My husband and I lead a small group in our house. Small group is one of the terms that churchs use to describe a group of people who get together routinely to study the bible and generally support each other through life. Our particular group has been together for over ten years. Some of the members have come and gone as happens and our group has grown too big and split off daughter groups twice. I love small group. I think the secret to success is involved with a few basic tips.
Show up consistently Feed people Don’t trash talk anyone Keep Secrets Pray Laugh Read good curriculum Be brave enough to tell the truth One of my favorite small group go-to-authors is Andy Stanley. Andy is pastor of mega-church North Point Community Church in Nashville, TN. He says that people worship in rows but grow in circles. Small groups are circles. He’s funny and engaging and thought provoking. Andy has the way of saying difficult things with compassion. He calls people to honest questions and thinking through how faith intersects with life. My favorite study was called The Best Question Ever. He’s come out with a new book version of this study in an updated format called “Ask It” The question that will revolutionize how you make decisions. Here are my favorite quotations from the book.
“One of the primary reasons we don't seek counsel from the wise people around us is that we already know what we are going to hear--and we just don't want to hear it.”
"None of us plan --or intend--to get into trouble. The problem is, we don't plan not to." "Our greatest moral regrets are always preceded by a series of unwise choices."
This study has stuck with me. If you struggle with how to move forward in your life you need to read this book. Andy Stanley and his team at North Point gave me a copy to give out to a reader. I’m drawing a winner from the Quirk-Email list tomorrow morning. If you haven’t joined yet and want a shot at the book enter here.
You can buy your own copy below. That's the Book: Joel
I help with the preschool every Sunday morning. The littlest members of our church crack me up. They also cause me to really think about why I believe what I do and why in the world they should care. This morning, one of the other teachers and I were talking about discussing issues in our culture with our kids. What and when should we talk about some of the more sensitive matters of faith? It's tempting to shelter and hide and shush tough questions.
The little three chapter book of Joel has some advice. "Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Joel 1:2-3 So. Questions for you. Has anything like this ever happened in your days? Have people been this lonely? This angry? This hopeless? Have children been sold into slavery for perverse pleasure? Have thousands starved? Have holy things been treated with such disdain? Do you think perhaps we might want to have some important talks with our children? Maybe this sort of talk? Even now, declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13 Such gorgeous words of hope. The Lord wants our hearts. He is gracious. He is abounding in love. This morning we talked to the preschoolers about how God is their shepherd. How he can supply all their needs. How he wants them to follow his voice. How when they are afraid they can run to his arms. Important conversations. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. Joel 2:32
Are there things you should be telling your kids? Take courage and start the conversation.
Resources
Three chapters of powerful words. As always, so much better in context. The Bible Project again provides a useful overview of how this little book's structure helps explain its significance. Watch and learn.
That's the Book: Hosea
I spent two hours in the grocery story and seven hours in the kitchen over the weekend. This is NOT my normal. I'll probably stay out of the kitchen entirely now until Thanksgiving. I blew my quoto out in one fancy dinner party and one "easy" cooking class. The class had been billed as a way to fill your freezer with great meals in no time at all. At one point I was wrestling with a whole chicken trying to separate it into the various separate parts and was wondering how this was easier than purchasing the $5 precooked Costco rotissery chicken. I signed up for this class to get to know my neighbors. The things we go through for love. This was silly and fun. Sometimes love drags us places we do not want to go.
