Spring 2016: Vol. 2, Issue 2
Connecting Hearts #QDRR &HQK
Around the World by Misty Fantauzzo
Spring Cleaning for your !Q@HM by Jen Lawrence
Transformation by Judy Maid
CONTENTS 20
4
14 Contributors: Misty Fantauzzo Jen Lawrence, MS, MFTC Judy Maid Carol Peterson Melissa Rhoads Carrie Rothones
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4 DRESS A GIRL AROUND THE WORLD A MINISTRY OF HOPE AND DIGNITY WORLDWIDE
By Misty Fantauzzo
10 SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BRAIN By Jen Lawrence, MS, MFTC 14 A LESSON FROM LEFTOVERS By Carrie Rothones
Publisher: Melissa Rhoads Editor: Gail Hoffman Photo Credits: Heather Coen Misty Fantauzzo Jenny Langness Pat Russell
pg. 8 (Cover) pg. 21 pp. 14,16
18 RECIPE–THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE By Misty Fantauzzo 20 TRANSFORMATION By Judy Maid 22 FINANCIAL BABY STEPS By Carol Peterson 24 GALATIANS PART 3(CHAPTERS 5-6) By Melissa Rhoads 48 YOU CAN BE SURE Questions and Answers about Jesus By Carrie Rothones
Women of Foundations
Connecting Hearts Magazine
Dear Readers, This issue of Women of Foundations Connecting Hearts Magazine is blossoming with spring stories. We hope as you read through the articles, new ideas will blossom in your soul and produce ripe fruit. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and submissions. In Jesus, Melissa and Gail
Article submissions to: Melissa.a.rhoads@gmail.com Subject line: Connecting Hearts article submission Photo Submissions to: Melissa.a.rhoads@gmail.com Subject line: Connecting Hearts photo submission
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Dress A Girl Around The World A Ministry Offering Hope and Dignity Worldwide by Misty Fantauzzo
I had the opportunity to interview Rachel Cinader, the founder of Dress A Girl Around the World. We didn’t meet at my kitchen table, instead I fumbled my way through setting up FaceTime and interviewing her from her office in Arizona. I was also able to collect stories and photographs from several people that have helped with this ministry through Foundations Church. The Women’s Ministry at Foundations is hosting a sewing event on Saturday May 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Bring your sewing machine, scissors and pins. Kits will be ready for you to sew. Don’t sew? You can iron and attach buttons. Come at anytime between 9:00-2:00 and stay as long as you like. It will be a great day of fellowship and service.
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Rachel Eggum Cinader remembers a 10 year old girl in Uganda. Bare feet running towards her. Hands clutching her dress at the waist where it was torn. She remembers slipping a new brightly printed cotton dress over the girl’s head and watching her smile and twirl. This child, who had to hold her dress together just to keep her dignity, is what the Dress A Girl Around the World ministry is about. Ten years ago Rachel founded Hope 4 Women International after traveling with her brother to Uganda with his organization Hope 4 Kids International. Hope 4 Kids sponsors orphans but Rachel kept wondering “what about the women in these communities?” Her heart longed to help them. Today Hope 4 Women International provides 1 year sponsorships for women that provide capital and training for starting their own businesses. Dress A Girl Around the World is a program under the Hope 4 Women organization that started with a simple sewing pattern.
In 2009 Rachel and her sister Joan took a pattern and some pillowcases to Uganda and taught the women there to sew little dresses on old treadle sewing machines. “The idea was to teach the women how to make clothing for their children because we had seen so many little girls in torn and ragged dresses,” says Rachel. “When word got out that we had done this, we began to get emails and phone calls from people asking if they could make dresses.” She laughs now as she remembers her response “Well…that’s not really the vision we have for this program”. She started to pray about it since so many people seemed interested. Soon she was contacted by a woman who was going on a mission trip to Honduras and was looking for support. Rachel gave her a little money and 50 pillowcase dresses. Later they received pictures from that trip and saw the girls in Honduras wearing their new dresses and she said, “Well, I guess we are Dress A Girl Around the World”. And the ministry was begun.
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The program has grown in ways Rachel never imagined and has become a three generation ministry, with her daughter and granddaughter both involved. The program has moved away from the original pillowcase pattern so that multiple styles and sizes can be created. Each dress is lovingly made with new, sturdy, and beautifully colored cotton. “We don’t want the ‘something is better than nothing’ attitude. We want God’s best dresses for these girls,” remarks Rachel. In addition to providing dresses, the organization has developed a curriculum to educate women in some of these communities, about sex trafficking practices. Rachel says they have had women tell them that they were planning on sending their daughters away in hopes of work or education but because of the information they were given about sex trafficking, they changed their minds. “We don’t know if we have saved 1 or 10,000 girls but even if we have saved just one, it is worth it,” says Rachel. The dresses themselves add a layer of protection for the girls because the Dress A Girl label, prominently sewn on the front pocket of each dress, indicates to would be predators that “this child is under the protection of an agency”.
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“There was no strategy on my part,” admits Rachel. “God just took this and said ‘Here, we are going to do this around the world.’ ” The first year they sent out approximately 500 dresses. Last year the number was 150,000. Since the beginning they estimate there have been 450,000 dresses sent to 82 different countries. With a website and word of mouth as the only marketing, they have inspired women in the U.S, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom to organize sewing groups.
Dress A Girl at Foundations Church Foundations Church has some special ties to the Dress A Girl organization. Attendee, Joan Skogen, is Rachel’s sister. She was on that first trip to Uganda with Rachel when the idea began to take shape. Several groups have gone out from Foundations and delivered dresses around the world. Dr. Andrea Mead, who led a medical mission trip to Haiti last summer, delivered 30 dresses. As families were seen in the clinic the staff was able to identify needy children and replace their tattered clothing with new dresses. “The girls there were thrilled to have them! They were running around the clinic, twirling and showing off their dresses,” says Andrea. Ellie, Andrea’s eleven-year-old daughter, was in Haiti with her. “How are they so happy when they have nothing?” she asked her mom. It was a trip that would solidify for this mother and daughter the answer to where true joy comes from.
Karlie and Jeff Ruiter take dresses to Guatemala every year. Carrie Rothones has taken dresses to Israel. Pastor Erik Miller and Paul Woods delivered 50 dresses to Rwanda last November. The Women’s Ministry at Foundations has organized a sewing group that meets quarterly and provides these dresses that are traveling the globe. Foundations member Sandy Lueth wrote the pattern and instructions for the dresses that are created here. God’s hand continues to direct this amazing program to those that need it most. Heather Coen is an artist who lived in Loveland and was involved in the Dress A Girl program at Foundations. She now lives in Arizona but continues to be involved. Heather met fellow artist, Judee Dickenson, at a gallery that was showcasing beautiful portraits of natives in Rwanda and Uganda. Judee talked about an orphanage that she and her husband Gary are involved with and described how difficult it was to get clothing for some of the pygmy tribes they worked with because of their small stature. She specifically needed 17 tiny dresses. Heather committed to helping her provide these dresses through her involvement in Dress A Girl. Here is an excerpt from a story she calls The Pygmy Miracle.
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photo provided by Heather Coen
“About this time my disabled husband took a bad turn and ended up in the hospital. I was put on a local church meal delivery service. A lady named Jan brought over some food and walked in while I was sewing a dress. She stood stunned looking at my sewing machine and inquired if I knew anything about DAGAW. (Dress A Girl Around The World) I explained that I had some strong ties to this ministry and her mouth dropped open. She exclaimed “At last! At last!" Apparently Jan saw an article about dressing little girls and was so moved she started sewing two years earlier. However, there was a flaw in her plan because she realized that she had sewn 17 little tiny dresses, which were too tiny for any little girl to wear. She delivered the whole lot the next day as I agreed to have them shipped to Colorado. We had the exact number of pieces we needed. They were carried to Africa by Judee and Gary a few weeks later.”
