Summer Bible Studies

I am loving my bible studies this summer.....

I am doing two, and both of them meet different needs that 

I have in a bible study.

The first (Psalm 119) has a printable study that you 

work on and use the SOAK method, which gets you

studying and thinking about what it means in your

life, and how God is speaking to you through it.

I usually start off in the morning, reading the required verses, 

write out the the study verse, and think about it all day...

At the end of the day, I journal, and finish the application 

part of the study and re-ponder the verses of the day....

The second study I am thoroughly enjoying is from 

Shereadstruth.com  It is a study Called

 Women in the Word.

I starts with Eve, and goes through the bible 

old and new testaments.

They have interactive posting, so you can share your

heart with all the other precious women that are doing the

study with you.

The daily bible reading and devotionals are so heart felt

and have been such a blessing to my life...

You can jump in and start on the current day, or go back

and start at the beginning with Eve...  

All content is online.  A new devotional each day, and corresponding bible passages.... 

I just love taking my bible study and my cup of Coffee

out on the porch in the morning and listening to the birds

chirping, and the leaves blowing in the breeze while I read

and study Gods word....  It sets my day off to a perfect and

refreshing beginning.....

Here are links to both studies...

I hope you will take a look and dig into the 

Word Of God this summer....

Links:

Love God Greatly

She Reads Truth

Thanks so much for stopping by....

Have a Blessed Day...

~Heather~

                                         

Prayer Walk Revisited

Reflections on the Prayer Walk

We had such a touching evening at our women's ministry event.

The prayer walk was a fun experience to plan and facilitate for our

Ladies in the church.

There were some very inspirational activities, quiet contemplation, and creative communications with God over the whole evening.

Jesus is the light of the world, and Healing Hearts activities....

Here I am just finishing setup, and prepping for the evening. 

Getting a head start on some of the activities.

I was surprised at the things God brought to mind in this activity, things I

Thought had been settled and put to sleep forever, but I trust in the Lord, so I 

Used the Healing Hearts activity in the way the Lord led me to.

We are not alone in this walk through life... every Christian stands together to shine

In this darkened world... It is a good reminder... and one we need as fellow 

Women, wives, mothers and Christians....

Praise him, or the rocks will cry out and praise Him...

Jesus is the great Healer...

Wonderful time of Creative Prayer Journaling....

I enjoyed the comforting companionship of the other ladies as I talked with God 

Through writing in my journal.  Listening to what he wanted me to take from this night...

As I shared with the women at the end of the night, 

the Lord kept telling me Grace & Mercy.....

He really wanted me to meditate on these two actions....

There was more he kept telling me, private things I struggle with that he is

Still working with me on.... I know that he knows my heart, and he knows my struggles.

It is very comforting.

I loved seeing friends and other women sitting reverently spending time 

With God and Journaling there thoughts and prayers to our Lord and Savior...

It was a very powerful experience....

One of the activities to remind you to pray..... 

Creativity at its finest.

Found on pinterest and modified to fit our purpose.

This was one of my favorite stations.... and it was revisited through the night.

I love that when there wasn't enough R tiles, someone made some 

Out of paper and ripped them into a square shape to fit the board...

Creative and obedient to the Lord's prompting.

These are powerful words of God working in these ladies hearts and minds, and 

In their personal walk with the Lord..

It was such a privilege to serve our women's ministry with this evening.

Many months of research, and creative planning and shopping, and time

Spent talking with God about my plans.... what an amazing opportunity

The Lord let me facilitate...

I am hoping to be able to do this again soon for our church....

I even have a bunch more activities planned, so anyone whom already

Participated Will have new experiences to work through.

Praise be to God for this experience...

Grace & Mercy & Manny Blessings to you all.....

~ Brat~

P.S.  Thank you to my daughter for taking these photos.  

In all the craziness of planning and packing for this evening, I forgot

 To bring my camera....

New Bible Study Starting Tomorrow

Tomorrow September 15th, a new Bible Study is 

starting on the websiteShe Reads Truth.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed my

Study of Hosea from the site over the last two weeks.

The next study is focusing on opening your 

bible and spendingTime with God.  

This study will be free on the Apple app, And free 

on the She Reads Truth website with

Printable study sheets to go along with the lesson plan.

If you are looking for a daily bible study or devotion, 

I challenge you to click on the link and give it a try.

