Foundations--Part II

Sorry I dropped off the grid! I got a chance to travel with Barry last week, and I couldn't pass it up. It was a "working date", but we had a blast--lot's of great conversation in the car and some great food in Asheville. I got to meet two terrific guys that Barry works with and Don's wife. Good times!

I want to continue sharing about the Foundations class now. I'll followup with the third question on Thursday. Promise!

Our second question is "Who is God?" With a foundation of the truth of the Bible, we started searching God's Word for who He is. The spring youth retreat had focused on Genesis 1-3, so we started with talking about the Trinity as shown there. Click here to check out a great website on the Trinity that gives scriptural references about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We also looked at Matt. 3:13-17. This passage where Jesus is baptized always gives me chill bumps. The eye witnesses got to see all three persons of the Trinity. Don't you wish you could have been there?!

We talked a little about the many names of God and what they tell us about His character. Click here for a great listing of God's scriptural names.

We talked about Jesus and His claims of divinity. Was He a legend, lunatic, liar or Lord? Our culture wants to answer this lots of ways, but there is only one biblical answer. For a developed look at the answer to this question and Jesus' claims, click here.

Finally, we looked at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. He is an amazing and often overlooked part of the Trinity. Take a look at this site for a listing of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. We finished up by looking at Ephesians 1 which tells us that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

I know that "Who is God?" is a question that can take a lifetime of study. One 45-minute period is so insufficient. My goal, though, was to give a little taste that I hope will open a longing for a feast. Our little appetizer left ME hungry for more!

Important note: I didn't read every word on every website that I've quoted. I did read the sections that I gave to my class. This is a disclaimer in case there is content on other parts of the pages that is off-base. Please read like a Berean!!

Foundations: Christianity 101

"I've been a Christian for a long time, but I'm not sure about some of the questions you posed." "I've never really thought about that." "When I became a Christian, nobody really taught me anything. I just started coming to church and picked up things along the way."

These are some of the comments that were shared as we went around the room in our little group of women who had gathered to look at these questions:

• Is the Bible true?
• Who is God?
• What is salvation and baptism?
• How do I grow as a Christian?

These are the questions that form our Christianity 101 class. It was a class that I developed for some teens that I mentioned in the devotion today, but we've done it with some women at church, too.

These seem like very basic questions, right? Have you tried to explain the answers to anyone lately? It was harder than I thought when I started thinking and studying to answer these questions. They're especially hard to answer without using "Christian-eze".

When we started the groups, we established a ground rule. No one in the group could use a "religious word" without explaining it. Don't get me wrong. There are some words used in scripture that are rich in meaning. The only problem is that many people in our world today don't know the meaning. We had to explain these words in every day vocabulary if we used them. It was challenging for all us churchy girls!

There were no other rules. No stupid questions...no penalty for questions and struggle.

Here's why I chose these questions and believe that that answers are critical for every Christian--new and old.

Is the Bible true? This question really has to be answered before any of the others. If we don't begin with a knowledge that the Bible is inerrant and true, then every other belief is subjective. God has designed His Word to be our absolute plumb line. I know that there are differences in interpretation, but we have to start with an foundational belief that the Bible is God's revelation of Himself to humankind.

We live in a culture that is largely biblically illiterate. Unfortunately, that form of illiteracy is too often found inside the church. If we truly believe that the Bible is God's Word, we must study it, believe it and live it. A love and reverence for scripture is the foundation that must be laid for every new Christian.

I put together information for this session from several terrific websites. My favorite is Clarifying Christianity. These are some suggested readings:

• Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
• Know Why You Believe by Paul Little
• Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
• The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

I'll address the other questions in the coming posts. In the meantime, I encourage you to study and struggle with these questions yourself. It's not only critical for our own faith, it's essential to nurturing new Christians.

Summer Reading

My inner geek definitely comes out during the summer. Nothing makes me happier than a huge stack of books beside my bed. When we're on school schedule and in the midst of soccer practices, band concerts and school end-of-year activities, there's not much time for reading. When that last school bell rings, though, it's on!!

I've done some book reviews during the year, but now I need some suggestions from you for books I should pick up this summer. What have you read that's good?

I love to read a mix. Here some of my picks for summer:

Plain Truth or My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult (Warning: these are intense, not for a beach trip!)
Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Anything by Karen Kingsbury
The Mitford series by Jan Karon (reading these has to be followed by a trip to Blowing Rock, NC)
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
Any of the Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers and also her novellas of women in the lineage of Christ

Hidden Joy

Friends, are you struggling to find a summer study to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus while our churches take a needed summer rest? I always have this dilemma as I take a break from BSF for the summer. It's too easy to fall into not spending quiet time with God each day when I don't set some kind of structure for myself.

My friend Wendy Blight is offering an online study this summer on her blog. Her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner is about her journey to healing after a devastating sexual assault. She will be giving away free books to the first 10 women who sign up on her blog. An online study sounds like just the ticket for me over the summer. I really can't commit to a weekly gathering at a time and place, but an online study gives the flexibility we all need. Check it out!

Inspiration and Thank You!

I can't describe how blessed I am from all the emails and comments. Your encouragement has brought refreshment and renewal into my days this week.

I wanted to post On Purpose's comment that especially touched those still-bruised places in my heart:

"Remember who planted that dream in your heart, because He is holding tight to your hand and He will guide each step and every detail."

Do you have a dream that God has planted in your heart? He is faithful! He has not forgotten His dreamers, and He has not relagated us to Plan B. Reach with me for His hand and keep following, sisters!

