Great Study on Ephesians

This is a book review on The Full Armor of God by Larry Richards.

This book is enjoyable, however it is serious. I found myself taking a lot of time to read it, because it reads like an interesting text book. I wanted to know and study the information slowly, as to remember it.  I think arming yourself against the enemy’s schemes is important for all of us.  This book covers the book of Ephesians, breaking it down and explaining the different aspects (armor) so we can be prepared for spiritual battle. It examines how the enemy attacks us through modern media, lies and circumstance to drive a wedge between us and God’s love and grace.   I love books like this, that cover books/sections of the Bible.  I can see myself reading this again for reference and sharing it with others.

This is a review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I chose this book from a list as an item of interest.  I was not compensated and opinions are my own.

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 
~Luke 8:22-25 New International Version (NIV)

The above verse is what I studied for Sunday Preschool prep yesterday.   I did a web search, thinking I would find a video of the story, and I fell across a page talking about making a storm.  I did not bookmark the page and don’t remember who posted it to what blog. I just excitedly shut down the computer and started looking for things to make the sounds of a storm. I went to church that morning planning to have fun with a story; hoping that playing out the story would help them want to hear and remember it.  I’m not a trained teacher, so it’s hard to get a group of 3-4 year olds to sit still and pay attention.

We played ‘storm’.  We made noise, flashed lights and rocked a boat. Then we took turns saying “Be still., Stop. Quiet” and made the noise stop abruptly, as a cease was called.  After all this racket, we talked of Jesus and his power to calm a storm.  We read about Jesus and his friends in a boat during a storm .  The scene was played out by Lego men in a boat borrowed from my son’s room, with permission, of course. We also had plastic to crumble, pans to beat on and rice shakers.

It seemed a simple Bible story.  Yet, I am awestruck consistently by the Bible, when you take just one little story and apply it to life. I’m sure a storm will come again in my life. I may even have a pity party and make it worse for myself, for a bit.  Will I remember which book(s) in Bible this story played out or the exact verse? Probably not! However, I will remember the meaning and remember my God can quiet a storm if I have faith. 

1 Peter 5:7-8a

 Happy Thursday,!  I hope you’re making it a great day.  I am currently on Week 2 of "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst, the current Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study. This is my 5th Online Bible Study.

Today I’m focusing on 1 Peter 5:7-8a.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert.

My first response is to think this verse sums up much of the Bible’s teachings.  It asks us to give Him all our anxiety, reminds us of His love and warns us to be alert.  The Bible frequently asks for all we have, to commit to God.  We are always told of God’s great love. We are also to prep for battle and arm ourselves.

Some of you may think battle is a strong word.  Well, I have many strong feeling invoked when I focus on scripture.  We do battle a lot, as Christians. We face so many things of the modern world that reek of the enemy.  It may not seem that way, but anytime we crave or seek something of the world and give our energies or self over to them, we are losing a small battle.  It may seem innocent, that yearning that tugs us towards what we think fills us.  We say to ourselves we will be happy with more money, perfect hair, a purse or something fried or chocolate covered. After we get what we want, we just refocus on the great, gap filling thing. Over and over again.  My cravings involve sweet and savory foods.

My current Bible study focuses on cravings.  I am using it to make my body journey towards health, to be a better daughter of God, mother, and wife.  I have put on weight my whole adult life. I used to be an athlete in high school, but my knees hurt too much to exercise the way I used to.  I was diagnosed as Type II diabetic almost eight years ago, at a post pregnancy appointment after being gestational diabetic.  I had two diabetic pregnancies, in which I did everything the doctor told me.  Afterwards I went back to old habits, but carb-counted to keep my sugar in control.  I did not lose weight, I maintained, frustrated by how my body felt when I  deprived it. Less food and more exercise meant lots of monitoring, and losing half a day to feeling sick with low sugar, or physical therapy for my knees. I was in a cycle of not wanting to put the work into a healthy me.

This study has me making a positive investment into my self.  God did not intend for me to be broken and defeated.  He believes I have a purpose, and I need to battle my body, to be healthy for that purpose. I am making slow changes, so I don’t have extreme knee pain or sugar crashes.  I am using scripture to kick the habit of eating too much dessert, or large portions. I want to achieve a energetic level of Jesus girl I feel on a good day, everyday.  I can make things happen by praying my way through each meal, each workout, until God brings me to the next part of my journey.

What can you give or give up to be a better child of God?

Permissable But Not Beneficial

I am in the middle of Week 1 of "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst, the current Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study. This is my 5th Online Bible Study.  

I found the verse of 1 Corinthians 10:23a to be simple yet profound. It speaks not only of what we crave in our thoughts and actions with food, but to any behavior, any choice. It's going to be one of my go to verses. 

