Merry Christmas!

I know you're coming here tomorrow Sara (oops, it's actually already the 19th!) Although I got only a few hours of sleep last nite, I'm running on fumes and I can't sleep! So I worked on the blog a little bit more. I want to add other things on this and invite others to join us. We need to decide on a book, chickie! Love ya, can't wait until you get here!

Jules

meditation

:) here's a really helpful quote about meditation that my friend shared with me

"You are a cup of hot water and the intake of Scripture is represented by the tea bag. Hearing God's Word is like one dip of the tea bag into the cup. Some of the tea's flavor is absorbed by the water, but not as much as would occur with a more thorough soaking of the tea bag. In this analogy, reading, studying, and memorizing God's Word are represented by additional plunges of the tea bag into the cup. The more frequently the tea enters the water, the more effect it has. Meditation, however, is like immersing the bag completely and letting it steep until all the rich tea flavor has been extracted and the hot water is thoroughly tinctured reddish brown."
- Donald S. Whitney
from...a book about spiritual disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines of the Godly Life? :/ something like that

:) love you
i'm gonna try to call you tomorrow
sara

finally!!!

sorry for taking so long to post yules :P but i'm so happy that we're finally done! NOT that i didn't enjoy the book :) but i'm really looking forward to the next one
it was REALLY cool reading the anecdote about carol in the chapter about submission - it's so amazing to think that the Lord can truly change the heart of any man (or woman :)), no matter how hardened, how self absorbed, how wicked it is. what really stuck out to me about her testimony was that it was the conduct of other godly women at church, and the faithful and bold teaching of male and female roles from the pulpit that sparked her desire to turn from the world's definition of a successful woman to God's. another thing that i found really incredible about her was that it was because of her consistently godly conduct at home, for years and years, that won her husband over to the faith without a word. :) what a testament to the power of prayer, and the effectiveness of being a DOER of the word, rather than a mere hearer.
later on in the chapter, this quote really stuck out to me -
"It is actually weakness on display when a wife is not submissive; she is only caving in to her natural inclination to usurp authority and demand her own way. that doesn't take any effort at all."
WHOA! hah! this is such a crazy and TRUE way to look at it! so many times we hear that a woman is weak if she submits to her husband, the world painting her as a detestable doormat. but the word of God says differently! it actually takes great faith and dependence upon the Lord to practice true submission, and overcome the woman's sinful tendency to usurp her husband's authority.
i thought she did a really good job of making it clear that submission isn't about just blindly and mindlessly submitting to a husband's every wish, but the issue is actually about submitting to the Lord, trusting Him to guide you through your husband.
i thought the example about placing godly pressure on your husband was really cool too - you can't expect your husband to start being a leader without treating him as one.
:) and the story about margaret was really really beautiful. although she wasn't well known, or hold a prominent title or office, although she didn't achieve great accomplishments according to the world's standard, you can tell that this woman exerted a TON of godly influences in countless peoples' lives. such an honorable woman...i don't know jules, if i could ever be like that. but i know by the Lord's grace, He can make us more Christlike daily. and i know for sure that He's making you more and more like Margaret, well, more importantly, more and more like Christ :)
all in all, this book was really helpful and very readable - a lot of good, solid, sound principles in here and i'm really glad to have read it. but i think what helped me the most was reading it with you!! i praise God that He sovereingly allowed us to be born 14 years apart, because it's sure helping me a lot right now! :D
in any case...ONWARD TO THE NEEEEEXT BOOOOOOK!

Beauty of Submission

Ah, finally finishing up this book! I've just finished reading the last line and my tears are finally drying up.. I broke out in tears when I read Margaret's story. It's beautiful. Wow. I want to be like that for my own children and husband. Wow. It's possible right Sara?

So, this last chapter was really excellent in that it reminded me again what submission is about. I appreciated the example of placing your full weight on someone and them automatically exerting counter-pressure to hold me up! Also, what submission looks like and who we truly trust in is absolutely vital to understanding what submission is.

I was reminded again to respect my husband. Sometimes I freak on him when something goes wrong, blaming him in my heart. I need to demonstrate my love and respect to him by treating him special and watching my words, tone of voice, countenance and my body language.

I love how she says, "submission, in its simplest form, is trust in God' which is so true. That we can trust God to lead my husband, to lead me. If I knew that when I started out our married life I think I could've saved us a boatload of heartache and bitterness.

