Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

June 11, 2010 

Taking the Good with the Bad 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone, (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
As I sat on my screened-in porch early one Spring morning, I was taken aback with the beauty surrounding me.  A layer of mist rose from the serene waters of the lake and hovered just above the surface.  Sunrays slanting in from the east elongated shadows that all too soon would stand at attention in the noon-day sun. Pampas grass plumes praised their Creator with a gentle sway.

I held a steamy cup of coffee in my hand and placed my open, well-worn Bible in my lap. As if on cue, as had been our routine for the past several weeks, a visitor hopped from the shrubbery and onto the night-cooled patio. "Good morning Peter," I cooed to the little brown bunny I'd watched grow since early spring. "And how are you today?" I just love bunnies, I mused.

Peter skipped and jumped from bush to bush, and kicked up his heels like an Irishman ready to meet the day. As usual, he stopped right in front of the porch and blinked his big brown eyes as if to say "hello." Just as I was enjoying watching my furry friend, he hopped over to a flower pot, stood up on his hind legs, and yanked a rather large stem of petunia from the plant.

"Good grief," I moaned. "Stop that!" Bounding down the steps, I came face-to-face with the wrascally wrabbit. "Stop eating my flowers," I warned. "Get out of here. Shooo."

Apparently, the bunny didn't see me as much of a threat and didn't budge. He just continued munching away.  I could have touched him if I'd wanted.

"I mean it," I continued. "Shooo." It wasn't until I clapped my hands several times that Peter scampered behind the bush to finish up his breakfast.

Back on the porch, I grabbed my lukewarm coffee and placed my Bible back in my lap. It wasn't long before a dainty hummingbird buzzed up to the hummingbird feeder just outside the screen.  I watched in amazement as its wings fluttered and it hovered in mid-air. Iridescent colors of green and blue glistened in the sun. I just love hummingbirds, I whispered.

No sooner had the thought entered my head than a second hummingbird dive-bombed the first.  Quickly a fight ensued.  Beak to beak, they fought for their terrain. Right jab. Left stab. "Guys, stop it," I pled as if they cared.  "There are six perches and enough nectar for the entire country.  Good grief!" And as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone.

Taking a sip from my now cold coffee, I tried once again to concentrate on my open Bible. But in the corner of my mind, I saw our heron approaching. A beautiful heron lives on our lake and occasionally he passes our way. I marveled at his long legs pointing behind him and his slender beak leading the way. With exaggerated movements, he slowly flapped his magnificent blue-gray wings and glided before me. But then, like a Boeing 747 with a leak in the fuselage, a stream of poop fell from the bird and made a trail in the yard.

"Good grief," I moaned for the third time in one day.

Back to the Bible. As I tried to concentrate, God began speaking to my heart about what I had seen. "Are you willing to take the good with the bad?" He seemed to say.

"What do you mean, Lord?" I questioned.

"You love bunnies and they eat your plants. You love hummingbirds but they constantly fight.  You love the heron but he makes a mess in your yard. Are you willing to take the good with the bad?"

"Well, yes. I am willing to take the good with the bad.  I love your creatures!"

"What about people? "He seemed to continue. "If you are willing to take the good with the bad with mere animals, are you willing to take the good with the bad in people created in My image?"

"That's not funny, God," I argued. 

"Well are you?"

And then, as God so often does in my life, He left me to think about it. I began to think about people in my life that I have rejected or relationships that I have walked away from because of annoying behavior or emotional messiness. It seems I was willing to take the good with the bad with God's creation- but when it came to people created in God's image...not so much.

God is a Master at taking the good with the bad. Abraham believed God, but he also made some terrible mistakes, namely Hagar. David was a man after God's own heart, but he committed murder and adultery. Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, but he was also a deceiver. Moses was a leader but he also struggled with taking matters into his own hands.

In the New Testament, we see the same pattern of Jesus taking the good with the bad. Peter was a bold believer, but he also was brash and impulsive. Martha was hospitable, but she was also bossy. Andrew was loving, but he was also loud (he wasn't called a son of thunder for nothing). Thomas was dutiful, but he was also doubtful. 

And then there's the woman I look at in the mirror every morning. I'm not going to list my annoying qualities, but let me tell you they are there. And yet, God takes the good with the bad.  He loves me even when I make a mess. 

So here's the question for us today. Are we willing to take the good with the bad? Are we willing to overlook the annoying behavior of others and embrace their positive qualities instead? I'm going to leave you to think about it like God left me to think about that particular morning. 

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, all I can say today is HELP!  Help me be patient, loving, and kind. Help me to focus on the positives of others and shrug off the negatives.  And Lord, help others do the same with me!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
This will be fun. Today, make a list of things you enjoy and the negative aspects you must endure to enjoy them. Let me get you started.

Roses - thorns

Spring flowers - pollen

Marriage - dirty socks on the floor

After you make your list, spend time praising God for the negatives, because they allow you to have the positives!

More From The Girlfriends
God often speaks to us through nature. Jesus often used nature in His parables to help others understand spiritual principles. If you would like to sharpen your ability to see God, to hear God, and to sense His presence in your daily life, then you'll want to read Sharon's book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God. Hearing from God should not be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, but a daily experience.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 14, 2010 

Seek and Find 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV).

