"The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!"... Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, "Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!" ". Judges 6:12,14
This is the Gideon that I remember from my childhood stories: the mighty warrior who defeated God's enemies with only 300 men! So, as I re-read this story, in it's entirety, my jaw hit the ground more than once. I was flabbergasted to read that Gideon questioned God over and over again. That he doubted and was afraid, both of the people and of what God was telling him to do. I just couldn't believe Gideon was so - human!
I was also taken aback by the violence of the whole story! This I had to deal with first because, for me, it interfered with understanding God's message. Knowing that this is an historical book of the Bible and these events took place, does not lessen the importance of it's relevance for us today. So, I started to read this as an allegory. It's not, but it certainly helped me to make the leap from the physical world of Gideon to the spiritual implications for today. An aside: in chapter 7, verse 5-7 the NET translation reads a little differently than some other translations. The short version is that God chose the men who lapped water from their cupped hands rather than the ones who drank directly from the water. As always, if the NET translation raises a question, read another translation or two for clarification.
Keeping the focus on Gideon - his character, his actions, his conversations with the messenger of the Lord and with God - allowed me to see myself in this story. It also helped me to see more clearly how God works! He called the youngest member of the weakest clan, a coward and doubter, to be a great warrior and spiritual leader!
Sandra Glahn, through her questions, keeps bringing us back to the important part of studying the Bible: how do we fit into it and what can we learn about our own spiritual lives? Some of the questions this week are personal, using Gideon and his life as a spring board to examine our own lives. It is crucial to spend time reflecting on these more personal inquiries - this is where our journey takes place.
Gideon's God is our God! Reading Judges 6-9 with that foremost in our minds, we should ask ourselves a few questions:
Where do I see myself in this story? Is there any part of it to which I can relate?
Is God telling me to do something I'd rather not? What is it and how have I reacted?
What questions do I have for Him?
How can God use what I (society) consider to be a weakness to glorify Him?
How can I avoid falling back into a sin that God has helped me to overcome?
I hope you mustered some strength to read through these challenging chapters! I know I needed to reach deep to digest it, and there are still parts I just can't 'get over'.
Comment below (go to the website if you're reading this in your e-mail) - I'd love to read your reaction to Gideon's story! Can you relate? If so, how? And if not, why not?
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Java with the Judges - Week 2
"Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who had become a judge in Israel. She would hold court under the Palm of Deborah, which stood between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes." Judges 4:4-5 NLT
Wow! What a loaded description of this woman! Unfortunately, some of the descriptors are lost in translation. Below is a link to an article that fills in some of these gaps.
My first thoughts when I read Judges 4 & 5 were: how did she become Judge? It seems backwards from the other stories of the Judges; I thought a Judge was raised up after the people cried out for help, but Deborah was already leading them (4:3-4). And if that's the case why isn't Barak or Jael the Judge? Or why wasn't Doborah the one victorious in battle like the other Judges? What is the deal with Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali?! And so many more!
As I worked through the study questions each day, an understanding started to break through. I read and re-read some of the passages and went to my favorite translation, the New Living Translation, and read it again. I encourage you to do the same. If you're just not "getting it" with the translation in the study guide, try your favorite translation or go to www.Biblegateway.com and choose a different translation. That and the foot notes in my study Bible helped to shed light on what was going on during this time in Israel's history and specifically during this fierce battle.
But that still wasn't enough for me! I Googled 'Deborah the Judge' and found some very interesting information - stuff that really got me excited about Deborah and what this story means for me, a 21st Century woman! Click here to read an informative article by Tikva Frymer-Kensky (1943-2006), who was a professor of Hebrew Bible at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. It's well written and not very long.
Let me whet your curiosity with this: according to Frymer-Kensky, "the wife of Lappidoth" (4:4) can be translated as "wife of Lapidot", but it also means "woman of torches" or "fiery woman". That certainly adds depth to Deborah's personality! She also tells us that "Her weapon is the word, and her very name is an anagram of "she spoke" (dibberah)". Please, please, please read the article - it's worth it!!
Another tool that I found useful was a map I found in my Bible. The study guide map only shows the territories of the Tribes and Judges. When I looked at a map with more detail, with the places in this story marked (the cities, Mount Tabor, and the Kishon River), along with the Tribes and Judges, I started to get a clearer picture of the enorimity of the battle and the importance of Deborah's leadership.
I especially like this map. Zoom in to see the city & river names.
Deborah is not the only interesting character in this story! Barak and Jael can teach us a thing or two, too! Keep reading the study guide and working through the questions and pray for understanding and insight. And it's okay to read Saturday, Sandra's summary, before the end of the week :)
Comments: I love 'em! How are you doing with the book of Judges so far? What message do you hear from the story of Deborah? Which version of the story do you like better: Judges 4, the prose telling or Judges 5, the poetic song?
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wow! What a loaded description of this woman! Unfortunately, some of the descriptors are lost in translation. Below is a link to an article that fills in some of these gaps.
My first thoughts when I read Judges 4 & 5 were: how did she become Judge? It seems backwards from the other stories of the Judges; I thought a Judge was raised up after the people cried out for help, but Deborah was already leading them (4:3-4). And if that's the case why isn't Barak or Jael the Judge? Or why wasn't Doborah the one victorious in battle like the other Judges? What is the deal with Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali?! And so many more!
As I worked through the study questions each day, an understanding started to break through. I read and re-read some of the passages and went to my favorite translation, the New Living Translation, and read it again. I encourage you to do the same. If you're just not "getting it" with the translation in the study guide, try your favorite translation or go to www.Biblegateway.com and choose a different translation. That and the foot notes in my study Bible helped to shed light on what was going on during this time in Israel's history and specifically during this fierce battle.
But that still wasn't enough for me! I Googled 'Deborah the Judge' and found some very interesting information - stuff that really got me excited about Deborah and what this story means for me, a 21st Century woman! Click here to read an informative article by Tikva Frymer-Kensky (1943-2006), who was a professor of Hebrew Bible at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. It's well written and not very long.
Let me whet your curiosity with this: according to Frymer-Kensky, "the wife of Lappidoth" (4:4) can be translated as "wife of Lapidot", but it also means "woman of torches" or "fiery woman". That certainly adds depth to Deborah's personality! She also tells us that "Her weapon is the word, and her very name is an anagram of "she spoke" (dibberah)". Please, please, please read the article - it's worth it!!
