My publisher forwarded a letter to me from a woman who told me my book not only changed the direction of her life but saved her life as well. I was sobbing by the end of it.

I got to thinking about your mission for this site and I want you to know how it has changed lives and attitudes.

I've seen women who come on for the first time and are so lonely, confused and depressed and it's like watching a miracle as their lives evolve and change just from being able to reach out to other women here. They are no longer isolated and lonely just because of the caring spirit here.

I'm deeply grateful that you listened to God and your inner voice and started this site. It is a blessing to so many. So are you.

Amen to that!!

And here is the blessing that I've gotten here, with all of you supporting me and praying for my marriage...

My husband just left to go to confession. First time in 40 years!!!

You're kidding???? Are we in the process of seeing a miracle happen?

Not kidding! Yes, I'd call it a miracle. My priest kept telling me to pray to St. Joseph (my husband is a carpenter) and today is the feast day of St. Joseph. It feels like we've started over! I always knew he had so much unrepented sin on him but never really just said "you need to 'go', or I go...he went, I'm staying!!
Thanks for all the prayers.

And...I may have found that thing God wants me to do...will let you know if I become more sure about it.

Bluebird, I'm thanking God for your miracle too. I'm also looking forward to hearing what God wants you to do.

BTW, I just mentioned to my husband that today is the feast day of carpenters and since I have a few carpentry jobs for him, he should get started.
He said, "Hey, I'm interested in the feast. What's for dinner?"

Oh well, it was a good try.

I like when you post about those feast days, etc. It's neat.

smile

[ March 19, 2006, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

Dianne, thanks for appreciating my desire to follow God's whispers. I have taken tremendous pleasure watching BWS and NABBW evolve, but it's not about me. It's about all the women who come posting and lurking, sharing stories, encouraging and building one another up.

I recall a woman saying that BWS was what she thought her church community SHOULD be. I wish I could remember who posted that. It was a couple years ago. Anyway, my prayer is that it remains that way.

Bluebird, I can't wait to hear about your dream. I prayed for you while I finished my copy of, oh gosh, what's the name of that book? The one about finding your dream that I told you about. You know what I mean. Anxiously waiting here...

It's so refreshing to hear about your hubby's change of heart. I'll be lifting him up when I see your posts.

Dianne, what a beautiful experience that must be! Praise the Lord. I always marvel at the things our Lord does when we become vessels willing to follow His directions.

Dotsie, same thought for you! The Lord must be smiling and pleased regarding your faithfulness in following His guidance too. This is certainly a place where many are touched in more than one ways.

Blessings to both of you and all my BWS sisters!

Blue, this is wonderful news. I'm sure you faithfulness has something to do with him going to confession, too. I truly believe God wants us to lead others by example. And we never know, (just like the case of Dianne reader) who is listening to us, reading our words, or watching our actions.

I'm so happy for you!

And I also agree that Dotsie has developed and given us all our very own HEART-MART to stop, share, heal and repair....

Thank you Dotsie.

JJ

Smile, your husband is as funny as you are!!! I read that one out loud to my husband.

Thanks to all of you for sharing in my joy. I know this doesn't mean our marriage or family will be perfect but I think we'll be more in tune to His will.

The idea I came up with a week or so ago, is for an inter-denominational Christian coffehouse in our town. It would be a place for Christians to gather and talk, have Bible studies and most importantly, to listen to live local musicians.
It would be wholesome, family oriented fun and praise, sharing what we all have in common - our love of Jesus!
I checked our local paper and there is a place for rent, right on the street where our church is (which is exactly where I pictured it) and it is big enough and already has a cafe in it, which may be for rent as well!

Let me know what you all think and please pray and tell me if God gives any of you a revelation for me, yes or no...

Hey Blue!

You don't need a revelation, just some cash!! Go get it! You asked for it, and there it is....Couldn't be plainer.....

