Transformed Moms: TAKEN BY LOVE... GRATEFULLY....

It is GOD who BLESSES and TRANSFORMS...

This is a blog for women who:

(1) Desire to be transformed by JESUS' LOVE, HOLINESS, AND GRACE; (2) Believe that GOD'S WORD is the true Spirit food for HIS HOLY SPIRIT who lives within us; (3) Submit to GOD and walk this journey of life with HIM transforming us more and more into HIS likeness.

It's a blog about the POWER OF TRANSFORMED LIVES. Let's begin with yours and mine and pass it on... 1 + 1 + 1...

Since God's Holy Spirit lives inside a christian, let's choose to be nurtured and transformed by feasting daily on Holy Spirit food - God's Word - The Holy Bible..

Once in a while I take a hiatus from writing, but I have begun again on Easter Sunday 2013. Usually, there will be multiple blog postings each week. You are invited to use it as part of your daily quiet time. Topics may run for several months at a time. The current topic is posted over on the right side bar. Each week, I will try to connect to a song or two that goes with our current topic.

Each day of the week follows a special format: Sunday in the Son; Meditation Monday; GratiTuesday; Women in the Word Wednesday; Transforming Thursday; Family Fellowship Friday; and, Ketchup and Mustard Saturday.

There's a whole lot here! Take your time to browse. Please come back and visit often. Welcome!

Because of Jesus, we can be family,

Patti

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

TAKEN BY LOVE... GRATEFULLY....

GRATEFUL FOR ROAD TRIPS! This past weekend, Steve and I headed west to Boyertown, PA where we shared God's wisdom on marriage with a small group of couples. These men and women attended this weekend retreat to enrich their marriages God's way!

The fall foliage is still gorgeous and we knew we were in for some great scenery for the trip. It was important to follow the map and road signs from South Jersey to PA. There were a few very out of the ordinary sights along the way.

As I shared yesterday, the topic of the weekend: In-to-me-see (Intimacy) is not always one that's easy to forge with a group of people who come from many different stages of their marital journey. Yet, we sat around in lovely surroundings (many of my pictures taken are missing from my cell phone)....

We contemplated this picture of two trees as the beginning of a series of pictures that guided us into a deeper look at INTIMACY.

GRATEFUL FOR THE JOURNEY! These two trees, for Steve and I, are symbolic of two people coming from two very different worlds and growing together over the years (in spite of the fence... the boundaries...). Our root system and shared life journey now make us totally intertwined.

I looked back, yesterday, asking the questions, "What attracted you to your spouse in the first place?" and "What were the characteristics of his that made you taken by his love?"
.

Yesterday, I shared what first attracted me to Steve (in 1970) via that little ABC exercise of the characteristics of Jesus. Today, after 40 years of dating, I see how that list has expanded - no matter what the circumstances.
.

Through the challenges and the storms, I am still taken by the love of a man who makes it is goal to please Jesus... to be like Jesus... and in so doing, he has learned and is learning that to be like Jesus is not always a pleasant journey... I hope my ABC's of Steve capture the essence of my Beloved:

Advocate (for Jesus)
Blessing / Brother / Betrayed
Counselor
Despised
Encourager
Faithful
Grace / Gentle / Good
Humble / Healer
Inspired / Inspiration
Joy
Kind
Lamb / Love
Mediator / Merciful / Man of Sorrows
Nail scarred (symbolically)
Obedient
Patience
Quieter of the winds and the waves
Refuge / Rejected
Son
Truth / Tempted
Unspeakable gift
Victorious
Wisdom / Wounded
eXample
YHWH (in Him)
Zion stander

No comments:

A Little History of this Blog:

A group of moms in Pitman, New Jersey began meeting every Tuesday morning in June 2008 to learn how to be Master-Full Moms. Although that class only lasted that summer, we have continued to have other classes for moms offered at the Pitman church of Christ. This blog will remain like an ongoing class. So, come back each day and join us as we discuss being God's women as we encourage transformation in each other.
.
3 POINTERS TO NAVIGATE THIS BLOG:

1. Just below, you'll find a series of questions and answers about who Transformed Moms are.

2. Options for getting started...after those questions and answers... YOU COULD click on the June 2008 Archive, scroll down to the first post called MASTER-FULL MOMS and start from the beginning with our 14 day devotional challenge, or.... YOU COULD start with our summary of our original summer class and blog on the 8-31-08 post: SUMMER SUMMARY - SPIRITUAL, or... YOU COULD browse through the archive and click what looks interesting to you...and/or...
.
3. You're invited to read recent posts and come back daily to join us as we are led by the Holy Spirit down the road to healing and / or transformation.

