Our Mission

To lovingly provide a small group ministry for single mothers of all ages both inside and outside of Eastview Christian Church to help them become intensely dedicated to Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A "special" Advent Calendar.....

Hey Fellow GEMS!

Lisa sent me a note today and had a suggestion for an Advent Calendar. I have seen many different styles, but I like the idea of this one that Lisa designed. She went back to the prophesy of Isaiah and Malachi and started with the prediction of John and Jesus. You could use it in different ways:

* make a copy for each child, cut up the days and make your own calendar
* use the sheet or readings as a daily family devotional
* use the devotional as a dinner time conversation

We will explain a little more tomorrow night. I haven't decided how we are going to use it, but we are going to in some way.

I haven't been able to attach the document link and so I will do some research and see what I can do. Hopefully I will have it solved by tomorrow.

Have a great evening and I will see you tomorrow night!

Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn

Monday, November 23, 2009

Drinking from my Saucer!

May you be blessed:

DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER

I've never made a fortune
And its probably to late now,
But I don't worry about that much
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way
I'm reaping better than I sow.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Haven't got a lot of riches
And sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loving ones around me
And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for His blessings
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Oh, I remember times when things went wrong
And my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke
And sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads,
Them I'll keep drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

From a song written by: Michael Combs

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Bible Readings for 11/19 - 12/2/09

Hey Beautiful GEMS!

Here are the Bible passages Lisa gave us last night. For your reading pleasure and spiritual growth....

Thursday, 11/19 Colossians 3:15-17
Several keys to strong Christian living are outlined here: Peace, be thankful, let the WORD dwell in your heart! (remind you of our memory verse?)

Friday, 11/20 Colossians 1:9-14
Vs. 12 - Did you know that as a follower of God, you are a saint? That doesn't mean you're perfect - it means you are saved and set apart to live according to God's ways. That should make you walk taller today - you are a saint of God!

Saturday, 11/21 Colossians 2:6-7
The more you "live in Christ" - the more you think about Him and His ways, the less time you have to make bad choices that lead you away from the strength He wants to give you.

Sunday, 11/22 Psalm 100
We are HIS! That is a really awesome way to live life. We're strong and joyful because God knows us and cares what happens in our lives! That's something to be thankful for!

Monday, 11/23 Psalm 116
This psalm is FULL of amazing characteristics about God - He listens, He helps, He saves, He protects...on and on! Vs 17 tells us that because He is so great - we stop in our day and offer up our thanks to Him.

Tuesday, 11/24 Jonah 2:1-10
In the famous story of Jonah (if you do not know it yet, read the whole book of Jonah) Jonah is in the belly of the whale. Look at the end of vs. 6 - can you relate to God bringing you out of the pit? Be thankful that He's calling you to "what's next" in your life!

Wednesday, 11/25 Romans 1:18-32
This is an interesting look at what the lives of people who do not love God and follow Him look like. Don't be fooled by thinking God doesn't know what's going on. They are not thankful to God - and He lets them live in their misery.

Thursday, 11/26 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Happy Thanksgiving!
Today as you are with your families, think about these words, "I believed; therefore, I have spoken." Look for opportunities today to influence your family for Christ - to show them what He means in your life.

Friday, 11/27 Ephesians 5:15-20
Choosing to live in God-honoring ways leaves room in our lives for us to be joyful and "make music in your heart" - you literally feel like thanking God because you are feeling good about life.

Saturday, 11/28 Philippians 4:4-8
Get your focus off of yourself and your problems. Spend some time praying and laying it out to God - and start by focusing on good things. Talk to God about how amazing He is, how you are curious about Him...get focused on Him first - then lay your problems on Him.

Sunday, 11/29 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Short and sweet. These are some keys to Christian living!

Monday, 11/30 1 Timothy 2:1-6
This is a good reminder to pray for others - especially the leaders of our country. Offer thanks for the good things they do - pray for God to lead them when they fall short.

Tuesday, 12/1 Psalm 106:1-6
These verses remind me of how big God is. He is good - and He deserves our thanks for all that He is and that He counts us in His "inheritance".

