Life With Jules, and other stuff

The past few Sundays, we've been learning about being a disciple of Christ.Well, really we learn something about this EVERY Sunday, lol. Anyway, this past Sunday, a few things stood out to me that I wanted to expand on here as a word study. To begin, the definition of "disciple", according to Merriam-Webster is one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as Christianity: one of the 12 in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts, or a convinced adherent of a school or individual (i.e. disciple of Freud). Dictionary.com defines it as this: (1) Religion (one of the 12 personal followers of Christ; one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ; any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime); (2) any follower of Christ; (3) a member of the Disciples of Christ; (4) a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower . So pretty much, these two definitions seem to match...

Have you ever contemplated what, in your life, God has revealed to you? It could be something about your life, and important event, or just an "A-ha" moment. As I read through this book, I have been trying to think back on my life to recall any moments where God revealed something important to me. It's been a difficult task to say the least. Chapter 2 centers around experiences through relationships or friendships. One of the questions posed at the end is "Can you identify just one person from your past with whom you enjoyed a strong friendship and in whose presence you felt spiritually enriched?" Well, I can answer with an emphatic YES! Part of this exercise is to reach out to that person(s), which I did several months ago. While that friendship may have since fizzed out, it did leave an impression on me. One of the best parts of that friendship is we were always able to talk about anything related to religion, Christianity, spirituality, and God. I will miss...

Well, Hobby Lobby officially opened in our little town this weekend and I went there on Saturday. My intention was to browse around and price some things but I wound up purchasing something. Now, I didn't spend a whole lot of money as I don't really have the extra right now, but I couldn't pass up my favorite Chapter in the Bible: I have also put quite a bit of time into "The Gardeners". Here is where I left off last night: Lana, over at A Joyful Stitcher , and I are going to pick up our "Coming Home for the Holidays" SAL again beginning on Jan 18th. We will be stitching on it 1 Saturday each month as a way to encourage and motivate one another to finish. If you are stitching this and would like to join us, just send me a quick note (frggygrl@aol.com). Another thing she asked is if I would be interested in doing a Bible Study together. So, in addition to the Ladies' Group I am involved with at church and my own personal study time (i.e....

I have often wondered, especially when reading in the Bible such things as The Parable of the Talents ( Matthew 25:14-30 ), what are my spiritual gifts? We started a brief study on this topics in Bible Study last week and this morning I have a better understanding of mine and that the answer to the above questions is this: I have always known. So, you may be wondering what my spiritual gifts are. Even if you're not, that's alright. I am still going to share. Knowledge  Teaching  Mercy Like I said earlier, I think I have always known my gifts. I even recently discovered that I do use these gifts in some capacity in my job. I never really thought about it in that sense. Maybe these gifts I have been given by God are the reason I feel so compelled to learn all the time. I am a scholar, afterall!  

Continuing in my journey through Proverbs, I have completed chapters 5-7. The primary message is a warning against sin; and especially adultery. This one really hits close to home for me on a couple of different levels, neither of which I will get into here. Keeping in the theme of wisdom, the speaker (I am thinking it's Solomon) is warning his son to stay away from promiscuity. And to not share his "water" with the public. This meaning his wife with another man or men. In my NIV Study Bible, the notes to Proverbs 5:15 says "Let your own wife be your source of pleasure, as water refreshes a thirsty man." I really like the notes that coincide with the verses as they can give a better understanding. He goes on to state that a man who falls into the trap of an adulteress entraps himself. He really has no one to blame but himself for not heeding to the knowledge imparted on him. God made the Commandments very clear "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and ...

OK, you may be wondering what the title means. That's alright! I am too, lol. Seriously though, I have been frustrated to the point of near exhaustion, yet have somehow remained joyful at the same time. I can't explain it. Maybe it's God working His way through me. I'm finding myself laughing a little more lately and that's a good thing. It sure beats the alternative. I still have moments, but I am learning how to deal with them and move on. I have so many dreams, so many things I would love to do. I've had quite a few setbacks through the recent 10 years that I often wonder if any of my dreams will come to fruition. I know God has a purpose for me. Yes, I get rather impatient waiting on Him. But all I can do is wait. He is in control. He is in more control now than He was even as few as 2 years ago. I've missed a couple of days in my reading of Proverbs, yet somehow I find that's alright. It's reflecting on what I have already read. It's pi...

