WE SAVED YOU A SEAT

Last month I shared with you the lovely Lisa-Jo Baker's new book Never Unfriended. Today I want to share with you a new companion resource to Never Unfriended. Dayspring and Lifeway have teamed up to bring us the We Saved You a Seat Bible Study. This 7 session study is all about finding and keeping lasting friendships. The Bible study is great to do on your own but even better to grab a few friends and do it together. As summer approaches, it is the perfect time to do a study with some friends or neighbors. Gather the kids to play in the sprinkler for an hour while you and your friends learn all about friendships.

In We Saved You a Seat, you will find that friendship takes...

showing up

vulnerability

encouragement

service

forgiveness

walking away wisely

action

See what Lisa-Jo has to say...

Friendship isn't always easy. And many aren't prepared for all that it takes. Lisa-Jo gives us wisdom and insight and she always points to Scripture.

Each week has the group session then 3 days of "homework." You will love the homework, and I promise, it won't really feel like homework! I love that there are only 3 days because it can be so easy to get behind. This allows for you to actually split it up into 6 days. Or strive for 3 days and use the other days to catch up if you are behind. Each day has a friendship challenge that help you dig deep. There are 7 video sessions to go with each week. In the video sessions you will find Lisa-Jo, Alia Joy, Deidra Riggs, Aliza Latta and Kristen Strong. They share real life experiences, humor and encouragement. You will feel like you are sitting at the table with them!

To pick up We Saved You a Seat, click HERE.

Here are some great products to go with We Saved You a Seat and Never Unfriended:

This We Saved You a Seat Bible Study Kit is great! I am all about mini bags and office supplies. The kit is perfect for the We Saved You a Seat Bible study and includes: 1 pouch, 20 inspiration cards, 2 sticky note flags, 1 sticker sheet, 2 mini-highlighters, and 1 washi tape.

This Conversation Start Jar is great! We've used this at home with our teens as well as I've used it with my ladies Bible study I lead. The questions really get everyone talking and sharing. Some questions are light and just for fun and some are deep and emotional. Pick up the Conversation Start Jar  for your home, ladies night out or Bible study group!

Whether friendship comes easy for you, you are shy and struggle to make friends, or you've been burned deep by an old friend, We Saved You a Seat and Never Unfriended are great tools. You will learn how to make lasting and true friendships and learn when it is healthy to walk away.





*Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own. Links on this page may be affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using the affiliate links.

NEVER UNFRIENDED

Unfriended.

That word.

That button is so easy to hit. One tiny tap, and boom, you are unfriended. Several years back a friend was going through a major life change and decided to unfriend a group of people from her 'old' life. I was one. She had been one of my closest friends and the rejection hurt. Another time a friend decided that if I didn't unfriend a mutual friend who hurt her, she was going to unfriend me. And then there have been a few times I was unfriended and have no idea why. Did I say or do something to hurt or offend? Was there any way to save the friendship?

Yes, I am talking about social media, but I am also talking about real life. Being unfriended hurts.

As women we crave deep friendships and lasting connections, yet, making and keeping these relationships isn't always easy. We are afraid to put the work into really getting to know someone. Then when we do, we hurt each other. We get offended. We set high expectations that we want our friends to met, then when they don't, we disregard the relationship.

In her new book, Never Unfriended, Lisa-Jo Baker says, "Friends are hard work. Heck, people are hard work. There's no getting around it. The only way through is through. Through the knowing and the showing up and the forgiving and the laughing and the folding laundry together and the walking kids to school and the daring to do the ugly cry in front of each other."

Friendship is work. But when we put that work into it, when we do those hard times together, when we believe the best in our friends, when we commit our friends to daily prayer, the friendship is so worth it.

Lisa-Jo gives us the number 1 way to be a friend when she says, "This is the secret to finding and keeping lasting friendships: become women who want to see the women around them flourish." No more of this comparison stuff. No more of this competition. Let's look to see women do well, let's help them do well. Let's pray they flourish.

Never Unfriended is a must read! Lisa-Jo gets right to the heart of friendships. If you have ever been unfriended or if you are thinking of unfriending another, you will want to read Never Unfriended.