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God used Rachel Cinader’s heart for women in Uganda, to create a ministry that Rachel never imagined. God used one woman’s sewing mistake to fill a very special need for a unique people. God can use each of us in ways we can’t imagine. He uses our gifts, our ideas, and even our mistakes for His good.♥
For more information about Dress A Girl Around the World visit http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com For more information about Hope 4 Women International visit http://www.h4wi.org
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Spring Cleaning for Your Brain By Jen Lawrence, MS, MFTC Ah, Spring! The time of year when we drag out the lawn mower and pruning shears, throw open windows to air out the house, and switch out our winter clothes for summer ones. We seem to do a lot of work to usher in the new season for our homes and our clothing but what about our brains? The long, cold months being indoors or bundled up outdoors cause as much stuffiness and need for spring cleaning in our brains as it does for our yards and closets. And what a perfect time to learn something new! Transitions of any kind are opportunities for us to make some changes. The transition from winter to spring already forces us to do something different, so adding new habits is easier right now compared to trying it during summer when our adjustment due to a season change is not as significant. So, how can we “spring clean� our brains? 10 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
Getting ready for change is the first step. It is helpful to be purposeful and deliberate about any change we want to make. That means clearing out the many distractions we all have, so that we can focus on clarifying our new goal. It is kind of like praying; if there are distractions, it can be difficult to focus on God and find the words to use in prayer. To help with this step, I like to practice some relaxation exercises that are simple yet powerful. Two of these exercises focus on breathing, and the third is physical visualization. I suggest trying each exercise for at least two minutes. As the two minutes comes to a close, notice how your body feels in comparison to how it felt prior to the exercise. Try the second and third exercises at different times, again for two minutes. Notice how your body feels at
the end of each exercise. Did one of the exercises lead to a greater feeling of relaxation? Was one of the exercises easier to do than the other? Sometimes the feeling I get when I do these exercises is similar to the feeling I get when I really connect with the Holy Spirit and am handing my worries to God through prayer. See if that resonates for you as you do these exercises. If they all felt good, you can use all of them. Or, just use the one that felt best. Box Breathing: Sit or recline somewhere comfortable and where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes. Imagine a one-dimensional square box. Inhaling, holding your breath, exhaling, and holding your breath again will outline the four sides of the box. So, breathe in for 4 seconds as you imagine your breath tracing the first side of the box. At the corner, pause and hold your breath for 4 seconds as you imagine tracing the second side of the box with that held breath. At the corner, exhale for 4 seconds as you trace the next side. At the final corner, again pause and hold your breath for 4 seconds as you trace the final side. Trace the box in this manner for 2 minutes. Wave or Circle Breathing: Sit or recline somewhere comfortable and where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes. Imagine either a wave or a circle that you will trace with your breath. Breathe in fully. At the top of the breath, slow down just a bit and think of your breath rolling over to a gentle exhale, like the transition from the upward side of the circle or wave to the downward side. The transition is gentle. Fully exhale and at the bottom of your outward breath, roll gently back into
an inhale. minutes.
Do this progression for 2
Inviting Good Feelings: Sit or recline somewhere comfortable and where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes. Scan your body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Notice where you feel good or neutral and where you feel tense or uncomfortable. Identify a place in or on your body that feels the most relaxed. It may be an elbow, knee or the some other place that doesn’t readily come to mind without specifically checking in with that part. That’s ok. Just notice that it feels relaxed. Pay attention to that feeling for a few seconds. Then, invite that feeling to spread to the nearest parts of your body. Give yourself at least 2 minutes to spread this feeling to as much of your body as you can and then notice your breathing and your body. I think of it as inviting the Holy Spirit to spread from that one bright, balanced, calm place you noticed out to the rest of your body where you hold the weight of stresses in your life. The second step in spring cleaning is to slowly implement the change you want make. Plunging right into a change like healthy eating or starting a new exercise regime can set you up for failure if you take too big a bite too quickly. Just like taking too big a bite of your meal can be difficult to chew and swallow, taking too big a first step towards a change can be overwhelming and lead to failure before ever reaching a second step! Start slowly, just one small step at first. For example, if the change you want to make is to watch less TV and exercise more, start with a small reasonable step. Pick ½ hour of TV time and use that time to walk around the Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 11
block instead (even if you can currently run 3 miles, make it easy and just walk, maybe take the dog or a family member with you). Have an end goal in mind (such as to reduce 2 hours of TV time and fill it with exercise and reading). Then, slowly build up to that end goal, adjusting as you learn along the way what works and what doesn’t. A third and often forgotten step when making changes is celebrating the positive movement toward the larger goal. We often get so caught up in the next step that we forget to stop and recognize that we
did make a change! The recognition of the change can be helpful in solidifying the new behavior. Give yourself a few minutes to review your progress and give yourself a pat on the back for the changes you have made, even if they are small. Change can be hard but it does not have to be impossible. The transition from winter to spring can provide a helpful springboard into other changes you may have been struggling to make. Take advantage of the change in seasons to try something new. Just like a home or a closet, spring cleaning for the brain can be energizing.♼
Jen Lawrence is a couple and family therapist in Loveland and is an ambassador for Foundations Church. She works with several other professional therapists in the Hope for the Journey Counseling Center in Loveland. This counseling center is a community of professional therapists who are committed to serving Jesus Christ and providing quality, clinical counseling through authentic, caring relationships with clients. The center provides individual, couple, and family therapy for all ages of clients. Location: 1401 S. Taft Ave, Ste. 206 Loveland, CO 80537. Phone: 970 541-9066. http://www.hope4thejourneyloveland.com/
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A Lesson From Leftovers The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time, it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five —and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Mark 6:30-44. 14 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
By Carrie Rothones
The disciples had experienced a few hard days. They had just returned from mission work where Jesus had sent them. They had just heard about King Herod beheading John the Baptist. They were bone tired and Jesus knew it. So He told them to follow Him to a quiet place, but all the people followed them. The disciples must have been really disappointed when they saw their alone time with Jesus slipping away. The word “rest” comes from a Greek word that describes it “like the relaxing or letting down of chords or strings which have been strained or drawn tight.” Describes stress rather well don’t you think? We have all had stress like this, some more than others. Jesus saw the disciples needed rest from all their worries, sorrow and the great missionary trip as well. Jesus knew they needed time alone with Him to rest. So they got in their boat and headed to a solitary place. But, people saw them and followed them. So much for time alone. Let’s see what happens next. When they got to shore, the crowd of people was there waiting for Jesus. Jesus had great compassion on these folks. They were looking for hope and healing and thought they’d find it in Jesus. Little did they know how right they were. Jesus was going to give them a wonderful lesson and feed them too. The disciples might have been thinking, “Hey you said we’d get some rest and now look at all these people! You want us to feed them? We’re hungry ourselves. All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish. There are twelve of us and that isn’t even enough to feed us. How do you expect us to feed this mob?” What was to be a time of rest and renewal became
a great lesson on God’s provision. Jesus was teaching the disciples about their source of strength and hope. The renewal Christ offered at this time became a relearning of what to do in times of overwhelming need. Jesus took what the disciples gave Him, gave thanks to God the Father and provided more than enough to fill the empty bellies of all the people and the disciples. Everyone was satisfied. After everyone had eaten, Jesus had the disciples pick up the leftovers. Do you think it may have been to reinforce the lesson of the provision God had given? When we experience things both visually and physically we learn better. Jesus often taught and showed the extravagant gifts of the Father.
”As the Scriptures say, ’They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” 2 Corinthians 9:9-11
The disciples were learning from the Master Himself that provision comes from the hand of God. He provides what we need when we need it even when we don’t see where it could possibly come from. God does provide and increases our resources when we turn to Him and ask with a thankful heart. It may not come in the way we thought, but God is faithful and will provide. Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 15
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. Mark 6:45-56
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Jesus needed time alone with His father. So He sent His disciples on to the next town and spent time on the mountain top talking with God. Jesus knew where to be refreshed and renewed so He went out alone. We should take this example and spend time every day with the One who knows us best and loves us most. Since He is the Source of our provision we should seek to spend time with Him and allow Him to love and renew us. Jesus knew the importance of spending time with His Father. The Disciples found themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. This lake can be calm and inviting one minute and in the next turn into a raging caldron. They thought they were alone when all of a sudden they saw something even more terrifying ~ a ghost or so they thought. Their eyes became wider as they watched this image begin to walk past them. They were petrified and began to scream. Jesus stopped and let them know it was only Him. They didn’t recognize Jesus in the midst of the storm. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to see Jesus walking on the water. This is another example of God doing something so out of the ordinary we wouldn’t even think of it as a solution. He reveals Himself in the midst of the storm when we cry out to Him. God has a way of doing things so extraordinary it couldn’t possibly come from anyone but Him. On this night and in this storm God the Son walked on water through a storm to rescue those He loved. He will do the same for all those He loves. Maybe not in the same way, but in a way perfectly matched for the need we face.
