Women Blog
May Swim Meet
Single ladies! Join us at 7 pm in Xenos on May 18. We'll have food, fun, and fellowship!
Questions? Email Donna at tbcwm.WOW@gmail.com.
June Book Club
A Chance to Die - Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot is our next book read for the TBC Book Club. Our discussion will be held on Tuesday, June 19th at 7 pm in Xenos.
Biography of the most loved missionary, Amy Carmichael, also known as Amma. She spent 53 years in India and this tells her journey of helping others and serving God unconditionally.
Books are available at Life Way and other area bookstores.
Sign up here to be a part of the discussion.
Chick Chat
Chick Chats are intimate, informal gatherings of TBC Chicks who chat about a variety of social and spiritual topics with the purpose of building relationships and extending the circle of friendship within our church. Chick Chats are held each summer. See the 2012 brochure here.
Sign up on Sundays at the Welcome Desk.
Betrayed Heart
“When I first found out about my husband’s addiction to pornography and masturbation, I thought our marriage was finished. It deeply hurt me to realize that my husband preferred a paper image and fantasy to my warm body and heart. He decided to get help and contacted the men’s “Pure Desire” group at TBC and began reading their literature and talking to the other men in the group. I was embarrassed as I imagined that his need for pornography was somehow my fault and I was so ashamed that my husband might be talking to others about the intimate details of our marriage. My husband reassured me of the confidentiality of the group and strongly encouraged me to join the women’s “Betrayed Heart” group. I made the phone call to the leader out of desperation. I somehow found the courage to join the women’s group and am so glad that I did. What a difference it has made in my life and in my marriage to have found a supportive, safe group of loving women who truly understand my feelings and how my husband’s behavior has affected my life.
My husband and I have now been involved with the recovery groups for the past several years. Our marriage has not only survived but has flourished. He feels truly set free from the snare in which Satan had held him captive. I have learned so very much and no longer fear about the future of my marriage. My husband and I are closer than ever before and I now have confidence that my husband truly loves me and that his heart belongs first to God and then to me.” - Mary S.
Women of TBC - We have an enemy and that enemy is out to destroy our families - our marriages, our trust, our self confidence and our intimacy. In this over-sexualized culture in which we now live, the trap of pornography, sexting, fantasy, affairs, self-gratification and prostitution has reached even into the Christian community. Statistics gathered by Dr. Ted Roberts and his wife Diane, authors of the “Pure Desire” and “Betrayed Heart” materials state that even up to 70% of Christian men are affected by these addictive behaviors. The world wants us to believe that these behaviors are “normal” - but they are not “normal” for Christians and we must fight back. We must be brave enough to face this enemy for the protection of our marriages and our children before it is passed on to their generation. There is hope and there is help available through the ministries of Topeka Bible Church. With Bible based curriculum and accountability/support groups we have witnessed marriages on the verge of divorce healed and restored as men and women have trusted God to change and heal their minds and their hearts. Even if divorce has already happened in a marriage, these recovery groups can give understanding and healing to broken hearts. These ongoing support groups are open to adults (18-80) from
any church and from surrounding communities. Free childcare is available. For more information call: Men’s Group “Pure Desire” - leave a message for Bill Goble at 249-9509, he will return your call. Women’s group “Bertrayed Heart” call Jane Goble - 249-0983.
There IS Hope
There IS Hope!
By Pamela J Rypinski
Some time ago on a lazy evening, I was channel surfing and found what I thought was going to be a cute little show about baby beauty pageants. I remember my grandmother dressing me in my Sunday best dress, lace socks and my favorite white Mary Jane shoes. She always made a satin bow for my long curls. Sometimes we walked on a stage, paused, did a little turn and then walked off stage but more often, the contest was judged from studio portraits. I won a few ribbons and trophies but it was never a big deal. I think my grandmother enjoyed showing off my winnings, I never cared about them. My big goal in life was to run away to Texas so I could be a cowboy.
Fast forward a number of years, as I watched the pageant show on TV I was horrified to see two year olds wearing more make-up than I own. Their costumes were reproductions of garish outfits worn by celebrities known mostly for their lack of clothes. One tiny girl whipped off her cape like a practiced stripper to reveal a gold lame' Madonna outfit complete with cone bra. This is just one mild example; many young girls had been taught fanny wiggling, big pouty lip grimaces and even obscene pelvic thrusts. Their mothers stood behind the judges and acted out each over-the-top movements that these little babies shouldn't even know how to do. The girls had wigs and hair pieces, false eye lashes, spray tans, and padded costumes; yet, their mothers say there is nothing sexual about any of this because these are just “little girls.”
