Good morning girlfriends!
Another week in James flew by and I am realizing how weak I am to study God's Word when the frustrations in life hit hard: work schedules that aren't ideal, sickness, to-do lists that are ever growing. The last couple of weeks and also the next two months are going to be a flurry of such things, I think. I have had the craziest, most run-me-over type of cold that I've had in a few years. It's kept me stranded in bed sleeping as much as I could, to now not letting me sleep much through the night because of the unrelenting coughing. That, combined with working both jobs and planning somewhat frantically for all the big move details coming up (so fast!)...has left me with the usual excuse that "I couldn't find the time or energy to keep up!" You'll have to forgive me for that, because even as I say it, I know it's my biggest pet peeve excuse because in our lives, we MAKE time for what's important to us.
I confess that I haven't made time for THIS most important thing. I was a Martha this week, to the fullest extent. Lord, forgive me!!
Our section for this past week in James was just so perfect for where I'm at right now. It's a great reminder for me to keep all this planning and dreaming within God's will for me, for hubby and I. It's so difficult, when so much is soon to change and it feels as if your livelihood is at stake, to trust that God still is in control and that he wants to - and will - make the ultimate plans for us! It's wrong of me to think I can handle by myself even the trifles of my life. God sees the small areas of our lives also, the hidden places we're trying to fuddle with and make work out. He has a plan for those places too and a good one at that!
What I understood about this section in James is that my human pride and trust in myself is the main culprit for getting me into major trouble. Pride starts so much wrong and leads us away from God rather than to him! Pride makes us boastful; pride makes us think we can plan and plan and God will just bless whatever we feel like doing!; pride weakens our view of right and wrong because we start to think everything we do is right all the time.
I desperately don't want that pride in my heart. My prayer today and for hubby's and my unknown future is that I would be humble and trusting, that I would refuse to question His goodness in our life and His priority to take care of us in His best way! I want my eyes to be open to the good and right ways I ought to live and ask for more of the godly strength to live it out.
God knew I would need these of His words at this exact time in our study of James. To me, that is just a beautiful detail of His magnificent plan - that he will always give us what we need, when we need it. And the plan is already set out - God doesn't "plan as he goes". :) Thank goodness for that!!
Girls, any and all encouragement or involvement in our study is much appreciated in the next couple of weeks. I am aware of my lack of discipline in this area (still), and could use any urging and reminders to find refuge where it matters when life becomes big and busy and bothersome. And if you could say a prayer that I could heal 100% from this cold/flu thing I've got :) that would be wonderful. It feels like it's in the last stages, but I don't feel like myself yet. And this beautiful spring weather we're having is beckoning me outside for a jog and I just want the energy to do so!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Leaning hard on Him with you,
Love, Cait
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
James 4:9-13 and an Update
Hello girls!
What a beautiful day! I am sitting at my little computer table in our living room by a slightly-open window and the birds are singing their songs and the sun is so bright and joyful today! :) I am home today, recovering from a cold that ran me right over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I literally have spent the last three days at work and then asleep in bed the moment I got home. It's been a tough weekend, but I was thankful to have the opportunity for all that sleep, because I'm feeling alot better! A wide array of things have kept me from checking in here as regularly as I'd like, and I've missed doing so, also! Another reason I am grateful for a quiet hour on this gorgeous day to catch up in my Bible and with you girls!
If you've been keeping up with the study templates for each week (I find them so helpful in making the most of the verse/s we read for each day!), then here are the final weeks' printables. Including this week, only 4 weeks left in our James bible study! I can't believe how fast it's gone... :( And I am excited for what the other ladies over on GMG.org will come up with for the next session's study! Since it will lead us into the (more relaxing and flexible) summer months, I hope you'll be interested in joining me again! Please comment on that note, if you would! :)
Week 9 Printable
Week 10 Printable
Week 11 Printable
When I read verse 9 about changing our laughter to mourning and our joy to gloom, I was puzzled, much like other times I've come across that verse. Once again, my trusty commentary cleared up my confusion as to why God would ask us, the salt of the earth, to behave depressed, and act sad and gloomy!? IF our joy (and laughter, delight, etc.) is in the things of this world, in the sinful nature we are to be putting off, IF we love and laugh over sin, THEN we ought to change it to mourning and gloom! God is saying here that he only wants our joy and excitement and laughter to be over good things, godly things, over lifestyles and choices that please and delight Him also!
