tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367815552024-03-08T10:40:24.790+10:30'A Faithful Woman' Book ClubJoin our Christian Womens Book Club. This is a place for woman who would like to meet other christian women and encourage each other to read good christian literature. Our book club meets once a fortnight.
Notes will be published fortnightly on Friday. We'd love you to read along and comment on discussions.
If you would like to join please send an email to <b>faithfulwoman@splitpants.com.au</b>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-12681509997485770102010-12-10T11:56:00.000+10:302010-12-10T11:56:07.659+10:30DGW - Chapter 10-11 - Marriage and Singlness<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody">Hi all<br />
<br />
Just some notes from our last discussion regarding Chapters 11 and 12.<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 11 - the Discipline of Singleness</b><br />
We noted that you do not often get the message these days that it is better to be single. We certainly are easily "indoctrinated" by our culture, as Barbara states on pg 133 "indoctrinated by our relationship and sex-worshiping culture". <br />
It was also interesting to note how Barbara talks about being content with where you are in life - with the place, whether single or married, that God has placed you. p 134. She goes on to say that "singleness is not always a permanent state" p 135, and we noted with this, that marriage is not always a permanent state either. That at some point many married people will again be single with the death of their partner. So, again, how important it is to be content and serving God whichever state we are in.<br />
A big part of our discussion centred on bringing up our children, and particularly little girls to not be too focused on marriage/romance. This included the idea of training them to be good single people, and not just good married people (in the sense that they need to have the skills to look after themselves and learn to be able to occupy themselves for the Lord, whilst unmarried).<br />
<b><br />
Chapter 12 - the Discipline of Marriage</b><br />
We were struck by the story Barbara shares of her own parents and their marriage. It certainly isn't the typical picture of a successful and delightful marriage, but it is so lovely to see that simple picture of a wife sticking by her husband (as that is what she is called to do) and much blessing being passed on to the family as a result, pg 142-144.<br />
We also discussed the importance of traditional vows (as opposed to homemade vows, p 145) because they are reflective of the Bibles' teaching about husbands and wives. <br />
A lot of our discussion also focussed on our culture in this chapter - we discussed how our culture has such a minimal and poor view of marriage, ie. they want divorce to be easy, they want homosexual marriage to take place. We also realised how central true and proper marriage is to a good and godly society. In basic family units, how important it is that men and women play out their roles in marriage according to God's laws and directions.<br />
The woman's role of submission is addressed by Barbara on pg 147-148. It is counter cultural to understand that this role is not demeaning. Society wants to tell us that being in submission is demeaning for women. <br />
The other role of helper is discussed on pg 150-152, and we learnt that as a helper, we must encourage our husbands. <br />
pg 153-154 speaks about the importance of respecting your husband. We discussed that when we don't respect our husbands in marriage it can spill out into so many other areas. Respect is a very important part of our role and we must seek to maintain it, even if we don't feel like giving it "It's respect that is given because it's the Lord who requires that respect be given". <br />
Finally, Barbara's goal as a wife stirred us all, and inspires us to also seek such a goal as wives with our husbands. "One day I want to hear God say to Kent, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." As Kent's helper in this life, those words will be my joy" (pg 158)<br />
<br />
Next week we will cover Ch 13 in our last Book Club for the year. =)<br />
<br />
by Mary Wall</span></h6>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-77122264479775218162010-11-18T11:26:00.001+10:302010-11-18T11:27:22.811+10:30DGW - Chapter 10, The Church<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Church Ch 10</b><br />
<br />
This chapter really reminded us of how important the body of Christ is, and<br />
how interconnected we are. If one of us suffers spiritually or physically,<br />
it does affect the rest. We truly all have a part to play and no matter how<br />
small it may seem, we are a network, a body, a family for the Lord. <br />
It also struck us that being part of the church is a commitment. We should<br />
commit not just to attending church for a certain time on a Sunday, but<br />
should make and invest time into fellowship (and quality fellowship) with<br />
one another. <br />
<br />
How wonderful that we are family, children of God and will be a family<br />
together for eternity. <br />
<br />
We felt Barbara's section on a woman's role in the church (pg 126-129) was a<br />
good summary and stated what the Bible does say as well as what it does not<br />
say <i>"What is prohibited is preaching, such as is enjoined in Paul's charge<br />
to Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;<br />
correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction"<br />
(2 Tim 4:2) "</i> (p 127)<br />
<br />
How did you feel about this chapter? We'd love to hear your view...</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" style="font-size: small;"> Thanks again Mary!!!.... </span></h6>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-85732489940329405702010-11-18T11:25:00.001+10:302010-11-18T11:28:21.653+10:30DGW - Chapter 9, Persaverance<span class="messageBody">Hi Girls... I was unable to attend the last few book club meetings, but Mary has kindly put together these points of discussion:<br />
<br />
Thanks Mary!<br />
<br />
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter... here's ours:<br />
<br />
<b> Discipline of Perseverance Ch 9</b><br />
<br />
We discussed how perseverance is a decision that we make. Pg 103 - the<br />
pastor and his wife described in the sad story about their children dying,<br />
show this clearly. In that situation they could have sunk under what God had<br />
delivered to them, or they could trust God through it, though it was so very<br />
hard.<br />
<br />
We also discussed TRUST - how we can put our trust in God in hard times, not<br />
that WE will persevere in and of ourselves, but that we trust God provides<br />
all we need to persevere, and that He Himself will keep us.<br />
<br />
One observation on perseverance that was mentioned was how God prepares us for the BIG things we will face in our lives by teaching us to persevere in<br />
the little things day by day. <br />
<br />
Sometimes it can be harder to persevere in the little things (especially<br />
when we seek to do them in our own strength). Often it is in the big things<br />
that come into our lives that we draw closest to, and rely on God fully,<br />
because it shows us clearly our reliance and dependence on Him to get<br />
through. <br />
<br />
We found it an encouragement on p 106 that Christ prays for us, and this can<br />
comfort us to persevere. <br />
<br />
Pg 106 - the description of Nancy's <i>"5 years in the sifter"</i> shows that<br />
trials can be ongoing and there may be no end in sight and sometimes we may not feel like God is with us through them, but we must 'hang in there'.<br />
<i>"give thanks in all things" "rejoice in the Lord always" </i>- reminds us how<br />
our attitudes to trials can be a wonderful means of witnessing to God's<br />
goodness in hard times.<br />
<br />
We discussed how perseverance means knowing you are completely submitted and at rest in God's circumstances He has placed in our life. We do not persevere in the hope that things will change, but persevere through the trials because it is the way God moulds us and causes us to grow in grace.<br />
Spiritually we will grow, though physically at times, we may continue to<br />
suffer.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody">Thank you Mary!... </span>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-52795268076870001012010-10-20T11:34:00.001+10:302010-10-20T11:36:22.046+10:30DGW - Chapter 7 and 8, Contentment and Propriety<b></b><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Last night we met to discuss chapters 7 (Contentment) and Chapter 8 (Propriety). We'd love to hear what you learned from these chapters.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Here are some of the points we discussed:</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">CONTENTMENT</span><br />
