Beautiful in Gods Eyes

I've just finished this excellent book. Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George.

I highly recommend it! This study of the 'Proverbs 31' woman is challenging, practical and Inspiring. I actually felt 'I can do this'. The 'proverbs 31 woman' become real, not some unrealistic picture of a perfect woman. She became someone you could make your mentor.

I will definately be reading this one again!

Blurb: "Beauty is more than skin deep - it starts in the hear and works outward.

Exploring the timesless wisdom of Proverbs 31, Bible teacher Elizaveth George reveals how you can become a woman of true beauty - a woman who desires to honor God in all that she says and does. Beaugiful in God's Eyes helps you make each day immensely meaningful as you delight in God and discover how to...
• experience intant progress toward personal goals
• manage daily life more effectively
• tap into unlimited energy
• apply biblical principles to enhance relationships
• move from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

You can experience a richer, more exciting sprititual walk as you embrace God's design for true beauty in your life."

Mary Magdalene: Delivered from Darkness

A few thoughts we discussed this week:

Mary Magdelene Myths: It was interesting to note how many of us had been influenced by the story’s about Mary that have been popular without realising that they were groundless, like her being a prostitute and the woman caught in adultery, or that she was the woman who washed Jesus feet with her hair.

Why has Mary Magdelene become such a popular figure and the subject of Myths? How many people today do believe or want to believe the myths revived by the Da Vinci Code? Whilst working I was often told by unbelieving friends that I should read the Da Vinci Code; that it would challenge my faith. Having read it, it amazes me that people can believe it to be fact, and yet they do.

How merciful of God to omit the details of Mary’s past pg 175 “Scripture Deliberately and Mercifuly omits the macabre details of her dreadful demon possession.” The bible only tells us what we need to know. That Mary had a lot to be thankful for. It was also noted that the women caught in adultery has also been protected, due to the fact that people have attributed her acts to Mary.

Pg 187 “We can be certain that whatever travelling arrangements were made for the group, Jesus’ name (as well as the reputations of all the mend and women in the group) were carefully guarded from anything that might hint at any reproach. After all, Jesus’ enemies were looking desperately for reasons to accuse Him. If there had been any way whatsoever for them to drum up doubts about the propriety of Jesus’ relationships with women, that issue would have been raised.” Surely if there had been any inappropriate relationship between Mary and Christ , as is suggested by the myths surrounding Mary, this would have been something that would have been used to accuse Him, as they sought to have him killed.

Mary’s love for Christ: I was moved by the devotion and love of Mary as she followed Christ pg 181. From the site of his execution, to his burial and then to the tomb in the early hours of the morning. She loved him so much. Don’t we have just as much to love him for? He has saved us from Hell! How devoted are we?

Recommended Reading:
There were a few books recommended during our discussion

Does God Believe in Atheists by John Blanchard
The Sufficiency of Scripture by Noel Weeks
Breakfast On The Beach : Empty Tomb And Subsequent Glory by Trumper Peter.

False Start

Well girls we had a bit of a false start this term. There was only three of us at our last meeting so we thought we'd just have coffee and a natter instead. Which we enjoyed immensly, but this week we're starting again.

We will be discussing Mary Magadalene. And this time I promise to post the notes on Friday!

So if you have any thoughts you'd like to jump start with about Mary, please fill us in here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!