Another tool that I found useful was a map I found in my Bible. The study guide map only shows the territories of the Tribes and Judges. When I looked at a map with more detail, with the places in this story marked (the cities, Mount Tabor, and the Kishon River), along with the Tribes and Judges, I started to get a clearer picture of the enorimity of the battle and the importance of Deborah's leadership.
I especially like this map. Zoom in to see the city & river names.
Deborah is not the only interesting character in this story! Barak and Jael can teach us a thing or two, too! Keep reading the study guide and working through the questions and pray for understanding and insight. And it's okay to read Saturday, Sandra's summary, before the end of the week :)
Comments: I love 'em! How are you doing with the book of Judges so far? What message do you hear from the story of Deborah? Which version of the story do you like better: Judges 4, the prose telling or Judges 5, the poetic song?
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Java with the Judges - Week 1
"Whenever the Lord placed a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge's lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering." Judges 2:18 New Living Translation
Welcome to the first week of our new study, Java with the Judges, by Sandra Glahn! I'm so excited that you are here!
Let me encourage you to read the Introductions on page ix and xiii-xvi. Here you will find valuable insight into the study, helpful chart of the Judges, map, and "The Cycle of Misery". The study book includes almost all of the Scripture that you will need and is broken up into daily readings & questions. Feel free to use the study in a way that best suits your schedule! You don't need to read 'Monday' on Monday, but do read it in order. Also note that we will discuss the entire week (Sun-Sat), during our Friday morning group session. My last note about the study itself: Ms. Glahn uses the NET Bible translation. I personally am not familiar with it, but so far it seems to be okay. If you prefer to use a translation that you are more comfortable with, then please do. As we found in previous studies, it's often a good idea to read different translations of the same passage, as different schools of translating use different philosophies, etc. For instance, I love my New Living Translation Bible, so I used it for the openeing Scripture. You'll notice it is different than the NET translation, but not significantly.
This first week (the first three books of Judges) introduces us to 4 of Israel's Judges. There are lots of names of people and places! Don't get hung up on them :)
If you find the proper nouns are giving you trouble, here's some helpful tips:
* shorten the name or use a nick-name
* use initials
* replace the unprouncable name with something similar, but familiar
* you can try this online prouncination guide, click here . It doesn't include all of the names.
The chart and map are helpful to keep track of what's going on, too. There aren't many details about the people, places, or battles, so we'll have to use our imiganations a little bit. But the details aren't the important part of this particular study.
The daily questions will help us focus on individuals, relationships and we'll start to see a pattern between God and His people emerge. What can these stories mean for us in 21st century America? Is there a corrolation to our world, society, or communities?
What does any of it mean for us personally? How can stories about conquest in ancient, foreign lands possibly have any meaning to us individually? Although reading stories of brave warriors can be quite exciting, it's in asking these questions that will provide insight, exploration, and bring us to a deeper level of understanding the Love God has for us.
Enjoy your cup of java (or tea, soda, water) while delving into the ancient world of the Judges! Spend some time contemplating what it is God has to tell us through these stories.
I'd love to read your thoughts on our new study! Please comment below about Judges 1-3, the study guide, or anything that's on your mind as you're reading.
I am looking forward to sharing this journey through Judges with you!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Welcome to the first week of our new study, Java with the Judges, by Sandra Glahn! I'm so excited that you are here!
Let me encourage you to read the Introductions on page ix and xiii-xvi. Here you will find valuable insight into the study, helpful chart of the Judges, map, and "The Cycle of Misery". The study book includes almost all of the Scripture that you will need and is broken up into daily readings & questions. Feel free to use the study in a way that best suits your schedule! You don't need to read 'Monday' on Monday, but do read it in order. Also note that we will discuss the entire week (Sun-Sat), during our Friday morning group session. My last note about the study itself: Ms. Glahn uses the NET Bible translation. I personally am not familiar with it, but so far it seems to be okay. If you prefer to use a translation that you are more comfortable with, then please do. As we found in previous studies, it's often a good idea to read different translations of the same passage, as different schools of translating use different philosophies, etc. For instance, I love my New Living Translation Bible, so I used it for the openeing Scripture. You'll notice it is different than the NET translation, but not significantly.
This first week (the first three books of Judges) introduces us to 4 of Israel's Judges. There are lots of names of people and places! Don't get hung up on them :)
If you find the proper nouns are giving you trouble, here's some helpful tips:
* shorten the name or use a nick-name
* use initials
* replace the unprouncable name with something similar, but familiar
* you can try this online prouncination guide, click here . It doesn't include all of the names.
The chart and map are helpful to keep track of what's going on, too. There aren't many details about the people, places, or battles, so we'll have to use our imiganations a little bit. But the details aren't the important part of this particular study.
The daily questions will help us focus on individuals, relationships and we'll start to see a pattern between God and His people emerge. What can these stories mean for us in 21st century America? Is there a corrolation to our world, society, or communities?
What does any of it mean for us personally? How can stories about conquest in ancient, foreign lands possibly have any meaning to us individually? Although reading stories of brave warriors can be quite exciting, it's in asking these questions that will provide insight, exploration, and bring us to a deeper level of understanding the Love God has for us.
Enjoy your cup of java (or tea, soda, water) while delving into the ancient world of the Judges! Spend some time contemplating what it is God has to tell us through these stories.
I'd love to read your thoughts on our new study! Please comment below about Judges 1-3, the study guide, or anything that's on your mind as you're reading.
I am looking forward to sharing this journey through Judges with you!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
honey
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Happy New Year!
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you... And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:12-14
While I have fallen short of many goals I have set over the years, I can admit that I am a different person (hopefully improved) than I was in the past. The ongoing process is gradual, and I am still me with my flaws & issues & buttons that can be pushed, just a kinder, more accepting me (most of the time). Even my husband noticed, so it must be true! The way to truly bring out my better attributes and limit my negative responses was to rely on God. Rely on His promises, His guidance, His teachings, and His plan for my life. I don't always lovingly submit to Him or accept His challenges, but I try my best. Remembering His promises for me has been most reassuring during times of doubt, struggle, and just plain stubbornness. Remembering that God forgives my transgressions has encouraged me to return to His path when I stray, rather than totally giving up.
The passage from Colossians is a wonderful reminder of how we should train our attitude. It says that we are holy and chosen by God. WOW! I wish everyone could absorb that truth!!
