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Fellowship

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Book Review: SUPPORTING SISTERS, by Kim Chalmers

Posted on June 9, 2025

 

Version 1.0.0

I’ve been watching for this one and yesterday, I finally got my personal copy of Supporting Sisters, by Kim Chalmers. This is one to which I will refer often when given opportunities to strengthen, advise and comfort sisters who face inevitable challenges on our way to heaven. Frankly, I hope that, when I am the one who needs comfort, prayer and support, the sister I turn to will have read this book!  It can strengthen your own life, and then practically help you give aid to those around you who are walking through valleys–loss, death, depression, divorce, illness, or feelings of helplessness.

I love that the book is full of strategies to implement when I am trying to help someone and I just don’t know what to do. What I love most, though, is that those strategies are firmly rooted in God’s Word. He is the God of all comfort (1 Corinthians 1:3) and He is the One who calls us to comfort those around us who are in trouble (v. 4). Kim has taken the admonition seriously and has offered us a resource that will help us live this passage. In fact, this is the published thesis, crowning her work at Heritage University, in pursuit of a Masters degree in ministry.

I’ve watched the work become very practical in our congregation and beyond, as she has offered Biblical counsel, in real time, to women who are hurting, doubting or just challenged on the way to the goal. It talks to me, personally, in situations where women come to me for wisdom.  It tells me when to listen, when to talk, what to say and what not to say. It’s an easy read, but it will challenge your soul to be a woman to whom others can come when the spiritual muscles are weak and tired. It’s painful to watch others go through very hard things. But those hard things open eternal doors that otherwise may have remained closed. You can help sisters walk through really dark places to see light from the Word that may have, without that darkness, remained hidden. This book will give you the confidence to do that.

As I flip through, I notice that there are very few pages without direct references to scripture. All pages are scripturally based. Therefore, the book would be a great book for your group study or ladies’ class. I’ve already seen it on Amazon, and I know you will love reading about Kim and her work both on her new website and by following the new Facebook group. Here you go!…

The Facebook group is Supporting Sisters: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122133825638769028&set=a.122132934470769028

The website is https://kchalmers.com/

 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Reminders I Needed at FHU

Posted on March 18, 2025

Today, Glenn and I were able to attend the Bible lectures at Freed-Hardeman University. Rich in fellowship and faith, the atmosphere was encouraging beyond what I’d anticipated. Everywhere I walked, there were women who wanted to talk about Digging Deep and it made me so thankful for the Word that binds us together in a unity that is the unique tie that will extend beyond this lifetime. Everywhere I went, there were those who asked about the members of my physical family and who told me that they had been in fervent prayer for our family. It made me so thankful for the active advocacy of Jesus in the throne room of the Father, on behalf of His faithful. Everywhere I went there was laughter and the sound of Christianity in gathering places. It made me thankful for the assembling church that will finally come together around the throne. 

There was a sister there who is headed for surgery in the morning, but who chose that encouraging atmosphere just prior to a day when she will either receive good news or resign herself to a long road of illness ahead. There were sisters who asked me to pray for specific things, like a husband who just became an elder in a precarious church situation, or foster children whose futures are hanging in the balance as courts make decisions, or grandchildren who are being raised by parents with mental illnesses, or for the steadfast faith of a son who is headed for USMC boot camp in this volatile world. There were heavy things to add to my prayer list last night as I redeemed my voucher, given through the Word, to beg to God, Himself. The heavy cross is the burden that, in turn, carries all heavy things to the One who lifts burdens.  Nothing I could do on earth could merit what I can do before heaven; not by a long shot.

I’m so glad I went. At the beginning of the day, I thought “What in the world am I thinking? …Driving seven hours today to walk around a crowded campus and listen to lessons I could hear online while making some headway on this house or on the Easter dress I’m trying to make for Eliza or the bridal shower we’re planning this weekend or the four retreat lessons I’m trying to prepare for the following weekend or the Digging Deep lesson that will be discussed on the podcast in just one week…???   WHAT am I thinking, going there, where Glenn and I always see lots of old (I mean truly elderly) and eccentric men and women who claim they were classmates of ours? I mean, do I really want to do this? 

As we prayed tonight before falling asleep (well, at least Glenn has fallen soundly asleep beside me here) we praised Him for allowing us to go and be encouraged. I know there are problems in the church. (There’s humanity in the church. Human sin is always the problem.) I know there are always plenty of things we could be making or accomplishing that will all be burned up one day. I get it that we cannot do it all. But I am thankful for days like today that show me, in a succinct lesson, the good that lives on in the body of the Lord. I’m thankful for the grandchildren who jumped up and down when they saw me in Auditorium A and who sat beside me while their papa was speaking. I am most thankful for the glad day, after I’ve left the planet, when we will jump for joy again and sit together again and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

A Big Decision and A Family’s Support

Posted on February 5, 2024

During the last few weeks, I’ve tried to help a few women carry the burden of grieving over their husbands’ infidelity. When a Christian woman discovers that the man with whom she has chosen to walk though life, is walking through the most intimate part of life with another woman, the devastation and trauma is greater than that incurred upon the death of a spouse. I believe the Lord knew that the innocent spouse would almost always be the person on the planet who would best be able to discern whether or not a wayward spouse was broken and penitent–whether or not there was a reasonable hope for future fidelity and faithfulness. I believe that’s the reason He grants that innocent one the option (the choice) of divorce and of, one day, marriage again (Matthew 19:9).