Friend to Friend
"Preston, we give up! Come out from where you are hiding!" My kids were playing hide and go seek a few years ago while my husband and I were upstairs packing for a trip.  Hunter and Kennedy had looked everywhere they could think of for their sly older brother, but couldn't find him. Reluctantly, they gave up. As I packed, I checked some choice spots in my walk-in closet to see if I could catch a glimpse of the victorious hider.  Nothing. 

Several minutes later, as I was loading toiletries into my travel case, the cabinet door beneath my husband's sink slowly opened. My contortionist son quietly and carefully crawled out from underneath the bathroom sink. He glanced my way, and with a twinkle in his eye said, "Hey mom."

"Honey, your brother and sister asked you to show yourself 10 minutes ago. Why did you stay in there so long?" I inquired.

Preston replied in a hushed tone, "I didn't want them to know where my favorite hiding spot was!"

I have to admit, I was impressed with his hiding strategy. It seemed pretty savvy for a 10 year-old. He just didn't want to be found. 

In the game of life, God never hides. To the contrary, He wants to be found. He is always with us and always sees us.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hands of One who knows everything about us. He designed us to know and to find Him.  And let's be honest, girls, whether we want to admit it or not, deep inside we all want to be known and loved.

In Psalm 139, David penned sacred words that paint an amazing picture of God's stubborn presence in our lives:

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139: 7-10, NIV).

Have you ever felt hidden from God? I can assure you today, that you are not. He sees you. No matter where you are. No matter what you have been through. No matter what you are going through. You are not alone. God knows you. God loves you. He wants to be found by you. One of the richest blessings in life is the privilege we have to know Him. Call on Him today and find Him through prayer. 

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, it is so comforting to know that You are constantly with me - that You know exactly where I am and what I face. Please hold me fast with Your right hand and guide each moment of my day. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Romans 8:35-39.

Nothing can separate us from God's presence and His love, but sin can hinder the intimacy we enjoy through a personal relationship with Him. Ask God to search your heart and reveal and remove any sin.

What is your hiding strategy? Do you sometimes run from God's presence? Why?  Grapple with this one. Ask the LORD for insight.

More From The Girlfriends
Hey friend. After moving across the country a few years back, I experienced a dark emotional season where I just didn't FEEL God's presence. My mind knew He was present, but my heart felt disconnected. Thankfully, God's presence isn't about our feelings. He is always with us. In that time, I wrote a song called Comfort Sonata, which is the final track on my Because CD.

NEED INSPIRATION? Allow the music and lyrics of Comfort Sonata to minister to your heart right now. Turn up the speakers on your computer and CLICK HERE to listen to the song as you center your heart, mind, and soul on the Comforter.

NEED HEALING for some heart wounds? Got a friend going through a difficult time? Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, takes the reader by the hand and shows her how God delights to transform lives. To order the book, please CLICK HERE. 

Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. For more information, visit her website at: www.GwenSmith.net.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 15, 2010 

What Ever He Says, Do It 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you,'" (John 2:5 NIV).

Friend To Friend
It was a beautiful day for a wedding.  Mary only hoped it would hold out for the seven days of celebration that would follow. She was glad for the break in the mundane activities of running a household, and looked forward to spending extended time with her son.

"Hope you don't mind if I bring along a few friends," Jesus asked as he walked in from his work in the carpentry shop.

"Absolutely not," she replied.  "As long as they will behave and not embarrass the family," she teased.

Jesus turned to Mary with a look that pierced her soul.  "These men have been chosen as well."

Chosen.  There was that word again.  And the feeling of normalcy began to slip through her fingers like grains of sand.

Jesus had grown strong and tall over the past thirty years.  While Mary had seen glimpses of his divine nature, she continued to hold her breath for the day the angel prophesied would come to fruition.  The words Savior of the world, Son of the Most High, a kingdom that would reign forever, were never far from her memory.   She recalled the story of Jesus' baptism.  "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).  Everyone heard God speak those words as Jesus emerged from the baptismal waters in the Jordan. Mary clung to the days of normalcy as long as she could, but felt they were drawing to a close.

The bride was radiant and the groom proud as a freshly preened peacock.  The wedding party and guests alike enjoyed a bountiful buffet, delightful dancing and ambrosial wine. Gaiety and merriment filled the rooms with laughter and joyous chatter.  There was nothing like a wedding party to wash away the doldrums of everyday life.

Day three of the festivities was in full swing when Mary noticed the wine was running low.  For a groom to run out of wine was a disgrace.  Leave it to a woman to notice the party details.  Leave it to a woman to know where to go for help.

Mary tugged on Jesus' sleeve and with a mischievous twinkle in her eye whispered, "They have no more wine."

With a chuckle, Jesus replied, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not come."

As soon as the words escaped Jesus' lips, he felt the nudge from his Heavenly Father; the prompting that he had been waiting for his entire life.  In a split second, God allowed Mary to flip the switch, to topple the first domino, to ignite the fuse.  It was time.

