encouragement is everyone's love language...

Mary Gemmill's beautiful Protea in Porirua, New Zealand

There have been many books written on the various kinds of love languages we all have, but I believe encouragement is everyone’s love language. Who doesn’t want to be encouraged? I have experienced this first-hand by being a part of the (in)courager online community groups. They are a “Christ-centered safe place that meets for 6-8 week sessions throughout the year in small groups of 30 on private Facebook groups.” Through our (in)courager group, I have become friends with Mary Gemmill, an empty-nester just like me, who lives in Porirua, New Zealand. Throughout the year, we have shared our hearts by commenting on each other’s posts, we truly have become encouragers to one another. This week when Mary posted the beautiful photo of a Protea sitting on her kitchen counter, she commented that she had “tidied it up by cropping out the clutter.” But I responded that the photo of the beautiful Protea was, “just like Jesus, He stands alone, altogether lovely, in the middle of our cluttered lives, as we focus on Him.” Suddenly, even as I wrote those words in response, this scripture came to mind…

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:8)

This scripture concludes the passage on that glorious transfiguration day when suddenly Jesus’ face was seen to shine like the sun! The apostles would later describe Jesus' clothes as "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them…as bright as a flash of lightning!" Then, the three apostles saw Moses, and Elijah standing there with Jesus, talking about the events which would take place in Jerusalem when he would depart from the earth. There was power of recognition--it was possible for Jesus and the apostles to know who Moses and Elijah were..."I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." Then, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased. Listen to Him!" What God said of His Son that day was not just a repetition of what he had said on the occasion of Jesus' baptism: "This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased." It's those three additional words—“Listen to Him!"—that tell the tale. The voice from Heaven. The voice of God saying, "Listen to Him!"

O Lord Jesus, I want to know, see, and experience You in fresh ways so I can truly say that I desire You more than anything on earth! You and You alone are the strength of my heart. You are all that I need, and I am so thankful that You are mine forever. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Open my eyes, and grant me fresh vision to constantly see Your beauty and Your love for me. With each new day, speak to me out of the cloud. Let my face shine brighter and brighter with the light of Your face. May my own story end just as the apostles ended that glorious day...When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

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Look Up—meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

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Look Out—as you meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

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May your hearts be encouraged by this amazing video of Jeremy Camp singing Beautiful One...

You opened my eyes to Your wonders anew, You captured my heart with this love, because nothing on earth is a beautiful as You, my Jesus!

Was this encouraging to you? Please feel free to leave a comment in the box below, I'd love to hear from you!

Linking up with Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart as an encourager.

so excited about co-leading (in)courager community group, "A Feathered Nest"

"A Feathered Nest" co-leaders Beth Willis Miller, Cindy Metz & Susan Chamberlain Shipe

I am so excited and honored to be co-leading one of the (in)courager community groups, A Feathered Nest, along with Susan Chamberlain Shipe and Cindy Metz.

The spring/summer session registration begins May 19, and will run from May 26 - July 4. Groups are open to 30 members.

The (in)courager community groups exist to build safe, Christ-centered, welcoming, small groups for women through the (in)courage website and social media. The co-leaders are here to serve you, just as you are and where you are, in this season. We invite you to join us for a place that feels comfortable, where you can kick off your shoes, snuggle into the comfy couch and share your life with like-minded, Jesus-loving women around the world.

It’s a place where you can grow in your friendships with other women and be encouraged to deepen your relationship with God. (in)courage groups are led by women who have a heart for serving. They aren’t experts, but have a willingness to walk with others and (in)courage them along the way.

A Feathered Nest is an (in)courager community group for Christian women. Our nests may be empty since all of our children have flown, but our nests are lovingly feathered by God's Word.

We rely on Psalm 91:4: He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

God's faithfulness still makes our empty nest homes comfortable, safe, and secure when we rely on Him.

If you are experiencing the unsettling feeling of the empty nest, won't you join us as we feather our nest with His Word?

C.S. Lewis said, "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You, too? I thought I was the only one!’“

You’re not alone. We would love to include you in this friendship circle of empty nesters and help you feather your own nest with encouragement, support, and prayer.

To register for our (in)courager community group, A Feathered Nest for the spring/summer session, simply click on this link, and follow the directions to register. You’ll receive a “welcome” email and Facebook group invitation from us right away!

We look forward to hearing from you soon!