It tells us how we should think and act towards each other every day. And in being kind, humble, gentle, patient, and merciful, by offering forgiveness and making allowances for each other, we also do those things for ourselves. How wonderful a world we would live in, if we could do even half of these consistently! And then there is Love, the most important command of all! It's what holds everything else in place. It does not allow pride, anger, or judgement to overtake us. Just imagine the changes that would take place if everyone chose even one word of this passage as their New Year's Resolution for 2014. And if not one of these words, another single word from The Word of God.
It's this idea of focusing on one word, supported by The Word, that we studied last April (My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft & Rachel Olsen). This focus has given me my greatest growth. As I work on viewing the world through just one word from Scripture, everything is starting to reflect a positive move towards being the person God created me to be.
If you make New Year's Resolutions, what is yours this year? I hope you share them in the Comment section below - I'd love to read about them!! I am continuing with my one word, honey, until Lent. But I have resolved to work more diligently on using my word to live the life God has designed for me.
Let me remind those who can meet, we are resuming our Friday morning gatherings this Friday, January 10th, at 9:15 am. We will be starting a new study, Java with the Judges by Sandra Glahn. The 10th will be a 'welcome back' and review, so no need to prepare anything for our first week back. This is the perfect opportunity to join us for the first time and to bring a friend!!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Happy New Year!
Tradition holds that this time of year we evaluate our lives and resolve to make changes for the coming year. I don't know about you, but I don't remember ever keeping a New Year's Resolution for more than a few weeks. Whether it be to live a more healthy lifestyle through diet & exercise, improve my finances, or to be more organized, my best efforts get swept up in the busy-ness of life, making it difficult to maintain new habits. There are endless systems, gurus, books, and gadgets that promise success. Have you tried them? Did they work? Life, it seems, is a series of trials-and-errors when it comes to changing or improving who we are. While I have fallen short of many goals I have set over the years, I can admit that I am a different person (hopefully improved) than I was in the past. The ongoing process is gradual, and I am still me with my flaws & issues & buttons that can be pushed, just a kinder, more accepting me (most of the time). Even my husband noticed, so it must be true! The way to truly bring out my better attributes and limit my negative responses was to rely on God. Rely on His promises, His guidance, His teachings, and His plan for my life. I don't always lovingly submit to Him or accept His challenges, but I try my best. Remembering His promises for me has been most reassuring during times of doubt, struggle, and just plain stubbornness. Remembering that God forgives my transgressions has encouraged me to return to His path when I stray, rather than totally giving up.
The passage from Colossians is a wonderful reminder of how we should train our attitude. It says that we are holy and chosen by God. WOW! I wish everyone could absorb that truth!!
It tells us how we should think and act towards each other every day. And in being kind, humble, gentle, patient, and merciful, by offering forgiveness and making allowances for each other, we also do those things for ourselves. How wonderful a world we would live in, if we could do even half of these consistently! And then there is Love, the most important command of all! It's what holds everything else in place. It does not allow pride, anger, or judgement to overtake us. Just imagine the changes that would take place if everyone chose even one word of this passage as their New Year's Resolution for 2014. And if not one of these words, another single word from The Word of God.
It's this idea of focusing on one word, supported by The Word, that we studied last April (My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft & Rachel Olsen). This focus has given me my greatest growth. As I work on viewing the world through just one word from Scripture, everything is starting to reflect a positive move towards being the person God created me to be.
If you make New Year's Resolutions, what is yours this year? I hope you share them in the Comment section below - I'd love to read about them!! I am continuing with my one word, honey, until Lent. But I have resolved to work more diligently on using my word to live the life God has designed for me.
I cannot express fully the gratitude I have for each of you who read this blog or attend the Friday gatherings.
It is your gracious and loving support that gives me courage to continue to write and lead a Bible study. Thank you for your prayers, your words, and your attendance. You make my heart sing with praise!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thursday, December 5, 2013
"My One Word" revisited
"Kind words are like honey; sweet to the soul and healing for the body." Proverbs 16:24
If you have been reading this blog or received an e-mail from me in the last 9 months, the verse above will be a familiar one. It's the verse I chose that includes my word in a way that is significant to me.
My word is HONEY! I know, it's kind of an odd word, but I'm kind of an odd person when it comes to words :) I love everything about this word: from it's literal state of a food to it's symbolism in Scripture. I even like that there is a not-so-nice side to honey, because, well, there's a not so-nice-side to me. But I am getting ahead of myself... let me go back and tell you how I chose that word.
When I first heard of My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen, I went onto the website (click here to visit it) to see what it was all about. I decided I would choose a word before I read the book, based on what I read and listened to on the site. That didn't work out too well - I completely forgot the word I chose! To this day, I don't remember what it was. For me, that was a confirmation that what I thought was something I had to 'work on' wasn't what God had in mind. I chose a word based on what I wanted to fix about myself and it was a good one (I do remember that), but without God's Word to build upon, it wasn't going to stick!
So, I started reading the book during our study. I followed the advice of making lists and refining my list, though again, I didn't quite do it in the order suggested. In the end it was the word honey that appeared. My description of honey (and it's makers) was everything I felt I should be/wanted to be: translucent but not transparent, natural, slower moving, sweet, healthy, useful, food for others, rely on God (scientifically, bees shouldn't be able to fly, but they do by the grace of God). I want to be like that! Even the not-so-nice things about honey spoke to me: chewed up-spit out & still beautiful, made & protected by bees that can sting, a hidden treasure, it's not for everyone. Discovering my word was a process (just as making honey is) and I felt drawn to this idea of being like honey. I was surprised by the number of times the word appears in scripture, but my area of need was in relation to words. I use them, I love them, but too often I misuse them in hurtful ways. THAT is not what God intended. God intended that I use my gift with words in a kind & nurturing way. Armed with my one word and it's corresponding Scripture, I started moving towards the person God created me to be.
As Mike suggests in the book, I put my word in front of me daily. At first I ate a spoonful of honey every morning. I added it to my tea and on my toast. This was a very physical way to ingest the Word and make it real. Soon after that, I added it as my e-mail signature. This has served to remind me with every e-mail I write, to be kind. One of the ways my word has morphed (chapter 7) is that I am also reminded to be kind to myself. When I am dealing with someone who has hurt me or my family, I am as kind as I can be, without being false. I guard my heart by saying how I feel without being cruel. How others choose to interpret my words is up to them. And in the same manner, I squelch that critical inner voice that can be my biggest opponent. Using kind words to heal myself has been a soothing balm.
