A Confident Heart - on-line Bible study

Soon, over at Proverbs31 Ministries, I will be starting their upcoming on-line Bible study.  The book, The Confident Heart, is by Renee Swope.  The formal study runs from October 13th-December 14th.  If I can't keep up, it may take me longer.  But, that is OK.

Some of the chapter titles that I'm most intrigued by are:
       Finding Love That Won't Fail Even When I Do
       When Doubt Whispers, "I'm Such a Failure"
       The Woman I Want to Be

I hope to put gleanings from my study on here, if I can find the time.  It may not be much, but...

Peace

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.  2Thess. 3:16

Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.  Ps. 119:165

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the word gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:6-7

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.  Is. 26:3-4

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26

Trust

When a train goes through a tunnel

and it gets dark, you don't throw

away the ticket and jump off.

You sit still and 

trust the

 Engineer.

Corrie Ten Boom

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

My lovely sister gave me this wonderful book.  I'm a few chapters into it, and I love it!  Focusing on being thankful is something the Lord had already been speaking to me about.  Then, He had her bless me with this book to speed my journey along.

I think it is a well-written book.  Sort of a mixture of prose and poetry.  Stream of consciousness.  Pictures made of words.  Mrs. Voskamp's style draws you in and tempts you to wax poetic with your own attempts in writing down your personal gifts from God.  I already have close to 100 written down, and I just started yesterday.  I've noticed my descriptions getting more flowery in keeping with her modeling.  Nowhere near as good as hers, mind you.  But, fun for me!

Last year was a journey to overcome anxiety.  This year I want to fall clear over into full trust and thankfulness.

And,  JOY!!!

I know progress is being made.  Wait for it...

"Never let a task become a drudge.

You are special.  You are unique.  No matter what your duty, no matter how distasteful you might find it, inside you can be whatever you decide to be.  Outside, your hands may be soiled with daily toil--inside, your soul and spirit can be refined and elegant.  You can be just as much a lady leaning over a tub of hot, sudsy water scrubbing dirty socks as you can sitting on a velvet cushion, fanning yourself with a silk and ivory fan."

Janette Oke~Roses for Mama

Who is a Success?

That man is a success who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect of intelligent
men and the love of children;
who has filled his niche and
accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better than he
found it, whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who never lacked appreciation of
earth's beauty or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Bible study=Blessing

We recently started going to a home Bible study group.  We love it!  It is SO wonderful to meet weekly to share with other believers what we learn in the Word.  I am excited to go every week. 

There are 4 families and a couple of single guys in our group.  We rotate houses so there is no big burden on any one family.  The kiddos play while we talk.  Everyone has fun.  Then we have a tasty snack before ending the evening.  A deeper understanding of God's Word, fellowship, fun, and food.  What could be better?

First we studied James.  Now we have moved into 1Peter.  I love just going through a book in the Bible.  I read the portion several times throughout the week, so the message sinks in deeper than when I am reading something different daily.

WHAT A BLESSING!