Mary turned to the attendants standing nervously by the stone water jars used for ceremonial cleansing.  With quiet authority, she nodded toward her son, "Do whatever he tells you."

Jesus pointed to six water jars with the capacity to hold from twenty to thirty gallons of water.  "Fill the jars up with water," he instructed.

Quickly, the servants drug the heavy stone cisterns to the well behind the house and filled them to the brim.

After bringing them back to Jesus, he continued. "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

Continuing to follow Jesus' instructions, one of the servants dipped his ladle into the jar and poured rich aromatic red wine into a silver goblet.  He couldn't keep his eyes off the miracle he held in his hands.  Reverently the servant passed the cup to the master of ceremonies.

"Samuel," the master called out across the court.  "You sly dog.  Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

The servants were dumbstruck.

Jesus' friends were confused.

Jesus was readied.

Mary was numbed with the reality of what had just taken place. Her time of quiet normalcy was over.  She knew that now.  What would come next, only God knew.   

And that was the beginning of Jesus' ministry of the miraculous.  After thirty years of waiting, God used Mary, a woman, to flip the breaker and give Jesus the signal that the time for miracles had begun.  Right in the middle of a pack of men-Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Nathanael and the wine stewards- God tapped Mary on the shoulder and chose her to ignite the fuse.             

"His mother said to the servants, "'Do whatever he tells you.'"

These words have become my life verse.  I hope they can be woven into the fabric of your own life as well.  See, that was Mary's mantra.  "Be it done to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38), became "Do whatever he tells you."  Mary wasn't just speaking to the servants here.  She is speaking to us as well.  Do you want to be a woman freed from an ordinary life and freed to an extraordinary purpose?  Then the path is clear, "Do whatever he tells you."  Obedience to God is the key to unlocking the doors to the most exciting life imaginable. 

Let's Pray
Dear LORD, I want to do whatever You tell me to do.  Help me be a woman who listens to God: who senses Your gentle nudges throughout the day leading and guiding me.  I know that obedience is the key to an extraordinary life filled with extraordinary purpose.  LORD, I'm Your girl.  Speak LORD, I'm listening.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
The wine stewards had no idea what Jesus was up to, but they obeyed him anyway. When is the last time you obeyed a nudge from God, even though it did not make sense?

What was the outcome?

Is there something God has asked you to do that you have not done yet?  It could be that He has a whole string of mighty feats for you to accomplish, but He is waiting for you to obey step one before He reveals step two!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's devotion. Let's chat. Visit www.sharonjaynes.com/blog or www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.  And if you're not a regular on my Facebook page, please sign up!  It is a wonderful place to communicate with your other Girlfriends in God all around the world.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered. We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes.  But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours.  To order this life-changing book, visit www.sharonjaynes.com.  You'll fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 16, 2010 

Chosen and Loved 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
John 3:16 (NLT) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Friend To Friend
"You will never be able to have biological children," the doctor said. After years of painful tests, expensive treatments, frustrating procedures and desperate pleas and prayers, our hopes of having children were shattered by his harsh diagnosis. "Then we will adopt," my husband immediately replied. I wasn't so sure.  Could I love another woman's baby as much as a child I would give birth to? I just didn't know. 

Months later, God called Dan to be the Youth Pastor of a church where we met Ron Gossett, a Christian attorney. "We'd like to talk with you about adoption," Dan told Ron. Ron's response wasn't encouraging. "I rarely do adoptions but come by my office and fill out the papers - just in case." The following week, Ron called. "This is the stork," he said. I laughed. "I have a baby for you," he continued. I stopped laughing. "A young woman came into my office today. She's seven months pregnant and wants to give her baby up for adoption," he explained. I knew! Every doubt disappeared. Every fear faded into the certainty that this was God's plan for us. Six weeks later, our son, Jered Daniel Southerland, was born and three years later, his beautiful sister, Danna Marie, completed our family. Life was unbelievably sweet. We daily celebrated the fact that Jered and Danna were our chosen babies and wanted them to understand just how special they were. I knew the day would come when both children would have questions about their birth and adoption. I just thought I had a little more time.

One night, our young son climbed into my arms for our daily "snuggle and prayer" time before bed. His question ripped through the darkness and my heart. "Why didn't she want me?" Jered softly asked. I cried out to God for just the right words - for Jered - and for me. Instantly, it came. Bruno!

When Jered was four-years-old, we were given a chocolate Labrador puppy that quickly outgrew our small yard, our not-so-understanding neighbors and our apprehensive children. We named this gentle giant Bruno. But it soon became clear to all of us that we were not the right family for Bruno. After an intensive search, we discovered "Adopt a Pet," a remarkable organization that finds homes for animals whose owners, for one reason or another, cannot keep them. We were promised that Bruno would be placed in a home where he would be loved and well cared for. We talked and explained, struggling our way to the difficult decision that it was time to put Bruno up for adoption. Still, when they came to pick up Bruno, we all cried. We knew it was the best plan for Bruno - for us - and for a very excited family that wanted and had the room for a Labrador. But it still hurt. Sometimes, doing the right thing - the best thing - the highest thing - is also the most painful thing.