Here's a few more ways My One Word has influenced my life:
It causes me to rethink how I respond to people & situations.
I choose a slower path when making decisions.
I rely on God to change me.
My view of how others use words & react has been enhanced.
I choose my words more wisely.
I try, really hard, to be kind.
When I am overwhelmed or at a loss for ideas, I focus on my word, and I am inspired.
Am I completely transformed? Do I never say mean things? Am I unendingly supportive & encouraging? Do I control all my reactions to people & situations?
Not by a long shot!! It is an ongoing process. But I am moving forward, improving how I use my words every day. Even when I have a moment, day, or week where I seem to be going backwards, I am reminded through my word, that there is beauty in things that have been chewed up and spit out, as long as those things are created and nurtured by God.
How has your word changed you, your view of the world, and your faith journey? I am sorry to have to miss our gathering this Friday and hear how your One Word has worked transformations in your life. I would love to know how this is going for you - please share in the comment section below.
"The eyes of our heart, once enlightened - to borrow a phrase from Paul - show us a reality that our physical eyes cannot see. A reality based on the words and promises of God. " Mike Ashcraft, My One Word p. 107
"Change is possible. Focus is required. And depenence on God is absolutely foundational." Mike Ashcraft, My One Word p 40-41.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey; sweet to the soul and healing for the body." Proverbs 16:24
If you have been reading this blog or received an e-mail from me in the last 9 months, the verse above will be a familiar one. It's the verse I chose that includes my word in a way that is significant to me.
My word is HONEY! I know, it's kind of an odd word, but I'm kind of an odd person when it comes to words :) I love everything about this word: from it's literal state of a food to it's symbolism in Scripture. I even like that there is a not-so-nice side to honey, because, well, there's a not so-nice-side to me. But I am getting ahead of myself... let me go back and tell you how I chose that word.
When I first heard of My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen, I went onto the website (click here to visit it) to see what it was all about. I decided I would choose a word before I read the book, based on what I read and listened to on the site. That didn't work out too well - I completely forgot the word I chose! To this day, I don't remember what it was. For me, that was a confirmation that what I thought was something I had to 'work on' wasn't what God had in mind. I chose a word based on what I wanted to fix about myself and it was a good one (I do remember that), but without God's Word to build upon, it wasn't going to stick!
So, I started reading the book during our study. I followed the advice of making lists and refining my list, though again, I didn't quite do it in the order suggested. In the end it was the word honey that appeared. My description of honey (and it's makers) was everything I felt I should be/wanted to be: translucent but not transparent, natural, slower moving, sweet, healthy, useful, food for others, rely on God (scientifically, bees shouldn't be able to fly, but they do by the grace of God). I want to be like that! Even the not-so-nice things about honey spoke to me: chewed up-spit out & still beautiful, made & protected by bees that can sting, a hidden treasure, it's not for everyone. Discovering my word was a process (just as making honey is) and I felt drawn to this idea of being like honey. I was surprised by the number of times the word appears in scripture, but my area of need was in relation to words. I use them, I love them, but too often I misuse them in hurtful ways. THAT is not what God intended. God intended that I use my gift with words in a kind & nurturing way. Armed with my one word and it's corresponding Scripture, I started moving towards the person God created me to be.
As Mike suggests in the book, I put my word in front of me daily. At first I ate a spoonful of honey every morning. I added it to my tea and on my toast. This was a very physical way to ingest the Word and make it real. Soon after that, I added it as my e-mail signature. This has served to remind me with every e-mail I write, to be kind. One of the ways my word has morphed (chapter 7) is that I am also reminded to be kind to myself. When I am dealing with someone who has hurt me or my family, I am as kind as I can be, without being false. I guard my heart by saying how I feel without being cruel. How others choose to interpret my words is up to them. And in the same manner, I squelch that critical inner voice that can be my biggest opponent. Using kind words to heal myself has been a soothing balm.
Here's a few more ways My One Word has influenced my life:
It causes me to rethink how I respond to people & situations.
I choose a slower path when making decisions.
I rely on God to change me.
My view of how others use words & react has been enhanced.
I choose my words more wisely.
I try, really hard, to be kind.
When I am overwhelmed or at a loss for ideas, I focus on my word, and I am inspired.
Am I completely transformed? Do I never say mean things? Am I unendingly supportive & encouraging? Do I control all my reactions to people & situations?
Not by a long shot!! It is an ongoing process. But I am moving forward, improving how I use my words every day. Even when I have a moment, day, or week where I seem to be going backwards, I am reminded through my word, that there is beauty in things that have been chewed up and spit out, as long as those things are created and nurtured by God.
How has your word changed you, your view of the world, and your faith journey? I am sorry to have to miss our gathering this Friday and hear how your One Word has worked transformations in your life. I would love to know how this is going for you - please share in the comment section below.
"The eyes of our heart, once enlightened - to borrow a phrase from Paul - show us a reality that our physical eyes cannot see. A reality based on the words and promises of God. " Mike Ashcraft, My One Word p. 107
"Change is possible. Focus is required. And depenence on God is absolutely foundational." Mike Ashcraft, My One Word p 40-41.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey; sweet to the soul and healing for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Week 6 - A Confident Heart - Chapters 11 & 12
"Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4
Welcome to our final week of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart. I am so glad you are here with me! We read this book at a faster pace than previous studies, so congratulate yourself on a job well done. With our busy lives, I know it wasn't easy, but I suspect that you will agree with me when I say, it was worth it!
In chapter 11 Renee reminds us of a few points that I think are very important.
She says, "I want you to know that living in the power of God's promises isn't a one-time thing... return to every truth..., again and again." (pg 204)
This is a reminder to stay in God's word. It is how we come to know God: His promises, His forgiveness, His love. We cannot know or believe something if we don't take the time to read it, learn it, and live it. When it comes to learning, repetition is the key! When it comes to relationships, time and attention are vital. To know God's promises, read them over and over. In order to have a relationship with Him, spend time together. There are wonderful examples of people, just like us, in the Bible. People who are not perfect, who need coaxing & convincing, who are broken, lost, and struggling. People who are called & chosen by God, but still stray or disobey. God does not give up on them and He does not give up on us. Learn the promises He has for us by reading the Bible daily. That is where we will find the answers to our most troubling questions and a guide for living a Saved life in this fallen world.
