Less Stress Tool: a Study Bag

I am in my hiding place again today, and I brought with me something that just dawned on my as being a wonderful tool.  Even after my hiding place goes away (a.k.a., when the neighbors get home from vacation) I am going to keep using this tool as a great way to store and tote my study stuff.

The last two days I have been using a "study bag".  This morning, it was so great to grab my coffee that I had set up on an automatic timer, my Study Bag and head out the door to go hide :)

I am recalling now, Emilie Barnes, in her book Spirit of Loveliness encouraged a woman of God to have a "prayer basket". This is a basket that holds all you need for your prayer time, so that these quiet moments with God can be anywhere that you can carry your prayer basket.

The same idea, I filled up my Study Bag with the things that I would use in my quiet time, and the things that would help me get my mind working in the right direction this day.  I used my every faithful Organizing Utility Tote by Thirty One. I chose this one because it can handle my slue of books without falling apart. It also has a ton of pockets, so I can put my pens, highlighters, small notebook and phone (for when my hiding is more than my family can bear :).

I didnt read or even look at all the books in my bag in one sitting, but because I never really know which way my quiet time will lead I make sure to have lots of options :)

Currently, on the menu is: a couple versions of the bible (today, its the NIV and NLT),  What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancy (because our study on grace has really sparked an interest in the topic!), Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis (for Sunday School), a couple books by Dallas Willard (havent started these yet), and my Women of Grace notebook.

Having this bag ready to go helps me be able to take my quiet and study time anywhere in a moments notice - to a hiding place, to my bedroom, or to Starbucks for a cup of coffee with God :).

I am also loving that I have a place to store my stuff, instead of all of it just being stacked all over the table all the time :)

The only problem, is that the bag I am using  for my study bag is the one I use ALL the time for other stuff also ...SO, I think I just found a great excuse to get another Thirty One bag! :)

What do you do to make your study time mobile? What do you use in your study time?...what versions of the bible do you use? What books are you reading right now? Tell us about your study time ..I would love to hear all about it!

Hiding.

I am hiding.

I have a wonderful spot. While I live in a neighborhood where the houses are only a stones throw away, my neighbor has created a great hiding place in her little square of space. On the other side of the fence from mine, which is covered in thick climbing vine, she has created this place that is a forest of plants, trees and flowers. She some wonderful seating, and I have claimed one of her comfy spots.

She is out of town (yes, I asked!) - and I am taking advantage of an early morning wake up to get out the door and hide before the kids woke up. I was expecting to spend some quiet moments to collect my thoughts before my day started. I was hoping to get refocused after several days of guilt-worthy, hormone-induced, mommy temper tantrums that have left me feeling defeated and frustrated with myself.

I need some quiet to refocus, recommit, realign and get back in the game.

What is amazing though, is that quiet is not what I have gotten at all! I am amazed with the degree of sound that is coming from the nature around me. No people are around yet, and yet its so loud I am having a hard time thinking! ...there are birds of every shape and size, they are fighting, mating, calling, antagonizing the cat, etc. The squirrels are hopping all over the trees around me, and the vine on this side of the fence is teeming with lizards and bugs of every shape and size. I hear bees buzzing around the flowers around me. There are dogs barking in the distance, and then not in distance when I hear my own dog barking at the aforementioned squirrels. I give away my hiding place when I hollered at him, and now he is on the other side of the fence whining.

Quiet? Not so much.

Yet,  this is still a good hiding place.

Me and God are here. He reminds me that it is never perfectly quiet. There is always something that needs doing, someone who needs me to comfort, teach, touch and guide them. My days are always full of busyness because they are full of people that I love, and who love me (though slightly less when I am such a bad  mood :) In this season of my life, there will never be perfect quiet. But God is still accessible through the noise and the chaos.