As an introvert, one thing I have struggled with in relationships is not always knowing what to say. How do I start a conversation? What do I say? What will we talk about? Dayspring has an amazing tool to help! The Conversation Start Jar is full 60 different questions to get your conversations moving. Some of the sample questions are: Extra $200 a day, or extra 2 hours a day? or What was your very first job? Not only do I plan to use the Conversation Start Jar with friends, but I am excited to utilize this tool in my women's Bible study group and at home with my kids.

Never Unfriended launches today so pick up your copy!

Dayspring is offering a special introductory offer April 5th-9th to get Never Unfriended for only $11.99 and get free shipping on both Never Unfriended and the Conversation Start Jar when you use the code FREESHIP.

Sisterhood

My sweet bloggy friend, Jen from Finding Heaven, has been asking the question what does sisterhood mean to you?  I love that question and the answer leads me to the Word of God.

As iron sharpens iron,

so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work;

If one falls down,

his friend can help him up,

but pity the man who falls 

and has no one to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I struggled with friendships for a long time.  For one, I am so quiet and shy, not easy traits to make friends.  Two, I have a hard time trusting people due to past hurts.  But a few years ago God laid these two verses on my heart and sent a handful of incredible women my way.  These women are my friends, my accountability partners, my encouragers, my sisters.  When I am struggling, these women lift me in prayer, send me scriptures and share with my uplifting words.  When I am rejoicing, these women laugh with me.  I have been so blessed with these women.

I have also been extremely blessed with a wonderful family.  My parents, grandparents and siblings are wonderful and we are all very close.  I know they pray for me and are always there for me.

God did not intend for us to go through life alone.  We need the relationships of family and friends.  I praise God for the sisterhood He has given me and I pray that I can be a friend to them as they are to me.

What does the word sisterhood mean to you?

Linking with:

Into The Beautiful 

Titus Tuesday  

Soli Deo Gloria

Teach Me Tuesday

Hear it on Sunday, Use it On Monday

Real

We {I} can tend to put on a mask.  Being vulnerable, transparent, letting people see inside us, is hard.  Being stripped of everything and letting people see the real us is uncomfortable sometimes.  We worry about people judging us and looking down on us.  We worry about them gossiping and walking away from us.

Being real is hard.

I am so thankful for friends I can be real with.  Friends that I can trust.  For a long time I didn't have that.  For a long time I was afraid to open up.  If I let them see the real me, they might see my failures and flaws.  One thing I found is that when you are real with those you are close to, you see that you are not alone in your fears and failures.  There is always someone who has been there, done that.  So when you are real with them, they can offer up advice, encouragement and prayer.

Remember we are not meant to do this life alone.  Don't hide things inside.  Talk to a friend.  Be real with them.  Let them help you.  Let them encourage you.  Let them be a shoulder for you.

Two are better than one for because they have a good return for the labor: If either of them falls down one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to pick him up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday  

Are you looking for a Mother's Day gift? Check out all of the beautiful collections at DaySpring!  You will find beauty and encouragement in ever item.  For 30% off your Mother's Day order, enter the code MD30off from now until May 14th.

Mother's Day Special- 30% off Select Items

Community

We are not meant to do life alone.  Often times we are going through things and we shut our friends out.  We shut our family out.  We turn away from everyone who loves us and wants to be there with us.


The Word tells us in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  And Ecclesiasters 4:9-10 says that, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  If either of them falls down, one can pick the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to pick him up."


When you are going through something, sickness, marriage problems, problems with the kids, anything at all, don't shut your friends out.  Go to them.  Let them "sharpen" you, let them pick you up.  Let them encourage you and pray with you.  We all need each other.


I am so very thankful for my community of sweet sisters.  Women I know I can count on.  Women I know will be there for me when I fall or need sharpened.


Friends, when you are struggling, don't give up.  Turn to your friends to be lifted up.

Are you looking for a Mother's Day gift? Check out all of the beautiful collections at DaySpring!  You will find beauty and encouragement in ever item.  For 30% off your Mother's Day order, enter the code MD30off from now until May 14th.

Mother's Day Special- 30% off Select Items

 

Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

BFF

Join me at Woman to Woman for a fun recipe on this Tasty Tuesday!