As I looked into the beautiful, blue eyes of the little boy I loved more than life itself, I prayed for wisdom. "Jered, do you remember Bruno?" At the memory of the dog, Jered smiled and sadly whispered, "I still miss him." I nodded in agreement, "I know, son. I know you loved Bruno and are sad that we had to give him away but do you remember why we gave Bruno away?" Jered thought for a moment, "Because we loved him so much and we knew we couldn't take care of him right ... and because he wasn't very happy 'cause he was so big here ... and because we wanted the best home in the whole wide world for him."

I paused for a moment, basking in the simple wisdom of my Father, spoken through the heart of my only son. "She did want you, honey. And she did love you ... so much, in fact, that she was willing to give you away, just like we gave Bruno away. Just like we wanted what was best for Bruno, your birth mother wanted what she thought was best for you." I fully recognize that it was an extremely simple illustration for a profoundly complex life circumstance - but it was enough.     

As Jered drifted off to sleep, tears of gratitude spilled down my face, and I thanked God for two courageous young birth mothers and for His extraordinary plan of adoption that linked our four chosen lives and hearts in love. 

Let's Pray
Father, I am amazed by the truth that You love and chose me to be Your very own.  I don't understand such love, but I embrace it as the precious gift that it is.  Help me to remember that in Your eyes, I am planned, wanted, loved and chosen. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen. 

Now It's Your Turn
Do you battle feelings of insecurity? Read Psalm 139 once each day for a month and see how God changes your perspective.

Is your mind often filled with negative thoughts about who you are and what you do? Read and memorize 2 Corinthians 10:5. When those negative thoughts come, reject them with this truth

Do you find it hard to believe that God has a special plan and purpose for your life? 

Read and memorize Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

More From The Girlfriends
For years, I battled insecurity and fear. God loved me through it all until the day came when I really could believe I am special because God made me in response to His plan for my life and not as an afterthought. The same is true for you, my friend. God is crazy about you! And Sharon, Gwen and I love you, too! Blessings!

Do you have a hard time believing God really loves you? Check out Mary's CD, Love that Never Fails, a life-changing message that will lead you to experience and walk in God's love. 

Looking for friendship? Mary's new CD, I Need a Friend, offers practical steps to experiencing true friendship.

Join women from across the world in a practical and powerful Bible Study, How to Avoid the Pits in Life.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June, 17, 2010 

Remembering to Remember 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Mary, now in her late forties, was startled from her mending with a pounding on the door.  Who would come here at this time of night, she wondered.

"John," she cried as she peered through the slightly opened door.  "What are you doing here?  Is it Jesus?"

"Oh Mary, I don't even know where to begin," he whispered as tears streamed down his agonized face.

"Come in, come in," Mary said as she wrapped her arm around Jesus' closest friend.

"Start at the beginning."

"Well, we had a nice Passover dinner on Thursday, but I could tell that Jesus was deeply troubled.  There was just a different air about him.  He even washed our feet and spoke about leaving us.  Something about going to a place where we didn't know.  Of course Peter said he would follow him to the death. You know how Peter boasts."

"Yes, go on."

"After dinner we went to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus talked to us as we walked along the road, as if he were a father telling his sons the family secret to success before leaving to go off to war.  He was so unsettled and bothered about something.  When we arrived at the Garden, he told us to pray for him while he went off to be by himself.  I'm sorry to say, we fell asleep several times.  Once, I overhead Jesus asking God to let this cup pass from him.  When I looked, Jesus had blood dripping from his brow where sweat should have been.

"Just before I was going to ask him about it, an angry mob of Romans came and arrested him!"

"Arrested him?  For what?" Mary cried.

"I don't know.  Something about blaspheming.  And guess who was at the head of the pack?  Judas.  I never did trust that man."

John went on to tell Mary of the trial, the flogging and the ultimate sentencing of execution by crucifixion."

With great resolve, Mary looked John in the eye and said, "Take me to him."

It seems that all her life Mary had been trying to save Jesus.  She remembered when she and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape Herod's decree to kill all the boy babies under two-years-old in Bethlehem.  He recalled the day she and her sons tried to convince Jesus to come home when she heard rumors that the Pharisees were plotting to kill him.  And now this. 

Mary recalled the words of Simeon the prophet when she and Joseph took their baby to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:34-35).  This was Simeon's sword, piercing her heart with a pain only a mother could understand. 

Arriving on the Via de la Rosa, Mary watched with horror as her first-born son trudged through the jeering crowd. His flesh hung in shreds, torn by floggings of the Roman metal tipped whip. His clothes were crusted with dried blood and mud from collapsing under the weight of the cross tied to his back, and streaks of crimson cut furrows down his face from the crown of thorns pressed into his forehead. 

When Jesus reached the place where his mother stood among the crowd, he raised his head to meet her gaze.  A thousand thoughts passed between them without a single spoken word.  She was there, just as she had been all along.

Later, as he hung on the cross, Jesus breathed his final parting words.

"Dear woman, here is your son," Jesus moaned as he nodded toward John.

And then to John he said, "Here is your mother."

Even in his last breaths, Jesus' concern was for this chosen girl from Nazareth - his mother Mary.