</b><i style="font-weight: normal;">Why must godly contentment be independent of circumstances and conditions?</i></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">We recognised that are human hearts can never be satisfied by worldly goods and material things, yet that is what man kind is constantly trying to do. We fill up our life with material things and relationships in an effort to achieve contentment. Forever seeking and never finding... which is the exact opposite of the gospel " </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Luke 11:4-14 If we seek the Lord we will find him.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b><i style="font-weight: normal;">"We were made to know God! the knowledge of God is where satisfaction and pleasure are found. Here's a wise word: "Laughter and gladness are where joy, contentment and gratitude overflow. But in an odd turn, these things proceed from an understanding of the truths of man's utter depravity and the salvation of the Lord." Contentment is found in the knowledge of God!"</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> Page 84</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">If contentment was born out of the abundance of our circumstances and conditions, then we all should be the most contented people of all time, as we have much more and better living conditions than any people in history. But the fact is depression, Anxiety, Sadness, dissatisfaction and discontent are everywhere. Why? How can we know God? ... Study Gods word...</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">PROPRIETY</span></b><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">WORDS: We also enjoyed the anecdote from John Wesley's life:</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">'"Once while John Wesley was preaching, he noticed a woman in the audience who was known for critical attitude. All through the service she sat and stared at his new tie. When the meeting ended, she came up to him and said very sharply, "Mr. Wesley, the strings on your tie are much too long. It's an offense to me!" He asked if any of the women present happened to have a pair of scissors in their purses. When the scissors were handed to him, he gave them to his critic and asked her to trim the streamers to her liking.</span><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><span style="font-weight: normal;">After she clipped them off near the collar, he said, "are you sure they're all right now?"</span><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Yes that's much better."</span><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Then let me have those shears a moment," said Wesley. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I also gave you a bit of correction. I must tell you, madam, that your tongue is an offense to me – it's too long! Please stick it out... I'd like to take some off." '</span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">DRESS: It was encouraging to read that we should dress in a way that is feminine as well as appropriate and modest. It is apropriate to dress like women and celebrate our differences. <i>"The Word of God addresses what women wear precisely because it values girls. Celebrating gender differences highlights a woman's value. Modesty is intrinsically elevating."</i> But modesty doesn't mean that we...<i>"react to the pressure by donning oversized, baggy, mannish clothing ... "</i> page 92 and 93</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><i><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"><i>"Does your apparel reflect your desire for modesty and appropriate femininity? Does your outward appearance reflect your 'new life' as a believer?"</i> Page 102</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">We noted that we find it difficult to find clothing for our girls in the shops that are modest and appropriate... A business idea to create a girls fashion range that is age appropriate, modest and femanine?</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">ATTITUDE </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br style="font-weight: normal;" /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"><i>"Because pride is so close to our hearts, it's especially difficult to discern this attitude. How does spending time with God help you see your self with appropriate humility? Would you consider your attitude before God one of "reverent submission"? </i>page 102</span></h6>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-84360144096327406862010-09-23T12:42:00.000+09:302010-09-23T12:42:26.331+09:30DGW - Chapter 5: Discipline of Worship<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because of the Way Barbara has structured her book, I thought it might be a good idea to use her 'RENEW YOUR MIND' section to frame the discussion.<br />
<br />
Discussion points: Page 63<br />
<br />
Explain why it is possible to feel worshipful and not truly be worshiping?<br />
<br />
How is our obedience an act of worship? See 1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 12:1<br />
<br />
What does it mean to worship God "in spirit and in truth"? See John 4:21-24; 17:17<br />
<br />
How can you worship Chris in all of life? See Romans 12:1-2.<br />
<br />
Understanding that worship must be Christ-centered (since He is at once our sacrifice, priest, and temple), how should we conduct our prayers, singing, and preaching?<br />
<br />
What could you (and your family) do to be spiritually prepared for Sunday morning worship? Make a list, share it with your husband and children, and work together at implementing you plan.<br />
<br />
We'd love to hear any other thoughts you have about this chapter...</span></h6>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-85096301444238349432010-09-23T12:41:00.000+09:302010-09-23T12:41:14.141+09:30Disciplines of a Godly Woman<span style="font-size: small;"></span><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">HI girrls. <br />
<br />
Well my posting is a little bit behind! I think this book about 'discipline' will be helpful...</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
We are currently reading 'Disciplines of a Godly Woman' by Barbara Hughes.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
<i>' For many of us, the word alone evokes dread. It's not that we dont want to be disciplined physically, mentally, and spiritually. The challenge seems too hard, and the motivation more about duty than desire. When it comes to our Christian walk, we don't want to be legalistic and just follow some set of rules. That's not what it's all about, right?<br />
<br />
Barbara Hughes answers with this encouraging reality: The true heart of spiritual discipline is a relationship with God. As you grow in that relationship, embracing your heavenly Father and his ways, you discover that discipline is your lifeline to Him. It is how He gives meaningful shape to all the days of your life.<br />
<br />
The "dread" of a disciplined life will be replaced with desire and anticipation as you find that there is no greater purpose than loving Him in every moment, every activity, and every thoughts. Using poignant stories and faithful reminders, Barbara opens her own heart to help you find the joy of full surrender. Her honest and encouraging look at the Word of God reveals the keys to living a truly godly life. And to strengthen your walk day to day, she offers hymns and praise psalms for your devotional times, a long list of recommended books that will lift your spirits, and Bible study helps to remind you that you're not alone.' </i></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
If your reading along with us, please feel free to share your thoughts with us all. </span> </h6>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-25437255218914659482009-09-30T22:19:00.001+09:302009-09-30T22:22:59.534+09:30Respectable Sins: Chapters 7 & 8<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>576</o:Words> <o:characters>3286</o:Characters> <o:lines>27</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4035</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1282</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:0 5 2 1 2 1 8 4 8 7; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 256 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.0pt 842.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US">We almost had a full house this week for bookclub. It was nice. :)</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Here’s a snippet of our discussion:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">UNGODLINESS:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">
<br /><span style=""> </span>How do you live each day? Do you live like God really exists? Of course you’d never so that you live like He doesn’t. But this chapter was quite confronting about the very fact that we really do live like he’s not a part of the little details. We have our devotions in the morning and then get on with life, and forget about Him for the rest of the day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">How ungodly are you? Quite a confronting question but as Jerry puts it… <i>“If you followed my reasoning this far, you can see that no Christian is totally godly, and to the extent we are not, there is still some degree of ungodliness in us. The question we should honestly and humbly ask is, How ungodly am I? How much of my life do I live without any regard for God? How much of my daily activities do I go through without any reference to God? </i></span><span lang="EN-US">Page 58</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Do you live ALL of life as if God is relevant or irrelevant?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It reminded us of a discussion we had whilst reading ‘Loving God with All Your Mind’ by Elizabeth George. She encourages us to get into the habit of using the down times, when our mind is often not engaged, ie. Doing dishes and mundane tasks, to train our minds. To think on Him. She suggests some practical things like, memorizing scripture whilst you do the dishes, or vacuuming. While walking or driving. Fill your mind with the Word of God.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As we discussed Gods Moral Will that we live lives that please God, we recognized that in many ways we are God’s representatives to the world. Do we live our lives as advertisements for Christ? When people see the way we live, behave, act and interact, is God glorified, or are we just like them. Do they see any in us? We should treat every meeting with others as ‘divine appointments’ and make every interaction with others as positive as it can be. We should seek to be and influence for good.<span style=""> </span>We never know what’s going on in the lives of people around us. They may be having a terrible time, and even that smile, or encouraging word, may be an opportunity to bless them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">ANXIETY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Who else found this a challenging chapter? Had you ever truly acknowledged that your anxiety and worry was sin? In our worrying we are displaying our lack of Trust in God. When Paul says in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything”….