Wednesday, 12/2 Psalm 136 GEMS tonight!!!!
Give thanks to the Lord - for He is good. This Psalm lets us remember that God is the creator of everything! And He still cares about each of us. That's amazing and worthy of our thanks! See you tonight!!!


Enjoy the next two weeks as you read, pray and thank God for His love, His care, and His grace!!! God is good all the time - All the time God is good!!!

Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn

Psalm 119:11

"I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You." -Psalm 119:11

Hey Fellow Gems:

What a great night of Fellowship and Thanksgiving we enjoyed last evening. We learned more about each other and even some fun stuff of our Leadership Team. :o)

As Lisa stated in her email, we are going to start memorizing scripture as a group. The verse above is our first one! Let's ALL do this and keep His Word in our hearts and available at all times! We may not always have our Bibles, but we can ALWAYS have His Word in our hearts!

Lisa also shared a video with us last night and I have provided the link for that. Enjoy!
http://www.vimeo.com/1371841?pg=embed&sec=1371841

I will post the scripture reading soon. Everybody take care and know that we are special in His sight and that we are loved!

Have a great Thanksgiving!!
Love and prayers,

Cheri Lynn

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

There is a need .....

Good evening all you beautiful GEMS!

I received a note from Angela and she has a real need that possibly we can help fulfill. She has opened her home to a friend that is 6 months pregnant. They are in desperate need of a twin size bed! Presently the young lady is sleeping on a full size blow-up mattress in the guest room. The room is small and quickly filling up with items that have been obtained for the arrival of the "little one". A twin bed would be a good fit!

Does someone have a twin bed to give away? Please contact me (Cheri Lynn) with questions or any information.

I hope everyone is having a great week! Are you enjoying the Bible Study devotionals? I really have enjoyed reading them and knowing that everyone is reading the same thing sometime during the day!

God Bless! I love y'all!

Cheri Lynn

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

******* GEMS - September 9th - Kick-off!!!!!! *******

It's here!!! We're back!!!!! Wednesday night - 9/9/09!!!!! Yeah!

I can't wait to see everyone and see how God has been working in all of our lives! Wow! What a summer! We have had ups and downs, good times and bad times, sunshine and rain, laughter and tears, but always rejoicing as Women of the King - GEMS!!!!!

I hope to see everyone tomorrow night and get re-acquainted and caught up with everyone! I did receive a request for help today from Lisa. A family in our community lost their home and nearly everything to fire and they are trying to rebuild their lives. They need everything and so I have put the information below about sizes for clothes and some events that are happening next week. Most of all, I ask that you remember the Navarro family in your prayers!

The Navarro family has received a house to live in for the next six months - free of rent or mortgage. They need furniture as well as clothes and stuff. Their sizes are as follows:
Adult male: shirt - L, pants - 34w x 30l, and shoes - 9.5
Adult female: size 0, tops - S or XS, and shoes 7.5 medium
Child #1 - male: shirt - S juniors, pants - 30w x 32l; and shoes - 11
Child #2 - male: shirt - M juniors, pants - 29w x 30l, and shoes - 6
Child #3 - female: size 3 juniors, and shoes - 6.5 to 7
Child #4 - female: size 14 - 16, and shoes - 7
Child #5 - male: size 10 and shoes - 3
Child #6 - female: size 5T and shoes - children's 11

If you have furniture or clothes to give, please contact Christine at: cmdoman@ilstu.edu or Alauna at: asakins@ilstu.edu.

We will announce more tomorrow night, but this is the info we have to pass along.

See y'all tomorrow night!
Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A need from a fellow Single Mom

Hey all!
I hope you are having a great summer! It is going by really fast. I have had one computer problem after another, but all is well! I moved and things are still in disarray and in boxes and not in the right rooms, but we are settling in a little at a time!
I got an email from Nicki with a need from one of our single moms. If you have a response or want to know more, please send me an email with your phone number and I will call and give you more infomation. Here is the need!

"Greetings!
I just got a call from a single mother that is looking for a roommate - or something that would help pay living expenses. If you or someone you know is interested in this, please contact Cheri Lynn."

Hope to talk to y'all again soon!

Love and prayers!
Cheri Lynn