Mary had been there all along.  She was there to hear the babe's first cry in Bethlehem and there to hear the Savior's final breath at Calvary.

We don't have a lot of information about Mary at the foot of the cross, except that she was there - standing below her flesh torn, blood drenched, and physically battered, precious son.  I have painted a picture today in order to help us catch a glimpse of a mother's heart.

We do know she heard the hammer hit the nails, saw the Roman spear pierce his side, felt the labor of his breathing.  As his heart burst, her chest ached.  For six hours she watched him die. Pierced.  How perfectly that word described her at this moment.  The sword that had hung over her head for thirty-three-years now pierced her heart.

It must have seemed like an eternity since a symphony of angels announced his birth.  Now a cacophony of accusers hurled insults and accusations.  "Crucify him!" the savage rabble demanded.  "He could save others but he can't save himself," the burly soldiers taunted. 

Where are those angels now, she must have thought.  If she could have peered into the spiritual realm, she would have found them hovering low, silent in full armor array.

It is difficult to envision God's presence surrounding the tragedies in our lives.  Somehow the two don't seem to be able to co-exist in our minds.  It is almost incomprehensible to picture the angles standing by while mere humans taunted and tortured the Son of God.  What do we do when life doesn't make sense?  We remember.

            Mary remembered Gabriel's announcement.
            Mary remembered Elizabeth's welcome.
            Mary remembered Joseph's dreams.
            Mary remembered the shepherd's arrival.
            Mary remembered the Magi's gifts.
            Mary remembered Simeon's prophesy.
            Mary remembered Anna's words.
            Mary remembered the twelve-year old boy in His Father's house.
            Mary remembered the water transformed to wine.
            Mary remembered the miracles.
            Mary remembered the teaching.
            Mary remembered the healings.
            Mary remembered.

After the shepherds' visit in the stables that first Christmas evening, Luke tells us, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).  No doubt her thoughts returned to that treasure chest of memories for the reassurance she so needed. The events of Jesus' life slipped through her mind like beads on a string with the knot of faith tied securely in the end.

And friend, that is what we must do.  The Bible tells us that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).  When we treasure God's Word in our hearts, just as Mary did in hers, it calms the waves of doubt during the storms of life.  The storm may not be removed, but God's Word will help us to hold steady as the difficulties of life toss us to and fro. 

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, as life tosses me to-and-fro, help me to remember.  Help me to remember Your promises.  Help me remember the ways You have blessed me in the past.  You are my Rock, my Redeemer, and my Restorer.  And though I may not always understand, I know that Your ways serve a greater purpose in my life than I may ever know.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
I doubt Mary kept a journal, but if she had, wouldn't you love to see it?  Today, I want you to make a list of the ways God has blessed you over the years.  Keep it in a place that you can refer to often. As you remember certain blessings, go back to your list and jot them down.

If you do not keep a journal of prayer requests and God's answers, you might want to consider starting one.  A prayer journal is a great source of encouragement during the difficult times of life.  We have very short memories when it comes to remembering God's goodness to us.  Writing them down will help us treasure them in our hearts.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered. We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes.  But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours.  To order this life-changing book, visit www.sharonjaynes.com.  You'll fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
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Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 18, 2010 

Don't Let Anything Get In Your Way 

Lori Fairchild 


From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend," Lori Fairchild.

Today's Truth
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2)

Friend To Friend
We recently acquired a dog. He's a beautiful two-year-old German shorthaired pointer named Buddy. He's a great dog - smart, gentle and well-behaved. He only has one quirk. He can't stand to be left alone. He loves our family so much that he wants to be with us every minute of every day. Whenever we leave the house, he throws a doggy fit. He destroys things by chewing on them and barks constantly. He stays in his crate while we're gone, and one day we came home to find he had chewed through the metal bars of his crate. He was so desperate to get to us that even metal bars couldn't stop him.

The interesting thing about Buddy's separation anxiety is that it didn't start until after we'd had him for several weeks. It wasn't until Buddy got to know and love us that he decided he is miserable when we aren't around. Buddy's behavior reminds me of how we should feel about God. We should desire to be in God's presence so much that we let nothing get in our way. And the more we get to know God, the more miserable we will be when we don't spend time with Him. We will feel like the psalmist when he says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God."

Yet, sometimes, we let the busyness of life get in the way of our pursuit of God. Instead of longing to spend time with Him, we give Him whatever time we have left over after we've taken care of our jobs, our families and our church responsibilities. God wants us to long to spend time with Him, to seek Him out, to act like Buddy in our desire to be with Him. He wants nothing - not our families, our friends or our activities - to stand in the way of us growing closer to Him.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I want to be closer to You. I want to seek You out each day. Create in me a desire to spend time each day with You. Make that time more important to me than anything else in my day. Help me not to let the busyness of life distract me from spending time with You.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What in your life is taking up time you should be spending with God?

Do you feel like Buddy in your desire to spend time with God or are you giving God the leftovers?

Choose a time in your day to set aside to spend time with God. Choose the time that works best for you, but make it a point to set aside time with God each day.