<br /><i>‘ “Don’t be anxious,” it has the force of a moral command. In other words, it is the moral will of God that we not be anxious. Or to say it more explicitly, anxiety is sin.’</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 64</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sometimes our first reaction is fear and anxiety, and its often involuntary. We didn’t feel that this was necessarily wrong but that we should then step back and remember the Lord is in control, rather than indulge it. We must not let our emotions control us.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We loved the anecdote about Gods Agenda versus our on page 65<i>.<span style=""> </span>“Anxiety is a sin also because it is a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in our lives”</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> page 64. As reformed people, we own the belief that God is Sovereign and in control of every detail of our lives. But do we really live like we believe it? Do we accept that when things don’t go according to our plans, that it is because God has a different plan? Even the little plans? Even the printer not working? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I pray that God would help us to see these little trials and frustrations as opportunities to grow in godliness rather than hurdles and obstacles. <i>“Some believers have difficulty accepting the fact that God does in fact orchestrate all events and circumstances, and even those of us who do believe it often lose sight of this glorious truth. Instead we tend to focus on the immediate causes of our anxiety rather than remember that those immediate causes are under the sovereign control of God.”</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 65</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Well there is so much more to be said… but I think my post is long enough.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Share with us your thoughts on these chapters… we’re anxious to hear your thoughts!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. I've also started a face book page for the book club, as some of you were having difficulty getting online to post comments, so if you want to follow along on facebook, follow this </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=10662&uid=267641135388#/pages/A-Faithful-Woman-Book-Club/267641135388?ref=nf">link</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> to the page. those of you who would like to do this but are not on facebook yet, let me know and I'll send you a facebook invitation.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-79253723506732519852009-09-21T21:41:00.001+09:302009-09-21T21:43:35.295+09:30Respectable Sins: 4,5,6Hi Girls<br /><br />Well, I’m running late on this post… sorry. Thought I’d better post it before we discuss the next chapters tomorrow!<br /><br />We did meet to discuss Chapters 4, 5, & 6. And here are a few of the thoughts we discussed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Preach the Gospel to yourself every day: </span>We were reminded once again, how important it is to preach the gospel to ourselves every day. In doing so we recognize how sinful we are, and appreciate and love his great Mercy all the more. But it also helps us to refocus on the Lord, and remember that His work is accomplished, That Christ has the victory and we will overcome. It helps us put all our trust in Him as we try to put to death sin in us. Through Christ’s work we are freed from its Guilt and its power <span style="font-style: italic;">“… Christ, in His work for us and in us, saves us not only from the penalty of sin but also from its dominion or reigning power in our lives. This twofold aspect of Chris’s great work is beautifully captured in Augustus Toplady’s great hymn “Rock of Ages,” with the words, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Let the water and the blood, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From the riven side which flowed, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Be of sin the double cure, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cleanse me from its guilt and power. </span><br />Page 33<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Stepping forward to accept my place as a sinner in need of the gospel each day drives a dagger into my self-righteous heart and prepares me to face up to and accept the reality of the sin that still dwells within me.” </span>Page 34<br /><br />I think its so useful in fact, to Preach the Gospel to yourself daily, that I decided to put it into the monthly planner this year to help us do just that.<br /><br />Will you preach the gospel to yourself every day?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Work of the Holy Spirit: </span>What an encouragement it is to know that the Holy Spirit works in us to change us. That He transforms us. <span style="font-style: italic;">“… That is, Paul urges us to work in the confidence that God is at work in us. Though Paul refers to God, presumable God the Father, as the One at work, we have already seen that God works through the Holy Spirit as the transforming agent in our lives.’</span> Page 43<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beauty of Trials</span>: Can trials be beautiful? Can we look at our trials and see and opportunity to put to death certain sins? Do we recognize that often our trials give us great blessings through the lessons God teaches us. They cause us to truly trust in the Lord, and to sense our great dependency on Him.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“… It is obvious that we can deal with the activity of our subtle sins only as the circumstances we encounter expose them.”</span> Page 44<br /><br />What are trials? Are the always the big things? Circumstances that bring us to tears? Or do we face little trials every day? We should accept even the little daily trials as opportunity to put to death sin? We should focus on our sins, and concentrate on putting them to death when opportunity to sin arises? And, Not only Not committing certain sin in each trial, but actively practicing the fruits of the spirit in our daily response to our circumstances.Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-90027007107533739102009-09-01T22:24:00.002+09:302009-09-01T22:31:23.196+09:30Respectable Sins: 1,2,3Well, Tuesday we got together again to discussed the first 3 chapters of Respectable sins. Here’s snippet of what we discussed:<p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-US">The terribleness of sin and the depth of Gods Grace: </span><span lang="EN-US">How did you feel reading it? Most of us felt it was depressing to be reminded just how sinful we are and how terrible sin really is. It feels like we fight against those ‘acceptable sins’ all the time…. The cold hard truth. You can’t dress it up!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It definitely catches us up short when we realize that we do all at some time display <span style="font-style: italic;">‘conduct unbecoming a saint’</span> as he discussed on page 15.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i>“Conduct unbecoming an officer” that expression covered anything from minor offenses resulting in a reprimand to major ones requiring a court martial… it was a statement that the conduct was inconsistent with that expected of a military officer. The officer so described had failed to live up to his responsibility to act as an officer should act. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span style=""> </span>Perhaps we might do well to adopt a similar expression for believers: “conduct unbecoming a saint” Such an expression would pull us up short, wouldn’t it? When we gossip, become impatient or get angry, we could remind ourselves that our conduct is unbecoming a saint. We are in principle, if not in degree, acting like the Corinthians. We are living inconsistently with our calling.’</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 15-16</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i>‘Sin is sin… It is unbecoming a saint.’</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 16</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Is our conduct inconsistent with that expected of a Christian? …Sadly I think we all know the answer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But it is also beautiful in that in being shown the depth of our depravity, The horribleness and malignancy of Sin, we are truly reminded of the depth of Gods Grace and how amazing it truly is.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">How can anyone truly understand the Gospel, without first understanding how terrible sin is. If sin is not that terrible, then we don’t really need a saviour.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>The watering down of words: </b></span><span lang="EN-US">We found the statements about the watering down of the language of sin to be very true. Jerry concluded that… <i>‘the whole idea of sin has virtually disappeared from our culture’</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> page 18. How true this is.<span style=""> </span>Once upon a time the names for sin sounded terrible and everyone new it was sin, but today we interchange the words, so they no longer have the negative connotations, and even sometimes seem positive.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Adultery has become ‘an affair’, Fornication has become ‘sleeping with someone’ or ‘living with someone’ a viable alternative to marriage, ‘Murder’ has become ‘termination’. And these are only the most obvious sins. Society has made industries out of Gossip and made greed a virtue.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But worst still it is clear the ‘church’ is also guilty of softening the blow.