Open Your Bible Introduction news.

Prayer Walk

This coming Monday night, I am doing an interactive

Prayer walk for our women's ministry.

I have participated in these several times, but this time I'm in 

Charge of the whole thing, and I'm really excited about it.

I have spent months doing research, and planning, and getting

All the ideas ready for an evening of prayer through creative activities.

The ladies will go from station to station throughout the night

Focusing on God through prayer and hands on crafts, journaling, 

And activities meant to draw their relationship with 

God closer over the evening.

Some of the activities include tying knots, writing with chalk, mirrors,

Bandaids, water, a clock, puzzle pieces, buttons, flour, candles,

Markers, pottery, and a lot more...

Did I say I'm excited???

This Monday September 15, 2014

Any and all ladies are invited to this women's ministry event.

Contact me if you need more information, or if you

Would be interested in hearing more about this night with

The idea of doing it at Your church or ladies retreat...

It's going to be a great night!!!

~Me~

She Reads Truth

I am really enjoying my bible study from She Reads Truth website,

We have been studying Hosea....

Hosea is full of truth and conviction, and reminds me that the Times we live in are pretty similar to what is going on in Hoses.  People forgetting who their God is, turning their backs on what is right and true and moral.  God loves each and everyone he created, even when they follow an evil path, and he patiently awaits our return to him.

These lessons are short, but so full of topics for reflection on your life and the

Choices we make each day.  There is so much to contemplate from Hosea....

She Reads Truth has many past studies also, which are really good as well

The next study on the site will be on studying your bible, and will have

New printable study guide sheets.

Follow the link below to learn more about the next study starting

September 15, 2014

What is next for She Reads Truth

Thoughts From My Devotions

In reading Hosea 1-4, these things spoke to me

1. God never said the right thing or way would be easy...

2. God gave his son up to death, even while we were no good to him (we were and still are sinners), because he loves us.

3. Acting with force is not acting in the way of the Lord, God is Love and

 force is not love.

4.  I cherish idols, in all areas of my life...... yet God Cherishes me....

5.  I need to "Let" God work in me....

6.  I am an ungrateful bride of Christ.....

Some thought provoking things I'm working on processing...

Hosea is a book that really makes you think about where you stand with God and your relationship with Him...

Thoughts on Hosea Day 3

I am reminded today in my study of Hosea

 that we are and were chosen by God...

He wants a relationship with us, and patiently sits there waiting for us to stop the craziness our lives and turn to Him with our thoughts, desires, wishes, hopes, dreams, needs, fears, inadequacies, problems, and prayers.

He knows we will fail Him each and every, and like a loving parent he will sit there and wait for us to learn our lesson...

Waiting for us to turn our hearts and minds towards him in devotion and need of rescue, or encouragement.

I am also reminded that I have to let God work in me.

I need to stop tryin to do it all in my power, but to give control to God to work through me to His glory, and not to satisfy my sinful earthly nature. It is something I have to keep reminding my self of daily...

It doesn't come easy.... 

but most things that are worthy, take hard 

work, and time and effort.

"When I am alone..... Give me Jesus....

 You can have all this world....... give me Jesus"

I hope you take some time today to work on 

your relationship with God..... 

He loves you.....

He misses you....

He's waiting for you....

Have a Blessed Day...

~ Brat~

Thoughts on Hosea today

I am enjoying the Bible Study on the book of Hosea from She Reads Truth. Today was on the first chapter, and it really makes you think about your attitude towards God.

This part really stuck out to me this morning....

Take a wife who will not be faithful to you, get real good and attached to her, and have babies with her. Name them “I Will Punish” and “No Mercy” and “Not My People.” Why? Because they would be human flesh-filled examples of the rebellious people God was calling to Himself. Speaking about God was not enough. Hosea was called to live out a redemptive story, to love like the Father.

How often do we get caught up in the worshipping of self and become completely engrossed in our own selfish motives that we completely turn our lives away from God, and what is right and just and Christ like?  I know that no matter how much I want to spend time with my Bible, I put it off, time and time again..... I fall into Satan's trap, and find excuses to not find time or just put it out of my mind altogether.  

As the example above points out, we are a rebellious people, and God knew this before he even created each and every one of us..... And knowing the heart wrenching truth, formed us into creation anyway....  Wow.... Knowing full well we would be completely ungrateful at times, and honestly for me, all to often, he still loved us so much he made each one of our lives possible. 

