Bible Study Check In

littlecookie · July 2014

Hi everybody, welcome to the Bible Study Check-In. I hope most of you all saw that megrae12 is taking a bit of a bump break. I’ll be helping out with the check in along with @MrsG80inTN. We’re thinking of just doing the check in once a week on Thursdays. Hope that’s ok! If you’re new or you cannot get in touch with your prayer partner please PM@MrsG80inTN @littlecookie and we will assign you a new one.

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

I feel like I might jump around devotions I’m reading for things for us to talk about. This was on Proverbs 31 ministries daily devotional as I was planning.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 (NLT) James wrote to Christians who were experiencing severe persecution, facing various trials and sufferings. They endured difficult adversities and injustices, and were juggling an array of emotions including fear, mourning, confusion and loneliness. Some were sick. Others had fled their homes for safety. These Christians had serious reasons to complain. In his letter, James acknowledged their suffering but also reminded them of reasons to rejoice in spite of it. James encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith, even when life was hard. He knew that such times presented the opportunity to persevere and practice finding joy in Christ, despite their circumstances.

Prayer: Lord, help me find joy in You every day, despite my circumstances. Fill me with peace and help me choose joy on purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

1. How does this verse make you feel? We all have serious reasons to complain right now, but what areas of your life are you able to find joy even in your struggles? How do we keep these things close to our heart when we’re feeling down about our current circumstances?

2. Prayer

3: Praises

mrsjg2013 · July 2014

Good morning, all. I've been feeling the tug to join you

A little about me: I've had three consecutive losses since TTC in July after DH and I married in June (2013). From the moment I got my first baby doll, my mom reports that I was consumed with the urge to "mother." My "Dear Santa" list every year consisted of all baby dolls and accessories, and when people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say "a mommy." Losing three little ones and facing the unknown journey in TTC has been devastating.

I'm a fairly "new" Christian- I didn't grow up going to church and began my journey towards faith in my 20's. I was baptized in March 2013 and am incredibly thankful that God steered me towards the church I attend. Although throughout my losses I've not been angry with God, I have found it hard to go to church because of the overwhelming emotions it brings. I also have to be honest with myself and admit that I find it hard to leave the house at all these days.

I am grateful for finding this group and look forward to getting to know you all.

mrsjg2013 · July 2014

Sorry to intro and run, but I'm heading out of town to visit family. I look forward to posting in response to the scripture when I get home and to reading everyone's responses as well!

graceanne927 · July 2014

Hi Ladies

Thanks for stepping in to help @littlecookie...I think once a week is a great idea

1. How does this verse make you feel? We all have serious reasons to complain right now, but what areas of your life are you able to find joy even in your struggles? How do we keep these things close to our heart when we’re feeling down about our current circumstances? Finding joy in my struggles is a focused effort sometimes...I feel guilty not soaking up more quality time w/ my sweet little family. TTC is so heavily on my brain and heart. I do stop myself countless times a day and pinch myself at what I have been blessed with and sometimes feel guilty that it's not enough. So I make a lot of effort to fill our days with a lot of activity and memorable moments and I try to savor our time together as much as possible. I find the more time I spend w/ God in my quiet times that He is there pressing me on in this journey. I don't feel the desire to give up and I just keep taking one small step of faith each day. In my quiet time this morning this verse spoke to me: Psalms 16: 5-6 Lord you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance. - This verse inspires me to slow down and not be so focused on the "next' thing but thank God and praise him for where I am right now.

Prayers: Ladies, I've been guilty of trying to control my timeline...I'm a planner my nature so I had a "pretty plan" set in place and expected God to go along with it. Please pray for my heart...my 38th birthday looms in the near future and it's cloud of darkness hovering over me. Now I want that peace of really trusting in God's timing and handing over the fear and anxiety aging another year brings me. Also, please pray for my Dad...I found out while on vacation w/ my family that my dad is in end stage kidney failure. He will be going on dialysis in the next couple months and there is so many factors about this alone that is terrifying. My grandmother died of the same kidney disease at 76...my dad is only 58. We are praying that one of us (members of my family and a couple of close friends who have come forward) will be a perfect match as a kidney donor and that it will be a successful surgery and bring him many more years of quality life. I know I can't articulate it in a way that you would really really know and understand how important this man is to all of us...it's heartbreaking to think of losing him. I just can't think about it b/c I know I'm not strong enough to cope w/ that enormous loss...please please pray!

Praises: I'm so thankful for my family; I realize what a treasure it is to have such strong bonds in life. Counting my blessings today - thanks for reinforcing this reminder @littlecookie.

@jj32 - I love Beth Moore - which book are your reading?