Now that you are on the road to **LOVE** I am excited to know that you already have much more godly knowledge that I did at your age. The Lord is guiding you Sara and I'm so blessed to see you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. I am sure you will be a Margaret with your 5 children and joyful demeanor. :-)
Love ya! Jules

Before the Throne of God Above

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made and end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My guilty soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable "I AM"
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God


forgive me for the lack of punctuation :( i just typed that all out by memory hahah

Praise You in this Storm

Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining -

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm -
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn...
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You -

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain -
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away...

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am -
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn -
I will praise You in this storm...


I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth...

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are -
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.
_________________

Purity and the Honor of Homemaking

I've been mulling over the last 2 chapters for a few days. There are some excellent points and I know I've already discussed the purity chapter with you, Sara. But here are some comments worth repeating:

Make no provision for the flesh. Don't even be placed in a position where you are even tempted to compromise. That seems obvious but it's not - because the flesh is so weak. Why not go to that coffee shop where the cute guy works, what can you do when you come into contact with someone you feel attracted to within an innocent environment. Here's an excellent point: "We should not read anything, view anything, or listen to anything that arouses impure thoughts or compromises our biblical convitions. That would be sinful." I was just having a conversation with someone who agrees with that, but who enjoys watching movies too much to give it up. For the sake of a "good movie" we risk our purity of mind and we risk displeasing our Lord. It's not as easy as it sounds. Secondly, our thought life. What we do in the privacy of our home, our computer, in front of the TV, etc. "What we are at home, that we are indeed" says Spurgeon. How true.

The next section on Homemaking was liberating for me!!!
I take care of EVERYTHING at home: from the daily, expected domestic duties to taking care of bills, taxes, mortgage and oil changes. I deal with banks, insurance companies, and building contractors. I make the deals in the family, get discounts, organize investments and arrange EVERYTHING. And while many women do that, I have always felt a little resentful because of what I saw dad do. How much he took care of within the household. But reading this chapter has just about made me cry: "Working at home means we are to function as the home manager - taking FULL ownership for all the domestic duties of the household." FULL OWNERSHIP - PRAISE GOD!!! I'm doing exactly what He's called me to do!!! I don't have to wish my husband would be in charge of the bills and get the car fixed. I don't have to stress about him not mowing the lawn or putting up the shelving. I am in charge!!! I may ask him to do this and that graciously, but it is MY responsibility. Just setting that in my mind has freed me! Within that job description I will be able to perform freely and with joy.

Also, I need to learn and work on this: My husband needs my help and I need to help him. I think I paraphrased this but it's swimming in my mind. "I frequently make choices, pursue endeavors, and carry out duties in my home in a manner that serves ME instead of in a way that helps my husband." ooh, how convicting. I am a selfish person at heart and I want to pursue my own comfort and fun and you know Anthony how sweet he is to let me indulge once in a while. But I should be much more considerate how it will affect him and the family. As a wife, I need to build my life around my husband and HIS schedule instead of the other way around. As a 21st century woman, it couldn't go more against the tide of woman's rights and desires - but it's Scriptural and freedom and happiness are truly found there. We always have to replace the world's appealing lies with the solid truth to be biblical women! This book is helping me reinforce what I've already learned.

