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