Sisters in Christ Mentoring

Small Groups, March

2011-03-12T15:36:00.002-06:00

Alright girls, it's almost time to review chapter 3 of "Satisfy My Thirsty Soul". My group, The Soul Sisters, will meet this Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 (other groups, please check with your leader to see when your March meeting is).

As we spoke last time, we will have an ongoing project of "worship ABC's". Each month, we'll take a few letters of the alphabet and discuss words of God that begin with that letter. Let's get started with letter A: almighty, all-knowing, attentive...what words did you come up with?

In addition, we will discuss being still in the presence of God. When we worship God, our full attention is focused on Him alone; not asking for anything or doing something in order to get something. It's just being focused in His presence, reveling in the wonder of being His child.

If you haven't finished chapter 3, this weekend is a great time to finish up. If you finished earlier, then use this weekend to glance back over the chapter and refresh your memory. I encourage you to write down questions or thoughts you'd like to discuss or ask at the meeting.

In addition, I encourage you to use the chapter questions in the back of the book as a way to work through the chapter or review it. The questions are aimed at personal reflection on your own life. During the monthly meetings, we will use questions of a more general nature; not quite as personally pointed. At any rate, the questions in the back of the book are a great way to help you focus on your worship time and gain a deeper understanding of the material.

I look forward to seeing you next week!

Julie's poem

2011-03-02T15:14:00.003-06:00

As my small group, the Soul Sisters, discussed how nature proclaims and adores God, we talked about how observing nature causes us to also think of God. I promised them I'd share my poem on my blog, so here it is:

HOW DO YOU SEE GOD?

Do you see God in your day to day life?

Sometimes? Not very often? Not usually? Never?

Take another look. He is there, all around you.

Take a moment to drink Him in.

He sends His kisses on the wind.

His warm embrace is the sunbeams engulfing my body.

The cool breeze is His tender greeting.

I see the twinkle in His eye as I look to the night sky.

His smile? Why, it’s on the face of every flower in my garden;

- - bold colors mixing with a lush green.

His comforting arms envelope me as I listen to the Robin sing her song.

The billowing clouds are God taking my burdens away.

Do you see Him now? He is in His creation.

He splashes color and mood on His living canvas.

Look harder. He is there.

His words are whispered in the wind. Can you hear Him?

It’s not the thunder, it’s the rustling leaves.

It’s not the lightening, it’s the crystal clear morning.

It’s not the storm clouds, it’s the brilliant blue sky.

Won’t you listen? He longs to tell you all the things you need to hear.

Walk with Him in the cool of the day.

Is He speaking to you the way He spoke to Adam in the Garden?

Perhaps… but He doesn’t speak to deaf ears.

Unveil your eyes and see Him.

Open your ears and hear Him.

He is God, and He loves you.

- - Julie Taylor

Opportunities for Calvary Ladies!

2011-02-07T09:09:00.005-06:00

I'm so excited, thinking about all the opportunities for Calvary ladies! THIS IS YOUR TIME...don't miss out on it. There are sensational things bursting forth on your horizon.

As I told you last time, mentoring is coming up around Easter time; but don't wait until then to get involved and set the stage for amazing growth in your spiritual life.

On Thursday mornings, there are two types of AWESOME Bible studies available to you, along with Mother's Day Out; so, if you have children you can rely on Calvary's expert child care while you study God's Word:

1) Sheila Breazeale and Jane Crowell lead our Precepts Bible study, where you can learn to dig into God's Word and really understand it on a deeper level. This study provides daily instruction on exactly how to study each verse, cross reference with other Scripture, and what questions to ask yourself as you read God's Word. Then, each Thursday, we meet for a review/recap on our week's study.

2) Donna Johnston leads our Beth Moore Bible studies on Thursdays, too. If you've never heard Beth Moore, you're in for a treat. She is a dynamic speaker, and has a wonderful way of weaving God's Word into practical, daily life applications.

Contact Calvary Baptist, or this blog for more information.

In January, we launched our ladies' small group once-a-month Bible study, under the direction of our new Women's Ministries Director, Kelly Bledsoe. We've just begun a monthly study of the book, "Satisfy My Thirsty Soul", which is teaching us about God's perspective on true worship, and challenging us to incorporate it into our daily lives. It's not too late for you to jump in!

In addition to this, Sheila Breazeale has provided an online forum for us to participate in discussing this study together. She has a blog called "Bucket Ministries" (bucketministries.blogspot.com), and as a part of that blog, we are able to post comments about the study.