Hosea was a prophet to the people of Israel. He went through great hardship for love. "When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord". Hosea 1:2 Can you even imagine? When I read through the stories of the prophets my heart breaks for their humanity. For the pain they went through to be faithful to the call of God. Then each time I consider what the story means to me and I see the truth. I'm exactly like the people of Israel. Wandering, ungrateful, whiney, stubborn. "The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.." Hosea 3:1 God did more than any prophet. The painful story of Hosea is a hint to the love story that Jesus poured out on the cross. For while I was still lost and broken and an enemy Christ died for me. While I was unfaithful he loved me. The whole book of Hosea is a love story. Hosea repeatedly chases down his wayward wife and trys to win her heart. God continues to use this powerful life story to woo the hearts of his people. The messages are gorgeous. "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6 God's message is all about heart. The rules are secondary. Important only because they protect and reflect the heart. "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12 I am printing this verse up and putting it on my mirror. For there are parts of my heart that are hard, are unplowed, are dead. My guess is you may have those spots too. This verse is all about growth and spring and life. Write it on your soul. For this is what God wants for you. "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." Hosea 12:6 Patience dear ones. Some of you are in the midst of hardship. God's message is to hold on. Maintain love and justice. Wait. The one who loves your soul will not leave you. For while you were still in the enemy camp his heart was for you. He loved you first. And now? He's preparing a banquet table. His word is the bread of life. Hungry? Come on in. He's the best chef I know. Resources
If you've never read Redeeming Love you really must. Buy it today. Read it. You'll see the love of God for you in a while new way. This is a beautiful, captivating retelling of the book of Hosea.
They do it again. Interesting, entertaining and helpful. The Bible Project is a great tool. Check it out today.
Why I'm not participating in A Day Without a WomanI come from a long line of strong women. Women who run businesses, travel, volunteer, march and donate. Women who advocate and educate. When I think about their impact on my life though, smaller things stand out. My Grandma Lorenia poured out love in crystal goblets filled with root beer and hours of card games. She believed that every person was valuable. She served through cancer and poverty and unending demands. Her laughter was contagious. Her legacy was joy. My Grandma Viola sewed love into packages and prayers. She saved, she served, she perservered. She loved tight hugs, warm cookies and weddings. Her legacy was faithfulness. My mother-in-law Carleen ran courage into everyone she met. She was fully supportive and passionate about art and flowers and children. She made everyone she met feel welcome. Her legacy is kindness. My mother Sue is a bright and fierce force of a person. She's got a twinkle in her eye and she has the ability to make me laugh better than any one. This photo is an excerpt of a letter she wrote me when I turned two years old. I have letters from aunties and cousins. Sisters and friends. Beautiful women who wrote on my soul and call me to be present. To be faithful. Walking out to prove a point seems dishonest to their steadfast love. Earlier today I had to make a tough decision. I've been working long hours lobbying for a bill in the upcoming legislaive session. Couple of trips to the state capitol to meet with various governmental types. I received news today that I'd been invited to a dinner with a senator. Great opportunity for professional development. Problem is the dinner is on the same night as my daughter's choir concert. I'd already promised her I'd go. As I sat and mulled my options I thought about the Day without a Woman. I am quite certain I'm not necessary at the dinner meeting. My colleagues can handle it without me. But my daughter? I don't want her to figure out what it looks like when mom bails. I want her memories to be full of a steadfast mom who showed up when the call was hard. A mom who delivered on promises even when she wasn't being appreciated. A mom who thanked God because He allowed me to be her mother. So I declined the invitation with the Senator and circled my plans for a night with the elementary school choir. So today I'll wake up my babies. I'll help pick out their clothes and play my part in the daily taxi. I'll go to work. Not because I'm special or different or better than the hundreds of thousands of women who do the same thing every day. But because this investment in our future has more potential to affect change than any strike, any meeting, any lobbying effort. The legacy is love. And the power of love has nothing to do with protests or demands but everything to do with gratitude, service, peace and patience. Should we ignore injustice? Of course not. But love is the only weapon strong enough to win. Today I'd like to invite you to write on someone else's heart. Those words have eternal weight. Rather than making someone notice you are gone, how about making someone else feel seen? Those are not small actions. ENTER TO WINI've got a new set of note cards, envelopes and gel pens to get you started on your legacy notes. Write your kids, your friends, your parents, your spouse. Tell them you love them. I'll be giving this set to a winner randomly drawn from anyone who comments on this post or shares the post. Winner will be drawn Friday March 10, 2017. No purchase necessary. Prize mailed in the contenintal US only.
That's the Book: Daniel
Oh girls! It's story time again. The book of Daniel is full of dreams and visions and powerful men made humble by God. There are stories of kings who listen and are saved. Stories of kings who ignore and are judged. There are visions of days we have seen and days yet to come. Cuddle in and I'll tell you one of my favorites. Grab a teddy bear to hold onto tightly because this one has some scary moments.
