Girlfriends, how is your week going so far?

I pray that the Holy Spirit is truly working in and through you His fruit and that you are growing and becoming the woman God has designed you to be!! I know we all have our struggles, but it is so comforting to know that we are all on this journey together and what an adventure it is!! I like to think of my walk with the Lord as that, an adventure of a lifetime!! You never know what life is going to throw at you, but with the Lord, you have everything you need to combat, endure, and triumph!!

This week, try to plan everyday for some kind deed and then act in goodness and see how the Lord will bless someone through you, and in turn, you will also be blessed.

We are going to do Chapter 9 in our bible study and also start Chapter 10 as 9 is very short. (I did it in 1 day :) When we get together next Monday we will go through 9 and part of 10. I am excited to hear how the Lord has worked through each one of us this week.

It is my prayer that each one of us can truly be thankful for all the people in our lives that cause us to need the grace of God in our lives, and be truly thankful for the pain and suffering in our lives as it makes us look to Jesus and lean on His heart of love, so that we may truly act in kindness and goodness to others!!

Love and blessings,

Joni

Wow, ladies! We are halfway through our study on the fruit of the Spirit, and I am learning so much as I hope you are. I know the Lord is definitely working in us and changing us to be more like Him!

This week’s study on “Kindness” is definitely speaking to me, especially planning every day a way to show kindness. It’s active and I love how the author actually plans it into her schedule! Remember, kindness means making life easier for others, not harder. Ask yourself, “Am I going out of my way to help and show kindness to someone in order to make their life easier?”

This Monday we will meet at 6 pm for our Mexican Fiesta before our regular study! If you don’t know or can’t remember what you are bringing, please call or email me!

I am praying for each one of you! You are all so special to me!!

Love and blessings,

Joni

If you sang this song as a child, I’m sure it brings a smile to your face. For those that didn’t have the privilege of learning this song, we will sing it at our next Neighborhood Cafe meeting!

I don’t know about you, but I love to sing! Especially songs that make me smile. I know when I’m feeling down in the dumps, if I start singing a praise song to the Lord, I am lifted out of the mire and muck. Ok, maybe not literally, but at least my spirit is singing and my attitude seems more joyful, even if my circumstances haven’t changed. I have noticed, though, that if I keep singing, even the circumstances seem to change.

I love this verse from Psalm 126:5-6:

“Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”

Remember, when your “Cup of Joy” is filled to overflowing, you will not only experience more joy in your own life, but bring joy to someone else you know who needs it, too!

Love,

Joni

Hey girlfriends,

I hope your week is going good as you are spending time with the Lord and in His Word!!  Isn’t the bible study wonderful?  I’m enjoying the study of the fruit and especially Chapter 2′s study on LOVE this week!  Remember even today, as you fill your cup with Him, you will overflow to others as you go about your day!  I’m praying for each of you and can’t wait to see you next Monday!  Remember we are meeting at 6 pm for dinner before the study.

I will leave you with this quote by Augustine:

“Love has hands to help others.

It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy.

It has eyes to see misery and want.

It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrow of men.

This is what love looks like.”

O Lord, fill us with your love that we may truly love others, even those that are the hardest to love.  I pray that your love would truly flow out of us to all that we come into contact with that you would be glorified!  Bless each woman with your wonderful presence this week as she lives your love out in her daily life!!

I’m anxious to hear how God’s love was lived out by you this week!!

Love,

Joni

I hope you all enjoyed our get-together as much as I did!!  I loved how all of you smiled, shared, laughed, and showed us all a bit of who you are.  I loved getting to know all of you a little better.  Just think, through this neighborhood cafe, we will not only get to know each other better but grow together as women of God!  I’m excited to begin our study and want to encourage you all to get into the Word everyday and find a time that works for you to spend your quiet time with the Lord!!

I’ll leave you with a couple of theme verses for our Cup of Grace Cafe:

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Ephesians 1:7

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

Looking forward to seeing all of you next Monday evening at my house at 7 pm!

Love and blessings,

Joni

PS – The prayer requests that were shared will be sent in a separate, private email.