Renee also says, "As we live in the power of God's promises, we will still have struggles... As we become the women we want to be, and more importantly the women God created and called us to be, we will still go through times when we have questions and doubts. Sometimes we may even ask, Is God enough?" (pg 211).
This second point is a tough, but obvious one! Of course Christians have struggles. In fact, some of the most faithful people I know have some of the biggest life struggles! "But why?!", is what I hear from others and often ask myself. 'Why would a faithful Christian still face hardship or disease or broken relationships? Doesn't God bless His children and aren't Christians nice people that everyone gets along with? ' These are questions for the ages! As I read the Bible, I see that I am not alone in the asking of these questions. And yes, the answers are in there, too. The short answer I have come to, for my own understanding, is that blessings and hardships surround us, believers & non-believers alike. The difference being who we go to for comfort and strength. Who we look to in times of doubt. How we view ourselves when trouble is standing before us. Whose hand we hold when we are walking through darkness. Christians cry out to God for help; we reach for Jesus' hand to guide us. No matter what, we know that we are loved and will not be abandoned. We face no challenge, take no journey, stand against no enemy alone! Our God is with us!
It was no accident or happenstance that the stories of the Bible were passed down through generations and written in many languages, for all to read. As Paul tells the Christians in Rome, "Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4. God knew we would face many difficulties and would be in need of continued reminders of His love & faithfulness. He knew we would need role models and guidance. I encourage you to return to the Word again and again to look for answers, gain perspective, and draw closer to God.
Throughout A Confident Heart, Renee gives us tools to help us use Scripture to drive away the shadows: "When-Then" statements (pg 60), inserting our name into Scripture, praying God's word, remembering who we are in Christ (chart on pg 107-108), "AM/FM" statements (pg 113), discovering our spiritual gifts (pg 147), creating time & space to spend with Jesus (pg 175), and learning who God is through His names (pg 194). All of chapter 12 is a chart of Scripture to combat our self-doubt and help us "live in the security of God's promises". Hopefully one or more of these practices resonated with you, that you can use them in your everyday walk with the Lord.
I pray that as you read this book and studied Scripture, you started to uncover your Confident Heart. And as you go on from here, you will continue to grow in faith. Keep this book handy! It is a wonderful resource and one that can be read multiple times. I've read it twice in the last year and a half and discovered something new in every chapter.
Now, it's your turn!!!
What spoke to your heart? Was there something in any part of the book that made you say, "Ah-ha!" A revelation? Something that you have started doing to reveal your confident heart and start becoming the woman God created you to be? Whatever you would like to share, I would love to read!
What a blessing it is to be on this journey together!!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Welcome to our final week of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart. I am so glad you are here with me! We read this book at a faster pace than previous studies, so congratulate yourself on a job well done. With our busy lives, I know it wasn't easy, but I suspect that you will agree with me when I say, it was worth it!
In chapter 11 Renee reminds us of a few points that I think are very important.
She says, "I want you to know that living in the power of God's promises isn't a one-time thing... return to every truth..., again and again." (pg 204)
This is a reminder to stay in God's word. It is how we come to know God: His promises, His forgiveness, His love. We cannot know or believe something if we don't take the time to read it, learn it, and live it. When it comes to learning, repetition is the key! When it comes to relationships, time and attention are vital. To know God's promises, read them over and over. In order to have a relationship with Him, spend time together. There are wonderful examples of people, just like us, in the Bible. People who are not perfect, who need coaxing & convincing, who are broken, lost, and struggling. People who are called & chosen by God, but still stray or disobey. God does not give up on them and He does not give up on us. Learn the promises He has for us by reading the Bible daily. That is where we will find the answers to our most troubling questions and a guide for living a Saved life in this fallen world.
Renee also says, "As we live in the power of God's promises, we will still have struggles... As we become the women we want to be, and more importantly the women God created and called us to be, we will still go through times when we have questions and doubts. Sometimes we may even ask, Is God enough?" (pg 211).
This second point is a tough, but obvious one! Of course Christians have struggles. In fact, some of the most faithful people I know have some of the biggest life struggles! "But why?!", is what I hear from others and often ask myself. 'Why would a faithful Christian still face hardship or disease or broken relationships? Doesn't God bless His children and aren't Christians nice people that everyone gets along with? ' These are questions for the ages! As I read the Bible, I see that I am not alone in the asking of these questions. And yes, the answers are in there, too. The short answer I have come to, for my own understanding, is that blessings and hardships surround us, believers & non-believers alike. The difference being who we go to for comfort and strength. Who we look to in times of doubt. How we view ourselves when trouble is standing before us. Whose hand we hold when we are walking through darkness. Christians cry out to God for help; we reach for Jesus' hand to guide us. No matter what, we know that we are loved and will not be abandoned. We face no challenge, take no journey, stand against no enemy alone! Our God is with us!
It was no accident or happenstance that the stories of the Bible were passed down through generations and written in many languages, for all to read. As Paul tells the Christians in Rome, "Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4. God knew we would face many difficulties and would be in need of continued reminders of His love & faithfulness. He knew we would need role models and guidance. I encourage you to return to the Word again and again to look for answers, gain perspective, and draw closer to God.
Throughout A Confident Heart, Renee gives us tools to help us use Scripture to drive away the shadows: "When-Then" statements (pg 60), inserting our name into Scripture, praying God's word, remembering who we are in Christ (chart on pg 107-108), "AM/FM" statements (pg 113), discovering our spiritual gifts (pg 147), creating time & space to spend with Jesus (pg 175), and learning who God is through His names (pg 194). All of chapter 12 is a chart of Scripture to combat our self-doubt and help us "live in the security of God's promises". Hopefully one or more of these practices resonated with you, that you can use them in your everyday walk with the Lord.
I pray that as you read this book and studied Scripture, you started to uncover your Confident Heart. And as you go on from here, you will continue to grow in faith. Keep this book handy! It is a wonderful resource and one that can be read multiple times. I've read it twice in the last year and a half and discovered something new in every chapter.
Now, it's your turn!!!
What spoke to your heart? Was there something in any part of the book that made you say, "Ah-ha!" A revelation? Something that you have started doing to reveal your confident heart and start becoming the woman God created you to be? Whatever you would like to share, I would love to read!
