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Don't miss Paula's Lastest CD We Are God's Temple
Paula's audio cassettes include:
He Loves Me
As Angels Sing
The Trusting Place
For information about how to order her tapes and CD and find out more about
Paula Smith's Ministry "Child At Rest" Go to
www.childatrest.com.
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“For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you,” says the
Lord, “thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give hope
in your final outcome.” Jeremiah 29:11
Sometimes it takes having to sit down and specifically write about something
before you realize what kind of impact it has had on your life. Years ago, on
Christmas Eve, I met the leader of a women’s Bible study while we were
ministering in our own ways to the women at a local shelter. She invited me to
sing at her Bible study, held at a large Presbyterian church. Although I
originally attended only a few times a year, our relationship grew because of
our love for the Father and one another. By God’s grace, I was invited to lead
worship on a regular basis. It was a wonderful feeling to be accepted by so
many beautiful and talented women.
I grew up in a rural area outside of Athens, Georgia. Our family’s conditions
were meager by most standards. My father was a bookkeeper at a textile plant
and worked construction job on the side. He built every house we ever lived in.
My mother took care of the four children while working various jobs, including
driving a school bus. Like a lot of blue-collar American families, we were
Godfearing, hard-working, scrubbed behind the ears, happy children living a
simple, uncomplicated life. All that changed when I started going to high
school in the city. I never realized what I didn’t have until my classmates
started pointing it out to me. My speech was different. My clothes were
different. We didn’t belong to certain organizations or country clubs. In
short, they excluded me, and the rejection hurt as much as anything I had ever
experienced. I couldn’t understand how or why people could be so mean. The
wounds lasted a long time and left tender scars.
Because our Father loves us and because His Son died for our sins and to heal
our wounds, I know that His Spirit guided me to that shelter on Christmas Eve.
He knew I needed to feel safe and secure. He knew I needed to have loving
sisters in Christ who would not reject me but would open their hearts to me so
that I could be healed and rejoice in the midst of those who live in and by the
love of God. The Father honored these needs by leading me to the Women’s
Community Bible Study.
The Bible study has changed my life, and the little ministry that God planted
has started to flourish because of that Christmas Eve encounter. I have grown
as a person, as a worship leader, and as a child of God through WCBS.
Most Holy Father, thank You for Your amazing love and for the blessings You
have planned for me—plans for my welfare and peace, not for evil. I praise You
with my whole heart and soul, and I rest in the assurance that I am blessed
with Your eternal goodness and grace. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
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Women's Community Bible Study
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3434 Roswell Road
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Atlanta, GA 30305
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(404)842-5800
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