Week 2 of "What God's Word Says About Money" - Stewardship

First let's just take a moment to enjoy this sweet face!  Monica came with baby Grace...

 We always begin with a time of praise and worship...

 Susan began the meeting (before P&W) with a word from Rom 8:26-27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, according to the will of God.

Josephine (in blanket), Monica, Christine and Leona

 Rose opened the meeting with a review from the previous week, during which time we shared together several scriptures on money that the ladies had compiled...

We then spent time exploring what is a steward, and our responsibilities as 'managers' of all that God owns - which is everything that we have!

Josephine always has something to share!

Patricia and Valerie (at end of table)

Even though only two of the ladies had been with us the week before (and had already read the lesson) the discussions were lively!

 Patricia shared that we must be careful with money - she reminded us that Peter had told Jesus "we have left everything to follow you" and he was concerned about what was left for him and the other disciples.  Jesus replied that all who follow Him will receive an eternal reward.

Emily came with baby Emmanuel

Rose shared that we were created to follow only one master...we cannot love money and also love God.

 Susan chipped in that in truth it is God who has given us even the ability to make money.

Susan, Patricia, Valerie

Monica, Emily, Mary, Christine

Christine observed that money (and all of our possessions) are truly a gift from God and it is how we use it that determines its worth.

Mary joined us for the first time!

Christine also shared that even her body has been given to her by God and that she must be a good steward and take care of it.

 We all agreed that we must live a responsible, wise and generous life...

Salome (far left) arrived late

Grace and Emmanuel

 I love our time of praising God at the end of each meeting...

Monica and Emily

 We always take time to pray over every request spoken and praise God for all He has done!

It was good to have a big group this week, and especially great to hear what the ladies had to share about money and managing well all that God has given us...

Our first meeting on the study "What God's Word Says About Money"

Money is a hot topic!  We enjoyed some lively discussions today as these ladies came armed with scriptures about money...
Below are Christine and Leona.  Christine was teaching a prayer group at her church from our last session on the Holy Spirit.  She requested a copy of the study on Leadership...

Christine (left) invited Leona and now she is one of us!

I enjoyed watching Christine begin to review the material!

 Susan opened our session today by reading from 2Chron 1:7-13.  She was struck by the realization that before Solomon told God what he wanted, he listed all that God had done for him.  She challenged us to appreciate all that God has done for us before we begin asking him for what we want.  Then she helped us see that we will need the wisdom and knowledge that only God can give to receive from His Word all that He wants to reveal to us...

Rose reading from 2Chron

 Christine led us in a time of praise and worship as we followed Susan's instructions to appreciate God for Who He is!

Rose, Christine, Leona and Susan

 Rose shared a short teaching on Stewardship as an introduction to the series.  She then opened the floor to the rest of us to share the scriptures we discovered in preparation for our meeting.

Rose and Rachel

 Christine had so many!  It was wonderful to hear her read God's word about money...

 We remembered at the end of the Holy Spirit teaching we read from 1Tim 6:10 about the love of money.  One of the ladies asked "Is it bad to want money?"

 We spent time in lively discussion trying to answer that...the general conclusion was that money itself is not bad...but how we use money can be for good or for evil.

Rachel sharing a story from her church

She shared how money can corrupt

 We agreed that whatever we have does not really belong to us, that everything belongs to God and we are simply his stewards.  It is when we forget that and think we have complete freedom to decide how to use the money that we can get into trouble.  Pretty much a sneak preview for next week's group!

 Each lady received a bound copy of the complete 8 week study and was instructed to read next week's lesson and come prepared to share insights, questions, challenges and revelations...

We shared around the table prayer requests and praise reports...and Christine led us in worship...

 ...then we enjoyed a powerful time of group prayer.

And Rose closed by praying over each request that was presented.

We were few, but so much enjoyed being together again!  We look forward to even more ladies joining us next week!

Mother's Day at Life Community Church

We decided to do something special for Mother's Day this year...Doris invited 4 moms from our congregation to join her for tea...and a chat.

Doris inviting the congregation to "listen in"

Doris is a new mom (her baby just turned one year old) and she wanted to glean some wisdom from these 'seasoned' moms...and we had such fun listening to their conversations!

First, she asked them each to share a funny or touching story, about one of her kids or about herself as a parent.

We all learned a new word "motherwhelmed"...that condition causes your she strap to break on the way to church, panic when the nanny calls, and especially it causes you to drop to your knees in prayer...

 Here Doris, the consummate hostess, is pouring tea while her guests continue to chat...

 Some of the stories and words of wisdom were so funny they cracked each other up!

Doris then asked each of them to share a life lesson they learned from the experience of being a mother...

The lesson was unanimous - rely on God!  Each of them, in some way, became acutely aware of her own inadequacy and has learned to trust and depend on God in significant ways.

Twyla taking a shot!

Stella (the one sharing) and I have the same birthday!

 Joe (in the green jacket) taking shots...his wife Nancy is one of the 'seasoned' moms up front!

 I especially loved the way they all shared from their hearts and without hesitation.

See the way Abrianna is watching Jacquie!

 Their stories, advice, words of wisdom and comments just flowed so naturally from lady to lady.

 They truly seemed to enjoy each other, even as they were sharing candidly...

Stella (behind the flask!), Nancy and Doris

 I was amazed at how they were talking to each other and yet we all felt we were such a part of it all.

 You can see here the delight on each of the faces as Jacquie is sharing...

L to R: Jacquie (3 kids), Nyambura (4 kids), Stella (2 kids), Nancy (2 kids)

Doris asked exactly how it looks to 'train up a child'...Jacquie shared about how we must set an example...they are watching us!

Jacquie

Nyams shared a family tradition...to spend time each day as a family in worship, reading God's word and praying...even naming each new baby is a special event in their home!

Nyambura (Nyams)

About half way through the baby, Abrianna, got fussy (she is just over 2 months)...

 ...Dad to the rescue!

 Clearly, behind every great mom is a good dad!

 We all loved the way the moms celebrated their husbands even as they applauded Ndung'u for 'coming to the rescue'!

At the end of the service, Pastor Mark decided to make himself comfortable as he addressed the congregation.

 Meanwhile, our smallest kids (some of whose moms were on stage!) were having a great time!

 Kevin, super-dad and super-husband to Jacquie helping son Jesse with his shoes...

Akera - one of our teachers to the smallest kids...helping the daughter to Nancy and Joe with her shoes...

 This is Pastor Mark's brother, Patrice, helping his boy...

 Johari is doing a 'whirling dervish' imitation...wait for it...

 ...there she goes!

 Going down...she is such a doll...she fell all the way, began crying and went to 'Baba' for comfort.

It was an awesome Mother's Day at church...I loved seeing the moms all dolled up, sharing from their hearts how amazing it is to be a mom...and then visiting the little ones after.  I am full!