"Beauty Treatment" #'s

Congratulations to Melissa Smith!
Who answered our last two questions. She won a small bag with a couple of "spa" treatment
products.

Yes, products to add to the ever increasing number of things we use for "beauty treatments" (Esther 2:3 ) - Have any of you have counted the number of products you use every morning ?- Beth lists hers in Week 2 Day 1. For fun why don't we see the total number we use as a Bible Study group.

Do it anonymously, if you like; but, respond and lets total the number of products we all use.
It's tough being a woman.....taking the time to apply these items but, if I didn't____
well, you fill in the blank.

GOD AT WORK

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Esther 1:1--22

Memucan wanted an edict prohibiting Queen Vashti from ever entering King Xerxes' presence again written into the law of the Medes and the Persians---the law which can never be changed. In that way, his suggestion would affect far more than Vashti; it would have a direct effect on everyone's marriage. But if it was an attempt to get the women of Persia to have greater respect for their husbands, it was a strange way to make that happen!

What you have to keep in mind is that Esther doesn't have the foggiest idea that any of this is going on; she knows nothing of the events transpiring in the royal palace. She also knows nothing yet about this "royal edict," which will set events in motion that will totally change her own life. Esther is going about her no-big-deal business, living her everyday life, greeting the sunrise of each ordinary morning, carrying out her day-to-day responsibilities. Is she in for a surprise!

This is the wonder of God's sovereignty. Working behind the scenes, He is moving and pushing and rearranging events and changing minds until He brings out of even the most carnal and secular of settings a decision that will set His perfect plan in place. We see that here, and we'll see it throughout the story of Esther.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that God is asleep when it comes to nations, or that He is out of touch when it comes to carnal banquets, or that He sits in heaven wringing His hands when it comes to godless rulers (even today) who make unfair, rash, or stupid decisions. Mark it down in permanent ink: God is always at work. But His ways are so different from ours, we quickly jump to fallacious conclusions and either react rashly or get paralyzed in panic.

Know this: God holds the future in His omnipotent hands. So you can rest assured.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Queston for the week: Who was recently sworn into office and is also an orphan?

Reply by comment, please.

Officially Begun

Ladies,
We have now officially kicked off our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. The Wednesday morning group met today with with approximately 25 and Monday night we had somewhere around 16. Wow, over 40 women studying a book of the Bible together at The Church at Trace Crossing. That is exciting!

Those of you who missed the Introductory Session. It is not too late - join us.
Just so you know if you miss a session Lifeway has provided a site where you can get individual sessions of Beth's teaching:
You can download individual videos $4.99
or
individual audios - $3.99
This may be the first time in a Beth Moore study that this has been offered. It is a great way to have a video/audio of a particular teaching that you might have missed or one that really meant a great deal to you.

It is time to comment or send Jennie or me a question/writing to post. Thank you Melissa for replying today! What a great way to connect and encourage each other during the week.

To wake you up - here is a question from the Introductory Session:
What is the name of the Jewish feast that when celebrated the entire book of Esther is read?
The first one of you to reply/comment wins a prize from the Corner She Store!
(Take a deep breath, Jennie, I am just kidding...really, y'all, I am kidding -
Did you just hear Jennie scream "WHAT? I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT DONATING A PRIZE!" Giggle, I heard her.)

While you are replying you can listen/watch a video from the '70's...
(Some of us can sing along with this...)

We're Up and Running Again

The blog that we used back in 2008 is now up and running again for our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. Monday night (1/19) and 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning (1/21). If you have not signed up for one of these sessions, you can still do so or just come on the day that best suits you.

Read the following. It is a great read that Jennie found. From her
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION Touch Point Bible - Esther:


The story of Esther is in many ways the story of all of us. Suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of circumstances beyond our control. And then, like Esther, we come face to face with a series of choices. Many of these choices involve moral issues. What is the right thing to do? It might mean the loss of our comfort, our popularity, or even our own life. We may hesitate, like Esther did, but to retreat behind the safety and comfort of the walls we have built around ourselves is actually the most dangerous thing we can do, because it means we have chosen against God and threatened our very souls.

What are you dealing with that is beyond your control? How did you get there? Realize that these are not the key questions. The key questions is, Now what? What can I do to turn this difficult situation into something that serves God and others? Perhaps God has brought you into this situation "for such a time as this," so that you can turn your adversity, problems, weakness, sorrow, or grief into a special opportunity to do something wonderful for God and others.

Jesus Christ is the same

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

The present-tense Christ. He never says "I was." We do. We do because "we were."

We were younger, faster, prettier. Prone to be people of the past tense, we reminisce. Not God. Unwavering in strength, he need never say, "I was." Heaven has no rearview mirrors....

Can God be more God? No. He does not change. He is the "I am" God. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

- From: Everyday Blessings Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004) Max Lucado

Today's Promise: Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."