As I spoke with one sweet woman recently, she said, “It’s just so hard for me when people in the church think I should just be able to go on as if nothing has happened. They think he’s repented because he came before the church, so I should be able to just go on in our home and be happily married, when, in reality, my husband is unwilling to make substantive changes in the lifestyle that led him down a destructive path. I feel as if they think I am the one who is sinning when I consider divorce, at this point.”

Another woman I met a few months back, wrote this:  “The hardest part was the “advice” of other ministers and Christians that felt I was harsh and unforgiving. But sadly I had suffered in silence for many years and unintentionally covered his indiscretions and trusted his words. The biggest “piece” that people don’t understand is that one mistake is not ‘one mistake’ in an otherwise ‘beautiful marriage’ where infidelity is concerned. It means someone has been lying to you about the most integral and important part of your marriage for months or years and you did not see it. It’s almost like a serial killer who presents themselves as loving and kind to everyone else. That sounds harsh but that’s how it feels. You can’t be a great person but lie and deceive the one you owe the most honesty and respect to.”

Today’s post is not intended to encourage divorce after adultery has taken its toll. I know that, for children and even for spouses who have been subjected to the ultimate pain, there can often be the greatest healing inside the violated marriage. This is the case when there is an acute brokenness over sin and a strong desire to follow God’s plan for restoration; seeking accountability and being willing to pay any price to be holy and have a sanctified marriage.

But I am saying that we, as God’s people should recognize and honor the God-ordained prerogative given the innocent spouse to make that huge call about whether or not to reconcile. We can give counsel when asked. We should pray fervently for wisdom for the hurting spouse. But we should be careful not to subject the spouse who chooses divorce to our harsh judgment. That innocent party is likely experiencing life’s greatest pain as she reaches for her church family. She should be comforted and supported even more than ever before.

God, himself, gave us a picture, through Jeremiah, of the incredible hurt caused by adultery, when he used the physical unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah to allegorize spiritual adultery.  He even spoke of the “return” to God, the one with Whom she had a covenant. He said the return was not with the whole heart, but in pretense.

The Lord said to me in the days of King Josiah: “Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore? And I thought, ‘After she has done all this she will return to me,’ but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 3:6-10

Sometimes, the deceit is very deep and the penitence is very shallow. Whatever is the case, the spouse who has remained faithful is given the Biblical right to make a life and eternity decision. His or her family in the Lord should be as accepting of that as is the Lord, Himself.

And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”  Matthew 19:9.

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

More than the Study…

Posted on January 23, 2024

I received this encouraging letter this week and I wanted to share. It summarizes a big part of my love for Digging Deep. It’s about the study, but it’s also about the sisterhood. I cannot recall any catalyst for fellowship like the one we share in the Digging Deep Bible study. I am so very thankful for the sisters who have prayed me through so many challenges and who continue to do so. But I praise Him, also, for the way that Digging Deep unites our hearts and gives us such great commonality around His Word. I know there are other studies that do this, but I am forever thankful for that day when I spoke on the topic of ” How to Dig Deep into the Meat of the Word” thirteen years ago in Tennessee. I thought it was “one and done” on that day and I would move on to the next speech on the next topic, wherever and whatever that was to be. But God took a little 45-minute lesson and gave me thirteen years (so far) of growing closer to and learning to lean on sisters. I’m profoundly thankful. Here’s the little note. Because I am sure she won’t mind, I’ve included her name. I don’t really know her, but I am very close to her older Brother. =)

Hi Cindy. I just wanted to tell you this. I love the Digging Deep studies, but what I even love more is the friendship and the closeness that our group has because of these studies. We are all the time praying for each other and seeking each other out for things we need. I just absolutely love our bond and THANK YOU so much!! Maxine Loggins Knoll

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Guest Writer: Hannah Colley, On the Blessing of the Church in Hard Times

Posted on July 31, 2023

Life’s a flurry right now of Polishing the Pulpit prep. (https://polishingthepulpit.com/) If you’re reading and you are a regular, I can’t wait to hug your neck. If you are a digger, I can’t wait to wrap up the amazing (amazing, because it’s from Scripture) Comfort study and I’m way excited about kicking off our 2023-24 study from one of those large rooms at PTP on Saturday at 12:30. I mean I cannot wait! I’m working hard on the little things that make the study fun. If you have never been to PTP, remember there are a couple of “free” days when you can come try it on for size. But I can already tell you, it fits. You will never want to miss it again. It’s worth the wait, worth the money, worth the pretty big hassle of getting every child and aged person on board for as much of it as possible!

