Fitting Words
from Marcia Reavely
“You can relax a bit, you know, and everything will be okay,” she said with a gentle smile in the church foyer on a typical Sunday morning. Just a few soft words from a dear older woman as I herded my busy little children through the crowd, reminding them not to run, but they had a lasting impact.
I was a vigilant mom. Always watching. Always warning. Always overseeing. Always reminding. All good to a point, but not to the point of frustrating my children.
I mulled over this encouragement from a trusted saint. Could I relax a bit? Could I train well but then trust my children to remember and follow through? Could I hold back the constant reminders and give them the dignity of showing they had mastered the training? Could I give them a little wiggle room and not expect perfection?
For me, these were words fitly spoken. This woman knew me and loved me and prayed for me. While some moms might need the opposite advice, she could see my tendency to be overly attentitve. Her desire was to help me love my children well, and indeed, these were wise words. I took her exhortation to heart and did relax a bit, and she was right. Nearly thirty years later, I still recall those apt words and thank her.
There are innumerable ways the training of Titus 2, older women to younger women, can take place. This article gives several good ideas: Mentoring Doesn’t Happen Only in Coffee Shops. It’s true; mentoring doesn’t happen only in coffee shops. Mentoring can happen anywhere, even in a few fitting words spoken with love in a church foyer.
1st Thursday Connect
It’s 1st Thursday time! New Life Women meets for 1st Thursday Connect on November 7, and the theme is “Hot Mess.” What does that include, you may wonder? Think sloppy joes, tossed salad, and dirt cups. Think messy buns. We will learn about the ministry of Love INC (Love in the Name of Christ) and collect disposable diapers and diaper wipes for all the “messy baby buns” that they serve. There will also be fun activities and teaching from Job, who truly found himself in a hot mess. Dinner is provided at 6:00.
November 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
New Life Church West Linn, downstairs
Please RSVP for November’s 1st Thursday Connect at newlifenw.com/westlinn/women
Bring a pack of diaps and/or wipes for Love INC (optional)
We have been reading the book of Job in October, and we will read the book of Numbers in November. Come to 1st Thursday to receive a personal reading plan and Side by Side Bible reading questions to use with a friend throughout the month. Reading plans can also be found online and in the church lobby.
Ask someone older or younger, a neighbor, a co-worker, someone new to church, anyone you like to partner with you in reading God’s word Side by Side this month. You set the time and place. Or, join a group that meets Sunday mornings in the lower fireside room with Amy Crooks at 10:45. No preparation necessary; come whenever you can.
You don’t need to be participating in the monthly Bible reading to join us at 1st Thursday Connect. All are welcome, and each month stands alone, so if you miss one, join us next time! On a side note, a big thank you to Ray David and Pietro’s Pizza in Milwaukie for supplying pizza for October’s 1st Thursday!
Scripture Memory: 1 Peter
It’s not too late to start memorizing 1 Peter with New Life Women! We can do it in a year by simply working on a few verses each week. Pick up resources at 1st Thursday to make your own memorization booklet or find the file online.
One tip to make memorizing easier is to create simple hand motions to go along with the text. Try it! It’s fun and truly helpful!
Share the Joy
Have you been having spiritual conversations with a neighbor or co-worker? Are you on your toes, praying for divine appointments, trusting God and taking more risks? Have you asked someone if you could share the way Christianity explains the world? Are you ready for an event that will help you merge your Christian and non-Christian friends?
That opportunity is coming! On Sunday, December 15, 4:00-6:00 p.m., New Life Women is hosting our annual Christmas event, Share the Joy.
You can expect the same beautiful reflection stations, fun crafts, sweet and savory snacks, warm drinks. But we’re planning to change things up a bit this year by having the bulk of our time in the church basement. While we enjoy crafts and food, we will also have some interactive mixers to allow guests old and new to get to know each other better.
Who will you invite?
Books
November’s suggested reading on the theme of “Enjoying God”:
Enjoying God by Tim Chester
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
If you are interested in joining this journey of personal growth, simply get the books and jump into the reading. Ask around and see if someone would like to read and discuss a book with you.
Links
Below are links to articles, books, podcasts, and music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church. Enjoy!
On Numbers and Living for God through Christ—by Douglas Allison.
What We Miss When We Skip the Book of Numbers—@ Knowable Word.
The Pentateuch—@ Spotify, a playlist to accompany our reading this month.
The Person Just Ahead of You—@ A Life Overseas. Younger women and older women both have things to offer.
To Confront or Cover?—@ Stray Thoughts. When should we speak and when should we refrain? Both of these are good follow-up to Titus 2.
Three points to prayerfully prepare yourself with before receiving critique—@ Taste and see…
God Brings Us Bad to Give Us Best—by Joni Eareckson Tada.