Jules

chapters 3 and 4

hi sis :D
chapter 3
i think the biggest thing that stuck out to me about this chapter was that a mother's mission is "grave and vast" - how differently the world tells us!
i know that the work of a mother and wife is sooo not glamarous, but how fitting for a servant of the Lord. Christ humbled Himself to live in man's flesh, to suffer sin, to endure death in order to deliver the souls of the world. surely that far outweighs our call to live in small spaces, to suffer the crying and whining of children, and to endure years of ministering to little ones in order to shepherd their souls to Christ. i pray that i will prepare and remember that my actions and decision, even now, will affect their souls in eternity
chapter 4
oh my. i think i needed this chapter. every segment was a stinger.
APPETITE: what really convicted me was that my desire to be thin is unbiblical. i always knew that i shouldn't want to be thin to be more attractive, or to garner more praise, but i think i tried to rationalize these desires by saying that i was *actually* trying to "be healthy" or "self controlled". of course these things are what i should have wanted from the beginning, but i would paste these "right answers" over the wrong ones so that i could keep indulging in my sinful desire to be praised by man. that sucks! but praise God, because i feel a difference in my attitude about my weight. i've been trying to exercise, but haven't been checking the scale! i refuse to be enslaved that anymore haha. i also used to eat and feel super guilty afterward, and would starve myself the next meal. but Mahaney's reminder that the Scripture tells us that God has given us food to *enjoy* made me see that my feelings of guilt and shame were not branching from a sense of offending my Lord, but rather from a sense of offending *myself* by not doing what would make me most attractive. i'm going to try to enjoy my food more, :) but NOT gluttonously hahah
SLEEP: i don't think you know this, but i have really terrible sleeping patterns. last semester, i got an average of 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night. i would go to class, maybe meet up with ppl or do some sort of ministry, and then go straight to the library, where i would stay until 2 am. after that, i would go home and sleep (on a good day) or stay up indefinitely. this summer, i made it a big goal to regulate my sleeping, so i got it up to 6 or 7 hours a night. :) this semester, it has been a temptation for me to stay up again because i've been feeling pretty overwhelmed with my classes. it hasn't gotten too bad yet, although i've pulled an all nighter, but there have been bad days where i know it would have been more effective for me to sleep rather than to try to do work all groggy headed and delirious. it was rebuking for me to hear that staying up late past what our body requires is not diligence, but SELFISHNESS. i can definitely relate to that. it was selfishness that would make me push back all my responsibilities until the night, when i would try to get it all done "on my time". there was also a sense of pride in my ability to pull all nighters, and work late into the night when my friends couldn't stay up past midnight. i secretly thought prided myself in being diligent when i was just being stupid, prideful, and selfish. praise God for making this sin explicit - i had known it was displeasing to God before, but i think i really needed it to be stated clearly for me to prioritize fighting against it.
THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS: heh heh. i think you know that i have been struggling to take control of my thoughts these days. i guess just to update you, i have been praying a loot about it, have written out and memorize phil 4:8, 2 cor 10:5, and col 3:2, 3. i've also taken some measures - i decided to stop chatting to people online for this whole week. please pray for me that these measures are not of my own strength, but by the initiative of the Holy Spirit, and that He would give me success for His sake
:D yeah, i really needed that last chapter.
btw, can you please pray for me? this past week, there was an informational meeting for missions to taiwan this winter (the same as the one i was going to go on last winter). and jules...i really REALLY want to go. i've never desired this so intensely before! but at the same time, there is a trembling of spirit - are my intentions right and glorifying to the Lord? what if my heart is wrong, and i go, only to mar His name and lead others astray? please pray for my purity of motives, and a desire for Him and Him alone, whether i go on missions or not. please pray that the doors would open also, if it's His will, namely by getting permission from umma and yuyeon. and for me to be content and give praise to Him, even if i can't go.
:)
oh, btw, the next chapter looks a little...err....weird for me. hahah. can you read it first and tell me whether it's ok? i'll read chapter 6 in the meantime :P
i love you
His,
sara

More books I want to read...!

Here's another list of books I either just bought and intend to read, or is in my Amazon cart and I would like to read. If any of these appeal to you, just let me know. I'll save them for when you can read it with me.

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

Sinners in the hand of an angry God by Jonathan Edwards

Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster

Overcoming Sin And Temptation: Three Classic Works - John Owen

A God-Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards - John Piper

The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A reader by Jonathan Edwards

Putting Amazing Back into Grace,: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel

The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

Whaddaya think? :-)

