Dancing with Simplicity

Simple Living, Walking by Faith
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Suggested Online Christmas Services

  • December 22, 2019 1:24 pm

If you have no plans or places to go for Christmas services, may I suggest:

https://www.viewpointchurch.org/

Viewpoint Church.  Author/pastor Becky Tirabassi’s church from Southern CA, USA. Becky has long been a  mentor. I have used her Change Your Life Daily Bible and other resources for years, and now she and husband Roger pastor a church. Visit her church site or find her on Facebook. More resources:  http://www.changeyourlifedaily.com/. Coming in January, read through the Bible in one year…with Becky on Instagram.

 

Saddleback Church, Pastor Rick Warren from CA.  https://saddleback.com/

I’m a member of the online community on Facebook, and serve on the online prayer team. You will find many online Christmas services and a new church-wide event begins in January 2020. Watch live, watch the archive or You Tube services. The Worship team has to be one of my favorites, from just anywhere!

Too Much To-Do?

  • August 25, 2015 1:43 pm
#TameYourList

#TameYourList

Join me at P31 OBS for the new Fall study.  I’ll see you on the main blog! Many opportunities available for participation.

Visit Glynnis’ web site for a great post on the study!

Are You Walking in Faith?

  • March 25, 2015 11:51 pm

Walking in faith. It’s the other half of this blog’s title, but last doesn’t make it least. It is the key. It’s the missing part of the equation. It’s the piece of the puzzle that you may struggle to place. When it is placed correctly though, you see the whole picture as it was meant to be.

Faith is inexplicable, but without it, it’s impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith requires you to step out. It requires you to walk forward when you cannot see exactly where you are going.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

You may have faith that a chair is going to hold you up. Do you have faith that God is going to do the same? You may have faith in the love of a parent, friend, child, or spouse. Do you have that confidence in the one who died for you? Maybe your faith is in a weekly paycheck, your health, even your location.  What if those things crumble?

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

If you need to know more, please visit my page Steps to Knowing God (click on the sidebar). Read Hebrews 11 for a glimpse into the heroes of the faith.

In addition, if you want some help on the journey, Proverbs 31 ministries is currently registering women for the next OBS (Online Bible Study).  All you need is a book, and your internet connection. You decide how many activities you want to participate in, and it’s all free of charge (except for the book.) Did you notice the title of the book?

Note: They have registration open now for the study’s conference call series (available for a small cost) and Facebook small groups.  The groups may be full, but they do keep a waiting list.  I’ll see you over there when the study begins.  Visit the OBS link for all the latest news and registration.  #WalkInFaith #P31OBS

 

WIF_Inbound_Book_Cover

Keep walking in faith.  And as always, I welcome your questions and comments.

Quick note: It was a great study. There are archives available, all you need is a book to follow along. This quote from Lysa really moved me:

However distant your dreams may seem, God is working things out & today is an important part of that process.

Lesson Learned:  there is a place between now and my dreams. A place of growth. The waiting is often long, but the now moments need to be utilized, nurtured and not wasted. Between here and the dream there is much to do and accomplish.

 

 

 

Are You Being Transformed?

  • January 22, 2015 12:15 am

TMD-Wk3 IICorinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Take Me Deeper online study. Week Three. Shine!

Visit His Kingdom Come for more information.

Calling Christian Crafty folks! (Writers too!)

  • January 9, 2015 10:58 pm

dreamstimefree_187386[1]Within the framework of my simple living theme, there lies a huge desire to incorporate crafts into this blog. I have things planned for the future but for now I want to call your attention to a new community I found online for Christian crafty folk!

I was on my Facebook page one day when I was attracted to a group on Bible Art Journaling.  Immediately I was amazed at the talent and the desire members had to study the Word, meditate on it and then craft away in their Bibles. You can access the group Journaling Bible Community, on Facebook.  If you are from that group and found your way here, please introduce yourself.  I would love to post some of your work!  The idea of adding art to your Bible may be a little unusual to some. I do believe however, you will see the heart of these men and women in the Scriptural pages they design.

If you are like me and don’t quite feel like an artist (though I have a huge desire to study and learn), don’t fret. You can still do this. You’ll find many in the group who simply are trying their best and learning as they go. You’ll find others whose work probably belongs in a gallery. Awesome stuff!

From that group, I ended up in another online community known as His Kingdom Come . Within the group are two study groups for 2015, and many smaller groups built around different forms of crafts and art. There is also a Facebook group for this community under HKC-Take Me Deeper 2015. Logos365 and Take Me Deeper, are the two study groups. With one focusing on choosing your word for the year, and the other focusing on weekly devotionals, both offer a chance to join with a sub group to create something based on Scriptural prompts.

Ok, if I have not lost you, visit the link to His Kingdom (see the sidebar for direct access) and check out the site video. There are so many wonderful videos, and tutorials (paid and unpaid) within the community you may be overwhelmed. Take your time and look around, and feel free to ask them or me for help. Check out the two Facebook groups as well. I want so much for this blog to reflect the arts, and crafts community. I feel God has created artists, and employed them in this world. More to come on that later. Have fun looking at the sites! By the grace of God, I’ll be attempting to create something most weeks of the Take Me Deeper study…

 Warning: Faith Art, Bible Journaling or any other craft in which you work from Biblical prompts, can be life changing.  If nothing else, I can say that participating in the art community and focusing on the  prompts, has caused me to meditate on the Word.  And isn’t that what we are supposed to be doing?

Glory to God in the Highest

  • December 24, 2014 3:00 pm

Luke 2:1-20 (NASB77)
1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 ” Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Struggling with Prayer?

  • December 10, 2014 9:18 am

I’m a bit behind in my study of Max Lucado’s new book.  Proverbs 31 Ministries has been doing the study in the online Bible study (OBS) format, and it has been a real blessing. Lucado offers a very concise prayer model, that you can utilize and modify for your daily prayers. I wanted to make you aware of a different site, so you don’t feel like you have to fit the time frame of the OBS study. This is the last week of that study, but these resources have no time schedule. Take a look, read the book and let me know what you think.  I find Lucado’s style to be very warm and encouraging, and I think his model prayer is a great place to start, or continue your prayer life from. Just as he suggests, his pocket prayer will provide you with something to focus on the minute you get out of bed in the morning.  Instead of running to tune in to the news, take time to pray

Visit the site for more information and sign up for a four week prayer challenge. While there, take advantage of the free sample chapter, free worship song download, and sample video.

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!

InviteBeforeAmen-300x300

New Bible Study from Kelly Minter

  • October 22, 2014 1:05 pm

 

What Love Is: The latest study from Kelly Minter. I love her Bible studies, and you will too. Perfect for small groups or personal study, this one focuses on I, II and III John. You will love the insight she brings to John’s topic of love. Simplify your life, and take time out to study God’s Word today. Refresh your soul! And enjoy the preview clips. Study this summer online, via Lifeway (Summer 2015). Scroll through the playlist for some sample clips.

Psalm 19:7 (NASB77)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul

Online Bible Study: The P31 OBS

  • September 19, 2014 10:58 pm

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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.