Today I read 1 Samuel chapters 1-6
S-Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:18
18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
O-Observation:
Samuel has just had a vision that Eli, his father, will indeed see the wrath of God. He is told that all of his descendants will die young, yet he graciously accepts his punishment for his sins against God simply saying, "Let him do what is good in his eyes." He trusts that even though it is not what he wishes for himself and his family, that God is forever doing only what is necessary for the greatest good to come about.
A-Application:
Similar to yesterday's application, I see that God will use unpleasant things in our lives to bring about a change. He alone knows what the future holds and what each disappointment, difficulty, and struggle will do for us all in the long run. I need to remember that even though I may be in a low point in my life and wonder why God would allow this to happen to me, to my family, I have to trust that God would not bring me to it if He didn't plan to bring me out of it.
P-Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the faith you have in me to overcome these difficult times. Please continue to hold me in your hands and give me the serenity to feel your peace in my life when times get difficult. Amen.
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Thursday, June 16, 2011
SOAP journaling
A friend of mine posted a scripture from her daily devotional on Facebook that many of us responded to. Some asked what devotional she was using and others suggested their own devotionals. One person suggested the Life Journal and SOAP journal. She sent a link that got me interested and I went in search of more links on SOAP journaling! These are the ones I found helpful...
http://www.enewhope.org/firststeps/journaling/
http://www.shbctul.com/files/soapwebguide.pdf
http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/archives/soap_life_journaling.php
http://www.aplaceofhope.org.au/SOAP%20Life%20Journal%20Booklet.pdf
Escentually, SOAP journaling is a way to delve deeper into your daily Bible Reading. You choose your passage (or read one that is provided for you), ask that God let one scripture in particular speak to you), then get to journaling.
S-Scripture
Copy down the specific verse(s) that spoke to you
O-Observation
What did this verse say to you? What was God trying to tell us/you?
A-Application
How can you apply this knowledge to your life?
P-Prayer
Pray for God to help you use this scripture in your life.
Because I am using the The Daily Bible: In Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, it is difficult to always say exactly what passages I have read each day as the authors have "cut and pasted" from the different scriptures to put the events in chronological order. I love this Bible as a way to read through the Bible in a year. It is helping me put a new perspective on all of the Bible stories and when they took place. Therefore, instead of telling what the chapters/verses I have read, I'll have to instead tell you the stories.
Today I read several stories because I am quite a bit behind in my daily readings. I have had a tumultuous few months and have not been as vigilant on my reading as I should have been. Hopefully I can improve that by journaling.
So, yesterday, I started my first SOAP journal.
I read about the stories of Jephthah (Judges 10 - 12), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4), Sampson the Strong Man (Judges 13-16), Micah and the Danites (Judges 17- 18), and Civil War with Benjamin (Judges 19 -21).
S - Scripture:
The scripture that most spoke to me in all of this reading is Judges 14:1-4
1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)
O-Observation:
Even though his parents probably didn't like the idea of Sampson marrying a Philistine woman, they trusted that God was at work in his life. They trusted the feeling that Sampson had that told him this woman was the one. Even though she later turned out to betray him, it was all in God's plan.
A-Application:
I'm having a difficult time in my own marriage right now and many people in my life (including many strong Christian friends/family members) are yelling "DIVORCE!" saying that I even have Biblical back-up supporting that decision. However, in my heart of hearts, I don't believe that God is ready for me to give up on this union just yet. It is difficult to go against what those who love me believe to be the best course of action, but I have to believe that, like with Sampson, God may use a difficult and trying experience to make a greater change for the positive in my life as well as that of my husband.
P-Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the fantastic things you are doing in my life. Please grant me the wisdom to see the path that you have set forth for me and the strength and courage to travel along it. Soften the hearts of those who would stand in the way of Your will in my life and lead them to know your wonderful grace as well. Amen.
http://www.enewhope.org/firststeps/journaling/
http://www.shbctul.com/files/soapwebguide.pdf
http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/archives/soap_life_journaling.php
http://www.aplaceofhope.org.au/SOAP%20Life%20Journal%20Booklet.pdf
Escentually, SOAP journaling is a way to delve deeper into your daily Bible Reading. You choose your passage (or read one that is provided for you), ask that God let one scripture in particular speak to you), then get to journaling.