What a wonderful resource we have available right at our fingertips! No need to wait until the next month to discuss what you have on your mind today. Post your comment in this forum, and keep up with the questions and insight offered by other women. Amazing! Not only can you keep up with the "Satisfy Your Thirsty Soul" study on this blog, but Sheila also posts questions, recaps and study helps for the Precepts Bible study.

Ladies, if you can't get excited about all of this, you must be living in a fog! I am absolutely beside myself, and cannot WAIT to hear back from you regarding your thoughts on these marvelous opportunities.

Post your comments below! Become a "follower" on this blog by clicking on the "follower" button in the left-hand column (you can do that same thing on the Bucket Ministries blog).

Mentoring-Just Around the Corner!

2011-01-28T11:18:00.002-06:00

Calvary Ladies, the Sisters in Christ Mentoring season is just around the corner. When Easter is nearby, so is the beginning of our season (which closes around Labor Day).

As we've learned in past seasons, “A mentor is someone farther on down the road from you who is going where you want to go, and who is willing to give you some light to help you get there.”

You Can Choose:

h Mentee - you are looking for a Christian woman to take you under their wing, and help you to grow and mature in your spiritual life

h Mentor - you have been a Christian for a while, are growing in Christ, and willing to walk along side a woman, who is younger in Christ than you are, in order to help her grow closer to Christ.

h Prayer Warrior - you understand that prayer is a priority, and are willing to regularly pray for and encourage a mentoring pair.

Mentoring Closing Picnic

2010-08-13T16:11:00.002-05:00

Prayer Warriors, please make sure your prayer journals are all filled in, as you will be presenting them at our closing meeting, Sunday, Aug. 29 @ 5:00.

Everyone, please make every effort to attend this closing meeting. We will have a picnic theme and we'll be taking pictures. Be ready to talk about both the good things that you've experienced and also areas that can be improved.

In addition, I need one or two volunteers to give a testimony about what kind of impact the mentoring ministry has had on them. I'll be waiting to hear back from you.

As always, if you have a poem or song that has inspired you, please share it with us.

Half-time Refresher Meeting on Sunday, June 6

2010-05-25T07:09:00.005-05:00

We're almost halfway through this year's mentoring session! Can you believe it???? I hope that your mentoring partnership is going smoothly and enriching your life. I know that my mentoring partnerships are very fulfilling, and I thank God for placing us together.

Our "Half-time Refresher Meeting" is due to happen at the end of June, but I'm going to be having some surgery in a couple of weeks, and need to rearrange the refresher meeting a bit.

The "Half-time Refresher Meeting" is designed for mentors and prayer warriors to come together to receive updated information, encouragement, prayer time, and to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your mentoring partnership.

It is important that all mentors and prayer warriors attend, so please mark Sunday, June 13 on your calendar right away. Here are the details:

Half-time Refresher meeting (for mentors & prayer warriors)

Sunday, June 13

Prayer warriors meet from 3:00-4:00

Mentors meet from 4:00-5:00

Where?

At Julie's house

1036 Rambleview Lane

Woodworth, LA 71485

442-0675

jt4some@hotmail.com

Prayer Warriors Sending Cards, Mentoring funtime

2010-04-20T09:11:00.004-05:00

We are about six weeks into our 2010 session.

Prayer Warriors, remember to pray regularly for the mentoring team you've been assigned to. By now, you should have made at least one phone contact with each of your ladies and have prayed with them individually (make sure to record it in the Prayer Journal in the back of your handbook). So, today might be a good time to send out cards to your mentoring pair. You may use the cards you were provided with, or find another that you like better.

Mentoring pairs, now that you've met a couple of times, perhaps try a fun activity together. My mentee and I have chosen to attend the Beth Moore simulcast this Saturday (I can't wait!!!), but there are other activities that could be fun choices, too.

How about getting a sno-cone? There are many locations throughout the Alexandria area. Or, perhaps one of you are searching for shrubs or flowers to plant in your landscape...why not make that an outing for the two of you? Chick-Fil-A has just opened a new location on Jackson St., there are many boutiques around town, how about a trip to our zoo?

There are dozens of "everyday" types of things you can do together. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. Just include your mentoring partner in an activity you normally do. What about a game night (or day), Yahtzee, Boggle, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, etc.? At a meeting like this, you could invite your Prayer Warrior to join you!

The 2010 Mentoring Session Has Begun!

2010-04-06T16:02:00.004-05:00

Woo hoo! Our 2010 Sisters in Christ Mentoring session has now begun! I can't wait to hear about how God works in the lives of Calvary's women this six months.

