2016!
A NEW YEAR
A FRESH START
TO RUN THE RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE
AND TO “FEEL HIS PLEASURE” AS WE RUN
My challenge for running the race this year is to ramp up our prayer lives, and I have three concrete suggestions for doing so. (You might want to consider doing one, two, or all three!)
1) PRAY SCRIPTURE
No matter what else you are doing in the Word, when you are quickened by a verse — stop right then and turn it into a prayer. Or, when you are done with your daily time, look back and find a way to pray — you can praise Him for what you saw about Him, ask Him for a quality lacking in you…let the Spirit guide you, but pray Scripture. When I look at the regrets in my life, it is because I lacked strength of character when I faced a trial or a temptation. Praying Scripture helps you pray for strength of character — whereas we have a tendency to pray that the trial will disappear.
2) PRAY THE PSALMS
Many of you may want to get Tim and Kathy Keller’s devotional on the psalms. I like it very much. The psalms is God’s prayer book and many believers are always praying through it for you know you are praying within God’s will. Keller’s book divides the longer psalms into several days so you go through the psalter slowly over a year.
3) WRITE DOWN THANKS
When Ann VosKamp took the challenge of listing 1,000 gifts, being alert to simple things like “rainbows on dish bubbles,” “long lisped prayers,” it changed her. I’ve been doing this on my laptop, but this year I’m going to switch to a journal I was given. I’ll keep it with a pen on my coffee table to write in each morning or to seize the moment when I’m aware of a gift.
This week in our study we will link the last verse we are memorizing to the New Year’s Study beginning next week. What will that be? Stay with us!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Did any of you read through the Bible chronologically in 2015? If so, how did it impact you?
3. Pray about the 2016 prayer challenge! : ) What do you think the Lord would have you do and why? Let us know now or by New Year’s Eve!
4. Share one way you saw God in your life this Christmas.
Monday: Complete your passage!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14)
4. What comments or thoughts do you have on the above?
If it was too wild last week to hear this sermon, here’s another chance — and we’d love your thoughts:
Tuesday-Thursday (Thursday is New Year’s Eve)
We are returning to The Song of Songs, as I’ve continued to study and see so much more from our time in it in 2013. As many of you know, and because of your prayers, Waterbrook is publishing this book and it will come out in the summer of 2017. I must turn in the first draft in March, so I’m testing now, for you are the best audience for this. Do you know how thankful I am for a group of women of depth who dig, who make themselves vulnerable, and who are iron sharpening iron? I am — and I give thanks upon every remembrance of you!
This is my working title:
Jesus Calls You
“Beautiful”
(Discovering Christ in the Song of Songs)
This study will disappear from the blog at some point, to honor the publisher’s request not to hurt their sales. So I ask your understanding for that disappearance and to not make copies of this. We will take this study through Lent as well, beginning with a review week for those just joining us — and you will be their mentors! In the past, when Christ was seen as central in the Song, it was often done during Lent.
Frankly, this study isn’t for everyone and I’m praying for a diplomatic way to communicate that clearly in the book. The Song has been so trampled upon, sometimes being turned into soft porn. While earthly marriage and the marriage bed are there, they are there to illuminate a much more lasting relationship: Christ and His Bride. Many who have seen only the earthly side cannot believe Christ is there, nor are they willing to look deeply. I’m trying to somehow keep the naysayers out of groups, for they hurt everyone — but how to do it is a bit of a challenge. So I’d love your input on this paragraph that I now have on an Introductory page.
The Song is pearl, but it is not for everyone. Its beauty is so deep and rich, that unless you are able and motivated to take the time daily to ponder it, it would be better to pass for now. But you don’t need to pass if you are single. Though marrieds will find their marriages enhanced, the primary purpose of this study is to discover and respond to the depth of Christ’s love for us.
