Think Bible!

Think Bible! is a blog/website that encourages you to do just what the title says, Think Bible!  Many ladies contribute to this blog and there is much there to ponder. There is something for everyone!  A recent post by a friend was a great encouragement to me in the area of rehearsing God’s Word instead my problems.

I feel privileged to be one of the contributors.  You can read my post on Adjusting to  Life on the Mission Field here.  If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you may have already read this.  Maybe a review will be an encouragement to you.  It was good for me to take the time to review the truths in that post!

Worth the Read

In today’s post, I thought I would share some articles that I have read around the web.  I also wanted to let you know that I have recently updated my book list for 2020.  There have been a couple of books that I read recently that I would like to recommend to you.

The first is Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy:  Discovering the Grace of Lament by  Mark Vroegop.  I have been reading some of the psalms of lament.  This book along with the author’s personal testimony of lament was a great help to me.

The other book I would like to recommend is Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows by Ravi Zacharias.  This man’s testimony of God’s amazing saving grace touched a chord deep in my soul.  It reminded me that God is at work and that He can save anyone!  We may not understand what God is doing in someone’s life, but we can be assured that He is not willing that any should perish!

Don’t Give Up Praying  for Your Children

“So, let us not give up praying for our children. This ministry of intercession is a lifelong calling. We must not assume too much when it comes to human beings. If our children are living and doing well spiritually, they are not out of the woods. If they are living and not doing well spiritually, their story is not over. Therefore, let us ‘always . . . pray and not lose heart’ (Luke 18:1).”

4 Incredible Reasons to Pray for Our Grandchildren Daily

“Several years ago, I found a precious letter in my family’s archives. My great-grandfather in Poland wrote to my grandfather, who had immigrated to America. One line in the letter struck me with both comfort and conviction: ‘I faithfully pray for you, for your children, and for your future generations.’

I am one of those grandchildren…”

How 2020 Is Taking a Toll on Your Soul

“Could it be that God didn’t wire us to carry every event, taking place in every part of the world, at every moment, as if it were ours? Could it be that technology has produced a faux omniscience and omnipresence that is hurting mankind and not helping it?”

Until the next time…

 

 

Worth the Read

Scripture memory is something that has been life-changing for me. It has been an important part of my walk with the Lord.  Lately, I find myself floundering.  I came across some great posts that have been so helpful to me with this, so I wanted to share them with you.

If you have any tips for Scripture memory, please comment so that we can encourage one another!

What? Me Memorize Scripture?

“Don’t give up on Scripture memory before you’ve even tried. You can do it and the effort is more than worth it.”

When Memorizing Isn’t Fun Anymore?

“But what do you do when the fire has gone out? Perhaps you can remember a time when memorizing Scripture was the highlight of your day. Your zeal for God’s Word was a bright flame that consumed your heart. But now, for some unexplainable reason, that flame has been reduced to an ember. The sad and simple truth is that you just don’t feel like memorizing anymore.

If this describes your experience, don’t be discouraged! Generations of memorizers can relate to your struggle.”

The Bible Is On My Phone, So Why Memorize?

“Nothing in your pocket, however convenient on good days, can compare with the nearness of God’s Word in your heart on bad days!”

When You Don’t Know What to Say, Say This

This article was perhaps the most helpful to me during this slump. So many times we don’t know what to say or what to pray for with someone, but we can always pray Scripture that we have memorized!!

Worth the Read

I’ve read some good articles on the web recently that express things in a way I can’t find the words for.  They are written for or about the missionary and pastor’s wife.  If you are a missionary/pastor’s wife, may you be encouraged.  If you have a missionary/pastor’s wife, may you gain understanding.

Don’t Judge a Missionary by Their Stage
“Missionaries are people, not super-natural beings. They experience just as much pain, financial struggle, exhaustion, stress, as the average person does, if not more.”

You Take Yourself With You (And Other Important Things About Living Overseas)
“You don’t become a different person on the airplane. The beauty is that the God who called you, who knew you as you were being knit in the womb, who knows your comings and your goings, he knows that and he has chosen to use you…”

7 Ways to Encourage Your Pastor’s Wife
“Are you aware that most pastors and their wives experience loneliness, isolation and discouragement during their ministry lives? The role that members play can be a huge encouragement.”

