****Bible Study Check In*****

littlecookie

Hi everybody, welcome to the Bible Study Check-In. If you’re new, please jump right in the thread, but give us a little intro too. If you would like a prayer partner please PM@MrsG80inTN @littlecookie and we will work to assign you one. If you’re having trouble getting in touch with your prayer partner, please let one of us know as well.

This is a list of the current prayer partners. Please respond to your prayer partner's post and/or communicate via PM:

@littlecookie & megrae12

@MrsG80inTN & @mara005

@graceanne927 & @bluedaisy0627

@mrsjg2013 & @mrandmrsk91011

@elliecat17 & @jj32

 Thought we could focus on joy today and found this that mentions some specific steps.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

How shall we fight for joy?

• Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
• Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
• Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
• Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.
• Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
• Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
• Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
• Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
• Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
• Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.
• Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
• Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature.
• Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
• Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
• Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

1. Agree with this list? Do any of these tactics stand out to you? Can you pick one or two to focus on this week?

2. Prayer

3: Praises

QOTW: Were you in any activities in high school? 

MrsG80inTN

1. Agree with this list? Do any of these tactics stand out to you? Can you pick one or two to focus on this week?  I can absolutely agree with this list... The ones that stick out that I will try and focus on are fighting for joy and meditating on the word... I've got to get better about that because I find that I am more joyful in general when I am in the Word.

2. Prayer - I'm traveling this weekend so prayers for that... Prayers that I can get work figured out... I don't know if I'm in a funk or just not motivated right now or what but I'm just having a hard time focusing... I've got to get on the ball as it's stressing me out which isn't good.  Pray that my body responds well to the increased meds my doc gave me...

3: Praises DH and I tried a Sunday school class last Sunday... this was our first time trying a class and we had some trepidation due to prior experiences... It was great to have this be so easy and seemed to fit.  We will try another class next week after I'm back in town and then likely pick one to start attending in September.

QOTW: Were you in any activities in high school? Yes... Choir and cheerleading mainly.  And lots of church activities... 

MrsG80inTN

@bluedaisy0627 - I totally skipped over the rest/diet one and didn't even see it... It's a good one.  I notice that rest is so much easier when we focus on Christ... Hope that's a good one for you.  I'm sorry to hear about your coworker... this happened with someone I knew and now, 2 years later their marriage is stronger than it was before.  I pray this is what happens for this couple.

Elliecat17

This list is amazing! I might need to print it and focus on different aspects every month so that they just become a part of my life! To focus on this week:

• Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.
• Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
• Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

I chose these for several reasons. The first is that I have a HUGE problem with patience, but when i am patient and pray for it to remain in God's hands, then great things happen. The second has actually been a focus of my life for a while, but I had never thought about the importance of being healthy as a form of honor and respect to God. Finally the third is important to keeping your mind and soul healthy as well.

2. Prayer For the strength to leave things in God's hands. For my grandfather who has been in the hospital.

3. Praises: That I finally got hired as a full time teacher!

QOTW: I was in Choir, band (bells), ballet, tap, jazz (and I taught), harp, voice lessons, and cheerleading. I was busy! Oh and I taught K-3 Religious Education and sang and played at church.

littlecookie

@bluedaisy0627 Thinking of your friend. That's so tough. I'm sure that process put a lot of stress on their marriage. Hope your "weekend" gets off to a good start!

@mrsg80inTN Prayers about work and that your body responds well to your new meds. I'm so glad that you guys enjoyed the Sunday class. That's great news! Hope you all find the best fit for you.

@elliecat17 Congrats on the job!!

I'm going to be focused on these two this week. I've been doing great reading in the morning, but once I'm finished, my day gets going, and his word is not at the fore front. I think if it was it could really help with joy.

• Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
• Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God

Prayers: We hit some bumps on our renovation and hopefully, they've been worked out, but right now my house is a mess and I'd like to get it finished for peace of mind. 

Praises: You ladies. I'm so very thankful for you all and this study, which I think plays a huge part in my sanity and H and I are in a really great place right now.

QOTW: I was in yearbook and dance team.

cherylanddoug

Hi, I'm a newbie but I'd love to join in,  I've been struggling with my faith for a while now and I think this might help me.  I want to believe but my head is not in a good space.  Also I've not put the time into it that I should.   I just intro'd today so I am going to be lazy and just link my post.--liiving child mentioned in post  

1. Agree with this list? Do any of these tactics stand out to you? Can you pick one or two to focus on this week?

These are really speaking to me right now. 

• Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
• Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
• Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.

2. Prayer-   For my follow up to go well and AF to come sooner than later so I can move on. For the upcoming school year.(I'm a teacher)  

3: Praises- **living child mentioned** that my son did not get seriously injured today when he fell from the top of the sliding board (6 feet) and landed head.neck first.  