I needed to share that, in case any of you girls also fould that verse hard to understand...
Also, today's reading set the stage for my week. In a sense, I really felt James was addressing me directly! Right now, Pete and I ARE making lots of plans to move to a new city, to work and "make money"; and that is all right and good if we're planning with the Lord's will in mind. All of our plans are meager attempts to orchestrate something that is so much bigger than us. I was reminded by verse 13 (and this week's upcoming verses) that God's plan will prevail. I don't want to do or plan anything without his guidance and blessing and of course, not without consulting him first!
This week, I pray that we all would let God guide our days, and that we would ask for his help in making godly decisions, knowing that he works everything for our good. Looking forward to hearing from the rest of you too!
Please say a prayer for me that I continue to feel like myself again, with more energy for all that's required of me in the coming days and weeks!
Love you all :)
~Cait
What a beautiful day! I am sitting at my little computer table in our living room by a slightly-open window and the birds are singing their songs and the sun is so bright and joyful today! :) I am home today, recovering from a cold that ran me right over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I literally have spent the last three days at work and then asleep in bed the moment I got home. It's been a tough weekend, but I was thankful to have the opportunity for all that sleep, because I'm feeling alot better! A wide array of things have kept me from checking in here as regularly as I'd like, and I've missed doing so, also! Another reason I am grateful for a quiet hour on this gorgeous day to catch up in my Bible and with you girls!
If you've been keeping up with the study templates for each week (I find them so helpful in making the most of the verse/s we read for each day!), then here are the final weeks' printables. Including this week, only 4 weeks left in our James bible study! I can't believe how fast it's gone... :( And I am excited for what the other ladies over on GMG.org will come up with for the next session's study! Since it will lead us into the (more relaxing and flexible) summer months, I hope you'll be interested in joining me again! Please comment on that note, if you would! :)
Week 9 Printable
Week 10 Printable
Week 11 Printable
When I read verse 9 about changing our laughter to mourning and our joy to gloom, I was puzzled, much like other times I've come across that verse. Once again, my trusty commentary cleared up my confusion as to why God would ask us, the salt of the earth, to behave depressed, and act sad and gloomy!? IF our joy (and laughter, delight, etc.) is in the things of this world, in the sinful nature we are to be putting off, IF we love and laugh over sin, THEN we ought to change it to mourning and gloom! God is saying here that he only wants our joy and excitement and laughter to be over good things, godly things, over lifestyles and choices that please and delight Him also!
I needed to share that, in case any of you girls also fould that verse hard to understand...
Also, today's reading set the stage for my week. In a sense, I really felt James was addressing me directly! Right now, Pete and I ARE making lots of plans to move to a new city, to work and "make money"; and that is all right and good if we're planning with the Lord's will in mind. All of our plans are meager attempts to orchestrate something that is so much bigger than us. I was reminded by verse 13 (and this week's upcoming verses) that God's plan will prevail. I don't want to do or plan anything without his guidance and blessing and of course, not without consulting him first!
This week, I pray that we all would let God guide our days, and that we would ask for his help in making godly decisions, knowing that he works everything for our good. Looking forward to hearing from the rest of you too!
Please say a prayer for me that I continue to feel like myself again, with more energy for all that's required of me in the coming days and weeks!
Love you all :)
~Cait
Friday, March 25, 2011
James 4:11-12
"My sisters, do not slander one another..."
"Only speak words that make souls stronger."
