Online Bible Study: The P31 OBS
I’ve had about enough lately of spending time on meaningless things. Perhaps that’s why simplicity has become my goal. I dare say I haven’t reached it but I surely want to.
I was reminded to let my readers know, Monday September 22 is the beginning date for Proverbs 31 Ministries next online Bible study.
You can sign up and learn more about P31 via their web site. Thousands of women sign up for these studies, women from all around the world. You only need to obtain a book to get started. There are numerous ways to plug in, and you can choose your level of participation. Current study information is available via this link.
This time around, you can look forward to reading and working through Lysa TerKeurst’s The Best Yes. Don’t miss any of the resources Lysa has made available via her web site.
And isn’t that what it’s all about? I am simply overwhelmed at times by how cluttered my days are. I do not do the things I want to do.
Romans 7:18-20 (NLT) 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
It may not seem as drastic as some sin, but not spending time on the right thing can be a real problem. Normally I wouldn’t see my choices in this light. Sometimes however, I believe my choices really are sinful. Or selfish. My priorities are simply wrong. Just this week an avalanche of issues robbed me of my time. In some instances I felt spiritual opposition had been directed my way. In other situations, better choices could have been made. Above all, people matter more than meaningless endeavors.
Update: due to some business issues, I haven’t had time to plunge into this study. I have not read The Best Yes yet but I plan to because I want to see if I am on track with my thinking. If you have any questions, feel free to comment here. Are you reading the book or participating in the OBS (Online Bible Study)? Feel free to share your thoughts here.
Prayer at Wits’ End
I ran across this in the August 28 reading from My Utmost for His Highest, Daily Devotionals by Oswald Chambers.
Ask and God will do. Give Jesus Christ the opportunity and the room to work. The problem is that no one will ever do this until he is at his wits’ end. When a person is at his wits’ end, it no longer seems to be a cowardly thing to pray; in fact, it is the only way he can get in touch with the truth and the reality of God Himself. Be yourself before God and present Him with your problems— the very things that have brought you to your wits’ end. But as long as you think you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything. “August 29.” My Utmost for His Highest. pag. 28 Aug. 2014. Web. <http://utmost.org>.
This has long been one of my favorite devotional books because it really makes me think. I can’t just read this and walk away. I have to ponder it awhile. Sometimes the readings zero right in on the issues I’ve been dealing with in recent days. Funny how an old book speaks to contemporary living.
August 2014 was a wits’ end month. First our business equipment died, a rather speedy costly death. Then we got a lovely notice concerning taxes. You can guess what it was. My insurance agent said it’s worse than having a root canal. Research shows that less than 1% of businesses like ours even get them. Lovely. At the same time, I was diagnosed with something called Dupuytren’s Contracture. I had to go to an audio medical dictionary just to learn to pronounce it! I wish I didn’t have it. It isn’t something a writer wants to have since it can result in hand and finger deformities. Ouch.
Yes, it was a wits’ end month. I’m upset, I have no idea what to do and I’m very frustrated and extremely aggravated. That’s the best working definition I can find for my wits’ end situation. In my effort to live a simple life, trouble manages to find me. I would like to simply be left alone.
I’m a far cry from being self-sufficient, so I ask. And I ask a whole lot. I’ve taught myself to remember that God doesn’t cause the problems. He allows them. And I ask Him for help. The devotional goes on to compare our asking to the way a child would ask. A child can be pretty brave in his asking. I’m asking with dependency on Him, presenting my problems to the reality of God Himself. Walking in faith, looking for the truth of His Word. I won’t say it’s easy. I get stressed, and I question myself and Him. I know I’m not alone in this.
What has you at your wits’ end? Are you at the end of your self-sufficiency? Do these words strike a chord with regard to your prayer life? Do you have a go-to devotional that speaks to you during the rough, frustrating times?
Is there prayer at your wits’ end? Help us Lord, to look to you through prayer when we’re in the land of wits’ end living.
The Simple Joys of a Rescue Dog
Mindy
Five years ago: We had just buried our 10 year old Golden retriever.
Boris was a very large, noble dog. He had lost his sister Natasha to a heart attack three years prior.
Boris had lung cancer.
We had one golden sized hole in our home.
God had other plans.
The little rescue pup became our Mindy.
We swore we would never have a little dog.
We didn’t realize how very special they could be.
Mindy, grew up to look much like a Bichon.
She is the joy of the home.
God has a sense of humor.
Natasha’s absence was filled by a Golden named Morgan.
Mindy snuggles in her side, and kisses in her ears.
Mindy, among other things, does the Bichon Buzz.
Morgan doesn’t seem to mind.
Two cat boys are also loving Mindy.
God has a sense of humor. Through it all.
We have a home filled with much laughter.
Simple living means simply enjoying God’s gifts.
Even the furry ones. Has a furry kid brought joy to your life?
Mindy the rescue dog
Simple Living?
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT)
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
This verse has always captured what I am trying to do with my life and in my family. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it looks. I’m hoping to use this blog to zero in on these qualities. Now, I am plugged in to social media, Facebook and Twitter with my various technological tools. I’ll probably even subject my writing to spell checks, and grammar programs. If I must. Maybe that’s all the polar opposite of what I’m trying to say. Maybe not.
I want to delve into crafts of all sorts. I want to read and study. Not just the Bible, but literature. I want to lead a quiet life with the husband God has blessed me with, my four adorable critter children and my praying, Godly Mom. I don’t want a bucket list. I want a God-centered Word driven daily to-do list.
I’ve just ordered a book that I think may help along those lines. Lysa TerKeurst’s The Best Yes. #TheBestYes. I’m trying quite hard to say no, not necessarily to people, but to demands that waste my life and time. I don’t necessarily see those things in people, I see them in time wasting endless mounds of paperwork. I see them in taking business calls after hours when it’s time to shut the office door. That’s the plight of the self-employed. I see distraction from the best path, coming in the form of anything that takes a focus off God and puts it on man. He is the ultimate goal of our adoration, time, money and resources. He is that perfect yes. He is the one the prowling lion seeks to keep us from.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Is this simple living? Is it possible? Again, I don’t like the bucket list idea. I prefer that “live a quiet life, mind your business, and work with your hands” stuff. Put your home and family under His care. Love the ones He has surrounded you with. Even the furry children. Dance in His simple plan for your life and walk in faith.
If any of this resonates with you, feel free to share. Is it even possible to live a life like this? It does seem that my efforts are thwarted at every turn. How about you?
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Your Revelation is the Tune I Dance To
Psalm 119:77 (MSG)
77 Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
Feeling a little tattered lately?
Unravelling?
World in turmoil?
It’s all about joining the dance of simplified living, with a walk of faith. His Word is the foundation. Stay tuned for the journey…….Laura Lynn, dancer, author, blogger, believer![dreamstime_s_5373580[1]](http://dancingwithsimplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dreamstime_s_53735801-3-250x300.jpg "(c) Miflippo | Dreamstime.com")
![dreamstime_s_5373580[1]](http://dancingwithsimplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dreamstime_s_53735801-3.jpg "(c) Miflippo | Dreamstime.com")
Psalm 19:7 (NASB77)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:130 (NASB)
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 30:11 (NLT)
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