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was interesting how sermons have changed since the puritan era (see list of titles on page 25), and how many now have difficulty communicating what sin is. <i>“… the language frequently cushions the listeners from their impact as it employs a variety of softening rhetorical devices.”</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 18<span style=""> </span><i>“indeed, strong biblical words for sin have been excised from our vocabulary. People no longer commit adultery; instead they have an affair. Corporate executives do not steal; they commit fraud.”</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> Page 19<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Compare ourselves to the word not to each other:</b></span><span lang="EN-US"> We thought it was good to be reminded not to compare ourselves with others around us, but rather to compare ourselves with the Word. As Jerry said on page 24 <i>‘We who are believers tend to evaluate our character and conduct relative to the moral culture in which we live. Since we usually live at a higher moral standard than society at large, it is easy for us to feel good about ourselves and to assume that God feels that way also. We fail to reckon with the reality of sin still dwelling within us.’</i></span><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Well, now that we’ve been crushed by the weight of our sins. And seen how terrible, infectious, and deadly the disease of sin is… we look forward to the next chapters we’ll be reading…<br />‘The Remedy for Sin’, ‘The Power of the Holy Spirit’ and ‘Directions for Dealing with Sins’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Look forward to hearing your thoughts…</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-42715653338621167792009-08-17T14:16:00.002+09:302009-08-17T14:24:13.017+09:30Late start!Hi girls<br /><br />well the books have finally arrived, and I'll get them too you as soon as I can. Some of you already have them :)<br /><br />We will meet on the 25th of August and discuss Chapters 1, 2 & 3, as they are short and go together. In all 12 pages.<br /><br />So we'll read<br />Chapter 1 : Ordinary Saints<br />Chapter 2: The Disappearance of Sin<br />Chapter 3: The Malignancy of Sin<br /><br />Look forward to discussing it with you soon.<br /><br />AmyAmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-77209494366541735542009-07-29T14:49:00.006+09:302009-07-29T15:43:53.083+09:30Planner time again!<a href="http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o146/Split_Pants/?action=view&current=Planner-email-Ad.gif" target="_blank"><img style="width: 457px; height: 293px;" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o146/Split_Pants/Planner-email-Ad.gif" alt="Planner Ad" border="0" /></a><br /><br />to find out more email afaithfulwoman@splitpantsproductions.com.auAmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-68652064797063839832009-07-29T14:17:00.002+09:302009-07-29T14:27:23.031+09:30New Book Club Book Chosen!Hi Girls,<br /><br />Welcome back after a long break.<br /><br />We all got a bit tired with our last book, and various commitments and trials lead to us taking a break for a while.<br /><br />However we're back on, and last night we got together (some of us...;) ) over tea and scones and decided which book we are going to read this term.<br /><br />We chose this book... Made For His Pleasure by Alistair Begg.... However I just checked with koorong and they only have 2 left in the country and no new orders coming in...<br /><br />Therfore I think we’ll have to go with #2 on our list... <a href="http://orders.koorong.com/search/details.jhtml?code=160006292X">Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.</a><br /><br />If you’d like to read along with us and would like me to order a book for you, let me know by emailing afaithfulwoman@splitpantsproductions.com by Sunday, so that I can order it in time for next week. There are 6 available in Koorong Adelaide if you’d like to go in yourselves and get it.<br /><br />Hope you've all had a good break. I look forward to reading with you all again.Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-40846406831143818622009-03-11T14:23:00.003+10:302009-03-11T14:34:37.556+10:30Recommended books for ChildrenIn our last discussion these books were recommended as useful tools in teaching our children scripture and values:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">'My 1st Book of Christian Values' </span>by Carine Mackenzie<br /><br />Excellent for short devotions on Christian values.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">'My 1st Book of Memory Verses'</span> by Carine MacKenzie<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">'My 1st Book of Questions and Answers'</span> by Carine MacKenzie<br /><br />For those of you have been looking unsuccessfully for the 'Prove it Catechism' that I've recommended on this website this would be a great alternative.<br /><br />This is the Recommendation by Douglas F. Kelly:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"As evangelicals, we have analysed the harmful cultural influences on our children bu have been less effective in offering positive solutions to the problem. It is a joy, therefore, to recommend very highly Carine MacKenzie's new Catechism for children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is something that Christian parents, grandparents and friends can do for the character developement and wholsome spiritual growth of the young generation: teach them this catechism!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It is Biblically sound throughout; a fine and clear summation of the structure of Reformed Theology. It is both comprehensive and comprehensible. Written in very plain and current English, it wastes no words and keeps to the point at issue in each question, and is organized so that theological concepts follow each other in proper order, much like its model, the Westminster Shorter Catechism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It presents profound turth as simply as possible. As a father of five, I deem it to be happily accessible to children. It conveys a spirit of uplifting devotion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This catechism could make a great difference in the lives of those who learn it. May prayer is that it may be widely read.'</span><br /><br /><br />All these books are available at Koorong, and probably most christian book stores.Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-29679083639746021502009-03-11T14:12:00.002+10:302009-03-11T14:19:58.758+10:30Path Through Trials - Section 3This week we discussed Section 3 pages 101 to 135.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Staying in our trials: </span>We discussed staying in our trials. Do we need to? Often there are ways we could avoid the trial but some times the right thing to do is to face them head on. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego for example, could have avoided their trial. They could have said to themselves ‘well God knows my heart, and that I’m not really worshiping the Golden statue’ They could have bowed in order to avoid the aweful punishment, knowing that in their hearts they still worshiped the true God. But they didn’t. They didn’t compromise. They decided to face their trial. What kinds of trials do we face? Do we compromise even with the every day tests and trials? Could we easily avoid the trial by compromising? What is the right way to respond to each trial, rather than the easy way?<br /><br />Elizabeth gave us examples of people who stayed in their trials, who chose to go through them rather than avoid them. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego, Abraham, and even Christ. <span style="font-style: italic;">“In all of these instances… It was 100 percent Him </span>[God] <span style="font-style: italic;">and not the skills, knowledge, abilities, smooth talking, and clever manipulations of humans that ended these tests. Those involved only had to do three things: step into their test, stay in their test and wait on and trust in God.”</span> page 140<br /><br />It is good to remember some of those listed in Hebrew ‘Hall of Faith’ failed just like us, but God still honored them. Sarah tried to manipulate her circumstance to bring her trial to an end. She failed, with disastrous consequences, but she became stronger through her trial.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weakness: </span> The world tells us that to get through difficulties we need to be strong. Find our inner strength and get on with it.<br /><br />But the bible says that when we are weak we are strong. We need to be at peace with our weakness so that we can trust God for His strength. We should not let pride get the better of us. We should be honest about our weakness. As Elizabeth said on pg 127 <span style="font-style: italic;">‘Let God use others to assist you as you make your way through your trial. This shows your maturity and lest God work through the other person.’</span><br /><br />When facing trials we should look to God for strength and Grace to endure. <span style="font-style: italic;">'And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am week, then I am strong.'</span> 2 Corinthians 12:9-10<br /><br />Our weakness emphasizes God’s strength.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The purpose of Trials: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">‘God works through trials in our lives to ‘perfect’ and mature us.’