Thursday, August 31, 2017

Becoming More

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst

This was an excellent book. In the beginning I thought, well this isn't anything new or earth shattering I didn't know.  It did offer practical ways for application and scriptural connections. 

By the end of the book I was discovering new insights.

The entire book had me reflecting, thinking and writing away in my journal with notes, thoughts and quotes.

I want more of Jesus, more in my relationship with Him.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Markers

So today, I went to a big business meeting for work when the gal sitting next to me says wow that must hurt as she pointed to my foot. I was like what are you talking about!? I look down, my foot is all purple.

Ruth got into the markers last night and colored a lot, apparently including inside my shoe that transferred to my feet.

Elinore had blue hair last night. The blanket was purple striped. There's some on the carpet, my bed. Her legs were rainbows. And apparently my shoes!

Monday, August 28, 2017

"The Great I AM"

Apparently sermons notes is becoming a regular thing for me.  I think it's a good thing.  I will continue as long as I'm getting value from it. 

This weeks' scripture was from Exodus 3:1-15.

God appears to us everyday if we recognize what we see.  He is in our everyday lives.  We just need to recognize it.

The ground is Hole when we recognize God is present.

He doesn't call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.  God will be with you.  God was with Moses in his work; He will be with us too.

_________

This was so wonderful for me Sunday after I'd written about this in my paper journal earlier in the week.  It had a slightly different turn to it, but along the same lines.  I'd read a portion about it in Becoming More by Lysa TerKeurst.  The summary a section of the book I read this week was that if you want to see God in your life, you will.  And you will learn and grow to see him in your life more and more if you seek him. 



Thursday, August 24, 2017

Kitchen Towels

I have two towels in my kitchen that I just adore. 

The germs one is a gift from a dear friend of mine.

The second, I bought from Mercy House Global.  Check them out!

https://mercy-house.myshopify.com/

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Flowers

Elinore picked little clover flowers out in the yard the other night.

She brought them in to me as a gift and told me: "Since I wasn't at your wedding, I wanted to bring you these mom."

First Day of School 2017

Caden, grade 5
Caleb, grade 5
Elinore, preschool

One more hug!

When we go to leave the house without Ruth, she comes running after us saying in her sweetest little 2 year old voice.  "I need to give you a hug!"  "One more hug!"

And I melt and hug and hug and hug some more.  :)

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

"A Child is Born"

Sunday's sermon was titled "A Child is Born." 

I only took notes on a single bit toward the end of the sermon that resonated with me.

What can ordinary people do to live out their faith?  Use our gifts, serve God.

Ordinary people make a difference in our lives.  We can do that for others too.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Job - Thoughts

As I've been reading through the Bible I take two different kinds of notes.  The main page, or the page on the right side of the composition book I'm using is my notes on what's happening; the story, what I'm reading.  On the back of the other page, or the left side I write things I'm thinking or that drive points in the Bible home, or things I ponder on more.  These are the left page notes from Job.

  • Job didn't blame God when bad things happened. - How quick am I to blame God?
  • Satan appeared with the angels, twice.
  • I want to be a friend like Job's friends that come and sit with him for days just to be with him.  (Not the part where they go on to give him bad advice!)
  • Job suffered because he'd been strong in his faith; lean in to Jesus when it gets hard.
  • Job 8:7 "where you began will seem unimportant because you future will be so successful." (Bildad speaking)
  • The book of Job is a long conversation between friends about God.
  • Job & those speaking to him are seemingly getting tired of these long speeches and debates, but they continue.
  • Job sees God as the cause of his pain; his friends see sin as the cause of his pain.
  • Wisdom/understanding comes from the spirit, not age.
  • Job's friends give bad advise & blame his sin for his suffering, but God is growing and testing Job.

Job

I finished reading the book of Job today. 

