Faith Archives - Page 65 of 135

Friday Fave: Kelly Minter Study

We recently finished up our community Bible study, Nehemiah…A Heart That Can Break, by Kelly Minter.

Obviously when a group studies a particular book in the Bible one can’t go wrong. Every word is profitable. Not one returns void. Each syllable, exhaled by our living and active God.

Each Bible study author, however, has their own way of bringing to light what God lays on their heart via thought provoking questions and insights shared in their unique voice. And it’s Kelly Minter’s voice/style that our group especially enjoyed.

Favorite excerpts:

Sometimes the most accomplished people aren’t the ones with the most ability but with the most breakable hearts.

If we view our sin as a minor infringement we will view God’s forgiveness with equal mediocrity. We can’t appreciate the great cost of forgiveness if we think our sin barely needed it in the first place.

Even well-meaning people can unintentionally draw us away from God’s will in our lives.

We expect enemies to wound us, but wounds from a relative or loved one inflict hurt inside the private property lines of our souls.

This single focus of Nehemiah simultaneously convicts and inspires me as I consider the ways I am so easily drawn away from what God has put in my heart to do.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Nehemiah’s enemies unleashed threats, lies, and an onslaught of intimidation when he and his people were just inches from the finish line.

How easily I can put the ministry of people above the people themselves. The subtle temptation to exalt the “wall” of study, returning e-mails, planning events, and even putting together a meal for a Bible study over actual people is the most counterproductive traps we can slide into.

Is it any wonder why we’re already planning to go with another Kelly Minter study later this year? Hint: Esther.

Who are some other Bible study authors you would suggest we (and other groups) give a try?

True Marks of A Disciple

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 8 comments

Sunday Snippets from Mark 8

Our discipleship in Jesus Christ is essential to others coming to know Jesus.

There is nothing passive about being a disciple of Jesus.

Discipleship isn’t about taking a class. The cost of following Jesus: Your life. The reward of following Jesus: True life.

Verses 34-38, Jesus says:

Deny yourself. Do we believe our issues are more important than others? Do we deny ourselves anything for the glory of God or do we bow to the god of self-centeredness?

Take up your cross. Jesus asks Are you willing to say you’re with Me? It’s in My death that you’ll find true life.

Follow Me. Keep following me…daily. If you want to follow Me, your life will be about investing in the lives of others. Is the beauty of what God has done for you in Jesus leading you to lead a life less self-centered?

The above snippets come nowhere close to doing Jason Malone’s sermon justice but is there one particular snippet that resonates with you this Monday morning?

To listen to Sunday’s sermon (3/10) in its entirety, please visit Summit online.

When Inspiration Wanes

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 5 comments

– image courtesy of 9Words

Nothing and no one inspires like the living active Word of God so it can’t help but lead the way!

God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Eph 3:20, The Message).

*****

Why write? Because you’re alive and breathing and the natural world is a miraculous place that needs to be loved and celebrated and remembered. You do this by paying attention and writing down what you see and hear and smell and touch and taste. Sometimes it’s that simple. -Mark Doty

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I think back over the past weeks and the many excuses I’ve made to shortchange my quiet time with the Lord. It’s no wonder my writing is not bearing fruit. I have been trying to do it in my strength instead of His. -Marlene Bagnull, Write His Answer

*****

I am learning to see loneliness as a seed that, when planted deep enough, can grow into writing that goes back out into the world. -Kathleen Norris, A Year of Writing Dangerously

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I have spent a good many years since — too many, I think — being ashamed
about what I write. I think I was forty before I realized that almost
every writer of fiction or poetry who has ever published a line has been
accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write
(or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to
make you feel lousy about it, that’s all.
-Stephen King, On Writing

Friday Fave: Dr. Seuss

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 4 comments

In honor of Dr. Suess’ birthday tomorrow, I’d like to share one of our favorite local finds, Your Favorite Suess, by Random House.

Thanks to Mr. K’s Used Books we recently snatched up this sweet find for less than $10.00. It’s a book we look forward to reading to our grandchildren for years to come.

What’s your favorite Dr. Suess story?