Forget about what's happened;
don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.
It's bursting out! Don't you see it?
Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
I love this verse and it speaks volumes over my life! VOLUMES I tell you. But before I turn this blog into a long dissertation on my ‘old history,' let me just share a 2009 blessing and the 2010 Brand New blessing!
January 2009 also brought an incredible flood of new girlfriends. Girls I'd only know through the screen came into my life in a very real way. It seemed as if the Lord removed the book on girlfriends and replaced it with a whole slew of real life girlfriends. One of those girlfriends is Melinda Garman.
Melinda and I met through our blogs and we chatted via email, but January 2009 we met in Atlanta to attend the Travis Cottrell taping.
I knew this was more than just a passing acquaintance – what I didn't know was how the Lord was binding our hearts together for His good purpose. In a weekend filled with laughter, incredible worship and tears of joy, God brought us together and the seeds of a ministry were planted.
Let me introduce:
gIRL: Girlfriends In Real Life
meeting God together on the other side of the screen
This is a ministry that brings the friendships we forge through blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, from one side of the screen to the other…not just for a quick lunch or a quick “meet-up” after a conference, but for extended time together with God. We believe that God is calling us to deeper relationships founded on our relationship with Him, and that He is using social media to bring people together all over the world to achieve just that. We're excited and humbled that He would be using us for this purpose!
Let's take our love for the Lord and the fun of social media and let's LIVE IT!
To get this ministry off the ground we knew we needed input of girlfriends far and wide – we needed some girlfriend partners. The Lord plopped Karen Barrows into our life in Memphis through social media and a wonderful girlfriend, Fran.
Karen has graciously given us use of an incredible home in the mountains for our first strategy session. She's a true treasure and our first gIRL ministry partner — she's partnering with us as we plan our strategy session and possibly our first gIRL event in late 2010.
We need your prayers! We are stepping out in faith and in the planning stages of this ministry. Since we met online, connected through blogs, twitter, and facebook, we felt we should include our online friends in this process. Please pray that we follow God's plan and not our own. Please pray that above all women are brought to a deeper relationship with Him and that He is glorified in everything we do.
Hang on – this is going to be one EXCITING ADVENTURE!
I am soo excited for you both! I am praying for you as you step forward in this and can’t wait to see what God’s going to do through it and you both! I’m here to do anything for you if you need it. Love you both and know that this is going to be awesome!
Nikki
So stinkin’ excited for the newness of 2010 and gIRL! Count me in on whatever and however you need my help. First up! Praying a huge covering over all of you as you begin planning. He’s up to an amazing work in all of our lives and HE ALONE gets all the glory! Thanks for your friendship and prayers.
Mucho love!
Dedra
Praying for you both, Mary, and for the wonders that God will do and for the lives that will be touched and changed! May He give you everything you need.
That sounds so awesome, Mary! I will definitely be praying for you all as you plan. How fun!!!
Mary,
I am so excited for you both and I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in 2010!!
I am praying for this new ministry!!
Love,
Patty
gIRL!! I love it!! Prayers for this new venture! I, too, am on board for any help or anything I can do to help y’all. How exciting!
OH MY GOODNESS!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!
OH MY GOODNESS!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! This is so wonderful and I’ll be praying like crazy!
love you gIRLs so much!
~rachel~
I’M SO STINKIN’ EXCITED!!!! Love this. Tell me how I can help and I’m there — praying every step!!!
What a HUGE GOD THING!!!!!
Dori
Hey Sweetie,
I definitely will pray for what the LORD has laid on your heart!!! Stay focused as you hear and obey the leading of HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Wonderful!
Love ya and Happy New Year!
Sounds wonderful….it was so great at the Blogger Retreat to come face to face with those you knew thru blogging….I will praying that God lead you the way He would have you to go.
Wow, what an incredible ministry, loving that I can be a part of it from the beginning by praying! Sounds so exciting and such a blessing to me to be able to watch it unfold…if there is anything I could do, count me in…love my blogging/twittering sisters.
Hi Mary –
I popped over here from Facebook. Cute blog. How nice that you got to meet some of your Internet buddies in person!
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
How exciting! Will be praying for you as you begin this new adventure. Can’t wait to hear more.
Dianne
SO thrilled for you! Love this and praying God blesses each and every step!!
Hugs
steph.
Mary, this is incredibly awesome! I can’t wait to see how it all comes together and how/when/what/where!
Praying.
Susan
WOW! Sounds awesome!!!! So excited for you as you step out in this new adventure!!! of FAITH!!!
Love you girl!
This just makes me clap my hands. A lot.
I’m so glad you’re one of my gIRLs.
R
Mmmmm…Mmmmm…Good!! I can’t wait to gather somewhere in our PJ’s and fuzzy slippers and eat chocolate, and laugh and pray and cry and all that stuff that gIRLS love to do (young girls and old girls…I’m just sayin!)
Praying for you sweet girls!
Pat
I am pumped!!! Followed u silently for some time now. I would love to help in any way and will of course pray. Let me know if I can help promote or whatever. U da bomb sister!!! Love, Leigh
This sounds great!! I will be praying! you are so talented.
YES LORD!!!!! Sign me up for whatever. This is going to be really fun to watch what the Lord has for you gIRLS unfold. Love and dedicated prayer now and always!!
Amen! How wonderful!
Love this!!!! I’ve been so blessed to “meet” many women online and in person. Social networking can bring us together as Christian women. Let’s let God use all the resources we have for HIS glory! He’ll encourage, feed, challenge, and grow us together.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ll be praying!
I am so happy for you and what God is doing in your life
I am blessed that you are in my life 🙂
Praying for you
Much love
Kim
Y’all are fabulous. Flat out fabulous..:)
I had to come back on and tell you that this scripture, in the Message version, has been on my brain and seared in my heart since I first read this post!
This is going to be powerful and anointed. I wish you God’s best as you step into HIS new.
This was the verse I used for the last day of 2009 as I was looking forward to 2010.
Love the way God repeats Himself.