I had to apologize to someone for this just yesterday. I was speaking with a friend with a particular struggle, and I divulged to her that I have a friend who is also struggling in that way. I gave her name. Now even though these people will probably never meet, there is a chance that they could. It is good to be in the habit of not giving names when speaking of these things, unless the person has given us explicit permission. Though this doesn't seem like slander in the highest degree, it is not a way of building someone up, and, therefore, it is not right. We shouldn't talk about other people's struggles to others. It is not a way to defend their name. If they ask us to tell others that they might pray, too ,then that is a different matter, but we are not to say even the least unsavory thing of someone unless there is a perfectly loving reason for it. My intentions weren't wholly evil (I wanted my friend to know that she isn't alone and that I wish I could bear her burdens better), but I should have known better than to share my friend's name. I was not living up to what I knew was right. Once again, another chance to humble myself. I find this Christian life leaves room for a lot of asking for forgiveness!! Thank you God, that you do not forsake me when I fail you so often. Help me to live better for you...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
James 4:9-10
I needed this weeks readings this week! Monday was not good for me - it was the not so friendly and happy time of the month for this girl, and unfortunately I let it get the best of my emotions. I depended on others around me to make me happy and make things better. Sometimes it's just easier to stay in the negative, feel-sorry-for-myself kind of mood than it is to make an effort to be happier and to turn to God's word. And it's ridiculous too, because I KNOW that turning to my Heavenly Father is the answer. He tells us that in so many ways...
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reading this last verse was one of those times where you know you've read it before, but it feels like you're reading it for the first time... It just hits you, and makes you realize that God speaks to us more than we know, and more than we probably listen.
On Monday nights I have a night religion class. After everything that made my day hard, I went to class and the very first thing we did in class was listen to a presentation about what I was going through. It almost made me tear up because I know that God planned it exactly that way. I needed to be humbled, and be in God's word, and He showed me just that. After class I went to Compline, and once again was just what I needed. We sang Chief of Sinners Though I Be, and I feel like it goes well with today's reading about repenting to our Savior.
Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed his blood for me,
died that I might live on high,
Lives that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am his and he is mine!
Only Jesus can impart
Comfort to a wounded heart:
Peace that flows from sin forgiven,
Joy that lifts the soul to Heaven,
Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.
Strengthen me, O gracious Lord,
By your Spirit and your word.
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.
Jesus' love is the most comforting thing that we have. Praying that you all have a nice end to this week, and remember or Savior's love for each of us! :)
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reading this last verse was one of those times where you know you've read it before, but it feels like you're reading it for the first time... It just hits you, and makes you realize that God speaks to us more than we know, and more than we probably listen.
On Monday nights I have a night religion class. After everything that made my day hard, I went to class and the very first thing we did in class was listen to a presentation about what I was going through. It almost made me tear up because I know that God planned it exactly that way. I needed to be humbled, and be in God's word, and He showed me just that. After class I went to Compline, and once again was just what I needed. We sang Chief of Sinners Though I Be, and I feel like it goes well with today's reading about repenting to our Savior.
Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed his blood for me,
died that I might live on high,
Lives that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am his and he is mine!
Only Jesus can impart
Comfort to a wounded heart:
Peace that flows from sin forgiven,
Joy that lifts the soul to Heaven,
Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.
Strengthen me, O gracious Lord,
By your Spirit and your word.
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.
Jesus' love is the most comforting thing that we have. Praying that you all have a nice end to this week, and remember or Savior's love for each of us! :)
James 4:9-10
"Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
This verse reminds me of the underlying theme of Lent--repenting in humility to the Savior that did so much for us. There is a kind of paradox in being a Christian. The more we know about God, the more we realize how deeply we have failed him. It is a continually humbling experience. But he continues to cup our chin and "lift [our faces] up" again. He says, "You are my daughter whom I love..."
This verse reminds me of the underlying theme of Lent--repenting in humility to the Savior that did so much for us. There is a kind of paradox in being a Christian. The more we know about God, the more we realize how deeply we have failed him. It is a continually humbling experience. But he continues to cup our chin and "lift [our faces] up" again. He says, "You are my daughter whom I love..."
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