Friend

BF (best friends)

BFF (best friends forever)

Besties

Buds

Peeps



There are many names for friends these days.  But the truth is, it doesn't matter what we call them, we all need friends.  We need people that we can be close to and share our lives with.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work."  Ecclesiastes 4:9

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:17

I've shared many times how blessed I am with my sweet sisters.  For many years I did not feel the need for friends.  I had my family and that was all I needed.  But the truth is, we need to have friends, too.  Jesus even had friends!  He had twelve men that were His close friends, the disciples.

Often times we put walls up.  We have barriers that do not allow us to get close to people.  Dr. John Townsend says in his book, How To Be A Best Friend Forever, that "Life is too short to go through it without vulnerability.  We all need to be transparent about our inner selves, needs, mistakes, and emotions with someone.  Best friends are the best place for that need."  The first place we should always, and I mean always turn to with these things is to Jesus.  But after that, we need someone that we can connect with who will encourage us and pray for us in these matters.  This is why we need a friend.

Friends are friends no matter the miles between you.  Friends are there to celebrate with you.  Lend a shoulder for crying.  Give a word from the Lord.  Pray in time of need.  Give gentle correction in love.

We all need to have friends and be a friend.  The greatest thing is that we can learn how to be a friend from the very Best Friend ever, Jesus.


Review and giveaway:

Dr. John Townsend's book was a blessing to me.  He shows us how to be the friend God wants us to be.  Today  I am giving away three copies of How To Be A Best Friend Forever.  To win simply comment on today's post.  For extra entries share the giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and come back leaving a separate comment saying you shared.  The winners will be announced tomorrow.

How to Be a Best Friend Forever: Making and Keeping Lifetime Relationships By Dr. John Townsend / Worthy Publishing

Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Titus Tuesday
On Your Heart Tuesday 
Soli Deo Gloria  
Teach Me Tuesday

Autumn Beauty & The Grace Card

Today I am posting a Marriage Monday over at Woman to Woman Ministries.  We are talking about how our husbands rock!  We also have a fabulous giveaway starting today.  Join us!

I love taking my children to the park.  It is one of our favorite things to do.  We play together, go for walks, then mommy sits back and reads as the kids play some more.  It is always a great time.  Autumn is my favorite season.  I love the colors, sound of rustling leaves, and smells.  I love Autumn.  Today, take a moment to get out and enjoy God's beautiful Autumn nature! 

It can be difficult to show grace sometimes.  Someone hurts us so we are bitter towards them.  They are from a different walk of life and we do not understand them.  They stand for something we are against.  They simply live differently than we do.  These things make it hard to show grace sometimes.

But the fact remains that God showed grace to us so how can we not extend it to others?

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God."  Ephesians 2:8

We are all sinners.  We all mess up and fall short of God's glory.  Yet He still extends His grace to us.

We do not always do things the way God wants.  We hurt Him.  And at times we may even stand for something He is against.  But He still extends His grace.

Who are we to hold onto that grace and not share it?

I encourage you, the next time you are at odds with your neighbor, show grace.  The next time the clerk at the store upsets you, show grace.  The next time your in-laws mess up your plans, show grace.  The next time a friend lets you down, show grace.

Here is a beautiful explanation of grace:

I will pray for you daily.  I will ask your forgiveness and grant you the same.  I will be your friend. ~The Grace Card

When grace is needed, offer to pray for the person daily.  Ask their forgiveness and grant them forgiveness.  Be their friend.

Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Capturing Beauty

Review and a giveaway!

Theo - This cute animated movie features Theo, an Englishman and his two mice friends, Belfry and Luther.  Theo knows all about Gods Word and teaches children about Biblical values.  My two youngest kids, though older at 8 and 10, still loved the movie and look forward to seeing more.

The Shunning - The Shunning is a movie taken from Beverly Lewis' book series, The Heritage of Lancaster County.  If you are familiar with Beverly Lewis, her stories are based on the Amish.  The main character, Katie, learns shocking news that will change her life forever.  She has to learn to forgive and follow God's will for her life.  I am a fan of Ms. Lewis and really enjoyed The Shunning.