Even though they had just experienced the miracle of feeding five thousand men (not counting women and children) they still didn’t fully understand what Jesus was teaching them. They didn’t cry out to God and ask for help. They were paralyzed in their fear. It wasn’t until Jesus spoke that they calmed down. Peace came immediately when they knew it was Him. After Jesus was crucified, resurrected and taken back to heaven, the disciples finally got it. This miracle, feeding the 5000, is the only one that is reported in all four Gospels (apart from the resurrection), probably because it made such an impact on them. As they reached the shore they were met by people who were in need. I wonder if they had a different opinion of the crowd always seeking help? Jesus just taught them about finding rest in Him even in the midst of a raging storm. The crowds paled in comparison to what they had just experienced. The people in Gennesaret knew who Jesus was and ran to Him with their sick and dying. Even when they touched the hem of His cloak they were healed. There is such power in the Name of Jesus. Do we recognize Him? Do we run to Him to meet our needs? Jesus wants us to learn that provision comes from Him. Nowhere else can we find complete fulfillment. Let’s learn the lesson of the five loaves and two fish. Look up and give thanks to God for He alone is wholly faithful. In the midst of the storms of life He is there willing to provide His peace. ♥
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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie “You make the BEST chocolate chip cookies EVER Mama!” That may be the one thing my kids agree on. Do I think they are the best ever? Probably not. I have conducted my own research on the topic, including trying new recipes I find. I’ve also taste-tested my way through chocolate chip cookies I meet at local bakeries or in my travels. But in my house, Mama makes the best cookies! Because it is warm and familiar, it is perfect to their tastebuds. And isn’t that how it should be? for more on “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie” visit www.KitchenTableJournal.com
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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
by Misty Fantauzzo
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter (at room temperature) 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped pecans Mix butter, sugar and brown sugar on medium speed for 4 minutes. Stop and scrape down sides of bowl. Add egg and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt into a small bowl then pour into mixer and blend until well combined. Add nuts and chocolate chips. Use 1/4 scoop and place balls of cookie dough on baking sheet. Bake at 365° for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!
Print This Recipe Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 19
Transformation
by Judy Maid
A
s I reflect on the Glory of Christ’s resurrection, my heart overflows with joy over the power of transformation that can take place in our lives. The beauty of Christ’s death and resurrection is that He enables and empowers each of us to become all that He created us to be through His lifegiving Spirit. I love the quote by St. Irenaeus who said “The glory of God is a man fully alive.” We are truly fully alive and reflect His Glory when we allow Him to express Himself through our unique character. One night while I was praying, I felt the Lord saying “Allow me to be who I am through you.” The words kept ringing in my soul and as I meditated, it occurred to me that I was not being true 20 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
to who God made me to be. I was going in different directions, trying to be and do things that really didn’t flow. How could God use me if I wasn’t living an authentic life and allowing Him to express Himself through my uniqueness. Living a life through how God made you is truly the only way that we can impact those around us, and be difference makers in this world. I looked around me at the amazing ways God expresses Himself through nature. An elephant isn’t supposed to run like a cheetah, a dog is not meant to purr like a kitten, a sunflower is not meant to be fragrant like the lilac bush. If one is an introvert, he doesn’t have to be the life of the party, if He made me to express myself through
music, I shouldn’t be behind a desk, crunching numbers. These examples brought me divine relief and a peace that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I was FREE to be me and I celebrated that the Lord directed me as to how I could impact my world through my unique personality, experiences and spiritual gifts that He has given to me. How about you? Are you celebrating who God made you to be or have you lost sight of who you are and have fallen into the trap of trying to be someone else? Allowing God to be who He is through us is one of the most freeing and exhilarating experiences that we can have as we journey through this life.
1 Corinthians 12: 4-6 says “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” And Isaiah 64:8 “But now O Lord thou art our Father, we are the clay and Thou art the Potter, and all of us are the work of Your Hand.”
I pray that as you celebrate the power of Christ’s resurrection that He would grant you according to the riches of His Glory, to be strengthened with Power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that you will soar to new heights and experience the fullness of all that He has prepared for you. ♥ Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 21
FINANCIAL BABY STEPS By Carol Peterson
Ahhhh…finally it’s Spring! A time of fresh air and brand new attitudes. What about new goals? Climb a fourteener, read that new book, pray consistently. Well, when it comes to financial goals, we may want to run a marathon but are having a hard time just getting off the couch. Remember, we are managers of God’s money. It’s kind of like when you take your kids to McDonald’s and buy them french fries. Now, ask them for a french fry. Do they gladly give you some or do they look at you in disbelief? Maybe they’ve already gobbled them up. That’s kind of what God must see when He looks at us and the way we are managing the money He has given us. He has blessed us with so much wealth in America and yet we cringe when we are supposed to be blessing others from our abundance. So, let’s start exercising our financial management muscles. We’ll do that by taking some baby steps. 1. Set $1000 aside into an account for emergencies. Do not touch this unless it’s an emergency! 2. Pay off all your debts except for your mortgage. Do you want a raise of $400 per month? Get rid of your car payment!!!
3. Build up your emergency fund. You should have 3-6 months of expenses (not income) saved in an account. 4. Start saving for retirement or add to what you’ve saved. Just start!
5. Start saving for your children’s college, if you have children. 6. Pay off your mortgage. Can you imagine not owing anyone anything!? I’ll bet you’ll sleep better at night! 7. Build wealth and give a lot of it away. Find something you are passionate about, something you believe in and do something bigger than yourself! If you would like some free coaching in this area or maybe just a financial checkup, email me at financialpeace4life@gmail.com. I would love to help you get started moving toward your financial goals. Carol Peterson Dave Ramsey Master Financial Coach
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Two Opportunities One Great Cause FREE THE GIRLS – STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING – BRA DRIVE For the month of June, Foundations Church will be collecting new and gently used bras (any type) to donate to FREE THE GIRLS, a 501c3 organization and one of our global partners. FREE THE GIRLS works with young girls and women rescued from the sex trade in Africa and Central America and trains them in starting their own businesses. These women earn 4-6x the minimum wage in their countries selling bras. That’s right…bras are a popular commodity in second-hand clothing markets of developing countries. With flexible work hours, the women are able to go to school and support themselves and their families with a sustainable income. And most importantly, none of the women return to the sex trade! So what are you waiting for? Check your lingerie drawers for all those beautiful bras you’re not wearing anymore, and please donate them for an even more beautiful cause! There will be a FREE THE GIRLS donation bin at the Women’s Ministry table beginning June 4th through June 26th so please tell your friends, mothers, sisters! A NIGHT FOR FREEDOM “…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Isaiah 61:1 WOMEN OF FOUNDATIONS CHURCH…please mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9th at 5:30pm as Foundations hosts the 4th annual anti-human trafficking event, A NIGHT FOR FREEDOM. This
free public event was created to educate our community about modern day slavery, share what local organizations are doing to combat it domestically & globally, and provide opportunities for us in Northern Colorado to get involved and bring light to the darkness of human trafficking. Our event has grown, and this year we’ll be highlighting: • SPEAKERS from “Free The Girls” & “Free Our Girls” as they deliver real stories from the hearts of global and domestic survivors of sex trafficking • INVOLVEMENT FAIR where you can visit with numerous Colorado non-profit organizations with common missions to prevent and eradicate human exploitation and trafficking. • EDUCATION PANEL of community professionals who will unpack human trafficking for us, answer our questions, and share about their work in prevention, rescue, prosecution, advocacy and restoration. • PHOTO EXHIBIT created by Northern Colorado youth (via A Face To Reframe). • BBQ DINNER fundraiser to benefit Disciples Ministry’s Loveland homeless and addiction recovery facilities. (More food & beverages donated by community sponsors will be available, too, so plan on having dinner at Foundations! (Childcare will be provided.) If you’d like more detailed information or would like to volunteer at this event, please contact Rhonda Cronan at (970) 231-9761. Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 23
That Doesn’t Count! Galatians 5:1-6
My youngest boy just got a new game, called “Pop the Pig.” It’s pretty awesome and very funny. The
game consists of a very porky pig, dressed in a chef’s hat, holding a spatula. He’s wearing a little set of trousers with a belt that buckles, and a little scarf around his neck, as if he’s a French food critic. In addition, the game has 4 sets of small colored pieces, shaped like hamburgers, in green, red, purple and yellow. Each color set’s burger has a number on the bottom from 1 to 4. The game comes with a die that has colored sides to coordinate with the colors on the burgers. The burgers go into the pig’s mouth, and you press down on the pig’s head a corresponding number of times as the number on the bottom of the burger that you choose based on the roll of the die. Each time you push the pig’s head, his belly grows just a little, until finally, it gets so big his belt pops open and his arms fly up. You’ve just popped the pig! When Bennett got the game, he wanted to play it right away, so he enlisted the help of his teenaged brother. Since there aren’t many parts to the game and it appears pretty straight forward, the boys just pulled it out and started playing without reading the instructions. In their game, the person who caused the pig to pop, was the loser. When my husband got home from work, he was immediately recruited to play. Since he had never seen the game, and having more patience and self control than either our preschooler or teenager, he read the instructions! Guess what. According to the instructions, the person to pop the pig is 24 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
