| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 02 2012 : 12:55:37 PM
Hey Ladies!
Here are the 1st verses and questions for week one. Please reply to this thread with your answers (only if you want to), questions, insights, etc. I look forward to learning about Knowing God's Will with each and everyone of you.
KNOWING GOD'S WILL
Introduction:
Verse: God has a plan for your life (Psalm 84:1-2)
Longing to be with God- Things you can do to enrich your path:
-Choose a specific place where you won't be interrupted (Luke 22:39)
-Set aside a certain period of the day. (Daniel 6:10)
-Start with 15-20 min a day and increase as you grow with God.
-Keep a balance with reading the Bible and praying.
-Seek opportunities to use what you have learned or prayed about. (James 2:17)
Benefits of having a regular quiet time:
-We get to know God: his nature, character, ways.
-We grow in the understanding of his perfect love.
-In silence, we can hear more clearly the voice of God.
-We are empowered to overcome sin and weakness.
-We can receive specific guidance. (Mark 1:35-38)
Question: What are some changes you can make for your quiet time with God?
TOPIC 1: Does God speak? Yes!
1. Isaiah 30:21 -His voice is everywhere.
Ask the Lord to speak to you in a way that you can see, hear or understand. Make it your goal to become a better listener. What are some ways you can do this?
2. 1 Samuel 15:10 -Listening for God's Voice.
Have you ever heard God speak to you? Spend time reading his word and ask him to speak to you through it.
3. John 18:37 -He is the voice of truth
Have you tried to find truth and fulfillment in anything else? Invite Jesus Christ to show you the way of truth.
4. John 10:27 -His people recognize his voice
If you want to evaluate a voice you've heard use the simple test: Does it exalt Jesus as Lord? Does it affirm the truth of scripture? Does it lead to a growing freedom and maturity in Christ? If it does, keep listening-for God is speaking.
I will post a new thread next Tuesday the 10th for "Topic 2: Jan. Bible Study". We will then post our comments to the Topic 2 thread.
I hope each and every one of your are having a beautiful day.
Much love ya'll!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 3:57:00 PM
Speaking of hula hoops, have y'all tried making one? There are a few girls that make the prettiest hoops at the Chattanooga market. Then I saw someone who made some on their blog with directions. I went to the hardware and got the 1" black plastic pipe and some really colorful electrical tape and let my grandkids make their own. You can do all kinds of embellishments with them as well. This gets the kids into hula hooping and some great excercise to boot!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 07:36:51 AM
Joyce~ It am firmly aware of the Divine in all things at all times so it is essential that everything I do be in that vain. Why? If I stray from this awareness for even a moment, I become careless. What does it mean to be careless? For me, carelessness translates into hurriedness, urgency, snippiness, barking at my kids, impatience and all kinds of other ridiculous teachers that come up to remind me of how I've wandered.
I'm glad you were so aware of the quiet descending in your car..What an invitation to be present to the Divine. I often think of the great mystic Julian of Norwich. She is famed for saying, "...All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well", but I like even more, "The beauty of God is in all things." For some reason when I think of those words, suddenly everything I do, everything I see, every everything brings me closer to the presence of God...Here's celebrating your beauty....for you know its genesis indeed. ~julia hayes
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 04:52:26 AM
I do hula hoop! I love it, too. In all honesty I only started about a year ago. I really like to be healthy, but can't stand the idea of typical blah blah exercise, so I deceided to make it fun. I made a hoop for all three boys and turned up some loud good music and started dancing away. The boys are not super interested, but they have a hoop just in case they want to participate:) Right now I'm working on learning how to hoop around my thighs....this is a funny sight with my big ol' pregnant belly...lol! I think you should start hooping again. It really does bring out the inner child and a sense of freedom to be silly and fail...if you yoga, they go perfect together...
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| GinghamGirl |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 09:08:40 AM
Thanks so much Julia! I like the idea of the basket...heehee! And you're right...today while driving to the grocery store my kids were quiet so I used that time to pray to God about some things that were on my heart. I suppose I just need to do away with the idea of having a 15-30 minute quiet time with God right now, and just take advantage of every moment I get throughout the day! |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 07:51:29 AM
Ashley!! You do hula hooping? I think I'm going to scream with bliss!!! I have not picked up the practice. When I was younger..as in a LOT younger I LOVED hula-hooping. I think you've just inspired me to reach out to my inner little girl goddess and do this again!! How fun fun fun!!!