5. How do you feel about returning to The Song?
6. What do you think of the above paragraph? Too strong? Too weak?
GOD DWELLING WITH MAN
I’m excited to show you how John 1:14, your last memory verse, links us to The Song. Many are perplexed at why God would choose Solomon, the man who had 700 wives and 300 concubines, to write and to be the earthly bridegroom in a book which depicts the beauty of faithfulness in marriage and faithfulness to God. While it may be possible that Solomon was chosen because his failure led to repentance, and then wrote himself into the story depicting how he should have been, and indeed that may be, I think there is a better theory as to the primary reason God chose Solomon to write His Song of Songs.
Ellen F. Davis says to consider what Solomon’s ultimate achievement was. What was that? The building of the temple where man could meet with God. God chose this “man of peace” for this purpose. (The names Solomon and Shulammite, who is the bride in the Song, both derive from the Hebrew “Shalom” or “peace.”)
What was the purpose of this temple? It was a way man could meet with a holy God. Though it was true this temple was just a faint shadow of the True Temple to come, it was a foreshadowing of the day man could have intimacy directly with God, of a day when the intimacy pictured in The Song would be possible.
Perhaps when we thought of Solomon only in regard to his failure, we couldn’t solve the puzzle. But when we look at his success, suddenly we see. We had been trying in vain to force the blue ocean piece into the blue sky! If we try it instead in the ocean, we will find the missing piece.
Let’s take a short journey through history to see how this puzzle piece fits.
The Ark of the Covenant held the tablets of Moses and was carried through the wilderness by the Israelites. The holy presence of God accompanied the Ark.
7. Read 2 Samuel 6:1-11
A. What do you learn about the ark in verse 2?
B. Uzzah felt his hand was cleaner than the dirt — but what happened? (v. 7) What does this teach us about man?
C. How did David respond?
D. How did God bless the pagan house of Obed-edom?
E. How does this story show us both the severity and goodness of God? How does it point to the Gospel?
8. Read 1 Chronicles 28:2-8.
A. Why, according to verse 2, did David want to built this temple?
B. Why did God choose Solomon instead?
C. What promise and condition did God give to Solomon?
As we know, Solomon did accomplish the building of the temple, but failed, as we all do, to obey God. A better covenant was needed. A better Temple.
My son J. R. asked me my favorite Christmas Song — I told him, “This year, hands down, it’s this.” We listened to it together and were all reduced to tears.
Let your heart be melted by this:
9. Some translations say, “and tabernacled” among us. Why, do you think?
10. When Christ died, the veil in the temple was rent. Why, do you think?
11. What insight does Hebrews 9:1-12 give you concerning the superiority of Christ over the first covenant?
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you — and what implications are there for you?
13. If you haven’t told us yet, what part or parts of the prayer challenge might you accept?
New Year’s Day
14. Let’s Try a Day of Ramping up Our Prayer Life
A. Is there anything from the study this week you could put into prayer? I’ll give an idea in red — then it is your turn.
Jesus, thank You so much for being here, our Immanuel.
Help me remember each moment that my body is your temple, and to live accordingly.
B. Meditate on Psalm 1 and turn it into a prayer.
C. Give thanks for some of the gifts from God you are noticing today.
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
153 comments
9. Some translations say, “and tabernacled” among us. Why, do you think?
Included as a definition of “tabernacled” is “to dwell in” (www.Dictionary.com) The Lord dwelled in the presence of His people in spirit (e.g., ark, pillar of cloud and fire), in human form in Jesus, and continues to dwell with and in us via His Holy Spirit.
10. When Christ died, the veil in the temple was rent. Why, do you think?
The ripping of the veil signified an opening of relationship with the Lord; no longer were only some able to commune with the Lord, but the opportunity was open to all through Jesus. Jesus made the way for our relationship with the Father God.
9. Some translations say, “and tabernacled” among us. Why, do you think?
When the Israelites were journeying on their way to the Promised Land, they carried the “presence of God” in a portable “temple” called a tabernacle. Later, after they hand settled, Solomon built a permanent temple where God could be housed. When Jesus came in the form of flesh, he could be said to have tabernacled among us. His presence was with them on a temporary and mobile basis (Jesus said he had no place to lay his head). However, after his redemptive act on the cross and his resurrection, he ascended into heaven where the permanent “temple” is located.