actually the winner! All those losses DIDN’T COUNT. What do I mean? I mean they won’t go down in the record book. They weren’t truly losses. They didn’t matter. I also mean that Bennett felt simultaneously ticked off and vindicated. He knew he wasn’t the loser. The games didn’t count. We want to know what matters; what counts. We care about doing those things that really mean something. Who wants to spend time messing with stuff that doesn’t count? It seems meaningless. In Galatians chapter 5, Paul speaks to his readers in terms of what really counts. I was pretty excited to read it! I want to invest in what counts. I don’t want to “pop the pig” to no avail! As we read and study the first 6 verses of Galatians 5, we are going to look at what Paul says is the only thing that “counts.” Paul spent the bulk of his letter to the Galatians reminding them that they are free from following the Law. What’s more, he reminded them that they cannot perfectly obey the law. He told them that they are not under obligation or slavery to the law, but rather, the Law was fulfilled by Jesus, in whom they put their faith. It is as a result of this faith, or dependence, adherence, reliance upon, Jesus that they are “credited” with righteousness. As we pick up our study in Galatians 5:1 we learn the result of Jesus’ free gift. Read Galatians 5:1-6. 1. According to Galatians 5:1, what is the goal or result of being set free by Jesus? 2. What are they to stand firm against? It is interesting that Paul tells them to “stand firm.” This implies that it is not easy to rest in freedom, but more common to depend on following certain rules to ensure we are “good enough.” 3. Do you find this to be a struggle personally? If so, how do you stand firm in the truth that Jesus has fulfilled the rules for you and has given you the gift of freedom? Paul gives them a very definitive and serious warning in verse 2. He repeats it in verse 3. 4. What does Paul say the result will be if the Galatians submit to circumcision? Those are incredibly strong words. He doesn’t talk in passive terms like: “if you do this, such and such could happen.” Paul says if they submit to or
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depend on following the Law in order to be right with God, “Christ will be of no value.” Furthermore, he says in verse 4: “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” ESV In these verses, Paul is not talking about being so sinful there is not enough room for the free gift of Jesus grace in our lives. Paul is saying that when we try to earn righteousness, by being perfectly obedient and believing that this is a way to be with God, we are no longer connected with Jesus and his grace. Before we get to the place where Paul tells the Galatians what really counts, we have to take a deeper look at verse 5. This verse is such a beautiful statement of what faith and righteousness really “look like.” The Galatian believers were being pressured into taking action that would be a visible display of what they must do or connect with to be righteous. They were being pressured to be circumcised, an outward sign that they were “doing right to be right.” In verse 5, Paul reminds them that the righteous wait and hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit in what Jesus has already done. Weird, right? At the very least, it seems counter intuitive and counter cultural to me. When I think about belonging to a group or family, I’m reminded that many groups have outward, visible evidence of membership. In Scouts, you wear a uniform and a badge. In other organizations, you might wear a certain color of hat or a pin on your shirt. What Paul is calling a marker of being a part of the family of those made right with God is waiting in faith. What for? Read Galatians 5:5-6 5. What does Paul eagerly wait for? The righteous are the ones hopefully waiting for what God has done, not the ones cutting away flesh and following the rules. So what counts then? What is it that sets those in the family of God apart? We just read verse 6, so it’s clear that it is not circumcision, which for us would represent doing right to be right, or following the rules, even what we consider rules in the Bible. 6. Finish Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only __________________________. “(ESV) There we have it! What “counts” or really matters of those following Jesus is “faith working through love.” Mmm. Mmm. This is about to get good! Let’s look at some scripture that tells us what love looks like. Wait! You might ask, “Aren’t we just about to study how to act to be right?” It’s true that we are going to look at some specific actions that are characteristics of Biblical love. Followers of Jesus, however, aren’t acting with love to be right. Rather, 26 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
they are acting with love in hope. It’s the hope from verse 5! Hope in what Jesus has already done for us to be right! Hope that love shown by action is grounded in who we are eternally, and not what we want and expect in return. Let’s look at some specific things Paul, writing in the Spirit of God, says about what love, carried out in faith, looks like. 7. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Based on verses 4-8 what are some specific characteristics of love? 8. Read Romans 12:9-21. What are specific characteristics of love listed in these verses? 9. Read Romans 13:8-11. What does love look like according to these verses? 10. What is the nature of acts of love based on 1 Corinthians 13:8? 11. What does Romans 13:8 say about those who love one another? Those 13:8s are good aren’t they! Romans 13:8 is pretty interesting in light of what we are studying in Galatians. Here are the Galatians, struggling. They are being told and deceived into believing that they can be saved or right with God, by following the law. Paul reminds them that they are saved by Jesus, the fulfillment of the law. How did he fulfill the law? He loved perfectly! Love. That is how the law is fulfilled! Love, carried out in faith in the hope of who Jesus has made us. That is how the law is fulfilled. Isn’t that freeing?
The Point:
We are burdened by rules. We are liberated by Jesus. He set us free so that we could be free and when we try to follow rules instead of Jesus, we are living as if we think we can do it without Him. It doesn’t matter if we look like we are living by the rules or not, what truly matters is that we have faith in Jesus and we show it by the way we love.
The Questions:
1. Explain “for freedom you were set free” in your own words. 2. Name some places where you feel that you are not free? Are there rules you are following to attain freedom? 3. Why do you think Paul encourages the Galatians to “stand firm?” 4. What “counts” or matters in Jesus? 5. What is the basis of expressing love?
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6. Are you trying to work your way up the ladder of goodness? Is this true freedom? 7. How have you accepted the GIFT of grace by putting faith in Jesus’ love and not your own goodness or actions? 8. How do you wait for the gift of righteousness? With anticipation and longing or by trying to work for it? 9. How are you affected by the idea that expressions of love are what “counts?” 10. After reading about love, what have you learned about faith and love? Is it based on feeling or an active work?
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He Cut Me Off Galatians 5:7-15 My kids got a new video game for Christmas. It is an animated car racing game. Remember Mario? Well, now
apparently, he’s a great car racer! Sadly, I’m not! Hopefully, this is a commentary on my video gaming skills and not my driving skills. When discussing my gaming skills, my older son told his friend that I can’t even jump in the Lego video games. This, believe it or not, is a big criticism in teenaged gaming terms! In the Mario racing game, there is more than just driving. You can sabotage other players by bumping into them, throwing ink on their screen, and dropping banana peels on the track; all virtually, of course. If I was ever to be a victor in this game, I would need to be the only car on the track! One time, in playing with my 5-year-old, I was actually in first place. I was running a good race. Sadly, it was short lived. Although, at one point, I was bound for a victorious finish, Bennett sabotaged me! He cut me off. Needless to say, I didn’t win. Paul uses these terms with his Galatian readers, well, minus the gaming references. In Galatians 5:7 he tells them they were running a good race but that they had been cut off. The idea of the Galatians being cut off from their victory is much more significant than my loss at Mario Cart! The victory for which they were headed is eternal and full righteousness. This is certainly not something from which anyone would want to be cut off! In the next few verses, Paul clearly states what he thinks about those trying to lead the Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 29
Galatians down the wrong path, and then Paul effectively “cuts off” any more talk of them until the end of his letter. In verses 7-12, Paul concludes most of his discussion about the Judaizers. 1. Read Galatians 5:7-12. What consequence for the Judaizers does Paul have confidence in? 2. According to verse 11, what do the Judaizers avoid? What does Paul experience? 3. What word does Paul use to describe the work at the cross in verse 11? 4. What does “offense” or “stumbling block” mean? Why is the cross offensive? 5. How did the Judaizers, who taught that that followers of Jesus must obey the law, remove or abolish the offense of the cross? Total dependence on anything other than ourselves is completely foreign, isn’t it? Even my 5-year-old is passionate about doing it all himself! This morning on the way to preschool, he informed me that he could drive; an idea probably reinforced by the beat down he gave me on the racing video game! When we got to school, he insisted on walking himself down the hall, up the stairs, down the other hall, and into his class. It is human nature to want to control our destiny, actions and even our day. We would rather have a system that depends on our own abilities to effect our personal salvation. We can understand it. Yet, here, we are called to submit to the “offense” of the cross. Only Jesus can save; there is nothing we can do to bring about our own righteousness. We must be dependent, not independent. As we read on from verse 11 to verse 12, although according to the NIV Study Bible Notes, Paul is employing a bit of sarcasm, he also gives a very clear picture of our efforts be righteous on our own. Read Galatians 5:12. Paul says he wishes those advocating circumcision would go ahead and emasculate themselves. The result of that action is impotence! No life could be effected. Isn’t it interesting that Paul would say this. An act such as this would be a visible sign of impotence for these false teachers who where calling for others to be circumcised, a visible sign of following the law, in an effort to become righteous. If the Judaizers, Galatians or believers in God today try to follow all the right rules, relying on their own ability to be saved, the result is the same as those who were teaching and depending on circumcision. Failure. Impotence. No potential for life. These ideas go against our grain, don’t they! Self reliance and independence equal impotence and failure. Total dependence, on Jesus, equals righteousness, potency (life) and ultimately, perfection. 30 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
After Paul calls for the Judaizers to cut themselves off, that is essentially what he does. Paul shifts his writing from the error of the Judaizers to the freedom and life found by believers in Jesus. He reminds them of their freedom. Read Galatians 5:13-15. 6. What caution does Paul give the Galatians in verse 13? 7. Can you think of examples today where our culture uses freedom to “indulge the flesh?” 8. What does verse 13 say we can use freedom for? 9. Read verse 14-15. Paul says the “entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command.” What is it? Use your Bible cross reference to find this idea confirmed elsewhere in Scripture. 10. What is the caveat Paul gives in verse 15 and what would be the result of engaging in this behavior? That’s so cool! The Galatian believers have been pressured, confused and misled that they must follow the entire Jewish law in order to be saved, righteous, and victorious. Now, after telling them that Jesus has given them freedom from following these rules, Paul tells them how in their freedom they can fulfill the law! Of course, this isn’t easy and no one can do it perfectly, but the freedom rests in the fact that Jesus has already done it perfectly! The Galatians, and us, for that matter, are free to join Jesus in participating. Knowing that even in our imperfection, we are racing toward victory in Jesus! Yes, being dependent is scandalous and offensive, but being so gives us freedom, victory and love. Jesus is worth the the scandal! He certainly thought we were. Let’s depend on Him.
