Dancing with Simplicity

Simple Living, Walking by Faith
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Simply Thankful, 2014, 2015

  • November 26, 2014 11:04 pm

leftborderIf you have spent any time in the Bible at all, you know you don’t have to look far to find reasons to be thankful. The Word itself is overflowing with reasons to give thanks to the Lord.  I’ve heard various authors declare that if we would just list a few things to be thankful for, we won’t stay in a sad state of mind for very long. What are you thankful for this year? Has He been your strength and shield? Has he delivered you from addictions, financial woes, illness, dangers of any kind? Has He blessed your home and family this year? Maybe things have not gone so well, but you can still find glimpses of the miraculous in your life. Make a list this year, and share it with your family around the table. Have your children make their own lists to share. Do a word study on any Biblical passages referring to giving thanks.

Recognize His work in your life. Reflect on it on this special day. Respond, by giving back to Him and to others who might just need some encouragment.

Psalm 28:6-7 (NASB77)
6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

 

Encouraging words from The Word

  • November 14, 2014 11:30 pm

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB77)
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Maybe, just maybe, someone will be stopping by to read this blog. Though I have a very urgent desire to write, I don’t get to  spend all the time here that I intend to.  Not yet. However, I do believe in the power behind His Word, which is far greater than anything I could ever share.  My prayer for you is that you know Him as your God and you know He strengthens you.  There are an awful lot of places online and elsewhere, which cause anxiety.  These few verses give reasons to stop looking all around at those. Take your eyes off the news for awhile, and focus instead on the Good News.

Luke 1:32-33 (ASV)
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Life might not seem like it is so simple for you right now, and your faith might be challenged. Hang on, and trust that His hand is upholding you through whatever it is, no matter how great or small the situation.  If you need to access online study resources and don’t know where to look, please leave a comment. If you don”t know Him, click the page by the same name off to the side of this page.  Finally, if He has provided you with strength and help recently, please feel free to share.  Your story might just boost someone’s faith right now.

 

 

 

Links and Lists

  • November 11, 2014 11:56 pm

Pencil Crayons 1

Someone laughed at me when I said I was a blogger, interested in simple living.

Yes, I have a lot of technical stuff.  And yes, I want to simplify my daily living. More than that, I want to learn new hobbies, and use my creative giftings.

I’m sure you can think of ways to make your family or personal non-working hours more simple and fun.

Here’s a few suggestions:

  • Visit a library. When was the last time you ditched your Kindle for a real book? Do your children know what a library is?
  • Color. Yes, color. Grab a coloring book and some pencils or crayons and go for it. At your next holiday gathering put out a white paper tablecloth and let the guests have at it with crayons, pencils, markers. Not for kids only.
  • Sketch. My Dad had me hooked on sketch pads and pencils. Send your kids out, or yourself, to the yard or a park or somewhere interesting and try sketching what you see.
  • Bake Bread. Does anything smell better than baked bread? You have no excuse for not finding a recipe, and some instructional videos if you are reading this online.
  • Sew. Knit. Crochet. Weave. How much do you have hidden in that fabric or yarn stash that you meant to use one day? Go get it. Now!
  • Play with paper crafts.  Don’t get me started.  As the owner of a new Cricut, and vast amounts of supplies, I am in love with the art of card making.  See the blinkie on the side bar? The Stamps of Life has a wonderful stamp of the month/die of the month club.  Visit your neighborhood craft store for free idea sheets.  Warning:  Can will be addictive. Instructional videos, paid and free online classes are readily available if you have Web access.
  • Board Games. If you don’t know what these are, you are too technical. Monopoly, Clue, Pictionary. Card games.  Something you can do if the power goes out. Really…..
  • Fill in the blank….how have you escaped the technical world for some family friendly, fun time?

Lucado’s New Book on Prayer and a New Online Study

  • November 4, 2014 10:00 pm

before-amen-bookProverbs 31 Ministries is offering a short study of Max Lucado’s new book on prayer.  The study details can be found at the OBS (Online Bible Study) site. All you need is a book.  And this time they are throwing in their special study conference calls for free. If you’re like me, you are always looking for something new on the topic of prayer. This probably won’t disappoint.

One of my goals with this blog is to make information available regarding online studies and resources. I’m a huge believer in seeing the Internet used for good, and a huge believer in Bible study. God’s Word and the study of it, is crucial to walking by faith. Perhaps this is your time to jump in? The days before Christmas could benefit from taking time to slow down and spend a few moments with Him and with other believers online.

See you there?  Visit their Facebook page for further info…

And…if you have participated, share your thoughts here!

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