Great and Marvelous Things

Redesign

2011-10-03T20:32:00.001-05:00

For new posts, please go to our new site, www.tallpinetales.com All of my current posts are being moved to that address as well. In the future, "great and marvelous things," will be dedicated to sharing about "God using Ordinary People to do Extraordinary Things."

Thank You, and God Bless!

Book Studies

2009-12-19T22:54:00.001-06:00

So what is a book study?

In a book study, systematically read and study one book of the bible at a time, and learn to apply it to real life.

How do I do this?
1. Choose a book with stories
A wonderful place to start is Genesis. Going on from there, good books to use this type of study are Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and so on.

2. Decide how much to read.
* If you have a bible with division headers in it, you may choose to read a section at a time while getting used to new ways of studying.

* Or, you may want to read a chapter at a time,

* Or if you are really into the story, read until you reach a logical break.

3. Choose a method and write down what you learn. You can use:
     a. 3questions; to learn how to use this method, see here.
    b. attributes of God; To learn how to use this method, see here.
     c. Characteristics of the believer's life- learning through the Epistles; To read post on how to use this method, see here.

Good Resources to Use: Bible Concordance, Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, Bible Knowledge Commentary, Bible Dictionary, What the Bible is All About- For Young Explorers

Are You Listening?

2009-12-15T13:11:00.001-06:00

"Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud."
Author Unknown

How To Do A Character Study, Part 2

2009-12-06T22:48:00.003-06:00

How To Do A Character Study, Part 2
Last time we looked at the attributes of a Godly Leader.
Now, lets look at doing a character study on those who 0ppose God: (shows us what NOT to do)

1. Who is someone that 0pposed God?
2. Read about them to find out how they 0pposed God.
3. Ask yourself some questions:
     -What are some traits they had that you should avoid?
     -What negative influence did their actions have on themselves and others?
     -How did God deal with their opposition?
      How did their lives end?
     -What is the opposite trait or action of the one who 0pposed God?
4. Ask God to help develop the positive trait in you, or
     show you how to develop it in your children.
     (You can use a dictionary or thesaurus to help you find the positive trait, then do a word study on it.)
5. Keep notes on what you learn.
6. Be watchful, note how God is pointing out undesirable traits or actions that He wants to help change in you.

Bible Study Methods: How To Do A Character Study

2009-12-05T22:21:00.005-06:00

Character Study, Part 1

Look at the attributes of a Godly Leader:
1. Choose a leader by looking in your concordance.
2. Read about them to find some of their desirable traits:
     *loyal, courageous, bold, humble, loving, obedient*
3. Choose one trait to study further.
      Ask yourself some questions:
          -What were the circumstances when the
            trait was developed?
          -When/how did he demonstrate that trait?
          -How did the trait benefit the person and others?
          -How did it glorify God?
4. Look in the gospels to see how Jesus demonstrated
     that trait. (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John)
5. How could you develop that trait, or instill that trait in your children?
6. Use a concordance or Topical Bible to find others with the same trait.
7. Keep notes on what you learn about each and how they might apply to you.
8. Be watchful; Note how God is changing you to be more Godly.

Characteristics Of The Believer's Life

2009-12-02T15:46:00.013-06:00

Learning through the Epistles
Quiet Time- Method 3
Characteristics Of the Believer's Life

*The New Testament Epistles are the books that are letters: Romans,1&2 Corinthians,Galations, Ephesians... **

Questions to ask, things to think about as you read the epistles"
(All these questions won't necessarily be answered in each epistle.)

1. How is a person to begin with Christ?
2. How does a person grow in Christ?
3. What does God expect from believers?
4. What are some problems believers face?
* What are some sins?
* How can they be avoided?
* How does a believer handle temptation?
* What is the purpose for suffering?
5. What is God's will?
6. What are some present and/or future rewards of serving Christ?

After studying several epistles, compare them:

1. Note parallel passages to see how the different aspects of the believer's life
are expressed differently.
2. Are there attributes or behaviors that should be put off?
3. What attributes should be put in their place?
4. What are some recurring themes between the different epistles?
5. What are some repeated teachings?
6. What do those themes and teachings mean to me in my everyday life?

Use what you are learning in your prayer life to ask God to help you develop the characteristics He wants you to have.

Using Scripture to Know and Worship God

2009-12-01T17:57:00.018-06:00

You will need: A new notebook (or section in a divided notebook), a good pen or pencil, and a Bible that has a concordance in the back. A concordance is laid out like a dictionary. It lists main words, and below that word it gives a small exert from the passage as well as the passage's "address" so you can look it up to read the whole thing. If you own a Strong's Concordance, it is recommended as it more exhaustive than the one in the back of your Bible.