Each woman participating in this session has been notified concerning who their partner is and what they need to do to get started.

If you thought you had signed up for participation, but have not gotten a phone call from me (Julie Taylor), please contact me as soon as possible at jt4some@hotmail.com.

Most ladies have already picked up their handbooks and workbook, but there are still a few handbooks left at Calvary's welcome desk by the sanctuary. Please pick them up right away. If you wanted to purchase the workbook, "Conversations on Purpose", but have not done it yet, you can purchase it for $15 at the New Beginnings bookstore.

What happens next?

1) Read through your handbook before your first meeting with your partner, discuss any questions at your first meeting

2) Contact your partner to set up a time and frequency to meet

3) Prayer Warriors should contact the mentoring team she is responsible for and make her first log into her prayer journal

Due to a shortage of available Prayer Warriors, I was not able to offer a Prayer Warrior for each mentoring team.

Matching is Underway!

2010-03-23T22:07:00.001-05:00

Well, the matching process is underway! I'm so excited to see what God will do in your lives throughout the next few months!

Mentoring Matches

2010-03-19T14:25:00.002-05:00

I've been praying over the mentoring matches for several weeks, but more intensely this week.

I will begin pairing partners this weekend. However, I find myself short on 5 mentors. If you know of someone who had intended to be a mentor, but did not follow through, please let me know ASAP.

2010-03-01T11:24:00.002-06:00

The deadline is here, for the 2010 Sisters in Christ Mentoring semester. If you had intended to participate, but have just put off registering,

PLEASE GET SIGNED UP IMMEDIATELY.

You can register online at www.calvarynet.net or at the church office. Please get an information packet at the Calvary Baptist Welcome Desk, fill out the Profile card, and return it to the office ASAP.

We're starting off the 2010 semester with a real live English Tea!!!! We will meet at Mary Terrill's house on Saturday, March 13 from 1:00-3:00. Can't wait to see you there. Your mentoring partner and prayer warrior will be announced at the Tea!

Don't Miss Out-It's Almost Tea Time!

2010-02-24T20:45:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to sign up for the Sisters in Christ Mentoring Ministry. Time's almost up!

You can sign up by registering online at www.calvarynet.net for the Mentoring Tea on Saturday, March 13. Or, sign up at the Calvary Welcome Desk.

Whichever place you sign up, make sure you pick up the Information packet. You will need to fill out the form and return it to the Calvary church office, or to Julie Taylor, BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

Can't wait to see you at the Tea! 1:00-3:00 on Saturday, March 13.

2010-02-03T16:00:00.006-06:00

Hello Calvary Ladies! We're getting prepared for this year's Sisters in Christ Mentoring session. If you are a female member of Calvary Baptist Church, you may sign up, during the month of February, to participate in this 6-month ministry.

There are two ways to sign up. You can stop by the Welcome Center, or sign up for the Mentoring Tea in March through the church's website. Either way you choose, you will need to pick up an information packet at the Welcome desk, fill out the form, and hand it back in to the church office or to Julie Taylor, by the end of February.

Our Mentoring Tea is on Saturday, March 13. The time is tentative, either at 10:00 or 1:00, the decision will come soon. Your mentoring partnership & prayer warrior will be announced at the Tea.

Our Sisters in Christ Mentoring ministry works hand-in-hand with Pastor Brooks' commission to "reach out beyond ourselves" to touch the life of another woman. Yes, that woman can be you.

This ministry breaks down into a 6 month session in which you may sign up to be a mentor, a mentee, or a prayer warrior. A prayer warrior is assigned to a mentor/mentee pair, and is responsible to pray for that pair and their particular prayer needs; and also to contact the pair on a monthly basis to see how things are going with their prayer needs, and also to just let them know that someone cares enough to pray for them.

A mentor is a woman who has been a Christian for a while, and can help another woman to grow closer to Christ and to mature as a Christian. You accomplish this by keeping in regular contact with your mentee (at least twice a month).

There are a number of ways you can keep in contact, and you can see what works well for each of you (ideas and suggestions will come in a future blog post). We do encourage the mentor/mentee pair to read and discuss a book that is chosen for each 6 month session. These books are not designed to be an in depth Bible study, but instead, just a way to provide a light structure for your time together. It will also help you to move in a forward direction in you spiritual growth.

Your first thought of a "mentee" might be a young woman; and that can certainly be true. However, many ladies who have been a Christian for a number of years, and are in various "seasons" of life, desire to have a mentor (myself included!).