@mrsjg2013 - I'm so sorry for your losses but am glad you have decided to join us! I'll be praying for you (((hugs)))

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

@mrsjg2013 – so glad you finally answered the tug to join us. We’re not happy you’re here, but I trust God will use each of us in a way that we can not even imagine this side of heaven and I hope that you will find encouragement and comfort here. Be kind to yourself… losses bring about emotions we can’t even begin to comprehend. Going to church can be quite a hard one and I’ll admit I haven’t been as regular about going either. I know that I need to be though and MH and I are trying to get back in the habit.

@jj32 – Which Beth Moore book are you reading? I love her a lot. She’s got such a way with words. I’m obsessed with the P31 ladies too J

@graceanne927 – I love what you posted from Psalms – you’re right that we do need to slow down – thank you for reminding me of this. Praying for you and your family and your dad. God can do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine (I think that’s at the end of Jude, but I can’t remember right now). Praying you’ll feel his peace over your dad and also over your upcoming birthday. My “timeline” hasn’t quite worked out like I thought either and every birthday seems to loom a little heavier if that makes sense.

@mrandmrsk91011 – Welcome – While I’m sad you find yourself here, I will rejoice in the fact that God has given us this place to build each other up throughout this experience. I love the reminder about Jacob’s ladder… Surely He is in this place and we didn’t know it. What a beautiful thought. Praying for your healing.

@bluedaisy0627 – Whoa! Your boss sounds great – YAY!. You’re right that God will make it good in the end – we don’t know how, but he will! Prayers for your upcoming testing.

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

1. How does this verse make you feel? I studied this verse in the Beth Moore study on james and it was really powerful. I love if you go on in the chapter where it talks about how we will lack nothing... He completes us and will do great things in our lives... we just need to stay focused on him.

We all have serious reasons to complain right now, but what areas of your life are you able to find joy even in your struggles? I find joy in my relationship with my husband. We have grown so much and it is ALL God - seriously. I'm so thankful for the turnaround that God has produced in both of us. Also, God continues to take care of us in so many ways.

How do we keep these things close to our heart when we’re feeling down about our current circumstances? Lately I haven't been as good about this... Normally I read devotions or the Bible every day, but I haven't read anything other than going to church for over a week. And of course, our pastor spoke about the need to read the bible on sunday and how if we only had time to read one book it should be the bible. I just haven't done it. I need to be better about that vs. spending time reading other things or playing games on my phone.

2. Prayer - For my dad's eyesight to improve, for this cycle and our (mine and DH) emotions going through it - I go in for another monitoring u/s tomorrow and hopefully get to get my HCG shot as well... Pray for my mom as she is recovering from being sick and pray for my Mother-in-law as she has an issue with her thyroid and will have to have surgery sometime soon. lastly, for my husband's job - he works for the government and there are some changes coming that worry him and that's just not helpful.

3: Praises DH and I took a mental health day last week and it was glorious. We've also been able to walk every night this week and just chat which has been great. I'm also grateful for you all and for @littlecookie for putting together this devotional.

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

@mrsjg2013 and @mrandmrsk91011 - would either of you like a prayer partner.

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

jj32 said:

MrsG80inTN I am reading Beth Moore's Discover the Victory of Total Surrender.

Ooooo I haven't seen this one...

mrsjg2013 · July 2014

MrsG80inTN said:

@mrsjg2013 and @mrandmrsk91011 - would either of you like a prayer partner.

Yes

Elliecat17 · July 2014

Hi I introed a while ago and am part of the newbie board, but I have been lurking here, and would really like to join. Church tends to be what gets me through so much, but there is no group in the area where I live, so I feel like this would be the perfect alternative. I'm Catholic, so I hope that's alright.

I've been having a rough week and I'm not sure if it's the hormones or simply me not putting aside enough time for prayer and meditation on the bible. It's been a lot of jealously and grumpiness. I love working with my kids at school, but this past week I haven't wanted to go in and see them. Anyways I shall stop rambling and go read through that verse and contemplate. I would love to join if you would have me.

Ariel

mrsjg2013 · July 2014

Thank you all for the warm welcome!!

1. How does this verse make you feel? We all have serious reasons to complain right now, but what areas of your life are you able to find joy even in your struggles? How do we keep these things close to our heart when we’re feeling down about our current circumstances?

I find that my struggles shine a light on bits of joy that I may have otherwise overlooked. As I was driving home tonight from my parents' house, which is the house I grew up in, I noticed the blue skies, the corn fields, the sunshine, and I thought how lucky I was to grow up in the country where I could play outdoors until dark, explore nature, and get dirty. We didn't have much, but I had a happy childhood. What a blessing that is. Now that I live an hour away in a much larger city, I can truly appreciate the "wide open spaces" of back home. Before my losses, I was so focused on my life, my plans for the future that I often overlooked the "little things." Now I eagerly search for joy amongst my sorrows, and I find new things daily to be thankful for.

2. Prayer- For my body to naturally pass the remaining tissue from my d&c so that I don't have to have another surgical procedure. For strength to get out the door and into church- I've made excuses for not going because I'm avoiding my emotions.

