Fight for Joy - Week 11 - He is Able to Present You

Good evening ladies!

Wow, can you believe it... this is our last M&M.  I'm joyful for what we have learned together and the verses that have become part of us, but I'm sad to see it come to an end.  Like Barb says, now is the "fun" part for us to continue to meditate on all these verses for the weeks, months, and years to come.
This week we reflect on our passage from Jude 24, 25.  Read this quote from Paul Miller:

A Praying Life 

If God is sovereign, then He is in control of all the details of my life. If He is loving, He is going to be shaping the details of my life for my good. If He’s all-wise, He’s not going to do everything I want because I don’t know what I need. If He is patient, He is going to take His time to do all this. When we put all these things together – God’s sovereignty, His love, His wisdom, His patience – we have a Divine Story.

Isn't that beautiful?  Please watch/listen as Barb illuminates this lesson for us in our final "episode" of M&M.  Thank you, Barb, Lisa, Francis-fam for all you have done to give us a wonderful M&M semester!  Thank you M&Mers for being our "family" and going through this fight for joy with us.  Don't be strangers, stay in touch, and keep meditating on our verses!

Love,

Leslie

* YouTube Video - Week 11 - He is Able to Present You
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 11 - He is Able to Present You
* Paul Miller Quote
* Ann Voscamp Quote

Our verse to chew on this week:

JUDE 24,25 

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 10 - Yet I Will Rejoice

Good evening ladies!

Did you have a good week focusing on thankfulness to the Lord?  Let us know!  This week Barb has us chew on a verse from Habakkuk.  In this passage, we focus on REJOICING in the Lord.  Barb shares with us that sometimes we may be going through a rough patch and can't see with our eyes the reason to rejoice, and in those seasons it may be hard to figure out what to rejoice in.

She reminds us that in those dark times were are to take joy in the God of our salvation. We can rejoice because God has chosen us to be his people.  We can rejoice in God's perfect promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him.  We can rejoice because regardless of what happens and how we feel on this side of heaven, we are guaranteed a perfect eternity with Christ.  We can rejoice because the Lord we serve isn't even TIRED!  (which is hard for me to even imagine these days!)  We can rejoice because regardless of what is pressing down on us from all sides, we will not break.  We can rejoice because NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ!  The list goes on and on...Please watch/listen as Barb illuminates this truth.

Come M&M with us, and REJOICE!

Love,

Leslie

* YouTube Video - Week 10 - Yet I Will Rejoice
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 10 - Yet I Will Rejoice

Our verse to chew on this week:

HABAKKUK 3:18,19 

(Though)...YET I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. 

Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 9 - Enter with Singing and Thanksgiving

Good evening ladies!

As we prepare our hearts for the Thanksgiving holidays that are right around the corner, and ultimately the advent season, this is a wonderful time to reflect on Psalm 100 which focuses on the importance of giving thanks.  Barb gives us lots of wonderful quotes to chew on in this lesson.  One of my favorites in this set is by Ann Voscamp (as are most of them :) ):

“How my eyes see, perspective, is my key to enter into His gates. I can only do so with thanksgiving. If my inner eye has God seeping up through all things, then can't I give thanks for anything? And if I can give thanks for the good things, the hard things, the absolute everything, I can enter the gates to glory. Living in His presence is fullness of joy- and seeing shows the way in.” Ann Voskamp

Isn't that beautiful?  This week Barb also presents us with an assignment.  This week we are to meditate and memorize Psalm 100, but also make a conscious effort to PRAISE and THANK our Lord more frequently than we normally do.  Let's worship and give thanksgiving purposefully, intentionally, and praise him and thank him.  Barb reminds us that this may not necessarily be an easy task, but to make a conscious effort to do so.  Can you join us in this challenge?  What a wonderful exercise in joy.  Let us know how it goes!

Here are your links!  Because there were so many quotes I combined them into a single Word document so you can print a "stack" of cards, but I also made a zip file with the separate word documents if that works better for you.

Love,

Leslie

* YouTube Video - Week 9 - Enter with Singing and Thanksgiving
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 9 - Enter with Singing and Thanksgiving
* Fight for Joy - Week 9 Quotes - Zip File
* Fight for Joy - Week 9 Quotes - One Document

Due to technical difficulties I didn't get to distribute the quote card from week 8.  Here it is!
*Fight for Joy - Week 8 Quote - How do I see

Our verse to chew on this week:

PSALM 100

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 8 - Enter Into the Seeing

Good evening ladies!