You are never too old to grow more spiritually mature. Perhaps you are going through a challenging phase of life, and you'd like to learn from someone who's already been down that road. Being a mentee is for you, as well.

Don't forget to sign up during the month of February. I'd hate to see you miss out on such an enriching time.

2009-09-09T18:17:00.002-05:00

Hi All,

Right now, I'm in the process of planning for our next mentoring session, which you will hear about after Christmas. It's going to be outstanding, and I'd like for you to be a part of it. Consider yourself invited! You can be:

1) A mentor
2) A mentee
3) A prayer warrior

Check back here in January for more details.

In the Lamb,
Julie Taylor
Psalm 139

2009-05-09T12:20:00.002-05:00

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Karen Jouwstra for attending our Mentoring Half-Time Refresher meeting today (Saturday, May 9).

We reviewed some of the things we've learned in our Bible study up to this point:

God as:
* Elohim - the Creator, Trinity
* El Elyon - the God Most High
* El Roi - the God Who Sees
* El Shaddai - God Almighty
* Adonai - Lord & Master
* Jehovah - the Self-Existent One
* Jehovah-Jireh - the God Who Provides
* Jehovah-Rapha - the God Who Heals

She and I also enjoyed watching the following video clip from Beth Moore:
http://lifetoday.tv/qt/2009/03/90325.htm

It's a 15 minute clip. Grab a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy it.

2009-05-08T22:21:00.002-05:00

Don't forget Saturday's mentoring meeting:

Saturday, May 9

10:00 a.m. in Calvary Hall

Mentoring's "Half-Time Refresher Meeting"

It is for everyone involved in this current session of mentoring.

Please be there.

Do these terms mean anything to you:

Jehovah-Jireh

Jehovah-Rapha

Elohim

They'll mean something after Saturday's meeting. Don't miss out!

I'm Not Invisible...God Sees Me!

2009-04-21T06:56:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt used, abused or betrayed? Have you ever felt alone and invisible? Many of us have.

But there is good news, my friend. God sees you in your distress. He is knocking on the door of your heart to give you comfort, compassion, and instruction. Let Him in. Open yourself to receive the balm He provides.

In our Bible study, we learned about "El Roi", the God who sees. Perhaps you feel angry BECAUSE He sees, and in your eyes, He has done nothing about it. You are seeing an incomplete picture, dear one. You are looking at, and holding on to one small piece of a puzzle.

Do not grasp that puzzle piece, white knuckled, and shake your fist bitterly at God. Do not curse Him because He has allowed ugly things to happen to you. If you will release that grudge, at least for a moment, to search God's word, you will begin to see that there is more to the picture than you may realize at this point. He has a plan.

There are a couple of Scripture passages that shed some light on this. Stop what you're doing, and take the time to read them, pray about them, and roll them around in your mind.

Genesis 42:6, and chpt. 45: tell of how Joseph was abused and sold into slavery by his own brothers, the ones that were supposed to love him. Years later, his brothers were horrified to realize that Joseph now stood in authority over them. What was Joseph's reply? "...and as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

You see, Joseph did not not hold on to his "unfair" puzzle piece and shake a bitter fist at God. He gave the puzzle piece to God, and allowed Him to make a beautiful masterpiece with it. It was one piece of a greater puzzle. It was an unpleasant piece, for sure, but God used that one piece, in many ways. If Joseph would have held on to his bitterness and anger, he would not have known the joy and splendor that God had planned for him, his family, and his country.

Consider, also, Genesis 16. The life of Hagar. Abused, mistreated, and thrown away, she ran from her circumstance. God saw her distress, spoke to her, and instructed her on what to do. Hagar realized she was not alone. God saw her and had a plan for her. Was it easy? No, it was not. But, she was obedient, and God was true to His word.

In closing, read Psalm 139. This is my favorite chapter in all of Scripture. Why? Well, read it and find out! Hold on to it. Be comforted by it. Be encouraged by it. Be enlightened by it. It can change your entire life, my friend. It did mine.

2009-04-02T07:24:00.002-05:00

Okay, girls. We're almost to this session's halfway point. Don't fall back now. Keep in touch with your partner and your prayer warrior.

Say a prayer for your partner, send her a note, or give her a phone call. If she's been hard to get hold of, try a different means of contact. Don't give up. Renew your focus.

How's your Bible study going so far? Let me hear from you on that. By now, you have learned several of God's characteristics. Call on Him accordingly. Delve deeper into your study and see what you can learn; how does that impact your daily life?

The Lord is a strong tower. Run to Him and be safe and secure, my friend.

