From M., a rising college freshman, before setting out for India to help one of our missionary families for a few weeks.
Hi Mrs. B. just wanted to let you know that as I was getting ready to leave for South Asia this morning I went down to the boat dock at the dam to do a quiet time without the distraction of my half-packed bag and my train-wrecked room surrounding me. A lot of times when I am not sure exactly what to read or where to turn to in the Bible, I will just read the Psalm of whatever day of the month it is (reading Psalm 5 on June 5, for example). Somehow I had completely overlooked the fact that June 27, the day I leave to visit the missionaries, corresponds to Psalm 27, the verse we are memorizing for M&M. It was such a cool experience to read it over and just think of you and Mrs. S. memorizing and meditating it with me--two women who clearly share a passion for international missions and are seeking after an "attitude like that of Christ." It was such a confirmation that Christ loves and will continue to take care of me, and a call to "dwell in the house of the LORD" as I am serving. Just wanted to let you know how much of an encouragement you are to me and that I will miss seeing you guys at M&M during the weeks that I am gone! Love, M.
From J., high school senior:
Dear Mrs. B, I have really enjoyed coming to M&M the last two weeks. I can't tell you how encouraging it's been to worship with you and the other ladies. I have honestly never experienced a small group like yours. In youth group it is such a different style and even though it's a great way to fellowship with the youth, I really appreciate how warm and genuine you are in sharing Jesus. I have been praying that I will learn to radiate Jesus like you do. I have big news and wanted to share it with you because I'm excited and have only told my small group leader,… I recommitted my life to Christ this past Sunday when some hard things happened in my family and I realized that everything I was finding my identity in was empty and couldn't help me get my feet back on the ground from the blow. I became a Christian while at heritage but for ALL four years of high school just stuffed it in a corner and lived my life the way I wanted to… even telling the youth group I wasn't a Christian at all. I have a lot of yuck and sin that I'm still working through and I've realized that a big help in fleeing from temptation is memorizing verses. I have two down so far and it's crazy how many times I've repeated them in my mind to encourage me in setting my eyes on Him. Literally, I can remember last week at this time planning my Sunday and thinking how happy I was that I was going to be missing church to go to Charleston and how that was going to make my day so much more exciting. This week I'm eager to go learn from C. because, as you can imagine, I have a lot of stuff to work through and I have to get to know Jesus and the place he holds in my heart. It's incredible how He didn't let me go and made such a dramatic change through a yuck situation. Could you just pray that He continues to encourage me and that my relationship with Him flourishes. I'm nervous (because I know how selfish I am) that when I go to college or even another hard period through high school that my faith will become dry and I will look to myself to fulfill my needs. I can tell that this time the work in my heart is different than any other time, but I have pushed Him away for so long that Satan is whispering that this is just temporary and I'm going to fall away when I start finding joy in the things of this world again. The verse for this week is a great encouragement to me and I've been thinking about my treasures a lot. I can't wait to hear what the other ladies have to say about this verse. Could you please add my email to your forwarding list for M&M? I am so thankful that God put you in my life and I just wanted to give you an update on how He has used your bible study to help turn me around. You are such a blessing to me, Mama B! I love you.
From G., grandmother, mature Christian, chronic health problems
As we drove down the highway on our 46th anniversary trip, I put the M&M CD in to play and review. I was struck with how my life travels up and down hill with trials and truth. They vary in size and length but it is truth that prevails and moves me on the upward way. The M&M time has refreshed my soul even though I have sometimes struggled with memorizing, but there is always the meditating that renews and refreshes. Special thanks for the group fellowship and with you Barb. Life is lighter with M&M and the nuggets of truth you share!
From L., a single woman in her 30’s
I know it'd be a lot of work but I think it would be wonderful to get a CD early on in the class if that's possible. It makes such a difference in memorizing. I've also listened to it as I fall asleep or wake up in the middle of the night (my iPOD Touch has a timer). Your voice is comforting to listen to.
From N., grandmother, mature Christian with chronic pain problems:
When I first heard about the M&M program I thought it was not for me as I have come to the point in my life where I just can't remember anything. Then I met Deborah and we found out about the Tues. noon group that was starting and she encouraged me to try it, so I did and I found the constant reviewing was really good for me and I am doing much better than I thought I could plus I enjoy the fellowship. Believe me when I say if I can do it anyone can do it.
