valentine party-praying God's Word edition.

tonight my bible study with the high school girls cross country and track team had a little valentines day party. my friend meredith hosts our meetings at her house, and being mutual lovers of all things valentines and themed party related, we naturally had to throw a little somethin :) 

here was our little set-up... mere and her mom and sister went all out with decorations and sweet treats...how cute?! 

remember my striped paper straw obsession? well, i ordered these pink ones, along with these chevron goody bags, from an adorable little etsy shop. i brought along mason jars to use with the straws for the valentines punch :)

mere made these awesome conversation heart cake pops

 the girls came and just loved the straws :)

...and they brought even more goodies!

 delaney won this sweet little mug for bringing the best dessert...white chocolate covered pretzel rods with valentines sprinkles! 

we are going through "praying God's word" by beth moore. this week i intentionally had us focus on the chapter that deals with overcoming the insecurity of feeling unloved. i see way too many sad, lonely, and bitter girls when it comes to valentines day. 

the book stresses praying scripture to overcome strongholds. tonight we talked about how feeling unloved is the root cause of so many other strongholds...the fear of rejection, deception, unforgiveness, and etc... 

here are some quotes and scriptures that we discussed and prayed... be encouraged by them and know the overwhelming & unfailing love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 

"Interestingly, the Word of God uses the phrase 'unfailing love' thirty-two other times, and not one of them refers to any source other than God, Himself."

"Searching for perfect, unfailing love in anyone else is not only fruitless, it is miserably disappointing and destructive. I am convinced that our hearts are not healthy until they have been satisfied by the only completely healthy love that exists: the love of God, Himself." 

"No one is more pleasurable to be around than a person who has had her cup filled by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only One who is never overwhelmed by the depth and length of our need."

"Jesus Christ, my Kinsman Redeemer and my Bridegroom, Your banner over me is love!" (Song of Songs 2:4)

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings." (Psalm 17:8)

"O God, help me to meditate on Your unfailing love! (Psalm 48:9) Help me not have the sin of unbelief after all You've done to tell me You love me and demonstrate Your love for me."

"How I thank You God, that You will heal my waywardness. You love me freely" (Hosea 14:4).

"O God, please set my heart at rest in Your presence when my heart wants to condemn me. For you, God, are greater than my heart, and You know everything"  (1 John 3:19-20).

....i wish i could write everything down! it is all truth-- we are loved so fiercely and uniquely. let's be set apart from the world--not women who are insecure and bitter, but women who are filled up by Jesus everyday, women whose cups are running over with the Love of Jesus and who are intentionally pouring that Love on others.