BSF
I'm upbeat but also sad. BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is over for the year. I learned so much from this year's study and I feel like I grew a great deal in my relationship with God. I am amazed and I really hope I will grow as much (or more) every year of my life here-forward (or from now on). I've learned so much I can't even recall it all (oxymoron I guess)but there were so many things that I'm taking away. Tonight we had our sharing night and pie social. This year I actually enjoyed the sharing more than the pie! I think it helped that our group wasn't squished into a single pew this year but I really related to the thoughts and insights that people offered. I wish I could have bottled (or at least recorded) everything everyone said because it just seemed so pertinent. I think three people thanked me for sharing (not everyone shares) but the funny thing is that I shared for myself. I find it odd when other people get something out of what I say but of course that's ironic because I get SO much out of what others say.
Main things I personally got from this year in the book of Genesis:
* God loves us and created us to glorify him. I can honestly say this is the first time I've really understood my purpose on Earth.
* Father, Spirit and Son were involved in and mentioned throughout creation.
* Adam and Eve lived in perfection with everything at their fingertips and still felt like they needed more. I will never be satisfied until I am satisfied with what God HAS given me.
* Abraham waited a VERY long time for Isaac but he came in God's time and way. I too have things that God is waiting to give me. I probably won't even have to wait until I'm 100 to get them! If I hadn't been a sub teacher I wouldn't have been able to take time off to go to MS this year and that trip has meant the world to me.
* Isaac was forced out of land he had worked and dug wells three times. Instead of putting up a fight he moved on and trusted that God would provide. God did (imagine that!). When he had moved the third time the men of the land saw that he was prospering and asked him to sign a treaty with them.
Genesis 26:27-28 '
Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?" They answered, "We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, 'There ought to be a sworn agreement between us'-between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you...'
I don't know about you but I could start a fight if someone took a muffin I want. I need to learn peace and to trust in God like Isaac did.
* Jacob was a schemer but God changed him and made him into an obedient son-in-law who was a faithful worker despite the fact that his FIL was bad employer. God blessed Jacob for his obedience and Laban, his FIL, saw it. I want that to be me (Jacob not the FIL). When I'm treated poorly I want to heap back the blessings on my oppressors so that they will not be able to have any complaints about me or my work.
* Joseph went through so many awful things and was treated unjustly for over 10 years of his life with no end in sight. Through it all he gave the glory to God for every good thing he had. He was trained up through the horrible circumstances for his position in Egypt. When his brothers finally truly apologized for selling him into slavery he cried. In Genesis 50:19-21
"Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."
Wow! How powerful. To withstand years of slavery because your brothers sold you into it and then say, "Hey it's what was supposed to happen, right?" What a perspective.
Okay so there was more I'm sure but these are the lessons I'm mulling over in my head right now.
Good Year! Praise God for 'growing me'!
Main things I personally got from this year in the book of Genesis:
* God loves us and created us to glorify him. I can honestly say this is the first time I've really understood my purpose on Earth.
* Father, Spirit and Son were involved in and mentioned throughout creation.
* Adam and Eve lived in perfection with everything at their fingertips and still felt like they needed more. I will never be satisfied until I am satisfied with what God HAS given me.
* Abraham waited a VERY long time for Isaac but he came in God's time and way. I too have things that God is waiting to give me. I probably won't even have to wait until I'm 100 to get them! If I hadn't been a sub teacher I wouldn't have been able to take time off to go to MS this year and that trip has meant the world to me.
* Isaac was forced out of land he had worked and dug wells three times. Instead of putting up a fight he moved on and trusted that God would provide. God did (imagine that!). When he had moved the third time the men of the land saw that he was prospering and asked him to sign a treaty with them.
Genesis 26:27-28 '
Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?" They answered, "We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, 'There ought to be a sworn agreement between us'-between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you...'
I don't know about you but I could start a fight if someone took a muffin I want. I need to learn peace and to trust in God like Isaac did.
* Jacob was a schemer but God changed him and made him into an obedient son-in-law who was a faithful worker despite the fact that his FIL was bad employer. God blessed Jacob for his obedience and Laban, his FIL, saw it. I want that to be me (Jacob not the FIL). When I'm treated poorly I want to heap back the blessings on my oppressors so that they will not be able to have any complaints about me or my work.
* Joseph went through so many awful things and was treated unjustly for over 10 years of his life with no end in sight. Through it all he gave the glory to God for every good thing he had. He was trained up through the horrible circumstances for his position in Egypt. When his brothers finally truly apologized for selling him into slavery he cried. In Genesis 50:19-21
"Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."
Wow! How powerful. To withstand years of slavery because your brothers sold you into it and then say, "Hey it's what was supposed to happen, right?" What a perspective.
Okay so there was more I'm sure but these are the lessons I'm mulling over in my head right now.
Good Year! Praise God for 'growing me'!