Welcome to the First Friday Blog

Imagine a loved one freely gave you $1,000. What would your response be?

If this loved one owed you the money, would your response be different? What if they have owed you the money for years and been negligent repaying you; then, what would your response be?

If you’re like me, your responses would be Read more »

I recently participated in a workplace profiling assessment called DiSC. It basically indicates how you approach work and your relationships at work. This is probably the third or fourth I’ve done one during the past 25 years at various companies.

I consider myself to be a very happy, “glass half full,” kind of girl. The profile showed I’m pretty much off the charts Read more »

What a treat to hear Lisa Harper at First Friday last week! If you didn’t get the opportunity, please listen to her message online (which will be up later this week). It will encourage your spirit, make you laugh and remind you that God uses imperfect people all the time!

Lisa started out by reading the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. She pointed out the women God chose to be in the bloodline of Jesus: Rahab, a prostitute; Bathsheba, an adulterer; and Ruth, a Moabite. Whoa, God had my attention at Ruth, because Read more »

Marti shares why it’s OK to have imperfections … because Jesus is the ultimate make-up artist! Learn about Perfectionism & Grace during First Friday with author & speaker Lisa Harper at 11am Feb. 3 at Harkins Theatre in Southlake.

It was almost midnight, and I was exhausted. I stumbled around in the dark as I headed for bed and carelessly tossed my watch, ring and diamond earrings in my jewelry box. The next morning, before I headed out the door, I went to put on my earrings and discovered that one was missing.

I rummaged through all my “junk” jewelry Read more »

Did you know we’re “Made to Crave?” Come hear Lysa TerKeurst talk about Food, Frustration & Fulfillment at 11am Jan. 6 at Harkins Theatre in Southlake. Start 2012 off right … you don’t want to miss this inspirational message!

I woke up the other morning and heard God say, as clear as day, “LET GO.”

My mind immediately went to a conversation that that I was having the day before with a friend, and my first thought was that this word was for her. Should I call and tell her? God gave me a picture of someone holding onto a rung of a ladder so tight that they couldn’t climb any higher, because they wouldn’t let go of one rung to reach for the next. Read more »

I am an empty nester.

At the beginning of the school year, my husband and I made the long trek to Missouri to drop off our youngest son at college. How did this happen? Wasn’t I just in college during what seems like yesterday? Read more »

FF team member Victorya Rogers shares why friendships are so special, and how one change in your thinking can lead you to Divine Destiny. Check out First Friday speaker Debbie Stuart at 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at Harkins Theatre in Southlake. Read more »

I thought my days of having blemishes were almost over but apparently not. Last week a small spot on my forehead turned into a colossal bump right between my eyebrows. My 24-hour concealer was no match for this one and my bangs couldn’t hide it. Talk about an eyesore, literally! I thought about what I might have done to cause such a mess. Was it my new shampoo?  Maybe it was those late night chocolate filled Oreos that I had been eating and shouldn’t have. Or, could it be a case of menopausal hormones acting up again? Whatever it was, I needed a solution. Read more »

In a Bible Study called “brave” by Angela Thomas, the latest lesson was on being afraid. The kind of fear that causes physical trembling in your body when you receive the cancer report, or the phone call from the kid that says, “Mom, I need to tell you something,” or “Honey, I want a divorce.”

I had the privilege of participating in this study with women in the county jail. There’s a small group of us who look forward to Mondays. We get to be with our sisters who are in different circumstances, but we all want the same things from life. The first statement the study leader made was: We know how you love table topics and the video … but today, we’re not doing either one. After a collective sigh, the leader said, “but we have something better.” And, Angela Thomas, the writer of the study and speaker in the weekly video, entered the room. Read more »

We know it’s early, but think holiday! Purchase our favorite personalized, multi-use, highest-quality acrylic trays for yourself & as gifts (at half of retail). 100% of the profits go to sustain the works of First Friday.

To download an order form, click here.

HOW TO ORDER: Read more »

It has been a little over a week since I arrived in Italy to visit my daughter and her husband. Living with people who are native to any place is an adventure. The cultures are different but are the same in our basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, and mainly love and acceptance. God created us all with such uniqueness but with the inner core in His likeness.

I have been to market after market with mostly people who live here and a few markets that appeal to tourists only. They appear the same, but when you look more closely you see the subtle differences. People living here come for food more than clothing, and they know a value at first glance. They don’t even waste their energy with the hustler on the street, where we, the tourists, are eyeing everything with curiosity and expectations of greatness. It is the trained eye that sees the truth. It is the same with us in our walks with God. Read more »

Most of our lives will be touched by addition — it’s everywhere. We’ve either experienced it, have a family member that’s struggled or we know someone in the throws of turmoil.