What a blessing it is to be on this journey together!!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Chaters 9 & 10 Continued
"We will only overcome our fears by walking through them, holding God's hand and trusting His heart to lead, protect, and preserve us." Renee Swope in A Confident Heart (p. 197)
I can't believe I forgot my favorite part of the blog!! YOUR FAVORITE QUOTES & IDEAS!!
That's something else we lose when we give in to self-doubt, worry, and fear: our mind!
Not that it makes us truly crazy, but when we are occupied with negative thoughts, it's easy to forget other, and often, more important things. Things that don't require as much energy to keep in check. Negative thoughts are like the proverbial squeaky wheel: they demand our attention! And steal our peace. And prevent us from being focused, productive, and truly alive!
I can't believe I forgot my favorite part of the blog!! YOUR FAVORITE QUOTES & IDEAS!!
That's something else we lose when we give in to self-doubt, worry, and fear: our mind!
Not that it makes us truly crazy, but when we are occupied with negative thoughts, it's easy to forget other, and often, more important things. Things that don't require as much energy to keep in check. Negative thoughts are like the proverbial squeaky wheel: they demand our attention! And steal our peace. And prevent us from being focused, productive, and truly alive!
I've been dealing with worry & fear over the last few weeks. Nothing much, but I was treading lightly with a new person in my life. Every time I had to communicate with her, I was concerned that whatever I said would be taken wrong. I was careful how I "spoke" to her, limiting most of my communications to e-mail so I could cafefully craft what I was saying. Something that was suppose to be a fun, collaborative endeavour had become a project filled with stress. After an especially disturbing encounter, I prayed for wisdom & compassion in my attitude. I felt my confidence grow with every future encounter and thought things were going well. When she came at me with fear and control, I thought I was offering peace and information. Then yesterday more hurtful and accusing words from her filled my head & heart with self-doubt! Did I really do what she accused me of? Am I that obtuse that I didn't see that I was causing her misery? How could I do so much harm, when I thought I was doing good?
Through prayer (y'know, the kind where I just open the top of my head and let God in because I'm at such a loss for words), friends, & loved ones I regained my perspective. I was reminded of who I am in Christ. I was reminded that I cannot control how people react and I cannot let their defeating words enter my heart. Paul tells us, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all the has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. As long as I am living in Christ Jesus, God is guarding my heart and if God is with me, who can stand against me!? NO ONE!
So I followed Paul's advice, and did what I knew would bring me peace; I offered her an apology. Whether or not she accepts it is up to her. My heart is healed through Jehovah Shalom, the Lord my Peace (Judges 6:24). Through this, I was inspired to make cards with the Names of God on them, so that I could keep them with me and be reminded of the promise of who He is. When I figure out how to publish them, I'll share them here on the blog! Until then, you can find a list of God's names and corresponding Scripture on page 194 of A Confident Heart.
NOW! Tell me, what are your favorite quotes from chapters 9 & 10? I look forward to reading all of your comments!!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Week 5 - A Confident Heart - Chapters 9 & 10
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, because I worry! I used to worry a lot - about everything. My mom worries, my great-grandmother worried so I assumed it was 'in my blood'. Some people are wired to worry! Right?
Sure, we all handle things differently. But some of us are overly concerned about life, we play it over & over in our heads, we "over think" our words & actions. This is especially true when we are overwhelmed or find ourselves in a stressful situation or with people who make us uncomfortable.
For years I had read "don't worry" in the Bible and could not understand what it meant. How does one not worry about: the dangers in life, being accepted, finding a job, making right choices, saying the right thing, being good enough, being happy, being safe, not making any big mistakes?! I had no idea! I read the words, but could not grasp their meaning.
As I studied God's word I began to see a pattern. He tells his people (those in the Bible and me & you) "do not be afraid" and "don't worry", a lot! I take comfort in this because it means I am not alone in my worry. And I should look to those people in the Bible as my example of how not to worry.
Another favorite passage about worry is in Matthew 6:25-34. In the NLT translation, Jesus says "don't worry" three times and asks "why worry". He also asks, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (vs. 27) and answers, "Of course not."
Wow! If you worry, go back and read Jesus' words again. When I read that & it's meaning finally sunk in, it was life changing! Worrying about something does not make it better or add anything good to my life. In fact, Renee has an acronym that I love: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. Take a moment to recall a time you were worried about someone or something. Do you remember how you felt? Did you sleep well, were you unfocused, tired, feeling alone? All of these feelings can lead us further down the path of worry, fear, and doubt.
How do we stop traveling down that dark road? We turn towards the light! We read God's Word and believe what he says. For a reminder, go back to the chart on pages 107-108. What a great list of scripture that tells us who we are in Christ! We hold on to the promise of Grace and trust that we don't need to understand everything, because God does, and that's enough. He is leading us - we just need to trust Him enough to follow Him. Renee has some great tips on how to spend more time in God's word on pages 176-177.
Is one of your worries that you can't follow God consistently? It's one of mine! For a long time I felt God tugging on my heart to guide a Bible study. But how could I, with all my shortcomings?! It's the very reason I don't have an Ichthys magnet on my car. I don't want others to know I'm a Christian when I'm being less than Christian-like behind the wheel! And oh boy, could I relate to Renee's story about the day she spent at her mother's house - it started out beautifully and ended in a mess! I know that feeling of going from a serene place to anger & disappointment in a very short time. Then in comes worry, doubt, and feelings of failure and guilt. I use to spend days beating myself up when I failed spectacularly, but that's not what God wants for us. Instead he offers us grace & mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
All we need to do to receive it, is ask!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, because I worry! I used to worry a lot - about everything. My mom worries, my great-grandmother worried so I assumed it was 'in my blood'. Some people are wired to worry! Right?
Sure, we all handle things differently. But some of us are overly concerned about life, we play it over & over in our heads, we "over think" our words & actions. This is especially true when we are overwhelmed or find ourselves in a stressful situation or with people who make us uncomfortable.
For years I had read "don't worry" in the Bible and could not understand what it meant. How does one not worry about: the dangers in life, being accepted, finding a job, making right choices, saying the right thing, being good enough, being happy, being safe, not making any big mistakes?! I had no idea! I read the words, but could not grasp their meaning.
As I studied God's word I began to see a pattern. He tells his people (those in the Bible and me & you) "do not be afraid" and "don't worry", a lot! I take comfort in this because it means I am not alone in my worry. And I should look to those people in the Bible as my example of how not to worry.
Another favorite passage about worry is in Matthew 6:25-34. In the NLT translation, Jesus says "don't worry" three times and asks "why worry". He also asks, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (vs. 27) and answers, "Of course not."
