New Online Bible Study With Proverbs 31!

Online Bible Studies (OBS) are a great way to participate in a study when getting away for a consistent weekly, in person get together is not an option. Even if you are able to attend a small group in person, OBS is a good way to enrich your own quiet time.

I previously participated in A Confident Heart.  I didn't blow my way through it because I felt I could dig a little deeper if I just journaled my thoughts along the way.

This time the study is called Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future. We started on May 25, but it's never too late to join. I'm a little behind myself, what with migraines and all. This week we are reading and discussing (or blogging or journaling) chapters 3&4.

The verse of the week is: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:20)

The challenge this week is to do one or more of the following:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.wQTXvmJ1.dpuf

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.wQTXvmJ1.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

I'm going to share how this verse resonates with me today.

God is moving in me lately. It started when we discovered our new church home. It has progressed as I've been spending more intentional time with the Lord, in the Word, and in prayer.  I believe that He has given me Zumba and a few other things as tools...tools to improve my inner and outer STRENGTH. They're also tools to help others.

Obesity is now a world wide epidemic. Obesity is more than being a little chubby, overweight, fluffy, or whatever other euphemism we want to apply to it. Obesity cause a variety of other health complications that can be prevented. Dear readers, I am speaking from the heart. I am speaking from experience. I have topped 200 pounds and picked up a few of the obesity side effects along the way. It's not fun. It's expensive.

Let's break this verse down and do a little mapping..."For we (that includes ME) are God's masterpiece," that means I am perfect in His sight. I am beautiful. To borrow from another verse, I am fearfully, wonderfully made. I wasn't born fat. God didn't intend for me to become obese. I've done this to myself.

I'm not beating myself up over this, don't get me wrong. There's no point in that. If you're doing that to yourself right now, I want you to STOP IT! This is where "He has created us ANEW in Christ Jesus" comes in. "Us." That means ALL OF US. You, me, anyone who wants to accept this gift of a new life!

Let's keep going:  "So we (this includes ME again!) can do the things he planned for us long ago." He has plans for me. He has work for me to do. He has given me gifts, talents, abilities...that He wants me to use! More and more lately I feel like it is more than just "my idea" to help people become the best version of themselves, inside and out. I can't help but feel like this is God's plan for me.

What about you? Do you believe this verse? Do you believe and embrace the fact you are His masterpiece? That he has plans for you and work for you to do? I'd love to hear more about it! Please comment below, drop a comment on my FaceBook page, or Tweet me!

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

I am fearfully, wonderfully made

A Confident Heart Blog Hop - Week 4

His Goodness Makes Me Good Enough

I started this Proverbs 31 Online Bible study about a month ago.  It has been and continues to be a fun way to keep the topics covered during the study at the forefront of my mind. I like to sit down at the beginning of the week and read the week's chapter(s), make a few journal notes about the memory verse and the hashtag of the week (this week's is #WhoIam). I get emails from the hostesses of the studies with videos that make me reflect and think about the reading for the week. 

This week we're reading chapter four of the book, titled "When Doubt Whispers 'I'm Not Good Enough.'" The memory verse is John 1:2 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

One of the assignments, if you will is to write about what are of my life I feel not good enough and to write a letter to myself as a reminder that because of Jesus I am good enough. Here goes: 

I have been a full time telecommuter since 2007, shortly after my husband and I got married. I don't remember much about my homemaking in the beginning. What I do know is that I often get frustrated with myself, to the point of tears, wondering, "How do NORMAL people (as in, people with normal, have to get dressed and go to work jobs) do it!?" I don't understand how I could ever get my kid fed and dressed and out the door on time and still have time to actually shower, dress, and feed myself, and still allow time to wait patiently in the carpool lane. 

Then there's all the errands that have to be run (I am so grateful my husband takes care of that stuff), laundry to be washed, folded, and put away! Meals to plan, shop for, and prepare...and I don't even have to pack lunches for the little on yet! 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work from home, because I don't see how I could do it all any other way! 

That, my friends, is the "Readers Digest version." I can get really worked up and deeply depressed about what a failure I am on a daily basis if I'm not careful. My husband breathes deeply and I assume he's disappointed in something I haven't done. He has NEVER said anything to make me feel this way. I talk myself into thinking he thinks I'm in adequate! It's quite silly, really. I mean, I know I could certainly do all those things if I had to. But I don't have to, so I don't.

Ok, now for the letter to myself. This is going to feel silly, but it's the assignment, so here goes:

Dear Sara, 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I created you. I knew what kind of mother and wife you were going to be, long before your parents even considered starting a family. You have a unique situation. I put people in your path while you were pregnant and worrying about things that will probably never happened when Miss M gets older. They pointed out that you grow with her. When the time comes for packing lunches and waiting in the carpool lane, you will be ready. That, or you'll have the Mister do it. ;)  I had a plan when I introduced you to him, too, you see! Please, stop beating yourself up about the wife and mother you are not, and focus on the wife and mother that you are, the one you are growing into. 

Husbands and children do not come with instructions. That's because it's so much more interesting to learn as you go, hands-on, and get a little messy in the process. You're doing fine. Your husband loves you very much. So does your daughter, So do I. 

Love, 

Jesus

A Confident Heart - Online Bible Study

I have no idea how I stumbled upon the Online Bible Study (OBS) for A Confident Heart, by Renee Swope, but I'm so glad that I did! It is an online bible study with connection points such as blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. I like the fact I can do the study in my own time, but still be connected with others who are also participating in the study.

I am an Excited Newbie. This is my first OBS. Today's blog hop poses three questions:

1. Is this your first study?

 Yes. This is my first Online Bible Study. I have the book for the next study already. I downloaded it a couple of years ago and am looking forward to reading it, studying it, and absorbing it, along with other women.

2. Why did you sign up? 

In many ares of my life, confidence is not an issue. I can stand up in front of a group of people and talk without being nervous. I was a corporate trainer for 5 years, attended Toastmasters, and gave the weekly greeting at my church back in California every week. I also teach Zumba (funny story about a "confidence" eye opener later, watch for a new blog post soon).

Sometimes I doubt myself as a wife and mom. I also look back at so many failures in home based businesses and wonder if I really can make it. When I say make it, I mean replace my corporate income and then some.

Having just moved across the country and not having any friends here, I am excited to make some kind of human connection, even if it is virtual!

3. What do you hope to gain during our study?

I believe my mission is to help people (including myself), be the best they can be, inside and out. I hope this study will give me the tools I need to give myself that extra nudge of confidence, as well as share what I learn with confidence. 

By the way: It's not too late to join! 

The study officially begins this Sunday, October 13. All you need is the A Confident Heart book, a journal & pen, and a Bible! I hope to see you there!