It's a tad late to wish a Happy New Year but I sure hope that it's kicked off good for everyone. Ours kicked off with being so THANKFUL for what God has done and is doing. As I told my family as we were reminiscing over 2024, "There is a lot of 2024 I DO NOT WANT A RE-DO but the Lord has surely taught me so very much. I am truly thankful for each breath, each day, family and close friends. We had our three youngest grands for New Years Eve. We had a great time and the girls enjoyed a little fishing, bonfire with their great-grandfather and roasting marshmallows. Their great-grandfather will be 90 years old next month. As most of you know I do a monthly focus board and this makes my 3rd or 4th year. I've lost count. Only fitting that New Beginnings would be my focus for January. This has been so good for me as it sits on my kitchen counter so I can see it daily. Wonderful way to focus and quote God's Word daily. I felt up to hosting a lunch and movie day with ...
I've been going through books on my book shelf and just trying to organize them all a little better. One thing I know for sure...Either I've got to get rid of some books or buy a larger book shelf!!!!
(and I don't do well with getting rid of my books)
I started with Bible studies that I've taken or taught or both over the years and began to put them in piles. As I would pick each one up and look at the title I could remember each and every study as if I had just completed them yesterday! As I looked at each one my thoughts on some in all honesty was, "Nay, not my favorite study at all...OR "Good study, glad I taught that one but don't care to teach it again OR AWE...yes...wonderful study...life changing...or I loved that study!!!! I am sure all Bible Study girls has felt the same way about Bible studies you've done over the years.The thing I have learned is regardless of whether a particular study is my favorite or not GOD'S WORD will speak if I only listen!
I've taken and taught a lot of Bible Studies but as of now...by far the best bible study I've ever taken and taught has been "A Heart Like His" by Beth Moore. (The study of David) And you know I must have loved it as I've taken the study once and taught it twice so far!
This particular book was pitiful! Falling apart isn't the word. A lot of the pages had fallen out and I even had some of them stapled or paper clipped together.
And as you can see I tend to write a LOT in my books! I am crazy like that at times. Some studies, I only answer the question at hand in writing while others...I tend to GET CRAZY! Well this was one of those CRAZY studies for me.
As I was looking through this book at the notes I had made I was reminded of why I loved this study of David so much. David was chosen to be king and to serve and he was not a likely candidate. Scripture says he was young, ruddy looking and a sheep herder. A young smelly boy chosen to be King! WOW! (1st Samuel 16) How many times have we thought that we could not possibly do what God was asking us do for Him? We're not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough and the list goes on. The Lord taught me through this study that if God could use a stinky, ruddy looking, young boy to be King then He could surely use me.
He also taught me through this study that with God's power upon me I could accomplish great things for the Lord and I need not be afraid. 1st Samuel 17 tells the story of how David went before Goliath with a slingshot and a stone! My favorite part of scripture is when David says to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. What a reason to shout "thank you Jesus" for giving me just what I need when I need it!
God also taught me through this study the importance of friendship. In 1st Samuel 18 the Word tells us that Jonathan (David's friend) became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. It also goes on to say that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself and Jonathan loved David so much that he took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Scripture says in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends". God taught me so much about the true value of friendship.
There was so much about the study of David that displayed hardship, fear, anger, mistakes, shame, sin, love, forgiveness and RESTORATION!
I am so like David...I desire to serve our Lord with passion and zeal and yet I fall so short and fail Him many times. I can relate to David in so many ways and yet I truly do want my heart to be like Jesus!
Awe my friends...the pages in my book may be worn, torn, stapled, paper clipped and falling apart at the seams and even unreadable on some pages but one thing remains....I so desire to have a Heart Like His. Even when I fail Him, when I fall, and feel so unworthy to be called His daughter....My ULTIMATE DESIRE is JESUS.
May we be like David...Long to have a heart like Jesus.
(and I don't do well with getting rid of my books)
I started with Bible studies that I've taken or taught or both over the years and began to put them in piles. As I would pick each one up and look at the title I could remember each and every study as if I had just completed them yesterday! As I looked at each one my thoughts on some in all honesty was, "Nay, not my favorite study at all...OR "Good study, glad I taught that one but don't care to teach it again OR AWE...yes...wonderful study...life changing...or I loved that study!!!! I am sure all Bible Study girls has felt the same way about Bible studies you've done over the years.The thing I have learned is regardless of whether a particular study is my favorite or not GOD'S WORD will speak if I only listen!
I've taken and taught a lot of Bible Studies but as of now...by far the best bible study I've ever taken and taught has been "A Heart Like His" by Beth Moore. (The study of David) And you know I must have loved it as I've taken the study once and taught it twice so far!
YES! Those little stickers you see on the book was of my own doings. I LOVE stickers.
This particular book was pitiful! Falling apart isn't the word. A lot of the pages had fallen out and I even had some of them stapled or paper clipped together.
And as you can see I tend to write a LOT in my books! I am crazy like that at times. Some studies, I only answer the question at hand in writing while others...I tend to GET CRAZY! Well this was one of those CRAZY studies for me.