S-Scripture
Copy down the specific verse(s) that spoke to you
O-Observation
What did this verse say to you? What was God trying to tell us/you?
A-Application
How can you apply this knowledge to your life?
P-Prayer
Pray for God to help you use this scripture in your life.
Because I am using the The Daily Bible: In Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, it is difficult to always say exactly what passages I have read each day as the authors have "cut and pasted" from the different scriptures to put the events in chronological order. I love this Bible as a way to read through the Bible in a year. It is helping me put a new perspective on all of the Bible stories and when they took place. Therefore, instead of telling what the chapters/verses I have read, I'll have to instead tell you the stories.
Today I read several stories because I am quite a bit behind in my daily readings. I have had a tumultuous few months and have not been as vigilant on my reading as I should have been. Hopefully I can improve that by journaling.
So, yesterday, I started my first SOAP journal.
I read about the stories of Jephthah (Judges 10 - 12), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4), Sampson the Strong Man (Judges 13-16), Micah and the Danites (Judges 17- 18), and Civil War with Benjamin (Judges 19 -21).
S - Scripture:
The scripture that most spoke to me in all of this reading is Judges 14:1-4
1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)
O-Observation:
Even though his parents probably didn't like the idea of Sampson marrying a Philistine woman, they trusted that God was at work in his life. They trusted the feeling that Sampson had that told him this woman was the one. Even though she later turned out to betray him, it was all in God's plan.
A-Application:
I'm having a difficult time in my own marriage right now and many people in my life (including many strong Christian friends/family members) are yelling "DIVORCE!" saying that I even have Biblical back-up supporting that decision. However, in my heart of hearts, I don't believe that God is ready for me to give up on this union just yet. It is difficult to go against what those who love me believe to be the best course of action, but I have to believe that, like with Sampson, God may use a difficult and trying experience to make a greater change for the positive in my life as well as that of my husband.
P-Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the fantastic things you are doing in my life. Please grant me the wisdom to see the path that you have set forth for me and the strength and courage to travel along it. Soften the hearts of those who would stand in the way of Your will in my life and lead them to know your wonderful grace as well. Amen.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Years Resolutions
I haven't been able to write much lately - being the working mom of a 1 year old has it perks...but lots of free time isn't one of them!
However, I did want to quickly record my resolutions for this year for the world to see so that hopefully it will give me a bit of accountability
1. Read through the Bible using "The Daily Bible: New International Version: With Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God's Word." I've started several "read the Bible in one year" plans before but this Bible has it all laid out for me with commentary after each reading to help me to understand what it is I just read. It is also arranged so that the reading are put into chronological order so it will be easier for me to follow the whole path of the Bible. If this is the only goal I make this year, then it will be a good year.2. 100 Days Challenge with John "The Penguin" Bingham. Intentionally move (exercise) for at least 30 minutes DAILY for 100 days in a row
3. Complete the 200 sit-ups and 200 squats programs. I've attempted these before and failed to complete them.
This is going to be a rough year for me. Hubby deploys again soon, leaving Baby Girl and I to fend for ourselves. Hopefully the daily Bible devotions and exercise will help keep the stress down!
I think I did OK with last year's goals. I managed to run a half marathon so I am in fact physically ready to train for a full marathon...however... with the above mentioned deployment as well that that cute little one-year-old, I don't know that I will have the TIME to train for a full marathon in 2011 (this is why it isn't a goal for this year - but I will keep running and perhaps do a few halves). I also think I am better at asking for and accepting help from others. I've made a conscious effort to not let myself get overwhelmed and frustrated when help is just a phone call/doorway/e-mail/etc away.
However, I did want to quickly record my resolutions for this year for the world to see so that hopefully it will give me a bit of accountability
1. Read through the Bible using "The Daily Bible: New International Version: With Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God's Word." I've started several "read the Bible in one year" plans before but this Bible has it all laid out for me with commentary after each reading to help me to understand what it is I just read. It is also arranged so that the reading are put into chronological order so it will be easier for me to follow the whole path of the Bible. If this is the only goal I make this year, then it will be a good year.2. 100 Days Challenge with John "The Penguin" Bingham. Intentionally move (exercise) for at least 30 minutes DAILY for 100 days in a row
3. Complete the 200 sit-ups and 200 squats programs. I've attempted these before and failed to complete them.
This is going to be a rough year for me. Hubby deploys again soon, leaving Baby Girl and I to fend for ourselves. Hopefully the daily Bible devotions and exercise will help keep the stress down!
