Lent 2016 ~ She Reads Truth

I stumbled upon She Reads Truth, when I did the "Open Your Bible" Bible study.   Which I absolutely loved BTW.  I really adore Amanda and Rachael, and how they put together their studies, and how the welcome you right into them.  

I was intrigued so much that I checked out their website, SRT.  Downloaded the SRT app, and purchased the Lent 2016 study by SRT.

Lent 2016 is extremely beautiful.  I loved the way it is laid out.  The artwork is amazing.  The recipes are easy and stuff I would redo.  The music sheets, I like this idea, I would download on YouTube and listen to the songs while reading the scriptures.

I love how the scriptures are laid out.  Learning about Jonah was new to me.  The explanation of Ash Wednesday was nice, and the real time walk with Christ, I absolutely loved.

Having all the scripture about the events of Christ's last days all in one place was nice too.

I will cherish this book.  I can not really call it a study, but it wasn't.  It was a structured reading of scripture, and that I enjoyed greatly.  I will read this book again next Lenten season.

SRT has a subscription service, where you can get all 12 of their studies plus the 3 special studies each year.  For only $24/month.  I think this is a really good deal if you need a more structured approach to scripture.  Although I personally think this is a great idea, I have decided not to do this myself.  I find that just reading scripture is something I can do myself.  I am looking more for the digging deeper into scripture, that comes from an intensive study.

That being said, I still recommend this item to everyone.  It was an amazing journey through this one.


Shalom! And Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Church On Fire ~ Fred A. Hartley, III

My church always comes up with a book or devotional or something for the Lenten Season.  

This year's pick was Church On Fire by Fred A. Hartley, III.

I have to say I have had a great time reading this book.  I have come to the end and realize that my give or take attitude on prayer is simply not the right approach.  

Hartley gives us 30+ action steps in this devotional on how to make prayer more prominent in your life.  

I plan on visiting this book again, and again.  Until I incorporate prayer into my daily routine more than I have.  I know now that my approach should be more intentional rather than lackadaisical as it's become.  

Thank you Fred for giving us such a great plan to correct our actions!

Top 40 Sins Plus One ~ St. Luke's of Fort Smith

Below is the list of Top 40 sins, plus 1, as suggested by our members who responded to this challenge. After the original 7 sins, the suggested ones are listed in alphabetical order. Some duplications and a few synonyms were deleted and I added a column of Bible References. There were many biblical references to choose from and I elected the most obvious in some cases such as the Ten Commandments and others I struggled with and still others I chose a less obvious scripture. The bible verses are links to a website so if you click on one it will take you to the website and allow you to read it. Top 40 Sins Plus 1 Sin Bible Reference 1 Lust 1 John 2:16 2 Gluttony Proverbs 23:20-21 3 Greed Luke 12:15 4 Sloth Proverbs 13:4 5 Envy Genesis 37:3-4 6 Pride 2 Kings 5:10-13 7 Anger (wrath) Psalm 37:8 8 Adultery Exodus 20:14 10 Arrogant Condescension 1 Samuel 2:3 11 Cruelty Luke 11:46 12 Cursing James 3:9-10 13 Deceitfulness 1 Peter 3:10 14 False Adoration, Flattery 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 15 Gossip 1 Timothy 5:13 17 Idolatry Exodus 20:4 18 Indifference to God Colossians 3:15-17 19 Ingratitude: Ungrateful, Unthankful 1 Corinthians 2:14 20 Insincerity Matthew 6:1-2 21 Judging Others Matthew 7:1-5 22 Kidnapping Deuteronomy 24:7 23 Lack of Faith Ephesians 2:8 24 Lying - Untrustworthy John 8:44 25 Misogyny 1 Peter 3:7 26 Murder Exodus 20:13 28 Neglecting the Needy Matthew 25:42-45 29 Physical or Mental Abuse Psalm 55 30 Prejudice Galatians 3:26-29 31 Procrastination Luke 9:59-62 32 Rape Deuteronomy 22:25 33 Ridicule Nehemiah 4:1-5 35 Self-destruction Galatians 5:19-21 36 Selfishness 2 Timothy 3:2-4 37 Slander Leviticus 19:16 38 Unbelief Mark 16:16 39 Using God's Name in Vain Exodus 20:7 40 Waste: Earth's Resources, Food, Water Ezekiel 16:9-22 41 Worry Matthew 6:31-34 This article is 100% borrowed from:  Top 40 +1 by St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Ft. Smith.

Random Little Tidbits ~ January 29, 2016

"How can we avoid Pulling Scripture out of Context?

* Read the full chapter of full section of verses surrounding it.
* Ask: Who is speaking? To whom? What is happening?
* Read the passage in various Bible translations. 
* Consult a Bible commentary to learn more about the setting, situation, and cultural clues.

A great example: In some translations (like ESV), God tells Israel in Amos 4:6, "I gave you cleanness of teeth," which we might take to mean the Lord is blessing Israel with oral health. Other translations clarify that "clean teeth" is a cultural way of saying "Igave you empty stomachs" (NIV) or, "Igave you absolutely nothing to eat" (HCSB). What a difference a little context makes!"

This is from Open Your Bible: God's Word is for You and for Now by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams.

I must tell you guys… God is Good!!!!

This morning as I am reading:

“God Can Deliver
In times of crises, it’s easy to feel like God can’t deliver. To bolster your faith, consider these biblical accounts of when God delivered His children from their afflictions.
In 1 Samuel 17:37, David knew he could defeat Goliath because God had already saved him from a lion and a bear.“

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life – a Daily Devotional

This message pops up in my Daniel Plan class group.
“If you have been visited by discouragement this week, don’t let it stand in your way! God is ready to go before you into battle on your behalf! Remember David defeated Goliath with just a sling and a stone. David did not have victory because he believed in himself. He had victory because he believed in God! " This is the Lords battle" ~ Michelle Johnson

This was just what I needed this morning to overcome a hurdle from yesterday. And them coming at the same time, was without a doubt God speaking directly to me. God told me very clearly that I will overcome! I really thought He was speaking just to yesterday, but I now know that He was ALSO giving me the tools I would need to overcome other issues this afternoon.

Thank you, Jesus, for your love, support, and encouragement.

‪#‎JoyceMeyer‬ Michelle Johnson ‪#‎thedanielplanclass‬

Open Your Bible ~ Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams

If you are looking for a Bible study that will get you in the word, and in conversation with other people. Then this is the study for you.  Only a 7 week session, but full of juicy meaty scripture and study. 

The ladies at SRT have really put together a fine product here, and have supported it really well.  They did a weekly study email, that included a video that had both ladies pulling you right into their living rooms.  The stories were fabulous and easy to relate to.  They set up a FaceBook group that we all used to discuss the questions.  And many side groups separated by region, for local discussions.  The videos that accompanied the email study were free.  The also have video bundle for deeper study available.  Only $9.95, which is substantially cheaper than most of the other studies I have seen. 

I really enjoyed this study, and the friends that I gathered in doing this study with ladies online.

Highly Recommended!!!