Bible Study

I admit it: I'm a Bible study junkie. Whenever I read the Bible, it is almost always for study purposes. Oh, every morning at work I read a short Bible passage and then the devotional in Our Daily Bread. Since I have only five days at work and ODB is a 365 days a year devotional by quarter years, that results in some interesting devotions. Right now I'm reading the Dec 2008 devotions, which of course are all about Christmas. In September!

For me, sitting down and reading the Bible just for pleasure, or just for devotion, or just to have something to meditate on is difficult. I always feel that I should be doing in-depth study of whatever I read in it. Somehow I need to add the pleasure-devotional reading to the study reading. Perhaps this will be my project for the next twelve months.

Insights from Cycling

This morning I was riding a very familiar bike trail and happened to look away towards a hill which I was contemplating trying. My attention was turned away only for a few seconds, in that short amount of time, when I turned my focus back to the trail I realized I was very close to the edge! Not real dangerous but I was going a pretty good speed. It scared me as I corrected my bike back into the middle of the trail. Got me to thinking about our journey of faith and the path which God wants each of us to follow, keeping our focus on Him. When we get distracted, which is easy to do, we sometimes find ourselves off the path or maybe we heading in the wrong direction. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Also, coming up that familiar hill I found my God rock to be obscured by the overgrowth on the roadside. I realized sometimes we may not be able to always see or feel God working in our lives, but that doesn't mean he's not there. That's when we trust his heart and know he has control.

Acts 17:28

This verse from Mark's sermon last week really spoke to me. Acts 17:28: For in him we live and move and have our being. This verse concludes by calling us God's children or offspring. May we always be aware of the Holy Spirit's presence within us, giving us life and helping us become all that God wants us to be. We must remain in Him and he will remain in us. Praise God!

Dan & Lutrecia Church

Please remember Lutrecia and Dan in your prayers this week. You may have seen a prayer request for her. They had an unexpected stop in Memphis on their way to Nashville as Lutrecia was having health issues. Not sure of all the details surrounding what was going on with Lutrecia. Don't think the doctors knew either. Also pray for their safe travel.

Prayers Answered: Gary Borchert

It was good to see Gary Borchert up and at church tonight--and walking with a cane rather than his walker. Good job, Gary!

'Course, his arm looked as if it had been put through a wringer. He reports he has torn a bicep, and might be needing surgery. Continue to pray for Gary as he travels the long road to restored good health, and for Sue as she provides him with care, along with her other life duties.

Paul Jackson, R.I.P.

Lynda sent out an e-mail, and perhaps most of you that read this here will already have the news. Paul Jackson, song evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene, lost his battle with cancer and passed into glory at 3:30 PM CDT this afternoon. Lynda had frequently brought his name to the class as a matter of prayer.

Continue to pray for Paul's widow, Trish Jackson (Lynda's cousin), and for Paul's parents. Lynda and I will travel to Meade, Kansas for funeral services, the time for which has not yet been announced. There's a good chance we will be gone this Sunday.

Simon Says

Well, I hope everyone had a good time in class today. I enjoyed catching a couple of people in the game of Simon Says.

I chose the game, and the silly illustration of keeping your Bibles closed, because I wanted to demonstrate how we willing accept authority over us. I think at times we forget why we accept the authority of the Bible, and from time to time we should refresh our minds about it. Peter said it well in the passage we looked at (2 Peter 1:12-2:10a). I will be reading that again this week.

May you be carried along by the Holy Spirit this week as you study God's word.

Lessons from Rippley

Last week in class, Marion shared some great qualities about dogs and their relationship to humans. It reminded me of of the following which I received thru email. I've titled it "Lessons from Rippley", our beloved dog and friend.

Lessons from Rippley

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. (Rippley dances!)

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be slient, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Enjoy every moment of every day!

Labor Day Weekend

Great camping at Roaring River. The Ozarks are so beautiful! Thanks Bruce & Kathy for sharing a day with us. David & Lynda sorry we missed you. I hope all had a great time wherever they spent the weekend.

Labor Day Plans

I posted this as a comment somewhere else. I am still learning the "blog ropes". Please excuse my spelling and grammar. Labor day weekend. Trecia & I will be at the Royal W Resort and RV park (1-800-798-2904). Reece, Renee & Sidney will be with us. The Royal W has a website www.royalwresort.com which has a ton of information about their facilities and directions. It is 3mi from Roaring River Park. They have cabins and limited number of RV spots(I was told RV is full). The State camp ground is another option. If any are interested call us at 899-7599 (cell) and we can plan from their. You All come!

Lynda's mom is in the hospital

She was on her way to visitation hours at New Hope church tonight, riding with someone, when she passed out from a low blood sugar/high blood pressure episode. They brought her to Northwest in Bentonville where they stabilized her and admitted her for overnight observation. Lynda is in Oklahoma City with our only working cell phone, and I was in a meeting and didn't get home till 9PM when I got the news. Since she is stable I didn't go in. Say a prayer for her, Esther Barnes.

Also, Lynda returns tomorrow, I think. Pray for her safe driving.

Women are the strongest

Regarding our discussion in class last Sunday morning about the third guard's choice of what is the strongest. . . women. I'm sorry I have to leave every Sunday and don't get to hear "the rest of the story." But someone made the comment that we are animals ,and at the time, it unsettled me. As I was able to think on this further I know now why I felt unsettled.

From my studies, both biblical and classroom, I know that we (human beings) are created in the image of God, imago Dei. And by that created nature we are above all other animals in God's creation. Therefore, to rationalize behavior because we are animals, is not valid. Mankind's fall from the image of God was his own doing and choice. We can be restored to this image through Jesus Christ (salvation) and the work of the Holy Spirit (sanctification). Again, both of these must be something we choose to move toward.

Just some thoughts, any others?

This is my first blog post

I made it on! I had to create google account. I can never type those scrambled letters the first time. Trecia's mother is on the phone for morning devotions. More to follow!