www.creativeladiesministry.com

[lauraluvsbob1]

Hi- we are a small church- 50 or less women attending in March 2004. Theme is Reflections (how God sees us) tying in water, mirror and how we reflect outwardly to others. I need help with gift and decoration ideas or any help with this theme you can offer. Any suggestions are appreciated. God Bless!

[Connie]

I was reading an illustration on Malachi 3:3. This is where Christ is a refiner of silver. How Christ watches the refining process while we are being refined in the furnace so to speak. We at times we do not think He is watching as we are going through trials...it went on to say that yes, He is sitting right there carefully watching the refining process(as things that are dross are being taken out of our lives). He knows when it it complete when Christ sees His reflection in the silver. ( One could expand this idea for sure)
For decorating ideas maybe mirrored peices in the center of each table with some gorgeous silver peices----hand mirrors with silver bows tied around the handles. Stage idea near the speaker----maybe one of those free standing bedroom full length mirrors with pretty hats on a hat stand with and quilt stand with some special quilt on the stand.
----or for table centers---rose bowls with silver tinsel cut outs floating in the water on a square mirrored peice with silver curl tie in fancy little loops scattered on the surface of the mirror. This is what came off the top of my head.
Thankfulforallthings

[creativ4]

Have you found the 'Reflections of a Lovely Lady' theme on the website? It's geared for Mother-Daughter but you could adapt many things. The url is below:
https://www.creativeladiesministry.com/motherdaughterbanquettheme1.html

Have a good day!
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Joy and blessings,
Julia

[BarbaraJean]

Have you heard the story of the 10 Cow Woman? It would be great for the topic you've chosen!
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God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[BarbaraJean]

Hi Laura,
Instead of emailing it to you I'm posting a link to it here. It's very touching and easy to build a banquet or retreat around. You buy lots of cow stuff and mirrors. Here's the link to the story
Johnny Lingo's Eight-Cow Wife
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God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Guest]

Awesome story! Thanks for sharing that with us. What kind of things could you do at the banquet? I'd be interested in this.

[Prov31wannabe]

Going back to Malachi 3:3, there is a story about a study group that was fascinated by that verse and one member went to a silversmith to watch him work (and try to understand the idea of refining better).
She didn't tell him of the Bible study, just asked him to talk of his work.
He explained that he had to hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire for all the impurities to be burned away (she imagined God holding us in such a "hot-spot").
She asked if he had to sit there the entire time holding it. He told her that it was necessary to not only be there but to never take his eyes off it because if he left it in one second too long, it would be ruined. (she smiled as she pictured herself in God's hand, knowing that His eyes remained on her thru her struggle and trusting that He knew the exact moment to remove her from the flame).
She then asked, "How do you know when that perfect moment is to remove the silver?"
He replied with an easy smile, "That's easy! When I see my reflection in it!"
As we suffer thru trials, we can rest in the knowledge that God has a firm grip on us and will not leave us or take His eyes off us and, in the end, we will reflect Him all the more.

(paraphrased from the original story, author unknown)
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Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."