When you’re living with someone who has an addiction, it’s hard to know which way is up. Is this normal? Is it just me? Why is this happening? What did I do? What can I do?

Dr. Barbara Byers had a simple message Read more »

If all of us are honest, we each suffer from some form of addiction … whether it is as “innocent” as chocolate, coffee, shopping, reality TV or gossip or as destructive as alcohol, drugs or sex. Some addictions can even appear to be good for you, such as exercise, healthy eating or Bible studies. I think that is why God says to do all things in moderation.

The core of moderation is He wants our hearts to be wholly His, Read more »

I don’t know why, but I’m continually amazed at God’s ability to zero in on a specific issue that I need to work on through circumstances, such as people, His Word and First Friday (FF). And, He does it so kindly. It’s like He takes all the things going on in my life and then takes my face in His gentle hands, and say, “Look.”

I recently cut roses from my rosebushes (that hadn’t bloomed for weeks because of the heat) and got stuck by the thorns in the process. At the same time, I was in the third week of a Bible Study called “brave,” by Angela Thomas. You won’t believe the topic … “thorns!” That is, circumstances, habits and people that trip us up and hold us back from moving forward. Mostly painful things that are hidden. Like, duh, addictions, which is FF’s next topic. Thorns, addictions, same thing. Read more »

This week was my birthday (and a rather significant one). So, I have been reflecting on the sum of my life … rather sobering thoughts have flooded my mind. Like: How did I get here this quick? Where did the years go? Why didn’t I learn that lesson sooner? How could I have made so many mistakes? Gravity really is not my friend? I should have started exercising when I could! What will the rest of my journey look like if the past has been so messed up! Needless to say I am VERY thankful for God’s mercy and grace.

Yesterday Dr. Kevin Leman came to First Friday to give us answers to how to have new kid by Friday and how to make your marriage the one you want in a week. With his mix of humor and reflective thinking there were even answers for those who are no longer married and/or have grown kids. Read more »

My husband and I were on a much needed weekend get-away — a short “va-k,” as my daughter-in-law would say — and we were sitting on the couch scrolling thru channels looking for a movie. But, we were in between movie times and ended part-way through Transformers … the something of the Empire … quite the romantic choice. Since we’re now grandparents, I figured it wouldn’t be a total waste; it will prepare us for the days to come.

First, let me say Transformers have changed quite a lot since my children had them; not only Read more »

I have a friend I talk to almost every day, and we began a negative spiral of “what else is going to happen?”

We are both strong believers, but I wasn’t being a “truster.” My daily thought was, “I know He can do anything, but will He?” I was surrounded by many negative, fearful friends and family, I listened constantly to the news, I worried if the stock market would carry us through our retirement years, and I began to spiral right down into a pit of despair.

Why is it easier to go down rather than be the encourager, the lifter? In May, I heard a teaching by Devi Titus on worship, and Read more »

Things in life that I thought were decided and ready to be put to rest came screeching up from the dust to cause a storm I never wanted to weather. But, as usual, God has a purpose, and some of that purpose is to teach me that He ain’t done with me yet!

I have a wonderful 14-year-old Maine Coon named Samson. He is really my daughter’s, but I have inherited him. I call him my “Grand Cat,” Read more »

I don’t want to be a cake that comes out half-baked.

All of us have done it.  We pull out the cake or meat too early, and the inside is still raw. Fried chicken is the prime example. I’ve only cooked it twice, but both times the outside looks beautiful, but the inside was still raw. I cooked it too quickly.

That’s exactly what I do with God when Read more »

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying God never puts more on our plate than we can handle. Well, there have been many times I disagreed with that phrase. During some of my most trying times, I wondered if God had me mixed up with someone else. So, I figured there was no harm in asking God if I could trade in my dinner plate for a bread plate, because I didn’t want to “handle” what I was going through. You can imagine how far I got with that idea. Read more »

I was at the gym the other day when a friend asked me, “What’s up?” “Just my weight!” I said. She laughed out loud, gave me a high five and went about her business. She’s committed to working out regularly, and it shows. As a baby boomer about to turn 60 next February, I know if I don’t work out routinely, gravity will take its toll faster than I want. I try to work out with a trainer every once in awhile, because I know if it was up to me, I’d quit the minute I started to sweat. I hate to sweat.   Read more »

As I sit in a lounge chair on the beach with two precious friends, a bumblebee circles the Diet Cokes. At first, I shoo him away with my book. Then, as he lands on my friend’s leg, she let’s out a whoop and does a little dance. “Why do I squeal and act like a kid when bees bug me?” she asks. I reply, “Because you know what the sting feels like.”