Bluebird,
I think it's a fabulous idea. And if I ever get to Pagosa Springs again, I will come by for coffee. (I once went through there on an unexpected motor cycle trip and bought jeans and a shirt off someone's clothesline to replace the business suit I was wearing--long story)

Back to coffee shop poetry, my church recently published a book of religious poetry and we had a poetry reading at the coffee shop in the church. It was fun. We also had music. Maybe you could have poetry readings as well as music in your coffee shop. (Poets are cheaper to hire than musicians--as in FREE)

I decided to reseasrch poetry and songs for our poetry reading and I found out that before the written language, history was passed along by story tellers who performed before crowds. But it was also passed along in poetry and song. When the stories were retold they were changed and accuracy was lost so story telling was not a very accurate way to pass history along. However, the words of poems and songs were so beautifully woven together with rhythm, rhyme, and melody that people remembered them verbatim. Thus history passed along in songs or poetry, was more accurate that history passed in story form.
We have poets and songwriters to thank for many of the stories of the Bible and much of history before the written language.

Another bit of trivia--Does anyone remember the finger snapping that people used to do at coffee shop poetry readings back in the hippie days? Well, I found some info on that too. It seems that finger snapping started because many of the coffe shops started in basements of apartment buildings and poetry readings went late into the night so they had to snap rahter than clap which would awaken the tenants upstairs.

Well, that's all I know about poetry and coffee shops. I would love to come to your coffee house. It sounds fun.

smile

I would ask the musicians to play for free at least at first.I figured they would just like the exposure.
Poetry sounds great! Never thought of it. I also thought it would be nice to have the pastors take turns doing teachings. Maybe we could even show videos, if we had a large TV to use.
I would make it homey and ask people to feel free to bring in framed family photos to hang, or pictures of their churches or whatever. I also got an idea from a lunch place I went to where people had their own personalized coffee mugs.

One more thing...the name. Years ago, when I wanted to do a Catholic bookstore, I felt God giving me this from John 14:2 (one of my favorite verses)...My Father's House

[ March 20, 2006, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

Jackie, that sounds just perfect for you. We used to have a coffee house attached to our library that was also a book store. Once a month it was open mic night. Sometimes they had a featured poet, other times it was open for all. I read several times there and really enjoyed it. They unfortunately went out of business and no one else picked up the poetry open mic concept.

Sherri

As much as I love books and wanted a bookstore, I wouldn't sell books there because a woman from our church just opened one and I wouldn't want to take business away from her. In fact, my husband made two bookcases for her to use (he put crosses on top) and she shows them to everyone and says "doesn't this look like a bookcase Jesus would build??". She wants to help get customers for him and she really needed the shelf space. She had him make up a flyer to advertise. She is a sweetie!!

Jackie, this Christian coffeehouse idea sounds really great for you...and do-able too! Something you can really enjoy putting together, and then enjoy the fringe benefits too! The possibilities are endless!

I have such fond memories of Christian coffeehouses from my days as a Jesus-freak teenager. That's where my friends and I hung out on Friday and Saturday nights throughout our high-school days. I even used to play my guitar (and there were a lot of us musicians who would never have dreamed of playing for money back then). We had some memorable spiritual gatherings there.

You go girl! If it's meant to be, and when God's at the heart of the dream and the passion, everything will fall into place when and how it's meant to...I love the name...My Father's House. I might even convince my hubby to take a trip to Colorado, just so I can come and visit "My Father's House"...

[ March 20, 2006, 09:34 PM: Message edited by: Eagle Heart ]

MMMMM,

You know I don't go for the religious 0rganisation stuff, but you also know that I do go for the Harietta stuff!!! You've hit it on the nail, and I applaude your efforts -- you'll make it happen!!! You go girl!!

Search

Blue - this sounds like a wonderful idea

Keep working towards it, and if it's meant to be, things will flow!

