Last night was incredible!!! It was a great way to celebrate the end of our summer study together, and we all had a grand time to the glory of God!
Everyone in attendance received a "bookplate" as a keepsake! It was actually a label that sticks on the inside cover of your book as a commemoration of our summer journey through this amazing purple book that pointed us to the Word! For those of you who were unable to make it, I have attached the pdf so that you can print one from home and tape it into the front of your book if you would like!
Our Women's Ministry Director, Darlene Barber, opened the evening in prayer and then we were blessed with an incredible song, "I have a hope", from Joi Bowling which set the stage for our celebration of "Chirst in us, the hope of glory!"
The skype attempt was successful and Kay Arthur joined us from her home office in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Kay not only welcomed us into her home, but she invited us into her very heart and soul as she shared candidly about some of the difficult trials in her life that brought her to the place that she came to fully rely on Jesus on July 16, 1963. She continued to share some of what she is facing today and we should all be in prayer for her husband, Jack, as he has been battling gastric malt lymphoma since the finding in April. His email just went out today thanking many for their prayers, and his heart beats with the same passion as Kay's. He writes, "After 40 years in this ministry together, we continue to desire one thing...that you and those you love would be in a serious study of God's Word. That would bring more joy to us than anything else in the world." Kay admonished us from II Peter that in knowing God more we could be the recipients of everything that pertains to life and godliness. Kay's incredible passion for women to know and understand the Word of God was evident and so encouraging last night in her sharing! She applauded us for our commitment this summer and then challenged us all to find a way to remain in the Word, and not just in a devotional, but in really seriously studying it, just as Jack said. What a great champion team for the Word of God they make!
Testimonies followed and we were blessed to hear some of the ways God has shown up, and brought us along, and taught us, and nudged us in a good direction. In one attendees words, we were "refreshed, edified, and blessed" all in a single evening!
I am praying that you are all asking God "what next?" There are so many opportunities available these days, and the time is short -- we do not know how much longer we will have to study the Word. It could be removed or Jesus could return -- so let's "redeem the time!" and be serious about the incredible, amazing, magnificent and wondrous manuscript that was left to us for our learning while we still hold it in our hands.
Recruiting again! (check out the studies offered at Shadow Mountain at www.shadowmountain.org/women)
Debbie Harris
QUIET TIME AGAIN in SUMMER 10
www.shadowmountain.org
http://blogs.shadowmountain.org/women CHECK OUT THE BLOG!
PS If anyone has a photo of Kay on the screen I would love to have one, or any photos that you would like to share!!! Thanks!