Thanks for joining us, Patti

2. WHAT DOES A MOM DO WHO HAS THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVING IN HER?

… those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires …life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to GOD. It does not submit to GOD’S law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please GOD. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the SPIRIT, if the SPIRIT OF GOD lives in you…Therefore, sisters, we have an obligation… by the SPIRIT you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live… Romans 8:5-13

6. MOM, DAUGHTER OF GOD, HOW DO YOU GET THE POWER TO LIVE AND NOT LOSE HEART?

For GOD, WHO said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made HIS light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of CHRIST.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from GOD and not from us.

We are:

· hard pressed on every side, but not crushed

· perplexed, but not in despair

· persecuted, but not abandoned

· struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

2011 Theme: BLESSED

CHALLENGE 2011: Experience transformation while learning to live the Blessed Life:

JANUARY - BLESSED are the poor in spirit...
FEBRUARY - BLESSED are those who mourn...
FEBRUARY - BLESSED are the meek...
MARCH - BLESSED are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...
APRIL - BLESSED are the merciful...
MAY - BLESSED are the pure in heart...
JUNE - BLESSED are the peacemakers...
JULY - BLESSED are those who are persecuted... REJOICE...
AUGUST - BLESSED people are the SALT OF THE EARTH and THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD...
SEPTEMBER - Matthew 5:1-16 (a review of January through August).
OCTOBER - James 1:12 "BLESSED is the woman who perseveres under trial..."
NOVEMBER - Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might nor by power, but by the Holy Spirit." - BLESSED!

2011 - JANUARY SCRIPTURES FOR MEMORY -(1st one Beatitude of the month; 2nd is memory verse).

MATTHEW 5:1-3
.
Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:

"BLESSED are the POOR IN SPIRIT, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
.
.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He HUMBLED Himself and became OBEDIENT to death- even death on a cross!
.
9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
.

2011 - FEBRUARY SCRIPTURES FOR MEMORY

.
BEATITUDES FOR THE MONTH:
.
Matthew 5:4-5
.
...Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. .

....Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
.
.
MEMORY VERSES FOR THE MONTH:
.
Luke 1:46-52
.
46 And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the LORD 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.
.
From now on all generations will call me BLESSED,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me- HOLY is His name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
.

2011 MARCH SCRIPTURES FOR MEMORY

BEATITUDE SCRIPTURE FOR MARCH: Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. . MARCH SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Psalms 63:1-8 . O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. . 2 I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. . 4 I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You. . 6 On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. 7 Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. . 8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. .

2011 APRIL SCRIPTURES FOR MEMORY

BEATITUDE FOR APRIL: Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

. SCRIPTURE MEMORY FOR APRIL: Romans 11:32-12:2

For God has bound all men over to disobedience

so that He may have MERCY on them all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been His counselor?"

35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

36 For from Him and

through Him and

to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

1 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.

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-

His good, pleasing and perfect will. .

2011 MAY SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES

BE-ATTITUDE FOR MAY:

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

MEMORY PASSAGE FOR MAY:
PSALM 51:7-17

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
You who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.
.

2011 JUNE - SCRIPTURE MEMORY

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

James 3:17-18

Two Kinds of Wisdom

BACKGROUND VERSES:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

TO MEMORIZE:

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

2011 JULY SCRIPTURE MEMORY

MATTHEW 5:1-9 "1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them. The Beatitudes He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "

"BLESSED

are the poor in spirit,

for...

"BLESSED

are those who mourn, for... "BLESSED

are the meek,

for...

"BLESSED

are those who

hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for...

"BLESSED

are the merciful,

for...

"BLESSED

are the pure in heart,

for...

"BLESSED

are the peacemakers,

for...

"...they will be called

the children of God."

Check the 7/7/11 post for additional explanations.

~BLESSED~

2011 AUGUST SCRIPTURE MEMORY

Matthew 5

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

2011 SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY

Matthew 5:1-16

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

2011 OCTOBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY

JAMES 1

12 Blessed is a (wo)man who perseveres under trial; for once she has been approved, she will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

FAITHFUL FRIENDS CLASS VERSES

FAITH Fixes my eyes on JESUS – Heb 12:2-3

2 “Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the AUTHOR and PERFECTOR of our F.A.I.T.H., who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame…sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

FAITH Assures me of what I hope for - Heb 11:1

“Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

FAITH says I don’t wanna’ but I’m a gonna’-Heb 11:3-40

3 “By FAITH we understand that the universe was formed at GOD's command…6 And without FAITH.it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him… by FAITH men conquered Kingdoms… administered justice… gained what was promised; shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched flames… escaped the sword…weakness turned to strength… became powerful in battle…

2011 DECEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY

MATTHEW 25

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
and all the angels with Him,
He will sit on His glorious throne.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him,
and He will separate the people one from another
as a Shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on His right
and the goats on His left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right,
‘Come, you who are BLESSED by My Father;
take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and
you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.’