QOTW: Were you in any activities in high school? Mainly I was a nerd, school plays, SADD, NHS, church activities, Math League, French Club

littlecookie

Welcome @cheylanddoug I'm so sorry for your loss. Eek, that accident sounds dangerous. Glad he's ok. Will be thinking and praying for you about your appointment. Please let me know if you decide you'd like a prayer partner and we can three way you with a group until someone else joins.

mrsjg2013

Good morning, ladies.  Don't know how I missed this yesterday!!

1. Agree with this list?  Absolutely!!  Do any of these tactics stand out to you? I agree with @Elliecat17- this is something I'm going to print and post near my desk at school as well as put somewhere visible at home.  Sometimes it really is a struggle to find joy in my day when I feel everything is working against me.  Even my mother (who is typically very optimistic) said to me the other day, "You just can't catch a break." Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence. Although I know that God is with me always, being patient in general is my biggest challenge.  It's so hard to wait for His promises to come into fruition in my life.  TTCAL is such a waiting game, but I'm confident that God will make me the "winner" in the end.  Can you pick one or two to focus on this week?  I think focusing on a couple at a time is a great idea.  Sometimes I have so many great ideas of how I can grow in my faith that I get overwhelmed and don't know where to start.  This week I will focus on:  Meditate on the Word of God day and night (I will read from my daily devotional each morning and read from my Bible each evening) and Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight (No more excuses for not making it to church each week).

2. Prayer  That my body will regulate itself (still waiting on AF) and pass the retained tissue without any intervening by the doctors.  That I will be free of anxiety as I go back to school on Monday- it's a battle sometimes to leave the house without having a small anxiety attack.  I've been doing much better, but had a bit of a set-back this week.

3: Praises For the beautiful weather God has blessed my little area of the world with lately   Sitting outdoors and looking up to the blue sky reminds me of the many blessings I tend to overlook.  Nature is truly amazing!

QOTW: Were you in any activities in high school? I played volleyball and softball until my shoulder injury made it too painful. 

mrsjg2013

@bluedaisy0627- I'm having my family and my in-laws over today for a cookout... my house is definitely also the cleanest it's been in a long time!!  I hope you have a great visit!!  Edit: Just ready your update... I wish I had some advice about the AMH, but instead I'll offer prayers and ((HUGS)).  Church often brings out my emotions as well- I hope that the message you heard was worth the tears, those are often the most meaningful to me.  And thanks for sharing about Mary- an inspiration. 

@MrsG80inTN- I hope you have safe (and fun!!!) travels this weekend!  Sometimes getting away allows us to refocus when we get back.  I understand where you're coming from about work- I was definitely that way at the end of the school year.  I'm hoping the beginning will find me more motivated and focused!  (Monday- ready or not!)

@MrandMrsK90911- Prayers for your husband's job search; that the reason he hasn't found anything yet is because the perfect opportunity is just around the corner. 

@cherylanddoug- I'm so sorry for your loss.  I hope that joining this board and this particular group will bring you comfort and support.  I'm a teacher as well   Additionally, also waiting on AF.  It can be so hard playing the waiting game.  Big ((HUGS)).  Also, prayers for your son!

mrsjg2013

@Elliecat17- Congrats on the teaching job!!  When do you start?  I'm in Northern IL, and we go back this Monday! 

@littlecookie- I hope your renovations move quickly from here on out; when your home is in disarray it seems it can have a trickle effect into your mood.  I guess it's kind of like much else in life, it has to get messy before it can shine?

Elliecat17

mrsjg2013 Michigan has a weird law that we aren't allowed to start until after Labor Day. (Weird for me, I grew up in Hawaii where we started in August). Silly for the Upper Peninsula too where I am, because in the winter we send the kids to school in horrible weather so we don't go over our snow day allotment. So I start back September 2. But prep starts the 25! Have a good school year!

mrsjg2013

@Elliecat17 said:

mrsjg2013 Michigan has a weird law that we aren't allowed to start until after Labor Day. (Weird for me, I grew up in Hawaii where we started in August). Silly for the Upper Peninsula too where I am, because in the winter we send the kids to school in horrible weather so we don't go over our snow day allotment. So I start back September 2. But prep starts the 25! Have a good school year!

Thanks!!  Same to you   I live in Southern WI, literally two minutes from the IL border. My husband and I both teach in IL now, but he previously taught in WI- the entire state doesn't go back until after Labor Day as well!  I used to be jealous at the beginning of the year, and then it was his turn at the end when I was done a week or so earlier!

cherylanddoug

littlecookie said:

Welcome @cheylanddoug I'm so sorry for your loss. Eek, that accident sounds dangerous. Glad he's ok. Will be thinking and praying for you about your appointment. Please let me know if you decide you'd like a prayer partner and we can three way you with a group until someone else joins.

It was probably the scariest moment since he came into my life. So thankful he's ok.  I'm interested in a prayer partner.  I'll PM you.