Included in Christ (Bible Study) by Heather Holleman

Book Description

A new kind of Bible study…

After the success of her first two books, Heather Holleman received many requests to write a Bible study. And as a college English instructor, she wanted to make sure it really taught and didn’t simply inform. So she surveyed several women about what their dream study would look like, then got to work.

The result is Included with Christ, a narrative-driven study where you can bring your life before Scripture in the context of community. Together women will discern their personal shadow narratives—ways they are living outside of their identity in Christ—and then rewrite those narratives according to biblical truth.

This in-depth, 8-week study in Ephesians willequip women with six “signature stories” of God’s work in their lives—helping them combat exclusion, loneliness, weakness, decay, emptiness, and silence.

Designed to facilitate honest sharing and help you internalize biblical truth, Included in Christ will provide community and connectedness as well as spiritual nourishment. It will also guide you in how to share your story and the hope of Christ with someone who doesn’t yet know Him.

My Review

I was glad to see that Heather had written a Bible study! I really enjoyed her previous books "Seated with Christ" and "Guarded by Christ." I learned and was encouraged by them both. This Bible study is no different.

This 8-week Bible goes through the book of Ephesians. Again, using her love of verbs to draw out and be encouraged in the facts of how we are included, wanted, and desired by Christ. I liked how she went through how we should live through the right narrative, it was insightful!

I personally liked the book, but it was more of a review of Ephesians and journaling book for people (like myself who have) struggle with their identity in Christ. Encouraging, but not an in-depth study of Ephesians like you would maybe expect. More of a therapy-journaling book than a study on God's word. These books are good too though! It's a good perspective to read from, especially if you are struggling with your identity. I know I have and it's helpful in area's. 


I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.

It's December!

It's that time of year again. Jack Frost is nipping at our noses, decorations and holly are up, and Christmas is only... 20 days, 21 hours and 35 minutes away! Ha ha!

I know I have been absent the last few months. I sincerely apologize for just dropping off the face of the earth. I was going through some stuff--don't worry, nothing serious or bad, just needed to spend some time with Jesus. I'll share some of the things I've been learning in my time away. Because of the holidays it sadly won't be until after the New Year. But I can't wait.

If you will, pray for me. I love blogging and I have so many idea's and thoughts I want to share, I just need more energy to stay ahead and keep up these days. I appreciate all of you who read my blog regularly and those of you who only pass by it.

I'll be working on some posts in the coming months, including an update on what's been going on in my life the last few months. A lot of good things, I can't wait to share them.

Until then, stay safe, stay warm and

MERRY CHRISTMAS! JESUS LOVES YOU!

Happy Easter!

"He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying" —Matthew 28:6

God Bless You

Thank you for reading my blog and I thank God for giving me this chance to reach out to people. I may not be reaching many right now, but it's one of the stepping stones to getting there. But that's not the only chance Jesus gave me, he gave me a new chance at Life when he sacrificed, gave up his life, for mine. For all of ours! It's a bit of an overwhelming feelings at times, that someone you don't know would trade their life for yours, but once you get to know Him it begins to make sense. That just how much he loved us. 

So Happy Easter everyone! Gonna go eat and fellowship with my family and friends. Have a blessed day!

Kudo's To You?

I was reading "The Women of Christmas" by Liz Curtis Higgs (wonderful, inspiring author) today. In it she asked the reader to look up Proverbs 31:10-31 and choose verses that best describe how a godly woman (in biblical times) lived out her faith in the day-to-day, every day living. Quite a few verses made me think of women like my mom or women like my two great grandmothers that my dad is always telling me about.

"She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for servant girls." Proverbs 31: 13

I'm always listening about how my two great grandmothers were in the kitchen, cooking meals for their family, making sure no one went without food. But it was always a labor of love and one of many ways they honored their Lord and savior.

The verse that stood out to me the most though was the very last two.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." -- Proverbs 31:30 

I was just talking about that verse (though I couldn't remember it at the time) with my sister; talking about how charm can be deceiving. It's like putting on a cloak to either hide truths or deceive and distract others with vibrant colors. Like the good Lord says "Beauty doesn't last." So once its faded what do we want to be left standing with? I want to be left standing with the Lord our God.

I am supposed to serve and praise Him. Living my life honoring Him even in my day-to-day activities. If I go looking for people to praise my work and expect, demand, to be given a "job well done" as if it’s owed me then am I really seeking to give Him glory and honor? I don't want to be self-servant; it will never satisfy or curb the hunger deep in my soul. We all want to be told we've done a good job, kudos for our hard work.  But God says:

"Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise." Proverbs 31:31

That is what struck my heart most. "Let her deeds" -- her actions, her performances, her attitude and her works, her life and faith -- "publicly declare her praise." Not a word from her/my own lips, but by our good deeds does God say “well done.” That really speaks to me. We don’t need thanks from other people to fill our cup. We can find it by giving him the thanks we think we deserve. He’s the one who deserves it. And get this too. “He will reward us; we don't have to go searching for it.” God wants our actions to speak for us and then He will commend us "a job well done." We may not get it when we want it or think we should get it. But maybe that's the whole point: to stop expecting like we're owed something so we can appreciate the good things God gives us for doing good work in his name. Never taking the credit for it.

I want to be that kind of woman and have that kind of devotion. Cause no one else compares to Him and his approval of me.

Figgy Friday's Spotlight #5

The curtain is unveiling. This weeks Figgy Friday's Spotlight is

"To Freeze the Constellations"

by

Jasmine Q. Lee

A beautiful poem. I loved how she showed that no matter what, even if our world is tattered and torn God is always there. Even when we forget Him, He's there with arms wide open. Blanketing us with peace and hope. Teaching us to keep moving, dancing, singing, smiling, despite the obstacles we face. Cause no matter where you are in life He will always catch you and make you whole.

