Hi ladies -
I know we had trouble with this website this past month, and I am sorry. I heard that some of you tried to post a comment and it didn't take it. again sorry.
We hope that we have the problem fixed. Please be sure that you are "signed in". do this by hitting the button under the list of followers on the right that says "sign in".
Can someone please try to post a comment, for me so I can be sure the problem is fixed? If it doesn't work, please email me at debbie@fcch.org.
thanks, debbie
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Having a Mary's Heart in a Martha's World
Hi Ladies -
For those of you who are finishing up reading our last book, I hope you enjoyed your summer reading so far. And for those of you who are just joining us for our new study - Welcome!
So if we were sitting around the table in the room at church, we would be introducing ourselves. So why don't we "virtually" introduce ourselves.
My name is Debbie, and I can't wait to read this book again. I know that God will have a new word for me as I read this book again.
Now, even before you pick up this book, who do you think you are more like - Martha or Mary? I tend to be more a Martha - busy with details. But I am learning to be balanced. I am so excited to be leading you in this study. Wait and see, we will be wanting to be a little Martha and a little Mary....
For those of you who are finishing up reading our last book, I hope you enjoyed your summer reading so far. And for those of you who are just joining us for our new study - Welcome!
So if we were sitting around the table in the room at church, we would be introducing ourselves. So why don't we "virtually" introduce ourselves.
My name is Debbie, and I can't wait to read this book again. I know that God will have a new word for me as I read this book again.
Now, even before you pick up this book, who do you think you are more like - Martha or Mary? I tend to be more a Martha - busy with details. But I am learning to be balanced. I am so excited to be leading you in this study. Wait and see, we will be wanting to be a little Martha and a little Mary....
Friday, June 18, 2010
Warrior Princess, Part 4
Good evening,
I've just watched the US soccer team tie Slovenia, I've got my boys in bed, and my husband is on a backpacking trip in the White Mountains - now seems the perfect time to sit and write our final questions for Warrior Princess. I'd ask you if you've been impacted by the reading yet, but that seems a silly question. Her experience is so overwhelming, her life lessons so rich - I can't imagine reading it without feeling a tug on my heart. So here are the final questions, developed around Part 4 of the book:
Question 1: One of the most sobering moments in the book for me came on page 189 when Princess and Moffat ordered room service at a hotel in New York City. When their dinners arrived, they were shocked and saddened to see that the kitchen had prepared enough food to feed and entire family in Zambia.
Have you ever seen the stark contrast between the wealth of our country / region and the abject poverty of another country / region first hand? What was the circumstance? How did that affect you?
Question 2: Princess notes at the beginning of the book, that Africans hold to the tenet, "It takes a village to raise a child." At the end of the book, she finds life in America to feel individualistic and isolated (pages 250-241). As Christians, we should feel connected to the body of Christ and should be living in community.
How do you intentionally reach out to connect to your Christian community - either through asking for help and support, offering it, or just making daily decisions that keep you connected?
Do you have any tips for the rest of us?
Question 3: In the epilogue, Princess states that perhaps HIV's biggest blessing to her has been to make her realize that we need to make every day count because time is running out. She encourages us to not delay in pursuing the passions that burn in our hearts.
What changes are you planning in your life to pursue the passions God has placed in your heart?
I've just watched the US soccer team tie Slovenia, I've got my boys in bed, and my husband is on a backpacking trip in the White Mountains - now seems the perfect time to sit and write our final questions for Warrior Princess. I'd ask you if you've been impacted by the reading yet, but that seems a silly question. Her experience is so overwhelming, her life lessons so rich - I can't imagine reading it without feeling a tug on my heart. So here are the final questions, developed around Part 4 of the book:
Question 1: One of the most sobering moments in the book for me came on page 189 when Princess and Moffat ordered room service at a hotel in New York City. When their dinners arrived, they were shocked and saddened to see that the kitchen had prepared enough food to feed and entire family in Zambia.
Have you ever seen the stark contrast between the wealth of our country / region and the abject poverty of another country / region first hand? What was the circumstance? How did that affect you?