The Point:
Freedom comes only from Jesus, not from following rules. Freedom isn’t about taking advantage of Jesus’ gift of righteousness to live however we please. Nor is it about trying force others to live by the rules we think are required to be free. Freedom is about love. A dependent love that brings about life and potency.
The Questions:
1. What were the Galatians cut off from in vs 7? 2. How did Paul feel about those teaching circumcision?
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3. Explain in your own words what Paul meant in verse 11 about the offense of the cross. 4. What sums up the entire law? 5. Do I, like Paul, feel passionate about the freedom that is in faith in Jesus? If so, how do I share that with others? 6. How do I share the truth? 7. Am I willing to share, knowing that the truth is a stumbling block or offensive? 8. How do I live in my freedom? What do I gratify? Flesh or love? 9. How do I set myself up for failure in trying to be right by following the law? How can I actually fulfill the law? 10. What outward sign was important to the Judaizers that represented their submission to the law? 11. What seal of success or sign has God given me? (See Ephesians 1:13)
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Flesh or Fruit Gratification or Growth? Galatians 5:16-26 Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser? I just watched an episode for the first time. The episode I
watched is all about temptation. The very first challenge that the contestants faced was to choose between a big sum of money or continuing on the show. It was a hard temptation. Basically, they could have chosen between feeding their desire for money, which each contestant admitted, wouldn’t last, or between staying and growing in their abilities to live a healthy lifestyle. If they took the money, they had to go home. They could not stay to learn and grow. I have to admit, it was so intense, that I didn’t make it though the whole episode in one sitting. (I also kept crying right along with the contestants, so I turned it off so my teenager wouldn’t have more reasons to laugh at me!) What I saw, reminded me of the principles in Galatians 5:16-26. The similar concepts I saw included the choice between feeding something unhealthy and destructive, or refusing to feed the craving, and choosing to live a new way and experience personal growth. They were opposing forces. Growth just wasn’t going to come from feeding the desire to eat and eat badly. Growth was going to come by walking in a new way. Sitting at home and watching from the comfort of my comfort zone, it was easy to see which choice contestants should make. It was obvious which decision would constitute a poor choice. Sitting back and watching, I could yell out, “don’t do it!” Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 33
Shifting focus from the reality show, to the reality that the Galatians experienced, let’s look at the opposing forces Paul talks about in Galatians 5:16-26. Let’s explore the cravings that Paul warns them, and us, not to feed and the path and results of not doing so. In our last lesson, we studied what Paul said truly fulfills the law. You’ll remember that it is in fact, love. We also studied what love looks like. We know love looks like Jesus. The word made flesh. He is the incarnation of love. We briefly studied the Holy Spirit, the seal of our faith. The Spirit of our Lord Jesus, is where we are fueled and powered to love. Now, as we study this section of Galatians, Paul is going to help the Galatians and us understand what we look like, or what the growth from us in the Spirit is like. Read Galatians 5:16-18 1. What does Paul say is to be the Galatians’ active relationship with the Spirit? (What does he tell them to do in regards to the Spirit?) 2. From verse 16, what is the result of the above? 3. Look up the word “flesh” in a dictionary and write down the definition which you think applies here. 4. What word summarizes the relationship between the Spirit and the flesh? Read Galatians 5:19-21. Paul says that what comes from feeding the craving, or the flesh, is evident and obvious. This is so interesting to me. I don’t think Paul is giving the Galatians a list to use in order to judge the rightness of other people. When we think about these “works of the flesh,” it is obvious, isn’t it? These actions do not in any way describe God. It’s so obvious that these are works of the flesh, that a fiction writer wouldn’t even use these actions to describe someone heroic. It’s clear that these actions are without virtue; just as clear as whether or not a contestant on the Biggest Loser should eat junk food! 5. List the works of the flesh. Now, before we get too comfortable in our own exemption from these sins, or our own goodness, let’s remember that Paul warns us not to feed the craving. In fact, Paul reminds us in Galatians over and over again that righteousness is through faith and not through following the rules. When we try to achieve perfection by following rules we will fail. In knowing this, it’s clear that we are not perfect, and therefore not innocent of every sin on this 34 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
list! The idea of craving implies that we hunger for something. We may experience a desire or hunger to feed one of these acts. We are not innocent. As I survey this list of acts of the flesh, I think about how easy it is to feed a craving. How about feeding division by making one small passive aggressive statement to fuel a divisive conversation? What about feeding dissension by complaining about the speaker at church, or the manner in which the worship team leads songs? Also, I see verse 21 as a very stern warning about “gratifying” those desires. 6. Look up the word “gratify.” Write the definition. 7. How would gratifying a desire be different from being a sinner but not walking “by the Spirit” as Paul encouraged the Galatians to do?
If we are believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit! We can “stay in step” with Him. We have blessed assurance of our destiny. I believe this section of scripture, and this is me talking here, is to tell the Galatians and us: “hey, this stuff is obvious.” “If someone is living and investing like this, they are living to satisfy their flesh. They aren’t living like a person with the Spirit. This is common sense. You can tell evil from good!” Having said that, let’s actually take some time to focus on what God through his Spirit wants to cultivate for believers in whom His Spirit lives. This is the good stuff! Read Galatians 5:22-23 8. Paul calls this list the “_____________ of the Spirit.” 9. List the 9 fruits of the Spirit Paul shares here. 10. List some things you know about literal fruit. 11. Take some time to think of a few comparisons between literal and spiritual fruit. Write them down. I’ll start with an example: Fruit has seeds that when planted are the catalyst for new life and growth. God’s fruit in me can produce seeds that are planted in my children and spiritual children. This is some seriously sweet fruit! I love that Paul contrasts feeding a craving, a sinful desire, with receiving fruit from God. What better way to feed our growth in relationship with Jesus than to feed us with good, healthy, sweetness!
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When Wesley, my teenager, was little, I used to tell him that these fruits were our real super powers! He, like most boys, has always been into super heroes. Can you imagine a hero with the power of God to act in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Pretty awesome and beautiful, huh? And to think, these fruits are ours. These are the actions and qualities God grows in our lives when we are in step with His Spirit. He gives all of them. Some may be in the form of a seed right now, but others may be a big ripe fruit! Before we finish today’s lesson, let’s take a closer look at verse 24. Read this verse now. 12. What does this verse say of those who belong to Jesus? Even though the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are obvious, living by the Spirit isn’t necessarily described as easy. Paul says those “who belong to Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (ESV) Crucifixion is in no way considered a simple, painless death. The use of this term both connects the believers with what Jesus has already done and what His Spirit does in us. Putting our flesh or nature to death could be slow and painful! Take heart in knowing, however that we know the outcome! Read Philippians 1:6-11. 13. What does Philippians 1:6 say God will do? 14. Based on verse 6, how confident of this outcome can we be? Read 1 John 3:1-3 15. Based on verse 2, what will believers experience when Jesus appears? We have hope, don’t we! We know one day all of the fruit of the Spirit will be perfectly ripe in us. How encouraging! How beautiful! One day we will be completely full, perfect in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! It’s guaranteed!