Wow! If you worry, go back and read Jesus' words again. When I read that & it's meaning finally sunk in, it was life changing! Worrying about something does not make it better or add anything good to my life. In fact, Renee has an acronym that I love: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. Take a moment to recall a time you were worried about someone or something. Do you remember how you felt? Did you sleep well, were you unfocused, tired, feeling alone? All of these feelings can lead us further down the path of worry, fear, and doubt.
How do we stop traveling down that dark road? We turn towards the light! We read God's Word and believe what he says. For a reminder, go back to the chart on pages 107-108. What a great list of scripture that tells us who we are in Christ! We hold on to the promise of Grace and trust that we don't need to understand everything, because God does, and that's enough. He is leading us - we just need to trust Him enough to follow Him. Renee has some great tips on how to spend more time in God's word on pages 176-177.
Is one of your worries that you can't follow God consistently? It's one of mine! For a long time I felt God tugging on my heart to guide a Bible study. But how could I, with all my shortcomings?! It's the very reason I don't have an Ichthys magnet on my car. I don't want others to know I'm a Christian when I'm being less than Christian-like behind the wheel! And oh boy, could I relate to Renee's story about the day she spent at her mother's house - it started out beautifully and ended in a mess! I know that feeling of going from a serene place to anger & disappointment in a very short time. Then in comes worry, doubt, and feelings of failure and guilt. I use to spend days beating myself up when I failed spectacularly, but that's not what God wants for us. Instead he offers us grace & mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
All we need to do to receive it, is ask!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Week 4 - Confident Heart - Chapters 7 & 8
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~ Howard Thurman
Hello again! And welcome to week four of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart!
As a nod toward Halloween, I want to do my blog a little differently this week. Hang in there!
Zombies! They are the latest craze of "scary". They're in the movies & on TV; my son and husband recently ran a charity race where they had to avoid "zombies" on the course. It was fun, even as a spectator, and for a good cause, so in this case being a zombie or running from the zombies was a positive experience.
But, do you ever feel like a zombie? Like you're going through life, from one responsibility to another, but not really living life? With so many things to do, people to please, and obligations vying for our attention, we can quickly feel overwhelmed and lost in our own lives.
I feel like a zombie when I've taken on too much! For me, it happens in cycles. Things are going smoothly, so I take on one more thing. That's not too bad, so I think, 'sure I can do one more little thing, it's only once a month'. Throw in a crisis or two along the way and the next thing I know I'm in Zombieland! I'm running from one thing to the next, I have a list a mile long of things I need to prepare in order to do that one little extra thing, etc., etc! I have a feeling you can relate. I look around and wonder, "what the heck happened!? Where am I? Who am I?"
It's at this time that I realize I have been moving through life; doing, going, keeping up, but not really living my life as God wants. When I'm busy with everything I have to do, there's no time for remembering who I am and whose I am; what it is He made me for and I realize it's been a while since we've had a conversation! When I'm caught up in all of this stuff, that's when I notice my fear of failure creeps into my thoughts: I don't want to fail at anything I've chosen to do or disappoint anyone I offered to help. But why did I offer to help in the first place? Out of prayerful consideration or was it because I wanted to feel important in a certain group of people?
All of this running, doing, fearing, and wanting to be special is draining! Renee says, "...we have God-given emotional needs. When those needs are left completely unmet, we become depleted and tend to operate primarily out of our weaknesses." (pg. 141). WOW! No wonder I sometimes feel like a Zombie - alive, yet not living.
When I feel my inner zombie creeping in, I've learned to stop. I turn from saying "yes" to everything, to asking 'what does God want me to do?'. I turn from wondering how I stack up compared to other moms, to seeing myself from God's perspective. I turn my hurtful words against myself, to God's promises for me.
Zombies may have their place - in folklore, scary movies, and on a 5K charity race! But God calls us, His children, to a full life of peace and hope and joy!
God's promises are my weapons against my inner zombie! It is with God that I can truly come alive! You can, too!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body!" Proverbs 16:24
Hello again! And welcome to week four of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart!
As a nod toward Halloween, I want to do my blog a little differently this week. Hang in there!
Zombies! They are the latest craze of "scary". They're in the movies & on TV; my son and husband recently ran a charity race where they had to avoid "zombies" on the course. It was fun, even as a spectator, and for a good cause, so in this case being a zombie or running from the zombies was a positive experience.
But, do you ever feel like a zombie? Like you're going through life, from one responsibility to another, but not really living life? With so many things to do, people to please, and obligations vying for our attention, we can quickly feel overwhelmed and lost in our own lives.
I feel like a zombie when I've taken on too much! For me, it happens in cycles. Things are going smoothly, so I take on one more thing. That's not too bad, so I think, 'sure I can do one more little thing, it's only once a month'. Throw in a crisis or two along the way and the next thing I know I'm in Zombieland! I'm running from one thing to the next, I have a list a mile long of things I need to prepare in order to do that one little extra thing, etc., etc! I have a feeling you can relate. I look around and wonder, "what the heck happened!? Where am I? Who am I?"
It's at this time that I realize I have been moving through life; doing, going, keeping up, but not really living my life as God wants. When I'm busy with everything I have to do, there's no time for remembering who I am and whose I am; what it is He made me for and I realize it's been a while since we've had a conversation! When I'm caught up in all of this stuff, that's when I notice my fear of failure creeps into my thoughts: I don't want to fail at anything I've chosen to do or disappoint anyone I offered to help. But why did I offer to help in the first place? Out of prayerful consideration or was it because I wanted to feel important in a certain group of people?
All of this running, doing, fearing, and wanting to be special is draining! Renee says, "...we have God-given emotional needs. When those needs are left completely unmet, we become depleted and tend to operate primarily out of our weaknesses." (pg. 141). WOW! No wonder I sometimes feel like a Zombie - alive, yet not living.
When I feel my inner zombie creeping in, I've learned to stop. I turn from saying "yes" to everything, to asking 'what does God want me to do?'. I turn from wondering how I stack up compared to other moms, to seeing myself from God's perspective. I turn my hurtful words against myself, to God's promises for me.
Zombies may have their place - in folklore, scary movies, and on a 5K charity race! But God calls us, His children, to a full life of peace and hope and joy!