How do I define a go to verse? Its a verse I used in my battle to be a Jesus girl.  A verse that helps with the struggles I encounter.  It will help me make decisions based on truth, instead of desire.  It will comfort me in that, I do have freedom of choice, but not all choices make us feel free in the long run. Its a verse I've studied, highlighted, written down and memorized.  I write them on note-cards and scatter them in random places, and find them in just the right moment of need.

I find the more do to actively pursue God, via reading Bible studies, listening to sermons, and just trying to show the world love, the more I feel free. I feel strong, armed with truth and ready for battle. Thank you, God, for your love and letting me share it.

Breakfast Casserole

My mom gave me a recipe years ago, it's a nice all in one breakfast. If course, I could not find the recipe, and went online searching. The link below is what I found, now I'm off to make it.  ;)

Breakfast Casserole

With All My Heart

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  ~Deuteronomy 6:5  (NIV)

The above verse is one I’ve read and thought about many times since Sunday.  A few days ago, I started participating in an online Bible study (OBS) called, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God  through Proverbs 31 Ministries.  The study is based on a book called What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst. Deuteronomy 6:5 is the verse we’ve been focusing our time on during our first week and chapter of study. 

How do I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength?  I started by not turning away from or ignoring that uncomfortable urge or twinge, #YestoGod. You know what I mean, right?  That feeling that tugs and says “do it”.  “It” being that kind, loving, uncomfortable task, that you really don’t want to do, but know you should do.  The tasks that make someone else’s life better.  Selfless acts that share God’s love and grace, when you’ve already got enough to do.   Sometimes it’s a simple task, like an offer to help someone, when you’re really in a hurry. It is wiping the snot off of someone else’s child while their parent is too busy talking to notice or eating a germy cracker (because they love you enough to share).   Sometimes it’s a large task such as; committing to teaching preschool Sunday school each week, instead of attending your favorite service time  or becoming PTC secretary and communications officer for the next two years. Or, going to nursing school because you feel drawn to be a patient advocate, treating them with dignity and respect as their body fails them.

What does this mean to me?  Each time I say yes, I spread God’s love.  Not in a fantastic saint like way, that will always be remembered, but in a way that helps make events, or routine happen. It means I give my time, energy and self to children in my community. I am not that parent that drops my kids off to a free activity and runs.  I usually volunteer and work to help run that activity.  I’m not perfect and pleasant on the inside always; I do get stressed, and have a crappy attitude, stomp around (in my head) during moments when I’d rather be at home. I sometimes practice “smile and fake it ‘til you make it”.  Yet, after each task is accomplished, I feel closer to God.  When I started volunteering, it was because I realized how few do, now I couldn’t imagine life without it. I don't enjoy every minute, but I know I'm  working for the Lord.

One great thing about doing good, is the rewards.  I have a great husband and children, and all our needs are met, Amen.  I have children say “hi” and introduce me to their parent because I “work at their school” (1-2 hours a week I volunteer to help where it is needed).  I get random hugs, and  am called “teacher“ and “mom”.  Other parents call or text to get info, when they lose their paper. I feel at home in my community, and like I contributed to it.

Now, I’ve grown to believe God is blessing me, with these job assignments. I view that twinge, that urge, that I feel from God as a growing pain and know I’m blossoming into the daughter he helped shape. #PalmsUp

Parent Involvement Matters

The 2013-2014 school year is about to begin.  The video below is from PTO Today, an organization that helps parents everywhere get involved, through use of ideas and resources. While many of you don't want to think about the school year, those that are teachers, volunteers and PTC/PTO parents, don't stop thinking about school just because it's summer.

There are many, many tasks that need extra hands throughout the year.  You choose what time and effort you want to put forth.  Try one meeting or one event, or ask a teacher how you can help.  There are many benefits of volunteering, such as:

• You meet the many people that have already dedicated themselves to helping your child and his/her school; which helps you put a face to a name.
• Your child will know you care about their schooling
•  Non-volunteer parents will be amazed by seeing what moms and dads pulled off
• You will know what is going on at your child's school
• You will appreciate local business, they are always silently supporting by  offering donations through funds, food or supplies
• You will feel a sense of accomplishment, when you see things move from a brainstorm to hearing your excited child talk about that awesome assembly, field trip, activity, or  Tye-dye t shirt day you helped with.
• You will become a part of your community and people will know you by name.
• Your child will know you helped, and will be proud of you.

So, go to that open house, meet the new teacher, and sign up with the local PTC/PTO and find out where you can fit in. They are busy parents and teachers, with jobs and kids, too.  
"Many hands make light work." - John Heywood