Sunday, September 23, 2012

Colossians Study, Week One | Missouri Made Momma


The study has began.  I know that in a couple of previous posts I have talked about the Colossians Bible study through Good Morning Girls.  

We are through week one and onto week two so I wanted to do a review/summary of week one.  I have really enjoyed this study so far.  I will say that I wasn't used to the type of study they use.  It is called the SOAP method.  I am sure some, if not most, of you have heard about it.   It's actually really easy to use once you get used to it.  The letters stand for S= Scripture O= Observation A=Application and the P= Prayer.  

I wanted to take a few minutes and share some of what I have written down in my notebook through the first week of study.  But, first the scripture.  

Colossians 1:1-14   

(1)Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, (2)To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.  (3) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, (4) because we heave heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--- (5) the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel (6) that has come to you.  All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. (7) You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, (8) and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 

(9) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (10) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in ever good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (11) being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully (12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  (13) For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  

So, as you can see my Bible is that NIV format.  It can be a little difficult to understand but, there are a few key things to pull from all those verses.  Remember, these are the whole weeks worth of verse and are broken down day by day on the study book mark which you can get here.  You need to subscribe to their site and a link will get sent in an email.  Anyway, on to the rest.

The observations that I took away from these verses are:
  • Paul saw that the people of Colosse were faithful and thankful to God for his wonderful gospel. 
  • If you have hope then you will have faith & love.  Hope has to come first.  
  • Paul always thanks God for the people of Colosse because of their faith in God.  It is spreading among them and bearing fruit.  
  • Epaphras is the servant of God, that taught the Colossians about the gospel of the Lord.  
  • The word of God is spreading about the world and bearing fruit because of the hope, faith and love of people.
  • God will show people his will through spiritual wisdom and knowledge. 
  • Live a life worthy of the Lord.
  • Seek spiritual wisdom through God's word. If we seek God, through his word, he will make His will known.
  • If we follow his way and have the endurance & patience to withstand all trials (with hope and faith), and never stop giving thanks, we will inherit everything he has to offer in the kingdom of light.
  • Our Father has rescued us from darkness and delivered us to the great kingdom of his son.
  • We have been forgiven our sins when Jesus, God's beloved, died on the cross.
  • Through redemption and forgiveness, we will enter the kingdom of God.
I know that my observations are probably more rudimentary than yours are but, this is the very first time I have studied the ACTUAL Bible.  Sure, I have read the bible study books that are written by different authors but, there is nothing, NOTHING, like studying the Bible itself.  

I have enjoyed every minute of the study thus far and look forward to week two.  Can't wait.






Review: inSIGNIFICANT | Missouri Made Momma

Picture from Bethany House

We all have times when we feel like we don’t matter.  We can be going through relationship problems, health issues, or a life that is hard.  All of the hardships in life can make you feel so small.  In the book “InSignificant” by Chris Travis he shows us how we can be find our significance in the worst part of our life and how we actually measure how significant we are. 

Most people measure significance by their possession or occupation. We don’t realize that those two things are the least important items in our lives.  Travis talks about how he was a engineer major in college simply because he was good in math and science.  Little did he know he would instead become a pastor and eventually a middle-school math teacher.  God definitely had plans for him. 

He was teaching in one of the worst public schools in New York City’s public school system.  There was violence, graffiti, items being thrown at him, and this was all on a daily basis.  But, he was helping kids that truly thought that they would never matter, that THEY were insignificant.  So, by showing them the mattered he found out that he was actually significant.

Travis realized that his significance lied in God.  He must be a servant for God before he would matter to God.  Teaching might not be the most affluent when it comes to profession (how can a teacher be significant) but, it’s not about your profession when it comes to how much we matter. 

Travis was working in one of the worst schools, living in a poor neighborhood, and dealing with violence on a daily basis but, found that he was important to God.  He was doing God’s will. 

To be significant you must become insignificant first.  I know that sounds weird but, to matter you must first be a servant to others.   Really, can our possessions make or break us?   Or is it our character that matters more.  If we don’t have any physical possessions, are we still the same person? 