There are hugs to go around at PTP!

So today, in honor of PTP anticipation, here’s an excerpt from an upcoming lesson by Hannah Colley. It’a lesson about keeping our commitments to Jesus Christ. This part is so deeply in my heart as we finish up 2023 and, as we prayerfully move toward even more blessed times as a family, as a congregation, as a church–as we move toward heaven!

Hannah says this:

When you feel alone, remember Joseph. Remember to hold fast to what you know is true—That God is on his throne and He has a plan for your life, even if you can’t see it.

But also, find comfort in the fact that we as Christians have an incredible advantage that Joseph didn’t have, and that is His church. I mean this when I say that I truly do not know how I would have made it through the past couple of years without the encouragement and support of the Lord’s church. Many of you helped carry me through the darkest days of my life. To outsiders looking in, it is shocking to see how God’s people come together to help people that aren’t even blood relatives. But that’s because the blood of Christ has made us family. We were never meant to survive the trials of this life alone. God gave us this community, this family of disciples, to “bear one another’s burdens”—that’s how we fulfill the law of Christ.

I’m so thankful for those who “fulfill”…incredibly thankful. I cannot wait to see many of you at this grand reunion we call PTP. But, oh!… That other reunion! If you have to miss PTP it’s sad. But, if you have to miss that other reunion, it’s the ultimate eternal tragedy! Let’s help each other get there!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Faithful Diggers in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Posted on June 1, 2023

Shout-out today to the wonderful folks over at the Riverview church in Moncton, New Brunswick. This small group is eclectic in race, ethnicity and background, but they are one in Jesus! Tony and LaBeth Brewer are working with the church in this beautiful spot. and this church is blessed in a big way to have them there. We got to hear one of the good brethren there deliver a great message about wisdom. Then Tony taught us about the way that Jesus is here with us today and about the dangers of removing bits of scripture from their original context. He gave us a good lesson on how to exegete a text and then, in the afternoon Bible class, we were fed from Exodus 3 and warned about the excuses Moses made before God at the burning bush. It was a rich and blessed way to start the week. 

And about feeding…I guess it was the fifth Sunday fellowship meal, but it was a culinary potpourri that we will not forget. Steak and veggies on rice with a Cameroon kick that had us all going back for seconds, a shoulder roast that had been preacher-smoked (Glenn Colley-southern style, only Tony Brewer has got this thing down!), Canadian chili, several different yummy cabbage slaws, a pasta salad and ginger punch and more, more, more!  We were fed—the Word and the pig, the hospitality and the hugs. It was a wonderful part of my family that I was so happy to get to meet and know. 

 

The diggers in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

And, there were diggers there! In fact, they are over there having a Digging Deep class even as I write. I am humbled and amazed at the way the Digging Deep group gives us so very much in common even after we have the most important thing in common. It was the best kind of conversation, discussing the aspects of comfort that we share in Him. Assembling is truly one of the very best parts of God’s designs for the kingdom.

Speaking of assembling, these folks had almost every single one of their members from Sunday back on Wednesday. That’s a feat. They are bursting out of their little building and two more  Christian families are on the way over  from other continents to immediately place their membership here! This group is also busy planning for and intentionally working for their upcoming Friends and Family Day near the end of June. They have got to get into a bigger facility. Praise God! If you’re one of those people who has recently contacted Glenn or me looking for a place to safely put your congregation’s foreign mission money, here you go! Message me and I can help you! (It would be so fun to take a group of folks up there to help them build that building!)

Also, I love it when I hear “Our firm plan is to be self-sufficient in a short period of time. We want to invest our own money and not have a pipeline to the U.S.” That’s the loud and clear message from this church. especially its preacher. This family is living sacrificially for the end=game of self-sufficiency.

 

Sisters at Moncton, here’s that recipe you were wanting for the blueberry cobbler we brought over from the island. Don’t make it too often, or you will have to put some first-class seating in that auditorium!

Ingredients:

2 cans of crescent rolls (unbaked)

2 cups of blueberries

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

8 ounces cream cheese

Unroll one package of crescent rolls and line the bottom of a greased  9 X13 casserole dish. Mix the blueberries with the granulated sugar and layer this mixture on top of the crescent rolls. Mix the powdered sugar with the cream cheese using a mixer. Then spread this mixture on top of the berries, Then unroll the other package of crescent rolls and place on top of all. Cut up one stick of butter and place butter slices all over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or till brown on top. Then dig deep into this dessert. It is a real comfort food. =)

P.S. We traveled back over on Wednesday night for a Bible study together. They invited us for seafood at their favorite local eatery. Our schedule for the day was inflexible, so we couldn’t make it for supper. (We had to eat in the car.) The kindness of Christians anywhere on the planet is not surprising. But it is very comforting.