Ministry is Awkward (And What To Do About It)
“Oh, but imagine my horror as I realized that it was sometimes just the opposite. God was teaching me so much about grace. God was calling me to do these awkward things where hearts meet and meaningful ministry happens. The awkward moments are where the grace is so needed. And they are where the grace abounds. If I stopped serving at the onset of awkward feelings, I would miss the grace! Talk about horror…
Just like I remember the first time I felt the awkward, I also remember the first time I pushed through the awkward and prayed anyway, attempted conversation anyway. Imagine my surprise to find joy on the other side! Fellowship in Christ. Friendship. Seeing God work and answer prayer. Perfection? Nope! (Still awkward me here) But sweet unexpected grace, and enabling to do God’s will…
If you are a seasoned pastor’s wife, you know this awkwardness is true, regardless of personality even. Maybe you are weary of the awkward, even surprised that after this many years it could still be this awkward in certain situations. But dear soul, take heart. There is still so much grace waiting for you in these moments. And there is so much for you to teach others along the way.”*

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
~2 Corinthians 9:8

*This was especially encouraging to me as I serve in a place where I struggle with the language and find communication very difficult.

 

 

 

 

From Around the Web…

Furlough is still progressing and we are moving into our even busier season.  Fall is the time of year that a lot of churches like to have missionaries for conferences and meetings.  We will be doing lots of traveling so would appreciate your prayers for safety on the highway and good health.

I have read some things recently that have been very thought-provoking and I thought I would share them here with you.  If there is something you’ve read recently, leave a link in the comments below.  I would love to read and share.

A Tale of Two Teachers-“Women of God, I plead with you to pursue wisdom. I plead with you to put down the girl power self help book and pick up your Bible. Your life depends on it. Your children don’t need empowered mom. They need humble, god-fearing mom. Our world needs women who look not like our ‘truest selves,’ but like Jesus Christ. This will not happen outside of making a decision to dig in our heels, draw a line in the sand and declare that we are going after God.”

Sunday Afternoon Tea – Why I find decorating to be important to the soul-“What if we can no longer do everything we once enjoyed?  If we wait for perfect circumstances, they never arrive.”

Discover How to Memorize Psalm 1 in Community-Are you looking for a Bible memory project.  Here is a great one you can do in community.  I’ve memorized this before, so I am taking this time to review it.

Have a blessed day!

*the sunset photo was taken in SC during our travels

Weekend Reads

When You Don’t Want to Read the Bible-“Has the idea of reading your Bible ever seemed like too much work?  Like you’re investing in something that doesn’t have a very good return?”

Even On Your Best Day-“Indeed- grace is a wonderful enabler to do God’s will. But it’s also a gentle exfoliator along the process of sanctification, opening and revealing the places where we are not depending on God. It’s no wonder that, as we get older and grow in our faith, those openings become more apparent and the needs seem to increase and to feel more out of control.”

Amy Carmichael’s Secret to Fighting Discouragement-“I’ve often wondered how Amy could maintain such supernatural joy in the face of ‘griefs which can come down like an avalanche over the soul.’ Reading her writings has taught me that there were four main things that bolstered her spirit and her faith—saturation in Scripture, delight in the presence of God, the support of a Christian community, and the glorious beauty of the natural world.”

Register Now to Memorize Matthew 5:1-19-“We invite you to slow down with us for a new Bible memorization challenge.”

Compass Book Ratings-I was happy to find this website.  Sometimes I see a book that I think I might like to read and then I am disappointed with the content and often stop reading.  This site rates books as others rate movies to help you make an educated decision.

*posted on Facebook by Christian Funny Pictures

Worth the Read

How to Show Your Life to a Younger Believer-“But what taught me the most was walking with her through the death of her son. As the biblical truths she’d been passing on to me shined through her life, I saw firsthand what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.”

Unshakeable Confidence-“Speak the psalms to others. And on days when you feel like a worn out fence ready to fall over, speak the psalms to YOURSELF. Journal this psalm, adding your own words of affirmation. Then say the words out loud. Say it like you mean it.”

