The "M" Word & Upcoming Events

Hey LG's!
Just droppin' in with the latest. Check out pics from our last mini bash (click to enlarge). Thanks to all who came and we will plan our next one for the Fall soon!

Special welcome to guests at our last meeting; Debbie, Kelsey and Kristen - - welcome ladies! Congrats to Ms. Kandi for winning the Starbucks drawing. And last but not least, we will miss our Michelle, as she moves back to her home town. Hoping she starts the Northeast chapter of the Lipstick Girls!

So, few highlights from our discussion on the "M" word from our 'Sex is not the Problem, Lust is' study:

- God is interested in our behavior, but even more interested in our motivations.
- Lust is a serious sin and sexual self-gratification can be an expression of a lustful heart.
- People who are 'addicted' to pornography aren't so much addicted to lurid material as they are addicted to self-centeredness.
- The reason this very private act matters to God is not because it involves our anatomy, but because it involves our hearts. And God is passionately committed to our hearts belonging completely to Him (see Deuteronomy 6:5).
- If you want to break free from a pattern of self-gratification, the first step is to renew your understanding of sex. You must embrace a God-centered and selfless attitude towards it.
- Marriage and sex are inseparable in God's design. You can't have one without the other. Heb. 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
- Marriage is the combining of a man and woman at every level - not just sexually but emotionally, spiritually, and in every other way. In God's plan, sexual union was never meant to be separated from this total union. When we attempt to experience sex apart from this union, we're disrespecting and dishonoring marriage, and ultimately God.

Remember:
- God wants us to live in joy and freedom. The cycle of defeat and enslavement sets us up to expect and cave in to sin in other areas of our life. 2Pet 2:19 'For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.'
- God wants us to learn to control our bodies in holiness and honor. (1 Thess. 4:3-6)
- God wants husbands and wives to delight in sexual intimacy within marriage without shame.

Practical Help:
- Identify times you are most tempted.
- Memorize key scriptures to help you.
- Get busy doing something else! Call a friend (accountability)
- Be disciplined about your alone time.
- Get rid of any material that may trigger temptation (certain books, movies, toys!)
- Do good works - focus on others.

And that's all I got ladies - other than upcoming dates to mark on your calendars:

- Fri, 8/13 7pm Next LG Meeting

- Fri, 8/20 7pm Friday Nite Live (Parkway Women)

- Fri, 9/24 Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Faith & Family Night/includes concert ($15@)

- 10/1 and 10/2 Women of Faith Conference (Volunteer on line/go for FREE!)

As always girls - get out there, be blessed, more importantly, be a blessing!
I'm here if you need me, you know how to reach me.

Love much and much love,
Dee.