What Summer Bible Studies Did You Do?

Some of you might still be in one. 

When I got the invite for the summer bible study group I was very interested in it as it would be the first time to participate in a study by Melissa Spoelstra. It sounded great. It's description caught me from the beginning...

"All of us know what it’s like to be hurt or betrayed. Often it’s a small breach such as being spoken to rudely or overlooked in a time of need. Other times we experience lies, gossip, or harsh words that cut us to the core. Some of us have endured unspeakable pain through abuse, adultery, or abandonment. God knows the pain we cause each other and longs to help us learn to practice forgiveness. Nowhere do we see forgiveness played out more fully in Scripture than in the biblical story of Joseph.

This six-week study explores what God has to say to us about grace and forgiveness through Joseph’s story of trial and triumph found in Genesis 37-50. As we study his dreams, his betrayers, his dysfunctional family, his struggle to forgive, and his journey toward reconciliation, we’ll find truths that echo into our own personal situations."

I had responded with a maybe but when June 5th came and went, I had completely forgot all about it. Not only that, I am way behind on the online study of The Armor of God also. I don't know how long the sessions will be available after today but I will do my best to complete it.

I am fortunate to have the ability to purchase these studies and/or videos from Lifeway that I miss but want to complete. I can then work on them at my own pace when things like this happens. 

Right now my pace just can't keep up with some things. I am not pleased that my studies are taking a backseat right now, but life has been kind a on a "CRAZY" cycle. The best part of all this craziness, is 7 "Grands" have visited us this month. Three of which we hadn't seen in a year. Another 4 hadn't visited since October of 2014. Their parents schedule is on it's on "CRAZY" cycle limiting their ability to come visit, so we do our best to go over and see them as often as we can, especially for special events, birthdays and holidays. 

Feeling the blessings bestowed upon us is so worth the distractions from some of the not so pleasant events of the last couple months. Though attending Bible Study had hiccups, I have kept up my pace with Beth Moore on iTBN. I record her every Wednesday evening and watch her every Thursday morning. I really enjoyed her last 3 part segment on Advance. 

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” 
(Philippians 1:12)

I am ADVANCING! Each step along this journey shows me a path well prepared, it's up to me to walk it. I will continue to ADVANCE forward, with the faith and strength, always seeing the JOY in each and every moment. I will continue to plant the seeds God intends for to sow, so to watch them grow in the way He has planned.

It might be a "CRAZY" cycle right now, but what it is preparing me for, I can't wait to see!

The Armor of God

It's been 8 weeks since my hospitalization for that chronically inflamed gallbladder, if that's such a thing. It was a testament to my faith that is for sure.

Still so much stuff to catch up on still, including having to decide if I would be able to participate in the spring bible study. When April 5th came, it was apparent I wasn't quite ready yet. I did order the workbook so to do it on my own time.

Then an email arrived announcing the same study will be available online starting in June. I just might have to sign up! 

The Armor of God 

Blessed Is She Who Believed!

Did you know Beth Moore has a program on iTBN every Wednesday evening?

It premiered back on January 6th, and if you missed it you can watch all her videos HERE.

I've had this declaration in my drafts since it aired back on February 10th.

I've included the link to the airing of when she shared this below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Living Proof With Beth Moore

Forty Days Challenge

It's another #LENTCHALLENGE, if you do that hachtag thing, with Margaret Feinberg. Last year I joined her challenge through FACEBOOK and really enjoyed sharing it with my family and friends.

A few years back I gave up FACEBOOK for Lent. Another year I gave up soda. Another chocolate. Simple things that I believe didn't really matter to God either. I had a feeling he wanted more from me. So last year instead of giving up anything I GAVE of myself. Be it a smile for someone at the store when I didn't feel like smiling. A word of encouragement to a person who didn't know how to take another step. Doing a chore that my hubby usually did because he was so busy and needed help. It felt really good. For forty days my journal not only held thoughts and prayers for others, but actions I gave to make someone else's life just a little bit better, if only for that moment in time. If anything, a seed had been  planted, and just maybe, something just might have grown. I believe that is what makes him happy and what he wants from us. Not just through Lent or Christmas, but all year. 

When I began this journey wanting him on board, my spiritual counselor said to tune into him daily, hourly if needed. Day after day, week after week, I read, listened, watched everything Jesus. I made him my first thought every morning and gave him my last pray at night. It eventually become a routine after a few stumbles and even some falls. With each bible study I got closer and closer, and am looking for my next study before I am even done with the one I am already on. My head and heart spin out of control, wanting to devour more while at the same time getting all mixed up in the message. I can't wait to get back to small groups. I have missed my ladies. Until then, my computer is my compass.


So this year I am doing another 40 Day Live Lent Challenge with Margaret. After discovering her last year, I have enjoyed her spirit and the way she can creatively bring the bible to life. I bought and printed out my coloring book and tonight, before bed I will dive into coloring live with Luke.