Joyfulmelodies...forgive me if this is just too absurd..but I have keep these baskets of books in my bathroom. Just daily meditational things. Most of them in the Buddhist tradition but I'm sure there are Christian and biblical books of this sort as well. I read the little meditation for the day while I'm....well, you know! and I'm telling you, this often 1 minute deal carries with me for the entire day! I keep books in my car too...I'm juggling kids (10 8 and 5) doing the taxi cab driving thing but with this strange little practice I feel like everything I do has been touched somehow by those meditative prayers.
Sometimes I think we convince ourselves that we need a good hour for proper devotion. I suppose that would be awesome..but when we are devoting ourselves to raising decent human beings, healthy food, creating an environment that is welcoming, open and loving, it is very challenging to carve out THAT kind of time. It is essential therefore to be certain that everything we do is in 'mindfulness'. All that means is being present to what you are doing in that moment. So often, we're washing the dishes to get to the next thing..we're putting away clothes to hurry and run down to pop in another load. Instead, presence and mindfulness is to take a moment from that ever-clicking check list and just be fully engaged in what you are doing in that moment...
Here's celebrating the you both! ~julia hayes
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| GinghamGirl |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 04:31:26 AM
Thanks for the idea Ashley! I have an oven timer, not a clock timer, so that is definitely an idea! I guess my main difficult is not so much the reading, but the prayer time. I find I need it to be quiet, and I don't have to worry about what the other kids are doing...heehee |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 04:04:22 AM
One of the things I do is not have a set time. As my children get older, I will, but I'll set the timer on my watch and whenever it goes off I see if I can get away for a few moments. If not, then I reset the timer for what might be a better time. If I'm coming up on the third time I set the timer, I explain to the kids that I need some time and depending on the day, I may allow them some extra tv time. I do this with my yoga practice, hula hoop time, walking, anything I need to do (I can include the kids in yoga, etc, but the timer keeps it fresh on my brain). In all honesty, I had no idea how I relied on my watch..lol! Guess I just found a new thing to be thankful for:)
This helps me, but may sound like your worst nightmare. If things were calmer in the house something beeping at me would make me crazy, but my kids are always beeping at me, anyway..lol.
Much love,
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| GinghamGirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 5:41:24 PM
I've just joined the study and am catching up. I just finished reading Topic 1, and I have always had a fairly consistent quiet time with God...until my third came. I'm homeschooling, working two nights a week and between that and taking care of my one year old plus the other two, it's very busy here. I can't get up earlier cause I already wake up with the youngest between 5 and 5:30 each day and at night I'm falling asleep as I'm reading or praying as I'm so tired. I suppose health issues have a lot to do with that as well. During the day, it's nearly impossible to find more than 5 minutes to myself on a regular basis. Is there any advice on how I can have a consistent time with God each day, for at least 15 minutes? |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Jan 11 2012 : 04:26:18 AM
I personally am not part of this study, but I wanted to say. There is many reasons why people can choose to read the Bible. Please never discourage any one to read the Bible. As the Bible says itself-it is alive!
I DO believe the Bible is the word of God, holy, and definitive. OTOH, just because some one questions it, is no need to throw that person out. Many people questioned God, and his word through out time. God is not partial and wants ALL to attain every lasting life, and come to a accurate knowledge of him. So yes, EVEN those doubters/unbelievers should still be encouraged to read the Bible, and "study" it.
In my own religion, we often have stories of faith related, either verbally or written in our magazines. Many people who have came to know God, began by questioning God's true existence and the validity of the scriptures. By studying the Bible in a way to prove believers wrong, many have came to know God and actually believe! Again, cause it is alive, and powerful! So let's never make assumptions of ones motives, even if they are not what we would want them to be, we never know what or how God is directing them and drawing them to him.
While it's nice to stay on a topic, I just can't imagine Jesus saying, sorry you came up and asked me a question that is off the topic I am going to talk about today so go away! And Christian literally means to be Christ like.
