postponement...

Today was supposed to be our first 1000 Gifts study. But alas its been postponed due to a sick kid.  Good news is Ryan is much better...and I am already wondering if he should have been sent back to school today. ;P



I have begun my 1000 Gifts devo, as well as my list of Gifts for 2013. =) I am enjoying the devotional very much (Thanks Mom!).  I find myself going back and re reading the mornings devotional again at bedtime.  This little excerpt from the one I read this morning resonated with my soul.

"Now could be an alter.  This time could be a tabernacle.
In God, there is no time, only eternity-- or more simply, only now.  His name is I AM.  Here-- wherever my feet are-- is where I can love Him." (One Thousand Gifts Devotional, pp 41).

I am trying not too rush.  Not to stress.  To trust.  Yesterday I had a moment.  I was at work.  I was feeling a little stressed since the boy was home sick....and the Mister stayed home with him (& not me...the mommy).  It was getting late and well past lunch time.  I was feeling frazzled and tired and hungry.  I was having trouble with a particularly large transaction...and of course mulitple coupons that the register didn't seem to want to cooperate.  (Happily it wasn't just me...my manager had just has many issues).  After this lady's transaction was complete he released me to go to lunch.  I got back to the bathroom fighting tears.  Berating myself for not being in control.  But then I slipped into the break room.  Popped my lunch into the microwave.  Txt my best friend.  Pulled out my little Bible from my purse.  I let His peace wash over me.  I read my key verse over and over until the truth of the words soaked into my very soul.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

I went back to work refreshed. Thankful God does hear our prays.  Answers us, and will fill us with His Joy.

Next week (Jan 16) we will meet at Ellen's. =)  We will begin One Thousand Gifts then. =)  In the meantime start counting your gifts!

Have a Joy- filled day.

PS I have TWO Women of Grace journals still up for grabs...

coming in January...

This past Wednesday we finished up our Study on God Loves Broken people by Shelia Walsh.  I don't have my book to write a complete entry.  Magda lead the study this week as I had to duck out early to deliver cupcakes to my Birthday girl's Kindergarten class. :D But I was thankful to be able to be there for a time, as well as have a faithful friend volunteer to lead, instead of just saying "eh, let's just cancel this week."

So while I was not present for all of the discussion, I found it intriguing, and said so on my way out the door how the last chapter of this book was like the perfect segue into our next study.

The last chapter was on Communion. And used the Greek word, Eucharisteo. Which means to give thanks.  This is the word Ann Voskamp uses over and over in her book.  The basis for counting her first 1000 gifts. I love this book.  I randomly came across it one day, the week before my 31st birthday and read that first teaser sample chapter online.  I was shocked and delighted when my parents gave it to me for my birthday a few days later.  Mom was just as surprised when I told her I had just been looking at the book online.  I believe it was a God thing.  That book sparked something.  We have talked about Ann's book frequently in our Bible study group.  Recently Ann came out with a devotional/journal companion to her book.

As a group we decided it would be the perfect thing to kick off next year on a journey of JOY.  Incidentally, I personally have decided JOY is going to be my one word for 2013.

I am looking forward to our new study beginning just after New Year's.  I hope you will join us on this journey, even if you can not attend our group in person.  How many gifts can you count in 2013?

Next Wednesday we will meet at 10 am, at my house for our CHRISTMAS Party!! :) Contact me if you need details... we'd love to have some extra guests...

We had a great study today. :) I can't seem to say enough how thankful I am for the members of this little Bible study.  I am thankful we can share our joys, our sorrows, our fears, our true hearts.

Today we covered Chapter 11...we are getting really close to the end of the book! It's time to start thinking about what we will start studying after Christmas. :) Bring any ideas you have next time.  We will be meeting at Ellen's.

Today we talked about Paul.

"Perhaps through this study you have been able to be more open with yourself and God about your wounds, whether brought about through your own mistakes or through living in a fallen world.  Our wounds can truly be a blessing in disguise."

Read Acts 9:1-19

1. How does the story open up in verses 1-2?  What was Saul (later called Paul) doing?
2. Clearly, we see that Saul felt confident with his ancestral faith.  He didn't realize his own need for a Savior and was spiritually blind to the condidtion of his soul.  Think back to a time when you were not aware of your spiritual depravity.  How did God expose it to you?
3. Review verses 4-7  After the light from heaven fell on Saul, what did Jesus say to him?  How did Saul respond?
4. Review verses 10-19.  God had supplied the right Christians to be around Paul in his time of need.  what was Ananias's first reaction in reaching out to Paul?
5. God uses other believers to help us see our brokenness.  We all need a safe place to heal and be vulnerable.  When has God provided you the right friend at the right time to help you "see" better?
6. Paul's conversion story illustrates our complete dependence on God.  Even though Paul was deceived, God showed mercy and met him on the Damascus Road, shattering his spiritual blindness.  Paul didn't deserve the miracle -- Jesus came to him anyway.  Think about someone in your life who you know doesn't even realize she is broken, in need of Jesus.  How can you be Ananias to her?
   
   (God loves Broken People, pp204, 205)
   
   
   Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Galations 6:2  ESV
   
   
    “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
   Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

It is important to share with others your struggles.  Its important to know we are not alone.  You never know who you might encourage simply by being willing to share your story.