More From The Girls
Spending time with God doesn't have to be rigidly structured. Talk to God all day long, but make it a point to spend some time in His word during the day. Technology is a wonderful help in this. You can get the Bible on your computer, on your phone or even on a CD to listen to in your car. Choose the time and the method that work best for you. There is no one set way that God draws us near to Him. No matter the method, the result is the same - a closer relationship with God.

Want insights into sharing God's word with your children? Check out Lori's blog, Everyday Truth, at www.everdaytruth66.blogspot.com.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 21, 2010   

Change the Setting 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Friend To Friend
We do a lot of laundry at the Southerland house. I'm sure you can relate to the fact that there always seems to be a load in the washer that needs to go in the dryer, a load in the dryer that needs to be folded and a load of dirty laundry waiting to begin the tedious process all over again. Our washer and dryer have numerous settings for washing everything from hand washables and fine delicates to cotton and permanent press. After a few loads of producing pink, male underwear and sweaters shrunk to fit Barbie dolls, we decided to wash everything on one setting and in cold water. Heaven help the man, woman or child who dares to change that setting. 

When a life crisis comes, we generally have an automatic and very human setting of fear and anxiety. The good news is that we can change that setting to "peace" by counting on God.


Count on God to be with you. We battle stress every day, but God is faithful. We can count on Him to be with us every step of the way. Worry is a trust issue stemming from our desire to be in control. When we try to play God, the result is always worry and stress. We keep trying to fix tomorrow's problems with today's resources. God gives grace in daily doses that are always enough and right on time.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you" (NLT).
 
Count on God for direction. When we don't know or refuse to follow God's plan, life can easily spin out of control in a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. God offers direction and guidance through His Word, through His people and through the Holy Spirit. 

Psalm 32:8 "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you" (NLT).

Count on God for provision. God goes before us in every area of life. Nothing that happens to us will ever surprise God. We must be careful to stay away from scenario sickness of "what if." There are no "what ifs" when we choose to trust God for every need. God is at work around us, meeting needs we are not even yet aware of. Even as we pray, God's answer is on the way.   

Isaiah 65:24 "I will provide their needs before they ask. I will help them while they are still asking for help" (NLT).

Count on God for protection. God will fight for us when we are attacked. When we yield control to God and follow Him, God fights for us but when we pursue our agenda, we step out from under His umbrella of protection and into our own limited strength.

Exodus 14:13 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (NIV).     

I recently saw a bumper sticker that read, "If God is your Co-Pilot, switch seats!" The story is told of a newly licensed pilot who was flying his private plane through a fierce storm. He was not very experienced in instrument landing, so when the storm worsened, he realized that the control tower was going to have to bring him in for a landing. The pilot started thinking about all of the hills, towers and buildings in the area and began to panic. Over his radio, a calm but stern voice commanded, "You just obey instructions and we'll take care of the obstructions." Many of us have good reason to be afraid because we are sitting in the control seat of our life, trying to maneuver around every obstruction we face. Stress thrives in an atmosphere of fear and doubt when our hand is on the steering wheel of life. We need to move over, surrender all control to God and find the peace waiting in His hand. 

Let's Pray
Father, my heart is so often filled with fear and it seems like I am drowning in the uncertainties of my life. Help me learn to surrender my fears to You and leave them in Your hands. Strengthen me to face each storm and walk through it, knowing that You are with me. I choose to trust You and doubt my fears. I choose against stress and for peace. I choose You, Lord. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 


Make a list of your greatest fears. 
Prayerfully surrender each fear to he loving and faithful control of God.
Destroy the list as an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God's perfect peace now enthroned in your life. 
When fear and doubt assault you, the Word of God is your most powerful weapon. Read and memorize the following verses on fear:
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:6 -7
1 Peter 5:7

More From The Girlfriends
I know it is human nature to "over-promise" and "under-deliver" but it still hurts when someone in my life breaks their promise to me. The only person in my life that has never failed me is God. He is faithful. His promises are true and eternal. You really can count on Him, friend. 

Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and is a step-by-step plan for dealing with stress and learning to manage it before it manages you. (Also available on CD) 

Looking for a Bible Study? Mary now has several E-Bible Studies available. You can download each lesson on your own computer, print it out and complete it at your own pace. These E-Bible Studies are perfect for both personal and small group study.

Need encouragement? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study Light for the Journey and join women across the world in Bible study and prayer.

Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email. She loves hearing what God is doing in your life!

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 22, 2010 

Free to Fulfill an Extraordinary Purpose 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45 NIV). 

Friend To Friend
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was certainly an extraordinary woman.  All through the gospels we see her playing leading roles in God's redemptive plan. In the book of Acts, we see Mary one last time. After Jesus' resurrection, he addressed the disciples one final time before his ascent to take his seat at the right hand of the Father.  He instructed them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit, reassured them that he would return again, and commissioned them to share the gospel to the ends of the earth.  Then Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and the group headed to Jerusalem to wait.

