Monday, September 23, 2013

A Blog. .Resurrected!

Hello. .
Hello!!
I think it hard to believe that I have not been on this blog for a month now!!
Let me tell you where I have been. .
And what is in store. .
Many of you know that I spend 2-4 hours in my vehicle weekly commuting to jobs. .
A couple years ago. .
I started listening to a CD series on the book of Revelation. .
It was roughly 30 hours worth of study.
I loved it so much. .
That when I finished it. .
I started it all over again.
It was a refreshing change from the same songs playing in the morning. .
that were playing in the afternoon. .
That had been playing last week!!
You might say that I became addicted to hearing God's word preached and taught. .
In this way, I have studied different topics. .
and different books of the bible.
And was able to make a TREMENDOUS difference in my walk with the Lord. .
Just by substituting listening/learning/studying. .
into an otherwise DEAD time of the day. .

Sooooo. .
Last month. .
I was doing a series on counseling people based from the truths of the bible.
I do a LOT of counseling. .
Even when clients see me for other issues. .
my personality has ALWAYS brought peoples' emotional needs to the surface. .
and those needs get spilled out into the room and into the Kleenex.
For as long as can remember. .
I have counseled people. And I love doing it!

The teacher of this study was discussing a way of studying the bible that had never occurred to me. .
And I decided that day. .
I was going to follow her example. .
And read one book of the bible per month. .
From September 1 to December 31.

By the end of the day. .
God had laid on my heart other people that would be interested in studying with me. .
And before I knew it. .
I had an online bible study under way.

I know, I know. .
You are wondering WHY all the details. .
WELL. .
I have been doing a lot of researching and studying myself. .
to be able to be an effective leader and student.
About 2 weeks ago. .
I felt a nudge to take the online study to my blog.

I tried to put it out of my head. .
I tried to make excuses. .
I also tried to be obedient and poured out my concerns to God. .
But, in the end. .
 giving the matter to Him to orchestrate as He saw fit. .
Knowing that I would cooperate with whatever that plan would be!

It would take the rest of the hour to tell you how many things GOD has orchestrated in MY life over the last 1 month. .
to get this study rolling. .
and giving me topics to discuss. .
Changing MY plans. .
to HIS plans. .

And. . 
Yesterday, God took care of a final concern. .
And then gave me a sermon in our Sunday night bible study last evening that seemed directed at ME!
Which was the last bit of encouragement I needed to go forward with a plan.

So. .
All of that to say this. .
This blog will see a change of pace for the next 4 months. .
I am so grateful for the friends that I have made via my blog. .
and for the friends and family that have kept up with me and our crazy family via this blog. .

Some of you may be interested in the new aspects of the blog. .
And some will not.
As much as I love pleasing people. .
and getting feedback from them. .
THIS new project is about pleasing God. .
And doing something to advance His Kingdom.

Starting next Monday or Tuesday. .
I will be posting the content of our online bible study to this blog. .
Or to a new blog. .
depending what happens the rest of the week.

The posts will come 2-3 times per week.

I would love to know. .
If you are choosing to do the online bible study for your own walk with God. .
BUT. .
It can also be done anonymously if that is more comfortable for you.
I feel like SOMEONE is looking for an opportunity like this. .

The goal of the study. .
Is to read one book over and over throughout the course of a month.
We started with 1 John. .
a simple 5 chapters.

Each week. .
We had some goals and topics to address in our reading of 1 John. .
And at the end of the week (and once in the middle of the week). .
We each emailed some comments to the others.
I have learned a TON. .
And have been advised that the other individuals in the study. .
Are learning and being blessed by it as well.

If I never see another comment on my blog in the next 4 months. .
It will be OK. .
Though, I am hoping that at least a few will take to the challenge and go through the study material. .
Even if they just read through the books at least weekly, and the posts as they come along.

I know you all see the TV. .
Read the news. .
Talk to others. .
Are aware of your world.
It is falling, friends. .
And failing.
We are caught up in a world of technology. .
and stuff. .
and distractions. .
And our relationship and growth in the Lord tends to suffer from a lack of motivation, time, or discipline.
Our world would not be the place it is today. .
If many more people were concerned about living the way God tells us in the bible!!
Times are changing. .
And unless we understand and are aware of God's teachings. .
And live a life in tune TO HIM. .
We have no chance to stand against the King of this world. .
Satan!

Right now. .
This seems more important to me than showing pictures of my gardens. .
Which I still love. .
And telling about what crazy things are happening next around our home. .
Which still occur!!

I hope you can understand the shift in content. .
And I hope that you come along at least for a month. .
And see if your life doesn't change. .
even just a little bit. .
for the good!!

So. .
Adios for now. .
I'll be back next week to get you started!!

If you are interested in committing to the study. .
And intend on doing some posting to this blog in fellowship with others doing the same. .
Please leave me a comment. .
That will also make you accountable to show up next week too :-)

If you pop back in next week to see that no one has commented or committed. .
Know that I am not feeling blown off. .
Rejected, or discouraged!
I am excited to be doing the work God has put in front of me. .
Because I am CONVINCED. .
That SOMEONE. .
will be reading it. .
And benefitting!!
Whether I see the results or NOT!!

Have a blessed week!

2 comments:

  1. I plan on following along whether here or by email I'm not sure... I'm excited about doing Galatians with you!

    Here is my prayer for you..... "11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

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  2. Hey there Melanie,
    This is a special opportunity to join our hearts in looking to Christ together to learn from Him! It will be fun too - thanks for opening it up to us! Can't wait to start looking into God's word together! Gal 2:20 was one of the first verses I memorized as a new Christian - I needed it, and still do! I felt so weak - "It is no long I who live but Christ who lives in me!" I have on my wall in my entry - Gal 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free". We need those reminders!
    And for you: Isaiah 64:4 "Neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him."

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