We have some exciting news for you all! We just learned that the Blended & Blessed 2019 Live event will be taking place at Berean Baptist Church in Burnsville! We’ve decided that we just can’t pass up the opportunity to see all these amazing speakers in a live setting surrounded by hundreds of other blended families! It’s the same date, same speaker line-up, and same admission fee!  Join us… you won’t want to miss this!

 

You’ll find registration details here!

 

To give you a taste of what’s in store for you during this event, we’re sharing this article by Ron L. Deal, author and President of Smart Stepfamilies, Director of FamilyLife Blended, a division of FamilyLife. If any of these words resonate with you and what you’re experiencing in your blended family, you’ll want to register for the Blended & Blessed event!

 

 

“Thanks for recognizing that we’re not the churches dirty little problem.”

 

John was spiritually paralyzed by his past.  “I just never thought I could go back to church again, after the divorce and all.  And to top it off, I went and got remarried.  Everyone knows stepfamilies are not considered whole, just mended parts of what’s been broken.”

 

His statement captures the spiritual struggle of many Christian stepfamily adults.  Guilt over decisions or actions that contributed to a divorce and a sense of shame from living in a “less than whole” family situation lead many people to feel as if they are “the churches dirty little problem.”  For others, an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness keeps them in a holding pattern around God and his church, but never touching down in his love.  These dynamics often combine to create spiritual barriers for stepfamily members that distance them from God’s healing power.

 

I responded to John’s spiritual guilt and shame by suggesting that even though he didn’t live in an “ideal family” configuration, he wasn’t a second class Christian in God’s Kingdom.  “God’s plan for one man and one woman for life does bring greater harmony to the home, but living in an intact family does not determine our worth in God’s eyes, nor our ability to receive forgiveness.”  I went on to share with John the truth about many of the characters of the Bible who were men of great faith, but whose families were far less than ideal.

 

“Abraham lied on two occasions saying Sarah wasn’t his wife.  He was afraid for his life so he disowned her.  How selfish is that?” I pointed out.  Sarah and Hagar fought over which of their sons would be the most important in Abraham’s family.  Much like a modern-day stepfamily, there was jealousy, bitter rivalries, and loyalty conflicts between Abraham and his two wives (see Gen. 16, 21).  And the problems didn’t stop with his generation.  If we analyze the families of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph-the Family of Promise-we see power struggles, family secrets, exploitive and coercive relationships, marital game-playing, manipulation, and parent-child alliances for selfish reasons.  Furthermore, the dysfunction continues to mushroom through the family of David, who is called a “man after God’s own heart”, but whose household included a premeditated murder to cover an affair, an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, a son who replicates his father’s disgrace by raping his half sister, and a brother who avenges her humiliation by murdering his brother.  John was beginning to feel a little better about his past and current stepfamily.

 

Stepfamilies need to understand this critical message: there are no second class citizens in God’s Kingdom simply because there are no first class citizens.  We’re all just sinners in need of a Savior.  If God could use imperfect men like Abraham and David for his purposes, why can’t he use people in stepfamilies?  If God can bring redemption to the houses of Isaac and Jacob, can’t he bring redemption to yours?

 

The exciting message of the cross is this: God loves and forgives the imperfect people in stepfamilies just like he does the imperfect people in biologically intact families.  He is ready, willing, and able to welcome stepfamilies into righteousness.  The only question is will you step up to receive his forgiveness?  Will you step up to renew your relationship with him or remain paralyzed by your guilt and shame?

 

His door is always open…step on in.

 

Ladies, start packing your bags because you’re invited to a girlfriends getaway that is sure to revive your spirit and touch your soul. The adventure begins at 4:30pm on Friday, April 12, and continues until 4:00pm on Saturday, April 13, 2019.

 

Our theme will be ‘Living Balanced in My Purpose’ and we couldn’t think of a better backdrop for this adventure than Frederic, WI’s Oak Forest Center.

 

Yes, we’ll be heading to Wisconsin’s Northwoods, for a day and half of girlfriend time. We’ll grow together in our faith and connect on a deeper level with one another while learning to apply God’s Word to the season of life we are in.

 

You’ll be surrounded by the fabulous beauty of God’s handiwork among the beautiful cedar and limestone buildings of the Oak Forest Center. This spiritual oasis nestled in the woods will be the perfect backdrop to focus on the Lord’s work in our hearts and minds. You’ll have the time and space to drink in nature with walks in the woods and along the pond. Fellowship will include playing games together. However, relaxing with your friends will be the best activity of all!

 

Ladies 6th grade and up are welcome. Space is limited so you’ll want to get registered right away! When you register, you will be contacted regarding sleeping arrangements and an email will go out with information about carpooling.

 

4:30pm, Friday, April 12 to 4:00pm, Saturday, April 13, 2019

Oak Forest Center, Frederic, WI

 

For questions or registration assistance, please see Guest Services at church.

 

 

4:30pm – Check in

5:30pm – Dinner

6:30pm – Ice Breaker / Get to Know You Games

6:45pm – Praise and worship

7:15pm – Session 1 -Balance

8:00pm – Prayer

8:30pm – Movie – Mom’s Night Out Games – Catch Phrase, Heads UP Free Time

 

8:30am – Breakfast

9:30am – Icebreaker/ Get to Know you Games

10:00am – Praise and worship

10:30am – Session 2 – Purpose

11:15am – Time of Reflection/ Alone Time

12:30pm – Lunch 1:15pm – Praise and worship

1:30pm – Small Group Discussions and Prayer for those in your group

2:45pm – Wrap up and group picture

3:00pm – Clean up and check out