Schools started in my hometown this week. As people are setting up their new schedules, a lot of Bible studies are gearing up as well.

In July I talked about “Avoiding Spiritual Starvation.” As people are making their fall plans, I thought this might be a good time to talk about what Bible studies have helped me the most.

Through the years I have participated in many different types of studies. I have attended a ladies’ study in which one person taught on whatever was on her heart; I have learned from teachers like Beth Moore, completing homework and watching DVDs with other ladies. We have studied books that had chapters to read and then questions to answer.Continue Reading

Yesterday I was reading in Psalm 46 in my quiet time (def: time alone with God in prayer and in the Word, preferably daily).

This psalm starts off with a verse we often teach our children: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I think it’s a great verse to apply personally, since it reminds us that we can cry out to Him in times of personal need and He will be with us and help us.

However, yesterday as I was reading the whole psalm, I was impressed that in context the psalm is really talking about nations.

I don’t know about you, but I get pretty concerned when I look at the direction “the nations” are going these days. The nightly news is always bad. There are drug cartels, terrorists (last night on the news they said there are twice as many terrorist groups as there were 10 years ago)—well, suffice it to say that evil seems to be running rampant. And it’s not just in one or two nations; it’s worldwide! Continue Reading

I believe there are many things that can steal our joy. Comparing ourselves to other people is a big one that I think we’re all guilty of at one time or another.

In 2 Corinthians 10:12 Paul says that people who measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves among themselves are not wise. Unfortunately, it’s very human to compare ourselves to others.

Years ago a good friend of mine shared with me the exhortation, “Don’t compare your insides with my outsides!”

When you think of it, that’s really what we’re doing when we compare ourselves to someone else. We are only seeing what’s on their outsides. We, however, are very aware of our own, unseen failings and of those of our spouses, our children, etc. It’s definitely not a reasonable comparison.Continue Reading

Last week we had Cousins’ Camp at my house.

For this first year, only the two oldest, both girls (potty trained and somewhat independent), got to come. And there really seemed to be a good reason for holding it the week after the THSC convention (the one who lives furthest away flew home with us, helping on travel expenses), but I’m reminded of the saying:Continue Reading