</span> page 136. We thought that in the world today, and in the circumstance in which we live it is difficult for people to see the purpose of trials. We live in a shallow world with often an artificial peace and happiness. In a world that is always seeking to fulfill pleasure, and perpetual happiness, it is difficult to see the need for trials. It is hard for people to see that suffering is necessary to make us stronger, and that on the other side of trials there is blessing.<br /><br />We were reminded that having nice children is not good enough. We need to help our children develop character and maturity, and sometimes this means allowing them to face a difficult situation rather than stepping in to help them. <span style="font-style: italic;">‘… maturity and usefulness are the overarching outcomes of trials endured and seen through to the end.’</span> Pg 143<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Sum up: </span>We all enjoyed this anonymous poem. We thought it a beautiful illustration of how God lovingly teaches us in ways we don’t expect and how we are blessed because of His wisdom.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'I asked God for strength that I might achieve, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I asked for help that I might do greater things,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was given infirmity that I might do better things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I asked for riches that I might be happy,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was given poverty that I might be wise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was given weakness so that I might feel the need of God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was given life that I might enjoy all things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I am among all men, most richly blessed.</span>'<br /><br />Page 144-145<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” </span>James 1:4Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-67856394242671318222009-02-25T10:15:00.001+10:302009-02-25T10:17:47.617+10:30Recapping Section 1 & 2Hi Everyone<br /><br />We started book club again on Wednesday after a long break, so we thought we’d recap the chapters we’d already read to refresh our memories. Here’s a few of the things we discussed.<br /><br />Elizabeth’s Challenge: Did you do the ‘assignment’ from page 39? <span style="font-style: italic;">“For one week keep a journal of your trials. Then evaluate them from God’s perspective, choose to count them as all joy, and record the positive results that come from making this godly choice. Choose to follow God’s beautiful and practical path through your tials! He has carefully laid out the stepping-stones fro you, the first one being a joyful attitude.” </span><br /><br />Most of us didn’t literally keep a journal but we did take mental notes. We realized that it’s the little everyday trials that we failed to count as Joy. Not the big ones. It’s the little troubles that shape our character. It was a good exercise to do and we realized that if we are not learning from the little trials it’s a scary thought that God my need to use big ones to get through to us!<br /><br />I actually didn’t do the ‘assignment’ when we originally read it. However recently I spent the night in hospital with both my boys, and a dear ‘book club’ friend told me over the phone to ‘remember to count it as joy’. It was a great encouragement and as I lay on the very uncomfortable trundle bed in between my boys, I was meditating on James 1:2 <span style="font-style: italic;">‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.’</span>, and it really helped me to put the whole episode into perspective. And in a way I was able to count it joy. I could see that the Lord was teaching me about myself, my attitudes my emotions, impatience. I’m very grateful for the reminder and remembering that it is all part of Gods purposes really encouraged me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We discussed tiredness: </span>On page 80, Elizabeth says <span style="font-style: italic;">“Tiredness is never an excuse. In fact, it’s a test. If tiredness is our excuse, we have failed the test, and we’ll have to go right back into the Refiner’s fire (Zechariah 13:9). We must deal with this weakness. We must purge it from our lives. Stable women don’t give into tiredness. Instead they fight it. They remain constant and keep on keeping on… no matter what.” </span>The context of this was in relation to our commitments and responsibilities. <br /><br />How do you feel about that statement? It seemed rather strong, however we though that there were many lessons to learn. If we are too tired, maybe we have committed ourselves to too many things and need to re examine our priorities. If we’re too tired to be effective wives and mothers then maybe we need to commit ourselves to less.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Giants of the faith: </span>We thought it was good to remember “Gods Hall of faith” in Hebrews 11, which Elizabeth discusses on page 96.<br /><br />I thought I’d leave you with these thoughts from page 97:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“What can you trust Jesus for today? Right this minute, what challenge is standing in your path? Are the little ones driving you crazy? Do you feel trapped? Useless? Remember, you walk with the giants of the faith.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Are you nursing your heal… or a broken heart… or a loved one with cancer? Are you suffering unjustly because of slander of gossip? Are you going without a home, sufficient finances, a husband, or children? Remember, you walk with the giants of the faith.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Realise that just as God was honoured by the faith and fortitude of those incredible saints of old, He will be honored as you trust Him when you suffer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">No matter what God is asking of you, no matter what the size of it, ask Him to give you the grace to take even a small step of trusting obedience in whatever He requires of you. That one small step will put you on God’s path through your trials There you will experience His gracious help and provision, enabling you to stand alongside His giants of genuine faith in your times of testing.” </span>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-79902472562119466372008-12-16T15:02:00.000+10:302008-12-16T15:03:25.786+10:30Merry Christmas!First term next year we will begin our discussions with Chapters 9, 10, 11 and 12; Becoming a mature woman. Hope you can join us.<br /><br />My new years resolution is to be more ‘faithful’ to my commitment of posting to the book club. ☺<br /><br />I’m praying by then my morning sickness will be over, and it won’t feel like so much of an effort.<br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families over the Christmas holidays, and look forward to reading along with you again next year!<br /><br />lots of love<br /><br />AmyAmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-18721362972245624492008-12-16T14:59:00.001+10:302008-12-16T15:02:17.157+10:30Gods Path Through Your Trials - Section 2<span style="font-weight: bold;">Becoming a Sable Women</span><br /><br />This week we discussed Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 about becoming a Stable Woman.<br /><br />We noticed that our weekly sermons at church seem to be running parallel to what we’re reading in book club… maybe God is telling us something.<br /><br />This fortnight, Some of us took up Elizabeth’s challenge on page 39<span style="font-style: italic;"> “For one week keep a journal of your trials. Then evaluate them from God’s perspective, choose to count them as all joy, and record the positive results that come from making this godly choice…”</span><br /><br />Some of us realised that we didn’t even think about the little trials in our life as being lessons, or counting them as joy… we just got on with it. It was a worthwhile exercise to help us step back, refocus and recognise the reality that God is active in all our trials, no matter how small. That there is something to learn in every little (and big) trial we face. There is always a purpose in every hardship we encounter and that it is to make us stronger… perseverance.<br /><br />It took us back to the beautiful picture in Jerry Bridges ‘Discipline of Grace’ of God as the loving father guiding, leading and training us with sometimes painful but necessary lessons, to help us become the woman that He wants us to be.<br /><br />On page 79-82 Elizabeth discusses a harvest of virtues. We felt that Elizabeth often speaks in absolutes, but situational context and perspective helps. For example, she discusses pain, sickness and tiredness, as being no excuse and we should just press on. Whilst it is true that we should always seek to remain faithful to our commitments, we also recognise that there are times when it is very difficult and we may need to ask for help, or take that pain killer but that this is not ‘giving up’. Sometimes the lesson to learn <span style="font-style: italic;">is </span>asking for help, or being honest about your circumstances.<br /><br />The encouragement to remain faithful in our commitments is however a timely exhortation given what we are seeing of ‘Generation Y’ as they take their place in the workforce and society. Many of this generation seem not to have been taught faithfulness, selfcontrol or commitment.Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-63511073747187100232008-12-02T13:15:00.002+10:302008-12-02T13:34:42.478+10:30Gods Path Through Your Trials - Section 1Hi Everyone<br /><br />I know we've already started the book, and I'm very late with my posts. Sorry... morning sickness is keeping me from my computer!<br /><br />In the first two meetings we discussed the first section 'Becoming a Joyful Woman'.