So who was among this commissioned group of disciples?  Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew James Simon, Judas son of James, the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.  Hold everything!  The women?  Yes, the women.  Mary?  Yes, Mary.  For centuries, the religious leaders had been an all boys club.  But now, a fresh wind blew in to change the scenery of the new order called "the church." Jesus' parting words commissioned both men and women to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

Mary, the mother of Jesus was among the disciples.  She was a disciple, a learner, a follower.  She was commissioned with the rest to spread the gospel "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  And while we don't meet up with this incredible woman again, we can be sure that she did just that.

Mary was among the collective prophesy of Joel: "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy'" (Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-32 emphasis added).

We have to be careful not to worship Mary.  Jesus didn't.  When someone from a crowd yelled, "Blessed is the mother who gave birth and nursed you;" Jesus answered, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:27, 28).

Perhaps the most remarkable character trait of Mary, the one we can grasp with both hands and soar with her to great heights, is her radical obedience.  From the very beginning, Mary's response to God's call on her life rings through the ages: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).  When that is our response to God's call on our lives, we will indeed lead extraordinary lives filled with great exploits for the kingdom.

Yes, God chose Mary.  Yes, God chose you.  He has freed us from insignificance, and the key to access that freedom lies in Jesus' words:  "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."  That is where our significance lies. 

That type of obedience flows from a relationship of trust.  It is not a burden or a "have to" but a joy and a "want to."  It is not obedience simply because the Bible says so, but an adventure because we link arms with Jesus and follow him into great purpose.  This is a place where our simple water is transformed into the robust wine of life.

God has great plans for all of us. "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).  As Mary has shown us, God sets the offer before us, but He will not force His plan on anyone. We have to choose and say "yes" to Him. "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45).  That, my friend, is the key to experiencing the abundant life!

God freed Mary from an ordinary life and freed her to fulfill an extraordinary purpose.  He called an ordinary girl named Mary center stage, and she willingly walked forward to take her place.  I'm so glad she did.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I want to be radically obedient like Mary.  Help me to be a woman who says "yes" when You call.  I know that You have a great plan for my life.  My prayer is that others will say about me..."Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
If you are ready to experience the abundant life that God has planned for you all along, then write out this verse and fill in the blank with your name.

"I, ________________, am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's devotion.  Let's chat.  You can share your comments at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.  And if you haven't signed up to get regular posts, just click the "like" button and join the group! 


More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered. We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes.  But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours.  To order this life-changing book, visit www.sharonjaynes.com.  You'll fall in love with Jesus all over again. 

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 23, 2010 

Service: Love in Action 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Ephesians 2:10 "God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing" (NCV).

Friend To Friend
The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are made of the same water that flows down, clear and cold from the heights of Hermon and the roots of the cedars of Lebanon. The Sea of Galilee is a place of great beauty because it has an outlet. It gathers in its riches and then pours them out again to fertilize the Jordan plain. However, the Dead Sea, with the same water creates horror. The Dead Sea has no outlet. It gets to keep.

When we come to God, one of our first "natural" responses is to serve Him. In fact, our service to God should be spontaneous, enthusiastic and tireless. If there is no desire to serve or we find it hard to serve, then there is something wrong in our relationship with God.

One summer, our air conditioner was not working correctly. It only partially cooled the house but seemed to run all day long, doubling our electric bill. When the repairman arrived, the first thing he did was remove the filter from the air conditioning unit. It was filthy. He then removed the coil which was completely covered with layers of dog hair, cat fur and dust. The repairman explained, "This unit was never meant to work under this load. It is working as hard as it can but it is not strong enough to do something it was never intended to do." He then replaced the filter and cleaned the coil. Our electric bill went back down, the house was cooler than it had been in months and the unit ran smoothly.

We were created to serve God and to worship Him - here on earth and for eternity. Worship and service cannot be separated. When we worship God, we will naturally serve Him and when we serve God, we are worshipping Him.

There are many Christians who are doing nothing but there are no Christians who have nothing to do. When we think of a servant, we may think of someone who reports to work for a specific amount of time and is paid a specific wage. That is an employee - not a servant. The word "serve" comes from the Greek word "latreuo" and is often translated as "worship." It is not the picture of a slave serving a master. It is the picture of a love relationship that compels action.

Romans 12:1 (NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."

We worship God by pleasing Him in the daily routines of life. In other words, we should consider each day as a worship service to God. 

·         Cleaning house   

·         Cooking meals 

·         Making beds 

·         Picking up children 

·         Helping a neighbor 

·         Buying groceries 

·         Teaching a bible study 

·         Listening to a hurting friend

Service begins in the heart where it was conceived in love and then works its way out in every day life as an act of praise and gratitude. Service is love in action.

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place and pay for my sin. I can never thank You enough for Your grace, mercy and love. I want to serve You with my whole heart. Please lead and direct me in the way You have for me to go. I want to be Your servant.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 


List several talents and gifts that you recognize in your own life. 
How are you using those talents and gifts to serve God? 
Ask those who know you best to identify your strengths. You may be surprised at their response. 
Look for ways to serve in the areas that give you the most joy.

More From The Girlfriends
The most joyful people I know are the ones who serve God whenever and wherever they can. Don't try to serve with the gifts you think you should have. I encourage you to identify your gifts and abilities and then use them to serve others. God created you with a specific plan in mind and will empower you for His service.

Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and is a step-by-step plan for dealing with stress and learning to manage it before it manages you. (Also available on CD) 

Looking for a Bible Study? Mary's new E-Bible Study, Winning the War with Temptation may be exactly what you need. You can download each lesson on your own computer, print it out and complete it at your own pace. Perfect for both personal and small group study.

Need encouragement? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study Light for the Journey and join women across the world in Bible study and prayer.

Be sure to connect with Mary on Face book or through email. She loves hearing what God is doing in your life!

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

June 24, 2010 

Mad Mary 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others." Luke 8:1-3a NIV).

Friend To Friend

She was just a normal little girl frolicking about the house, toying with the goats, and sticking her fingers in her mother's rising dough. After her father died, Mary's mother tried her best to raise the child on what little her husband had left behind.  But when puberty began to bloom, a poisonous weed began to take root in Mary's mind.  With each passing year, her behavior grew more and more erratic. 

Often she was seen banging her head against the wall of their modest home, screaming curses to unseen shadows, crawling like an animal through the yard, and cutting her arms with sharp edged stones.  Mary's mother was almost relieved when the deranged young woman ran away to live among the tombs.  "Now I won't have to deal with her craziness," her mother breathed.

Mary Magdalene was an outcast, demon-possessed lunatic - unwanted, unclean, untouchable, and unapproachable. But all that was about to change.

"Peter," Jesus spoke as he led the troupe of men toward the cemetery on the fringes of Magdala, "I need to stop by here for a moment." 

"But why," John questioned.  "Do you have a relative's grave you wish to visit?"

"Not a physically dead relative," my friend, "but a spiritually dead sister who needs me."

With confused looks on their faces, Jesus' friends knew not to argue with Jesus' travel plans.  It seemed he always had an agenda that they didn't know about.

As soon as the band of disciples neared the tombs, a half-dressed woman in tattered rags bolted from the brush.

"We know who you are," the woman hissed.  "You are the Son of God.  What do you want with us?"

The disciples recoiled at the sight and stench of this mad woman, but Jesus drew near. Certainly this was not the sister he mentioned.  With a shout, Jesus directed his words toward the woman, but rebuked the demons within. "Come out of her!"

The woman fell to the ground in a violent seizure.  After a few moments of blood curdling screams and obscene curses, she lay perfectly still.

"Is she dead?" James asked.

"No, my friend," Jesus replied.  "She is actually more alive than she has ever been."

Jesus knelt down beside her, brushed the hair from her eyes and extended his hand.  "Mary, Daughter of Abraham, rise to newness of life."

The disciples stared wide-eyed as Mary stood to her feet and in her right mind. Her crazy countenance was replaced by perfect peace.

"Thank you, thank you," she cried as tears of freedom and joy coursed down her weathered cheeks.

Jesus turned to walk away to his next assignment, but rather than stand and stare in awe, Mary ran to follow.  The disciples waited for Jesus to send her away.  They were quite surprised when he did the opposite and motioned for her to come along. From that day on, she would remain among the disciples to do whatever she could to further the ministry of Jesus.

We don't know much about Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus and her deliverance from demons. A closer look at her emancipation only allows us to examine one solitary sentence. "The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out..." (Luke 8:2).

For most of my life, I pictured Jesus traveling about with his twelve disciples.  After all, isn't that the picture in the Sunday school books? It was only recently that the landscape in my mind changed dramatically.  I had to walk over to the easel in my mind and paint a new picture on a fresh canvas.  Jesus didn't travel about with only the twelve men.  Luke lets us know that there were women who travelled with them as well: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others.

"...and many others."  I just love that.  These were women who had been healed, delivered, saved and empowered by Jesus.  Where have they been all my life?  They've been there all along, but somehow I've missed their influence and impact on Jesus' earthly ministry.  I've allowed ancient artists to paint the pictures of Jesus and his entourage in my mind rather than Scripture. 

Now we are a part of "...and many others."  In Jesus' day, women were not allowed to study under a Rabbi's teaching, attend temple services in the same room with the men, or even talk to men in public.  But Jesus came to change all that.  He showed great love and respect for God's female image bearers and risked his reputation to save theirs. He flung open the doors to His classroom for them to learn and the doors of the Kingdom for them to serve.

I hope you know just how much God loves you today.  Jesus is proof of just how much He does.

Let's Pray 

Dear LORD, Thank You for all you did to set women free to play leading roles in Your redemptive story.  I pray that I, like Mary Magdalene, will do what I can to further the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Now It's Your Turn

Did today's devotion give you a better idea of what Mary Magdalene's life may have been like before she met Jesus?

Most likely, you have not been delivered from 7 demons like our sister Mary, but if you know Jesus Christ as Savior, you have been delivered from darkness.  Look up the following verses and note how you have been delivered from darkness.

Ephesians 5:8

Colossians 1:13

1 Peter 2:9

I'd love to hear your comments about today's devotion.  Let's chat.  Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes or my blog at www.sharonjaynes.com/blog.

More From The Girlfriends

Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered. We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes.  But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours.  To order this life-changing book, visit www.sharonjaynes.com.  You'll fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com