What To Do When You Feel Like You Are Not Enough-“As soon as doubt creeps in, as soon as fears begin forming, my language takes a decided turn.  I’ll never get it all done.  I’m not enough.  I can’t keep up.  Do you see it?  Nearly all of my fears, my worries, begin with I.  This has become my cue; the moment where I stop and shift my focus.”

Letting go of more than just stuff-“…if we allow that root of discontent to become full fledged bitterness then the enemy of our souls will win.

This is especially true when we do not let go of unforgiveness.  I’ve had people spread lies about me before, some of them I wonder where they came up with these imaginations.  Sometimes it was the way they interpreted a situation or something I said but I’m sure most of the time it was something whispered to them by the enemy of our souls until they believed lies instead of truth.”

Around the Web

A Portrait of Feminine Dress, Part 1-I thoroughly enjoyed this series which begins at this link.  It has inspired me to dust off my sewing machine and spruce up my wardrobe a little.

The Little Shack on the Prairie-I am a Fixer Upper addict.  This one is one you have to see!!!!  Unbelievable!!!

Faithful in Obscurity-“But probably the great majority of us are like those few disciples in the background. Our name isn’t meant for the spotlight. Maybe we couldn’t handle it. Maybe that’s just not where God wants us to be. People might not ever see or know what we do. But God does. Faithfulness to Him and whatever ministry He has called us to are what matters.”

 

From Around the Web

Behind on Bible Reading?

“Don’t give up, friends! Find time. Make your reading a priority. Don’t worry about getting behind or doing it the wrong way. Reading Scripture is an eternal investment with immeasurable rewards.”

Bible Memory Resources from Do Not Depart

This web page is a list of links to their resources for different passages.  It’s a wonderful resource if you are memorizing Scripture or want to start.

5 Things Every Missionary Wants You to Know About Culture Shock

“We all love to hear about missionaries preparing and going to the field, don’t we? But the truth is, just as many families going are also coming back due to burnout, health issues, and relationship struggles.  We don’t hear much about that. For the most part, they come off the field and no one really knows what happened. This is sad, because I really believe that some of their struggles on the field would be softened by caring people reaching out consistently. More than ever, we as individuals and churches need to work at understanding our missionaries–  Work at knowing how they think, what they are going through, and how we can be actively involved in their care.”

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I try to avoid controversy on my blog.  I realize that I am probably stepping it in when I post the following links.  You will know how I feel about observing Lent when you read the posts below.  I do not understand the fascination of Protestants with this observance…and I am not alone.  I have converted Catholics as friends that just shake their heads.  If you have an opposing view and choose to comment, please be kind. 

Why I’m not giving up cupcakes for Lent?

“God doesn’t want you to give up chocolate, meat, or cupcakes in His name. He wants you to totally give your all on a daily basis in for Him.”

5 Reasons to Not Observe Lent

“Carl Trueman said it well when he wrote, ‘…just as celebrating July the Fourth makes sense for Americans but not for the English, the Chinese or the Lapps, so Ash Wednesday and Lent really make no sense to those who are Presbyterians, Baptists, or free church evangelicals.'”

photo credit:  Tim Melton

Worth the Read

Up from Idolatry

“The first time Dr. Nomura Takuyuki decided to put on a Christmas meeting at his 19-bed hospital 20 years ago, he feared what others would think of him and if it would hurt his business. Christians make up only 1 percent of Japan’s population, and most Christians stay quiet about their faith in a society where social cohesion trumps all.”

Beware the Instagram Bible

“Beware the Instagram Bible, my daughters. It shines a partial light. We must know it both for what it says and for what it does not.”

Sunday Afternoon Tea-Peace on Purpose

“When I would lose my peace and get tense and feel like my world was spinning out of control, God would gently remind me that it was my choice to bring this image or that article into my home.  For that is what we do when we look at any media… “

The Fires of Growth-This is the first post of #2 son’s blog.

“God’s process of sanctification is not one that ought to be feared or dreaded, but rather it ought to embraced with open arms.”

Planning the Perfect Wedding-This is the first post of my new daughter-in-law’s blog.

“This wedding is Not all about you! Yes I know you’re the bride but their is someone of equal value in the wedding… your groom!”