Jules

loving my (future) husband

hi yules :)
i finished the second chapter yesterday :D
i'm so grateful that she wrote about this. ha, i think it's safe to say that i'm looking forward to getting married and all, but honestly, when i think about the married life itself, i kinda get apprehensive. NOT that you guys don't display the beauty of a God-centered marriage, but i think having the opportunity to watch your and yuyeon's marriages have shaped a lot of how i perceive marriage. on the one hand, i'm so grateful for having older sisters, because i know that marriage can be full of love, growth, fellowship, and above all, a joined striving for the things of the Lord. but on the other, i know that marriage is hard, and if anything, i'll struggle and deal with more after i get married. :( and this scares me. i feel like i should be expecting marriage to be great, but as of right now, i feel like i *know* it's not going to be all that wonderful. :( is that bad?
i also feel apprehensive because i fear that i will become a loveless wife. i know my tendency is to take for granted those i love, and unless they meet *my* needs and *my* expectations, unless they are like-minded with *my* convictions, then it is difficult for me to show tenderness and affection. "they obviously do not respect their husbands. They certainly do not have tender feelings for them. Yet that does not hinder these women from continuing to wash their husbands' clothes, cook their meals, and clean the house for them." i don't want to be one of these women!!
in any case, i'm glad that the Lord has allowed me to read this chapter, because it really addressed a lot of my apprehensions. her talking about our sinfulness in expectations and self-centeredness confirms that marriage will indeed have its share of struggles and difficulties, but this quote really put things into perspective for me - "Although we both are sinners, God is using our marriage to help us grow in godliness. In fact, our husbands' particular sins, unique weaknesses, and even their idiosyncracies are tailor made for us. Likewise, our sins and weaknesses are custom designed for them. Both husbands and wives will become more Christlike by having to deal with each other's sins and deficiencies."
this really hit me! God is, even now, sovereignly working in our own individual lives to shape us to be the people, sins and all, He desires us to be when we meet and marry. He is molding the two of us to complement one another, not only in strengths, but in weaknesses also, that we may more efficiently glorify Him together. even more than this, our having to encounter each others sins is not a bad thing, but a blessed opportunity to glorify Him through our love and graciousness for one another. through it, He gives us the chance to grow in prayer, service, and accountability, all for His sake. :D coool!
i pray that i may always keep my eyes and heart upon the Savior, whether as a single, or a married woman. may we approach sins, whether our own or another's, not with fear and anxiety, but with great rejoicing that in our weaknesses, He is strong, in our inabilities, He is sufficient, in our faithlessness, He is ever faithful.
on to chapter three!

Enjoying the rugrats

Chapter 3 covers our privilege of loving (and ENJOYING) our children that God has blessed us with! Identifying the factor that leads to our exasperation helped me: "Because mothering requires constant sacrifice, the temptations to resentment, complaining, and self-pity are always close at hand. But such selfishness will quickly sap the strength of our love for our children." It does require sacrifice - I often feel that it's unfair my life should be so dramatically adjusted for the sake of someone else a quarter the size of me! I realized that I often go through the day without a trace of a smile and with a lot of stress trying to complete the overcommitted checklist of things I have to get through in a day... and the ones who suffer the most are my kids. I have made an effort today (and by the grace of God will continue every day) to make sure I spend enough time nurturing the joy I have for my children.

Do you know, it really makes me sad when I do hear about moms not enjoying their children? Or they can't wait to get them into preschool so they can be free to live their own lives again, or it's obvious that children are more of a burden than a blessing? I am guilty of this sometimes. I think the Lord grieves over it, a thousand times more hurtful than the gift receiver blatantly rejecting the precious gift of the Giver. "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a REWARD. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. BLESSED is the man who fills his quiver with them!"

And of course, the issue of their little souls. "Every step you take about them, every plan, scheme, arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, 'How will this affect their souls?" I know that this is not a question I ask myself all the time but I intend to as we continue our responsibility taking care of my littles.

Phew, I start the next chapter with trepidation: Self-control...! This one's really interesting (wondering if we could play something like what's described... you'll know what I mean when you read it!)

So what about feminine appeal?

Hey sisters! I decided to start another post altogether. I've started reading this book and it's going to be hard not to read it all in one shot. For one, it's easy, and 2nd, it's very practical.

I wish I had read and studied more about being a biblical woman before I had gotten married. I came into marriage with very little idea of biblical worth and a LOT of selfishness that I sometimes regret. However, the Lord has been good to show me many things and I am enjoying a better marriage now.

So, how about this passage for starters. "Our conduct has a direct influence on how people think about the gospel. The world doesn't judge us by our theology; the world judges us by our behavior. People don't necessarily want to know what we believe about the Bible. They want to see if what we believe makes a difference in our lives. Our actions either bring honor to God or misrepresent His truth."

Now I want to take it a step further. I am guilty of being surrounded - too surrounded by Christians! Where is my opportunity to witness in that? Anyway, I think that we can even procur the right reaction to our situation when Christian eyes are upon us and we develop a false sense of our godliness. But is the gospel alive in my heart and in my thoughts when no one looks? When I'm talking to my husband? When I'm watching my kids? When I'm facing stress and uncertainty? Is the gospel alive? Is it REALLY making a difference IN ME? I ask myself this with conviction. Does my husband see the gospel in me? Do my children witness the gospel in me? Do my own sisters? This is the question I need to answer.

