Random Little TidBits ~ May 2017

Time for Testimony

We got our new sign made, hopefully they will install it sometime this week. 

After reading "Never Unfriended" by Lisa-Jo Baker this month, I decided to try to set up a group of ladies that want to deepen their level of friendship.  A group that will regularly go out and do things together.




School is out for the summer, two restless teenagers at home, all day, most every day, this is definitely going to be an experience.  We have our Bible study lined up already, and Algebra that we are going to be learning, hopefully!  And many adventures that will be coming up, I am sure.

Went hiking on Monday (Memorial Day) up at Lake Fort Smith, my children felt it necessary to go ahead without us, and didn't realize we turned back, (just like we told them would happen), waited over an hour for them to return, Gary wound up having to go get them.

Went to see the King Arthur movie, that was fun, but having her replacement retainer all of three days, Shannon left and lost it again at the theater.

Book Club

"What Are You Going To Believe"  
~ Joyce Meyer

I love this collection from Joyce Meyer.  What are you going to believe about God? About yourself?  Complete with scripture that tells you what you should believe.  

A handy reference book for future perusing!

When God Isn't There ~David Bowden

Out of this whole book, here is what I took away from it:  Sometimes you can't feel God's presence, and that's ok.

There are reasons for it.  Sometimes it's something you did, and sometimes it's not something you did.

A Mile Wide 
~ Brandon Hatmaker

This was an excellent book.  And I've quoted it a few times below in the Notables.  It was filled with stuff not pertinent to me, but it was filled with a LOT of smack me in the nose stuff that I needed to hear.

If your relationship with God, His Church, and people in general is not satisfying, then spend some time in this book!

Never Unfriended 

~Lisa-Jo Baker

This was absolutely a MUST read for anyone and everyone that struggles with friendship like I do.

Every chapter is chock full of tears and joy and laughter.

Ms. Baker was on the news recently and said if she could only make one point from the book it would be "Don't be afraid to go first".  This is the reason I started the Ladies Group in Fort Smith/Van Buren, and hopefully it will help ladies in my area.  

"We Saved You A Seat" is the Bible study based off of this book, that my daughter and I decided to do this summer.  We are both looking forward to it. 

Notable Quotables

"Here's a list of things John (the Baptist) did not tell them to do: memorize more Scripture, pray on your knees in the morning instead of in bed and half-asleep, get up in time to make it to Sunday school, wear shorts that cover your knees, only watch PG-rated movies, quit smoking, and, for the love, keep your hair off your collar.

Here's what he did say: "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry" (v.11). "Dont take more than you need." Be content.

The good news doesn't begin with control, but surrender."

~ Shannan Martin "Falling Free"

"A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." C.H. Spurgeon

"I want you to call." That's an expression of urgency, intensity, and fervency. It’s an invitation to shameless and loud intimacy! God says, “Call to Me.”

Authentic Prayer by James McDonald

"Most of the people I see struggling with church today aren't frustrated because of what happens on Sunday mornings. Most are frustrated because of what's not happening. People are searching for connection on a deeper level. Maybe you can relate. You've got friends you tend to gravitate to in the hallways. You've got people who will grab a coffee with you if you ask. But you're starving for that deep connection with others you can literally do life and faith with. You're missing people in your life who can tell there's something wrong just by seeing the look on your face or by hearing the tone in your voice. You're hungry for true community. Biblical community. The kind we read about happening in the early church and the kind we saw with Jesus and his disciples."

A Mile Wide - Brandon Hatmaker

Yes, I can relate. And I'm loving this book.

"Teach me Your ways, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name" Psalm 86:11

"We must be teachable. There is something to be learned through every trial we face. God wants us to ook to Him, listen to Him, and live in such a way that honors Him."

Dr. Lee Sheppard, Mabel White Baptist Church, Macon, GA

"Sadly, people's memories are often dependent on their wills. Peter spoke of those who "willfully forget" God's works (2 Peter 3:5). There are thousands of people in the present day who are just as blind as the Jews were. They shut their eyes to the plainest facts and doctrines of Christianity. We point them to Christ, to the Person they need to be saved from their sins, but they do not believe what they do not like. It is a willful ignorance. They refuse to listen, read, contemplate, and see sincerely for truth. Jeremiah described foolish people as those "who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not" (Jer 5:21).

Sinful people don't want to hear about their sinfulness. They hated Jesus because He told the truth. They hate Christ's followers for the same reason. But that does not change the fact that we are called to love our neighbors and to share God's truth. Be prayerful, asking for opportunities to reach people. Be bold, knowing you can help others be set free by the truth. Be like Jesus. Share the truth in love."

-Dr. Rob Zinn, Immanuel Baptist Church, Highland, CA

"People can deny the Bible, the church, or religion, but they can't deny your testimony. Tell them what you know! Find someone to reach out to today. Someone will listen."

Dr. Rob Zinn, Immanuel Baptist Church, Highland, CA

I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but, by the grace of God, I am not what I was. ~ John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace)

Bible Studies

We did Uninvited at church in the Monday morning Rubies group.  And I absolutely love Lysa TerKeurst! She has a way of speaking to me that no other Bible ladies encountered so far has been able to accomplish.

This study was a good supplement to "Never Unfriended", as was the Listen, Love, Repeat study, which focused on being a "friend" to others, by focusing on having an "other-centered" life.  I recommend both of these studies highly!  

At The Box Office

MUST SEE!!!  I'm not going to spoil these other than to say:
Case For Christ: One man's journey to debunk, turned awry!
In Our Hands: The story of the 6 day war, and the recapture of East Jerusalem.