Reading through Luke will be a pleasure, plus it ends with Acts which I have already been reading for a few weeks now with Lisa Harper's, Believing Jesus online bible study! 

I'll be doing double duty for a few weeks since I still have 3 session yet to go with Lisa, but I can manage it. Just as Lisa's finishes up, Margaret's Acts portion begins 3 days later.

I Didn't Mean...

...For a year to go by so quickly!

When it began with a death, then another, then another, it really was a normal year for anyone going through what we did. One death anniversary is over, another one is coming up, and a couple months break before the last one arrives. Though we had been through a death pattern like this before, this time it was different, yet the stages remained the same.

...To not have the desire to write about the bible studies I was struggling through! Still am. I might just redo them again once my heart is stronger. I tend to not see the truth when I am in such darkness and as I read over what I wrote in the sidelines, it shows. Fight Back with Joy, is back on my side table.

My health issues tend to overwhelm me at times and effect my ability to even want to write. Putting together a post can be difficult. Then, to have my faith thoroughly crushed to my bones, writing a post was the last thing I wanted to do. My anger in everyone, including God and Jesus ran rampant! Praise God others knew and know how to wrap their wings around me, embrace me and love me through it.


I am slowly regaining ground, all while walking on some kind of rocky, uneven surface at the same time. The path might not be perfectly smooth, but I think I know how to manage it.

I just bought the book...

I really love Beth Moore! I love her courage and her energy. I have already done a number of her studies, and though the homework can be overwhelming, the results are surely embraced. Someday I hope I can get to a live event so I can feel all that energy.

I am also doing Lisa Harper's online study of...

I had a hard time receiving my code for the free downloads so I ordered my own set of the DVD sessions. I might be a bit behind with the online study, but I am right where I am suppose to be for my study.

Please check back from time to time. 

Que Sera Sera, What ever will be, will be!

40 Day Lent Challenge

It's not that I stopped doing Bible studies, I just couldn't get my fingers to type what my head and heart were thinking or feeling. And basically, I was doing my very best to be enjoying Our Journey Through LIFE! instead of writing about.

My workbooks are full of notes and I will be updating my list and maybe even share a little bit of them down the way here.

Before I catch you up on what Bible studies I have participated in, I wanted to share with you this Lent Challenge I stumbled on. Over the last 7-8 years I have come to enjoy a number of authors from Lifeway. While I was searching for something to "give up" for Lent, and wanted something with prayers I found her.

Margaret Feinberg

Well one thing lead to another, ok it was more like one click lead to another, and there she was. So my shopping cart got a few add to cart clicks too!

Not sure how much I will be blogging about this over this Lent season but I will be letting God lead me. I haven't gotten lost yet!

God’s Always At Work

Yes, I started another study.

Without planning it, without looking for it, and after I had just said I had too much on my plate. I had already decided the study our church was holding wasn’t speaking to me.

Then while reading my blog roll I popped over to LPM and found…

Beth Moore at Living Proof Ministries is doing a Siesta Summer Bible Study 2013 online and it’s with Gideon. After my wonderful experience with Daniel, I wanted to check out this Gideon guy. Oh my goodness, the way Priscilla brings him to life is so amazing and inspiring, that I found myself wanting to to learn more.

So yep, I signed on for a summer study after all.

I am already behind as I jumped on board at week 2, and my book isn’t even here yet, and I have to do 4 weeks of homework by July 9th. The best part of it though, I can do it from home! Not having a car (I will have to explain that one on my blog sometime) I just stay home and putt around, unless the husband takes me somewhere I need to go. One can only clean, garden, read and watch movies for so long. Sure a lot of projects are getting completed and some new ones beginning but I was beginning to feel like something was or is missing.

I love it when God see’s it before I do and is able to present it right when I need it.

I guess He wanted me to do this cause it just kind’a landed in my lap, or shall I say laptop!

When I began reading week 1 notes and listening to the video, I got what God needed of me. Now to fully understand it and how. It doesn’t matter how far behind I am, cause in God’s plan, I am right where I am suppose to be doing exactly what he planned I'd be doing, right down to that not knowing and Him knowing I don’t. Then as unsure as I am, somewhere or sometime down the path, I become sure, and it’s all because of Him. How awesome is that!

Since this study will be done at my pace and at my time, I’m thinking it will be easier for me. I’m thinking it will also help me to continue working on and finish up with my journey with Daniel.

Oh and while I was reading the other day, Jennifer Rothschild newsletter had this information…

WMN Bonus: Enter to win a copy of Jennifer's Fingerprints of God Bible Study Member Book by answering the question or leaving a comment on her video page. A winner will be drawn randomly.

I am looking forward to her Fingerprints of God bible study. I will order the workbook (if I don’t win one) to have on hand for when it is His time for me to do it, but do it I will!

Hope you stick around on my journey through the Bible and that it brings you some peace in your life as He has in mine.