So … probably everyone else except me already knew about this, but I just learned about the S.O.A.P. method for studying the Bible. It makes a lot of sense to me. So I thought I’d share it here. S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture Observation Application Prayer It’s great because you can use it by yourself orContinue reading “SOAP”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Sins, Actions, Thoughts and Forgiveness
It is so much easier to change my sinful actions than to change my sinful thoughts. I want to be supportive of an elderly family member. I feel a responsibility to be supportive. I am the closest living relative she has. But often it is very hard. I used to get angry and frustrated whenContinue reading “Sins, Actions, Thoughts and Forgiveness”
The War Against Christmas
This will be the first year I will be celebrating Christmas as a Christian. In all honesty, I’ve kind of been dreading it. I truly dislike “secular Christmas” which seems to overshadow the religious celebration of Jesus’s birth these days. And I’m nervous about friends & family and acquaintances with whom I’ve been pretty publicContinue reading “The War Against Christmas”
Ineffable
When I was a senior in high school my brave high school English teacher taught a unit on “The ineffable experience.” I say he was brave because I personally can’t imagine trying to bring up that word, let alone that concept, let alone teach anything meaningful about it, in a room full of high schoolContinue reading “Ineffable”
How Much Time?
How much time do you spend reading the Bible? For pretty much the past year, when I first decided – before I became a Christian – that I needed to read the Gospels to learn more about Christians’ relationship with God, I’ve been spending about 2 hours/day reading and studying the Bible. It’s a hugeContinue reading “How Much Time?”
Moses and the Promised Land
Two days ago the gifted Christian missionary and blogger, Jennifer Arimborgo, wrote an amazing article titled, “Moses DID Get into the Promised Land!” That sent more than a few of her hundreds of followers reaching for our Bibles (always a Good Thing!). Jennifer points to Matthew 17: “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter andContinue reading “Moses and the Promised Land”
Poem
This poem by the Russian writer Elena Mikhalkova was making the rounds earlier this year. Sometimes I think this is how it can “feel” from the inside when God is leading us through difficult times. My grandmother once gave me a tip: In difficult times, you move forward in small steps. Do what you haveContinue reading “Poem”
I Shouldn’t Have Read That
Okay, I never read the Book of Revelation before. I read it this week and I wish that I hadn’t. My thinking was: This is a part of the Bible I’ve never read. Reading the Bible is a good thing because it is the Word of God. God wants us to get to know HisContinue reading “I Shouldn’t Have Read That”
Relapse
I have written here about my first amazing encounter with the Holy Spirit. It was within days of my salvation. Holy Spirit clearly and in no uncertain terms let me know that self-hatred is a sin which I must stop. The message was crystal clear, “You are defying God’s will when you hate what GodContinue reading “Relapse”
God Before Housework
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked,Continue reading “God Before Housework”