10. When Christ died, the veil in the temple was rent. Why, do you think?
The veil of the temple being torn was signifying that there was no longer any barrier between man and God. We now have immediate access and do not have to “keep our distance” from him. The barrier of sin that was in our way to have access to God had been removed.
11. What insight does Hebrews 9:1-12 give you concerning the superiority of Christ over the first covenant?
This passage in Hebrews explains in detail how the priests functioned in the Temple and how the physical facility of the temple was designed to keep people distanced from the area were God was located. The regular priests operated in the outer room to carry on their ministry. Only the high priest could enter the inner room, and he could only do that once a year. The high priest had to offer animal sacrifices before he was eligible to enter the Most Holy Place. But Jesus entered with his own blood, providing a ransom for all of mankind, setting all of us free from the slavery of sin. The high priest had to keep offering sacrifices for atonement over and over again, while Jesus provided our redemption once and for all.
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you — and what implications are there for you?
If Jesus dwells in our hearts, we have access to His guidance at every moment (if we will just heed it). We are not tied to a building or a place — wherever we go, He is with us — to the close of the age.
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you — and what implications are there for you?
The Holy Spirit is always with me. Implications? Huge!!! I will never be alone. I will never be without help. I will never be without anything I would need. Best of all I have a Person who will always be there for me and would never leave me or forsake me. Christ in me the hope of glory.
It means I am empowered. II Peter 1:3-4 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (from biblegateway)
13. If you haven’t told us yet, what part or parts of the prayer challenge might you accept?
I would like to do all three. Working on a plan to do a private diary online and print a finished page at a time.
9. The Tabernacle was a tent, and scripture refers to our bodies as a tent. That is why Jesus could Tabernacle with us, and we can now be the tabernacle, housing the Spirit of God. Almost too awesome to contemplate! The way others described the tabernacle as a movable place of worship is very powerful. Reminds me of Ps 139, where it says Where can I flee from Your presence?, meaning there is no place. As believers, He never leaves us. What a great comfort!
This is very good, Mary B. To think of Jesus tabernacling in us by his Holy Spirit. We are a mobile tabernacle! Awesome!
“The Tabernacle was a tent, and scripture refers to our bodies as a tent. That is why Jesus could Tabernacle with us, and we can now be the tabernacle, housing the Spirit of God. Almost too awesome to contemplate!”
Love the idea of the mobile tabernacle, Mary B. God with us, Immanuel…always!
I was down with a bug for a day but so thankful it was only me and Miabelle, the oldest child. Everyone else seems okay. But I’m back. I have read and appreciate your good comments. They are so helpful to me.
The sermon this Sunday went through some of our passages and the pastor said David was not wrong to be a man of war, for God asked that of him. That is all a bit beyond me, but it is true God ordained war against the enemies of God’s people. But one day there will be peace and I think that is what all these things foreshadow, including the Song of Songs. It is interesting that both Solomon and the Shulammite derive from Shalom, or peace.
Glad you are feeling better, Dee. Hope your energy bounces back as well. I have a cold but nothing serious.
Just one comment on the introduction to your book, Dee. Do you point out that the Bible can be interpreted at more than one level? New Testament authors often point to Old Testament passages having a prophetic meaning besides the one that the original readers would have understood. The practice of allegory is well documented in Scripture. There is a good article on this called “In Defense of Allegory” by Robert Louis Wilken in Modern Theology 14:2 April 1998. I doing a Hermeneutics study (interpretation of Scripture) and finding it very helpful.
Yes, I do, Diane. I point out the the genre is poetry and poetry is always multilayered. Will look at that here tomorrow. Can that article be found online?
Dee, I didn’t find the article online, but I did a google search and I think you can get it from a library online.