I Will Praise God Even in the Storm

2009-03-25T17:56:00.004-05:00

Lonliness, heartbreak, isolation, betrayal...the list goes on.

As you walk through this mentoring journey, realize that you do not have to bear all these burdens alone (Gal. 6:2).

One thing we are learning in this ministry is that we are to reach out beyond ourselves. Sometimes that means that we are to slow down and take time out to care for other people.

Other times it means that we need to step outside of our comfort zone and share some of our own burdens with someone else. This is an important element in mentoring. It is part of our journey toward godliness...together. Don't forget to utilize your prayer warrior. She is there, waiting to lift your name to the Lord of hosts.

Turn your eyes toward God and praise Him even during your stormy times. He holds you in His capable hands, and will not let you go. God has a plan, but we cannot always see it. Our Bible study reminded us that, "the Lord of hosts has sworn saying, 'Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand...For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?'" (Isa. 14:24, 27).

The words to this popular song help me to praise God, even when life seems bleak:

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

New Logo

2009-03-10T08:57:00.003-05:00

We've got a new logo!

I had an idea for a logo, but I couldn't draw it out. I'm no artist. So, I talked with a graphics company to see if they could put my idea to life. They did a lovely job, and I'd like to share it with you.

(explanation of the above logo) The tree of life is rooted in God's Word, which allows it to be a thriving, fruitful tree. Notice that one must open the Bible in order to extract the nutrition from it. The tree produces the fruit of the Spirit (listed above the canopy of the tree). Our theme verse, Titus 2:3-5 is also prominant. The three branches of the mentoring ministry are shown on the trunk, "Big Sister", "Prayer Warrior" and "Little Sister".

I'm pleased with the way the logo turned out. Let me know what you think! Post your comments.

Know Him by Name

2009-03-10T07:47:00.005-05:00

Good morning, Miss So-and-So.

Good day, Mr. Whats-your-name.

How are you doing, Mrs. Jane-Doe?

Marvelous, Miss Lady-Down-the-Road!

*******************

Sounds intimate, huh? Like they know all about each other? Ha!

Isn't that how many of us speak to God, our Creator?

These days, we're all so busy. Many times we're busy with good things. But, beware that you are not so busy with the good things, that you crowd out the BEST things.

Our Bible study for this session of mentoring ("Lord, I Want To Know You", by Kay Arthur) will help us to build an intimacy with God by teaching us of His many names. Yes, He has more names than just "God" or "Lord".

As we learn about His names, we also learn of His character. As we learn of His character, we learn how to depend on Him and call out to Him because we are building intimacy with Him.

Kay Arthur says it this way, "Why don't we run to the arms of our all-suffcient God? I think it's because most of us don't really know our God. Why do many collapse in the day of trouble and testing?...Because Christians, for the most part, can't boast in the name of their God."

What about you? Do you have a heavy heart? Are you pulled in many different directions? Do you feel that you can't hold it all together anymore?

Run to God, my friend. Put your trust in Him. Call out to Him.

Psalm 50:15 says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Proverbs 18:10 teaches us that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

Don't you want to know that "strong tower"? Don't you want to be completely "safe" in the arms of your loving Father?

Do you remember the words to that precious old hymn...

Peace, peace...wonderful peace.

Flowing down from the Father above

Sweep over my spirit, forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love.

My friend, you can know that peace in your life. This day. God is calling out to you and desires a close relationship with you. Imagine that! The God who created all that we see, who formed you in your mother's womb (Psalm 139) wants time with YOU!!!

will you give Him that? Will you allow yourself the time to get to know Him intimately?

I challenge you to spend 15 minutes each day in our Bible study (available in our church office). Pray before you begin that God would help you to focus on that time, and not to be distracted. Pray that He will help you to depend on Him according to His great name.

Let me know what comes of it, my friend. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ready, Set, Go!

2009-02-28T15:00:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to find out what this 6-month mentoring session has in store for you.

READY - you've gotten ready by attending the informational meeting and finding out if you'd like to participate in this ministry

SET - you've gotten set by attending the training session and receiving your handbooks and Bible study book (this session the study is "Lord, I Want To Know You", by Kay Arthur, available in the church office for $15).

GO! - Now it's time to get started with your new mentoring partnership. By following the guidelines laid out for you in your handbook, and enjoying a light Bible study, you will be building a perfect foundation for your partnership to grow.

Remember to:

meet regularly with your mentoring partner, preferrably once a week or every two weeks.
Be courtious and return phone calls as promptly as possible
Remember to pray for your mentoring partner