Wisdom is a funny thing. We all strive for it, but do we really understand what it means? According to Merriam Webster: WISDOM 1 a : accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge b : ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight c : good sense : judgment d : generally accepted belief;  2 : a wise attitude, belief, or course of action;  3 : the teachings of the ancient wise men. Again, Proverbs discusses wisdom quite a bit throughout the book. In my opinion, after reading chapters 1-4, wisdom is not just what Merriam Webster defines it to be but something that comes from within - especially when placed upon your heart by God. Wisdom is the MOST precious thing one can find gain.  In fact, GOD instructs us to seek wisdom... ...and to hold onto it tightly! So, looking back at the definition I included in this post, what is wisdom? It is not just learning, life experience, an understanding, something that is taught to u...

During Bible Study conversation this past Sunday, it was brought up about a challenge someone did on reading the book of Proverbs. The idea is to read a chapter each day and repeat each month over the course of the year. Of course, some months will have a day or so with doubled up reading, but it seems doable! The purpose is to see what is learned or derived from our reading that we didn't necessarily "see" before when reading Proverbs. So, I accepted that challenge for myself and my own understanding of the Proverbs. Even though I have read the book several times during my life, most recently earlier this year... ...I started tonight. For the most part, it seems that the Proverbs primarily discuss the topics of wisdom and knowledge. More closely, it's our acceptance of wisdom and knowledge. Closer still, the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. We grow up learning that the Lord is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. The words contained within the Bible are THE word ...

We finished Bathsheba last week in Bible Study and began Mary this week. I am excited this is coming to a conclusion, but also a little bummed. I am not sure what will be next. I just hope we can keep this little group going for some time. As we have only just begun Mary this morning, I haven't much to tell or reflect on yet. I mean, I have read the stories in the Bible many times and feel comfortable enough to know that Mary was a strong and courageous woman of faith. Everything she had to endure, from the virgin birth to the death of her son on the cross. This can only be symbolic of strength and courage, undying faith and devotion, and most of all GRACE. As I have said before, going through these novellas, reading about each of these women, has given me some perspective of my own life. The happy times and the hardships I have faced. The triumphs and the disappointments. The serenity and even the confusion. I am learning a lot about myself and the kind of woman that I not only ne...

I have gotten through almost 2 chapters in the Bible Study on Bathsheba and am finding myself in her the deeper I get into this novella. Her deep and long-lasting love for David resonates. At this point, having read about three grace-filled women from the Bible, I can truly come to the conclusion that I am blessed. I am a mixture of these women for sure. I'll touch on that more at a later time. I have loved deeply and still love deeply. There is only one man for me and only God Himself knows who that man is for certain. The man that I truly love, deeply love, is the man I want to spend my life with. I only hope that my desires mesh with God's plans. Sometimes I see things coming together. Other times I have to remind myself that God IS in control. I cannot have control over my life anymore. I have to let HIM lead me. Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and  he lay with her, for she was  cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. ...

We are starting Bathsheba in Bible study this week. I don't have much to say about her yet, but I am sure I will once I complete the reading. I spent last week in Denver for work. I will have to go back a couple more times. Different classes that are required through National Veterans Training Institute of UC -Denver. I enjoyed my time there and got to meet some nice/interesting people. Here are some pics I took on my trip: Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast Might Mississippi Windmill energy in either W Kansas or E Colorado Beautiful smelling trees outside DoubleTree Hotel in Denver The Rockies as viewed from Northfield Mall Jet heading west while mine headed east Wing shot Taking off into the sunset in Nashville Sunset over Nashville Coming into Tampa area I didn't really get to site see too much while in Denver this time. I decided I will rent a car on the next trip when I am there so that I can head for the mountains!

The past couple weeks have been spent on Ruth in Bible Study. I am finding it difficult to finish the novella as I am deeply identifying with Naomi, Ruth and Orpah right now. Naomi and her daughters-in-law all lost their husbands. A little background is needed to better understand… 1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ~ Rut...

Have you ever read the story of Rahab in the Bible? It’s an interesting story and very telling of the faith one woman had in a God not of her people. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token,...

Have you ever felt like someone didn’t have your best interests at heart? Wondered if there was another way you could make that person do the right thing? Did you ever want to take matters into your own hands and felt like you couldn’t? If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Tamar felt this way when she was sent back to her family after the death of Onan. Heck, she felt this way before she ever married Er, the first son. In the society she lived, Tamar like all women was considered a 2nd-class citizen at best. She didn’t have any rights; well, maybe some inheritance rights if her husband preceded her in death and then it was only if there were heirs. So, when she was sent back to her father’s house and not married off to Shelah she patiently waited on Judah, and God, to do the right thing by her. When several years had passed and still nothing happened, she took matters into her own hands.   Imagine this scenario: you are promised to a man by his father. You wait a...