Book Club!

Last night was our first meeting for the Young Adult's Ladies Book Club at my church! I actually was inspired to start a book club last spring, thinking that we would all benefit from having some accoutability for reading and enjoy the feedback that we get from each other. I procrastinated, however, and didn't get around to starting it until last month. I read on Angie Smith's blog that she was going to be doing a "virtual book club" (http://www.thebloombookclub.blogspot.com/) and I was excited to be a part of it. Then I thought, hey, why don't I do a satelite group myself using the same book! Whoo hoo!



We are reading "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan. It is truly a great book and offers a very fresh, very convicting perspective!



Some of the key things that I took away from our evening:



*First of all, I was so blessed to hear that other girls had really been looking for an opportunity to connect and were excited to get the invite for this club. It really confirmed in my heart that this was something that the Lord wanted and something that He is going to bless!



*I was reminded that I need to "intentionally and consistently remind myself of the Lord". In watching one of the videos on the Bloom website, I got the idea of doing a clipboard next to the kitchen sink or bathroom sink that would have prayer requests on it, a good reminder. Also, our church is doing a project that also encourages this mentality of placing the Lord strategically in your life so that we don't forget. (http://pcctoday.com/6060) I am challenged to do this myself, and also to hold each other accountable to finding something tangible to remind ourselves of our need for the Lord in our life.



*Convicted by this statement: "Colossians 1:16 tells us that everything was created for God.... Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to to our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?" So true. Sometimes I feel like my relationship with the Lord is on a need basis. Lord, I will let you know when I need you...in the meantime, I can handle things. Not a good mentality!



*Another good quote: "When I am consumed by my problems- stressed out about MY life, MY family, MY job- I actually convey the belief that I think that the circumstances are more important then God's command to always rejoice. " "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!" Phil. 4:4. God doesn't tell us to rejoice when life is going our way, He says to rejoice always! That is so good to remember.

*Another good quote: "Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives." This I can grasp, I have always known that worry is a slap in the face to God. I am not saying that I am not guilty of worrying at times, but I do know better. THIS quote though was a little painful to read: "Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards other, or our tight grip of control. Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small indeed."

I could go on and on but I would rather encourage you to read the book yourself and if you are local, come to our discussion! We are meeting on Tuesday, October 27th at 7pm at Rachelle Polits' house.

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!!