As I was looking through this book at the notes I had made I was reminded of why I loved this study of David so much. David was chosen to be king and to serve and he was not a likely candidate. Scripture says he was young, ruddy looking and a sheep herder. A young smelly boy chosen to be King! WOW! (1st Samuel 16) How many times have we thought that we could not possibly do what God was asking us do for Him? We're not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough and the list goes on. The Lord taught me through this study that if God could use a stinky, ruddy looking, young boy to be King then He could surely use me.
He also taught me through this study that with God's power upon me I could accomplish great things for the Lord and I need not be afraid. 1st Samuel 17 tells the story of how David went before Goliath with a slingshot and a stone! My favorite part of scripture is when David says to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. What a reason to shout "thank you Jesus" for giving me just what I need when I need it!
God also taught me through this study the importance of friendship. In 1st Samuel 18 the Word tells us that Jonathan (David's friend) became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. It also goes on to say that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself and Jonathan loved David so much that he took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Scripture says in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends". God taught me so much about the true value of friendship.
There was so much about the study of David that displayed hardship, fear, anger, mistakes, shame, sin, love, forgiveness and RESTORATION!
I am so like David...I desire to serve our Lord with passion and zeal and yet I fall so short and fail Him many times. I can relate to David in so many ways and yet I truly do want my heart to be like Jesus!
Awe my friends...the pages in my book may be worn, torn, stapled, paper clipped and falling apart at the seams and even unreadable on some pages but one thing remains....I so desire to have a Heart Like His. Even when I fail Him, when I fall, and feel so unworthy to be called His daughter....My ULTIMATE DESIRE is JESUS.
May we be like David...Long to have a heart like Jesus.
Praying for blessings to abound you today as you seek to have a heart like His.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Oh, it's hard to get rid of books! Go for the getting a bigger shelf! What a precious and wonderful post today, thank you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Nancy
LOL Nancy! I got a feeling there will wind up being a new book shelf in my little room!
DeleteSweet post today Cindy. I have several books that looks worse. Ha!
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Thanks Connie.
DeleteWhat a well loved book!! I love seeing your handwriting too!
ReplyDeleteHeather, my handwriting is aweful! However, I love to make notes and find my scribbling on the oddest things! LOL!
DeleteI've taken that study and it truly is awesome....but I would LOVE to take it under your leadership, my Friend! A heart like His....yes, that's what I long for, too! Happy Easter Week to you and your sweet family!
ReplyDeleteAwe Debbie, I wish we could take Bible Study together too! Got a feeling me and you would get in a lot of trouble though cause we'd doing more talking than listening! LOL! Happy Easter to you my sweet friend.
DeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this post. I have missed taking Bible Studies since moving to Florida.
I loved seeing your falling apart/written all over study book. That is exactly how they should end up.
Have a wonderful Easter .
Thank you so much! Bible study has my been life-line!
DeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. I have missed taking and leading Bible Studies since moving to Florida .
I LOVE LOVE your Beat up/ falling apart/ written all over Study Book.
Have an awesome Easter.
Sweet. precious words of guidance, Cindy. What joy that you would share your beat-up/much-loved book! It looks like my Bible! ({I'm a note-taker too!!) ~Zuni
ReplyDeleteThanks Zuni! I make so many notes at times that sometimes I think...dang...I could re-write a book with all these notes! LOL! But that is how I learn the best! Thanks for popping by!
DeleteHi Cindy, I know how hard it is to sort through books and part with them. Your study looks so well loved. What a wonderful blessing it would be to take a study with you teaching. Love seeing your notes and highlights.
ReplyDeleteLoved your rag wreath below. Such pretty fabric and laundry idea. I enjoy creating these too.
Wishing you and your dear family a Blessed Easter!
Hugs, CM
Thank you sweet friend for stopping by to visit with me! I would soooo love for us to be in a study together! God is good and shows me EVERY single time when I stand before a group of women that I nothing more than a sinner saved by GRACE. On my wreath.,,,I love it too! Happy Easter!
DeleteCindy, I really enjoyed this post and seeing your highlighted words and verses. I remember hearing a quotation that went something like this: A Bible falling apart is most likely owned and used by someone who isn't. Very powerful, and true, I think. God bless you, and Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Linda.
DeleteYes. The heart of Jesus! This theme keeps coming my way over and over - and I feel it's something I need to learn more every day. A dear friend and former pastor on staff at our church visited a few weeks ago and preached on 'The Heart of Jesus'. I've been 'seeing' things in a different way since then. Your words here have built on what he shared. I'm walking through a situation with a dear one that is not what I would have chosen, but God's still voice to my heart said, 'show love and grace - with the heart of Jesus'. I have and it is making a difference. Not because of me. Because of HIS heart.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Praying for you sweet Adrienne. I so wish you lived closer so you could come to our ladies event. "A Plan A Woman in a Plan B World"...when things don't go as planned! I have to remind myself a lot of times with different situations....THAT COULD BE ME! Thanks for stopping by! I miss you blogging.
Delete