Day Fifteen SOAP

Scripture(s)-

Numbers 11:5-6 "We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!"

Numbers 21:5 "...we hate this horrible manna!"

Observation- The Israelites seem to forget so quickly all that God has done for them- setting them free, making them a nation, performing miracle after miracle. Are they seriously whining about not having melons? They are forgetting what God has done and is doing all because they are so wrapped up in what He isn't doing for them.

Application- It is so easy for me to judge the Israelites. What their problem? Where's their faith!? Have they already forgotten what happened to the last group that questioned God? They have seen God's presence and heard his voice, he rains down food from heaven for them for goodness sake! If I step down from my high-horse and am honest with myself, I know I can relate to their lack of faith, ingratitude and WHINING. There are so many moments when I let unfulfilled desires (often petty ones) cause me to forget all the gifts God has given me.

Prayer-Merciful Savior, Forgive me when I'm selfish and ungrateful. May I never forget that you are the same God that delivered the Israelites. Thank you providing me with what I need, when I need it. I pray to develop a thankful heart that is not circumstantial.

Day Nine

My sweet husband made my day yesterday with this bible marking kit. I hope my bible looks like a rainbow at the end of these eighteen weeks! I find myself looking forward to this special time throughout the day. There’s something so calming and rejuvenating about this little spot for me.

I wish each of you could attend our weekly meetings! It is such a neat time where we discuss what God has revealed to us in our reading or questions that we may have. It is so amazing how so many people can read the same verses but God will draw a different one to each person’s attention. Reading through the bible with the support of a group is SO much better than doing it alone, I am having a blast!

God is opening doors right and left through this study. Our small group started with three people and so far we have had eighteen join us as of yesterday’s meeting. (I love that those in our group range in age from 20s to 70s!) This doesn’t include the countless people who are reading along with us but are unable to make it to our meetings (well over a dozen people that I’m aware of). Two ladies in our group are going to begin leading groups at different times and locations to open the door for those who are eager to study God’s word and long for the accountability and encouragement that a small group offers. (PRAISE GOD!) Chances are, one of these groups may interest you. Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.

I love what Amy had to say here, on her Day 8 SOAP. I completely agree with her about the content being challenging. For those of you in our small group, you may remember me mentioning “hitting the wall like in a marathon”…well, here we go! These next few weeks were some of the most difficult for me. On days that I find less-than-inspirational, I remind myself that every word is God-breathed and there for me to read. We can do this! At the end of our journey, we will be changed and SO glad we stuck it out.

For you visual learners who wish the bible had illustrations, like me, here’s an image of the tabernacle that helped give me some perspective.

Picture Update

I have a few moments while Jackson is napping and wanted to share some pictures from the last few weeks. I'll post again soon because I can't wait to tell you about some awesome things God is doing in our bible study!

Jackson loved touring the fire station!

I'm a lucky girl...what can I say?

I love this picture.

I whipped out my camera and Jackson turned and said "CHEESE!".

What a ham.

(Check out the hair!)

He thought he was hilarious walking around in my shoes.

The shirt isn't half bad either. ;)

Bath time fun

Here is a late Christmas picture. It cracks me up. We had a wonderful Christmas and Jackson loved everything "See-ta" brought him. This year was so much fun, I can't even imagine the excitement next year has in store.

Day Four

How's it going? Today's day four so we only have one day left of reading this week (unless you've already used a "grace day", which is fine). After this week we will be 1/18^th of the way through the bible, yippee! You have been in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that you are doing well and reaching out to your accountability partner for encouragement. Isn’t it amazing how many stories we have covered so far?! I know some of it is hard to understand (and stomach) like Lot saying “please take my virgin daughters but leave my guests alone” and later his daughters getting him drunk so that they could…well, you know (it’s even hard to type). At times like these I am glad that my bible has a commentary at the bottom that offers further explanation.

I love using the suggestion from momstoolbox.com! Journaling using the acrostic SOAP has really helped me to apply my readings. Here was my “Aha moment!” from yesterday’s reading:

S- Genesis 39:21 “But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.”

O- Even in life’s most difficult moments God is there shining a light into our present darkness. Despite life’s circumstances, God can bring good.

A- Joseph didn’t lay in the corner of his cell in the fetal position crying because he was wrongly accused, had went through tragedy after tragedy, or felt abandoned by God. He made the best of his terrible circumstances and God used and blessed him again and again. What a lesson! I must remember- even in the worst moments- that the Lord is with me, showing me his faithful love.

P- El-Shaddai, Thank you for your faithful love. I am SO undeserving. Thank you for walking beside me even in times that I behave as if I don’t know you. May I work each day to learn to love as you love.

For those of you who I’ll see Tuesday, I can’t wait! I feel as though we are part of something beyond our comprehension. Keep notes of anything that you’d like to discuss with the group.

Please persevere through the difficult readings, you will be so glad you did!

Day One

Today is day one of our journey through the bible in eighteen weeks. I just finished today's reading and am so excited to begin this journey through God's word! He has so many things to reveal to us and I am honored to be reading with you.

Amy at http://www.momstoolbox.com offers some great suggestions for making our reading easier to apply to our daily lives. I love her SOAP idea!

Here's her explanation, and here's my SOAP for Day 1:

S: Scripture- Genesis 16 1-2

¹Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; ² so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

O: Observation- Even when we think God has forgotten His promises and doesn't recognize our heart's desires, he calls us to trust and wait. (It's amazing to me that Abraham waited twenty-five years for the fulfillment of the promise. I can only imagine how this story would sound if I was the one expected to believe and wait in expectation for twenty-five years!)

A: Application-Trust in God's promises and stop taking matters into my own hands because He isn't working on my timeline. In my impatience, I often take matters into my own hands (like Abram and Sarai did with Hagar). This often creates chaos and I fear may even delay God's miracle.

P: Prayer- Father, forgive my lack of patience and belief. Strengthen me as I wait on you. I know that the plans you have for me far exceed my own. Thank you for loving me in spite of my lack of patience.

Jesus in Every Book of the Bible

I still have chills from this video. Are you ready? I am! We begin tomorrow.

Are you up for the challenge?

I am SO excited to begin reading through the bible again! You may remember my blogs about my experience with the “Bible in 90 Days” program. If you don’t, you can read about it here and here. For the past few months I have had the privilege to be a part of a wonderful bible study for stay at home moms (SAHMs for future reference). We recently completed a study on the proverbs 31 woman that was beyond inspirational.

Next Tuesday our group will begin reading through the bible. I have tweaked the"Bible in 90 Days” schedule into a "Bible in 18 Weeks-or 122 days” schedule which you will find below (click to zoom). Instead of seven days of reading each week, there will be five days. This allows two “grace days” a week for catch-up, rest or further study. I know that this challenge may seem very intimidating, but I assure you it IS doable. This is not a speed-read through the Bible, it's akin to reading the Bible like a novel. The reading IS a challenge, though it is a manageable challenge. I assure you, the payoff more than compensates.

I have been inviting everyone I talk with to join me on this journey. Today I got a haircut and my precious beautician and her colleague said that they are excited to begin reading as soon as I drop off their schedules. :o) What an awesome experience to have so many people walking through the bible together! The insight and encouragement that we will gather from one another will make the experience even better. I want all of you to experience this spiritual journey!

We have a facebook group for anyone who would like to join us where we will post questions, comments and offer one another encouragement (let me know if you'd like to be added). I will be updating my blog throughout the experience for those of you who are not on facebook. If you would like to read along with us (regardless of age, occupation or gender) let me know, we’d love to have you! God has so many things he wants to reveal to each of us, let’s not keep Him waiting!