3: Praises- For my friends, family, and husband who have been continually supportive. For the two little furry bundles of joy my H and I adopted on our first anniversary- my kittens constantly put a smile on my face when I'm feeling down. For joining this board and the hope, comfort, and support I will give/get in our TTC journeys.

mrsjg2013 · July 2014

@graceann927- It seems that you and I have something in common, I'm also a planner and have struggled with not having control over when/how I will have my family. My husband and I are teachers so I was overjoyed when I planned the first little one perfectly just before summer vacation... Now anytime God puts the blessing of a child in my life will be perfect timing. Prayers for peace of mind, body, and spirit as you await God's perfectly-timed blessings in your life.

@bluedaisy0627- Thank you for sharing the thought that God is holding our babies for us, and is a connection between them and us. This will help me feel comforted when I go to church this weekend.

@MrsG80inTN- Thank you for sharing your pastor's words on having time to read the Bible. This is a habit I've not yet developed, but it's time. I'm on summer break from teaching and certainly have time to dedicate to it. Any suggestions for order of reading, passages to start with, etc? I've begun at the New Testament several times, planning to read it on through, but that didn't work so I'm open to suggestion

littlecookie · July 2014

Wow. Lot's of new faces. I'm so sorry that you all have had to join us, but want to welcome each of you to our group. I hope that we can all be a source of encouragement for each other over the next weeks and months.

I find joy in my relationships with others. I've got such amazing people in my life, who make me laugh and want the best for me. I don't want to take that for granted. I keep close to the joy, by listening to Christian music. Hard to wallow when you're singing.

Prayer: I mentioned some friends that were going through ivf several weeks ago. It worked, but I found it recently that she miscarried. I'm heartbroken for them. The husband and my H are closer friends, so pray that she knows she can talk to me if she needs to.

Praises: Like many of the other ladies, work is going very well. I've got some really interesting projects on the horizon and I'm super excited.

mrsjg2013 Prayers that church will be a source of strength and encouragement for you and not bring the painful emotions. I've found myself tearing up in church too. There was one song that was played about God's love for us the weekend before my ultrasound. At the time, I thought it was a sign that the ultrasound would go well, so hearing the song now reminds me very much of my feelings when i heard it then and it makes me sad. I have to focus on the words of the song, the scriptures that remind us of his love very intentionally to get the painful thoughts out of my head. On the Bible reading, are you doing any devotionals? If you aren't doing a daily devotion, I'd start with that as a way to focus if just reading through hasn't worked.

@jj32 Way to go on the devotion follow through. Nice job, lady! I've been doing a lot of praying about being a light. The local station here has been playing this song Do Something a lot and it's really been convicting me to be the hands and feet. Prayers you can shine where he needs you.

graceanne927 love the verse you shared. It's not one I recognized, so I've got it saved. I will add your dad and your family to my prayers. I pray that a match is found and surgery goes well for both donor and dad.

mrandmrsk91011 Thank you for sharing that verse. I looked it up ad think the verse before it is perfect for us too. "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Last week we talked about reminding God about his promises to us, so really great timing.

bluedaisy0627 Your positive attitude this week is infectious. I'm so glad work is going well and that you are feeling in sync with God. Love it!

MrsG80inTN A mental health day sounds awesome. So glad you got to do that! Prayers for your family's health. On the Bible reading, have you tried the Bible app? If you're into your phone it might work for you. I reach for my phone when I wake up and have trained myself to open it before fb or games.

Elliecat17 I'm so sorry you've had a rough week. Praying for peace and strength for you while you work with the kiddos at your job.

Hugs ladies!

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

mrsjg2013 - I appreciate things like a bible reading plan on Bible Gateway app to get me into the habit or something like that. We've done a few Good morning Girls studies on here and they are light reading, but also talk about application which tends to help me. Other than that I think that reading Phillipians or Ephesians and things like that can be really good.

@littlecookie - You're so right - I need to look at my bible app before i do anything else... I am going to try and do that this week.

mara005 · July 2014

1. After my first loss I felt like I needed to be close to God, not just pray, so I started church "shopping" . The 2nd church I went to was 'the one'. These terrible events in our lives have brought us to an amazing church full of people who love us.

2. Prayer - For my sister, she is doing her chemo right now and it's been hard on her.

3: Praises - This week is vacation bible school, I'm so excited because I'm the head of crafts!

MrsG80inTN · July 2014

mara005 said:

1. After my first loss I felt like I needed to be close to God, not just pray, so I started church "shopping" . The 2nd church I went to was 'the one'. These terrible events in our lives have brought us to an amazing church full of people who love us.

2. Prayer - For my sister, she is doing her chemo right now and it's been hard on her.
3: Praises - This week is vacation bible school, I'm so excited because I'm the head of crafts!

Praying for your sister and thinking of you this week with VBS! Hope it's a great time.

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