<br />I've enjoyed it, but we decided to read 4 chapters at a time, as after reading 'The Discipline of Grace' we found this book a lot lighter reading.<br /><br />following are a few quotes that I found helpful... would love to hear what you all thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I have learned several things about this "counting". First, counting a trial as joy is done with the mind... not the emotions. It is a matter of faith, not of feelings. It is a mental discipline and it is a matter of sheer obedience."</span> page 16<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"How strong is you faith and trust in God? Your trials and difficulties are a golden opportunity for joy. You can face your problems with a positive outlook! You can be joyful even when your whole world seems to be falling apart! How? You know the answer by now: Count it all joy. This puts you on God's path through your trials."</span> Page 29<br /><br />Sounds like a good time to do a bible study on James!Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-48775666466811257152008-10-13T15:05:00.016+10:302008-10-13T15:49:14.762+10:30a faithful woman Monthly Planner 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItsWdbct49zIHQvE82BfREqtfGTUFF9ie9u4W29cUlOd5R4m4z_gqXhcRzgXTR_O4PPKcMTl84n6a8vBkttEljOJ3bbfbK82inthMftRp-P_tz4Z1UVBXvpYzJzhx0ItiVlv/s1600-h/80350_personalised-sample.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItsWdbct49zIHQvE82BfREqtfGTUFF9ie9u4W29cUlOd5R4m4z_gqXhcRzgXTR_O4PPKcMTl84n6a8vBkttEljOJ3bbfbK82inthMftRp-P_tz4Z1UVBXvpYzJzhx0ItiVlv/s200/80350_personalised-sample.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256496927647784162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MkLiyrMYqw5NQUAl5r9qHqtvtE3N8ZAcoBHIIzC8Eec8uB5Ja6A-JLb9Z_ximJAhHvIA6I7bUDMN_fyndzuAq00qv2e_xIaObFnRG3TcIrf53imXHYQgV02ZjUFBzcIcqEtM/s1600-h/80350_spiral-sample.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MkLiyrMYqw5NQUAl5r9qHqtvtE3N8ZAcoBHIIzC8Eec8uB5Ja6A-JLb9Z_ximJAhHvIA6I7bUDMN_fyndzuAq00qv2e_xIaObFnRG3TcIrf53imXHYQgV02ZjUFBzcIcqEtM/s200/80350_spiral-sample.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256497268102962930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />a faithful woman</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Monthly Planner</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> 2009</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This year's planner has a new look!</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">And it s</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">till has all your favourite sections including</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">:</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOywnC8LzEP9SXdepQbPMgqgVlbqgIsTp5nUzWmjmPruv0j8bXWbkSNWfC3lZ5yKypJn56AFaCSsAIC1ivC-bvPexPr5ty337tNPcS5N8HufMDDxj5XLe25pfSao80IaCTQyMD/s1600-h/Planner09_Month-Spread.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOywnC8LzEP9SXdepQbPMgqgVlbqgIsTp5nUzWmjmPruv0j8bXWbkSNWfC3lZ5yKypJn56AFaCSsAIC1ivC-bvPexPr5ty337tNPcS5N8HufMDDxj5XLe25pfSao80IaCTQyMD/s200/Planner09_Month-Spread.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256498294111138306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIuWHXkQJudHwUkY3Akug4OkRqoUj29iWixANb4VCLWnv6O9YtqckAVfHKmHOpJ0OtPgcexbbBcHP6gmOq55xAdlE-bLJv7Bcm1FkMoYJJV6vw-lhOYLIs9vbHrAW9L9295tg/s1600-h/Planner09_Week-Spread.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIuWHXkQJudHwUkY3Akug4OkRqoUj29iWixANb4VCLWnv6O9YtqckAVfHKmHOpJ0OtPgcexbbBcHP6gmOq55xAdlE-bLJv7Bcm1FkMoYJJV6vw-lhOYLIs9vbHrAW9L9295tg/s200/Planner09_Week-Spread.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256498679318377858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">CALENDER</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfRhcbQwZ-tfVxYOhH9sqiTU1OvAZe6djj9AO4_20YvP5HywaHwhJ89Rwjae9G9ovTaarjJSshMPlwQCBYDHrebCQ892lactSkYazp6TWuyfVhsdsjCDLBJ_gP4bCBJ7XcYeI/s1600-h/Planner09_Week-Schedule.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfRhcbQwZ-tfVxYOhH9sqiTU1OvAZe6djj9AO4_20YvP5HywaHwhJ89Rwjae9G9ovTaarjJSshMPlwQCBYDHrebCQ892lactSkYazp6TWuyfVhsdsjCDLBJ_gP4bCBJ7XcYeI/s200/Planner09_Week-Schedule.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256500292129467842" border="0" /></a><br /><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Monthly Menu Planner</span><br /></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Monthly Calander</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Week to page opening</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Dates for next year</span><br /></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">•</span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Schedule Planner</span></span><span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmYyI31hmznOK8RhzkOn4OInlOPIoKMh-2JGseuHIuTnL2mCBC5Y4z1f6vVne1LJ7KgidD766PiCWC0pM5_83uhsu1ZiEujnxtyinLXSeNyjfR2qu7vCldD07R2DphTE5hBs8/s1600-h/Planner09_Quiet-Time.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmYyI31hmznOK8RhzkOn4OInlOPIoKMh-2JGseuHIuTnL2mCBC5Y4z1f6vVne1LJ7KgidD766PiCWC0pM5_83uhsu1ZiEujnxtyinLXSeNyjfR2qu7vCldD07R2DphTE5hBs8/s200/Planner09_Quiet-Time.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256499048828457314" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >QUIET TIME</span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Quiet times </span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">calendar</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />• Month to page openi</span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ng</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >THINGS TO REMEMBER</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />• Parents prayer prog</span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ram</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />• inspiring articles</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmGmYSxO3whTBft3sCl-gwr29YnGyVJUDdS6H6vvYGrQBz8An869JN285EtG-IRq_TJuFUMPRGPzI2M8rDOuzxqgrcJ7KBvAOiJKbE9087EpJHWjpsiOv5ZNYFxOJNnamwnT0/s1600-h/Planner09_BookClub.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmGmYSxO3whTBft3sCl-gwr29YnGyVJUDdS6H6vvYGrQBz8An869JN285EtG-IRq_TJuFUMPRGPzI2M8rDOuzxqgrcJ7KBvAOiJKbE9087EpJHWjpsiOv5ZNYFxOJNnamwnT0/s200/Planner09_BookClub.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256499499449386818" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >BOOK CLUB</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />• Reading record</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">• Book clu</span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">b notes</span> </span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br />We’ve also added scripture</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">to inspire you on every pag</span></span><span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">e!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />If you would like to find out more, or how to order please email Amy at afaithfulwoman@splitpantsproductions.com.au for an info sheet.</span><br /><br />Orders close November 14th. Delivery will be in the first two weeks of December.<br /></span></span>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-46016318667927820522008-09-15T10:54:00.002+09:302008-09-15T10:56:50.928+09:30The Discipline of Choices - Chapter 11Well, this chapter seems to have dragged on… this term there has been a lot of illness and numbers have been down, so we haven’t discussed much.<br /><br />Last week we did however discuss the kind of <span style="font-style: italic;">‘one-another’</span> relationships that Jerry talks about in this chapter.<br /><br />On page 202 Jerry spoke about having friends who can help us in out struggle against sin. <span style="font-style: italic;">“Because mortification is a difficult work, aimed at subduing strong desires and deeply ingrained habits, we need the help of one or two friends to engage in the struggle with us. These friends should be believers who share our commitment to the pursuit of holiness and who are also willing to be mutually open with us about their own struggles”</span><br /><br />How did you feel reading this? It would certainly be a humbling experience. My emotions feel torn on this point. On one hand my heart longs for help in the battle against refined sins of thought and deed, but dreads, even fears the thought of revealing my sins. My heart wants to hold them close and deal with them on my own. In discussion we agreed that Jerry probably does not remain revealing all the horrible and specific details as this would in some cases go against other scriptures where the bible warns us not to speak about some things, especially immorality. But it would still involve tearing down of the nice crisp image of ourselves we like to portray to others, and it would mean we’d have to forsake our pride and let that person see who we really are.<br /><br />Jerry went on to say… <span style="font-style: italic;">“In the battle of putting sin to death, we need the mutual encouragement, challenge, and prayer support of one another. That is why spiritual synergism is so often taught in the New Testament. For example, we are to admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), bear one another’s burdens (Galations 6:2), and pray for one another (James 5:16).’</span> Page 202.<br /><br />Even given the fear we feel in revealing our sins to someone, the ability to share, encourage and pray for one another in our pursuit of holiness is a powerful encouragement and reminder, that we always need Gods help in the battle. We are all sinful, and none of us have it ‘right’. With such friendships we can no only confess our sins, but encourage and spur each other on to godliness. Do you have a friend like this? Will you pray as the Puritans did for a friend like this, a ‘bosom friend’? For a friendship where you are both committed to helping and receiving help?Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-32790795220581759692008-08-06T10:13:00.002+09:302008-08-06T10:16:31.819+09:30<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RwRNU8-kuLyXXmWpgaNJKvIdEBRDKN4xGzVrv1CsJMX7l30v2pK-1ea7e94jveUGJfdAq8yYOkTGWx6TtNMIl1RUQirn_NwENh2zXflbg5F6sIDi6R3jEZ0EHR3wk23Vk-sZ/s1600-h/through+trials.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RwRNU8-kuLyXXmWpgaNJKvIdEBRDKN4xGzVrv1CsJMX7l30v2pK-1ea7e94jveUGJfdAq8yYOkTGWx6TtNMIl1RUQirn_NwENh2zXflbg5F6sIDi6R3jEZ0EHR3wk23Vk-sZ/s320/through+trials.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231199250902360114" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The next book we will be reading in Book Club is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Finding God's Path Through your Trials</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">by Elizabeth George</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">'From bestselling author Elizabeth George (nearly 4 million books sold) comes a book born of her desire to help others through difficult times. "Finding God's Path Through Your Trials" acknowledges the hard times we all face and reveals how people can ?count it all joy, ? including: understanding trials are not punishment realizing God's grace is sufficient to get them through trials knowing the benefits brought by trials?patience, endurance, empathy experiencing deeper faith as they depend on God through trials trusting God to use everything for His glory Emphasizing God is always with them and will help them every step of the way, Elizabeth reminds readers they will not be given trials they cannot bear without including a way of escape. She encourages people to turn to Jesus, where they will find hope, joy, and meaning in the journey, no matter how bumpy it seems.</span> ' <em style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153);">Publishers Description</em> </p>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-30940864511506386112008-08-06T09:57:00.002+09:302008-08-06T10:08:10.300+09:30Chapter 10: The Discipline of ConvictionsSome of the things that stood out to us this week where:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Absolute Truth: </span>How familiar does this sound? <span style="font-style: italic;">“every man did which was right in his own eyes” </span>(Judges 21:25, KJV) As Jerry points out, this is they way our society is today. But not the church? Surely?... “<span style="font-style: italic;">What should disturb us, however, is that evangelicals are moving in the same direction. 'Four out of 10 people who call themselves evangelicals don’t believe there is such a thing as absolute truth, according to a Barna Research Group poll.' If this means that these 40 percent decide for themselves what is right and wrong instead of going to the Bible, then it is no wonder there is often little difference between the ethical views and behavior of professing Christians and those who have nothing to do with Christianity. Morality becomes merely a matter of ones’s personal opinion. In fact, I am aware of situations where Christians were confronted about sin in their lives and responded, “that’s just your opinion.”</span> Page 165-166<br /><br />But Jerry goes even further …, of those evangelicals who do believe in absolute truth (including ourselves), do we let our belief in the truth of the bible effect our behavior or change our character? Are we being transformed by the bible? Do we let the bible teach us change us and humble us? Are we living according to the biblical standard or do we just conform to the moral consensus in our own church or circle of friends. Let us live like we truly believe, that the bible is absolute truth. Let the Word’s standards be ours. <span style="font-style: italic;">'One thing we can be sure of: If we do not actively seek to come under the influence of God’s Word, we will come under the influence of sinful society around us’.</span> Page 171<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hidden Treasure:</span> '<span style="font-style: italic;">The question we must ask ourselves is this: What value do we place upon the Word of God? Do we search it as if we were seeking for hidden treasures, or do we read it and study it only because we know it is something we should do?'</span> Page 176<br /><br />When my husband and I first came across ‘reformed’ theology it was life changing. We realised that almost everything we had believed and been taught was full of errors. It was not biblical Christianity. We literally had to discard everything we had learned before and start again from the bible. At that time we really did search through the bible like it contained hidden treasure. We were excited about it and spent as much of our time as we could reading it, and searching through even familiar passages and learning things that we’d never seen there before. Reading the above quote drew my memory back to that stage of my Christian walk and I realised that whilst I still love the word of God, the intensity of my search through it has diminished. It was quite a challenge to me. Maybe, I have, as Jerry has talked about so often in this book, reached a point where I feel comfortable, and set cruise control, even with my time in the word of God. Is the word of God like treasure to you? Do you search it to find the truth? … <span style="font-style: italic;">'We need to approach the Bible with the deep, settled conviction that it accurately expresses the mind of God and the will of God as to how we are to live.'</span> Page 174. If we really believe this surely we should be desperate to seek out its treasure. <span style="font-style: italic;">'Ask God to remove any doubts you might have and give you a settled convition that the Bible is indeed God’s Word, that it is complete and authoritative, and that it is absolute truth.'</span> Page 174… as we study it let us follow Jerry’s advice… <span style="font-style: italic;">'... as you approach the reading or study of the Bible, don’t do so just to buttress your own previously held opinions or to affirm you favourite doctrines. Rather ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.'</span> Page 175<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorising Scripture: </span>We all acknowledged that this is something we need to do more of. I certainly feel that I have not done enough, and am challenged by this chapter to increase my efforts in this area.<br /><br />We also discussed different ways of memorising scripture. Some of us grew up memorising scripture as a family and learning whole books and passages together. This can be very helpful so that we not only remember the scriptures, but also their context and setting. Maybe this is something we could help our children with.<br /><br />Music can also be very helpful. Some of us have found listening to scripture in music to be very helpful for memorizing. Some of the artists that have been recommended are:<br /> - <a href="http://www.sonsofkorah.com/">Sons of Korah.</a><br /> - <a href="http://www.aboutchristianmusic.com.au/psalm_man_feature.html">Jason Coghill</a><br />- <a href="http://orders.koorong.com/search/details.jhtml?code=0000006084">Scripture in Song</a> (Not sure if this link is to the same 'scripture in song' we all sung in Sunday school growing up. Looks like it may be an updated edition. Hopefully they are. Searching through blogs on the internet, people seem to be having trouble finding the audio but are able to get the books on Amazon and websites like that.)<br /><br />In looking for a link for each of the above I found <a href="http://reformationsongs.com/">this website</a> which might be helpful in finding good Christian music and scripture in song.Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-19007501538681026572008-07-09T10:48:00.001+09:302008-07-09T10:53:24.061+09:30Chapter 9: The Discipline of CommitmentA few things we discussed from Chapter 9: The Discipline of Commitment<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Avoiding Cruise Control:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">‘As believers we need to be careful that we do not make a similar mistake. We can be committed to a set of Christian values or to a lifestyle of discipleship without being committed to God Himself. But Paul said, offer yourselves to God, and in doing that commit yourselves to the pursuit of holiness in order to please Him.’</span> Page 149<br /><br />We thought this was quite a challenge. It is easy to slip into ‘Cruise control’, as mentioned in chapter 7. Its easy to hold to a set of Christian values, or uphold a certain level of ‘Christian lifestyle’, or conform to the Christian culture around us or in our church, without truly being committed to God himself and pleasing Him. What level of holiness does God require? What is our motive for seeking holiness? Are we offering ourselves as living sacrifices as Romans 12:1 calls for ‘<span style="font-style: italic;">Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.’</span> We should not let the peer pressure of our particular Christian culture hold us back from pursuing holiness and committing ourselves to God, Even if it means challenging the status quo.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Put on Christian Virtues:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">‘If we want to be like Christ in his character we must commit ourselves to putting on His virtues’.</span> Page 154 We often work and pray for Gods help in putting off our sins, but do we pray for him to help us put on the fruits of the spirit? Maybe we are unbalanced in concentrating on the ‘do not’s’ whilst neglecting the ‘dos’. <span style="font-style: italic;">‘And just as we need to make a commitment to deal with all sin in our lives without exception, so we need to make a commitment to be just as diligent in putting on the fruit of the spirit.’