(pardon the day lateness of this post!)

Check back December 20 for the next spotlight

The Day After Thanksgiving!

It's here! The day after Thanksgiving! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Family and Friends and lets start celebrating Christmas! I'm so excited! Actually putting off even talking about and avoiding everything Christmas till now has me even more excited and in the Christmas spirit!

How did you guys handle the hustle of stores Christmas displays? Was it hard for you not to sing along to the tunes playing inside all the stores?

I know I had a couple slip ups, all because I had been in Walmart, Kroger, or Lifeway and they were all playing Christmas tunes! They sure do make it hard. But I kept to it! Thank you Brandon Heath for helping bring the spirit of Fall and Christmas back to us!

Figgy's Friday Spotlight #4

The curtains are drawing. Today's Figgy Friday Spotlight is

Thanksgiving in Utopia

by

Brooke Norris

Wow. Just...wow. I almost can't write the review for this I'm left so speechless. This is a magnificent story of Thanksgiving and finding the true peace and home. So beautifully written, it's inspiring. Keep up the wonderful work Brooke Norris!  

Check back December 6th for the next spotlight!

Thankfulness

I think today is a good day to learn a little something on being Thankful. What better way then to watch "VeggieTales: Madame Blueberry!"

Pull up a chair or a mic (sing-a-long!) and enjoy the show!

Click Here to watch from Hulu.com

Living Attitude of Gratitude!

I hope y'all are ready for a November! I know I am! Good food, family and friends getting ready for the holidays, crisp air and falling leaves! I'm getting excited just talking about it!

Hopefully you will enjoy this next post, maybe even get a little kick out of it. 

Friday night about two weeks ago, I walked into the bedroom getting ready to watch the new episode of Legend of Korra don't know you! But when my sister and I turned on the TV Spongebob Squarepants theme song begins to play.

OH NO!

Korra would have to wait 30 more minutes. Sad.

Wait, don't go anywhere yet, there's more! Thank you. Comfy? Good.

As we we're waiting Squidward appears at his window (he is a really nosey neighbor!) to find spongebob cleaning and singing! Of course, Squidward being his neighborly self asks:

"Spongebob, whhyyy are you doing such a thing?"

And Spongebob replies (I love this):

"I’m just displaying for all to see, an attitude of gratitude."

"You've been wallowing in filth all morning, what could you possibly be grateful for?"

(cue song!)

"Oh, I've got a whole new attitude, a lifetime subscription to do gratitude, friend you've got to change your platitude, living attitude of gratitude!
I’m grateful for the life I am living who knows how long I'll have it, I’m thankful for all I've been given, we make appreciation a habit
there’s no time like the present day to have a present come your way
so now I think that you will see there’s nothing more you need."

I don't think he could have sang it any better than that! I truly loved what he said about displaying for all to see. It reminded me of how we're supposed to be examples to the eyes and ears around us. Part of me wants to just shout it out. "I'm going to show an attitude of gratitude for all to see!"

Not to be boastful, but just show to that you can be happy by just being thankful.

God wants us to be joyful all the time (1 Thes 5: 16) , but how can we when our hearts are crowded with complaints. Now, I'm no saint. I have my bad days and then I get easily annoyed by even the smallest of things. Left feeling discontent, I complain. It happens to us all, right? Bad day at work, a dispute with a friend or family, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

God's been changing my heart though. Recently, I've discovered complaining makes me sick now! No, literally, it twists my insides in all kinds of knots. Even listening to people around me complaining I start thinking to myself "Can't you do anything else?" Oops, that was a complaint too, huh? That wasn't even a verbal complaint so who cares... right?

Actually, God heard it as did my heart, which is for Him.

Each time I complain I'm not being thankful for all that He has done for me. Who would've thought.

I used to think--sometimes I still fight with this thought, especially when I'm in a mood--

"Why do I have to be thankful for everything when I'm having this problem right now?"

or

"I am thankful, why do I have to keep saying it?"

But that's not right. As Christians, we're called to live in peace  and ALWAYS be thankful. (Col 3:15-18) Even when we're praising and worshiping Him, we're to sing with thankful hearts.

Like Spongebob said there's no day like today to have the gift of peace come your way by having the attitude of gratitude and letting that light shine on the rest of the world! Cause there is nothing better than the peace of the Almighty in our hearts and sharing that with the people around you.

Boo Bop Bopbop Bop!

I was listening to Spotify and saw the banner for Disney's 90th Anniversary. Scrolling through the playlist I came across an old song I hadn't heard in a while from one of my favorite movies growing up (I watched it with my sister all the time). Listening to this song not only brought back a lot of good and happy memories and soothed my longing soul but now I see it in a different light as well. 

Instead of just a kid and his dragon, I now see it as an uplifting song of our friendship with God!

See, take a look at some of the lyrics!

"We're walking down a road of our own 

The rain can never fall 

I'm glad I don't have to be alone"

"You know what to say when I want direction 

You don't turn away when I need protection 

Your voice is the sound of an angel singing 

Music I wait to hear 

Say it again 

And again 

Everything seems so new 

(Boo Bop Bopbop Bop)

I love you too"

I really love it even more now!

So next time you need a little pep in your step or just sweet reminder your not alone, go ahead and listen to this song and remember that God is always with you!

Maybe you'll even sing along as I do! Ha ha!

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" -- Psalms 46:1-3