Weekend Comments and a little more on the subject...

Hey Everyone!

Hope all of you have someone sweet to celebrate

Valentine's Day with,

even if it's your favorite pooch or kitty!

The main thing to remember is that Our Heavenly Father

has promised us all His love and affection,

so if you are without "human" affection

 with a spouse or loved one,

just know you are not alone, God is there!

I walk around with guilt alot of the time, over one thing or something else. I try to be diligent and do everything "well". Just know that I feel bad by not responding to each of you like I had in the past.  Each and every comment from you is so very important. Not just for me, but for everyone else out there. So just because I'm not personally responding on the comment form, please know that I read and pray over each one of you, thanking God that you are there, reading and responding to His gentle nudges. Please don't ever think your comment is not important, because it is.

I have to admit, that posting every day has been a little of a challenge for me. I know that you all don't get a chance to read every post. If it were up to me, which it isn't, I'd be posting a few times a week and giving you time to digest what is being said. As I said, I am not in charge here, God is. I know this is an exercise in commitment and study, not just for me, but for some of you as well. I know there are people out there that are reading this that need a life line, just like I do. So for some of you that are here, but never comment, I want you to understand that God is doing this for you just a much as for those that leave a comment regularly. I'd love to hear from some of you. I'd love to have that personal connection with you.

For those of you that read my other blog, Common Ground, you may have read where I will be moving into a larger flea market shop space next month. I had gotten to the place that I was "neutral" in this matter. I could let it all go if God so desired. But He saw fit to bless me with a "desire of my heart" and that is to stay involved in this junk business that I love, just a little longer. This has been part of my time "consumer" as of late. I know alot of you "professional junkers" spend way way more time involved in this than I could at this time. I've been home alot this last year, and now God is moving me "out" a little more. Just wanted to share some personal "stuff" here.

I love you all so much. Last week I was really feeling down, and you helped me realize there is a bigger purpose in this than to just sit down and write for an hour or so. I think there is a book or two in me and God is training me to be disciplined in the area of writing.

OK, enough of me. This last post was a little hard for me to put out there, because I know a few of you are personally dealing with some trying issues. Please don't think I'm being trite and condescending to your very real and difficult situations. You all are in my prayers. I know God is working in your lives.

* I removed a comment that I had made concerning Smith Wigglesworth as I realized this was written before I "checked the facts". I had written something that I heard someone else speak about. Good lesson here. I need to verify something before I write about it. I apologize to all of you, I will be aware of this in the future and not make a statement unless I have better researched a biography.

love,

Debra

Weekend Comments

Wow, the weekend is here again. I hope you are getting into this book study. I know these may be some things that many of us know, but it's good to see Bible concepts taken apart and looked at separately. I've found that especially with Biblical truths, that even though I know them and believe them, sometimes it's hard to see how I made the journey.

I'm hoping this won't be boring to you. The Lord was insistent that this be taught. I know there are many out there that this will help just as much as it did me. If so, I encourage you to get the book.(Victory Over the Darkness, by Neil Anderson) I'm trying to follow closely along so I don't "miss" sharing anything important. Good Christian psychology will give you a firm footing in the Word of God and relating to God, and it will also shake loose some of the old baggage we've been carrying around.

As I said, this book may seem elementary, but when it all starts adding up, then things start coming together in our thinking.
In the past, I had always wanted control of the situation, wanted to "fix" people, and was stubborn on some of my belief system. Stubborn, and not in a good way. I thought I knew what was right, without letting God give me His opinion. These teachings really made me stop and think about what I was doing and thinking, and how I was approaching life.

You all have left some great comments. If I don't get back to everyone that leaves a comment I hope you'll understand. Even though I have studied this material many times, it's been at least 8 years since I've read the book. I'm spending at least 2 hours a day preparing for these posts. (I'm so not complaining, I love doing this!) So please know I need your feedback and just  love to know that you are here and reading. My dear friend Melanie, just leaves a little love note that tells me she's here. Each one of you bless me with your presence and thoughts. Please don't think it's not important. And the added benefit is that you all "round out" my posts with other important concepts and ideas. It all comes together so well!