I just ordered Jonathan Edwards' resolutions (yes, my book fast is over) Here's the one in the Feminine appeal book: "Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination." Wouldn't that alone stop the sin and anger and bitterness that so easily spirals into pitiful bouts of selfish resentment? When I feel irritated with his behavior, or when I am easily turned off by his suggestions.... if I examine myself in secret, wouldn't the Holy Spirit, as a light and magnifying glass, reveal that root of sin and pride?

I'm dealing with a bit of this right now. Not exactly in the area of marriage but in other areas. This affects me as a biblical woman. Lord, reveal the wrong in my heart and even if it breaks me, dig that sinful root out!

Feminine Appeal

Hey Sara!
And everyone who is secretly reading this book with us!
We're starting this book this week, so hopefully you've got it.
I would like to just say read it within this month and post here if you have any thoughts, comments, discussion, etc. and we'll keep it on this blog.
love jules

article about evangelizing to your kids

wow i thought this article was neat

http://www.frontlinemin.org/childevangelism.asp

what do you think?
this guy's really insightful. he wrote a bunch of really good apologetics articles

- sara

oh my. after reading all these reviews, now i want them all hahah.
ok so i definitely want to read feminine appeal and the d. a. carson book. the kent and tripp books sound really good too, but they both have to do with kind of being in an influential position where you have some kind of authority to counsel or lead ppl. :/ i'm not really in that position...but i think i would want to read the kent book anyway, b/c it sounds like i can learn practical ways to mentor younger sisters? and that's what i want to learn anyway. have you ever read tripp's other book, "war of words"? all the reviews raved about it, and i have some friends who have read it/are reading it who say it's really great. i know you don't want to buy any new books...maybe this time, *i'll* gift *you* hahaha...if you want it. puahah
anyway, here's something that my friend wrote (i think), that really challenged me


Busy vs. Full

Busy is frantic, shallow, stressed, out of control.
Full is satisfying, fruitful, paced and controlled, rich

Busy takes control of time and energy
Full renews my strength and comes from a life under the Spirit

Busy is the broken cistern that cannot hold water.
Full flows from the spring of living water.

Busy declares, "I'm important, I'm indispensable. I have value
because so many people need me and my services."
Full says, "Apart from Christ, I can do nothing, but with Him all
things are possible. I need Him."

Busy is driven, pushed.
Full is called.

Busy is motivated by the "Badge of busyness," loving to talk about how
busy one is, receiving sympathy or admiration for busyness.
Full is motivated by pleasing the Father, performing for an audience of One.

Busy gets results.
Full brings rewards.

Busy is distracted by many things, worries, concerned, wondering why
no one else is helping and why no one seems to care (remember Martha
in Luke 10?)
Full is receiving, trusting God as the provider and source.

Busy says, "Don't bother me right now. I don't have time."
Full says, "Come, rest, and drink in abundance."


:) love you!

Books to choose from

Hey girls, (or girl uh, Sara) :-)
for any and all of you who are interested in reading with us, here are a few books that I think would be good to read:

Loving God With all Your Mind by Elizabeth George

Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His prayers by D.A. Carson

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

I have more on my list but here are a few for starters. You can look up the reviews on amazon. I'm personally leaning toward the 1st 3. I've started reading Heaven and it's interesting but I have to read it all in one month without so many other books in the way!

i'm finishing up Chance to Die which was very good. Any input would be great.
i prefer to read a book I already have for now because i'm kind of on a book-buying fast. let me know
Jules

week 7 Susan

Dear Ladies,
This week was my husband's shut down week at his work sooo, I have been on vacation as well. I was able to finish a few days and I will gather my answers from them.

I have to say What meant the most to me was day 2 and not because I have experienced any of the things she spoke of but the Lord used her words to speak to me.
Psalm 34:18 He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. I had not worked on my lesson that day and was in bed crying when the Lord reminded me to go and do my lesson. I can't explain in a few words what I was crying over but my heart was broken and my spirit was crushed. Our Father in heaven is so wonderful. I just love Him so. And I can say as in Psalm 147:3 that He heals their broken hearts and binds their wounds.

