Francis Chan Balance Beam Video

Here is the video that I mentioned in Sunday School this morning.



As I watched this the other day, God took it a step further in my mind. I think some of us do cling to the balance beam. But others of us are trying to do a full routine for God. Everything He puts in front of us we tackle with gusto. Then something happens.

Life throws us for a loop.

The perfect life we'd been living is suddenly shaken to our core. Then we get up to do that skill again, and we can't. We now have a mental block because our mind tells us we'll get hurt again. And God watches, waiting and encouraging. He says, "You can." We say, "I can't." And in the process we lose the ability to live the full life He has for us. Until we can climb up on that balance beam, dust the chalk off, and trust Him to catch us if we try and fall again.

If I perish, I perish: thoughts from Esther

The last few weeks, the Sunday School class using the Beth Moore Esther study has been powerful. You can view the trailer here.

As with most of her studies, I am learning things I never anticipated. I love the way she has us dive into the Bible and pull it apart. And then think about what it must have been like. But the reason I'm writing about this is because Sunday we watched the 4th video session. The text focused on Esther's words "If I perish, I perish."

This study has talked a lot about destiny and stepping into the callings God has on our lives. Rich, deep, challenging thoughts and questions. But this session tackled fear. Who doesn't live in fear? As an author and an attorney, sometimes I think I'm super-hardwired for the WHAT IFs of life. What if something happens to my husband? What if something happens to one of my children? What if? What if? What if?

I challenge you to watch the video if you wrestle with fear. You can download it to watch on your computer for $4.99 here.

I am still processing the message and plan to watch it again. Wouldn't it be amazing to live in a place where it doesn't matter what our WHAT IFs and fears are. Because if _______ happens, then God will ___________.

Esther Study

This week is a in-depth study of Esther chapter one. A few questions to consider as you read it:

• what was the timing and political climate of the story?
• Who attended Xerxes' banquet?
• what are three possible reasons Vashti might have refused Xerxes' order?
• What did Memucan advise the king to do?
• How might the thought that "it's tough being a woman in another woman's shadow" Have proved true to the wives all over Persia.

Happy studying and reading. Harmony has graciously agreed to lead the discussion on Sunday, so come ready to discuss those questions and more.

Cara

New Ladies' Sunday School Class

Hey, gals.

Just wanted to let you know that this quarter we are doing Beth Moore's Esther study in Sunday School. You can watch video samples here. We've ordered workbooks and should have them this Sunday. I'd love to have you join us!

Cara

New Study Launches

Last night we started a new study on Wednesday nights: Lisa Bevere's Fight Like a Girl. There are extra copies of the book at church for $10.50. It's definitely not too late to join us. We had a great discussion!

Next week October 1

Next week we're going to try some of the recipes in the book. So come for dinner at 7 p.m. We'll be in the kitchen. Please let Stephanie or me know if you are coming, so we can make sure we have enough. And bring your favorite recipe :-)

Also, our next book will be A Mary Heart in a Martha World. We'll start that October 15th :-) October 8th will be the final week in No Other Gods.

Cara

Fireproof the Movie

Interviews at the Fireproof Screening from Gina Conroy on Vimeo.

My friend Gina Conroy had the opportunity to attend the screening for Fireproof this summer, and the above is her interview with the lead actress and movie producer. It was fun to get this email from her, because on Sunday our small group decided that we are going to work through Love Dare as a group this fall. We also talked about going to the movie opening weekend, which is September 26.

The Love Dare is a book that walks couples through specific projects they can do for 40 days to turn love into action. A challenge that every marriage can use no matter how new or experienced, how troubled or blissful.