Choosing the Right Bible Studies

How should one go about choosing a new Bible study?  Why, through prayer, of course. 

This year's studies have been amazing...very!  We have just completed the second...much food for thought in that book.  I agreed with much of what the author presented...and what I did not really does not matter but did make for some great discussion.

Just this evening the UPS guy delivered my new Kristi McLelland book.  She is simply amazing, one to whom I would refer to as a scholar of studying through the Eastern lens.    Along with Luke in the Land, I will, also be reading her Rediscovering Israel.

When we studied her Jesus and Women, we decided then that we would revisit that study again...thinking 2025 would be a great time!

Just FYI:  if you are looking for a new study, please pray about a McLelland study...and maybe begin with Jesus and Women.  Currently, she is my number one recommended author.   Would love to hear your thinking on her studies!

In 2023, I felt to learn more about Paul, and just today, when I asked a lady in our study group what she might recommend, she mentioned Paul.  Going to pray about that...maybe he will be our second 2025 study?

Learning more about the Word is the greatest outcome of any Bible study.  Definitely.  Another benefit?   The fellowship with women around the Word of God.  I always look forward to this time.  For these two reasons alone, I strongly encourage all women to find a group, find a study...then enjoy what the Lord wants you to learn and become better acquainted with the ladies within your group.  Such a blessing.

Give the Lord No Rest

For September, I chose Isaiah 62:7 as my scripture of the month:

Give the Lord no rest until He completes His work,  until He makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.

God wants us to pray unceasingly, to pray fervently, yes, until the prayers are answered.   Yes, He wants me to constantly pester him.  To give Him no rest.

1. For the Pastor Search Committee to find our next pastor.
2. For our church to not become stagnant during this time...or worse.
3. For the family who has no running water.
4. For the mom and dad worried about their child with mental health concerns.
5. For me to love my students as He does.
6. For my students to love me as He does.
7. For that quite long prayer list on the back of our church bulletin.
8. For the ladies in my Bible Study.
9. For Jay's feet and knees.
10. For my kids to have a closer walk with the Lord.
11. For ME to have a closer walk with the Lord.
12. For me to know which paths to take.
13. For revival to continue in me.
14. For revival to spread across this land.
15. For our nation.
16. For our nation's leaders.
17. And...the list is long and mighty.

And to praise Him during all these storms, during all the work He is bringing to reality, to fruition.

1. Thank you for my family.
2. Thank you for My Man.
3. Thank you for my job.
4. Thank you for my students.
5. Thank you for my salvation.
6. Thank you for this sanctification process.
7. Thank you for my the friends with whom You have blessed me.
8. Thank you for the rain we received today.
9. Thank you for the BER months.
10. Thank you...and thank you...and thank you!

For what will you give the Lord no rest?  Go ahead!  Be a pest!  :)

Where Does Time Go?

What a busy year...and so much for blogging more this year, right!?  Sooo...let's do a Take Two on that 2023 Goal!

First, Bible Study...I meet with the best group of ladies, a meeting I look forward to and miss much should we not be able to meet.  Now, that is a good sign that you are in the Lord's Will.  His Sweet Peace meets us there, always ensuring a grand time of fellowship with the gals!

We just finished our study of Esther, my second time to walk through Beth Moore's study of this amazing book of the Bible.  During the study, we traveled to Branson and watched Sight and Sound's version of Esther...just amazing!  Probably the best production I have ever watched.  Very seriously.

Traveling with me...ten other ladies who seemed to really enjoy the three-hour trip there...and back.  Isn't fellowship just a gracious gift?  I am so appreciative of the gift of these friendships.

Now, our Bible Study group has begun Experiencing God...may this title be answered in each of us.  My goal is that, during this very busy season of my life, I will take the time and purposefully place Him actively in every day.  In every encounter.  In every friendship.  In every relationship.

I shared with my principal yesterday, on our eighth day of school, that this year's group of students seem better than last year's?  Or...as I shared with him...could it be because I am praying that He helps me to love these kiddos as He loves them?   I am going to keep praying that prayer!  AND...think I might add that my students love me as He loves me.  What a win-win!  Just cannot help but be an amazing school year!

May I share and end with my verse (Ecclesiastes 5:18, NLT) for August?

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. 

It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun 

during the short life God has given them, 

and to accept their lot in life.

As this last weekend in August continues (defrosted a freezer this morning...yes, a win!) and as the last week of August begins, may I enjoy my work even more...and graciously accept where I am in my career, for my nature is to always want more...or to have what I do not.  But!  Through Him, this scripture can and will be lived through me!

Happy Saturday!  Happy weekend!  Happy August!

