Grace to You

Some people are auditory learners...(most teachers dream of having a class of students who learn best by simply listening to the lesson, while most students learn best by doing and seeing).  Adam is an auditory learner, so he prefers to listen to Bible teaching or scripture being read instead of reading it himself.  His favorite is Grace to You, presented by John MacArthur from our church, Grace Community.  MacArthur is the president of The Master's College and Seminary. 
Grace to You

When Adam does read, he prefers his daily devotional book, "Drawing Near." 

In the morning, I sprawl out across our giant beanbag chair, with my array of Bible study books spread out across the coffee table, flitting from one book to another as I chase topics that are laid on my heart for the day's devotions...while Adam is drinking his coffee, listening to God's word online, and looking very thoughtful as he considers complicated theology and heavy doctrine with his gigantic headphones over his ears so that he will not disturb my book reading...

There are so many different ways  to study His word...

Dealing with Emotions God's Way

I went to an amazing women's Bible study last summer, and when I was just cleaning I found my notes from one of the lessons.  I'm reviewing them today because I'm finding them helpful to combat the butterflies I feel in my stomach now...

When you feel emotionally stressed, ask yourself:
1) What happened?  What was the actual event that brought up these negative emotions?
2) What thoughts or images went through my mind?  Is this a familiar thought or emotion?
3) What emotions do I feel?  Is there a time in the past that is similar?
4) What is my unbelief?  What am I not believing about God in this moment?  Or what wrong thinking do I have about God? 
5) What is the truth?  What truth about God can I remember from scripture to help me combat my fear, doubt, anger, sadness, or anxiety? 

To overcome overwhelming emotions, you must exchange the lies you might unconsciously believe for God's truth.  A prayer like this is helpful:

Lord, I have wrongly believed______________.  Thank you Christ for dying to forgive me for this.  Please Holy Spirit, cause me to believe your truth that _______________. 

Instead of being overwhelmed by your emotions or your situation, or being distracted and preoccupied by your stress, ask God what truth the difficult situation will reveal about His greatness. 

Remember, God is not only good, he is GREAT.  None of your problems could possibly be too big for him.  Negative emotions strangle our joy in Christ. 

Worry pulls tomorrow's clouds over today's sunshine. 

It is important to use a process such as the one above, or a prayer journal, or some method to nip negativity in the bud before it blossoms into a full blown meltdown. 

Ask God to bring to your mind specific verses that deal with the issue you are struggling with.  Praise God for the truths He has shown you through each difficult circumstance.  Thank Him for his abundant grace. 

Life is about how you face circumstances, not what circumstances you face. 

One Thousand Gifts

While driving from the east coast to the west coast, I began reading the book, "One Thousand Gifts." I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a rainy season in their life, or has ever asked God, "Why?" when experiencing life's tragedies or hardships.

Although the book brought me to tears during the first few chapters, it helped me to heal spiritually and reminded me to look for God's gifts in his everyday blessings.

Today, I am praising God for a new dishwasher, my favorite cereal for breakfast, and a day full of sunshine. 

Book:  http://onethousandgifts.com/the-book

Blog:  http://www.aholyexperience.com/ 

My new dishwasher.

Redemptive Prayers for Hollywood

This prayer card is very useful in reminding me how to pray for Adam and his actor friends.  It provides 21 very practical prayer requests to focus on as I pray.

21 Redemptive Prayers for Hollywood

Independent Bible Study

Adam and I have been increasing our time in personal Bible study and prayer.  Our new morning ritual is to have coffee while we pursue our self driven Bible studies.  I'm working on a few books at once and I read a little from each every morning. 

I'm using a One Year Bible Guide to read a few proverbs, part of a Psalm, a selection from the New Testament, and a selection from the Old Testament daily.  I love this guide because it allows me to read straight through, cover to cover, but gives me a variety of different reading so I won't get bogged down when I hit Numbers or another difficult book. 

I'm also reading "Enjoying Where You Are On the Way to Where You are Going" by Joyce Meyer.  So far it is very good, one of Adam's friends gave this book to Adam for his Birthday.  I keep my A to Z Guide to Bible Application on hand during my reading, and I also read a little of my favorite author, Max Lucado, in his "Let the Journey Begin."  I finish up with my prayer journal and prayer card to help me remember the prayer requests of my friends and family. 

Church today...

Today was children's Sunday at church, and there was a table and information on how to sign up to volunteer for the children's activities.  I think it will be best to wait and see how busy my new job keeps me before I consider committing to anything new...

Church was lovely as always today.  The building, the people, and the lessons we learned were beautiful. 

Welcome!  My kindergarten students sometimes call me Ms. Owl, so these little ones have inspired the naming for this new blog.  Expect random and irregular updates...I've never had a blog before, so wish me luck getting started and keeping up with it!