What does scripture say about who God is?

1. What is God's character; what are His attributes?
- The Psalms are a great place to see the character of God. Start with Psalm 145 & 146.
-List each attribute or characteristic on the top of a notebook page.
-Look up that attribute in the concordance of your Bible.
-List the verses on the appropriate page of your notebook.
-Use these verses to praise Him!
-Read these verses when you need to remember this side of Him.

2. What does the Word tell you about how God relates to people?
-What does God DO?
(Example: He gives, forgives, keeps promises, commands, etc...)

3. What are God's emotions?
- Think of, and list, any emotions that you can think of.
- Search scripture to see what it has to say about God having these same emotions.
- How does He handle them?

**Note** As we are made in the image of God, you will be able to identify your own emotions with those of God. Learning when He experiences them and how He handles them helps us learn the appropriateness of our emotions and how we can and should handle them.

4. How does God view things?
- Think of various "things" and list them.
(i.e. - eternity, sin, vows, our relationships, etc.)
-Search scripture to see how God sees them.
-As you read stories in scripture, look for ways that tell you how God looks at things. Record them in your notebook.

5. Reasons to love Him more
- Anytime, as you read scripture, take notes on what God has done that causes you to love Him.

What do I do with this information about God?
1. Worship Him by telling Him you recognize these awesome characteristics.

2. Read verses back to Him. Pray them back to Him in your own words. These are His words, so your worship will be based on truth and not what you think scripture means.

3 In prayer, ask Him to help you become like Him in these ways.

4. Look for Him to work in you.

5. At the end of the day, look back and see what God has done for you, how He has been there, what He has said to you (in your heart or in the Word), how He has revealed Himself to you in your situation at home, work, or elsewhere. Write it down!

Quiet Time- Method 2

Getting More Out of Your Bible Study Time

2009-11-30T23:29:00.008-06:00

We have talked about the importance of spending time in the Word. So how to get more out of your study time?

I have had the privilege to be part of the committee that plans and helps facilitate the Fall Ladies Retreats at Camp JIM for several years now. One of the things that has come to my attention is that many women, even those who have walked with the Lord for many years, struggle when it comes to studying the bible. They find it difficult to understand and don't know how to apply it to their lives.

If you have ever felt this way, do not let it get you down. We all need someone to come alongside us and help us at some point. Even the very learned, if they are wise, keep a teachable heart and find there is something new to learn each time they open God's word.

Sandy Albrecht from the Gateway Church in Elk River, Minnesota is a speaker with Women's Bible Study Fellowship. She has been a wonderful mentor for the ladies at our retreats the past two years and she has been good enough to give me permission to share her notes with you.

This is the first in a series of posts on different methods of studying the bible, starting with the most commonly known method. This is a good method to use when doing a book study... choose a book with stories, decide how much to read, and try this method.

Quiet Time Method One:
Three questions to Ask Yourself

1.) What is this passage about? What?
2.) What do I learn from it? So What?
3.) How can I apply this to my life? Now What?

THE WHAT? What is this passage about?

-List the facts or content of the passage:
Who are the people
What are they doing
Where does it take place
When does it take place

-You might not know all, or even several, of the answers to these. Think about the questions and write down what you can!

(As you begin your adventure of getting to know God more through the study of His Word, I would recommend you use ready one or more spiral notebooks for the purpose of keeping your notes and the PT's: personal thoughts that you have as you dig deeper. Another option would be a three ring notebook with dividers.)

SO WHAT? What do I learn from this passage?

A. So what's the lesson I can learn?
Pick out one or two things from the list below that really stick out to you; write them down. These will be the things you can concentrate on during your quiet time.

Is there a :
- Warning
- Command
- Promise
- Example to Follow
- Example not to follow
-Lesson or principle to follow
- What is the main truth?
- What do these verses reveal about God's:
* Character or attributes
* Ways He relates to people
* Views (what does He think about it?)
* Reasons to love Him more

- Are there specific things to pray for?:
* for me
*for my family or loved ones/ friends
*for people I don't like (or my enemies)

- Is there a new thought to me?
- Is there an encouraging thought to me?

B. Write down your answers
- concentrate on 1 or 2 things that are especially meaningful

Now What? How can I apply this to my life?

