Lies

What a dart right between the eyes our new Bible study on Sunday nights has been. "No Other Gods" has been exposing some things to us - no, let me correct that - God's word has been exposing some stuff to us that I personally know has been stepping on my toes. Without fail, when we start a new Bible study I will get up and say something like this, "Beware...Satan doesn't want you to grow closer to God, and now that you are committing to Bible study, he wants to have a field day with you." When will I learn to wear that big, padded suit to protect me from the fiery darts he is throwing my way?! I am not so sure this time, though, is completely just Satan's attacks on me. He is definitely attacking from every angle, but the more I dig into God's word and see what it says for me about idols in my life, the more my layers are being peeled off to reveal some things I don't like about myself.
We discussed on Sunday night how the very idols we have in our life that we want to rid ourselves of are also the things that are our protection - our identity, if you will. For me... get ready, I'm about to be a little vulnerable (I don't like to be!) ... I struggle with a lot of fears in my relationships with others. There is a point in my life that I can go back to that I didn't have those fears, so I can go back those "safe" relationships today and feel perfectly ME, myself and I. There is a definite shift, however, without going into the sordid details, that all of that changed for me. What I despise is that it has taken much longer to weed myself out of the fears that negative relationships have played in my life. I've been hurt. My family has been hurt. The result, for me, has been a lack of trust even in this most blessed time in our lives. The season of hurt in my life started off like the very best times of my life - happy, joyful, "go get 'em," and safe! It turned to hurt and pain, and quite frankly made me negative and cynical. That is just not who I am, but it's a season I find myself getting stuck in a lot, unable to break the cycle. What do I do? We talked about it on Sunday night. We believe God! So, how do we do that? I am finding it is allowing Him to peel back those layers and say it's OK to be vulnerable, to be exposed. Satan feeds me lies all the time that those I think I feel safe with now will, too, hurt me, so don't give too much to them. I can say I have learned some lessons along the way, though. Sometimes you have to go through a season of hurt to learn who to trust and who to give yourself to. I know that for me, I try to surround myself with people that exude the love of God, and that is what drives them. I know that I've found myself in relationships of just wanting people to like me, so I would talk about others with them (gossip), group myself off with certain people while excluding others, and really just trust anyone that came along. Some time and being burned have shown me that you can't always be what everyone wants you to be, and yet it is the very fear associated with this that holds me at bay from completely believing God. In essence, I am believing Satan's lies instead! I just don't like that I do that, do you? For me, I have a hard time knowing that I teach my children to ask for forgiveness - not just saying sorry because there's a wide chasm between saying sorry and asking someone to forgive you - and yet those that hurt us, and even those that loved us and allowed others to hurt us, have never asked for forgiveness. It has made me a cynical person in many regards. I have had many that loved me through this, but I think sometimes even the ones that love you, just don't know what to do with you when you get all desperate and at your breaking point. Thankfully (I'm saying that as loudly as I can) we have our Father God to be the One who fills us. It is, once again, believing Him to do it and that is simply enough for us.
What lies are you believing, or better (worse) yet, what lies are you holding onto? Lies are destructive. It is not just the ones we tell, but lies can be secrets we keep for fear that our lives will change if it is exposed. It can tear us apart, a family apart, and most of all, our relationship with God can be fractured. I am holding onto some lies! I said it! I can't look past the lies to see that there are people who love me for me, that I won't be hurt, or that people will just stop going through "it" with me. Our lies become our idols, too. I feel sick writing this. I'm supposed to have it all together, right? The same could be said of you, too. So, let's make a deal. I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me! Pastor Jeff talked about walking through "it" with people, but as we do, we are pointing them the right direction, and that is UP! I was reminded today of this passage, "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The deeper we dig into this study, the more uncomfortable we might be. I am feeling a new resolve coming on to just GO WITH IT! I need to see my Jesus without this clutter in my way, don't you? Press on, today, ladies. I may not always get to verbally tell you face to face, but know I love you dearly. I may have fear, but there's a truth I cannot waiver on, and it is the love that I have for you. Live in victory today.

Got Idols?