Dee-thank you for this..Yes..it is beyond me too! I am meditating on the ‘why’ He chose Solomon, and that Solomon and the Shulamite derive from Shalom (peace). Goes back to the garden before the Fall..He is the God of peace-not of sin and bloodshed- and Christ is our peace. The way God does things in His Wisdom and Sovereignty-totally consistent with who He is. He is unchanging..humbles me and makes me feel so secure.
14. Let’s Try a Day of Ramping up Our Prayer Life
A. Is there anything from the study this week you could put into prayer?
Thank You God, for never giving up on the Israelites, no matter how “human” they were. Although they sinned, You always had a way to make things right for them even though the path was not always straight or clear to them. You forgave them when they “lost their brains!” It helps us to remember who is in charge; not us! Help me remember this as well; that You are with me always and You are the One who makes things right when I, in my humanly way, mess things up here on earth. Amen.
3. Pray about the 2016 prayer challenge! : ) What do you think the Lord would have you do and why? Let us know now or by New Year’s Eve!
I would like to do some of each of the three. I’m glad Dee mentioned that she had a special journal, because it reminded me that I have one that I’ve been saving to begin a new thankfulness journal. Mine was a gift awhile ago and I’ve been saving it for just the right purpose. It’s beautifully illustrated with a painting of a bird for each month; with several blank pages, divided by months. I’m motivated by ‘structure’. For example: When I see blank pages for July. I will want to make sure I fill them with ‘blessings’. Hoping a habit will be established in the first few months of the year, so I can fill the book all year. I’m planning to order the Kellers’ book also. I’ve wanted that for awhile.
Great — I’m liking doing it in a journal.
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you — and what implications are there for you?
The Holy Spirit is always with me. Implications? Huge!!! I will never be alone. I will never be without help. I will never be without anything I would need. Best of all I have a Person who will always be there for me and would never leave me or forsake me. Christ in me the hope of glory.
It means I am empowered. II Peter 1:3-4 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (from biblegateway)
A. Is there anything from the study this week you could put into prayer? I’ll give an idea in red — then it is your turn.
Jesus, I thank you for securing an eternal redemption for me. You entered once for all into the holy places by your own blood. (Hebrews 9:12) Help me remember to live out the redeemed life through your grace and strength.
Bing–I really love your prayer (I think you have a gift for prayer, always pulling in Scripture, I’ve noticed it on the FB page too) “Help me remember to live out the redeemed life through your grace and strength.” Amen!
Thanks, Dee, for the challenges you present to us!
I did read the Bible chronologically this year for the first time. I am loving the Word more for doing it, though I struggled occasionally. and want to dig indepth to some of the Books that were difficult.
I do look forward to SOS, which I did not do previously and I am committing to do the homework!
This year I am embarking on praying the scripture, and also find keeping a gratitude list is helpful for me to keep my focus on all my blessings.
I do ask for prayer through my times of weakness and struggle. There are many joys in growing older, but loneliness creeps in and I long for the daily conversations that I had when I worked. It really helps to keep in touch through this blog.
Shirley – your words are poignant and real – they touch me deeply (about growing older). I’m thankful that you shared from the heart – I see wisdom in your words and the need to prepare my heart for the possibility of growing older and the loneliness that can creep in. I loved the thankfulness that left it’s fingerprints all over your entry here too! Seeing your perseverance in the Word, in committing to the study blog here, in praying the Scripture and keeping a thankfulness journal….I do believe that God will come to you in your loneliness in 2016. 🙂
7. Read 2 Samuel 6:1-11……
You all have given such great answers to all parts of the questions on this passage. It was not until this morning that I knew I would have time to look at the cross references and actually spend a little time with the Old Testament passages about the Ark. I’m sort of “bundling” my answer, but my take aways from these passages are : 1. The Holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Our sinfulness is continually driving us to approach God – the HOLY ONE – with a cavalier attitude. This brings me to the gospel, where I learn at the cross that my sinfulness cannot be looked at as simply “my mistakes” or “my brokenness”. No, my sinfulness is the very pit of Hell bearing it’s fruits day by day in my life – in total and utter rebellion against God. 2. A Holy God determines the way to Himself. Just as Uzzah died, and we recognize that the foundations were all “man’s way” rather than “God’s way” in how the Ark was being transported, so we try to soften the very words of our Savior – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” Recently, the furor over a professor’s statements at Wheaton have brought this under the magnifying glass for the Christian community in our country. WHO is this God we worship? Is He the same God as Allah? Or any other “god”??? The Scriptures resound with our answer – Peter’s words in Acts 4:12….”And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” And of course he has just been speaking of Jesus Christ, the stone the builders have rejected. 🙁
So MUCH richness in looking at the Ark in the OT…..I couldn’t help but sing “Holy, Holy, Holy” this morning!