The Point:
Believers are to live freely by the Spirit. When we do, we won’t fill up our sinful desires but our lives experience growth. The growth of valuable virtues, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The Questions: 1. What are the consequences of feeding something? 36 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
2. What does the idea that the passions and desires of the sinful nature must be crucified imply? (vs 24)? 3. Would crucifixion be a quick and easy event or a long and difficult one? 4. Are there acts of the flesh in your life? Do you feed them? How? 5. Who is responsible for fruit in your life? 6. What verbs do you find in these verses regarding our participation with the Spirit? 7. Are you feeding a craving or exercising by walking?
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We are a Body Galatians 6:1-10 This past summer, I had just gotten home from an epic girl’s trip! I met my girlfriends in California and we traveled to
Yosemite National Park. We were all celebrating birthdays. Our choice of celebration wasn’t eating cake and ice cream. We chose to climb Half Dome, one of the iconic monoliths in Yosemite. It was hard on all of us, but we made it! I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. I was proud that I was able to make the hike without holding my friends up. I also felt like I was finally back in action, physically! I felt in shape and confident. Two days after getting home, I had some free time in Rocky Mountain National Park. Both of my boys were in a day long camp near by, so I figured I would enjoy my renewed physical confidence and hike while the kiddos were in camp. About 8 miles into the 11 miles of hiking I had planned for the day, I slipped and fell and twisted my ankle. I heard my ankle snap as I went down! It was gross. My ankle immediately swelled to elephant size, and in direct proportion to the amount my confidence shrunk! It was a total bummer to say the least and even 7 months later, my injured ankle is still not the same size as the healthy one! Although I didn’t break my ankle, I tore up some stuff in there (this is my technical medical assessment of the situation!) It was quite a while before I 38 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016
actually walked normally. The good news is; it was not quite a while before I could walk. In fact, we live in a two-story house. Our laundry room is on the main floor and our bedrooms are on the second floor. Exactly two sections of eight steps each, divided by a landing. I count them because I’m generally clumsy and I’m not interested in falling again any time soon. Basically, all that tells you that it was imperative that my body find a way upstairs. And so I did. It wasn’t pretty, and it sure wasn’t perfect, but it worked! I hobbled up and down those stairs and around my house countless times. The point is, the rest of my body was fine, and in fact, healthy. Because of this, my right leg helped out. It helped carry the slack from my left ankle to allow time for it not to bear as much weight, not feel as much pain and to heal. Our bodies are amazing that way. It is no wonder that God used our understanding of our body and its ability to compensate, function and recover to teach us something about our relationships with each other in Jesus. (Hopefully that’s what I’m getting at; and I’m not just hyper focused on sharing injury and pain!) We are going to get a glimpse of what the body of Christ looks like from Paul’s next words to the Galatians. He doesn’t specifically use the term “body” in this passage, although he does in other passages. (See: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 3:6, Ephesians 4). What Paul does specifically discuss here are relationships so intimate and so interconnected that they are like a body; even a body doing just what I described my right leg doing for my left ankle. Let’s take a look at Galatians 6:1-10, focusing on the relationship to which God is calling His readers and children. Read Galatians 6:1-3 1. What are we to do when we see someone caught in sin? 2. How are we to do it? 3. What are we to do with ourselves as we engage in the above? 4. In Galatians 6:2, what do you think he means saying that our above actions fulfill the law of Christ? 5. Sum up in one word what can fulfill the law of Christ. It is so cool that we find ourselves back to the idea of love again. Even though the word is actually mentioned here, the actions that God tells us to take toward the struggling are all about love! I’m always encouraged to read consistent and repeated themes all the way through God’s word. The love in these verses is not unlike the actions of love that we looked at from 1 Corinthians and Romans in previous days’ study. It’s not the easy kind of, “I
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feel so good about you,” love. It is the “doing hard things for the good of another person” love. As I think about the actions of love here; specifically helping someone “caught” up, a pretty disgusting image comes to mind. In fact, I’m sorry to take us here at this point, especially for those arachnophobes among us, but here we go. If you need to, just keep thinking about love, love, love as we delve into what these difficult actions of love look like here. As I read these verses about someone being caught in sin, and the gentle way with which we get involved and help, I’m sorry to say, I think of removing someone tangled in spider web. If you are already experiencing tingly head or crawling skin, skip this next paragraph. You get the idea anyway. If you’re still with me, have you ever seen or touched the web of a Black Widow? It is so strong and so sticky that you could identify the Black Widow as the web’s maker, without even seeing the spider. That is what Paul’s words remind me of here. Sin is sticky. It’s easy to get tangled, trapped, and completely and helplessly stuck. It takes great care, gentleness and time to help someone out. Not only that, but I think of what it’s like to touch that sticky web. The spider might notice and come close. The web gets on your fingers. You could end up bitten or walk away with gossamers dangling! That just ain’t pretty! This is difficult and delicate work and it’s no joke. Paul reminds us not to get too comfortable or we might just end up in the web too! If I lost you at spider, welcome back! The point is: loving someone caught in sin can be sticky and dangerous. We must be careful. We must stay connected to the whole body. Don’t go it alone or you too can get caught. The body, under the control of the head, Jesus, will work to keep each part together. Solo, we don’t stand a chance! Let’s take a look at what each part of the body functioning and doing its part looks like. Read Galatians 6:3-5 6. What does Paul say could be the result if we try to help someone caught in sin while relying on our own abilities and goodness? 7. What is the truth we find in verse 3 when someone depends too highly on themselves and their own abilities? 8. From verse 4, how can we keep a realistic perspective of who we are? 9. What do these verses say about comparing ourselves to others?
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This is serious business. It’s family business. It’s body business. We are to be like my right leg to my left ankle. We are to help bear the burden of one that is not healthy. After a while, though, my compensating knee felt that weight and pain of carrying the burden. It could not be the ankle; it could only help. If it tried to take over for ankle long term, it was bound to be injured too. The right knee isn’t all that! It’s a great right knee and sure, carried the burden when the ankle needed help, but it couldn’t depend on itself to be both. At some point, the ankle improved from the rest given by the knee and then both the ankle and the knee went back to doing what they do best. The ankle being an ankle and the knee being a knee! I broke my toe a few weeks ago and we are not even going there! This passage can also seem a little confusing as it seems like Paul is telling them to carry someone’s burden in one verse and then a few verses later to only carry their own load. I recently heard a lovely explanation for this in a sermon on this passage from our church’s Lead Pastor, Carl Sutter. Pastor Sutter explained that the burden in verse 2 could be defined as something that was “oppressive” or more than a person could bear. This term defined someone in trouble and over their head. Hence they are “caught” in sin. They can’t find, dig, cut, scratch or claw their way out. They need help, gentle as it may be. Pastor Sutter further explained that the term “load” in verse five, was that which we are all capable of carrying. It is like a responsibility. It is what we are made for and competent to do. Just like my ankle and knee. The knee helped when the ankle was incapable, but when the time came, the knee and the ankle went back to doing what they were made for. Verses 6-10 continue to explain our role in love as a body. Read Galatians 6:6 10. What does Paul say the Galatians should share with those who teach? The NIV Study Notes indicate that Paul meant that they should share financially with those who teach. 11. Based on Galatians 6:8-9 what are the consequences of our actions? 12. Who does verse 10 say we are to take special opportunities to do good to? 13. List actions you think could fall into the category of “doing good.” We can see from the whole of the passage that we have studied today that we are intimately connected and what we do has consequences. These consequences not only affect us, but the entire body, as we are one working together. Thankfully, we have a good head on our shoulders! We know that head of our body is quite literally Jesus Christ! Knowing that gives us hope of having a functional body, even a good one, a beautiful one and a strong one. Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 41
We know, sometimes, parts of the body are going to be down. He’s given us instruction on how to help get that part up and running again without breaking the other parts down in the process. That’s good, good, isn’t it! Our true body has hope. I can’t say the same for my poor little injured toe!
The Point:
We are all in this together working toward the goal of eternal life. We can’t work for it on our own, but rather through Jesus. In fact, He is the head of the body, of which we are all parts. We work together, help each other, let Him keep our selves healthy and then we will be supported as we work to live for His Spirit.
The Questions:
1. When you see another person “caught in a sin” what is your usual response? Do you try to restore them, help them gently, judge, condemn? How do your actions support your answer? 2. What are some specific ways to help gently restore another person? 3. Are there areas that you know you need to “watch out for” when helping another person who is caught? What are these? Are you connected to the body in these areas? 4. If you’re part of a body and you aren’t carrying your own load, what could happen? 5. What do you share (“all good things”) with those who lead and instruct you in the word? 6. Summarize Galatians 6:7-10. Why do you think Paul says “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked?” 7. List some ways you can “do good” to the family of believers.