Last night we began our study "No Other Gods" for our next Women's Bible Study. A flood of emotions came over me as I watched 33 women enter the cafe to participate in this journey over the next three weeks. As they entered the room, I heard most all introduce themselves to one another, everyone enjoying fellowship over food, and many were anxious to look through their new book. There seemed to be an excitement in the air as we got together for the first time. I believe that God ordains each day with a purpose, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God ordained yesterday be a day that we gather together to begin this new journey together. I want to encourage you, ladies, to stand firm and stay committed. I want the very best for you, and deeply desire to see you soar over these next 8 weeks, so that you can soar for a lifetime! Know you are being prayed for and prayed over. We are seeking God's favor on your behalf, and we pray with great anticipation that God is, and will, do something extraordinary in your life! Seek God today with renewed purpose and vigor. We found out last night that we all have some sort of idol in our lives, but we were challenged to make God the one and only object of our affection. Memorize the verse that the study is based on, "They worshiped God, yet they served their own idols." (2 Kings 17:33) Seek today to change that in our lives, that we might say "We worship and serve our God." I love you deeply. Have a wonderful day!!!

Good Books?

I posted this question on my facebook, and I thought I would post it on here, too, and hopefully get some responses. What is everyone reading this summer? I'm curious. I love to read and summer is a time for getting myself lost in a good book. I have some here at my house courtesy of a good friend, but I am still curious to know what you are reading that you would recommend to anyone that reads this blog. You can just mark this under "random thoughts" for today. Can't wait to read your responses!

This Night...A Night to Reach Our Community

As most of you remember, our first This Night sought to steer our focus to the world. This coming June 30th, we will seek to focus on our community, knowing that our God is bigger and better and He can use that same focus to impact our country.
I am so grateful to many of you for volunteering to be a hostess. Know that your willingness is crucial in seeing many come that night. I still want, and need more hostesses. Many have opted to partner up and they have committed to bring others from the community that night as their guests. Let me just take this opportunity to say...This Night is NOT about entertaining ourselves and dressing up pretty tables and hearing a speaker just to say we went out and had a good Monday night. This Night is what the extension of the title says. We are seeking to reach our community for Christ. We want you bringing your lost friends, your friends that are looking for a church to serve in, or friends that need to hear a Word from the Father. We can get together any 'ole night and have a good time, eat, and fellowship. What we have set This Night aside to do is to be intentional in reaching those around us. Let me just say it in some good southern twang..."We ain't messin' around, ladies." This is another stepping stone to building up the kingdom. So, bring your friends. That place should be so packed out that we'll have to find somewhere else to go the next time we do this.
I want to enlist more hostesses, so please email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net if you are willing.
Information can be found in recent blog posts, as well as on the Aroma page on our website .
I am also linking you to the Wellspring Living Gift registry We are asking each person attending to choose an item from this registry to donate to the new Wellspring Home in SC. Please, please, please drop by Target and pick out something special. If you have any questions, you can email me
Thank you, ladies. I love you to the depths. Looking forward to an awesome summer with you.

Reminder

Just a reminder, Ladies...time is ticking away as we prepare to launch our two new Bible studies.
Look for sign up sheets on the Aroma table on Sunday, or you may contact me by email at
jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up. Don't miss this opportunity to dig into God's word together on Sunday nights or Tues. nights. I promise you, this time will be the highlight of your summer and you will build some long lasting relationships. Look at the post below for information on both Bible studies. Childcare will be provided for both, but you must make a note that you need childcare when signing up.
Looking forward to walking through God's word with you this summer. Serving you...Amy

Summer Opportunities for You

I apologize for the lack of blogging about upcoming events lately. As you can imagine from (most of you) being moms yourself, our Aroma team has very busy everyday lives and sometimes we get out of sync in our planning. Do not take that as our hearts not looking out for you, though. We very much want to provide opportunities for you every week, every month, or every time we can, but sometimes we just need to take a break and let God show us which way to go.
In the coming days, Aroma will be meeting and planning things for you to participate in this summer. More than that, however, we would love to just give you some ideas that you can even implement in your day to day life as you "pay it forward" in your investment in others. I want to make you aware of some things we have planned thus far so that you can be making plans to attend yourself, or invite someone you know to attend. A couple of things require your participation.
As Pastor Jeff encouraged us on Sunday... we are to make everything we do point to the Cross. That is our goal as we invest in your life. You, or even Aroma, may not be able to attend everything we have planned, but we desire to provide as many opportunities for you so that you have some options. I ask that you bear with us as, once again Pastor Jeff said, we are in a process of growth. God is molding us and shaping us as we go, so that one day we will truly do everything we put our hands to with excellency. So, that being said, mark these things on your calendar. Also, any interests you have for Aroma to promote, please give us your ideas...or better yet, let God use you to lead whatever it is you have in mind!