Gone are the, seemingly, innocent days of Sunday best dress, lace socks and Mary Jane shoes! All of the "in your face" sexual content in songs, TV shows, movies, advertising, and other media has devalued the loving and intimate pairing between a husband and wife that is the foundation of a healthy marital relationship.
Human sexuality is a beautiful, bonding, and private gift given by God to married couples; yet, increasingly, the church is seeing lonely and bewildered spouses who discover a secret and shameful sex life that their partner may have been lying about, or hiding, for years. Affairs, prostitutes, internet relationships and addiction to pornography are contributing to the huge increase in divorce among Christians. Men, and women, who are caught in the snare of sexual sin and addiction often believe there is no way out, and their spouse/ girl or boyfriend/fiancé - if they are even aware of their partner’s struggle - may have no hope for ever having a healthy relationship.
The truth is, there is hope; for both the one struggling with sexual sin and addiction, and their partner. A Christian ministry founded by Pastors Ted and Diane Roberts, from their own experience, is changing lives one week at a time. Pure Desire Ministries International (www.puredesire.org) provides real help in group settings – one for men and one for women- with material that includes “biblical truth and clinical tools” in a workbook format.
The men’s group uses Dr. Robert’s book “Pure Desire” and workbook “Seven Pillars of Freedom.” It is a learning course to help men explore what led them into addiction and how to work their way out again. The men have accountability partners and call each other frequently to provide aide and encouragement.
The group for women uses Diane Roberts’ “Betrayal and Beyond" workbooks which take women through the many stages of grieving and healing. Both groups are designed to educate, support, and honor God in the healing process. Your brothers and sisters in the group have heard, or lived, all you may have struggled with or suffered, and are there to let you know you don't have to go through this alone. There is no shame but there is help!
If you are tired of struggling alone and suffering in silence, you are welcome in the groups. You don't have to be a member of any particular church to join the groups. For more information, contact Bill Goble at 249-9509, for the men's group and Jane Goble at 249-0983 to attend the women's group. Your participation is not disclosed, except to the members of your group, and everyone signs a confidentiality agreement.
It is estimated that 70% of church attendees are struggling with, or impacted by, some sort of sexual sin. You are not alone. Please join us and enjoy the freedom, peace, and growth we have found in this amazing, healing fellowship.
Coffee & Conversation
TUESDAY, MAY 22ND - Have you wanted to connect with other women but cannot come on Friday evenings? Here is another opportunity:
COFFEE & CONVERSATION – 4th Tuesday of each month. 7pm – Classic Bean @ Fairlawn Plaza
No-you do not have to drink coffee to join us!
Mark your calendars for the 4th Tuesday of each month and come when you can.
April Expresso
It's our last Expresso of Spring 2012. You won't want to miss the powerful stories of God's work from Donna Shelite and Angela Unruh.
Join us April 10 at 7pm in the Lower Auditorium.
New Sunday School class
SWIM Meet
For more information, email Donna at TBCWM.WOW@gmail.com
SMoms
SMoms
By Kelly Liby
The SMoms class is a group of dynamic women who are single parents, trying to raise their children in the way God would ask of them. The Single Moms ministry has developed and grown over the past several years into a rich program, greatly blessed by the TBC church family. We have special events for our families, a weekly Sunday school class, and a great network of supporters. Some of our past classes have included video-driven Bible studies, but we have also been blessed by generous TBC members who have given of their time and hearts to lead the class on occasion. We have been ministered to with lessons geared toward raising children, healing hurts, learning to establish boundaries in our homes and lives, developing solid financial strategies, teaching our children about money, and many object lessons aimed at our personal spiritual growth. The class has a strong core group and we welcome newcomers with open arms. It’s not difficult to find someone with a similar experience within the group and support and encouragement are a large part of what we do and who we are as a class.
We are very grateful for the ways in which the TBC family has provided for us, and for the loving care we have been shown by this church. TBC has taken a genuine interest in the well-being of the single mothers and their children - a group that can often feel isolated and without hope - and provided a safe, enriching environment in which we can grow and flourish. We are learning to keep God at the center of our homes and lives, keep Jesus as our anchor, and intend to pour back into the community the overflow of blessings we are receiving through this class, this church, and each other.
The Smoms class meets in the CAB building, Fireside Room at 11:00am. For more information, contact our Class Coordinator, Mindy Stockton @ 318-1100 or mindymx2@yahoo.com or our Facilitator, Debi Parker @ 224-7320 or dlp2643@cox.net.
Women Blog
Topeka Bible Church Women's Ministry E-Life series