Certainly, seeking quiet is a blessed thing. And, there are ways to surround ourselves with less noise (as we should surely seek to do). But God is reminding me this morning that my life is busy. Its chaotic. Its crazy. Its the life He has for me today, in this season.

I have to hide in him, even amidst the chaos. I must seek the quiet of my soul, even when the world around me is far from quiet. My spirit need not mimic the craziness of the world around me ...because I have everything I need.

God knew what I needed to hear today.

Week 6: 1 Peter 3:14-16

{"Do not fear what they fear, do not be afraid. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:14-16}

This week, we switch our focus from grace to hope ...while certainly the two are closely connected and we will find ourselves falling back on what we have learned of grace to help us understand hope. 

Grace, after all is the hope that we have been called to!

In context, Peter is talking about the occasions we 'suffer for good'. In our day and time, in the United States of America, we dont often have to suffer for being a Christian. At least, not to the same extent the the New Testament Christians did, often to the point of death.  There are other ways of suffering though, that we can relate to do some degree.  

Perhaps we are judged harshly by the world, and found lacking to meet their standards.  Perhaps we make choices that we feel are ones based on godly principles, and we are criticized for being "anti-social" or a deviant. Perhaps those who pit themselves against us are even other Christians who feel challenged by our choices. Perhaps it is your words of truth being met with accusations of intolerance and judgement, that causes you to feel you are 'suffering for good'.  It is possible, that you dont feel personally as if you are suffering in anyway for living a life of godliness, but you can relate to how Christianity in general has been attacked in our society over the years and especially in our present day.

Regardless, I love the challenge that Peter gives ..."Do not fear what they fear" vs 14. Fear is what drives people's responses to our good, and to those things that we do that make them feel challenged. It may be fear of judgement, fear of loss of control, fear of rejection, fear of all things unknown or of being misunderstood. We are encouraged to be motivated by something altogether different. 

Our motivation is in our hope.

Our hope lies in Christ alone. In the grace, forgiveness, peace and blessing that comes with knowing him. In contrast to the fear that drives those who may slander us, their slander is shameful! 

But, we should not forget what given the opportunity we must share it with respect and kindness. The power of gentleness and respect should not be underestimated in our day and time. Our culture lacks respect and certainly gentleness. Our responding to challenges with a degree of grace will do more for us, and for the message that we relate than anything else!

I am so disheartened when I see Christians responding to challenge with anger and harshness. By responding such, they are proving that their motivations are similar to those who do the challenging..fear of being misunderstood, fear of rejection, or of judgement.  

When we are able to give an answer for our hope..to truly given an answer for our hope..then you can only do it with respect and gentleness. 

Are you ready to give an answer for the hope that lies in your heart?  ..I pray for you as well as for me, that when the times comes I am indeed!

{Welcome, ifellowshippers ..your being here is an encouragement to me!}

Also, blessed to be linked to:

Grace to Others

I think it is easy to see grace as something that is very "floaty" ..rather ambiguous and even only of the spiritual nature.

I have been made aware in the past week of how God shows his grace to me (thank the Lord for wonderful study and soul level friendships!), largely through others around me. Grace, God's 'unmerited favor', is filtered through those who love us when we are not lovable, or when we are need of strength or blessing.

God shows us grace through an offering of prayer and blessing, and of a meal prepared by a mother who relates to your feeling overwhelmed.  Grace is forgiveness when its not deserved, and a friend allowing you to cry on her shoulder when you have wronged her...or you have been wronged. Grace is when you should be incapable, and yet somehow you have the words, the strength, the resources provided in ways you cannot explain.

Grace is what happens when you move with the rhythm of the spirit, and reach out to a person who others avoid. Or, you forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. Its being kind when someone has falsely accused you, or resisted slandering someone knowing they will not return the favor.

Grace strengthens us, often not by filling us with a supernatural strength in ourselves - but by instructing the hearts of those who are stronger than us to do the lifting for us. Grace teaches us, not always by some deep unlearned understanding but by the example of an older woman or man who have lived their lives for God. Grace provides our needs, when we are incapable or unable to do so ourselves ..and most often to a better and greater degree than we would have ourselves.