Question 2: Princess notes at the beginning of the book, that Africans hold to the tenet, "It takes a village to raise a child." At the end of the book, she finds life in America to feel individualistic and isolated (pages 250-241). As Christians, we should feel connected to the body of Christ and should be living in community.
How do you intentionally reach out to connect to your Christian community - either through asking for help and support, offering it, or just making daily decisions that keep you connected?
Do you have any tips for the rest of us?
Question 3: In the epilogue, Princess states that perhaps HIV's biggest blessing to her has been to make her realize that we need to make every day count because time is running out. She encourages us to not delay in pursuing the passions that burn in our hearts.
What changes are you planning in your life to pursue the passions God has placed in your heart?
Princess Warrior, Part 3
Hello again!
These are now firing in rapid succession. Read and comment at your own pace!
Question 1: On page 111, after advertising for the opening of a home run private and public school, Princess finds herself opening her doors to an overwhelming flood of students - at number she never anticipated.
Have you ever prayed for God's leading or responded to His call only to find that His call was bigger than you ever anticipated? How did He provide to meet the need, both in your personal equipping and in the stretching of resources?
Question 2: In chapters 13 and 14 we see Princess' heart continue to break for people who have no access to the education about HIV/AIDS that could save their lives and she becomes an activist?
What issue has God pressed into your heart? What causes your heart to break and how do you sense God leading you down a path to minister to people dealing with it?
Question 3: In chapter 14, Princess has a divine appointment with Dr. Phiri who has resources and a platform from which he can educate people about AIDS, but who is looking for someone special to be a spokesman. This appointment comes at one of Princess' lowest, most desperate moments. She is totally blown away.
When have you been totally frustrated and defeated only to have God meet you in that moment and do something you could never have dreamt up on your own?
Question 4: In chapter 15 we see Princess really deal with the issue of loving God more than all else as she struggles to serve God in the light of her husband's opposition. The words of Jesus stand out to me here: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his mother and father and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
Have you ever faced a time when you were sure you were answering God's call but faced opposition from a parent, a spouse, or someone else close to you?
These are now firing in rapid succession. Read and comment at your own pace!
Question 1: On page 111, after advertising for the opening of a home run private and public school, Princess finds herself opening her doors to an overwhelming flood of students - at number she never anticipated.
Have you ever prayed for God's leading or responded to His call only to find that His call was bigger than you ever anticipated? How did He provide to meet the need, both in your personal equipping and in the stretching of resources?
Question 2: In chapters 13 and 14 we see Princess' heart continue to break for people who have no access to the education about HIV/AIDS that could save their lives and she becomes an activist?
What issue has God pressed into your heart? What causes your heart to break and how do you sense God leading you down a path to minister to people dealing with it?
Question 3: In chapter 14, Princess has a divine appointment with Dr. Phiri who has resources and a platform from which he can educate people about AIDS, but who is looking for someone special to be a spokesman. This appointment comes at one of Princess' lowest, most desperate moments. She is totally blown away.
When have you been totally frustrated and defeated only to have God meet you in that moment and do something you could never have dreamt up on your own?
Question 4: In chapter 15 we see Princess really deal with the issue of loving God more than all else as she struggles to serve God in the light of her husband's opposition. The words of Jesus stand out to me here: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his mother and father and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
Have you ever faced a time when you were sure you were answering God's call but faced opposition from a parent, a spouse, or someone else close to you?
Princess Warrior Blog, Part 2
Hello, Ladies!
This is the point in the story when I ask for grace! The last month has been a little wild, and I was unable to manage it as well as I'd hoped. I'm so, so sorry for being behind with these posts! I recently read a friend's post on Facebook that said that June might just be busier than Christmas. That might be a stretch, but not too much! I hope you are all managing well and are finding or have found the time to read this amazing book. Let's get down to the questions!