I personally never want to debate or argue scripture, but if any one has genuine questions, I don't mind sharing my understanding with the scriptures that I know. But, beware that I believe the Bible is divine truth and will always use it as my answers. At the same time because I believe that, I can also see things outside the Bible that reinforce my beliefs in it's truth.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| grammytammy |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 11:52:28 AM
Interesting to read all the posts in the topic for this week. A few thoughts I had in reading them.
1. I have had a problem in the past with "legally doing" my Bible study everyday. Doing it but not getting anything from it or getting closer to God. So it is a challenge to do it with the right purpose in mind.
2. For those of you who love the "covers" in the morning... One of our pastors said something that has stayed with me.. "God loves your sacrifices."
Tammy
FarmGirl 2495
God loved us so much He gave His only son to die in our stead. |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 08:51:31 AM
There is a scripture that I like from the New Living Translation (©2007). It is Romans 5:3. It says: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance." Endurance, strength, stick-to-it-iveness...I too am troubled by interruptions after DH goes to work. The dogs bark as though someone is here, the phone rings, the washing machine finishes its cycle, I remember I was to do something early..and finally remember. I try to think of those things that may interrupt and take care of them quickly so I can have my time. there are alot of things that can wait, or a phone call that can be returned, but if we think it important enough for our life, we will ignore all else. I am trying to remember, that God never forgets me, and I need to spend time with Him where I can LISTEN for what He has to say to me. O consider the interruptions as a test of sorts...what do I think is more important. I hope that I choose God.
Good morning Julia. I have thought about you and your tractor, hats and of course your family. I will write to you personally and not lose this forum to catch up. Blessings, ladies!
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
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| Sabrena Orr |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 08:38:47 AM
You are so right Beth in that the interruptions when studying God's word is the Devil himself. I need to be more mindful of that because it seems my life is full of interruptions!
Sabrena, Olympia |
| Beth Jones |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 07:16:11 AM
It seems that when I make my appointment with God to study His word, everything in the world starts to interupt me. I know this is the old devil trying hard to pull me away from what would be good, wholesome, and uplifting for me. God has blessed me so much and I talk to Him during the day as if He is right beside me...and He is...Now that my children are all out of the house, my little dog and I confer on many things. We talk about God's goodness and His ever faithfulness. What more do we need? May you feel His presence today!! Smiles, Beth
You can never be to kind! |
| Sabrena Orr |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 6:31:43 PM
I too am enjoying this thread and look forward to more discussions throughout this study. With busy schedules, I love to get up early while the house is still asleep and spend time reading His word. This time will also include reading and pondering these topics. I feel that I need to open my eyes, my heart and my mind to God's word...daily. I look forward to the next topic!
Sabrena, Olympia |
| fille de ferme |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 2:05:51 PM
Hi :) I must say one last thing, before tomorrows new thread. I did not find this discussion unfriendly. I found it to be the opposite. It made me seek further into the Bible, beyond the passages posted at the beginning. I also believe I read not to take offense, or act on human emotion but to do & act Godly. Peggy is correct, this is a Bible Study & I hope to find myself learning from it. Julia, You must read Rick Warrens, The Purpose Driven Life. I am at the moment rereading it & it is something to sit & ponder. Also if you can, read Joyce Meyers, Battle Field of the Mind. These books have given me much to think about, they also refer to the verses in the Bible, so you can look them up, for further explanation. Ashley, I am enjoying this study, Thank You for hosting it :) I look forward to tomorrows thread.
Blessings |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 1:51:01 PM
I too want this to remain friendly and loving towards each other, but also being a Bible Study
Teacher...I am continually bringing people back on track when they wander off topic for too long.
Just years of conditioning! I apologized to Ashley in a private post for over stepping her Leadership.
For "whatever" each woman hopes to get out of this Study, I hope love and friendship will be the key
that opens the door to the Wonderful Truths of God's Word...as we learn that He does have a plan
and a purpose for each of our lives and that we can learn how to Know His Will for us.
And there is nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree.
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be joyous, to be passionate, and to Be His! |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 1:36:24 PM
Julia, I agree it was very friendly...I just wanted to make sure it stayed that way:):) When it sounds like things have the potential to heat up, I get all nervous...lol!I am pleased that you are looking forward to Topic 2!
To ALL: It's POSTED!