I have to say that when I first started this book I didn’t get it.  It was a hard read for me in the beginning but, once I got past the first half it all clicked.  The book started making sense and got me thinking.  Yes, I feel like I don’t matter some of the time but, why is that?  Is it because I don’t have what I want out of life right now….YES.  Is that how I am supposed to measure whether I am important or not…NO.  Maybe this was hard for me to read because it hit too close to home.  Even though it was hard to read once I definitely plan on reading it again.  It set my proprieties straight and got me thinking about what I am doing with my life.  I think I will get even more out of it a second or third time going through it.  

I want to leave, you the reader, with a couple of thought provoking questions.  What makes me significant?  How do we judge whether we are significant or not?  This book have changed my thinking and I am sure it will change yours.  

I received this book free from Bethany House.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Colossians Study | Missouri Made Momma

Started my study with Good Morning Girls this week and couldn't be happier.  I am enjoying every minute of it.

I know that I posted I would be writing daily summaries but, I have since changed my mind.  I feel that weekly summaries would benefit my readers and myself more.  So that's what I plan on doing.

I have learned a lot though, through this study, even just in the first week.  I don't want to spoil my post for later so I won't spill the beans.

I have found that in our lives we really do need to find things to have faith in.  Find yours!  I guarantee you wont regret it.

***Upcoming book review***
inSIGNIFICANT by Chris Travis

Have a great day everyone.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Just another Sunday | Missouri Made Momma

Recently my Sunday's are full of cleaning.  All the cleaning that I haven't gotten done during the week.  I feel like that's all I ever do.  But, hey, if I don't do it then it won't get done.

This Sunday is a little different however.  I am looking forward to tomorrow, Monday.  Yes....I know it's extremely shocking that someone would be looking forward to a Monday but, if you read on you will see why.

Tomorrow I start my first ever bible study with the Good Morning Girls.  I recently came across this blog/website and fell in love.  I have been looking for a bible study that uses the BIBLE.  There are so many studies out there (all of the wonderful I'm sure) but, you have to buy this book, get the study guide, and sometimes there are even videos that go along.  Not to many of them use the Bible to study.  You read about the Bible but, never actually pick it up.  This study is different.

This study is about the book of Colossians and I can't wait.  I have never had the chance to dig into the Bible and really study everything it has to say.  My goal for this study is to get closer to God and receive more understanding about the words in His wonderful book.  I am always looking for ways to feel closer to God.

So with that said, I have one more goal for this study.  I want to post in my blog all about it.  My goal is to post my studies into my blog and share them with everyone that is reading.  Maybe I can help you find some understanding and help you to get a little closer to God.  If I do that's great.

Have a wonderful evening everyone and I hope to have an amazing post for you all tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Freedom Isn't Free | Missouri Made Momma

Today, September 11, 2012, is the 11th anniversary of a historic tragedy.  Although we would probably like to forget about all the things that have happened in our country's past, we must not EVER forget.  

If I may....I compare the attack on the Twin Towers to Pearl Harbor.  Well, at least I can see the similarities.  We were unprepared for both attacks and we were drawn into wars after both attacks. Need I say more? Oh, yes, we lost too many lives with both tragedies.  So let's please, please, please, not forget what are past has to show us.

image by mrsdkrebs
I feel like a lot of Americans take their freedom for granted.  We brag about having the freedom to say and do whatever we want (especially now since it's an election year) but, want to disrespect the people that gave us that "right."  Yes, there is this little thing called the First Amendment but, please don't use it to explain away all the crap you have to say and all the hate you want to spread.   To me freedom of speech, its a privilege.

 I say this because we seriously take advantage of it.  We spew so much hate in this country my head spins.  I don't think our country knows how to be a united country.  Ok...I got sidetracked.  Sorry.

Anyway, on today, please take a few minutes and remember all of those who gave their lives, willingly or not, that have given you the freedom to do what you want.  Our freedom costs.  Maybe not you personally, but, freedom does come at a price.  So, if this is the only day you remember the people who have died so that you have the "rights" that you do, that's fine.  Even if it's just a minute of your time to stop and send out some thoughts for the families that have lost loved ones...take that minute.  It's the least you could do for them.  You OWE them that.!