Wouldn’t it be great if we would do the same thing when we know we are about to make a wrong choice? Read more »

fFor most of my drive to work, I followed a truck that had a wheel cover on the back that read, “Life is Good.” Trying to take a picture of the wheel cover with my phone while driving was not so good! So I spent the rest of my drive thinking about things in life that were good and things that were not so good. We could all make a list! Seeing the destruction following the flooding and tornadoes in our country has been devastating. Some families have lost everything. How is life good in the midst of all that loss? Read more »

My father-in-law died in February. Tho’ we knew this could happen for the past 4 years, his actual death felt sudden and, as death often does, occurred in the midst of other overwhelming life challenges we were experiencing. Something unexpected and amazing happened within moments of his death. My precious girlfriends from Bible study, First Friday and church immediately went above and beyond to help me prepare for his memorial. Five girlfriends even literally came over and cleaned my house for me! Read more »

Have you ever been around a strong-willed child? I recently have, and it was interesting to watch the dynamic between the child, who is 9, and the parent. It was apparent the child ruled the roost.

Whatever she wanted she got. And if she didn’t, the whining began until the parent gave in. In this particular instance, she wanted to stay a few weeks with her cousin in the DFW area as opposed to flying back home with her dad. After lots of begging and assurance that she would be fine staying for several weeks, her dad gave in. This meant having to change her ticket, which was costly, and send her more clothes. So off she went, happy as a clam.

Within two days she was calling her dad Read more »

The past nine months at Third Thursday with Devi Titus have been refreshing, empowering and healing. I had no idea when I signed up (in bulk for all the sessions) that I was treating myself to something so very, very special.

The third Thursday of each month has been my special time away from the daily grind to renew my spirit with area women and fabulous messages from Devi. Last night was another powerful message: Choose to develop your faith.

Devi started with a very simple explanation. Faith, Read more »

I’ve been baptized 4 times! Yup, you read that correctly. Four times before I hit my teens! Can you imagine? Every time my mom switched to a new church, I knew my four siblings and I were destined “to go under,” again.

I tease my mom that she was just looking for a legitimate way to get rid of me. After all, who would suspect foul play if I drowned as a result of baptism? My mom turns 85 years wiser this month. She is a remarkable, God-loving woman. And, she “church-shopped” until she found Read more »

Yesterday’s excerpt in the devotional My Utmost for His Highest said:

“The questions that matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by the words — ‘Come unto me.’ Not ‘do this or do that’, but ‘come unto me.’ At the most unexpected moments, there is the whisper of the Lord and you are drawn immediately. Not — I will put you to bed and hold your hand and sing you to sleep; but — I will get you out of bed, out of the exhaustion, out of the state of being half dead while you are alive; I will imbue you with the spirit of life, and you will be stayed by the perfection of majestic activity.”

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything. I wonder where our country would be if our leaders “came unto God” with their choices. How would your family or your business be altered if you “came unto God” with all your heart? Is this Third Thursday just another activity on your calendar, or could this be God whispering in your ear ….”Come unto me.”

The First Friday women want to take faithfulness to a new level by coming to God with all our hearts, and with all our details…beginning this Thursday. Will you join us?

7-8:30 p.m. Thursday (June 16) at the Colleyville Community Center with Devi Titus
$10 per class. For more info, click here.

Lisa Rose

So many thoughts and emotions have flowed through my heart and mind in the past few weeks and months of this year. I have found that changes are more difficult than I previously thought. Not because the changes are actually hard but because they are so life altering.

You see I am in the middle of a divorce after 32 years of marriage to the father of my three adult children. This past month, I experienced my 32nd anniversary with the additional request of more documents from our lawyers and the pain and sadness of what divorce means in the lives of God’s children. We promised to love, honor, obey and  be together for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health. I can honestly say in 32 years Read more »

As I was getting ready to take the office mail to the mailbox the other day, I noticed one envelope had a stamp hanging off the edge. Upon further inspection, I saw that not only was the stamp off the edge, it was also upside down and backward! Being a slightly perfectionist type person, I had to fix the situation. (I could write a whole different blog on that.) So, I carefully peeled the stamp off and placed it back on — nice and straight, facing the right way — to look proper for the mail. Somehow, I felt a sense of accomplishment getting the stamp all lined up.

