InstaEncouragements Blog

Aging With Grace: Week Four

6/28/2022

“I think I have learned more of my dreadfully wicked heart, and the preciousness of #Jesus during this trial than I ever learnt before.” --Mary Winslow Maybe you could write your name beside that statement after a time of deep sorrow. The loss of our first #grandchild at the age of two weeks threw me into a two-year period of #grieving that resulted in a greater understanding of #God’s #love and His ways, and yes, a greater understanding of my “dreadfully wicked heart.” #bookclub #Biblestudy

Join us for our Summer 2022
Book Club-Style Bible Study

We are using the book Aging With Grace
by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

“Where we look determines what we worship, and what we worship determines what we become.” —Aging With Grace

How would you like to learn how to age with grace with us this summer, friend? I have done this study, and let me tell you, it is not just for older women! We are all aging, even if you're 18 years old, you're aging, and we all want to do it with grace, right? Join me here or eight weeks this summer on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 est beginning June 7 through July 26.

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Community: Why We Need Each Other

6/24/2022

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My #college years were some of the most formative in my life. The #community that I discovered there was a first for me. The #fellowship and #friendships I encountered in those years changed and grew me in all areas of my life, especially in my #Christian walk. After #graduation, I found myself desperately trying to recreate the type of #relationships and sense of #belonging I felt during college. I became #restless and #frustrated that I could not replicate this experience in the “real world.”

My college years were some of the most influential and formative in my life. I was challenged, stretched, and developed in ways that I have never experienced before.

Additionally, the community that I discovered there was a first for me. The fellowship and friendships I encountered in those years changed and grew me in all areas of my life, especially in my Christian walk.

After graduation, I found myself desperately trying to recreate the type of relationships and sense of belonging I felt during college.

Initially, I became restless and frustrated that I could not replicate this experience in the “real world.” But as the years passed I came to understand not only what a true Biblical community is but how to cultivate it.

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Aging With Grace: Week Three

6/21/2022

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My desire to age with #grace and even knowing how to do it will not make it happen. Life is unpredictable and our crazy days and busy #schedules can leave us #overwhelmed. We think we know how to respond to the #pressures. But the details of life clutter our minds. We become bogged down, and suddenly and unexpectedly we forget our #destiny and our destination. What is our destiny as children of another kingdom? The noun “destiny” is a predetermined, inevitable, irresistible, course of events.

Join us for our Summer 2022
Book Club-Style Bible Study

We are using the book Aging With Grace
by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

“Where we look determines what we worship, and what we worship determines what we become.” —Aging With Grace

9 Comments

3 Divine Invitations

6/17/2022

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Most of us enjoy receiving an #invitation to a #party or special #event. It is a natural part of our #society to invite people into our homes and to meet up at other venues. We beckon our #friends to join us to #celebrate. Recently I had the privilege of hosting a group of friends from the States in my home. I extended the invitation to come to the UK, and I would open my home for them to stay there. We enjoyed fellowship for two weeks together all because of a simple word – “Come!” #Biblestudy

“You’re Invited!” Most of us enjoy receiving an invitation to a party or some special events in the lives of those we care about. It is a natural part of our society to invite people into our homes and to meet up at other venues. We beckon our friends to join us to celebrate.

Recently I had the privilege of hosting a group of friends from the States in my home. I extended the invitation to come to the UK, and I would open my home for them to stay there. We enjoyed fellowship for two weeks together all because of a simple word – “Come!”

The Apostle John in his Gospel records at least three invitations the Lord Jesus gave using this same word – “Come!”

Let’s walk through these invitations and see what we can glean from what those who answered the Lord’s invitation received.

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Aging With Grace: Week Two

6/14/2022

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Recently my sister and I went to Oconee Cemetery in Athens, Georgia to find the graves of our ancestors. As we made our way through a maze of tombstones with various remembrances, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would be remembered. Most likely it would be based on how I finish. And how I finish will have a lot to do with my life choices. Anna is a woman who made the right life choices and aged gracefully. Luke gives us her brief biography. #Biblestudy #devotional #goodreads #newbook #books

Join us for our Summer 2022
Book Club-Style Bible Study

We are using the book Aging With Grace
by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

“Where we look determines what we worship, and what we worship determines what we become.” —Aging With Grace

14 Comments

30 Sayings of Counsel and Knowledge

6/10/2022

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This Spring, while reading through God's Word with the girls over in the Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group, I discovered 30 sayings of counsel and knowledge that King Solomon records for us in the book of Proverbs. Solomon (990 BC to 931 BC) is credited to have been the wisest man that ever lived, and these 30 sayings of counsel and knowledge that he recorded for us in Proverbs 22-24 are still applicable today.

"Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?" Proverbs 22:17-21

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