It's time again for Show & Tell. Kelli, from There Is No Place Like Home, is our lovely hostess, so make your way over to her site and check out the other participants. Better yet... find something to share and add your name to the list.I'd like to share two things with you today. One is the item pictured below and the second is my thoughts on a certain subject.
I won this lovely [fake] pumpkin at a bunko game a couple of weeks ago. I had the most wins of the group and therefor, won the top prize. As you can see, it has a Bible verse on it. I like it a lot and to be honest, it's one of very few fall decorations I put out this year.
The bunko group, the night I won this great prize, was a group of women from my [small] church. It was a women's ministry function and we all had a great time. We ate, we laughed, we rolled those dice with a vengence, and we ate some more. It was a great night. It made me reflect on the function and benefits of a women's ministry.
I used to be heavily involved in the women's ministry at my previous church, even heading it up for a while. I remember a woman once telling me that she did not see the need or importance of such a ministry. She claimed that she just didn't have the time or desire to spend with other women. I was flabbergasted. She was a woman and a mom of young kids, and she didn't see what this kind of ministry could do for her!? I just could not understand her way of thinking.
I then started working with the youth ministry in the church and I slowly stopped going to events and Bible studies the women's ministry offered. I had other priorities and realized I would rather spend time with teenagers than adult women. I could then relate to why this woman said what she did and where she was coming from. But I think we were both wrong.
Although we, as women, go through different phases in our lives and our priorities shift around, I feel that there is great benefit to being a part of a women's ministry. Having other women know you gives you the opportunity to be ministered to - and we all need this from time to time (if not all the time). But women's ministry isn't all about be ministered to. It's also about ministering to others.
Whatever phase of life you're in, you have something to offer other women. Whether it's a piece of advice from your own experience, a word of encouragement, an offer to help in some way, or even just a smile - you have something to offer. You may be in a place where you don't really feel this way. But let me tell you, if you make the effort and have the desire, God will use you in some way. I've seen it over and over again, and it's a beautiful thing.
If you're involved in a women's ministry in any way, I say YAY! and thank you. If you're not, I'd encourage you to do so. Even if it's in a small way. I think you will find that you are the one that will be truly blessed.
***************
link of the day:
http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_kind_of_reader_are_you
26 comments:
This is cool!!!
Congrats on the win.
Love your blog ---and I love the reference to 'sunshine' on your comment link too.
Have a good show n tell weekend.
Congrats on winning - that pumpkin is so cute!
Our church has a women's ministry -they meet Wed mornings. I used to be a part of it until this year. This year I joined the homeschool co-op and they meet Wed mornings. While I enjoyed the group at church, I am finding I connect with these women in the co-op much more. The other thing is, my church group only does childcare for preschool age children - that doesn't work so well for homeschoolers. We only have a few families at our church that homeschool, so it isn't a big deal - but they may need to change that at some point.
great post
Love that pumpkin.
I sure have been enjoying and been blessed by my weekly bible studies. It sure has been a blessing to me to attend this. I've made some new friends, and we've been praying for each other. I am very forutnate that they provide child care too.
Hi Diana,
I agree with you about a women needing to serve each other and minister to each other... the bottom line is... we need FRIENDS! You stopped by my personal blog and asked about my piano... it is old! We are the second owners of this 1920 player piano... but all the 'player' parts are missing. The Baptist Church on the corner opposite of us gave it to us, so I am hoping that the player parts show up in an old church attic somewhere, sometime. It was very funny when we brought it home... we rolled it down the street on a dolly! That would be a good post if I can find the old pictures, wouldn't it? :0)
Oh, love your bubbles..
Hilda Rebecca
Love the pumpkin!!! Very wise words. I believe we should endeavor to be reaching out to others in any and every way we can. I really see that happening here in our section of blogland and it warms my heart and it gives me added hope.
Susan
Very pretty, and I love that verse! Thanks for sharing
~Amy
I love the pumpkin!
Neat prize!
Great advice on the walk. Wherever we are there are others that we can fellowship with.
Thanks again Diana!
I like the pumpkin. I've seen some really cute ones this year.
You are so right about Women's Ministry. It fills so many different needs. Women need women.
Your web site for the day is fun!
Love the verse on your pumpkin :)
You are so right. There is so much need for encouragement, a wise word, and it needn't be big.
Thank you for sharing.
That is such a cute pumpkin, and love the verse!
I so agree...there is such an important need to fellowship with other women when we can, no matter where we are in life. I appreciated reading this so much!
We have a women's group in our church. We meet every once in awhile for games and lessons and food. Always food. It amazes me the people that don't crave times like this. I need time with other women. Don't get me wrong, no one will ever take the place of hubby or the kids, but there is something about a sisterhood that is just so awesome and powerful!
that is so lovely
Love your pumpkin. I saw some like that at a craft show last weekend and wanted one, but I had already spent my cash on other goodies :o(
The quiz was fun. I'm a dedicated reader-who knew?
Have a great weekend!
I like your fall pumpkin. It is neat with the verse on it.
I am a pastor's wife and involved in women's ministires. I do think that the main focus of any woman's ministry is teaching the women and encouraging them to reach their full potential in their home. Too many women's ministries pull the ladies out away from their children and hubbies and entertain them. Titus 2 - is a great list of the focus of ladies church ministries. Just thought I would add my two cents. :)
Oh, by the way I love your Broncos flag on your side bar. Go Broncos!!
Have a great weekend.
Jane
Oh I love your pumpkin. I too think there are great benefits to being a part of a women's ministry. I served for a time on our women’s ministry before I went back to work and I truly loved it.
Have a blessed weekend.
Now that is a hallowe'en pumpkin I can live with. And I appreciated your words on women's ministry. Truly there are seasons in our lives - but I do think there is great joy and support in meeting with other women. Even more in praying together where our hearts and spirits meet and bond us together - in my case bonded over 40 years.
Blessings and bliss
Dropping by with a ray of sunshine and to tell you how beautiful that pumpkin is. Congratulations on winning it.
Have a happy and safe weekend.
First of all, YAY for you for kicking some major bunko booty! (am I allowed to say that?) :)
In terms of women's ministry, I have mixed feelings. There have been seasons in my life when I have really enjoyed being in groups with women - encouraging each other, sharing life, laughing. And, there have been other times when I have found it to be very discouraging - a lot of gossip, petty disagreements, lack of understanding. The former is wonderful; the latter is quite harmful.
All that to say, I understand when people fall on either side of loving or disliking it.
Love Bunko!
Love your prize!
Love your encouragement! Amen
Blessings on you!
That was a very neat prize! :)
The pumpkin is a great win.
I used to be part of a women's ministry, but now I prefer to be part of something smaller. I am also in a season where my husband and I are able to be part of a small group with two other couples that is strengthening us spiritually and the relationships between the six of us is true fellowship in the Lord. The three of us women do get together on occassion to chat, discuss child rearing issues, personal strengths and weaknesses... The guys help each other out as needs arise and just for fun.
I have found that right now, I do not like being in large groups of women. I have witnessed too much husband bashing, cliche behavior... (and this is in "Christian" groups). There have been good things too, but I just know that smaller is better for me. If and when the Lord moves me some place else, I will go. Until then, I prefer my husband and a few other people at time.
Other than that, I'll take my blogging friends and my children any time!!! :)
What a delightful pumpkin to win, I've never played BUNCO but heard it's a lot of fun:-) xo
I've never seen a pumpkin with a bible verse, how nice!
Post a Comment