Welcome to Joy Cafe

 

Home

Bio & Photo's

Blog & News

Contact Us

Have You Met Jesus

Joy  Cafe

Poland

Puppet Videos

 

 

This was a season of ministry that we had for a while. God used it in an amazing way! But it was for a season and is no longer meeting. Thanks to all who participated! And thanks for visiting.

Welcome to a new ministry at a really cool coffee shop (Caroline's Coffee) in Grass Valley, California, called "Joy Cafe". It met on the first Monday of every month,  we are called the time "Joy Cafe", get it? Ok!

 It is a little house located by a golf course, set back from the street, (not the one downtown) We will be in the back room.

Please bring your bible and a little cash to buy a cup of coffee or tea, or smoothie from Caroline's Coffee. Every month will be a different theme and you are welcomed to bring your friends.

 We will be discovering how Creative God is, God and You and the Arts & Music, and  Spiritual Gifts. Yes, we will be having a lot of Fun-!!! This is a place where you can be free to be yourself and not worry about being perfect!! I'd love to see you there and there's going to be free give-a-ways for the most ridiculous reasons! Next month there will be a prize for the most unique earrings! Why? Just because! (Like your mother used to say!)    I look forward to seeing you!      Penny Allen

March 2011

 

 
 

Feb 7, 2011

Joy Cafe!! Opening Day!!

Our hour and a half went fast today! We had a theme of "Love The One You're With". We got a lot of mileage out of that subject!!  Matthew 1:23 is "Immanuel, God with us." Our  ministry should be to the Lord first,  after all He made us in His image and He wants to have a relationship with us....we are so blessed!

 I just jumped for joy as each woman came in, one by one! We had a variety of ages which I absolutely loved and we all enjoyed a rich conversation about the Lord and about the things which concern us with family and friends.

Then we had a creative craft time, making a valentine for someone special....I think everyone was delighted to get to play!  Then they all  got a yummy cupcake and we prayed at the end! You just don't want to miss next month! Get to know your sisters! Theme will be, "Titus Who? Titus Two!" There will be a prize for the most unusual earrings, ( I've already got in mind what I'm going to wear!) and other creative surprises! This is a very different bible study....but I can guarantee  that Jesus filled that place with His glory! He  had fun there! I look forward to seeing you on the first Monday of March at 10:30 am to noon at Caroline's Coffee (by the golf course, not downtown!) Say Hello to the gal who works there too, her name is Casey and she is a sister too! Love Ya, Penny

 

March 2011

Joy Café   Titus Who? Titus 2! Or “Mentoring Other Women”

 

Well, we started out talking about what we have to offer, first of all. We obviously need to be walking as close to the Lord as we possibly can. The fact that mentoring other women starts with us is kind of a no-brainer! I don’t mean to be disrespectful but it’s true. How can we give away what we don’t possess? 

Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”

So this is a tall order and yet our precious Father is only too happy to show us the way…He does not make it hard for us to share. Mentoring is not a program but a relationship. I am a great believer (and I heard God agrees with me, heh, heh!) that we just need to be ourselves! Imagine that!

  I don’t think we have to be perfect before we teach other women. In fact, I believe that most women sell themselves short, and lack the confidence that they have something to share…and why? Because we often compare ourselves with others and usually come up short. 

Then in steps our Lord and shows us how to take the first steps. Here are a few that we talked about;

1.       Words- “How delightful is a timely word!” Proverbs 15:23b 

“A soothing tongue is a tree of life but perversion in it crushes the Spirit.” Proverbs 15;4

 “A good word makes the heart glad”. Proverbs 12;25

I have been told by some people close to me sometimes, it’s not what I say but it’s the way I say it! Oh, how I wish that weren’t true but it is, so you see I’m not perfect by any means! So when we do see something in another person that needs correcting I believe it should be done in the sweetest way possible, just like we’d like to receive it!

2.       Pray-First of all that we would be filled up with the Lord. Kind of like the airplane thing…you get oxygen yourself first, then you can help others.   I especially pray that the Lord shows me how to minister to this person in the way He would like me to, which brings me to 3.

3.       Everyone’s different- This is what I love, love, love about ministering to women! They are all so unique and that’s so cool! This gives you an opportunity to be creative which is also another one of my passions! I ask God how to bless them and He has never stopped!

4.       Be Honest- When I mentor other women, I tell them my short-comings…not only from years ago but from now, today! Yes, I make mistakes, I sin, I do things I wish I hadn’t and guess what? We have a forgiving God! If they think they are the only one who messes up, they will just want to give up. I believe this is a short-coming of many Christians and it’s a lie of the enemy. I know for myself, that at times, pride makes a grand entrance into my life and tells me “I can’t possibly be used of God because I did that!” I John1:9-10 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(10)If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.”

5.       Have fun! Did you know that God delights in us? He is our Father and like all fathers He loves to see us play, and enjoy ourselves. Isn’t that something?  Our smile is our greatest asset!

See you next time!