Catastrophe. That’s quite a word. It’s the epitomy of a word trying to describe the worst of a circumstance and even with this word it’s still not enough to truly explain the loss. Flood, almost 4 feet deep = Catastrophe. The catastrophic nature of what happened back on May 19 doesn’t begin to describe enough the significant loss Keith, Athena, me, and my mom went through. Athena literally no longer has a bedroom. Our house only has 3 bedrooms in it. Two on the main floor - Keith & I … [Read more...]
A Tip on Getting Distracted
To start off this new week in the study (week 3 day 1), Jen has us read chapter 6, “Tweezers, Velcro Rollers, and Other Tools for Girls (you just gotta love her chapter titles): Bible Study Tools You Have to Know About”. I didn’t take a lot of notes from the chapter as much as wrote down the tools Jen suggests we have while we are studying the Bible. However, I did highlight some very important things she mentions throughout it. Page 94, “Most of us don’t use our Bible helps either, but … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Doubt Buster
It’s hard to believe I’m already at the end of week 2 (day 6). The time seems to have flown by but I’ve already learned so much. 1. I’m to look over the details of Isaiah 45:8-12 and read through my journal entry for week 2 day 5 to create a title out of the main idea. Title: The Doubt Buster Now Jen is having us look much closer at the details of these verses. She tells us to disconnect my mind from spitting out an easy answer and listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling me. a. Why … [Read more...]
Do you have a Doubt Buster in Your Life?
Today (week 2 day 5), she had us read Isaiah 45:8-12 for questions 1 (see the bottom of the post if you’d like to see the passage) and identify the main idea in the passage. a. What is the big picture here? What is God trying to say? Trusting God in all things. While we might question those things that go on around us, or even the world as a whole, we need to remember to never doubt God, who He is, or what He has done. It’s in the doubts that creep in that we can lose sight of the bigger … [Read more...]
What Does Love Mean to You?
Today, week 2 day 2, we're heading into a very well-known, and read, part of scripture: 1 Corinthians 13. I love that Jen takes us back there as it teaches us no matter how many times you read God's Word we can always find something new in it. What I've taken from this passage is that above all things, love matters most. Love is shown in what we do, how we are, where we go, why we act in a certain way. When we lack love, true love, something becomes missing in our lives. Things can tend to … [Read more...]
2 Steps to Start Studying the Bible (on your own)
While there wasn't any journaling given today (week 2 day 1), I plan to read the chapter and makes notes as I go along. We need to remember of everything we read in the Bible to ask, "What's the point?" On page 86, Jen says, "God is certainly in the details, but He's also definitely in the main idea." When reading God's Word for Bible study there are 2 simple steps to follow. STEP 1: Read the ENTIRE SECTION first, one time minimum through. "NO stops! NO notes! NO flipping around! Read … [Read more...]
Have you ever prayed Scripture before?
Wow, today (week 1 day 5) is the first day in the study where Jen does NOT ask us to read a chapter in the book. Instead, on page 165, she says to “turn to Psalm 119. Except for verses 1-3 and 115, this psalm is addressed to God. As you skim through the psalm…, compile two lists in your journal. While there are many options, look for seven to ten verses for each list (see questions 1 and 2) that uniquely represent your desires. 1. "First, copy verses or even just phrases that demonstrate your … [Read more...]
Have you ever had an ‘awe ha” moment?
Today was Week 1 Day 4 and Jen Hatmaker had us read chapter 4 in her book A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study. On page 56 she wrote, "We must do our part to grow beyond salvation by allowing what began in our hearts to infect our minds.... as the Creator is well acquainted with our questionable habits and propensity to wander, but we have to respond with due diligence." Page 60, "Journaling forces our minds to engage with the Holy Spirit in Scripture. We listen as we read; we respond as we … [Read more...]
Week 1 Day 3
Jen has some pretty awesome titles for each one of her chapters in this book. Today we were asked to read chapter 3. Title: "Codependency That Doesn't Require Therapy". The subtitle is "Learning to Lean on the Holy Spirit." Now isn't her title very fitting but adds a cute dimension to it. On page 40 she asks, "Would you believe that you already have everything you need to study the Bible with discernment?" If you're anything like me, you're shaking your head at that one because studying the … [Read more...]
Week 1 Day 2 (my journey continues…)
I like what Jen Hatmaker had to say in chapter 2, page 26, "...the truth is, we approach God's Word without any strategies to make it come alive." When I first read this I realized just how true that statement is. I've always look at the Bible as something, obviously, very important. I knew God had given it to all of us as sort of a manual for how to live our lives, how we should treat ourselves as well as others, to know how to get to know Him more. It's a book like no other out there today. … [Read more...]
