Lexington Presbyterian Church - M&M: October 2013

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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) ***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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!
~~~~~~~~~~
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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

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.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

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.