June Bible Studies:
"Surrendering the Secret" - by Pat Layton...This study will be led by Amy Hickman, and is for anyone that has suffered an abortion and desires God to heal their past. We will meet on Tuesday nights, beginning June 10th at LifeSong Church at 7pm. Your anonymity will be protected. You may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up or ask any questions. Please read the following description of this Bible study, and share it with any friends you know that may be interested...
Many women hide the secret of abortion deep in their hearts, and they are suffering severe consequences. They carry a great burden of shame and failure afraid to reveal their hidden pain, and by doing so are forced to endure the long-lasting effects in isolation. Surrendering the Secret will allow women to release this burden and find freedom through 'redemptive community' while experiencing hope and joy as shame and failure are replaced with beauty.


"No Other Gods" - by Kelly Minter...This study will be led by Amy Hickman on Sunday nights, beginning on June 8th and is open to women only. This is an 8 session study that will lead you to placing God right in the center of your day to day life, amidst the busyness and chaos. We will enjoy a warm atmosphere together of sharing in the recipes the author offers (sharing a meal), as well as a living room atmosphere. This book is the first of Minter's "Living Room Series." Cost of book is $10. Please bring any friends interested. Look for sign-ups at the Aroma table, or you may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net


This Night...Our second This Night will be on Monday, June 30th. Our theme is "This Night...a night to reach our community". Our guest speaker will be Susan High, who is bringing Wellspring Living SC to Lyman. We will be participating in providing a registry item for the new Wellspring House in Lyman. Here's a little info from Wellspring's site, www.wellspringlivingsc.org

Wellspring Living connects a caring community with women seeking a way out of unhealthy behaviors, promoting healing, wholeness, independence and family restoration through Biblical principals.

At Wellspring, our desire is to expand our vision of God's transformational power, unify cultures and denominations, provide connection between issues and solutions, restore women, protect children and challenge people to live dangerously for God.

Susan is an awesome speaker because she is a woman with a heart of passion and compassion. You don't want to miss all she has to share, and how we, too, can touch the lives of these women she desires to reach.
We are now taking names of anyone that would like to hostess a table of eight. For our summer This Night, you will only be asked to provide a summertime centerpiece and party favors for each of your guests. We will give you your color scheme when you sign up. You will need to set up your table the night before after Sunday evening worship. Tickets are $10/person. Proceeds will also go to help give a love gift to Wellspring. For more info about Wellspring, check out their website and read Susan's blog! Link to www.wellspringlivingsc.org
Please contact Amy Hickman at jeffamy111@netzero.net if you would like to be a hostess. You may ask a friend to help you. Deadline for hostess sign up is June 15th.

Just Be Still

How many times have you heard yourself saying to your child, "Would you just be still?" I know that this mom here says it every, single morning as I am putting hair in ponytails. "Don't squirm." "Just be still." When things get uncomfortable or chaotic, we just want to move around a little and squirm, don't we? Truth is, life is just plain, ole uncomfortable all the time, isn't it? If it's not busyness, it's sickness. If it's not rushing, it's confusion. It's really always something.

This has been on my mind alot today. As we were sitting at lunch today, we were discussing the good, ole days when our Mamas made Sunday lunch. This is a tradition that I still very much like to hold on to. Grant it, there are times when we like to go out after church with friends, but usually you will find me getting up on Sunday mornings and putting something in the Crock Pot, or defrosting some meat to prepare when I get home. I truly enjoy the feel of Sunday lunch with your family. Here lately, I haven't had the opportunity to prepare Sunday lunch for my family due to various meetings or birthday celebrations that we've had, and chances are, I won't be fixin' lunch this Sunday because I am pretty sure there is some Scripture in the Bible that says, "Mama ought not cook on Mother's Day," so ok...I won't, then! Anyhow, where have those days of just being still gone to? I, for one, am getting almost perturbed at the number of people I talk to that just can't seem to catch up with themselves. I might be one of those. No matter when you see them, they are busy...their lives are chaos...they are always negative about the "next thing" they have to do. Well, I'm here to proclaim, "Chill out!" It's time for us to be doin' some be stillin' and knowin'. This might hurt a little, but no matter what you have on your agenda, take some time to just "Be still and know that He is God." He, ladies, is the knower of all things...the peacespeaker....the calm in our raging sea. I know that my soul craves this peace. I crave it for you. Gone are the days of our parents. We can learn from them on this. There is nothing more important....NOTHING...that should come in the way of being still and knowing that He is God...of being still and knowing that our family, our KIDS are right here in front of us just wanting a little piece of us....of listening to that friend that is hurting...of chucking that chore you said you were going to do today, and just having a little quiet instead with some hot tea. Do you see my point? I feel burdened for those of you who are just getting caught up in the chaos and you're missing the blessings staring you right in the face. Take a little encouragement from me and from the One who loves you most. Stop what you are doing right now, take a deep breath and just BE STILL!