Week 1 Discussion/Week 2's Assignment

***Update: See comments for Shelley's update to the questions for Chapter 1~Please leave comments so we're all keeping in touch with each other through this Winter Blog Study.***

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog study. I hope you all took some time to read Chapter 1 and to complete the short study at the end of the chapter. Your assignment for this post is to click on comments and leave your answers to the questions from Chapter 1.

In Chapter 1 of On Purpose for a Purpose, we read about King Ahaseurus/Xerxes and his drive for power and fame. We narrowed his behaviors down to a basic motivation that every human being has in common: a need to feel secure and a need to feel significant. This is what God placed into every human being to draw us to Himself.

I just read about another monarch who lived a very extravagant lifestyle. Her name was Elizabeth and she ruled and reigned in Russia in the 1700's. Her quest for luxury knew no bounds! Apparently she owned over 15,000 gowns (some made of spun silver, inlaid with gems). She "needed" this many gowns because she changed her entire outfit every day, 3 times each day, and refused to ever wear the same gown twice. The parties she threw were unmatched. In fact, since she appalled the idea of anyone wearing a dress twice, she ordered her servants to stamp with dark black ink the backs of every woman's gown as she left the party so no woman could ever wear a party gown twice! She owned more castles than she could ever live in or even visit. The writer of the devotion I read describing her exuberant lifestyle also reminded the reader (me!) that although Elizabeth had all of this luxury, we don't know if she made investments into her eternal portfolio or simply into her temporary one. It was Jim Elliot who said, "He who takes care of this life only is wise for a moment but a fool for eternity."

What about you? Are you using what God has entrusted to your stewardship to make investments into God's Kingdom and your own eternal destination, or like Xerxes and Elizabeth, are your resources mainly focused on the here and now? This was a sobering reminder for me today and so I simply pass it along to you all.

I can't wait to check the blog later to see what God is showing you through your time of study. My time is short today with the Holiday week, so I'll try to post a video next week! After you complete the assignment for today, your homework for next week is to read Chapter 2 and complete the short study at the end.

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for YOU!

Shelley

It's finally here!!

Hello Everyone!!

The day we've been waiting for is finally here! The first day of our first ever online Bible Study through the Atlanta Encounter "Church 4 Chicks!" I hope you're all excited about being a part of this with me and with each other. I've posted a video here to give a little more info, but make sure to scroll down to the bottom for some more important 411 after the video ends.

Okay, please be patient with me while I get this whole video blogging thing figured out. :-) I am planning to post a video each week as long as everything is working with me (including my hair--I have my priorities!)

If you've purchased your book and have it with you, please read Chapter 1 and then complete the "Going Deeper" section at the end of the chapter. Be prepared to share your answers when you come back to the blog for Week 2 on November 25th.

Your assignment for TODAY is:

1. Click "Comments"

2. Tell us your name (or how you'd like to be known in our blog community)

3. Children? Husband? Single? You don't have to tell us everything, but tell us a little something about you to help us know you better.

4. How did you find out about the Atlanta Encounter Blog Study?

5. What is the single greatest thing God has shown you in your life this year?

Bible Study Starts TOMORROW!

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to stop in and wish you all a great Monday and remind you to check back in tomorrow for the first post of our online Bible Study. If you've not yet gotten your book, there is still time to get it and get started. Tomorrow will be an introduction that will include more instructions on what to expect from the study and such. Probably the quickest way to get your book ordered would be to go through amazon.com. (Click the link and it will take you right to it.) We will read Chapter 1 before Tuesday, November 25th, so you still have plenty of time to jump in with us.

I'm honored to be on this journey with you through the story of Esther. I know God will use it in each of our lives as we listen for His voice to us personally and as a group.

See you tomorrow!

Shelley

Shelley is hosting Atlanta Live November 11th!

Check it out on WATC TV in Atlanta, Channel 57 or Comcast Channel 2. The show airs live from 7-9 p.m. and will re-air on November 12th from 7-9 a.m. on the same channel. If you are outside of the Atlanta area, you can go to www.watc.tv to find local showtimes.

Blessings!

And don't forget to sign up for the winter blog series by leaving a comment in the post below.

Winter Blog Series Begins November 18th!

Hello Ladies! It's almost time to begin our new online group through the winter! We will all be reading "On Purpose For a Purpose" based on the story of Esther found in the Old Testament of our beloved Bibles. If you don't already have your copy of this book (On Purpose For a Purpose) and would like to join us (we have women from several states already planning to be a part of this, so you don't have to be in Atlanta to participate), you can get your copy online from Amazon.com or ShelleyHendrix.com. We will begin on November 18, 2008~more info to come in the next few days, so help us spread the word!

***UPDATE***Please leave a comment in the comments section to let us know that you will be participating. Let us know a little about you as well. We are really looking forward to getting to know one another better in the coming weeks through our online community. Can't wait to "meet" you all!! ~Shelley

Fun with Beloved!

Major, huge, uproarious, gi-normous, THANKS to the gals of Beloved for making our last night of Fall 08 Atlanta Encounter so wonderful!

"So, you think you can dance?"

Yep, these chicks can dance!



Thank you to everyone who had a part in making the first season of The Atlanta Encounter "Church 4 Chicks" such a great start to a new ministry to the women of Atlanta.

Our next info meeting will be on November 18th at Cumberland Community Church at 7 pm, so if you're interested in helping us make the Spring '09 Season even better, please let us know you'll be joining us that evening. We want to hear from you! Bring your ideas, your energy, your excitement, and a friend!

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Also, our winter blog series begins on November 18th as well. Please read Chapter 1 of "On Purpose For a Purpose" prior to that date and then check back for our weekly 'check-in' with one another as we study the Word of God together through the winter and Holidays.

Need a copy of the book? You can order it on Amazon.com very easily and affordably.

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Hope to see YOU on Tuesday, November 18th at 7 p.m.!

Our final night for fall 2008 was a great one!

While many were spending time in front of a TV set or radio fretfully awaiting the outcome of the most historical US Presidential election of our generation--perhaps of all time--there was a group of people worshipping the One who truly holds all things together and is sovereignly in control.

Our prayer as leaders of the Atlanta Encounter is that we would unite behind our President-elect and lift him in prayer, and that we would pray fervently for his leadership and his family, as well as for the other elected officials of this great nation.

We have much to share about last night's fun at the Atlanta Encounter, and announcements to make, so they will be posted soon. Check back often and let us know you stopped by by leaving a comment. Some aren't sure how to do this, so I'll give those instructions to help. Just click the link at the bottom of this post that says "comments." This will take you to a page with instructions on how to go about leaving a comment to the post. Let's keep our Atlanta Encounter community of Chicks in touch through this blog as we enter into the Holiday Season and New Year. :-)

I love and appreciate you all--remember to check back soon for photos from last night and more announcements on what's to come!

Shelley