I think I did OK with last year's goals. I managed to run a half marathon so I am in fact physically ready to train for a full marathon...however... with the above mentioned deployment as well that that cute little one-year-old, I don't know that I will have the TIME to train for a full marathon in 2011 (this is why it isn't a goal for this year - but I will keep running and perhaps do a few halves). I also think I am better at asking for and accepting help from others. I've made a conscious effort to not let myself get overwhelmed and frustrated when help is just a phone call/doorway/e-mail/etc away.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday Teaser - Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Image via WikipediaBattlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
(Please note, the building at the top of the blog is the Baslow Methodist Church. It was formerly the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School and has an 1822 date stone. It is not the church that I attend, although I do attend a Methodist Church. I just thought it was a really cool old church...1822...WOW!)"My husband on the other hand, never worried. There was a time when I would get angry at him because he would not worry with me - and join me in talking about all the gloomy possibilities if God did not come through and meet our needs." pg 128 Chapter 12 "An Anxious and Worried Mind"
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Defining "Freedom"
According to Dictionary.com, "freedom" is defined as:
free·dom /ˈfridəm/ –noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.
6. exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from ): freedom from fear.
7. the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
8. ease or facility of movement or action: to enjoy the freedom of living in the country.
9. frankness of manner or speech.
10. general exemption or immunity: freedom from taxation.
11. the absence of ceremony or reserve.
12. a liberty taken.
13. a particular immunity or privilege enjoyed, as by a city or corporation: freedom to levy taxes.
14. civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
15. the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.
16. the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will: to have the freedom of a friend's library.
17. Philosophy . the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination. Compare necessity ( def. 7 ) .
My church has a sign up this week that states "Real freedom comes in God's love."
That will make you stop and think!
I am free to do His will. I am free to give myself wholly to Him. I am free to follow His commands.
Even if we had to live in times of Christian persecution, no one has the ability to take away our faith. God gives us that freedom. Others may be able to gain control of other aspects of my life, but that is one that no one can control.
A man in my Sunday School class does a prison ministry. He commented once before that some of "his guys" have more freedom where they are than some people who are out walking around. That is because "his guys" that he ministers to have found a true relationship with Christ and are free in His love, even if they are not physically free to walk among the populace yet.
Often, when I think of freedom, my first thought naturally goes to my husband and the brave men and women who are serving with him. Sailors, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and all Law Enforcement help protect and fight for our freedom; physical freedom as well as freedom from fear of attack or persecution.
Freedom isn't something that can be summed up or have a finger pointed at it and pronounced "THAT" is freedom. It is something one feels in his/her heart and soul.
Thank you to all military and law enforcement agents who keep me physically free...
Thank you to God for giving me REAL freedom :)
free·dom /ˈfridəm/ –noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.
6. exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from ): freedom from fear.
7. the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
8. ease or facility of movement or action: to enjoy the freedom of living in the country.
9. frankness of manner or speech.
10. general exemption or immunity: freedom from taxation.
11. the absence of ceremony or reserve.
12. a liberty taken.
13. a particular immunity or privilege enjoyed, as by a city or corporation: freedom to levy taxes.
14. civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
15. the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.
16. the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will: to have the freedom of a friend's library.
17. Philosophy . the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination. Compare necessity ( def. 7 ) .
My church has a sign up this week that states "Real freedom comes in God's love."
That will make you stop and think!
I am free to do His will. I am free to give myself wholly to Him. I am free to follow His commands.
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 NASB
Even if we had to live in times of Christian persecution, no one has the ability to take away our faith. God gives us that freedom. Others may be able to gain control of other aspects of my life, but that is one that no one can control.
A man in my Sunday School class does a prison ministry. He commented once before that some of "his guys" have more freedom where they are than some people who are out walking around. That is because "his guys" that he ministers to have found a true relationship with Christ and are free in His love, even if they are not physically free to walk among the populace yet.
Often, when I think of freedom, my first thought naturally goes to my husband and the brave men and women who are serving with him. Sailors, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and all Law Enforcement help protect and fight for our freedom; physical freedom as well as freedom from fear of attack or persecution.
Freedom isn't something that can be summed up or have a finger pointed at it and pronounced "THAT" is freedom. It is something one feels in his/her heart and soul.
