Ted and I are so blessed. In 1986, we were deeply involved in starting a non-denominational church in Center Grove, the suburb where we raised our 3 sons. At the center of the church founders' hearts was the desire to create smaller Home Groups within the church body for the purpose of providing those involved a deeper connection to a community of believers who could pray, love and care for each other as life brought it's inevitable joys and trials.So Ted and I have been with our Home Group for well over 15 years now. We remain together despite the fact that several of us have moved away and now attend other churches. Pictured here are some of my Home Group lady friends at a July gathering at our condo in 2004 (And yes, you're welcome Coleen, Julie, Marilyn, Fran and Midge for posting 'younger' pictures!). We gathered this past Friday evening at the Casper's, as we do each month for a time of prayer, devotions and lots of fun conversation. Coleen led our devotion which she said was "for her", but it was indeed for us all. All our Bible readings and discussion surrounded the topic of 'being thankful in the desert'. You know, those many times in life, when we are really struggling with something that deeply pains us or makes us so fearful that we think we can't make it through another day! Across these ten couples, just about everything has happened to at least one of us that could happen in life. And indeed, several of our Home Group couples are in tough situations right now. It is so wonderful that we have these times together where we can pray collectively and remember that God is so faithful to bring goodness out of tough times if we only 'cry out to Him' for guidance and strength. We know that He has brought us all through these times before and He will love us and teach us important character-building lessons through our current trials once again.
This group of friends is so precious to Ted and me. How amazing it is, to live life with people who have been such long-time Christian friends. We have shared so much with this group of people...bonded together by our collective faith and love for God and for each other!
It doesn't surprise me that your Home Group couples are facing adversity. The enemy is trying to destroy marriages & general relationships from the inside out...be it through finances, sickness, the spirit of offense or just the couples/friends not getting along well. But greater is HE that is in the midst of these couples/marriages/relationships then the enemy of our souls. I speak over your home group that NO weapon(s) formed against them shall prosper according to God's word. I speak the shout of the Lord over, in and through their lives. Father surround this group and these individuals with Your loving arms. Make YOUR avenues of escape perfectly clear to each and everyone of them. Blow fresh and new over their spirits to refresh and revive them, to restore joy of Your salvation in them once again, blow fresh over the embers of their hearts so they burn with fresh love and passion for You. Take them deeper into Your word, take them deeper into the Secret Place with you. Let them have times of intimacy with You like they have never had before. Open the heavens above them and pour out blessings & provisions too numerous to count in Jesus' name. Amen, amen, amen. Many hugs and many more blessings!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sister. You are always so eloquent. Thanks to Bert Bell for her words of wisdom and blessings! And a vert special thanks for the "kind" pic! Love and blessings to you!
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