Ladies Night at Freedom

The ladies at Freedom Baptist Church planned a special Ladies Fellowship November 5th, 2009. We were very pleased with the turn out and were especially honored to have so many visitors to enjoy the night with us.

Mrs. Dotty, Mrs. Becky, and Mrs. Barbara did a fantastic job decorating the fellowship hall and the sanctuary.

We all enjoyed Taco Soup, Potato Soup, Sandwiches, Meat and Cheese Trays, Lots of different cheese balls, dips, and desserts.

A gold star ornament lay at each place setting. Everyone took a star home.

Lisa and Bethany Monk were our guest singers.

They did an excellent job on each and every song.

Mrs. Martha Crawford of YES Ministries (her and her husband minister to families in crisis) was our guest speaker. I had heard her speak a couple of years ago and I felt like God had placed her on my heart to invite her to speak at our ladies night. This dear lady is very upbeat and happy; quite jolly! But, she's country as corn-bread! I love to hear her talk and her positive outlook and her love and dependence on God are so obvious and contagious. Here are the notes I took that night as she spoke:

Forgiveness

There are 105 topics on Forgiveness in the Bible.

Matt. 18:21-22, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Forgiveness is:

Something we do in spite of our own feelings.

It is loving that person and believing they can change.

Decision to throw away the Get Even attitude.

Deciding to keep relationship with person with no strings.

Forgetting who is right and who is wrong.

Setting you and the other person free causes us to change.

We have to die to self.

Matt. 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Forgiveness is hard, cost is high, value is higher.

Matt. 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We have to CHOOSE to LOVE the people who do us wrong.

We have to CHOOSE to BLESS the people who have hurt us.

We have to CHOOSE to BE GOOD to our enemies.

We have to CHOOSE to PRAY for them as well.

LOVE, BLESS, BE GOOD, PRAY!

Have you ever refused to forgive someone?

Nursing a grudge can cause bitterness and hatred.

Col. 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

She gave examples of Joseph and the Prodigal Son...

Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him...The Prodigal Son's father welcomed him home with open arms.

Whose life are you personally affecting because you won't forgive?

God met with us that night. I had prayed that God would give Mrs. Martha just what I needed. Needless to say, the subject of Forgiveness is not an easy one to hear, and especially not an easy one to heed to. I was helped that night, and I thank God for it. After Mrs. Martha spoke, we all met around the altar and had prayer.

Mrs. Becky and Mrs. Dotty then drew names for door prizes.

One of the recipients looking in her goody bag!

A good time was had by all.