GCR Women

January 1, 2017 is nearly upon us and we'll begin a new year of memorizing 24 verses from God's word together. Here's how it works:  I'll write a new post on this blog on or about the 1st and 15th of each month and include at the end of each post my memory verse for that two-week period.  You respond with a comment to my post that contains just your first name and the verse you've chosen for that same two-week period.  Please include the version and location of the verse. About a year from now, we'll come together to celebrate the completion of our year's journey and we'll share our verses with each other by quoting them aloud. Our goal is to post 24 verses during the year (one for the 1st and one for the 15th of each month) and memorize them. When we get together for our celebration, be prepared to quote at least 10 of the 24 verses. That's not so bad, is it?  I hope you'll join us. Blessings in the New Year! Patrice

2016 is almost at an end.  As this year closes, we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again.  I can't get through the season without listening to Handel's Messiah. The text is written using various verses from the Bible and the choirs and soloists have memorized these scriptures in order to perform it. You've probably heard all or part of this oratorio, especially the Hallelujah Chorus. One of my favorite movements is #12, based on Isaiah 9:6.  As I follow along, my heart rejoices at the glory of the Lord.         For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:         and the government shall be upon his shoulder:         and his name shall be called         Wonderful,         Counsellor,         The mighty God,         The everlasting Father,         The Prince of Peace. What a beautiful passage that brought hope as a prophecy of the birth of Messiah!  What joy it brings to us today as believers as a reminder that He is destined for so muc

One of the sure signs that Christmas is near is when I start wearing my Christmas socks.  I have red ones, green ones, reindeer socks, snowman socks, socks with Christmas trees, socks with Christmas lights.  I love my Christmas socks!  They give me that Christmas spirit right down to my toes. In scripture, we aren't told what kind of socks to wear but we are told to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace. There are a lot of different kinds of peace.  Peace between neighbors, peace between family members, peace between nations, peace between factions, personal peace, world peace.  But the kind of peace Paul tells us to wear is the gospel of peace.  What is the gospel of peace?  I've heard different explanations but here's what makes sense to me. Where is this instruction to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace?  In Chapter 6 of Ephesians.  It's listed as part of the full armor of God that we're to wear as we prepare for daily battle "against the r