This story starts in a land long ago. God's people have been conquored and dragged off to be servents to a king they do not trust. It is not safe for anyone who loves the one true God. And yet there are four mighty men who love the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and their dear friend Daniel. It's obvious to everyone that our four heros are smart, handsome and talented. So they are chosen to go work for the king. La Ti Da! People in service of the king get to live in fancy houses and eat fancy food and live fancy lives. Only problem is they have to ignore the rules they know God wants them to follow. Oh! But this is why Mommy loves the stories in Daniel. Our heroes choose to follow God anyway. Anyway is a powerful word. "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had cause the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel," Danial 1: 8-9a Don't ever forget my girls that our God is powerful. He goes before you and causes favor and compassion. He will be there as you stand for what you know is right. So the young men hold to the commands of God. This makes God very proud. "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds". Daniel 1:17 Here is where the plot thickens. The king in the land had a dream. A big scary and confusing dream. So the King calls all his smartest guys together and tells them he wants to know what the dream means. But he's not gonna tell them what he dreamed! He wants the smarties to figure out what it means without even knowing what it was. And if they can't....he's gonna kill them all. Yikes! The smartest people are all shocked. Speechless. Terrified. "What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." Daniel 2:11 NO KIDDING! Well the king got furious and ordered for the all the wise men in the land to be executed. Daniel hears the verdict and hustles to his friend's house. He urges them to pray. Listen girls. Sometimes a problem is huge and dark and you can't see a way forward. The best first step is to pray. For we serve a God who does live among humans and He listens when we pray. So during the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel and before he goes to tell the king he first pauses to praise and thank God. Told you he was a smart guy. Daniel tells the king "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." Daniel 2:25 Daniel tells the king the meaning of his dream. The king is so impressed he gives Daniel wealth and a brand new job ruling the province and he made him leader of all the wise men. Wowsa girls. Dreams are powerful when God is involved. The next step of the king is not a good one. He's a proud man with too much power. He has a giant golden statue of himself made and passes a law that everyone must bow and worship to the statue. Yucko. Girls, don't ever worship prideful and powerful people. Anyone drunk with themselves is not going to lead you well. The king finds out that Shadrach, Meschad and Abednego are not bowing or worshiping. The king again becomes furious and orders the young men to come explain themselves. He threatens to throw them into a fiery furnace if they refuse to bow. "Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you on this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your majesty's hand But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:18 Our God is able. Even if he does not. If you could memorize these seven words and write them on your hearts it will guide you through any dark days. God is able to rescue us from anything. Courage is Even If. The angry King orders furnace to be heated seven times hotter and the heros are bound and thrown into the fire. The king sits back to watch the result. Soon he leaps to his feet in amazement. "He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Daniel 3:25 See there?! When God saves he does it by joining the fire with us. Whom God saves, come away unbound and unharmed. His timing is perfect. His salvation is complete. Another night I'll tuck you in with the story of how one of these kings became like a wild beast in a field, or how God's hand wrote on the wall, and how Daniel escaped from the lions. This is a wild ride of a book. Daniel remained faithful through it all. Near the end of his life, God gives Daniel a beautiful promise to hold onto. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3 Sometimes I look at the world we live in and I feel fear for your future. I worry the days ahead will carry lions, prideful rulers, laws we can not obey, fear and concern. But then I read this promise and I remember. In the darkness light shines brightest. So as I tuck you into bed I pray for wisdom, for righteousness, for you to shine. The promises of God are much better to hold onto than a teddy bear. Resources
You stand in the fire beside me. Gorgeous truth from this powerful book. Take a minute and listen to Chris Tomlin's song Jesus.
Sunday School wouldn't be complete without the fiery furnace or the lion's den. See how they fit into the full book through The Bible Project's walkthrough.
Beth Moore is much smarter than I am. She could be on Daniel's wise person team. If you want to see this powerful book more clearly may I suggest you work through her book?
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About MeI love Jesus. I think my two daughters can change the world. I think you can too. Past Posts
August 2020
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