We're all the way to week 8!  How is everything going for you?  Barb welcomed my lil' M&Mer this week (Can't wait to show her the video when she wakes up, she'll feel so special and famous :))... Please feel free to share your own M&M videos or photos either by email or Facebook.  It's fun to see who you are, where you M&M, what helps you meditate on your verses, etc.  This week Barb talks to us about seeing and believing as we chew on our new verse,

1 Peter 1:8 - Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...

Scripture clearly states that there are things visible and invisible, but we have such a magnificent God that enables us to believe in Him, love Him, and be profoundly impacted by Him even though he remains unseen by those who didn't walk the earth with our Lord Jesus.  Barb shares a beautiful TRUE story about someone who despaired greatly when he couldn't see what the Lord was doing, but the big picture is revealed in the end.  It's a great story! Watch/listen to hear more.

Here are your links to the video and audio.  I will update the blog and Facebook later with the additional quote card- having some technical issues with that tonight but I wanted to go ahead and get this email out to you!  Talk to us, we'd love to hear from you :)

Love,

Leslie

* YouTube Video - Week 8 - Enter Into the Seeing
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 8 - Enter Into the Seeing* Fight for Joy - Week 8 Quote - How do I see

Our verse to chew on this week:

1 PETER 1:8 
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 7 - Enter Into the Wonder

Good evening ladies!

I must say that this week's verse was very refreshing for me...my favorite so far.  The mental image of our Lord rejoicing over us with LOUD singing.  The idea of him quieting my heart with his love, hushing me in the night like a mother to her baby.... Wow.

This week Barb introduces our new verse, 1 Peter 2:9,10.  She shares an amazing and heartwarming story about the wonders of God's provision in big ways and small.  I don't want to give a "spoiler alert" for those who haven't heard Barb tell this testimony yet, but for those who listen in their cars and can't see the video I wanted to share this picture... It's just a screenshot so pardon the poor quality. :)  It will make sense after you see/listen.

Here are your links to the video, audio, and some references from Barb.  Talk to us and tell us how you're doing!  I can't resist sharing this video of Emily (my 2-almost-3 year old) helping reciting last week's verse (click here).  We prompt her for the first word of each phrase but she still does pretty well!  I need prompting too! haha.

Love,

Leslie

* YouTube Video - Week 7 - Enter Into the Wonder
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 7 - Enter Into the Wonder
* Bob Kauflin's Spontaneous Song
* Kristen Getty's "Don't Let Me Lose the Wonder"

Our verse to chew on this week:

1 PETER 2:9,10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonder-full light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 6 - Enter Into His Joy

Good evening ladies!

How is everything going for you?  Would love to hear from you!  I've had a great week with our verses and hope you have too.  Barb talks to us about entering into HIS joy this week.  Not just finding joy in Jesus, but actually seeing the joy OF Jesus- HIS own joy.  It is a really encouraging time as we stop to reflect on the smile of our Savior.  I love it when Barb asks whether we think about Jesus laughing (and crying and other real emotions).  When I stopped to think about it, I never really have a picture of Jesus "laughing" in my mind, but we know that he did and DOES.  He sings over us (LOUDLY!) and rejoices.  Such a beautiful thing.  Meditate on Christ's joy as we watch/listen to this week's lesson.

* YouTube Video - Week 6 - Enter Into His Joy
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 6 - Enter Into His Joy
* Quote:  We Are Not Permitted

Our verse to chew on this week:

ZEPHANIAH 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with (loud) singing.

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

M&M Week 5 - Joy of Discipline

Good evening ladies!

Was last week refreshing for you as we brought our attention to the comfort and restoration that our Lord and Savior provides for us?  I do hope so!  This week our focus is on finding joy in discipline, as strange as that may sound.  Barb as usual stays so real and transparent with us and shares her own struggles which I identify with oh-so-much. Thank you, Barb, for leading us in this fight for joy even while you fight for joy yourself!  You are a wonderful, beautiful woman created in the image of God, fully redeemed, but still subject to the struggles and perils of this fallen world.  Thank you for that reminder!  Let's be inspired by her honesty and also be honest with our Lord, with ourselves, and with each other.  I know this blurb doesn't really talk about our lesson on self-control, but I just wanted to say that!

Here are your quick links!  Share your heart with us and tell us what's going on this week!

* YouTube Video - Week 5 - Joy of Discipline
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 5 - Joy of Discipline
* Quote:  Self Control

Our verse to chew on this week:

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is  right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.


