Women of Philippi

A blue sky day on Tuesday, and our pastor's wife invited us to a picnic at Catherine Creek.

"The baby sitters"

Meg and daughters crossing to the other side.

I brought Gabe, and he took the photo of the rock face below and packed baby Zeb to the car when it was time to go.

Women Meeting

Glorious sunshine, flowing creek, first wild flowers, and when we came upon the women picnicking, I thought of a verse in Acts of the women gathering by the river for prayer on the Sabbath.  We had come late and upon this cheery sight of such a group of women and children on a colorful spread of blankets in Christian fellowship.  I also sat gazing at the rock face and thought of the enormous rock face at Caesarea Philippi in Israel where Jesus spoke to Peter of the rock on which He would build His church.  Interestingly, they both end up being places named Philippi.

Acts 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

We picnicked at the base of this natural basalt arch.

And there is Lydia with an open heart and the purple cloth lunch sack. :-)

I realized since posting that our women's Bible study is studying Paul's letter to the Philippians this entire season!  We are studying with the women of Philippi, Paul's inspired words by the Holy Spirit, on how to have true joy.