Advent Devo Series

Hard to believe the Christmas season is upon us already!  Looking for something to help you keep your focus on Jesus?  I came across this devotional series on Pinterest. I was particularly happy to see that this weeks focus is HOPE.  I feel like I could use a little hope this week. :)

Source: goodmorninggirls.org via GoodMorningGirl on Pinterest

Women of Grace Christmas Party

Come and celebrate Christmas with us. :)

Wednesday December 19, 10 am

at Amy's

We will be doing...

.... a cookie exchange (Let me know by DEC 2, if you want to participate in the cookie exchange)
.... an ornament exchange (bring a wrapped ornament if you care to participate)
.... bring a snack to share

Something Bigger

Chapter 10: Called to Something Bigger

"Our walk with God is Full of paradoxes.  The worst day can end up being the best day.  Sometimes darkness helps us see God's light all the more.  God even used the darkest and foul places to reveal His truth and beauty."

1. Think of a dark experience or place.  How did God show up unexpectedly for you?  Were you able to discern that He was there right away or after it was over?
   Read Matthew 15:21-28
   
2. How does Jesus respond to her request at first?  How did the disciples respond?
3. Though He was in Gentile territory and healed other gentiles why did Jesus make a point to tell her He came for the lost sheep of Israel?
4. According to verse 25, what was this Gentile woman's reaction to Jesus response?
5. Sometimes we compare our level of brokenness with others and convince ourselves, Well I can't reach out to this person; he is just too far gone to help.  Jesus proves throughout Scripture that there is no darkness that he can not expel.  No situation or place is void of His presence.  How does the Canaanite women's faith clearly penetrate the darkness of her lineage?
   
   "When Jesus speaks in verse 28, He speaks with great conviction and emotion: "women, you have great faith!"  The text says her daughter was healed at that very hour.  After this, Matthew reveals more and more miracles Jesus preforms for Gentiles.  The blessings begin to clearly flow for both Jew and Gentile."
6. Pray and read. Read Ephesians 3:3-4 and write out what it means in your own words.
7. Pray and study. Read 2 Timothy 2:15 and write out what it means in your own words.
8. Pray and ransack. Read Proverbs 2:3-5 and write out what it means in your own words.
9. Pray and think. Read 2 Timothy 2:7 and write out what it means in your own words.
   "When we truly embrace the darkness that surrounds us, our own brokeness doesn't have to be something we are afraid of.  God can handle it, and there is freedom wgen we let go of trying to compensate for what we lack.  We need to exercise our faith in Him, not in us.  Write down something in your life you know weighs down on you."
10. Close this study by writing out your prayer of faith.  Take comfort in the fact you can start with "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24 NKJV) End with words of belief that He is setting you free.

(God Loves Broken People, pp 202-203)

We will not meet next WED for Thanksgiving Break, we will meet the following wed (26th) at Amy's.

Choose

We had a great study yesterday.  Lots of sharing, encouraging and prayer.  I am truly thankful for my wonderful friends that make up this little group.

We talked a bit about our church.  About the struggle that can go on, on Sunday Mornings.  How the devil loves to keep us from attending Church or even distracted enough that though we were there we leave feeling disconnected and empty.  The latter has been me lately.  I shared my struggles with the group yesterday.  I love teaching the k-1 Sunday school class...and truly feel that it is my place.  But I miss being part of a adult Sunday School class as well....yet am not sure where I fit anymore.

But as we studied yesterday it all come down to choices.  We need to be in the Word, and seeking God's guidance in every aspect of our lives...not just the big ones.  He longs to be apart of every moment of our days.

In our study we talked about Job.  He was definitely a man with struggles, I can not even fathom the pain he must have endured.  And yet he remained faithful to God...even though all others seemingly abandoned him.

Chapter 9 Nothing to Protect, Nothing to Lose

"Choice is something God gives us, and sometimes we do choose our own way, thinking it will keep us from suffering.  But usually it means we miss out on a blessing God has for us.

Think about a time you willfully chose to go your own way and later saw the missed blessing.  How did this impact your relationship with God?"

Read through the scriptures below that ask us to make a choice toward God's ways.  Which one are you choosing to do today, though it maybe hard?

•  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9
• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
•  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16
• Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23
• Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.  Hebrews 13:15

"To state the purpose of the book of Job in one statement is difficult, as it is multifaceted.  We see a look at reality that is much like our world; broken people responding to suffering; an honest man trying to submit to the will of God; the reality of Satan trying to discourage us and keep us from God's plan; and how humanity can clash with God's divine purposes.  Job also illustrates that though we are often sinful, weak and ignorant, we can be upright and purely devoted to God in the midst of adversity."

Read Job 1 

1. What do we learn about Job's life in verses 1-5?
2. How do we know from verse 6 that God rules over all of evel?
3. How does God describe Job to Satan (v. 8)?
4. What losses does Job experience through the hand of Satan?
5. How does Job respond to his troubles, according to verse 20?
6. When we experience profound suffering, our natural tendency is to find someone to blame.  Do you tend to blame yourself, others or God?

"My prayer is that you are finding it easier to embrace the reality of the brokenness in your own life.  We don't have to fear it because God is using it all to draw us near to Him."

How is God using your brokenness to set you free?

God uses broken things.  It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength.  It is the broken alabaster box that gives froth perfume.  It is Peter weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. 

Streams in the Desert-- p 113 

Next WED we will be at Magda's. :)