9. Some translations say “and tabernacled” among us. Why, do you think?I
Oh my goodness. I am simply overcome this morning as I look at the continuity of God’s presence with His people. What has moved my soul so greatly is to realize afresh how MUCH He longs to be WITH us!! In looking at the word “tabernacled” I was led to Revelation 21:3&4: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people , and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Our story begins in the Garden of Eden – Paradise because God was there, walking and talking with Adam and Eve. Our story as believers goes into Eternity in Heaven….and Heaven will be Heaven because God will dwell with us there!! In between…..our terrible sin and rebellion…..the Tabernacle in the OT a shadow of Christ……Christ come to us as Immanuel, God with us…..not leaving us as orphans, but giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell in our very beings….oh my. Christ’s bloody work of redemption securing our dwelling with our God forever and ever! “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?” What a wondrous, Spirit drenched hymn of celebration and humble awe Charles Wesley gave us. We “to death pursued” Christ…..and He, in His death bought us back. For God’s desire continually is to dwell with man. How can it be?
I love How Can It Be. So sad how far the Methodist church as a whole as drifted.
Oh I know Dee…..I remember when my parents were converted when I was about 10 years old. They had been VERY active in their little Methodist church….and it was so hard for them as they immediately began to see that “drift”….and soon we were a part of a little independent Bible church. 🙂
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you – and what implications are there for you?
Somewhat strangely, the passage that came to me immediately was Isaiah chapter 6. On the cusp of another new year, I find myself crying out “Here I am! Send me.” But before that…..”Woe is me! for I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”But then…..”Behold, this has touched your lips; you guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” !!!!!!!!!!!!! To be true to the context, the messsage Isaiah was sent to bring to the people was one of judgement……how thankful I am that the message of the gospel, though it must start with the reality of the lost condition of our souls, speaks to us LIFE. Our sins have been atoned for!! God’s LOVE for us, written in the blood of His Son, triumphs! Indeed,” Mercy triumphs over judgement! ” (James 2:13).
13. If you haven’t told us yet, what part or parts of the prayer challenge might you accept?
I am going to go for all of it! My emphasis will be upon praying Scripture and praying the Psalms in particular, however. I love to reflect on George Mueller’s habit of getting himself happy in the Lord each morning….and he found this place of happiness through reading/pondering/praying the Scriptures! Sometimes in the past when I heard this man’s name I would think”prayer warrior extraordinaire!”….and I would marvel at his great faith….and think of his prayers for the orphanages’ dire needs and the answers like a slot machine in the sky type of prayer life!! My way of looking at his prayer life was getting the cart before the horse – I believe that his morning habit of resting in the Scriptures and praying them, fueled his great faith! Also….Rosaria Butterfield has been an invaluable “friend” to me through her two books that I have read. In the first book she wrote, about the only part I did NOT like was her emphasis on Psalm singing! By the time I read her second book, I was hooked though! I went out and got a Psalter for singing the Psalms and this is proving to be an amazing opportunity for enrichment in my prayer life.
You really CAN teach old dogs new tricks! Walking with Jesus through life is truly an unparalleled adventure of learning and growing and experiencing newness of life with Christ! I’m anticipating this prayer challenge for 2016 being a part of this experience for us all!
HAPPY (as in George Mueller’s “happy in the Lord”!) New Year everyone!!!