If you have any comments from earlier posts, be sure to come back over here to leave them. I don't want anyone to miss out.  Remember, if you have any questions or thoughts don't be afraid to put them out there. I welcome your opinions and ideas.

All of us in the lower Midwest are getting hit with a big snowstorm. We missed the ice,(it went south of us) but have about 6-8 inches of snow and are expecting a few more inches. (I think the worst is over here, but the roads are tricky.)

Have a great weekend!

love,

Debra

Weekend Comments

Hi Everyone,

I hope you have had time to read and study along with us this week. We've been looking at scripture that speaks to us about God's "Nature"; His qualities and personality, and how that relates to our confidence in Him. Prayer is still the main focus, but we have to "know" God before we have "confidence" in Him. Then our confidence in God translates into "effective prayer".

Version: NAS

James 5:13-16

13. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. 14. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15. and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Remember, if you haven't read or have missed out on any of the daily posts, please comment here on the weekend comments. That way everyone else will get an opportunity to read and share.

I have a little more in this study on prayer, but I'm letting God lead me on what He would like us to discuss next. I've mentioned it before, but if anyone has questions or topics that you are interested in please let me know. I'll be open to see where they might lead. I want to keep this Bible Study relevant, and I know God can surely do it.

I'll be checking back in throughout the weekend. Have a great one!

love,

Debra

Weekend Comments

Hi Everyone, I'm posting for the weekend comments. Remember, if you haven't had a chance to read this week's daily posts and want to leave a comment, then just come back over here to this post and leave your comment here. That way everyone will have an opportunity to read and share.

This has been a good week for me to be able to re-study the material on prayer. No matter how basic things are, the scripture is so good that it bears repeating for me, and hopefully you've enjoyed "my take" on the basic foundations of prayer. I think there are a few more posts on this subject of effective prayer.

If I don't get a chance to comment on each of your comments, please forgive me. I'm not ignoring you. I read each comment and so appreciate the time you take to leave them.

Brenda left a comment that I didn't get a chance to address, and that was on rebuking the enemy when I was trying to pray in the past and I was being bombarded with condemning and painful thoughts. She was "right on" and a subject I hope we can discuss soon; Spiritual Warfare. Something not everyone is always familiar with, but so needed.

If anything else is on your mind, or if you have questions concerning anything I have written feel free to ask. I'll try to answer and explain. Also, if there is subject matter you'd like to discuss, let me know.

Hope you're off to a good weekend. I'll be checking back throughout these next couple of days.

Enjoy your Saturday and Sunday!

Debra

"Weekend Update"

I've been praying and thinking about posting here on the Bible Study for the weekends. I have to admit that this has really kept me "hoppin'" this week. Posting everyday has been amazing for me. I made a commitment to God that I would post every day, as that is in my heart to do so.

I also know that there has been a lot to "chew" on this week, as I hope there will be EVERY week. So what I will do is to put out a post for every Saturday and Sunday so everyone can have time to "catch up". That way if you haven't had a chance to read or comment and you'd like to do so, I will have a place for you to do that. 

If you leave a comment about any of the daily posts, just reference which one it is, then click to come back to the current weekend one. There are some wonderful comments pertaining to previous posts and I don't want you to miss ANY of them.

SO, Saturdays and Sundays, just leave a  comment on the "Weekend Comments" Saturday post, as it will be up until Monday morning. Sound good?

Thank you everyone for sticking with me. It's sort of been a "whirlwind" for me this last week, but a really good one. For every "aha" moment I've had and at times feeling like I really need to do better, it has been a joy to share with you, what God is sharing with me.

Hugs and Blessings,

See you Monday morning!

Debra