What offered the greatest blessing?
Again on day 2 just the reminder that we are spirit soul and body. Her words here about living most consciously out of the healthiest part and that being her spirit. What a challenge to me. This whole thought is new to me. I don't know exactly how to flesh this out.

What is one thing that you intend to apply?
I don't know how to apply the challenge but I will be praying about it.

Christina Lee Week 6

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
Same as Sara - I was so amazed at the competitiveness of Rachel & Leah. They are dead on like us 21st century females and all our obsessions on the WRONG things in life. I've seen friends completely lose focus on God and despair because they can't have children, they can't have the boy or girl they want, they have too many kids, etc. Hey Oh Family, you got to admit you thought of our 14 girl cousins vs 2 boys? It's so easy to be objective and see how wrong other people's obsessions are but be completely blind to our own.

2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
Challenge: To not let ANYTHING get to the point where I feel I'm not complete unless I have it. I am complete in Christ - period!
Blessing: To know that God was faithful to Jacob and his family even though they were such imperfect, human humans!

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
This week my heart's cry is that I really pray before I make impulsive, poor decisions. I'm suffering right now because of a really bad decision I made. I want to truly let God guide me and not assume that I KNOW everything.

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
Pray for all the new believers at our bible camp. I heard at least 7 were led to the Lord and many souls renewed ofcourse. As I was writing this my husband Sung got a black eye. He tripped in the dark and his eye hit the handle of our elliptical machine! Oops!

Jane, Week 5

Hi guys, I am obviously screwed up and behind and everything. I thought I was supposed to start on week 5 but you guys were already on week 6. So this week, I will skip week 6 and go straight to 7 so I'll finally be on the same wavelength as you!

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
I think I was most struck by the progression of Esau's disappointment turning into bitterness and contemplation of murder. That really struck home to me because I have a terrible time getting rid of grudges once they are formed. Seeing how unchecked feelings can turn so sinful is scary.

2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
As above, thinking about how I need to not be so flippant about my attitudes towards others who have wronged me.

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
Taking care to pray when I begin to have feelings of dislike that can turn into hatred of others. I just feel I haven't been honest to God in confession for these kinds of feelings.

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
I'm coming to the last few weeks of my placement with the family doctor on the coast. I would like to be a good witness and hopefully take the children in my host family to church this weekend (they used to go).

sara's week 6

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
Leah and Rachel's obsessions that distracted them from God. it's really jaw dropping to watch these two sisters go back and forth, using any means possible to get back at each other and gain the upper hand. looking back on it, i'm even more amazed at how God so patiently bore the two of them - even though they grew more and more obsessed with what they felt they were lacking, the Lord didn't miraculously make Jacob love Leah, nor did he give Rachel an abundance of children. they seem so blind to the fact that the other sister had what they wanted, but she wasn't any happier with it. surely, when we feel we are lacking something, the Lord is using it to bring us closer to Him, to give Him praise as Leah did, rather than to continue wallowing in how insufficiently He has supplied us. it also sticks out to me how ugly things got, even though these two were sisters. i have recently been struggling a lot with envying my sisters in Christ for the gifts and resources He's given them. may i never grow obsessed and make things escalate into a Leah and Rachel situation!

2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
challenge: to stop coveting what my sister has, and thank the Lord for this opportunity to draw closer to Him.
blessing: when she talks about people being restored without recessarily being together. i have felt conflicted about returning to old relationships that used to be ungodly and hurtful, but i now see that forgiveness and love does not have to mean a resumed friendship. :)

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy
Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
(see above answer for "challenge")

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
i thought it was hilarious how Jacob spontaneously developed "Samsonesque" strength upon seeing Rachel! haha!
also, thank you so much for praying for me and my prayer life! :D the Lord has really been answering me this week, especially through the faithful preaching of His word through various messages/sermons at church and online. i have heard a lot about prayer, but please pray for me that i will DO a lot about prayer!

Week 6, Jules

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
That there is NO formula for God's blessing. When tempted to take ANY credit for prayers answered or success in ministry, I am reminded that God is the factor. The sovereign, selective will of God. and that's all.

2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
Poor Leah. Just reading her comments as each son was born shows her loneliness, her anguish in not being able to secure her husband's love, but also her faith in the Lord. When I go through seasons of trouble or doubt or emotional lowness, I pray that I will always turn to Him for rescue and recognition instead of trying to get fulfillment somewhere else.