See these if you can!

It's been a great and blessed May!

Random Little TidBits ~ April 2017

Time for Testimony

Praise of the Day!

I went to take the kids to school this morning, grab the keys off the key rack... they aren't there.

I look all over the house, no luck. I check Gary's Jeep, the car we took last night, no luck. I finally take Gary's keys this morning, to get the kids to school. Come back and look again no luck. Anxiously await 8 AM so I can call the friend I spent the evening with yesterday, to see if maybe I left them at her house. No luck. She and her husband prayed for me to find them.

I go back through the whole house... and getting a little desperate I say "Okay God, what did I do with my keys?"

Clear as day, the image of me putting them in Gary's glove box comes to mind. And yes, that is where they were!

God is glorious, and HE does answer prayers, even the seemingly miniscule ones!!!!

I've been on a desperate attempt to lose weight.  I am near hopelessly out of shape.  Suffering from a hernia, that makes exercise difficult.  I joined MRC about three months ago.  I have successfully lost 31 pounds to date.  And want all of you to know.  YOU can do it too!

This is my baby.  Hard to believe that I am almost 50 and my baby is just now a teenager.  A two teenager household.  LORD help me!

Questions of the Day

The twelve disciplines of Jesus are: prayer, confession, meditation, study, fasting, sabbath, silence, solitude, simplicity, giving, service, and worship.

How many do you observe?

Book Club

 

Cross Roads ~ Wm. Paul Young

I love this man's fiction.  AND it's fiction.  He tells you that up front.  I read the controversial "The Shack"  and loved it.  Had to read Eve when it came out, that in my opinion is more controversial.  So I had to round out his work, since there is only this one other book.  

I really loved this book.  The idea that you can resolve things before you die, is just uplifting.  (YES, I know it's fiction, but there's a chance)  Setting things right before it's too late, don't we all think about that.  

Great book!

"Falling Free" by Shannan Martin

Mrs. Martin has several messages for us in this book.  This book is important, and crucial to living the way Jesus had in mind.  IMO

This book was extremely hard for my left brain structured mind to follow and stay with.  Chaotic brain is not something OCD brain can follow.  Right brains you will love this book.

I love how she tells us time and again in not these exact words that we have to get over ourselves in order to do HIS work.  And this is so very true!  Martin has very well encapsulated the mentality of current society, and how she overcame that to do HIS work.  I do recommend this one. 

"Mended" by Angie Smith

I have to tell you, mended is the perfect example of why you should give an author a second chance!

My sister, at church, loves Angie Smith's work.  And she loaned to me, last month's "Chasing God" which I didn't care for at all.  And this month's "mended".

I have to tell you, I loved this book.  Each chapter was a bite-sized bit of Angie's life, times, ups, downs, struggles, and successes.  Just large enough to get a taste, but not so big you feel overly full when done.

I love the devotional feel to this one! And will read it again.

Notable Quotables

When even one American ~who has done nothing wrong~ is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth ~ then all Americans are in peril. Harry S. Truman

"The more we pray, the more we shall want to pray. The more we pray, the more we can pray. The more we pray, the more we shall pray. He who prays little will pray less, but he who prays much will pray more."

C.H. Spurgeon

"Anyone who has been in the church for very long has been hurt by people in the church" Christians are not immune to "judgment, pride, self-centeredness, manipulation, abandonment, abuse, control, perfectionism, domination, and every kind of relational sin known to humankind. The walls of the church do not make it safe from sin. In fact, the church by definition is composed of sinners."

Never Unfriended
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships
Lisa-Jo Baker

"If we're not careful, we can be judgmental toward other believers, simply because we don't agree with the way they do things, and wind up having hearts that look more like the Pharisees than we'd expect... Don't let yourself fall into the sin of self-righteousness. Focus on your own life and the sins you need to confess more than the sins of those around you."
~ Dr. Marty Jacumin, Bay Leaf Baptist, Raleigh, NC

"Does that mean: said Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?" "Not at all." Jesus smiled as he reached for the door handle to the shop. "Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

The Shack ~ Wm. Paul Young

Matthew 7:13 [The Narrow Way ] “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

Matthew 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Mary and Martha provide two excellent models of worship and service. Instead of valuing one over the other, we should have a balance of both. You simply cannot divorce the two and be an effective follower of Christ.

Many have criticized Martha for failing to sit with Mary at Jesus' feet. However, churches are full of Christians who "sit and soak" and never prioritize serving and applying what they have learned. Many Chrisitians pride themselves on their faithful attendance, but the statistics have not changed for decades. Eighty percent of the work is done by twenty percent of the people.

What changes do you need to make to balance worship and service in your life?

~Dr. Larry Thompson, First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Bible Studies

I really love doing one chapter at a time with GMG.  And Courtney I pray for you.  Hoping that heal and rest well.  And look forward to your return.  

I'll also tell you, I started quite a few Bible Studies in April.  And two of them are ending tomorrow.  LOL.  Not soon enough to make this edition.  Stay tuned in May for Lisa TerKuerst's "Uninvited", Karen Ehman's "Listen, Love, Repeat", and Angela Thomas-Pharr's "Redeemed" as well as a book review of "Never Unfriended".  Am also doing Job and Ecclesiastes with GMG, don't think I'll be done with those until June.  

Meme Corner

 

Page photos are from Lisa TerKuerst's "Uninvited"

Well, that is all I have for this edition.  Look forward to bending your ear much more in May!

Shalom!