Author Archives: Shelley Linn Johnson

Sword Words The saber we’ve been entrusted to bear is not lifted with our hands, it is raised by our words. We speak the Word of God as a weapon heard long before it is ever seen. (p. 121) Words. The longer I live, the more power I realize they have. Bill Hybels, in hisContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 8”

Forging a SwordHard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the “hero” within us is revealed.–Bob RileyAnd that’s how to start a chapter like this one!I think it’s safe to say that most women don’t see themselves as heroes, so it might be easy to breeze over a quote like thisContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 7”

Becoming a WarriorWe have had such a progression so far in our study…identifying ourselves not as victims but targets, to recognizing ourselves a heroes on a battleground, and acknowledging the Cross as a sword. We are chosen.Now we move into Part Two: Trained. We’re ready to enter that battlefield, and Lisa would have us enterContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 6”

The Cross as a Sword in Lisa’s own words, “perhaps this is the most important” chapter in this book. Why? Because the cross is the crux of our faith. Lisa’s analogy of the cross to a sword helps us not only further understand the cross, but takes us to deeper levels of realizing just whatContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 5”

The BattlegroundWe’re girls, so most of us don’t think like warriors – we’re typically nurturers, organizers, helpers. But if you’re like me, you have enough men in your life that you’ve seen a few movies or heard enough stories that you get the concept of war. Two sides. Opposing views. One winner.I know I’m lateContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 4”

You Might Be a HeroI’m an 80s girl…I read the title of this chapter and I’m thinking Footloose…”I Need a Hero!” Interesting because this chapter is not about us, women, needing heroes. It’s about US being the heroes. Total shift in thinking, isn’t it?Maybe the hardest thing in this chapter is the notion that weContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 3”

A Sword is BornGod’s Word is so full…of truths, promises, and sometimes surprises! Did you have any idea how many passages used “sword”? I have read Genesis 3:24 hundreds of times and never paid attention to the “flaming sword.” One of the reasons I love Bible study with teachers like Lisa Bevere is they canContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 2”

There is so much to take away from this first chapter of Girls with Swords by Lisa Bevere. Right off the bat Lisa invites us into “this epic battle,” and I wonder how many women are aware of the battle or even believe there is a spiritual battle going on around us. The Bible talksContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Chapter 1”

Our next study begins this week! It’s based on Lisa Bevere’s book, Girls with Swords. We have a group of women at our church (New Covenant UMC, http://www.newcov.tv) that meets every Monday morning, but not everyone can make to study so this blog gives you the opportunity to read the book in community! Girls withContinueContinue reading “Girls with Swords Introduction”

And, just like that we’re in our final week. Chapter 9 – Overcoming the Communication Barrier 1. What part of communication do you struggle with the most? 2. Where do you need to be more sensitive to how your emotions come through in your communication? 3. In what types of situations do others most commonlyContinueContinue reading “Just Lead! Week Four”