What an amazing love he has for us.....unconditional, all encompassing, and eternal.  

I feel so inadequate in my devotion and commitment to God, will I ever get to the point that I feel worthy of his love for me?

Thankfully God's mercy and grace for me is unlimited, for I need it day after day....

Thank you Lord for not giving up on me when I fail you, I need you, even when I don't seem to realize it.... I will always need you to be by my side and guide me and my willful nature.  

Starting a New Bible Study today

Today I started a new bible study. 

It is an online Bible Study from 

She Reads Truth.com on Hosea. 

 I am really looking forward to the daily study. 

 It lasts for 17 days and you can follow along online, or by email or if you have an Apple product you

 can get an app in the iTunes store.

There is a beautiful study guide that you can purchase to go with the study, that comes with some beautiful scripture cards to put around your home.

The artist did a wonderful job on the prints,

 and his art is beautiful and really creative.

As you can see by this example....

Take a moment to visit the site and see

 it for your self... time spent on your 

relationship with God, 

only leads to a greater awakening of his 

Spirit within you... 

and a better understanding of 

who you are in Him.

She Reads Truth

On the above site link, they also have previous studies available online,

 and they all look really good.

Carry The Light into the World

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.~ Matthew 5:14-16

This was the focus verse in my daily devotional I receive in my email today..... 

It made me think about how we live our lives, and what kind of an example we are to those around us.  This topic keeps coming up in different ways in my life lately, and I have to keep revisiting it.  God must be wanting to work on this in my life, since it keeps being brought up in so many ways.

The author of the devotion said something that made me stop and think.....

There is a time for spending hours on your knees but can I challenge you to also arise and shine – go into the world and be a light;  a glory carrier.  Your light cannot shine when it stays in your prayer closet.  Even if you leave the house only for groceries one day a week you are a glory carrier.  Pray for the cashier, compliment the stock boy on his hard work.  Bake bread for your neighbor instead of complaining about the unkempt condition of their yard

The part about "even if you only leave for groceries one day a week, you are a glory carrier" really hit home to me.  So many times we leave the house, just running an errand, or running to the store, but how often to we take the time to  realize that while we are out in the public we are examples of Christ to everyone we come into contact with.  So many people around here where I live don't even take the time to get dressed before leaving the house they tend to not take pride in what they look like or what they wear (people go to Walmart in their pajamas).  We are forever being on display each time we leave our homes, as examples of Christ.  Each time we display acts not focused on grace and mercy to others, we are falling short of Gods desire for us in our actions towards others.

When is the last time you treated a complete stranger with kindness, just because you felt like being kind, or slowed down to just smile at someone to make their day a little brighter.

I want to be a Glory Carrier.... I want to make people feel better about their selves, if even in very small way.

My challenge to you is to be a Glory Carrier the next time you leave your home.  Do something kind to another, make their day better by coming into contact with you. Let God guide you in how you make someones day brighter, but do something, don't let opportunities to shine for Christ get passed you.  Make someones day better by being a Glory and Light Carrier.

  

Lessons Learned in Church Today....

What does faith look like....

Faith looks like waiting

Faith and Pride both want the same thing, but faith waits, and pride takes matters in its own hands.

Faith doesn't pretend the problem doesn't exist

Faith is being honest with God, and waiting for God to move..



The best tool to use to support your faith is the Bible, and being in the Bible on a daily basis...

Start Your Day Off Right

Every day it is important to start the day off right....  

I Find if I don't start the day off with prayer, then I end up having 

issues all day long, that would not have been there if I had 

stopped and asked God to walk with me for the day....

 This picture came from Facebook..... It just seems like something that is 

a great idea to do.... and the Rooster is darn right adorable... 

he can pour me some coffee any day of the week...

Something I am working on this year is reading through the bible, not in a year like most people do it, it is actually taking me 2 years to read through...

 I am reading the Chronological bible, and I really love it.  There is a lot of extra stuff about the history/culture, maps, and historical/archaeological information. The neat thing about it, is that you get to read all the parts of the bible in the order that they happened, or they believe they happened, so you get to read it all in context.

There is no better way to start the day, than with the Lord by your side...

I hope you have a Blessed day...

~Brat~

Is there a limit to Love?

The Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay

Love isn't love until you give it away.....

~~~~

I find my self thinking lately about love....

It makes since with all the weddings, and relationships blooming all around me, but that happens when you are surrounded by young people in their 20's...

It makes me think back on my life, and all the loves that went in and out of my life...

I wasn't one of those people that waited to find the perfect man and get married, I went out and wanted to save the needy, and conquer the unconquerable, and search high and low for the love I was missing in my heart...

I went searching for Mr. Right, well I found Mr. right now..... and there were some that I thought might be the right one... and for one reason or another, mostly having to deal with Love and Commitment issues, each of them eventually walked out of my life and into someone else's life...

I think back on my parents life, and the Love they had for each other..... I never doubted the love between them, they had a special relationship, and it was comforting to know that my mom and dad loved each other fully... I'm not saying that life was always rosy, they had their ups and downs, but I always knew that they really loved each other, and always would.... And I know my mom still loves my father to this day, even though he is not with us anymore....

Love is something that you don't run out of.... you get more, the more you give away.
If you spend your life holding all that love and those feelings inside, you just end up with less in the end.  Less people that could have meant more to you, less friends, less memories, less times of happiness, less fulfillment.  The more you share your heart with those around you, the more love there is available to give and receive.  There isn't a limit on how much love you get, but there is a down side to keeping it all to your self,  that is loneliness, doubt, frustration, isolation, missed chances... less people that really love you and let you love them...

Try to think of all the blessings you get from the people in your life that you truly love with all your heart....  What would your life be like if you let others in, and shared some of your self with them too....what if you let your self feel more than polite kindness, and actually decided to really care for those people in your life, and share some true pure love with them?  

Ultimately Christ is Love... so if you are sharing Christ with others then you are sharing Love.... and sharing love with others is sharing Christ, and sharing Christ's Love is the best thing you can do... 

Love One another..... God commands it of us.....  

When was the last time you stepped outside of your self, and your world and shared a part of your self with someone that needed a little bit of kindness, or a loving deed....  

Try sharing a little bit of your self, and showing Love and Kindness with someone outside your comfort zone.... or better yet, maybe even share your Love with a loved one you have neglected.  

You never know when it might be too late to say "I love You".  Never have regrets when it comes to Love..... 

Me and the Love of my life

Spending time with Gods Creation

This morning I was able to sit on the front porch while reading my bible and drinking my first cup of coffee of the day....

It was such a peaceful experience.... It was a very cool morning, rare here in the summertime, and it was raining just ever so slightly.... Just enough to excite the birds to go looking for the nice plump earth worms to tickle their pallet...

There is nothing like spending time with God in his Awesome Creation....

Reading the bible, and watching the cardinals, and blue birds dancing through the tree branches, so happy to enjoy the early morning mist and rain...

What an awesome experience to while away the morning, praying, and enjoying all the nature in my front yard.... I was visited by an adorable little bunny that sat and eat right in front of me, 3 feet away for about 5 minutes.... just looking at me, and munching away on the grass.... then came a chipmunk to the same spot, and played around in the grass in front of the porch.....  the birds kept coming and going, singing, and eating away.... not a care in the world...

Just about when you think no other wild life will make an appearance, here comes a lone turkey walking through the yard....

Now I know I don't have to worry too much about all the creatures visiting me, because they came one at a time, not two by two... So I am pretty sure they were just out for a morning stroll, and not a major biblical event or anything...

It is so nice to just spend quiet time with the lord while all his creation is welcoming you with eagerness to live and survive... enjoying what God has provided for them, and enjoying the early morning mist... 

God takes care of his little creatures, and he will take care of you too....

Don't forget to slow down and enjoy your surroundings..... take the time to thank God for all the blessings he has placed in your life, and for all his beautiful creation that is there for your pleasure....

Each and every creature he created specifically, he knows the number of feathers on the birds wings, he knows how many hairs are on each rabbit or squirrel, and he knows how many hairs are on your head....

Take the time to thank God for his many blessings, and to let him know that you are thankful for all he provides for you....

Take time to be still and experience his awesome presence....

Slow down and truly enjoy his creation, and his wee small voice that he is waiting to speak to you with...

And don't forget to get up early some days, enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea, and spend some quiet time with the Lord..... 

You will see things differently if you start to spend time with him each morning.... your life will be a little bit different, and before you know it, you won't be able to start your day without that special time...