  • Job was a good man who obeyed God
  • His 10 children are close and feast together regularly
  • Each time Job offers a burnt offering for each child for they may have sinned
  • Satan appears to God and says he's been wandering
  • God points out Job to Satan
  • Satan says he is only good because God has protected him and given him much - God gave everything Job had to Satan's control, but he couldn't touch Job
  • 4 messengers brought news of destruction to Job - 1: oxen and donkeys; 2: sheep and servants; 3: camels and servants; 4: children
  • Job worshiped and priased God and didn't blame him
  • Satan again appeared with the angels before God
  • This time God gave him Job, but not the ability to take his life
  • Job suffered sores all over his body, but didn't curse the Lord, even at his wife's encouragement
  • Job said she was foolish and he must take the good and the bad from God
  • Job had 3 friends who heard of his suffering and came to him; they say with him on the ground 7 days and nights not talking because of his suffering
  •  After 7 days Job cursed the day he was born and wished he were dead - he described what death may be like:
    • no trouble
    • rest
    • freedom
  • Eliphaz responds to Job with many examples of people bringing evil and trust God
  • Job complained and sought death for comfort; he dais wasted and nights long
  • Bildad speaks to Job and reminds him to pray and ask for mercy; God will do right by you for your innocence
  • Job's response is that God is too mighty and wise for him to change anything in asking; he feared God
  • He blamed God for his condition for he knew of nothing else that could inflict him with such pain
  • Zophar reminds Job of God's greatness and some sin has already been forgotten
  • Job says they are foolish to argue for God, God holds the breath of all of us in His hands
  • Eliphaz talks with Job reminding him they speak with wisdom to him and warm him against sin
  • Eliphaz says "is God not enough for you?" - don't give up for there lies evil
  • Job response wondering when these long speeches he is hearing will end and tells them the words do not change his pain, spoken or unspoken
  • Job seaks help from God to keep his understanding and not be swayed from waht He knows to be true
  • Bildad speaks to Job of what will happen to the wicked
  • Job responds God has done this to him
  • Zophar tells Job evils is punished, Job responds with the easy, peaceful, fruitful lives, evil ones have lived on Earth
  • Eliphaz speaks of remembering God and helping others, Job answers he wants to see God, prove his case, face judgement for he fears God
  • Bildad reminds him we can't be pure, but Job insists he is innocent
  • Job explains wisdom
  • Job remembers how his life used to be - he helped others, was honored and respected
  • Job talks about his life now where everything has been stripped away from him and people stay away or spit at him - his is sad and maning
  • Job explains all the good he has done and seeks God to respond to him, not mroe people
  • Elihu waited to speak to Job because he was younger than Job's 3 friends, but he spoke up when they had nothing more to say
  • Elihy was angry because Job claimed he was right, not God
  • God speaks to the people in different ways
  • Elihy describes a mighty and powerful God of discipline
  • your sin or your good do not chagne God
  • God speaks to Job questions him in the knowledge of God
  • God asks how he could know since he wasn't born when God created and he cant' see all of what God has or has done
  • God's wisdom is incomprehensible to us
  • God reminds Job he is human, humbling
  • Job responds that he is not worth and cannot answer God's questions
  • Everything under the sky belongs to God
  • God desciribes a Leviathan
  • Job admits he spoke of things he didnt' understand, too wonderful for him to know
  • God was angry with Job for their false words - Job prayed for them
  • Job was rewarded two fold compared to the good he had before his troubles came

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

"Family Reunion"

The sermon Sunday at church was titled "Family Reunion."  The scripture came from Genesis 45:1-15. 

Pastor started the sermon by talking about human trafficking and slavery.  It happens here; slavery is not a thing of the past.  Toledo is a hot spot, #4 in the nation for human trafficking.  I like that she is talking about current events, what we're facing today and how it all relates. 

Then she turns back to the scripture of how Joseph is a story of human trafficking.  Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, but he went on to have dreams that led to the storage of food to survive a 7 year famine.  His brothers than came to where he was, but Joseph had his revenge as he hid from them, set them up, and had them arrested.  However, it was a reunion, and he could help feed his family.

A reunion is to bring something back together.

Pastor then brought this home with a family reunion in healing of relationships, reconciliation.  Where do we have relationships we need to heal?

Atonement = at one with God.  We must first be right in our relationship with God; then heal our relationships with others. 

God can turn evil things into his good too. 

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Campfires

This picture makes me super happy.
 
It reminds me that the uncomfortable night of sleep in the tent with her after this was worth it.
 
I'm glad my friend Kathy captured this moment for us.
 

Keeping up with the Jonses - Sermon Notes

I took a couple notes again during this Sunday's sermon.  I didn't take enough notes to put the whole thing together, but enough I wrote a few key tidbits down!

The sermon was called "Keeping Up with the Joneses."  The scripture was from Genesis 37:1-4 & 12-28 (CEV).  She started with the top 10 dysfunctional Biblical families, while I'd love to have the whole list I only have that number 1 was the family of Hosea.  She didn't describe this story in details as we had several kiddos in church, but I agree with dysfunctional.  Sin, with an S means we are separated from god and sin with an s is the actions that separate us from God. 

Throughout the Bible, this is so much favoritism, and I know I came to that realization last week, but she brought it up this week, which has just continued to keep it in my mind.  I have seen it in my world today, and I don't want to repeat it, but can I be any different in my sin? 

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Favorites

One other concept that came up Sunday during church that I see happen is favorites in children.  Parents have a favorite child.  I've seen it in life today, and seen the effectives of it.  I have only recently realized this is a concept and problem that has been happening for ever as the Bible has many examples of parents selecting favorite children.

Wrestling with God

The sermon this past Sunday at church was on a topic I'd thought about off and on over time, but especially lately.  The scripture was from Genesis 32: 22-31 and the sermon was titled "Wrestling with God."  I even wrote a key take away down from this sermon.  From our wrestling with God, we are transformed.  Transformation means we come away different; we are changed.