Much love!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 1:03:41 PM
Oh dear friends! No Worries!!
~Ashley, I think this conversation has been exceedingly friendly. We want to believe that discussions of the Bible ought to be easy but they aren't...not always.
~PeggyAnn, thank you for your post. You would not be the first to call me out! Ugh. Being wordy and opinionated and taking over with my big fat presence is one of my worst faults. You've humbled me.
Respectfully, I do not agree that we must be in agreement about the Bible to study it and learn it. In fact, it is my belief that in order to really learn, we must be willing to debate, ask questions, infuse our understanding of these ancient teachings with the anthropological knowledge that governed so much of how the Bible came to be. I apologize for slipping off topic and for giving you the impression that I was moving my own agenda as if to suggest I have anything enlightening to offer. I do not.
It saddens me to think that you only see reason to study the Bible if one believes that the Bible is God's word, "the inherent word of God", and "the final authority on all matters." It saddens me because that excludes me entirely. If my questions and what you've interpreted as criticisms are offensive, I beg to know why and perhaps you can share that with me privately. I am profusely apologetic to have gotten under your skin in such a way that you are concerned that this discussion could be shut down for being too explosive. I don't think of myself that way...having the ability to incite such irritants but your words are causing me to consider it deeply. Again, thank you.
Ashley, I'm very much looking forward to the next topic.
Claudia~ it has been forever!! How have you been?
~May peace be in all your steps~ julia hayes
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:24:05 PM
Thank you Peggy Ann...bringing us to a "Point of Order" like in Parliamentary Procedure. I agree to follow the plan set out and to continue with what has been layed out. Thank you again.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
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| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:21:59 PM
Ladies, please keep this friendly. I will be posting Topic 2 this evening or in the morning.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:03:58 PM
Julia...I think you are getting every one off the topic here. We do not want to debate your Theology
of many Gods, many great prophets, and many ways to Heaven. I am going to quote one Bible Passage and
then ask everyone to get back on topic. Ephesians 4:4-6 says..."There is is one body and one Spirit - just
as we were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of
all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Now, that said...if you do not believe the Bible to Be the Inherant Word of God...then you will have criticism of everything we discuss. We want to do this Bible Study to Learn, not to debate, not to
criticize and not to open up a can of personal philosophical worms. A Bible Study is To Study the Bible.
And we need to use the Bible as our final Authority on all matters of discussion. If we don't do this...then
we aren't studying The Bible. I have been teaching a Bible Study for 22 yrs of Women who attend many different Churches. It works because we all agreed to leave our Church Doctrine and Personal Opinions At the Door when we came in to Bible Study. And that if we had any disagreement on a subject we were studying...we would let the Bible be the final say on the matter. And if we found it silent on a topic...then it was obviously not important to our salvation and we would let it go. SO LADIES CAN WE
DO THAT HERE? Or are we going to be shut down by MJF for discussing a potentially explosive topic...THE BIBLE???? If you can't agree that the Bible is God's Word and that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit 66 men wrote it down...then you don't have any reason that I can see to Study it...unless you are just
trying to move your own agenda forward...to enlighten those who you deem un-enlightened.
NOW can we all agree to study and stay on the topic of Listening To God?
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be joyous, to be passionate, and to Be His! |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:03:56 PM
What a wonderful discussion, ladies. I agree a little with you all! Will be posting topic 2 tonight or in the morning. Lets keep talking, we are all learning.
Much love,
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| prayin granny |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 10:51:31 AM
Julia,
I do not feel you have been disrespectful in any way. I 'agree to disagree ' with you on some points?
But that is why it is important to share, discuss in respectful ways, as I believe we are here. Something, that I think very sadly has been lacking in our land over the last several years!!!
2 people are Never going to agree on everything, or every point?! Certainly not in religion or politics, so to speak.
But it seems that often there just is respect and good manners missing anymore. It's sad. My daughter has friends of all faiths, cultures, and some who choose no faith at all. Being around them, their fun times and discussions is a joy! They all learn from each other and stay respectful and sensitive to each others beliefs.
I have found that to be the case with farmgirl forums and I just love the forums so much!