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
Prayer

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
My in-laws just left! We had an awesome time. I am so grateful to the Lord because I feel that this is the first time we've ever got along so well and that we were able to connect. Anthony had an opportunity to lay the gospel down clearly so thank you all for your prayers. The Lord answered every one of mine!

Please remember to continue praying for our friends, the Gharibs, in Lebanon. It is in extreme crises right now.

Estera checking in/ comments on wk 5

hello!
I didn't get to finish this week due to my summer camp which went great! 6 children said that they wanted to follow the Lord. One of my brother's friends commited himself, and another man got baptized! it was a blessing!

i learnd alot!

oh...Jules...do we get a catch-up week?

love, Estera

Christina Checking in

This is cool! Ooohh...we're bloggers now!

Testing 1..2..3...

Hey girls
I want to see how many people are actually checking this blog. So if you are, just post below then I know you visited!
Thanks!
Jules

sara's week 5

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
the first and last days! i'll explain in the next question...


2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
oh mann! :) the Lord has really been consoling and challenging me this week through the study.
blessing: day one - knowing that God makes promises that only *He* can fulfill, even if His methods are beyond comprehension for us. these days, i feel like i have a lot of "twins" inside of me, and though i know the Lord has something planned out, i can't help but feel perplexed over the inner conflict. it's such a comfort to see that these jostlings are just confirmation of God's sovereignty and all sufficiency.
challenge: that Esau, by his thoughts of murder, is called hated of God, a son of Satan. to think that Jesus also says that to hate/curse a brother in our hearts is the equivalent of murdering just drives home the point that grudges and anymosity are not things to be taken lightly, nor should we wait for them to "blow over", but we must rather urgently and earnestly petition the Lord for that balm of grace.

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy
Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
stop murdering people in my heart, and seek out grace through diligent prayer.

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
The Lord has really been laying it heavily upon my heart how little i know about prayer. please pray for me, that i'll learn how to pray in a manner that is most pleasing and glorifying to Him!

Week 5, Jules

Ok, i'm giving this a go! :-) sorry, i thought i had posted this weekend and then realized i haven't!

1. WHAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU FROM THIS LESSON?
Several things really stuck out while doing this week's lesson. One of the things that really encouraged me for some reason is the fact that children are going to fight- "more than one son guarantees rivalry" - Do you know that recently it's been making me wonder whether I'm a good mom or not to see my littles squabble so much? To read this meant so much to me, I felt like it cut me free! Now, it just renews my purpose to help them learn to "handle it in the safe environment of the home". Praise God for this opportunity! I really feel much better about it! :-)

2. WHAT OFFERED YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OR BLESSING AND WHY?
I've been trying to do this study with introspection. Often, I read the all too-human stories in Scripture and think, "I would never do THIS! How could he do THAT?" Esau was a man given to instant gratification. In my self-righteousness, I know I thought I would never let something so minor as red stew make me forfeit my godly heritage.... until I really thought about it. How many times have I chosen to gratify my fleshly appetite instead of feeding my spirit? How often have I wasted money, TIME, energy and thoughts with fleeting temptations rather than banking on eternity? How many purses do I have stored in my closet and the poor had to turn to someone else 'purse' for God's provision? How many times have I sat mindlessly in front of the TV instead of studying Scripture, how many hours staring into the computer screen instead of contributing to my children's eternity? I admit that in and of itself, these things may not be evil, but the heart tugs when it's time. And when I know better, and choose to ignore the tug, I desensitize myself to the Holy Spirit and therefore, I'm forgetting who I am for the moment and who I belong to. As we saw in Esau's life, it's pretty serious stuff.

3. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU INTEND TO APPLY (through prayer and the Holy Spirit) FROM THIS WEEK'S STUDY?
Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, keep in mind that my godly heritage is in heaven and that it will be passed on to my children. Lord, Help me in my unbelief.

4. PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMENTS
Girls, I am a bit overwhelmed with things that are going on right now. I know it will all be taken care of and under the watchful eye of my Savior, but I am still experiencing the daily stomach churns with the twists and turns life is taking. Please pray for peace, for right decisions, for good counsel and for the Lord to send people my way who will help me make wise decisions. (and my inlaws are still here for another week - it's going well (2 thumbs up) but pray for opportunity to speak to them about the Lord. thanks! jules

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