Question 1: On page 87, a more mature Christian friend speaks a prophetic word into Princess' life when she says, "The Lord showed me that there will be something that is going to happen in your life that will be as big as a mountain. Of all the words it is the mountain that is standing out to me. But he is saying, 'Fear not." He will go before you; He will clear the way so you will know it is Him who has called." In her heart, Princess believed, "If it's God's will, it will be."
Have you ever had someone speak a prophetic word into your life? How did you respond? With excitement? Cynicism? Fear? Has it come to pass?
Question 2: On page 89, when Princess was praying for those sick and dying of AIDS, she overheard a group of visitors say, "Why is she praying for someone who is already dead?" and was totally incensed at their attitudes.
Have you ever heard someone criticize your ministry? How did you respond? Did it affect how you worked?
Question 3: On page 100, after hearing of her HIV-positive status, Princess thought, "This was it, I knew. This was my mountain."
Have you ever faced a situation or circumstance that you knew God had allowed for His good purpose and plan? How were you able to face that circumstance and what did God do through it?
This is the point in the story when I ask for grace! The last month has been a little wild, and I was unable to manage it as well as I'd hoped. I'm so, so sorry for being behind with these posts! I recently read a friend's post on Facebook that said that June might just be busier than Christmas. That might be a stretch, but not too much! I hope you are all managing well and are finding or have found the time to read this amazing book. Let's get down to the questions!
Question 1: On page 87, a more mature Christian friend speaks a prophetic word into Princess' life when she says, "The Lord showed me that there will be something that is going to happen in your life that will be as big as a mountain. Of all the words it is the mountain that is standing out to me. But he is saying, 'Fear not." He will go before you; He will clear the way so you will know it is Him who has called." In her heart, Princess believed, "If it's God's will, it will be."
Have you ever had someone speak a prophetic word into your life? How did you respond? With excitement? Cynicism? Fear? Has it come to pass?
Question 2: On page 89, when Princess was praying for those sick and dying of AIDS, she overheard a group of visitors say, "Why is she praying for someone who is already dead?" and was totally incensed at their attitudes.
Have you ever heard someone criticize your ministry? How did you respond? Did it affect how you worked?
Question 3: On page 100, after hearing of her HIV-positive status, Princess thought, "This was it, I knew. This was my mountain."
Have you ever faced a situation or circumstance that you knew God had allowed for His good purpose and plan? How were you able to face that circumstance and what did God do through it?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Warrior Princess, Week 1
Hello Ladies!
Welcome to the Warrior Princess discussion! We're so glad you've decided to join us. Hopefully you have procured a book. If not, you can purchase it from Amazon.com. If you access Amazon from the fcch.org homepage, a portion of the sale goes back to FCCH as a donation. Check it out!
Warrior Princess is an amazing testimony of how God reached down and touched a life, transforming it from one of sadness and despair to one of freedom and power. If you heard Princess speak during her visit this past April, you heard her share just a few brief snippets about her life's journey. In Warrior Princess, she expands on those stories, revealing details that show how God laid out His plan for her life in ways that only He could do. There are moments of Divine Providence in the book that will simply give you chills. We serve an awesome God!
The book has 23 chapters, broken down into 4 parts. We will cover 1 part each week. Don't worry. The chapters are short and the reading is easy. In fact, rather than have trouble keeping up, you will probably have trouble not getting too far ahead!
The schedule will be as follows:
For the week beginning -
Thurs, May 27th, Part 1 (chapters 1-6)
Thurs, June 3rd, Part 2 (chapters 7-11)
Thurs, June 10th, Part 3 (chapters 12-18)
Thurs, June 17th, Part 4 (chapters 19-23)
Today we will start discussing Part 1. You will have until next Thursday, June 3rd, to answer these questions. We will move on to Part 2 next week. Your response can cover 1 question, or all of them, depending on what resonates with you and how you feel lead. So are you ready? Let's go!
Question 1: In chapter 2, on pages 23 and 24, Princess shares the story about the time her mother protected her young brother from the influences of their culture. She knew in her heart that their culture's spiritual and healing practices were evil and she hid her son when he was being sought for a position that would place him directly in the midst of voo doo, witchcraft, and ancestor worship.