There is a lot of truth in much of what you shared. So often we want and need our own will, and when God does what He knows is best--- we are shattered inside. That is why His Word is so important. The more we read and study, the stronger our faith becomes, thru good as well as the bad times.
Learning to hear and understand His voice, in a manner of speaking is so important.
As for Jesus?! I too, believe He is the only one and true Savior. I heard a pastor once break scripture down to original Greek and the meanings. Jesus is God in the flesh, He claimed that , stated that over and over, using words that literally meant 'equal and same person'. That's one of many things that rattled the Pharisee of the day!! Jesus claimed to be the one, the true God. In this pastor's teaching he challenged us to realize a choice has to be made? That Jesus was one of three things...
1. A liar
2. A crazy man
3. He is EXACTLY who He has claimed to be, nothing more, certainly nothing less.
He stated, literally , that He is the One, the Only One!
So, the pastors point? At some point in our lives we have to reconcile who exactly this Jesus is? And according to Jesus's own teaching and words.... Our own eternity may depend on it!
Words to think about? And I too, hope to not offend anyone. Just some serious things to think about and pray about!
Thank you ladies for all your postings. I think they bless and challenge each of us to ponder and learn
Blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Country at Heart |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 09:49:43 AM
Lea~ I loved your grandmother's description of the elephant. I have often used a similar analogy with a chair. We can all look at the concept of God from different perspectives..all of them true...all of them partial as you say. I'm certain that the foundation of our difference is that you read the Bible from a literal prose point of view. I read it as poetry. You read what someone wrote that Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father but by Me." as literally to mean that only those who claim Jesus as a personal Lord and Savior will come to God. I do not interpret it that way, although the difference in our perspective isn't all that great. I interpret that to mean that anyone who lives from their Christ potential, completely devoted to the God in all things, will be enlightened to the Divinity within each of us. Whether this is through Jesus, Buddha, Shiva or others doesn't matter. That's the biggest difference I suppose. You believe it is Jesus alone and I do not. Please don't misunderstand me though, I have a tremendous devotion Jesus, which is why I study Christianity and the Bible. He simply isn't my only guru.
Madeline~ it looks like I ought to check out Rick Warren and Joyce Meyer. I'm not familiar with either but it sounds like they'd be worth my time.
Your comments reminded me of one of my favorite writers; Anthony de Mello. He was an Jesuit priest who was born in India. He died in the late 80's I believe at a rather young age. In any case, he married so well the views of Western Christianity and Catholicism with those of eastern philosophy. One of my favorite things he wrote with respect to God's will was this;
"In the West it is considered a miracle when God does one's will. In the East it is considered a miracle when one does the will of God."
That speaks to me so deeply because so often I encounter people who are watching their children die. They've prayed and prayed for a miracle. They know God hears them. They hope that their devotions have been enough and yet their miracle does not come. Not only are they completely shattered that their child died but they now have to contend with the devastating idea that God did not hear them. God did not do their will. The conflict this creates is deep. The hurt is sometimes without healing. The struggle is 'how can God's will be to take this child, make them suffer in ways that most can't even fathom..and what's more how can I surrender to it?" This is why this thread, this topic is SO important!
It's easy to talk about God's will when things are going well. It's only when things aren't that our beliefs are challenged and tested. I find so much comfort here and if I seem disrespectful to your beliefs and perspectives it is ONLY because I am a clumsy writer! This really is one of my favorite things to talk about. Blessings to you all! ~julia hayes
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| fille de ferme |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 04:56:40 AM
Claudia, Thank You for posting Rick Warrens devotional. I am at the moment reading his book for the second time. I read it a few years ago & now I am actually taking the time to sit & ponder what it says. Julia, This is just my opinion but I believe God speaks to everyone. He loves us no matter what. I am not well versed with the Bible but Rick Warren & Joyce Meyer are & everything I have read or heard from them,indicates that God LOVES & speaks to us all. He chooses people to do his work, that we may not accept in society, because he knows their heart.We must have a willing heart to accept His will & love. He has great patience & his timing is His, as is His choice. At the moment I follow no Religion. No one to confuse me with rules. I find most Religions to be one sided. I LOVE my Lord & am trying very hard to learn about Him & include Him in my life. I know he is there & I want to be there for Him. He guided me to this forum & study. He guided you as well :)
Blessings |
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