Do you see 20/20?

This past Tuesday evening was my evening bible study. In the 3rd chapter we discussed issues concerning our sight. Do I see myself as God sees me, or is my vision distorted?

There were many questions offered for us to discuss. As you know from your personal experience with study guides, they are a tool that enhances your spiritual growth, they are based on the knowledge of the author, not as the Bible, which is inspired through God. All this to say that there are, at times, some points that you may not agree with, but enjoy the option of thinking to promote not only discussion, but further "digging" into the scripture for the answers. The author feels that we don't have trouble loving ourselves and frankly that is more of the problem. That we love ourselves more than serving others. Many of us felt in the class that this is less true for the most part and examples of self-manipulation, giving of yourself as mothers, wives, sisters, friends, etc. were shared. Others shared that if we didn't love ourselves, we would not go to the doctor if we were sick, or hurting, but we do because we love ourselves. SO there was ample time to discuss this idea. It was great. In the end there is a balance needed and the "other lies" continued to show us that many of these overlapped.

There were 5 points in this lesson. First lie that is believed, what is our worth--feel inferior and worthless? Second lie, how does our culture influence our sight, or doesn't it? The third lie, you've heard the saying or possibly spoke the saying, "I can't help the way I am." Fourth lie, "I have rights!" The fifth and last lie that was dicussed was the lie about physical beauty.

You can see that we had plenty to discuss and share. This chapter hit the heart of many of us in the group. Nancy, the author writes a statement at the beginning of this workbook chapter that shows that having 20/20 vision (looking through God's point of view) is the only way we can have an acurate approach to the women we truly were created to be. "If we don't believe that God is good, loving, compassionate, and forgiving, then we won't be able to believe that He has our best in mind, that He loves us, that He understands us, and that He can forgive even our deepest, darkest sins." This statement shows us that if we follow God with all our heart and continually work on doing what is right, He will be there for us. It also shows us that though He is a patient God, He will correct us when there is a need for correction so we again don't see in a blurred vision.

Subtitles for this study were questions on accepting God's assessment, responsibility, yielding rights, lasting beauty, and surrendering our longings.

This study again showed all of us that we, no matter what stage of life we're in our spiritual walk, we are growing from this study. On a personal note, I thought I dealt with the idea of being overly concerned about what people think of me, but I still see that I'm working on that area to some degree. I also realized in this study that we all have unfulfilled longings and we will until we are with God. It makes it easier (for lack of a better term) to know that we're all in the same boat. But we also realized that we can't let those longings for fulfillment to cloud the blessings that we presently receive and continually receive through God and through those that He has allowed to be in our daily lives.

I did a great indepth study last year on the book of Romans and I came up with an acronym for a word that always "finds me" when I'm studying the scriptures. It assists with all my imperfections and allows me to see that God's Grace is sufficient as I continue to live my life for Him.

H- hold
O- on
P- past
E- earth

If I lose hope I have nothing. Are you seeing clearly? Is it time for an eye examine? The ultimate eye doctor is waiting to clean your vision, just yield to Him :-D

Have a blessed week.

More things to ponder-Lies Women Believe

This week we met for our small evening group study of the book Lies Women Believe and the Truth that sets them free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This week we studies Chapter 2 and many of our discussion time was shared on the particular sections of the book that she pondered questions about how we view God. This study gives the participants a daily "dig" into the Word. My heart was touched with the 3rd day of study, as was the entire group. This is something that, at first, seemed odd, since we are all "seasoned" Christians in this evening group. Let me explain a bit and see if you can relate to how we were moved to become better.

Day Three was entitled, GOD IS ENOUGH. Ponder this following question before you answer, "Do we relaly believe He is all we need?... Our initial answer was OF COURSE, YYYEEESSSS!!! But wait a minute, through discussion and through Nancy DeMoss's comments we saw that we don't truly rely on God being enough for us!!! Hear me out, We answered Yes, we all need Him, plus close friends...plus good health...plus a husband...plus children...plus a job that pays enough...plus...!!! These were all "pluses that we tend to think we need to have to be happy. ( think about it)

This statement got all of us in the room thinking, praying, and sharing. We questioned ourselves-- would God himself be enough if we didn't have our health, we didn't have...? We found that at times we fill the empty places in our heart with things or earthly blessings rather than with HIM. Giving ourselves totally over to Him in all aspects the good, bad and the ugly as well as the blessed and beautiful times of our lives.

We prayed that we would strive to be thankful no matter what else we may or may not have in this life, but that we truly realize that He is truly enough. We also agree that it is different for the different stages of life that we are in and that it is an ongoing process for all of us.

Some of the questions led us to discuss practical ways to find full satisfaction in the Lord. Psalms 73: 23-26 gave us the opportunity to "inhale" God's presence in our hearts. It is worth personalizing the passage and memorizing it.

More from the next chapters after our next class time together. As I mentioned when we first began this study, I was looking forward to getting pointers for sharing with my young mother group but I am finding that there are many "lies" that we as women of all ages :-D have allowed to seep into our individual lives and it is refreshing to have a study such as this to refocus all the stages and aspects of a Christian woman's life.

I hope you are enjoying the comments about this study. I am truly learning and being blessed by God's Word and this study.

'Tis the season

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." Though I don't LOVE the continual cold wintry weather. I LOVE the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. My FAVORITE, ALL-TIME and ALWAYS show is Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. I have it on DVD and know practically every line of the show (my family says that I know all the lines). This picture is my desktop screensaver at the present time. Just looking at that little creative creature puts a smile on my face.

Every year at this time, I recall wonderful memories growing up. There were some sad years too, but the spirit of Christmas was always present. God IS so good. As a pre-teen and teenager this time allowed me to feel comfortable with sharing God's love and as I grew older I saw this time of year as an opportunity to continue to share with neighbors and strangers that there is still "good" within the area that we live. There is a purpose and that purpose is JESUS. We are such a blessed nation and we as followers and believers need to share this good news and especially now. YES, there are great "Santa claus" shows soon coming to a TV set near you--(Rudolph is a classic). Enjoy them, but also take this time to share what our existence here on earth is all about, JESUS!!!! Maybe if we share Him during this season, we'll show others that He's the reason for every season.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving and make memories that you will be reminded of throughout the other 11 months of the year. Think about ALL the blessings we are SO richly given and share them with your family and friends. Do something for someone else :-D That's what it's about.