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