3 Gifts From God’s Word

Any time one teaches, they learn more than they imagined. I have taught many Bible Studies over the years and teaching God’s Word is a true gift for me.

They have been gifts from God’s Word.

My favorite have been:

647. Esther. I first attended a Bible study on Esther in the 80’s at CIY. I had taught it once before but for some reason God really spoke to me through this study. I was able to combine the study from CIY with my own study and have taught it several times since then. Having it so ingrained in me was a true blessing years later when I went through tough personal times and I was encouraged to have the grace and dignity of Esther in my actions. When God’s Word changes the way we act and react – well, that’s more than a blessing.

648. Philippians. – The book of “Joy.” I greatly enjoyed intertwining this book with the true stories of many missionaries over the years. People who truly sacrificed all for the glory of God and found true “joy” in serving Him. I am so thankful for the joy that is available through following God’s leading.

649.  1st & 2nd Timothy. I have taught this study several times, too. I learn so much from the writings of Paul. He tells us how we are to be as people of the church. I seem to often fall short but I appreciate his writings so much. God knew I would need this direction and I’m so thankful He spoke through Paul to add to His Word.

A Gift Bringing Laughter, Prayer, Quiet

644.  A Gift bringing laughter:

My grands bring laughter into my life on a consistent basis! Love these kids and especially am thankful for the joy they bring.




645. A gift of Prayer

Our prayer time at Life Group doesn't end at 8:00 on Tuesday evenings. It continues throughout the week as emails fly back and forth with prayer concerns and praise. So thankful for prayer warriors in my life.

646. A Gift of quiet:

I am really rather boring. : )  Being at home, being quiet is very important for me. I am so very thankful that I am married to a man that respects this aspect in me. He allows me time for quiet. He’s not threatened by it and encourages me to find my times of quiet.

A Gift Worn, Given Away, Shared

641. A Gift Worn: Driving home from Oklahoma today, I was listening to KLOVE radio. They told about “Dress A Girl Around the World.” They make dresses  and provide them to little girls all around the world. I’m so thankful for this ministry and since I am a sewer, I’m going to make some dresses. This is a double gift. My gift is being able to minister around the world and the little girls will also be blessed.

You can check out their website H.E.R.E. 

642. A Gift Given Away: When I lived in Oklahoma, I lived in the country so the idea of a “garage sale” never crossed my mind.  When I was preparing to move to Kansas I had so much stuff I didn’t want to move. Clothes, kitchen utensils, household items, books, all kinds of stuff. So I gave all of it to the Community Care.

I hope all found new homes and have been used.

643. A Gift Shared: The fellowship time with our Life Group is a true gift of sharing. As we’ve passed our “first” anniversary and gotten well acquainted our sharing times have become deeper and more meaningful. I am so thankful for this sharing time with wonderful Christian brothers  and sisters.

3 Startling Graces of God

638. Oh, wow. Probably the most startling thing that has ever happened to me is divorce.  It wasn’t immediately that I realized it was a grace. That took some time. But one day I realized that “what Satan intended for evil, God used for good.” – Which I know this happens – because the Bible tells me it does. But when it happened to me – I was startled by it.  And since that moment, I have KNOWN that God can take a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. anything at all and make it good. Make it a “startling grace of God!”

639. My salvation. I’m not sure I thought of it as startling at the time. – I was fairly young. But as an adult, I have realized that my salvation is the greatest most startling thing God has ever given me! My hope lies in Him and I can’t wait to live with Him in heaven.

640. That God loves me in spite of my sins. He knows my heart. I am so very thankful that He is a forgiving God.

3 Things About Myself That I Am Grateful For

Does anyone else find it hard to express ones own value? Why is this? God created us in His image. He created us in His love. He created us to hang out with us. – You don’t hang out with someone you don’t like. Right? But even so, I still find it hard to look at the good in me. It also took me many years to be able to accept a compliment graciously without being embarrassed.   (I still get embarrassed once in a while.)

My spiritual life, my walk with God is the most important area of my life. So I am very thankful that because of God – all things I am thankful for are steeped in His grace and love.

635.  I am thankful for the personality trait of phlegmatic that God gave me. I have learned to appreciate the fact that I am laid back and easy going.  I will never be wealthy because I’m not a go-getter but I enjoy my life the way God intended it.

636. I am thankful that I am able to accept my past – from childhood to adulthood -  and move forward. All the things that have happened to me in my life could have made me bitter, unhappy or just really angry. I am thankful that God didn’t let me become that person.

637. I’m thankful that I am a home body. I love being at home. My favorite place to be!

A Gift Above, Below, Beside

632. A Gift Above:




633. A Gift Below:




634. A Gift Beside:

A Gift Sour, Sweet, Just Right

629. A Gift Sour:  As a child I loved sour food. I would eat lemons and dill pickles and often drank the dill pickle juice! I don’t eat lemons anymore but I do use them in my tea and I NEVER drink dill pickle juice but do still enjoy a good dill pickle.

         

630. A Gift Sweet: Last evening we had guests from church. We went out to eat then came back here for dessert and visiting. I made Banana Split Cake.  - which was good, very sweet, but the company was even better!

         

631. Just right: I love the sour but it often comes with too much salt. I love the sweet but it comes with too much sugar – Just right is what God provides in His infinite wisdom.