Thank you to all military and law enforcement agents who keep me physically free...
Thank you to God for giving me REAL freedom :)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Angels among us
I heard an older song today, Angels Among Us, and it reminded me not only of the story I posted yesterday, but also of a day many years ago (probably about 8 or so), when I flipped my car and two angels came to my rescue.
I was driving home from my parents house, about an hour drive down back roads and lonely highways, after dark. I was tired, and probably more than ready to get back home. I was about 23, and believe it or not, I don't think I was speeding. I say I don't think I was because if I'm honest with myself I'm not real sure, although the cop later said that based on skid marks he believed I was not speeding.
This particular patch of road was being repaired (No... A road in Florida that is under construction?? It's unheard of! LMAO) and was in the middle of nowhere. There were no streetlights and not even any houselights to be seen. There was also no lines painted on the black road yet making the side of the road more difficult to see.
My tire hit the edge of the road, which due to being repaved, was probably a full 3 inches above the old road which was about 4 inches wider than the new road forming a wonderful lip for my tire to hit.
Without thinking (obviously), I yanked the wheel and over corrected. Bad bad bad idea. The next thing I know, my car is flipping into the ditch finally landing with the driver's side down.
I had a cell phone, but I had no idea where it had gone to. I usually drove with it in my lap so I wouldn't have to search for it if I needed it, but in all the flipping, it had flown who knows where. I was in shock and not real sure where I was other than somewhere between my parent's house and mine. I knew that wherever I was there was very few people out this far and I couldn't get out of my car. I had unbuckled my seat belt (Thank God I was wearing it!), but because my mind was spinning, I couldn't think how to physically get out of my car. I managed to open the passenger side door but I couldn't pull myself out.
Suddenly these two guys were there helping to pull me out of my car and asking me if I was OK. They had called the cops and allowed me to use their phone to call my parents. They offered to stay with me and told me I could give my parents their cell phone number so that we could keep in touch until the cop got there. In talking with them while we were waiting, I found out that they are from my hometown too but were several years behind me in school. They know my younger brother though and even told me some things about him that he had done in school. That night, my mom called the phone number the boys gave several times having no problem getting through.
Luckily, I was OK (Due in large part no doubt to the fact that I was in fact wearing my seat belt) and the cop deemed the accident as no fault. He could see the tire marks and actually could tell me better than I could what had happened. It all happened so fast that I wasn't even sure other than that I had gone off the road and ended up on the other side, upside down, in a ditch.
A few days later, after things had calmed down, my mother tried to call the boys on the cell phone to thank them for stopping to help and staying with me. The phone number didn't work. My brother didn't recognize the names of the boys, yet the stories they told me were true. We couldn't find them in any of his yearbooks either.
My only explanation is that these to guys were angels send by God to protect me and help me that night. I don't know how long it might have been before someone else drove by on that deserted stretch of road if it hadn't have been for them nor what I might have done if a less than courteous person stopped instead.
Although I believe that God uses ordinary people to do His work here on earth, I know for a fact that He does send His angles, disguised as ordinary people, to mingle with us and help us out in our times of need. He is watching out for us, so make sure you don't forget to thank Him for it!
I was driving home from my parents house, about an hour drive down back roads and lonely highways, after dark. I was tired, and probably more than ready to get back home. I was about 23, and believe it or not, I don't think I was speeding. I say I don't think I was because if I'm honest with myself I'm not real sure, although the cop later said that based on skid marks he believed I was not speeding.
This particular patch of road was being repaired (No... A road in Florida that is under construction?? It's unheard of! LMAO
My tire hit the edge of the road, which due to being repaved, was probably a full 3 inches above the old road which was about 4 inches wider than the new road forming a wonderful lip for my tire to hit.
Without thinking (obviously), I yanked the wheel and over corrected. Bad bad bad idea. The next thing I know, my car is flipping into the ditch finally landing with the driver's side down.
I had a cell phone, but I had no idea where it had gone to. I usually drove with it in my lap so I wouldn't have to search for it if I needed it, but in all the flipping, it had flown who knows where. I was in shock and not real sure where I was other than somewhere between my parent's house and mine. I knew that wherever I was there was very few people out this far and I couldn't get out of my car. I had unbuckled my seat belt (Thank God I was wearing it!), but because my mind was spinning, I couldn't think how to physically get out of my car. I managed to open the passenger side door but I couldn't pull myself out.
