at ccv. My husband and i were baptized on the same day. We accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Died in our old life and raised into new life with Christ. HUGE!!! for someone like me who doubted so much. I desired a relationship with Christ so i decided to attend Bible studies and i was lite on fire to find so much truth and wisdom and love in the Bible, there is even some drama in there. Here is were i met Shawna and Janet, and after the Beth Moore study on Daniel we decide to do a Coffee tour with or new study on Phillipians and Collossians.
I am learning a lot with these studies and i trudge on so that i may grow and have a closer relationship with our king Jesus. I love our group! And the coffee is the added bonus. This group helps me stay accountable and it helps me grow in faith so that i may come full circle and freely give what has been freely given to me. God is love.

Hiding God's Word in My Heart

Let me introduce myself, I am Shawna. I'm kind of the "middle child" of the group. I'm not the oldest and not the youngest. I have been married for 15 years to my best friend in life and I have 2 daughters, ages 9 and 11. I grew up in church, but didn't really commit my life to Christ until my late teens, early twenties. Since then, it has been an ever growing process of maturing in my faith. I admit, I am far from perfect and don't spend enough time each day in prayer and study. I have found, though, that when I'm consistently in God's Word and committing scripture to memory, the more I learn to live with purpose and unbelievable joy! Somehow, it seems that Janet and Christina secretly voted me as the unofficial leader of the group by leading us in prayer and TRYING to keep us on task of reviewing the scripture we're on.

Write now we are studying my absolute favorite author from the new testament, the Apostle Paul. I have studied Paul's letters several times and I'm always amazed how I learn new things every time that I didn't catch before. This past Wednesday we focused on Colossians chapter 1. Paul reminds us in this chapter that our focus needs to be on advancing the kingdom of God and not getting caught up in the Old Testament Laws. When Christ came, He broke the chains that bound us to the old laws and instead, offered us salvation through relationship with Him. This all ties into something I often share with people: I am NOT a "religious" person, rather, I'm a follower of Christ. There are many religious people out there that know the law backwards and forwards, but don't have a relationship with Christ and know Him as their personal Savior. I urge you to really think and pray about this. If you are going through the motions of going to church and putting in your time, that is not enough. God wants a personal, intimate relationship with you. Please take the time to pray about what God wants for you.

Now, a quick statement about this past week's coffee shop, The Coffee Klatch in San Dimas. The shop is tastefully decorated and very intimate and comfortable. The coffee and treats are delicious, you have to try the carrot cake. My only complaint, it's small. They only have one table that 4 people can sit at and spread out their "stuff." Overall, I really liked it and want to go back.

Encourage one another

Yes, I'm the oldest woman in our group. I've been married for almost 19 years and have two children. I started studying God's word through a Beth Moore bible study several years ago. Since then, I have participated in two more of her studies at two different churches. I still feel very new to the idea of bible study. It takes dedication to set aside time each day to read His word. I can't always say that I do. Other things come up and I find myself putting it off so I can get other things done. Also, I've found that sometimes it's just hard to get in a "prayerful" state of mind. Often I have sat down to study the bible and have been so distracted that I can't even comprehend what I'm reading. That's the wonderful thing about our small group. We keep each other on track, and encourage each other. It's great to study God's word with other women! "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Add 2 Shots of Gods please...

Today we meet up in San Dimas at the Coffee Klatch. I love these outings with my sisters in Christ. Colossians ch 1 v9 We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and give you spiritual wisdom. This really stood out to me because i discovered at a young age of 27 i have gained a lot of wisdom through my experience in life which today as a follower of Christ i can share with others. I am very grateful God has put wonderful women like Janet and Shawna in my life among other women who i admire and add to my life.
^v10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully.
God is definitely amazing!!! Now about the Coffee Klatch. I ordered a creme brulee double which was delish! I had to order it with coffee instead of espresso because i am still breastfeeding my 6 month old boy. I enjoyed it any who, until we meet next week.....HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!! Christina