From F., children’s director at church
One of the biggest blessings that resulted from my efforts to commit scripture to memory is that I was forced to slow down and examine each word of the passage that we were studying. Familiar passages would often become new to me when I realized how one small word that I had simply overlooked before, would bring new meaning. I am more aware than ever before that God's word is packed with meaning and that every word should be savored!
From S., in her 60’s, mature Christian,
M&M has been an enriching experience for me. I have grown in my faith. ("Faith comes by hearing the word of God.") My prayer life has been empowered because I am praying more and more back to God His promises that I am hiding in my heart week after week. And I am laying hold of "the spiritual blessings of Christ", (from the quote you gave us) and I am considering ways to spur others to love and good deeds.
Example: A sister-in-law was embarrassed by her habitual irritable spirit to her husband and Col 3: 12-14 that I shared with her gave her hope of living above a bad attitude and instead "clothing herself” with all those virtues that are ours as believers. I am growing in faith, in my prayer life, in more awareness of the resurrected power of Christ to have the fruit of the spirit in my life and more faithful to the kingdom of God, etc. and etc.
All this is happening in my life thru a "continual rehearsing of and delighting in the many privileges that are mine in Christ"---that are always before me thru M&M.
Thanks for this wonderful tool...And thank you for your personal sharing of how you live out the Gospel in your life. I would not change anything you are doing. And I am so sorry when I have to miss a lesson because I glean much from your example.
From E., strong Christian, in her early 60’s:
[Participating in M&M] has really spurred me on to memorize favorite verses from Genesis to Revelation on my own. There are hundreds of highlighted verses in my Bible that I want to learn. Until now I thought it an impossible task. I'll take one verse from the Old Testament one week and one verse from the New Testament the next. I plan to type them on paper and cut them in the size of note cards and place them in a Photo Flip Book. You have given me a plan and the Lord has given me the passion to do this for the rest of my life. On my death bed, I hope to have my memory verses next to the pillows and bed pan!
From D., mature believer in her late 60’s:
I've been considering how memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures has impacted my life:
I have found that my everyday thinking revolves more and more around the Scriptures.
It greatly impacts how I live moment to moment.
A Scripture often comes to mind in conversations and when I'm writing.
I find myself sharing Scripture more often.
There is an eagerness to spend more time in the Scriptures that I might know God on a more personal level.
There is a desire to commit more Scripture to memory, and understand it on a deeper level that the Holy Spirit might work it in and through me for His glory.
From J, early 60’s, helped get M&M started:
There have been many times that I have thought of the M&M verses! Two recent times come to mind.
1. As I walked into my school one day wondering how to face young men who had been associated with gang activity, I was reminded of Matthew 9:36: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." And then I turned to Colossians 3:12-14: " ...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.." My worry, anger and critical spirit turned to a spirit of compassion and prayer for them to see Jesus in me. I was able to even work one on one with one of the young men and even saw a bit of wall crumble!
2. As I awaited help in the emergency room with my mom last week, I realized I was tired, impatient and fearful. I found my M&M verse book in my purse and began reading over the verses. Psalm 16:8 rang true -" I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." A calmness began and I could pray and focus on the special verses we had learned. Once again I had to put on new clothes - compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience - all these sweet fruits of the Spirit rose up in me and I was able to be a comfort to my mom and deal with all of the people around!
From S., young mom
M&M has really encouraged me to be still and listen to God's Word; to really think about each word as I meditate and memorize each verse. It has drawn me closer to God and has been a huge blessing in my life.
From F., grandmother, from a Baptist church:
This class has been a blessing to me. Memorizing God's Word actually makes me feel closer to God, and that is really awesome! Also, being with wonderful Christian women is very encouraging. On a more serious note, my son P. and I were talking about my taking this class, and something came up in our conversation that really convicted me how important this class really is to me. The way the world is going, taking God out of everything, and all the evil that is all around us, one day we could actually lose our religious freedom. And even lose our Bibles. If that were to happen, we would need to have God's Word in our hearts to not only stay close to him, but to then share his Word with those around us, whether Christian or not.