A. Think of things that are going on in your life at:
- home
- work
- in ministry
- in personal life

B. In one of those situations, ask yourself a personal question that requires you to take an action:
- for an example let's use: Deut. 17:19

"The word is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees."

Don't Ask: "Will I spend time in God's word?"
Ask This: "What time will I set aside time this week to study?"

C. Write the answer to your question:
"I will get up 30 minutes earlier to read one passage and work on the "three questions" method, three times this week."

D. Do It! (This is where prayer comes in!!)

How Fresh Is Your Perspective?

2009-11-29T20:36:00.012-06:00

Today my kids decided to make "guitars". They raided my rubber band stash so they could stretch them around shoe boxes and play music. They learned that rubber is a wonderfully fun and stretchy thing, unless it is not maintained... then when it is old, it just gets dry and well, it is "overcome" by the stress applied to it during the stretching process. It breaks.
Romans 12:2 says,

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Because I am a Christian, I am called to be "in the world", but not "of the world." While I am out there living in the world, I am supposed to show the world what Jesus looks like. I have become his Image Bearer, or for lack of a better description, "Jesus with skin on". The only way I can look and act like Jesus is if I know what Jesus looks and acts like.

In John 17:17, Jesus is praying for his disciples just before his crucifixion. He asks the Father,

"Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth."

I need to be in God's word every day, being sanctified by it, renewing my mind. The more I learn about Him, the more I am changed into His image. As I am immersed in His Truth, I develop more of a kingdom perspective and my world view is set right. When I go for a time without spending time in God's word, the world is still at my door, pressing in on me, and I am amazed at how quickly my perspective can become dull and dry. James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Being sactified keeps my perspective fresh. It keeps me set apart, safe... stretchy. Being in the world, trials and temptations are going to happen. How will I stand up to those trials? If I have allowed my perspective to get old and brittle, I will most likely be overcome and break. If my perspective is fresh, I'll be stretched. Yet, I will come out like a champ, still conforming to the shape of my Savior.

Stretch, or break... How fresh is your perspective?

Superheerio

2009-11-26T20:29:00.010-06:00

Every summer, when the season of youth camps and extra long hours winds down, our family goes camping too! We usually go to a state or national campground where we can get away from the normal business of life and pause to be together, regroup and strengthen our family connection.

Two summers ago, the place we chose to park our pop up camper had unwanted neighbors lurking in the post that rangers used to hold the site's identification tag. It was evening while our 4 girls were riding their bikes and trikes through our camp site. A very pregnant me was cleaning up dinner dishes inside the camper when I heard one of those screams. You know, the kind that stops a mother's heart. In the time it took me to move my stiff pregnant hips to the door of the camper, my wonderful husband had already reached our 3 year old Ella. Realizing that she was being attacked by vicious ground wasps, he quickly scooped her up in a towel and ran her to the other end of the camper while killing the wasps and brushing them from her body. It was a precious sight to behold him gently cradle her while whispering words of love and reassurance that she was safe.
In a moment he brought her inside the camper for me to clean and treat her wounds. She was amazingly calm and nodded to his explanation that he was leaving to tell the park ranger to come kill the wasps so she would not have to worry about them anymore. As soon as he had gone she began to recount for me in her 3 year old way how the "bees were stinging me, but Daddy grabbed me and killed the bees off me." She paused to catch her breath, and then she summed it up. "Daddy saved me. He's my Superheerio."

For days, Ella recounted the story for us and anyone who would listen, and every time she told it I noticed my husband silently beamed. He smiled a little more and stood a little taller. Ella made him feel like a Superhero.

When we came home from vacation the story of the Dastardly Wasps and the Daring Daddy was retold one more time for our camp friends. The programmers rather liked the tale and decided that every super hero should have a cape. They got creative (that is what programmers do) and they made him this cape pictured above... it says, "Ella's Super heerio." That day Daddy wore his cape home and all of his little girls cheered for their hero one more time.

Dad's bear a great responsibility. They are only human. Their example, though flawed, is the first reference point our children have to begin to understand the love their Heavenly Father has for them--a love so heroic that He sent His own Son to rescue us from the "big, bad" sin that hurts us.

Dad's work hard. They try hard. They love us a lot. They are all heroes. So, don't forget to thank them. Make them a cape. Give them a cheer. However tall your dad is, inside he will grow at least a foot.

As Good as It Gets

2009-11-24T11:24:00.019-06:00

We've all heard the expression "Let go and let God." It occurs to me that most often, it is what we say when we have reached a dead end and realized we are powerless to change our circumstances on our own... we can't help the child who is being rebellious; our finances have spiraled out of control; our diet has led to weight and health problems; a relationship seems hopeless; ___________... You fill in the blank.