God's promises are my weapons against my inner zombie! It is with God that I can truly come alive! You can, too!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body!" Proverbs 16:24
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Week 3 - A Confident Heart - Chapters 5 & 6
Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12
Welcome to the third week of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart study! I am so glad you are here and can't wait to share this time with you.
How are you doing? It has been, as always, a bit of a crazy week at my house. A little less crazy than some weeks, but with company over the weekend, meetings, extra phone calls & e-mails, a half-day of school in the middle of the week and my computer acting up, it's become a bit less serene than I had planned!
It's times like these that I am so grateful for you and our study. Especially this weeks' chapters! Chapter 5 discusses focus and perspective. The first time I read this chapter, a few years ago, my focus was on my defects about 70% of the time, sometimes 100% of the time! It was dark in there - in the shadow of my doubts about being a good wife, mother, daughter, friend, and Christian. Can you relate?
Paul says, "the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6), so I had to change my perspective.
We need to turn toward the light; turn toward God; turn toward truth (pg. 93). Maybe it seems obvious, but it's not always so easy. It's something we have to chose to do, but first we have to realize that we have turned away from the light. This is the part that sometimes catches me by surprise.
Comparison, Conflict, and Criticism pave the road to doubt. These three C's creep into my day and often I don't even realize it! They are sly and can trigger my doubt in a matter of minutes. Have you been there?
What are we to do when we find ourselves on the road to doubt or living in the shadow of doubt? Jeremiah 29:12-13 tells us to, "...call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." And if you wonder, 'well, how do I do that?', chapter 3 introduced us to Renee's "When, then" statements. They are a wonderfully practical thing we can do to remind us of God's promises, to help us turn toward the light, and see ourselves from His perspective.
The "D" word: doubt! When it's used to stir up negative feelings and thoughts about ourselves and others, it can be very destructive. It's even suggested that sometimes 'doubt' disguises itself as 'worry' or 'fear'. Oh my! I have always been a worrier! However, I am learning that the more I stay in God's word and believe His promises, the less I worry. I didn't say I never worry; I still do, but I also pray, so the worry & doubt no longer overshadow my joy! God's promises have turned me from a "worrier" to a "warrior"!
Throughout the book, Renee has some suggestions on how we can remind ourselves of God's promises. The "when, then" statements on page 60 & in chapter 12, the chart as compiled by Dr. Neil Anderson on pages 107 & 108, and "AM/FM" statements on pages 113-114.
And now I'm going to borrow an amazing idea from Stephanie Clayton over at Proverbs 31! She is also leading a Bible study of A Confident Heart and she has come up with a "No Fail Pail!"
"What is that?" you ask. It is a great way to USE all of these Biblical reminders of God's love & promises! Check out her short video here! I will have a copy of her beautiful "when,then" statements to get you started on your own "No Fail Pail!"
Finally, we have come to the part where I get to hear from you!!!
What was your favorite thing(s) in these chapters? Post them all in the Comments. Do you have a "when, then" statement that you've been using this week? Would you like to share it? I'd love to read it! I know, I know: many of us get together and talk about this on Friday, but not all of us get to do that. Post your comments to stay connected to everyone in our group! Remember, if you are reading this in your e-mail, click here to go to the blog to make your comment.
Praying that your shadow of doubt shrinks as you turn towards Jesus, who is Light!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body!" Proverbs 16:24
Welcome to the third week of Renee Swope's A Confident Heart study! I am so glad you are here and can't wait to share this time with you.
How are you doing? It has been, as always, a bit of a crazy week at my house. A little less crazy than some weeks, but with company over the weekend, meetings, extra phone calls & e-mails, a half-day of school in the middle of the week and my computer acting up, it's become a bit less serene than I had planned!
It's times like these that I am so grateful for you and our study. Especially this weeks' chapters! Chapter 5 discusses focus and perspective. The first time I read this chapter, a few years ago, my focus was on my defects about 70% of the time, sometimes 100% of the time! It was dark in there - in the shadow of my doubts about being a good wife, mother, daughter, friend, and Christian. Can you relate?
Paul says, "the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6), so I had to change my perspective.
We need to turn toward the light; turn toward God; turn toward truth (pg. 93). Maybe it seems obvious, but it's not always so easy. It's something we have to chose to do, but first we have to realize that we have turned away from the light. This is the part that sometimes catches me by surprise.
Comparison, Conflict, and Criticism pave the road to doubt. These three C's creep into my day and often I don't even realize it! They are sly and can trigger my doubt in a matter of minutes. Have you been there?
What are we to do when we find ourselves on the road to doubt or living in the shadow of doubt? Jeremiah 29:12-13 tells us to, "...call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." And if you wonder, 'well, how do I do that?', chapter 3 introduced us to Renee's "When, then" statements. They are a wonderfully practical thing we can do to remind us of God's promises, to help us turn toward the light, and see ourselves from His perspective.
The "D" word: doubt! When it's used to stir up negative feelings and thoughts about ourselves and others, it can be very destructive. It's even suggested that sometimes 'doubt' disguises itself as 'worry' or 'fear'. Oh my! I have always been a worrier! However, I am learning that the more I stay in God's word and believe His promises, the less I worry. I didn't say I never worry; I still do, but I also pray, so the worry & doubt no longer overshadow my joy! God's promises have turned me from a "worrier" to a "warrior"!
Throughout the book, Renee has some suggestions on how we can remind ourselves of God's promises. The "when, then" statements on page 60 & in chapter 12, the chart as compiled by Dr. Neil Anderson on pages 107 & 108, and "AM/FM" statements on pages 113-114.
And now I'm going to borrow an amazing idea from Stephanie Clayton over at Proverbs 31! She is also leading a Bible study of A Confident Heart and she has come up with a "No Fail Pail!"
"What is that?" you ask. It is a great way to USE all of these Biblical reminders of God's love & promises! Check out her short video here! I will have a copy of her beautiful "when,then" statements to get you started on your own "No Fail Pail!"
Finally, we have come to the part where I get to hear from you!!!
What was your favorite thing(s) in these chapters? Post them all in the Comments. Do you have a "when, then" statement that you've been using this week? Would you like to share it? I'd love to read it! I know, I know: many of us get together and talk about this on Friday, but not all of us get to do that. Post your comments to stay connected to everyone in our group! Remember, if you are reading this in your e-mail, click here to go to the blog to make your comment.
Praying that your shadow of doubt shrinks as you turn towards Jesus, who is Light!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body!" Proverbs 16:24
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