After I dropped the mail I thought about how my life is like that misplaced stamp. Sometimes things happen in our lives, Read more »

Last week I slept (if that is what you can call it) at my son’s house in Kansas under the basement stairs with my 14-year-old daughter, 3-month-old grandson, laptop, cell phone, flashlight, extra water and lots of baby formula. What compelled us to spend the night in such an uncomfortable place? (No, this is not how my son usually treats his visiting mother.) Kansas is known for its tornadoes — the sirens were blaring, we were alone, and we were afraid.

You should have seen the three of us in our little space no bigger than a double bed, huddled Read more »

Has God rearranged your furniture lately?

I was emailing a friend the other day and trying to describe how God has totally turned our life’s direction around when the word “rearrange” came to me. God has come in and rearranged some things in our life. And, I must say, we aren’t always happy at first about his decorating job, because it’s different than what we had expected. Let me paint a picture for you. Read more »

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV) When I read that in Proverbs 29:18a last week, there’s usually only one meaning for me: Organizations fail without vision, goals and leadership. But God illuminated another truth in this verse. “Where there is no vision of God, people perish.” (The insertion “of God” is mine — not Solomon’s, who wrote Proverbs)

When my life has lost direction, gotten totally self-centered, been drained and off track … that was when I lost the vision of God. When “I” am the only one I see and I become “god,” my vision gets blurry. Things just aren’t right, and I know it.

So how’s your life working for you right now? Read more »

Erma Bombeck once said, “If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?” I often wonder, when I find myself going through a difficult time, what could God be thinking? Why am I going through yet another challenge? Haven’t I had my share of the bad stuff already? In fact, I’ve been known to strongly suggest to God that I should be allowed to trade in my “serving platter of trouble for a small bread plate equivalent!” So far, He hasn’t taken me up on my suggestion. Read more »

My cat’s at it again … biting at her tail and looking at it as if it’s the enemy. She snaps at it when it moves and chases it around in circles. The other day she even growled at it — I didn’t know cats could growl! It started as a mild curiosity with that part of her body, and now it’s a full-blown obsession. She can’t seem to get any peace. When she sits down, like she is right now, next to my keyboard at the computer, she snaps at her tail, causing quite a ruckus. It’s driving her crazy and to be honest; and it’s making me a little crazy too. Read more »

Picture by my Dad. Evelyn (left, my baby) & McKinley (my beautiful niece).

Went to a new church today. My niece was being dedicated at Ridgeview Church in Rockwall. I didn’t want to go, and it had nothing to do with my beautiful niece! Lisa Stringer was a guest at my home church today, and I’ve been bummed about missing the service for a week. God knew, and He didn’t disappoint.

In addition to worshiping to, like, 7 songs (including Amazing Grace!), Senior Pastor Matt Geisinger’s message was what my heart needed to hear and tied directly into Jennifer Rothschild’s message from Friday. Take a few moments to read 2 Kings 4: 8-37 … it’s a little long but worth it.

What did you notice most about the Shunammite woman? Read more »

Wow. Jennifer Rothschild’s “It is Well With My Soul” message was powerful. It was so great to have a full house, too — many, many seeds planted.

For a recap of her message, read our tweets during her presentation (Finding Contentment When It’s Not Well With Your Circumstances). If you haven’t read Jennifer’s background, it will blow you away. She found out she had a degenerative eye disease in high school and was almost totally blind when she went away to college. To see a women with such strong convictions and faith in God at such a formative age is inspiring.

Her entire message was spirit moving, and I will linger on each and every point this summer (what a way to end the series!). I can’t wait for the video to be up online so I can hear it again. Until then, here are three things to chew on:
Read more »

The First Friday blog is here, ta-da!

We are so honored you stopped by! We hope to provide you a forum to connect online with real, empowering local women. Check out each blogger’s bio on the left-hand side. We have women from all ages and backgrounds to offer you encouragement and strength as we — God-loving women — push through the trials of everyday life. How wonderful it is knowing life is so much greater, so much more meaningful, with a Father that has a purpose for our life and unconditionally loves us?! Amazing. Some days it may not feel so awesome. Touch down here, at the First Friday blog. Let other women encourage you, and spend some time letting God wrap his big arms around you and nurture your heart. This blog will serve as a place to be inspired, empowered, do Bible verse study, learn about upcoming events and speakers and stay current with First Friday news. If you ever have anything to say, or want to contribute to this blog, chat with us below in the comments or hit us up at info@firstfridaywomen.com. Whether you join us during your morning coffee, at lunch or when it’s snugly pajama time, just make sure you come back every Friday so we can renew our minds and spirits together, women to women.

Love ya!

Cristen Hixson
(social media lady)