</span> Page 154 <br /><br />This attitude should effect our whole lives. <span style="font-style: italic;">‘The truth is, though, God knows I am a Christian and He knows I work for a Christian organization. If I would be ashamed to have a tourist identify my impatient driving with a Christian, how much more should I be ashamed before God. After all, He is the one I have committed myself to, to seek to please in all my thoughts and words and actions. So our commitment to pursue holiness must embrace every area of life and must include both the significant and the seemingly insignificant things we do.’</span> Page 155 As Jerry said <span style="font-style: italic;">‘This principle applies to the way a student approaches his or her studies, to the way we do our shopping and buying, to the way we compete in games and athletics to the way we decorate our houses and keep our lawns, and even to the way we drive.’</span> Page 155 We should intend to live every area of our lives in such a way that it glorifies God.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Model do we present?:</span><br />This also leads us to think about our lives at home, and how we live before our children. What model do we present to our children in the way we live our lives? Are we living before our children with integrity in a way that pleases God? Do we walk humbly before our children, so that whilst they see that we sin, they see that it is not our intention to sin. We should try to help our children see that the standard we are reaching for and teaching them is not <span style="font-style: italic;">‘our’</span> standard but it is Gods perfect standard.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The importance of the Gospel of grace:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">‘So we see once again the relationship of grace and discipline. A loving response to God’s grace and mercy is the only motive acceptable to God for the commitment Paul called for. And it is the continual reminding ourselves of His grace and mercy that provides the only enduring motivation to sustain such a commitment and keep it from becoming oppressive. That is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.’</span> Page 162 A right understanding of the gospel is so important in our Christian lives. Believing that you chose Christ; that it was your work in choosing to accept the offer of salvation that saved you, does not produce the gratitude in our heart that we feel when we understand that salvation was all the work of God’s grace and mercy alone. If we believe we chose Him we feel that we had some part in our own salvation, and we are partly grateful to ourselves for accepting it, not just to God for offering it. Understanding Grace changes our motives, we are grateful because we understand that without Gods grace and mercy we could not be saved, we could not save ourselves. We try to please God because we love Him and are grateful that he showed us such amazing mercy and grace. We pursue holiness, not because we think it will make us closer to Him or keep us from ‘back sliding’ or even because it is the ‘right’ way for a ‘Christian’ to behave, but because we want to. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“So an all-out, unreserved, nothing-held-back commitment to the pursuit of holiness may be exhausting, but it will not be oppressive it is grounded in grace. But to be grounded in grace it must be continually referred back to the gospel.” </span>Page 162<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“God not only asks us to commit ourselves to the pursuit of holiness, but provides the grace to enable us to do it.”</span> Page 162<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">‘Run, John, run. The law commands</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But gives neither feet nor hands</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Better news the gospel brings;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It bids me fly and gives me wings.’</span> Page 94Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-88983971841629061382008-07-03T16:19:00.003+09:302008-07-03T16:25:06.048+09:30<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHdY_sOJVhSBudhzmLqzO9tgcRwBqlgrvk43c6J3h5MSbwqQ0Ehlqrq6vERglcocl9bvNBG3o0cgay7eBnCOR3eiELyszQ_im8BGqjBhC6YAiZSLezAcXJxRbQUtgnuaspSer/s1600-h/0851510914.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHdY_sOJVhSBudhzmLqzO9tgcRwBqlgrvk43c6J3h5MSbwqQ0Ehlqrq6vERglcocl9bvNBG3o0cgay7eBnCOR3eiELyszQ_im8BGqjBhC6YAiZSLezAcXJxRbQUtgnuaspSer/s400/0851510914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218677629132534610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In our disussions this week, this book was recommended.<br /><br />Publishers notes:<br /><br /><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">RARE JEWEL OF CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">by Jeremiah Burroughs</span><br /><br />Jeremiah Burroughs was a preacher to the great congregations of England in the 17th century. This classic book of his is concerned with promoting the often elusive jewel of peace and contentment in the heart of the believer. 228 pages, from Banner of Truth.<br /><br /></span><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-style: italic;">'We live our lives in a discontented world and it is all too easy for the Christian to share its spirit. This book remedies this spiritual disease in practical biblical ways.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> '</span>Ameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36781555.post-66536894427281450342008-07-03T16:05:00.002+09:302008-07-03T16:13:01.220+09:30Chapter 8: Dependant DisciplineThey say better late than never...<br />So here are a couple of points we discussed on Chapter 8: Dependant Discipline.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Pray and Do</span><br />As I read through this chapter, again I felt some familiarity with my time in ‘Charismatic Christianity’. On reflection, maybe I was the ‘spiritual’ person Jerry spoke about on page 132. <span style="font-style: italic;">“Today, we would tend to divide into two camps. The more ‘spiritual’ people would call an all-night prayer meeting. To them, posting a guard would be depending on human effort instead of God.”</span> I often prayed the prayer on page 134 <span style="font-style: italic;">“We often use the expression “Let the Lord live His life through me.” I am personally uncomfortable with this expression because it suggests a passivity on our part. He does not live His life through me. Rather as I depend on Him, He enables Me to live a life pleasing to Him.” </span><br /><br />I had even heard people suggest in certain circumstances (especially healing) that it would be a lack of faith, or not trusting God if you did anything other than pray and wait. We sang songs and prayed prayers that pleaded with God to ‘Use me’, ‘Fill me’, ‘Send me’, ‘Make me’. We had ‘faith’ that God would do it. But though we never said it, I think we often thought (or hoped), that he would do it miraculously. That something amazing would happen and we could say ‘It was all God’. <span style="font-style: italic;">“It is the idea that we can do nothing but trust that is particularly troubling to me. I believe that the psalmist – and Nehemiah and Paul – would say, “Man’s part is to trust and work. God’s part is to enable the man or woman to do the work.” … God’s work does not make our effort unnecessary, but rather makes it effective. Paul did not say, “Christ show contentment through me.” Rather he said, “I have learned to be content through Him who give me strength.” </span>Page 135<br /><br />In the beauty of hindsight I see that God did answer our prayers but the answers usually came through people who were living out their faith, not just praying about it and waiting for God to act.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The results are the Lords</span><br />This chapter was a lovely reminder that we must trust <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> work. It also reminded us through the analogy of the Farmer List of 'must do’s' and 'can’t do’s' that even with all our hard work and obedience, all the results are the Lords. Like the farmers crop, only God can make us grow.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“There are six things farmers must do and only two things they cannot do. They can even to a degree circumvent the weather by irrigating in case of drought. But the one thing they absolutely cannot do is the most critical of all. Without the life that makes things grow, all their disciplines of farming are useless... They will put all their confidence in the performance of their duties, not in God, who makes things grow. As far as they are concerned, their success depends on themselves.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> As in the cases of farming, God has ordained certain disciplines or practices that are necessary in order to grow in holiness. We must observe these or we will not grow, just as farmers will not produce a crop if they do not perform their duties. There is only one thing, however we cannot do. We cannot make ourselves grow.”</span> Page 138<br /><br />Do you take for granted the spiritual life that makes you grow? Is your confidence in God or your own observance of the necessary disciplines and practices or the christian life? We need to be disiplined and dependant.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christs sake"</span> Jonathan EdwardsAmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14291205851723932077noreply@blogger.com0