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Letters to Your Children Galatians 6:11-18 Wow! Here we are. We have come to the close of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. And what a passionate and personal conclusion. We’ve already seen Paul take a parental and intimate tone. Here is no different. As I read these closing words, I cannot help but think about communication with my children or loved ones.
I consider a handwritten note, card or letter to be a treasure. My personal handwriting is actually quite unattractive. I always envied women with pretty handwriting. Nonetheless, I could not stomach the idea of typing an intimate letter to my children or husband. If I have something intimate to express to my family in writing, there’s no way I would type it. I’d write it. Why? Because, unattractive or not, my handwriting is unique to me. It comes from me and is uniquely mine and therefore, it is more intimate and personal. I can relate to what Paul writes here to the Galatians. I’m sure you can too. In these verses, we read Paul’s words letting his family know that he has something intimate and important to say. He wants them to take special note of the words to come. He writes it! Let’s look at these intimate closing words.
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Read Galatians 6:11. Here we read that Paul is writing these words himself. The fact that he points this out to his readers reveals that he wants them to take note of this. He is not using a secretary or scribe here. It’s interesting to note that some commentators believe that Galatians 6:11 refers to that specific verse and the text that follows, but does not include the previous chapters and verses. Some have speculated that Paul mentions the large letters because he has difficulty with his eyesight and others speculate that Paul calls out his use of large letters in order to direct the readers’ attention to the fact that he wants them to note what follows. 1. Why do you think Paul makes a point of telling his readers that he is writing this himself? As we continue on, reading verses 12-16, the seriousness of what Paul is communicating is evident, but it also makes me chuckle (internally) just a little bit. We will look at what Paul is saying specifically in just a moment, but before we do, take some time to read Galatians 6:11-18. Why is this chuckle worthy? Well, because I have a teenager! He knows that when I want him to hear something, and really “get” it, I’m going to say the same thing 15 different ways! In fact, we have a running joke, borrowed from another teenager, about the fact that I should just number my lectures. Since I’m going to repeat a theme or “lecture” over and over, I might as well save time and assign it a number! For example: “your self-worth is based on what Jesus thinks you are worth, which is His very life,” is #1. “Soda is bad for you,” is number 4. In the case of Galatians, I don’t think lecture is necessarily the right word for how Paul is communicating God’s words, but I do notice a theme that is repeated from his letter. He’s already told them he’s writing this himself, in his own handwriting, so he wants them to get it. 2. What theme do you find here that is repeated from previous chapters? We’ve read this idea over and over again. I think we could call this Galatians lecture #1. It’s not what we do or what we look like. It’s what Jesus did and is doing and that we are in Him. It’s not about being religious; it’s about loving in faith. #1 is pretty good! I think I’ll try it out on my boy. Let’s dig into these words a little more. God has had Paul repeat this theme throughout the letter, so we know it must be something he wants them and us to get!
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We are going to spend a little time looking at the Judaizers and more specifically, the contrast between the Judaizers, who were false teachers, living a lie, and Paul, who was teaching and living the truth. 3. List 2 negative things you learn about the Judaizers from verse 11. 4. Based on verse 13, how successful are those who are circumcised at in doing right all the time? 5. What is their goal in having the Galatians chose this outward symbol of following the law? 6. Based on Galatians 6:12-16 write the contrast between Paul and the Judaizers in the following areas: Judaizers
Paul
Persecution: Boasting: Righteousness: Body: Relationship with Galatians: Paul sums these people up pretty succinctly here! We learn that they really just want to look good on the outside and that they want to avoid persecution. In all honesty, who couldn’t relate to both of those wants? I want to look good and really don’t want to be persecuted! We know however, that if Jesus was persecuted, which He was, then His followers can expect it. (See Philippians 1:29-30 for more. Here we learn that both belief and suffering for Jesus are “granted” to us.) We also know that although people look at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) These ideas of suffering/persecution for Jesus and being concerned about how we truly are internally, are hard ideas. They aren’t human nature. What Paul says then in verse 14-15 stands out in becoming the opposite of what is natural to us as humans. 7. What does Paul say is his relationship to the world? 8. What does Paul boast about? There we have it. “Lecture” number one from Paul to the Galatians. It’s all and always about Jesus! He did and does the work of crucifixion so that we could be a new creation. He makes us clean and powerful on the inside so that we will produce and grow fruit of love on the outside. It’s not about our religion, it’s about His love!
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The Point:
Although the Judaizers were trying hard to convince the Galatians to submit to the law, they themselves were not clean on the inside. They cared about how they looked on the outside and about avoiding being persecuted. What they looked like was not at all what really mattered. What really mattered was a relationship with Jesus, who cleanses a person on the inside by His grace.
The Questions: 1. Are you, like Paul, personally invested with people with whom you share the good news about Jesus? How do your actions show this? 2. Do you know religious people who in the end only care about what they look like? How influential have they been in the kingdom of God? 3. Where do you care about looking good; on the inside or outside? How does the way you spend your time and resources support your answer? 4. What do you boast or brag about? Kids? Intellect? Talents? Good stuff you do? Jesus? How does the way you use your words support your answer? 5. Why do you think Paul closed the letter with the salutation of grace?
Let’s do the same. Grace. Grace. Grace in Jesus!
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Sum It Up Galatians 1:1-6:18 God’s word is so deep isn’t it! We could go back through just this one letter and read it countless times and it would never get stale nor stagnant! Just to recall some of the things that God brought to your mind throughout this study, go back through the previous chapters and write down either a main idea or point from each. 1. Galatians Chapter 1:
2. Galatians Chapter 2:
3. Galatians Chapter 3:
4. Galatians Chapter 4:
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5. Galatians Chapter 5:
6. Galatians Chapter 6:
As I review God’s words, I’m reminded and convicted. I’m reminded that my identity is in Jesus! It doesn’t matter if I look religious. It matters if I look like Him. I’m reminded that I have hope because He truly knows me and loves me. I’m reminded that I’m part of a promise made by Him which depends on His goodness, not mine. I’m convicted to take action, in love, and more specifically, in His love. That’s what counts! I’m convicted to act and pray on what He has taught me, and just as God through Paul encouraged and blessed the Galatians, I’m encouraged to go forth in grace! 7. What will you act and pray on from God’s words in Galatians?
Galatians 6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. (ESV)
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“You Can Be Sure!” Thank you for the time you’ve spent reading through Connecting Hearts. The articles you have read may have produced some thought-provoking questions for you. Maybe you have some questions about following Jesus. And do you know what? God welcomes your questions. In fact He desires to answer them to draw you even closer to His heart. God doesn’t want you to live in uncertainty or confusion concerning matters of your relationship with Him. In fact, He desires for you to know Him in an intimate, loving and vital way and to have full assurance that you are His child by faith in His Son Jesus and that you will spend eternity in Heaven. Nothing...nothing can change that. His love is eternal. John 17:3 “And this is real and eternal life: That they know You, the One and Only true God and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.” 1 John 5:11-13 “This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in His Son. So, whoever has the Son has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion.” Perhaps, as you have sat and listened to a sermon, you have heard references to “being a Christian,” “being saved,” or “born again.” Maybe you have wondered how they can be so sure about this subject. Or maybe you are wondering if your baptism as an infant and church attendance makes you a Christian. You may believe being a good person or doing good things earns you a ticket to Heaven. It is vital that you understand that it is only through Jesus and the work He accomplished on the Cross, that can we accept His offer of eternal life. Eternal life doesn’t depend on us, but rather on Jesus and our belief that He is God.
Following are some questions and answers that we pray will help you in your journey towards eternal life and a right relationship with Him who loves you most ~ Jesus.
1. What does it mean to be a Christian? God created mankind to enjoy a perfect, unbroken relationship with Him. In the events of Genesis 3:1-19, our ancestors, Adam and Eve, broke that fellowship by disobedience to the one thing God told them
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not to do. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This disobedience is called “sin.” This original sin resulted in a curse upon the earth and every descendant (that’s you and me) of Adam and Eve have this upon us. Romans 5:12 “You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we are in – first sin, then death, and no one is exempt from either sin or death.”
Because of this sin curse, death entered mankind’s life experience.
Romans 3:22 -24 “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in Him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity He put us in right standing with Himself ~ A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus.”
Jesus is God’s remedy for our sin curse. The Pure Gift ~ Jesus. Romans 6:22 & 23 “But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.”
You don’t have to listen to nagging doubts about your eternal relationship with Jesus anymore.
Since it is impossible to live a perfect life with our human nature to sin, Jesus took on human flesh and came to live among us. He lived a perfect, sinless life and is our example. Jesus gave up His life freely to
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pay the debt we owed for the sin we have committed and paved the way for us to restore our relationship with God. A Christian is one who has made a conscious act of faith to accept Christ’s payment for their sin debt, recognizing that, apart from His redemptive sacrifice, they are separated from God. John 3:16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His One and Only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-akind Son of God when introduced to Him.”