*** Barb provided us with a memorization hint!  Remember: TNR PLA EXP: tenor, play, experience.  True, Noble, Right (TNR), Pure, Lovely, Admirable (PLA), Excellent or Praiseworthy (EXP)  ***

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705
Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight For Joy - Week 4

Good evening ladies!

How was your week as we reflected on the gloom of our sin, but the exaltation in His forgiveness?  I felt it was heavy, but so important for our journey on this fight for joy.  This week our focus is on COMFORT and RESTORATION as Barb discusses our new verse, Isaiah 51:3 -

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins.  He will make her deserts like Eden; her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. 

Quick question for you-  Does anyone have an issue with Barb showing our bulletin board pictures on her video every now and then?  If anyone feels that they want their picture "confidential", please let me know.  She loves seeing all of your sweet faces- please send us a picture if you haven't already done so (and let us know if it needs to be for Barb's use only) :)  Here is a sweet message from Barb!
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Hi sisters in various places in our Father's world!

I am glad to be back M&Ming; it's so good for my soul.  I want to encourage you to write out your verses, by your own hand or by typing; or preferably both!  This week I've really concentrated on doing that and I find it's so helpful!  It makes me focus and stay on task; it's one of, if not THE best ways to imprint the verses on my mind.  AND if you say the verse as you write it's doubly effective!  I keep a document on my computer called "My M&M Practice"; I just type and say the verses a few times, or once if I don't have much time.  It makes me notice the details of the verse - was it "a" or "the"?  Was there an "and"?  

We are doing a good work; memorizing and meditating on God's Word is a beautiful work in the eyes of our Lord.  It takes work.  It takes discipline.  AND it is SO WORTH the effort!

Eat well this week!

Love,

Barb

* YouTube Video - Week 4 - Comfort and Restoration
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 4 - Comfort and Restoration

Our verse to chew on this week:

Isaiah 51:3

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins.  He will make her deserts like Eden; her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705
Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 3

Good evening ladies!

Sorry for the late "release" tonight, it's been a full day.  How is your M&M going?  Emily (almost 3) has been enjoying saying my verse with me this week - I read a few words at a time and she repeats them back.  I love hearing it from her little lips and it helps me to chew on them in small bites as well.  Do you have any tips for us?

This week Barb discusses our new verse, James 4:8-10.  Although our focus is on joy, this text is a bit "surprising" because it talks about the importance of mourning our sin and coming before the Lord.  Great joy is found in being the ultimate "repenter" for our ultimate sinfulness.  Listen to Barb as she elaborates on the freedom of bringing our sin to the cross.

There are a good many references/links mentioned in this video, I will include them for you all below!  Stay in touch with us and let us know how it's going!  We'd love to hear from you.

* YouTube Video - Week 3 - Weep for Joy
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 3 - Weep for Joy

Week 3 Extras:

* Tales of the Kingdom - http://kingdomtales.com/

* Transforming Power of the Gospel - http://crupressgreen.com/the-transforming-power-of-the-gospel/

* James 49 -  http://www.preceptaustin.org/james_49_commentary.htm

* Before the Throne Lyrics

* How Firm a Foundation Lyrics

* Lesson 6 of "By Faith": We Repent  -- Watch or Listen Again!

Video Link

Audio Download Link

 

Our verse to chew on this week:

JAMES 4:8-10

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705
Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight For Joy - Week 2

Good morning ladies!

How was your first week M&Ming?  Did you get all of your materials downloaded ok?  We'd love to hear how M&M is going for you or if you've had any special thoughts about our verses last week!

This week Barb discusses our new verse, Hebrews 10:19-23.  We learn about how holy the Lord's presence truly is, but because of CHRIST and His blood, the veil has been torn and we have open access to our sweet Lord- and oh how much joy there is to be found in that!  Not because of anything we have done, but what He has done. Barb references Michaelangelo's "Pieta".  If you don't have a chance to see the video and you are just listening to the audio, here's that amazing image for you:

Now for your quick links- have a great week!

* YouTube Video - Week 2 - Enter Into His Presence
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 2 - Enter Into His Presence
* Week 2 Quote Card:  Valley of Vision - Meeting God

* Download All Verses and Audio for "Fight For Joy"

Our verse to chew on this week:

HEBREWS 10:19-23

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter The Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith…Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705
Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fight for Joy - Week 1

Good evening ladies!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the first week of M&M!  This post will be the longest one, but please bear with me!  It's important stuff!  First time M&Mers, if you haven't already checked out the "About M&M" page on our website, now's a great time.  Click here :)

First some items of business - I'd like to give you the links to download your "materials". The audio files include this semester's hymn, "Children of the Living God", as well as Barb reciting each of our verses and our helpful quotes.  Long-time M&Mers know that hearing the verses spoken while in your car or washing dishes, etc. is very helpful for meditation and memorization!  Download these files to your phone/ipod/mp3 player or burn them on a CD- I promise they will help you!