Grace is not something that is beyond our ability to experience, except on a spiritual plane ...not by a long shot. We see grace every day. Unmerited favor, extended to us by those in God's kingdom and who are acting has His hands in your life.

How much more important to be God's grace to others. To touch, forgive, cook, babysit, clean, assist, pray, empower, lift and deliver.

"And God is able to make a grace abound TO you so that in all things and at all times, having everything you need you will abound in every good work ....You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God"  2 Corinthians 9:8 and 11

Blessed to participate in ....

Grace

We wrap up five weeks of studying grace very specifically this week. By study, I mean we have read, we have written, we have rewritten, we have asked 'so what?' and then 'what else' ...we have pondered, prayed and meditated over scriptures that have enlightened and blessed us.

I can say in all sincerity that I have learned more of this precious gift than I ever feel like I knew before. Many of these lessons have been surprises, as I understand many familiar passages in totally new ways!

I have learned much of grace, and learned what a precious, precious blessing it is!

We have learned ..

* 2 Corinthians 12:8 ...that grace is power. It is sufficient to overcome any of my weakness, and its power is made perfect in my imperfections. Grace makes me strong.

* Titus 2:11-13 ...that grace teaches. It teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and gives us the wisdom, righteousness and HOPE for the days to come.

* Ephesians 2:8-10 ...that grace saves. It saves us, so that we can fulfill our purposes and do the things that God has planned for us ..in advance!

* Hebrews 4:15-16 ...that grace gives us confidence and boldness. Through grace, we are able to approach the throne of God with the knowledge that He desires to bless us with mercy and and grace at the right time.

*  2 Corinthians 9:8 ...that grace is all that we need. Its all we need to fulfill the good works God has called us to, and he gives us EVERYTHING we need to not only do well, but to 'abound' in those wonderful tasks!

Grace, is way more than simply "unmerited favor". Its more than a feel good, ambiguous offering of a God who is far away. It is real. It is an awesome gift that we continue to rely on, be filled with and we are utterly dependent on for any hope of being part of God's kingdom.

I have learned that grace is not something that is a vague and simply in the 'spirit' realm - but it is tactile, touchable, viewable and obvious. Grace is what happens to a person when they allow God to fill them up, and move their bodies, spirits and circumstances beyond the here and now and to a place of blessing and testimony.

Grace is what I see in active form when I see ...

* a young mother and wife whose husband has left her to follow the desires of his heart. Who nurtures those around her through the hurt that divorce brings, and is able to minister to her children, to his family and to all those who are touched by choices that arent her own.

* another young mother who is facing a disease that threatens to take her life, yet her family, friends and loved ones gather around and minister to her in beautiful and real ways. So that, regardless of the outcome she has the blessing of nurtured relationships with her husband and children throughout these precious moments.

* a couple, who 'should' be about to start a new phase of their life as 'empty nesters', instead move their life to a place where their nest will never be empty, and their 33 years of parenting experience will come in handy as they minister to God's children in another country.

* ministers of Christ's church who devote their life to teaching, correcting, loving and nurturing God's people with little or no reward this side of heaven.

* victims of the devastation of nature from the past few weeks as they start to put their lives back together, and yet continue to bless the Lord and his people by encouraging and uplifting others who have lost their physical blessings

* a mother who seeks to bless her children on a daily basis - with touch, with teaching, with nurturing, with guiding and unconditional love. Who can overcome lack of sleep, lack of physical reward, lack of recognition.

These, and so many more are examples of how God's grace is active and powerful amongst his people.

Have you learned of grace these weeks? Are you more aware of it as you look around and see his hand powerfully working? ...do share, and may God's grace bless you abundantly! 

{Welcome ifellowshippers! ..so glad you came by to visit!}