Have you ever had to protect a loved one from the evil influences in OUR culture? Did you claim a particular verse from the Bible as you stood in the gap for that person either through prayer or physical intervention? What happened?
Question 2: In chapter 3, on page 27, Princess writes, "Growing up, I measured all men against my handsome father. It still amazes me, the power of a father over a child, especially a daughter."
Can you think of a person who stood "larger than life" in your life? How did he or she influence your thinking? What impact (positive or negative) did that person's presence in your life have on your relationship with God?
Question 3: In chapter 4, on page 39, Princess shares about her reaction to her baby sister's death, presumably from AIDS. She then writes about how you can look back on your life and identify a few key moments that changed the direction of your life forever and how at other times you might not even realize that you have just taken a few steps down a new path.
What has your spiritual journey been like? Can you identify key moments when God unmistakably directed you down a new path or has your journey been a series of steps, each gradually leading you down a new path that you didn't recognize until some time later?
Welcome to the Warrior Princess discussion! We're so glad you've decided to join us. Hopefully you have procured a book. If not, you can purchase it from Amazon.com. If you access Amazon from the fcch.org homepage, a portion of the sale goes back to FCCH as a donation. Check it out!
Warrior Princess is an amazing testimony of how God reached down and touched a life, transforming it from one of sadness and despair to one of freedom and power. If you heard Princess speak during her visit this past April, you heard her share just a few brief snippets about her life's journey. In Warrior Princess, she expands on those stories, revealing details that show how God laid out His plan for her life in ways that only He could do. There are moments of Divine Providence in the book that will simply give you chills. We serve an awesome God!
The book has 23 chapters, broken down into 4 parts. We will cover 1 part each week. Don't worry. The chapters are short and the reading is easy. In fact, rather than have trouble keeping up, you will probably have trouble not getting too far ahead!
The schedule will be as follows:
For the week beginning -
Thurs, May 27th, Part 1 (chapters 1-6)
Thurs, June 3rd, Part 2 (chapters 7-11)
Thurs, June 10th, Part 3 (chapters 12-18)
Thurs, June 17th, Part 4 (chapters 19-23)
Today we will start discussing Part 1. You will have until next Thursday, June 3rd, to answer these questions. We will move on to Part 2 next week. Your response can cover 1 question, or all of them, depending on what resonates with you and how you feel lead. So are you ready? Let's go!
Question 1: In chapter 2, on pages 23 and 24, Princess shares the story about the time her mother protected her young brother from the influences of their culture. She knew in her heart that their culture's spiritual and healing practices were evil and she hid her son when he was being sought for a position that would place him directly in the midst of voo doo, witchcraft, and ancestor worship.
Have you ever had to protect a loved one from the evil influences in OUR culture? Did you claim a particular verse from the Bible as you stood in the gap for that person either through prayer or physical intervention? What happened?
Question 2: In chapter 3, on page 27, Princess writes, "Growing up, I measured all men against my handsome father. It still amazes me, the power of a father over a child, especially a daughter."
Can you think of a person who stood "larger than life" in your life? How did he or she influence your thinking? What impact (positive or negative) did that person's presence in your life have on your relationship with God?
Question 3: In chapter 4, on page 39, Princess shares about her reaction to her baby sister's death, presumably from AIDS. She then writes about how you can look back on your life and identify a few key moments that changed the direction of your life forever and how at other times you might not even realize that you have just taken a few steps down a new path.
What has your spiritual journey been like? Can you identify key moments when God unmistakably directed you down a new path or has your journey been a series of steps, each gradually leading you down a new path that you didn't recognize until some time later?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Book study
Our first book will be Princess Zulu's Warrior Princess
Need to get the book? go to fcch.org and on the page hit the amazon.com link. You will be able to order the book from there.
Can't wait to get started ready and chatting.
Need to get the book? go to fcch.org and on the page hit the amazon.com link. You will be able to order the book from there.
Can't wait to get started ready and chatting.
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