Dealing with Disappointment

Well, it wasn't the answer that I had hoped for. On Friday, I got a final "no" to the book proposal that I presented at She Speaks last year. I started writing in the spring with an idea and the thought that I'd learn a little something about the process. I never thought that an idea that I felt led to write about would make it so far. It had made it over several hurdles, and as each "yes" was received, my hopes began to climb.

It was really hard to get that "no", and I've experienced some of the stages of grief:

Sadness--I've cried many tears including all during worship this morning. I had started to build a plan for the next year, and it's tough to let go of that.

Anger--I thought about naming names and titling my post with an explicative that starts with the same letter as "Disappointment". Sorry if that shocks you...just being real.

Denial--I've thought, "Maybe they'll change their minds and call me with good news."

Acceptance-with-Joy--God has a plan. It's different that what I'd hoped, but it's not derailed or late. I've learned so much and received support and encouragement along the way. I gained a precious connection with an editor with a huge heart. No regrets!

On Friday, I thought again about my friend Cindy. She's recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Do you know what she said to me? She said, "This is my chance to show my children how to deal with adversity." Amazing!

So this is my chance to show my children how to deal with disappointment. I cried, and then we went to Chili's. I proposed a toast, "Here's to never giving up!" and we clicked our Cokes.

It won't be this week (I'm giving myself a little break), but I'll be working on that proposal some more. I've had a little inspiration via my smart hubby, and I'll get past those marketing guys yet!! :)

Changing My Name

One of my all-time favorite books is Hinds' Feet on High Places. I reread it every few years, and it never ceases to amaze me how Hannah Hurnard weaves scripture all throughout an allegory. There's something about the story that rings true and reaches my heart.

I'm feeling a little emotionally off-balance today, because I'm waiting for some big news tomorrow. God spent the morning reminding me that He is God no matter the outcome of this news. He started by speaking to me through Deuteronomy 31: 8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." He reminded me that He is in complete control of my destiny. A "no" tomorrow isn't the end of the world. It's just a turn in the path, and I'll be fine as long as I follow Him. He's going before me.

I then felt a gentle nudge to go on to read more from Hinds' Feet. In this chapter, Much Afraid, the main character, is once again facing down her family/enemies Pride, Bitterness and Self-Pity. She is rescued by the Shepherd, and she begins to question him about why she was unable to fend off her enemies. Here is the dialogue that follows:

"I think," said the Shepherd gently, "that lately the way seemed a little easier and the sun shone, and you came to a place where you could rest. Your forgot for a while that you were my little handmaiden Acceptance-with-Joy and were beginning to tell yourself it really was time that I led you back to the mountains and up to the High Places. When your wear the weed of impatience in your heart instead of the flower Acceptance-with-Joy, you will always find your enemies get an advantage over you."

Much-Afraid blushed. She knew how right he was in his diagnosis....She put her hand in the Shepherd's and said sorrowfully, "You are quite right. I have been thinking that you are allowing me to follow this path too long and that you were forgetting your promise." Then she added, looking steadfastly into his face, "but I do tell you now with all my heart that you are my Shepherd whose voice I love to hear and obey, and that it is my joy to follow you. You choose, my Lord, and I will obey."

Just for today (or maybe forever), I think I'd like to be called Acceptance-with-Joy instead of Amy. I'd ask for your prayers tomorrow that I would follow with joy the Shepherd on whatever path He chooses. I promise to share more and not be so secretive next week!

Clean Happy!

This post is late today, because I was working on a long-overdue house cleaning. Sometimes I grouse about cleaning, but it's generally not my most hated chore. That would be cooking! Anyhoo.... As I cleaned today I enjoyed all my stuff. It wasn't because of any kind of material value. Many of these things are probably not valuable to anyone but me. I enjoyed these things because of the memories attached. Here are some of those memories....

An angel from my sis-in-law who listens to what I love when I shop. She's truly the sis I never had!
The chair I rocked my babies in during the long nights...

The candy dish that Grandmama Carroll gave me. We miss you, Grandmama!

My grooviest mask in my collection from my sweet friend Christie who gave up her life to serve in South Africa only to find all her dreams coming true.... (Hope you're well, my prego friend!)

The "Aslan" I searched and searched for to remind me that Jesus is the King in our jungle!

One of Barry's turtles...that man really loves a tortoise!

But most of my happiness comes from things that aren't things...like Hilde!

Pictures that remind me of my little sweeties...

Who are now my very big honeys...

What makes you happy in your house? Dig up those memories while you dust!!

Lazy Day

Suzie's devotion this week about rest really resonated in my soul. After a couple of weeks that have been way too busy, God is speaking to me loud and clear that a reordering of life is necessary. I've completed some commitments that I've made this week, and today is a day to kick back a little.

The first thing I'm tackling is a practice time. I'm practicing stretching my mouth around that little two letter word--NO. I've gotten pretty out of practice. I was moaning about one of my commitments this week when a friend asked me, "Did you pray about it first?" What a novel concept! :) I actually had not prayed before I blurted out "yes". I've payed the price this week and so sadly has my family. Repentance and change are in order!

After my practice time, I'm going on a treasure hunt. I plan to find every last great find in area Goodwills today that there are. Don't laugh! I love doing this!! I started because I had no money, but now I just find such pleasure in paying next to nothing for great stuff. The hunt is a big part of the fun.

Finally, when all the guys get home, I want to fix dinner at home, ride bikes, play cards and just hang out together. It's not a completely inspiring day, I know, but it's a much needed day. Hope yours is great, too!