Then there is, "It is what it is." Is it? I mean, how did it become what it is? How did "it" become something that we, in our inadequacy, determine best to be handed over to God?

May I suggest that somewhere along the line, it all begins with a simple choice. And then another. And then another. A choice to plunge ahead and do what feels right, or to pause and wait on God. How do you make your daily decisions? Do you ask for protection every time you buckle your family into the car, or only on a long trip? Do you read the bible and find interesting stories, or do you inquire of the Lord how to apply its truth to your life?

This concept is so clear to me when I watch my growing children. When they are young, everything is new and they ask for help in everything. When they get a little older and have gained some experience, they will sometimes decide that something new does not seem as difficult as they once thought and so they will attempt to "figure it out" on their own. Sometimes they get it right, albeit their methodology is interesting and often more cumbersome than the way I would have shown them. Sometimes they get it wrong, and try as we may to salvage their project, we can never get it "as good" as it could have been if they had asked for direction ahead of time.

So it is with our lives. We can remember that as Christians, God had already given us the blueprints for life in His holy word. If we will consult Him before leaping in even the seemingly "easy" things, He will save us steps and always keep us from stumbling.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5

I don't want to look at my life and say, "It is what it is". I want to know that my life is as good as it gets because I trusted God and waited on His perfect direction.

Don't wait until you find yourself in a pickle to "Let go". Let God today.

A "Real" Job

2009-11-21T23:56:00.005-06:00

My husband and I were newlyweds the fall we moved into our cute and cozy college apartment. Tony was a psychology major looking forward to moving on to a masters program in marraige and family therapy. He wanted to serve families of rural churches. I was looking forward to my honorary "Putting Hubby Through" certificate.

Within our married housing community, we were sandwiched between Camp Ministry Majors.

"What is that?" we asked.

"Camp Ministry?" They would look at us like we were missing a few marbles. "Duh? Working in christian camps."

"Camping..." Tony would shake his head and smile. "That's not work. You need to get a REAL job!" In private he would tell me, "Those guys just don't want to grow up!"

Well, a year and a half later Tony was still teasing the camp majors. However, I noticed that when our camp friends would come back to visit during their internships, he listened keenly to their adventures. He began asking questions of the camp majors around campus, and one day he dropped the bomb. "Honey, would you get mad if I wanted to change my major?" Did I mention that his psychology internship was just months away and I was pregnant with our first child?

Well, I don't know about you, but I am not "happy" if my husband is not happy. So he checked into this camping major. When he talked with the camp he would have to intern with, he found that they had a 2 year waiting list. Door closed.

We continued on course, had a baby girl and were applying for a masters program in South Dakota. Then, at the latest possible moment the phone rang, and the camp intership program with a 2 year waiting list suddenly had a place for us. Door open.

We went out to visit Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, Wisconsin to see their facility and learn more about their LTD (Leadership Training and Development) program. The LTD director probably thought he was going to have to scrape my jaw off the floor. This was not "camping" as I had experienced it. No rustic summer cabins here. This was... like a resort!

There are still some rustic summer camps out there. But in the professional world of Christian Camping, most camps are year round and most offer conference facilities. Activities can include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, biking, "mini-farms", archery, paint ball, high and low ropes initiatives, orienteering, crafts, rock wall climbing, super nice "canteens" and gift shops. Other winter programs include down hill skiing, snow boarding, ice skating, and there is so much more. Staff receive thorough and intensive training. Is it fun? Oh, yeah. And it is PURPOSEFUL. Activities are designed to teach a skill and be fun, but just as the apostle Paul used Greek Olympics terminology to draw parallels about Christian Living for his readers, (ex: "run the good race" and "hitting the mark", biblical priciples are applied to camp activities so that campers remember lessons for a lifetime.

Today we serve at Camp JIM (Jesus Is Mine) . Needless to say, he decided Christian Camping IS a "real" job. It is an intensive job. It is a lifestyle that requires long hours and dedication. However, it was not the "job" that won us over, but the privilege of being part of the ministry. Camping is one of God's tools to build relationships in which we can share that because we live in a fallen world we need saving, and the good news is that Jesus saves. A lot of people receive Jesus Christ as their Savior at camps. Many return to share their stories.

If you would would like to attend a retreat or send a child to a life changing week of camp, this is the time to begin planning. Visit http://www.ccca.org/ (Christian Camp and Conference Association) to find a christian camp near you.