Grace Card - Tragedy strikes a family and changes their lives.  Years later they are still dealing with this tragedy when God brings two men together on the job.  They are from different backgrounds, different walks of life, and different beliefs.  Will grace be extended?  This movie was excellent!  A very powerful lesson in extending grace, even when it is hard.  This is a movie I will watch again and pass on!

The winner, which will be announced on Friday (10/14), will receive all three of these wonderful movies.  To enter:

• Comment on the blog post each day.

For extra entries:

• Facebook about the giveaway then come back and leave a separate comment telling me you shared the giveaway.
• Tweet about the giveaway then come back and leave separate comment telling me you tweeted the giveaway.
• "Like" us on Facebook then come back and tell me you are following us there, or tell me if you already follow.   

Friday with Friends

Today I decided to join Lisa-Jo over at Gypsy Mama for a Five Minute Friday.  I have never tried this before but her topic today struck me.  Friends.  Click on the link above for details on Five Minute Friday and to visit other great blogs.


Friends.


I was hurt in the past so I didn't think I needed friends anymore.  I was okay on my own. I have a great family, what more could I need?  Besides I am so quiet and shy that did it really matter to have friends?  Then I was asked to join a women's Bible study.  That really pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways.  I was "forced" to start actually studying the Bible.  I was surrounded with women and had to talk.  Oh my, what will I do!  


That is when I realized, I do need friends.  I was very blessed to be put into the Bible study group I was in.  God sent the best women for me He could.  


Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  


These women were sharpening me.  They encouraged me.  They pushed me.  They prayed for me.  


God did not call us to be alone.  We need each other.  Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  If one falls down the other can help him up.  Pity the man that falls and has no one to pick him up."


My sweet sisters and I may not go out shopping or weekly lunch dates, but I know they are always there for me.  I can call them up for prayer or encouragement at any moment.  I praise God for my group of sweet sisters.


I encourage you, if you have close friends (accountability partners), cherish them.  Grow that relationship.  If you do not, join a Bible study group, or even start one and build those relationships.  We all need each other.

My closest sweet sisters
My mom, Debi, Mandy, me and Lisa

Sweet Blessings~   

P.S. I think I took six minutes to write and it is very hard not to go over and edit.  *smiles*

Linking up with:
Brag on God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Media and Our Friendships

Join me over at Woman to Woman for a Marriage Monday!

I can honestly say I love social media when it comes to friendships.  Being in the ministry, and life in general really, you occasionally get moved to new churches or towns, in some cases even new states or countries.  It is so wonderful to be able to stay connected with friends even though you are no longer down the street from them, or see them at church twice a week.  I love getting on Facebook and seeing what my sweet sisters are up to or how their precious children are growing.

Through social media I have also been very blessed to 'meet' new people from all over the world.  How incredible it is to connect with someone on the other side of the USA and even the other side of the world!  I have made new and wonderful friends through social media.

What do they really mean?

Though social media is good for friends to stay in touch, it can also put a strain on the relationship.  When someone texts, tweets, Facebooks, etc, it is hard, nearly impossible, to tell the 'tone of voice' being used.  You can say something in a joking way, but it is offensive to the other person.  I have read many status updates on Facebook and wondered if they were talking about me.  I go over in my head everything that was said and done and if I did something wrong.  Maybe they were not talking about me or maybe they were just joking.  It is so hard to tell when you are not actually speaking with the person face to face.

Choose your words wisely when posting.

When we post something online, it is out there for everyone.  If your Facebook page was put on the screen at church this Sunday, would you be embarrassed? Ashamed?  Run and hide?  If you are not comfortable with your entire church and the pastors seeing every status update, comment and photo, then maybe you should not be posting it.

Make time for face to face.

Social media is great to keep connected, but there is nothing like face to face! Though it is great to Facebook and text my dear friends, I miss seeing them. Recently we were able to spend the entire weekend with good friends after not seeing them for awhile.  It was so wonderful to reconnect with them face to face.  I was also so very excited when my sweet sisters asked me to meet them for lunch this week so we could catch up.  Did I mention I miss them?  So while you should enjoy keeping up with your friends on social media, try getting together for coffee or play dates often.  Social media should be used for those in between times.  Make it a point to get together with friends.  We all need each other.

Sweet Blessings~