Here's a tip: make sure you are jotting down all these ideas and inspirations you are getting for your coffee shop - if not, you might lose them, also by jotting them down, making lists of what you want to do, you are bringing it one step closer to reality

That's what I was planning on doing today, Evie!
Thanks for the encouragement.

[ March 21, 2006, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

Blue, I'm so psyched.

First, one of my favorite groups I ever joined was non-denominational.

Check them out at www.wellforjourney.org. You might get some ideas from their site. IT is not a coffee house, but it is non-denominational and they do some wonderful classes, retreats, movies, etc.

Also, since you are going the non-denominational route you must read Joseph Girzones books. Please read any, or all of his Joshua series. They will jazz you with your new idea. I promise. He is so into all Christians joining to make a difference.

Let's figure out ways for you to make money?

We need to get this thread more visible. The title of it is Dotsie. BLue, why don't you move it to a better spot and everyone can add to it. How about Bluebird's dream in the girlfriend forum? Maybe?

Blue: Why not give the woman who opened a bookstore the chance to sell her books in your coffee house and give you a small percentage? It would be good for both of you.

Do like they do in Nashville: All musicians play for tips only. Music people just like to be heard or get their songs out there so it's a bonus for all concerned.

Great idea, girl!

Thanks, Dianne! That's actually a good idea because her store is "uptown" and the cafe would be downtown.
That's what I assumed about musicians, especially Christian ones who don't want to play in bars or clubs.
I also assumed I would have to go to the different churches and explain that it would be good for their parishioners and if each church donated just $ 25. per month, it would help.

I am waiting for the landlord to call back and give me some more details.

How would I move the thread? Do you mean just start a new one?

The cafe would be inter-denominational, which I see as being different than non-denominational.
I want people to see that it's ok to have differences and focus on what we all have in common - the same Jesus!

I did read Joshua, many years ago, and I loved it.

Jackie...this idea is fabulous...keep us posted on your progress...I can picture you there already...coffehouses are making a comeback in my area...but your Coffeehouse will not only feed the belly but also the soul...it's inspiring!!!

PS...Don't people often refer to coffee as "Joe?"
There's that reference to Joseph again...

Cool Nancy, I hadn't even thought of that one! I did think that Joseph would be the business' patron saint.

Well I tried but got his voice mail...I'm sure he'll get back to me, soon.

Bluebird, what a great idea for you to pursue and make a reality. It sounds like something you would enjoy and maybe your hubby would get out and enjoy himself too. Do you think he would become involved?
chick

Bluebird,

What a wondrful idea. It sounds like a perfect idea for you to nake a reality.

My S-i-l was just married in a non (inter?) denominational church. One of the loveliest weddings and prettiest churches I've ever been to. Side note -- my husband, who's Jewish, have his sister away. The love in that room was just incerdible!

Thank you both for your input and encouragement.
Yes, chick, my husband is already involved and so is my daughter and SIL. So far, I've had all positive reactions from everyone I've asked. The only negative so far has been from the woman who runs our women't fellowship, whose husband is one of our deacons. I knew she'd be honest with me and she knows about everything I'm dealing with my husband and kids. She did say it was a great idea, but didn't thik the extra stress right now would be good for my family. I hear that and I've thought of that, but since I will be getting help and I think it will be a good environment for the kids,I'm not sure that's a factor. It wouldn't be open all the time and it's a family place (and it would be my business) so my kids could be there whenver I am. Maybe hanging out with other Christian kids, outside of church and CCD, would be a good influence.

I haven't yet mentioned it to our priest (he's been out of town) or the woman who owns the Catholic bookstore. I value their opinions, too.
But I am very honored by all of the "Balcony People" here (great book!) They are the ones that cheer you on and say "you can do it!"

[ March 22, 2006, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

Jackie,

Just caught up on your vision...how exciting! My DH and I were talking today about the importance of "like minded" people being able to gather and just fellowship. Precious!

This business will change your life..and the life of many others!

you go girl!

d.