Click Here to download the whole package of files for this semester.  The verses are in two files - the verse cards can be printed on 3.5" x 5"cards.  (Techie Tip: That format is also a good size to view on your mobile device!  Drag the pdf into your iTunes "Books" category and sync it up!)  The other file will let you print the verses on regular 8.5"x11" paper.

This week Barb talks to us about our theme of fighting for joy, and basing this fight on SCRIPTURE, not just some "touchy-feely" concept of what the world says joy should be.  Here are the links for this week!

* YouTube Video - Week 1 - In His Presence There is Joy
* Mp3 Audio File - Week 1 - In His Presence There is Joy
* Week 1 Quote Card:  I Will Meditate
* Watch the YouTube Video of our M&M Party with Barb - August 18th, 2013!
* Download All Verses and Audio for "Fight For Joy"

Our verses to chew on this week:

Benediction Verse:

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Week 1 Verse:

PSALM 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

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Website:  http://shutthedoor.org
Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)
Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705
Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Fall M&M.... Are you ready to FIGHT....for joy :) ??

Good evening, ladies!

I hope all of you have had a wonderful summer. Personally I've been running around like crazy and I am ACHING to get back to M&Ming. What about you? Can you let me know if you will (or won't) be joining us for the semester starting the week of September 23rd? If you want to opt out this semester, that's no problem, we certainly don't want to spam you. Just let me know and I'll take you off the list. If you will be M&Ming, please feel free to invite friends and family! It's wonderful to have that accountability and you can say your verses to each other. If you're new to M&M, watch this video about "What is M&M?" Click Here... We know you'll love it!

Read this encouraging message from Barb... I look forward to hearing from all of you soon!

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Hi Ladies!

It's M&M time again! Will you join me in "The Serious Fight for Joy" series starting the week of September 23rd? During this past year back in Japan I've been struggling and the Lord has been preparing me through the struggle to FIGHT for the joy He gives His children: joy in Him, regardless of circumstances. Here is the invitation that John Piper gave, and I'm making it my invitation to you:

I’m inviting you to join me in fighting for joy in God. It is:

*the fight to let a burden be carried for us.
*the fight to struggle to trust God with the burdens of life.
*the fight for freedom from worry.
*the fight for hope; for peace; and joy which are all threatened by unbelief and doubt about God’s promises
Hope to "see" you soon in cyberspace.

Love,

Barb

Next M&M - September 23rd!

Hello M&M Sisters!

Dave and I have been able to be back in the States for most of August and it's been a great trip - COUNTLESS hugs, time with family, friends, and our home church family.  We’ve had time to relax and enjoy our own culture.    

On Sunday afternoon, August 18, we had our First Annual M&M Gathering (hopefully it's the first of many).  What a blessing it was to me as together we shut the door, read or recited verses, and sang some M&M songs.  I was so charged up by that time together!  THANK YOU to each and every one of you who helped to make it happen, and much praise to the One who is in all things and holds all things together.  For those of you who couldn't come, we videoed the whole thing!  We'll send out an email to let you know when it can be seen on the M&M website.  Thank you Jeff Francis!

As announced at the Gathering, our next term will start on September 23rd.  The theme will be FIGHT FOR JOY.  Back in the fall of 2010 we did "Fight for Joy" but it was not videoed.  It was suggested to me to go back and re-do a theme we've done in the past and get it on video.  Of course it will be different because it will be redone, and some verses taken out and some new ones put in.  Our #1 verse will be: Psalm 16:11 (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  

I can’t wait to “see” you on the other side of the camera! Send me a picture for my bulletin board if I don’t already have one.

To the King!  To the Kingdom!

Barb 

M&M Party on Sunday, August 18th at 4:00pm!

Good afternoon, M&M Family!

I'm so excited to say that our dear friends the Bindewalds will be returning to the States for a visit this fall.  Hooray!  For all of you present or past M&M-ers, whether you live in Lexington or not... If you can make it, we would love to have you join us for an M&M party on Sunday afternoon, August 18th, at 4:00pm.  We will meet in Tomlin Hall at Lexington Presbyterian Church (246 Barr Road, Lexington, SC 29072).

We will "shut the door", sing with the lovely Francis family, and listen to Barb as she gives a testimony of the last year and what God is doing in her life and in Japan.  I know that she has had a pretty intense year and I think it would be a blessing to her and for those who attend as we worship and share together.