Suddenly these two guys were there helping to pull me out of my car and asking me if I was OK. They had called the cops and allowed me to use their phone to call my parents. They offered to stay with me and told me I could give my parents their cell phone number so that we could keep in touch until the cop got there. In talking with them while we were waiting, I found out that they are from my hometown too but were several years behind me in school. They know my younger brother though and even told me some things about him that he had done in school. That night, my mom called the phone number the boys gave several times having no problem getting through.
Luckily, I was OK (Due in large part no doubt to the fact that I was in fact wearing my seat belt) and the cop deemed the accident as no fault. He could see the tire marks and actually could tell me better than I could what had happened. It all happened so fast that I wasn't even sure other than that I had gone off the road and ended up on the other side, upside down, in a ditch.
A few days later, after things had calmed down, my mother tried to call the boys on the cell phone to thank them for stopping to help and staying with me. The phone number didn't work. My brother didn't recognize the names of the boys, yet the stories they told me were true. We couldn't find them in any of his yearbooks either.
My only explanation is that these to guys were angels send by God to protect me and help me that night. I don't know how long it might have been before someone else drove by on that deserted stretch of road if it hadn't have been for them nor what I might have done if a less than courteous person stopped instead.
Although I believe that God uses ordinary people to do His work here on earth, I know for a fact that He does send His angles, disguised as ordinary people, to mingle with us and help us out in our times of need. He is watching out for us, so make sure you don't forget to thank Him for it!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Seeing the world through Elizabeth's eyes
A little while ago, a friend of mine, Elizabeth, wrote this blog that really got me thinking about the beauty around me and really seeing all that is around me. So many times we miss the truly extraordinary because we don't take the time to slow down and really SEE the wondrous sights there are all around us.
I work with disabled children on a daily basis and have no problem whatsoever seeing the beauty and wonders that lay within each precious child, so why is it so hard to see the beauty and wonders in my own life tat are right outside my front door?
I decided to grab my camera and take a walk outside in my yard to see what little pieces of Heaven I could find and these are the miracles that found me:
and I finally decided that this:
is where I think I would like to plant some pineapples to remind me of Elizabeth's blog which will in turn hopefully remind me to look for God's beauty everywhere on a more daily basis... not to mention eventually give us some yummy pineapples!
I work with disabled children on a daily basis and have no problem whatsoever seeing the beauty and wonders that lay within each precious child, so why is it so hard to see the beauty and wonders in my own life tat are right outside my front door?
I decided to grab my camera and take a walk outside in my yard to see what little pieces of Heaven I could find and these are the miracles that found me:
and I finally decided that this:is where I think I would like to plant some pineapples to remind me of Elizabeth's blog which will in turn hopefully remind me to look for God's beauty everywhere on a more daily basis... not to mention eventually give us some yummy pineapples!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thankful
I sit here tonight curled in a blanket in front of my laptop, trying to hold back the tears. Those of you who know me know why, those of you who don't, suffice it to say that something is missing. Because I am in such a sad mood I thought, even though Thanksgiving was several weeks ago, I should make a list of things that I am thankful for, so here goes:
- I have a strong, loving husband who does everything he can to provide.
- The most wonderful person is donating life-saving bone marrow to my father, and there is a really good probability that he/she doesn't even know my father.
- I have extended family who is only a phone call away and will be there just as fast as my immediate family.
- I am thankful for my biological mother for doing the hardest thing she probably ever had to do in giving me up for adoption when she knew she was too young to take care of me. I had wonderful parents and an amazing life that I might not have been able to have otherwise.
- I have a beautiful house that is probably bigger than we need.
- I always have food in the fridge or cupboard.
- I am strong and healthy.
- I have friends and co-workers who really do have the best of intentions.
- I have clothes in my closet and shoes to wear.
- I have a steady job.
- I live in a free country where I am allowed to go to church, blog :) and attend school among many other things.
- We survived four really bad hurricanes several years ago and escaped with only material damage to the house and belongings, but we were OK.
- I am still, and will probably always remain, very thankful for all of those who flocked to help my neighbors and I after those horrible hurricanes with supplies and support.
- I am thankful for my education. I know that many people are not as lucky as I was in being able to afford college.
- I am thankful to God for making all of this possible.
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