Insanity of Obedience ~ Nik Ripken

Really not sure what to say about this one.  Guess I'll just hang it all out there, like I always do, and hope ya'll understand.

Ripken's first book, Insanity of God, was an amazing book.  Absolutely loved it.  Recommended it highly when I read it.  Picked up the Insanity of Obedience on my church's book shelf.  Took me a while to get around to it.  Finally picked it up yesterday.

I read through the first 5 chapters, thinking, this is good stuff... when are we going to get to the meat?

Read the next couple of chapters, thinking, this is okay stuff... when are we going somewhere?

Scanned through the rest of the book, reading the bold sections, the quotes, and the italicized stuff.

This sounds horrible, I know.  The book is a good book.  But it's not the first one.  It's nothing like the first one.  So go into this one knowing that, and you'll love this book.  It has tons of good information.  Tons of digging deeper, going further, opening you up stuff!!!  You NEED to read this book.

If there is even a sliver of a chance that you are not doing what God intended for you, then you need to read this book.

If there is an incling that God is talking to you, and your not listening and doing, then you need to read this book!

It's not enough to say that you're a Christian... What are you "doing" for Jesus today?

Read the book!

Random Little Tidbits ~ May 15, 2016

"When people ask me where to start reading the Bible, I tell them there's really no wrong place to start. You can study anything that's going to help you."

Joyce Meyer

Posted on FaceBook 5/14/2016

I so agree with this. The big picture is far more important than arguing over the minute.

"Worry About the Camels, Not the Gnats

It's hard to believe how many denominations and independent churches there are today, yet there's only one Bible, one message. It's evident that God has one thing to say to all people, a single plan for our conduct and relationship with Him.

But over the years, because of our pride and narrow-mindedness, we've felt the need to develop a myriad of churches and church groups, even different versions of the Bible, to suit our own strict interpretations of what we believe the Bible says.

I've come to realize that none of us are 100 percent correct. Most of the things we fight over are petty. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus told the Pharisees that they strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel. They had gotten so picky about the little things, it prevented them from dealing with the things that were truly important.

As long as we allow prejudice, hatred and division to continue to have a place in our lives, we'll be powerless to stop it. Only agreement and unity in the love of Christ will bring the power to defeat prejudice. We can defeat hatred by allowing love to overcome our critical, divisive attitudes toward others."

~power for every day life by Joyce Meyers on YouVersion

I know it's a tad bit late for the Omer Count,  I've been using an App on my phone, called OmerCounter.  

 If you don't have a smart phone this chart is good too!

Here's my new business, and some of the products available.  You can see the whole collection when it's done, on the GG's tab above.  

"There are different kinds of abuse: sexual, emotional, verbal, physical. No matter the form, the results are always terrible. It will keep you from functioning properly and prevent you from receiving and experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy of God's kingdom." ~Joyce Meyer

For everyone that reads this please take the time to bank in your memory a thing or two. Not every victim is open and forthright about it, you may never know that person you sit by and talk to at church is a recovering victim. Sometimes it takes forever, if at all, to overcome all of the side effects of abuse. PTSD is not just for soldiers. Have patience with people, you never know all the baggage people carry around, even if you know some of it. Be kind to one another!!!

And finally, a word from my sponsor!

Seamless ~ Angie Smith

Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story

I really need this.  I personally feel that the whole Bible is one complete story, and without having gotten it all read, was having trouble connecting all of it.  

This study is 7 weeks long.  And that is not very long for the "whole" Bible.  I, honestly, didn't think Mrs. Smith would accomplish the task.  

To some degrees she didn't.  But overall, I think she accomplished the task nicely.  

Each days' homework is clearly labeled.  She does NOT wander around like a lot of Bible teachers do.  She stays on task, and plods through, and YES connects all of those dots.  

In 7 weeks, it's impossible to do any digging into the subject matter.  So, obviously, it's a highlighted trip through the Bible.  And many, many parts are barely mentioned.  Those parts are for a more in depth study, not needed for the bare structure of the story. 

This study, does have videos available at Lifeway, that can be purchased for individual use.  Still having trouble understanding how you would be able to use them for a "group" study.  I asked Lifeway if I could share them with two ladies I was doing this study with, and was told no.  They would have to purchase their own.  Granted they aren't much.  All 7 totaling less than $21.  I did enjoy the short videos (less than 15 mins each).  And although I enjoyed them, they really aren't necessary to the study itself. 

I do believe I fell in love with Mrs. Smith.  She has such an appealing demeanor, and a frank honest, that I value.  In the video's she just opens up to us and let's us get to know her. 

I recommend this study to everyone that struggles with the story line through the Bible.  We all know it's about Jesus.  But some of us struggle to connect the Old Testament to the New.  Some of us were raised to believe the New replaced the Old.  And in some aspects it did.  But in some aspects the Old Testament should not be forgotten, disregarded, NOR ignored.  This study pulls all of the story together very nicely!  

Here's a link to the Study Group if you'd like to join us:  Seamless Study Group

Even though we are done, we would be happy to discuss with you!