A person’s sins are either upon themselves or upon Jesus. It’s everyone’s choice to make. 2. What does it mean to be “saved?” Being “saved” means that after a person has accepted Christ’s offer of salvation and has been born into God’s family by faith in Jesus, they are “saved” from eternal separation from God ~ Hell. Romans 10: 9 & 10 “Say the welcoming word to God – ‘Jesus is my Master’ – embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not ‘doing’ anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting Him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: ‘God has set everything right between Him and me!’”
God has set everything right for you and me through Jesus.
3. What does it mean to be “born again?” After you have acknowledged your sins, named and confessed them to God, the next step is to invite Christ into your heart. Jesus gives His Holy Spirit to those who give their lives to Him. It is His Spirit that lives within us and causes us to be “born again.” !3 Connecting Hearts Spring 2016 51
John 3:5-8 Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let Me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation - the ‘windhovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life – it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch – the Spirit – and becomes a living spirit.” “So don’t be so surprised that you have to be ‘born from above’ – out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it is headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”
God is the invisible moving the visible. Romans 8: 9-11 “But if God Himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of Him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome Him, in whom He dwells – even though you still experience all the limitations of sin – you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive – and – present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, He’ll do the same thing in you (and He does, surely as He did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With His Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s.”
This powerful invisible God dwells within those who call Jesus their own.
4. Why can’t I earn eternal life by being a decent person and by doing good things? Scripture states that eternal life in heaven is a gift that we can in no way earn or merit. It is absolutely free. If you were given a gift by a friend and then given a bill to cover its cost, it would no longer be a gift. Man’s greatest works are mere “filthy rags” compared to God’s holiness and standards of righteousness; therefore, it is impossible for us to buy our way into heaven under our own merit.
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Isaiah 64:6 “We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are as grease-stained rags.”
Our efforts are not enough. God’s efforts through His Son Jesus are enough!
Ephesians 2:7-10 “Now Christ has us where He wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all His idea and all His work. All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. Its God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does, the good work He had gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”
When we give the control of our lives over to Jesus, He begins showering us with His grace and kindness for eternity.
5. Can I know for certain that I will spend eternity in Heaven with God? Just as we cannot earn our way into heaven, we cannot undo the work of Christ. Our “sin debt” was paid in full! The ”keeping” is as much God’s work as the “saving.” John 10:27-30 “My sheep recognize My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater that the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.”
No one can snatch you out of God’s Eternal Hand,
When you invite Jesus into your heart and life, you receive His Holy Spirit and He lives within your spirit, salvation from condemnation to Hell, assurance of eternal life in Heaven and membership in His family! No better offer exists in all of time and the universe. Are you ready to take God at His Word and accept His Son’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life?
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If you would like to invite Jesus into your heart, prayer this simple prayer: “Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I know I cannot save myself by my own efforts or goodness and I am eternally lost unless You save me. Thank You for carrying my sins upon the cross and giving Your perfect life in exchange for my imperfect one. Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Come into my heart and life to be my Savior and Lord. I thank You now for the gift of eternal life with You and the Father in Heaven. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to live in me and mark me as Your child forever. Amen.”
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Connecting Hearts In God’s Grace
Calendar Sat., June 4 700 Hugs Project—10:00 am
Calendar
Mon., June 27 Chocolate Book Club “Love Does” 1:00 - 3:00 pm Tues., June 28 Chocolate Book Club 6:30 - 8:30 pm Sat., July 2 Bake Sale for Human Trafficking
Welcome We want every woman of every age at Foundations Church to feel welcomed and connected to her sisters in Christ. It’s God’s intent that we live in community; supporting, encouraging, and challenging each other to grow in faith and knowledge of who He created us to be. “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3
Sat., July 9 A Night For Freedom Fri., July 15 BUNCO 6:30 - 8:30 pm Thur., Aug. 4 Craft Night at Crackpots
Sat., Aug. 6 Dress a Girl Sewing Day 9:00 am - 2:00 pm SAVE the Date: Women’s Weekend, Sept. 9-10
Bible Study We know the summer months can be busy, so this summer we’ll be offering three individual Bible Study Mini-Lessons - one in June, one in July and one in August. Each session will cover a different topic and will consist of teaching and small group discussion time. Join us for all three or sign up for those that work in your summer schedule.
Monday evenings 6:30-8:30 pm Free the Girls - Bra Drive We are collecting new/gently used bras (any type) to donate to FREE THE GIRLS, one of our global partners. They work with young girls & women rescued from the sex trade and train them to start their own businesses. Bras are a popular commodity in second-hand clothing markets of developing countries. The women are able to go to school, support themselves and their families and most importantly, are rescued from the sex trade! Please check your lingerie drawers for those beautiful bras you’re not wearing anymore, and donate them for a beautiful cause! The donation bin will be at the Women’s Ministry table June 4th – June 26th so tell your friends, mothers, and sisters! For more info, please contact Rhonda Cronan at (970) 231-9761. Thank you!
on June 13, July 18, and August 15
Wednesday mornings 9:00-11:00 am on June 15, July 20, and August 17 *childcare available for birth through elementary school on Wednesdays only
Pictures, Announcements, Videos, Tidbits & More on... www.foundationschurch.org and Women of Foundations Church Facebook Page www.foundationschurch.org (970) ONE ROCK
H.I.S. Hearts in Service The 700 Hugs Project is a project through Life for the Innocent with a goal to send 700 “Loveys” to children rescued from human trafficking in South Asia by Christmas. If you knit or crochet and want to learn how to make these Loveys, please join us on June 4, 10:00 am. The project will continue throughout the summer and fall so if you are interested but unable to attend this date, please contact Brandy Eldridge at brandy@lifefortheinnocent.org. We would also welcome donations of acrylic yarn - even odd leftovers!
Dress A Girl Our Foundations ladies have sewn hundreds of adorable dresses that have been delivered to little girls all over the world. We would love to have you join us for our next sewing day on Saturday, Aug. 6th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm . Bring your sewing machine, scissors and pins, and we’ll have the kits and trim cut and ready for you to sew. If you don’t sew, we always need help attaching buttons, making yo-yos, and ironing. Come for a couple hours or stay all day - bring a sack lunch from home or grab a sandwich across the street. It’s always a great day of fellowship and service! A Night for Freedom Please mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9th at 5:30pm as Foundations hosts the 4th annual antihuman trafficking event, A NIGHT FOR FREEDOM. This free public event was created to educate our community about modern day slavery, share what local organizations are doing to combat it domestically & globally, and provide opportunities for us in Northern Colorado to get involved and bring light to the darkness of human trafficking. Our event has grown, and this year we’ll feature speakers from “Free the Girls” & “Free Our Girls,” an Involvement Fair where you can visit with various non-profits with common missions to eradicate human trafficking, an Education Panel of community professionals, a Photo Exhibit, and BBQ Dinner Fundraiser to benefit Disciples Ministry’s Loveland homeless and addiction recovery facilities. (Childcare will be provided.) If you’d like more information or would like to volunteer at this event, please contact Rhonda Cronan at (970) 231-9761.
www.foundationschurch.org (970) ONE ROCK
Chocolate Book Club Read a thought-provoking book at home, then get together to discuss it over delicious chocolate treats! Bob Goff has become something of a legend, and his friends have long insisted he write a book. What follows are paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world’s most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does. Join us for dessert and discussion on either Monday, June 27, 1:00 - 3:00 pm or Tuesday, June 28, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Stop by our table in the Lobby to pick up your book ($10), or email us at women@foundationschurch.org to let us know you’ll be joining the discussion.
BUNCO Our next Bunco night is Friday, July 15 from 6:30 8:30 pm. Tickets are $5.00 - we supply the prizes, cold drinks, & fun. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before, Bunco is so easy we’ll have you rolling those dice like a pro in no time! We will also continue our book exchange program. Bring a (Christian) book that you’ve read and are ready to pass along. Bring one/Take one!
Craft Night at Crackpots
We’re taking a field trip to explore our creative sides! Paint a pottery masterpiece, try your hand at glass fusing, or make a new treasure with the ancient art of mosaics! The $10.00 reservation fee will be applied to the final cost of your project.
Women’s Weekend
Tickets for a very special weekend—Friday, Sept. 9 and Sat., Sept. 10 will go on sale in August. Please save these dates on your calendar and watch the Women’s Ministry Table for full details! Grocery Fundraiser We continue to sell grocery gift cards ($5) to fund childcare for Bible Study and MOPS. You use these cards to purchase your groceries at no additional cost to you but with 5% coming back to Foundations!