11. What insight does Hebrews 9:1-12 give you concerning the superiority of Christ over the first covenant?
The first covenant had regulations…the high priest was the only one who could go into the Most Holy place where the presence of God was to offer sacrifices for sins and that was once a year..but men’s consciences were never clear before God. It had to be done over and over again and even then it wasn’t eternal. Men couldn’t approach Him..only the High Priest.
Jesus IS the High Priest and he didn’t enter by means of the blood of goats and calves but by His blood once and for all obtaining eternal redemption for us. We can freely enter into the Holy of Holies and have intimacy with God through the Blood of Jesus Christ-forever.
12. When Christ ascended He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the hearts of believers are God’s dwelling place! What does this mean to you — and what implications are there for you?
What does this mean to me..oh..I am humbled and filled with wonder and joy..Like Battestelli’s song says toward the end-You’re here!! “God with us” didn’t end upon His ascension-no..He sent His Holy Spirit to live in us. He is here in those of us who are His..One with us..tabernacling in us. I feel unworthy, yet SO glad…He is my life..I can’t live without Him.
The implications: well how can I not love others who He tabernacles inside-other believers..how can I not extend Grace, and sacrificial Love and honor? He is in me and as I abide in Him and He in me..He develops His fruit in me and His fragrance will overflow onto others. Even being led to repentance starts from Him convicting me and melting me. Another implication is to love those who don’t know Him..to pray for and love my enemies-and He via the Holy Spirit will empower me to.
Another implication is that my body is His Temple so I need to take care of it and I have-eating wise. I have totally changed my eating habits over the years and am at a very fit weight but I haven’t fit in exercise and I see how my body is breaking down as far as strength. Honoring Jesus in me motivates me to exercise.
OH and one last MOST important one: Another implication is the Holy Spirit illumines Scripture! I once was blind but now I can see!!
14. Let’s Try a Day of Ramping up Our Prayer Life
A. Is there anything from the study this week you could put into prayer? I’ll give an idea in red — then it is your turn.
Lord I agree with Dee’s idea..help me to remember each moment that my body is your Temple and to live each day accordingly. I need help to begin exercising..I need help to not long for food more than you..I need you to remind me that my selfishness toward those you have put around me doesn’t help them see You in me and desire you.. I need you to convict me when I forget and need you to melt me with your Word.
B. Meditate on Psalm 1 and turn it into a prayer.
Lord, I want to delight in your Word because therein is your blessing (the God-happiness George Mueller talks about as shared here.) I ask for strength and encouragement to meditate (“chew” slowly) on it day and night because You know how I can easily be distracted or tired. I desire to be fruitful for you, like a tree planted by the streams of water, whose leaf does not wither. And you are the Water of life. I thirst and ask for you. Let me not be like chaff but one who prospers under your watch care.
C. Give thanks for some of the gifts from God you are noticing today.
Warm home, the labor of my hands, family and friends, God’s Word, His presence, another day
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
My take away is the practice of gratitude and spending time in the Word. Both have given me energy despite my health struggles.
I thought I posted a very long answer to number 14 yesterday and have waited for it to show up, however, it hasn’t shown up yet so I will try again.
14. Let’s Try a Day of Ramping up Our Prayer Life
A. Is there anything from the study this week you could put into prayer? I’ll give an idea in red — then it is your turn.
Thank You God, for always being there with us. You were with the Israelites throughout time even though they messed up continually! It may not have been easy for them, it may have not been apparent to them, but you were there. When they worshipped idols, when they killed, when they complained, when they broke Your laws, You were there. Thank You for being here for me too. In times of struggle, in times of grief, in times when I forget You, when I break Your Commandments, when I don’t understand, thank You for being here for me. In Your Awesome, Holy Name. Amen.
It finally showed up! Oh well….two prayers isn’t bad, right?
Hi Laura — I had to approve — probably because you didn’t log on. That’s why the delay.
Looking forward to participating in the Bible study blog
So glad to have you Nancy C. from Ohio!