Kim: Diving in!

Hi ladies! Summer is upon us and now is a great time to get outside in the sunshine and do some summer reading. Whether you are poolside, parkside, seaside, lakeside, riverside, or mountainside, it is the perfect time to dive into God's Word. If you're looking for reading options or maybe a summer reading challenge, here are a few ideas:

Read the Bible in 90 Days- Summer Challenge

"Read the Bible cover to cover by investing as little as 30 minutes a day. In 90 days (two “grace days” are included) you’ll see the big picture of God’s great story unfold before you."

Click here to download the reading schedule: The Bible in 90 Days Reading Schedule.pdf

I am doing this challenge with a few friends, and so far we are loving it! Laurie K. is modifying this plan by reading through the Bible in Chronological order, so that's another option. (You can use the One Year Chronological Bible reading plan, listed below, and combine days to arrive at "90 days.")

The One Year Bible Reading Plans

If you have been wanting to start a Bible reading plan, TheOneYearBible.com has some great options. (Sherri Youngward talked about using The One Year Bible, NIV, at our spring retreat.) Here are some downloads if you want to follow the OYB plan but want to use your own Bible:

The One Year Bible Reading Plan.pdf

"Each day contains a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs."

The One Year Chronological Bible Reading Plan.pdf

"The one year chronological reading plan contains the entire text of the bible arranged in the order the events actually occurred. This unique viewpoint allows you to read the whole Bible as a single story and to see the unfolding of God's plan in history."

Sherri Youngward's Free Bible Study Help

During the spring retreat, Sherri Youngward taught an impromtu class, "How to Study Your Bible." All of us were blessed to learn the very simple yet fruitful way that Sherri personally studies her Bible. Sherri's website has a free resource with the three easy steps you can use in your personal devotional time.

Click here to download her free Personal Bible Study Help.pdf.

(Thank you, Sherri, for sharing this with us! You are such a blessing! :)

Enjoy the Water, ladies!

Shannon: Precious

"And His eye sees every precious thing" (Job 28:10)

Last Wednesday, in his teaching on Psalm 116 --"I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live"--Dave said, "In the deepest, darkest moment of our lives, God bends down near to the mouth of prayer." I've been thinking about that all week, loving the image of God's ear bent low to catch my whispers.

Then this morning I saw this picture, and those words from Job came to my mind. It all went together.

Know, today, ladies, that you are that "precious thing" upon which His gaze is fixed. Nothing you're facing, nothing you're struggling against, nothing that concerns you has escaped His eyes. And His ear is bent low to hear your whispers.

Cora: Monthly Calendar

Hello ladies.

Here is the schedule for February:

February 10: Chapter 9 - The Lord Who Heals
February 24: Chapter 10 - Review

Please note that some of us leave for our trip to Israel on February 24. However, we will still be having Joyful Life. Sue Kunkle has graciously agreed to give her testimony that night. But still come prepared to discuss your chapter as you will be breaking up in groups after Sue speaks.

May the Lord bless you greatly as we continue to study His Names.

Remember the retreat is April 23-25. More information will be coming in March.

"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for Thou are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14

Cora: Monthly Calendar

Happy New Year, ladies! I pray that God blesses you greatly as we begin 2009.

Joyful Life will be starting up again on it's regular schedule. Here is what we have for January:

January 13 - Chapter 6 - The Lord
January 27 - Chapter 7 & 8 - The Self Existent One/The Lord Will Provide

Also, please note that our annual retreat is April 23-25 at the Homestead.

"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19