We'll have some light refreshments and a wonderful time of fellowship... and PONY RIDES!  OK, no pony rides, but I wanted to make sure you were still reading. :)  I will send out an ecard invitation, but in case you have technical difficulties receiving it, here is your quick invite!!

What:  M&M Party with BARB BINDEWALD!

Where:  Lexington Presbyterian Church, 246 Barr Rd, Lexington SC 29072 (Tomlin Hall)

When:  Sunday, August 18th, 4:00pm

To all who can come, PLEASE DO!  I know it would mean a lot to Barb to see your smiling faces in person, and we'd love to see you too. :)

In Him,

Leslie

M&M Week 9 - I am the Alpha and Omega

Hello ladies :)
 

Barb is so much more eloquent than me so you will enjoy reading her letter below!  In the wake of so much tragedy and sadness, this message is exactly what we need to hear.  Just a couple quick items of business.... Did you know that Dave and Barb are coming back to the US for a short time in AUGUST?!  Barb would like to have an M&M gathering during that time and we would love to have anyone/everyone join us!  We will share dates as soon as we have them.

It has been such a joy meditating and memorizing with you this semester.  I'm sad to see it come to an end, but we should continue to meditate on these precious verses.  Our friend Lisa found a beautiful song that really captures all of the "I AMs" we've been studying.  Click here to watch/listen and click here to read the lyrics.

We love you all!  Please read Barb's summary and message of encouragement below: 

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My dear M&M sisters,  

Once again there have been difficult, frightening days for America. I have watched the news and videos from this side of the world and have grieved with you all.  As I meditated on this week's verse, "I am the Alpha and the Omega", God comforted me and reminded me that HE WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD.  "He is the Beginning and the End." During the lesson I quoted John Piper:

"Even if you know you are saved in the raft with the Captain, the lightning and the thunder and the 80 foot waves and darkness and gale winds ought to fill you with shivering awe and a trembling gratitude that you were plucked out of the water. It is no small thing to be alive between the Alpha and the Omega of our Creator." 

Earlier today I saw that my son had posted this picture of our granddaughters.  He entitled it, "HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL".  We have been born again into a living hope.  Ultimately, our God wins.  We win because we're with HIM.  May these truths about our great I AM God keep our hope alive.  It is in our I AM God that "we live and move and have our being."  Worship Him with me and remember: things are NOT as they seem!  "He (Moses) persevered because he saw him who is invisible." 

I have loved M&M-ing with you, dear friends.  Until next time!

Barb

YouTube Video – I am the Alpha and Omega – Lesson #9
Mp3 Audio File – I am the Alpha and Omega – Lesson #9
“I AM”  - Prestonwood Baptist Choir – YouTube Video
“I AM” – PrestonwoodBaptist Choir - Lyrics

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REVELATION 21:6
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

Week 8 - I Am the Vine

Hi everyone!

I can't believe we're this close to the end.  Has this semester been fruitful for you (pun intended)?  :)  This week Barb discusses our last verse in John, where Jesus declares that He is the vine and we are the branches.  We don't have to WORK to be in the vine- we are just in Him, find a "home" in Him, and thus will be nourished through Him.  We can break free from the problems of this world by worshipping him.  Isn't that beautiful?  Barb gives us a quote card from Sarah Young, author of "Jesus Calling", in her latest work entitled "Jesus Today".  I will include it in my quick links below.

Barb stressed the importance of staying in fellowship with other believers and in the church, and how staying plugged in really allows us to be what we were created to be.  I have found that to be very true in my own life and Barb gives a testimony to that as well.

Barb also shared something with us that may be familiar to long-time M&Mers.  John Piper presented a meaningful message on the importance of memorizing scripture, in which he recites 14 minutes worth of memorized scripture himself.  It is very inspiring.  Again, see the quick links below.

Have a wonderful week!  Please share with us through email or on Facebook!

Leslie

YouTube Video - I Am the Vine - Lesson #8

Mp3 Audio File - I Am the Vine- Lesson #8

John Piper's Message on Memorization (YouTube)

John Piper's Testimony on Memorization (Word Doc)

Quote Card - Sarah Young

Our Blog:  http://lpcmandm.blogspot.com

Our Website:  http://shutthedoor.org

Our Facebook Page:  "M&M Ladies" (request access)

Our Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/m-m-ladies/id494181705

Next Week's Verse:

I AM THE ALPHA & THE OMEGA
REVELATION 21:6 

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the
End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water
of life.”