Jesus Did

 My week in comments (and observations) as said by others and myself:

• Asking who would like to serve our mission field…and witnessing the outpouring.
• Yes, I like seeing a junior so happy she just begins to skip down the hallway. Go, girl, go!
• “Listen. You are sounding like a teenager. You need to stop,” say I to that teenager standing in front of me imitating me!
• “Mrs. Gillmore, you sound happier. You are talking more.”
• What? More? Hummm…not sure that is possible?!
• Victoria Covington’s book is on pre-sale…and I am told I am in it. What?!?
• “Julia and I were talking about you singing in the hallway…and right then you began to sing, and we could hear you through door.” (Speaking of the ?!?)
• “Keep selling that Kool-aid.”
• “Mrs. Gillmore, are you in here singing to yourself?” (No…there’s a kiddo with me who I had just greeted.)
• “How about Gillmore Brownies?” (As part of a reward for scoring high on the ACT in March.) Alright then. Note to self: Buy stock in brownie mix!
• Teachers like to read. But…I read the most!
• “I’ll do that Wal-mart pick up for you.”
• Asking some to bring a dessert…and seeing the table is spread with more than enough. Of course.
• Gathering at the table is important. (Jesus did.)
• Dessert Buffets bring people together.
• “You are all unique. You all have a gift.”
• “He is at a 2.75.” - “But…everyone deserves three strikes.” (I am learning to appreciate a good baseball metaphor…and just maybe this time we will get a homerun…or, at least, make it to base!)
• Singing to Cadence one day and being told she cannot find her singing voice…then, being sung back to from my favorite Cadence in the whole wide world a day later. The music is in there.
• And…as I noted to my two passengers, my favorite part of a funeral is the drive to the burial…as car after car stops and pays that final respect to a life lived here. This one in particular would have been 95 next week and was a World War II veteran and whose family adopted me many years ago, further proving to me that not all family has to be blood related. Glad I shared those sentiments recently to him…for one is not guaranteed tomorrow. Yes, I am very glad I like to talk.

#MusicIsGoodForYou

#OneCanTalkTooMuch?!

#IEnjoyBoth!

Just Plan to Read!

 I began using this chronological Bible reading plan several years ago.  What a blessing this has been in my life...and what a learning experience.

Seriously, I would not know the Bible as much as I do without this guide on the side...and because I purchased a study Bible once upon a time.  Then, another.  Then, maybe a few more...until I also had a chronological study bible to go alont with the above reading plan.

I truly value this hard copy of this reading plan as this reflects that journey over the years, on I so encourage you to begin.  Today, yes, would be a good day!

My One Word: Intentional

Choosing One Word has been such a means to spiritual growth for me.  Oh, the power of One Word!  This word journey I began in 2011, with that list growing and nurturing...

• 2011:  Peace
• 2012:  Quiet
• 2013;  Fit
• 2014:  Smile
• 2015:  Complete
• 2016:  All
• 2017:  Diligent
• 2018:  Less
• 2019:  Birth
• 2020:  Restore
• 2021:  Ponder
• 2022:  Knowledge

This year, I have chosen...or shall I say...a word has chosen me:  intentioal.  With that word in mind, I have decided to, also, use this year to not leave my other words behind.  I am creating a journal (the hard copy kind!) with a doublepage spread for each word and plan to add notes and testimonies for each word throughout 2023.  Why?  Not sure...I just "feel" to do so...yes, that nudging.

May we pause and reflect on 2022's word:  Knowledge

• I knew this was a strange word for me, for, as a teacher, I am always learning (as we all should be).  Learn I have, though, as this year began with all my classes having new curriculums!  Wow!
• Life, also, taught me more lessons, most of which, at the time, I really just did not want to learn!  But...that's life!  In all areas of my life...family, work, and church, yes, I had lessons to learn.
• This I know...raising kids is just so much easier when they are younger.
• This I know...family gatherings are imporant.
• This I know...church can be place where people do not like you.
• This I know...studying the Bible always leads to more knowledge.
• This I know...teaching to students who want to learn needs to be my focus.
• Am I smarter now?  Hummm...still not smart enough.  Just another reason I need a doublepage spread for the word knowledge in My One Word journal.  As a matter of fact, I may need to give each word more than just the two pages!

Looking Ahead:  with intention

• This word grabbed my attention while studying Kristi McLelland's The Gospel on the Ground (learning so much knowledge from her!).  From that point on, no other word would suffice.
• What are my intentions?  At this precise second, I want to focus more on intentionally completing what I find important, for instance, writing here and in my journal (that I have never consistently kept).  I, also, hope to be intentional with completing house work, grading papers, reading books, all of which seem to pile up quickly if I am not careful.
• Be present in the moment by listening more, talking less, being visible where I should and need to be.

I hope you choose One Word...or that you allow One Word to choose you.  Then, watch for that word.  Listen for that word.  This word will find you, shift your thinking, encourage you to grow.

May your One Word Journey begin now.

Planning Ahead...for the Increase

One of my reads for 2022 has been Christmas Next Door, a collection of four short stories of intertwined characters, a read I meant to complete in 2021...but...just so many books!  (This book I gave as a Christmas present this past year....need to buy more to give for next year!)

Now, I am glad I waited, for here is one of the nuggets I gleaned from these stories:  each Christmas the town put together Christmas baskets...and each year that number grew.  This reminded me much of Samaritan Shoeboxes, for which I began collecting items throughout the year...yet we only filled two boxes, probably our family's smallest number ever.  Shame on me.

Based on the encouragement from this book, I plan to increase that number.  What if throughout 2022, I picked up twelve items for twelve months.  Not an amount that would break the budget.  So doable.  And!?  What an increase!

From what book have you gleaned an idea?  Please share!