Respectable Sins Wrap-up

Hello, friends,
Well, this is a little late even though it was intended to happen a couple of weeks ago, but I think we need an official close to our Respectable Sins study. Though there has been some disappointment for all of us in both the "loneliness" and lack of luster for the study via blog after such a life-giving summer of meeting together, I still believe that God continued to teach us things individually. I know it was a lesson for me in perseverance, too--it feels good to be finished even though I didn't continue my blog activity to the end in the way I had intended.

So with that, I don't have any profound questions or thoughts, but I just want to create some space for us to share. Let us know how Respectable Sins changed thought patterns, made you think or frustrated you--no matter how many or few chapters of the book you read. Here are some questions for thought...

1. Did any "respectable sins" surprise you? Were you convinced (or not) that any of the topics in the book were sins that formerly you hadn't thought of as sinful?
2. Which topics were most difficult for you?
3. What feelings did the book raise in you?
4. Did the book change how you thought about sin and our relationship to God in it?
5. Do you have any other general thoughts or feelings you want to discuss?
6. What's next for the Noggies?? :)

Thanks to all of you for participating in the ways you have. I know our ability (and sometimes motivation) to do so has wavered, but I pray that the Lord still uses this concept to begin to change the way we think about how we live in a world that "respects" many things we know our Lord does not.

A respectable and forgiven sinner,

Beth :)

Confession

So, I made this confession to Beth a few weeks ago b/c I am so disappointed in myself that I haven't done a better job posting and even worse READING our book. I made it through two weeks and then I got so behind that I couldn't seem to catch up. I am sure I have a lot of reasons (excuses) for how I got so behind, but the fact is I feel bad and feel the need for confession. (It is good for the soul right? Here comes my need to be accepted and told "its okay, Rochelle,"rearing its ugly head!)

One thing I dare to wonder is whether I subconsciously don't want to read the book because it is hard and it challenges me and makes me feel bad about myself. Perhaps?

Thanks to Beth who faithfully posts questions and her thoughts every week. Thanks to those that post in response. I wish the blog study would have worked out better than it has.

Something I read on Fliphemena today:

We generally associate well-being with the presence of God and assume that suffering means someone has done something wrong ... And of course, it is true that pain was not part of God's original plan, and the day is coming when he will wipe every tear from every eye. And yet ... While God hates pain, he can also redeem it. It does not mean he is absent. Years ago [I] helped conduct a survey that asked thousands of people what had most contributed to their spiritual growth. The number one answer was pain.
In "summer" I am tempted to think that because of my success, wealth, reputation, virtue, faith, I'm in control. My life will unfold how and when I want it to. In "winter" I learn I'm not running things after all. Somebody once said that the biggest difference between you and God is that God doesn't think he's you. In pain, we get very clear about not being God.
Over time, although I never wanted to feel pain, I came to see that it was doing much good in me. I became much more aware of how everything meaningful in life rides on God. I became much more dependent on him.

I just thought the first two paragraphs very well explain my life most of the time. In general, as long as I (and my family) has their health, wealth, success, etc. I feel in control. And when I'm in control, I block "hard/challenging stuff" out. I just want to relax, live freely, be "happy," not worry. Why is it so hard to stay cognizant of spiritual things? I hate that I am so fickle. So "on the surface."

Anyway, just thought I'd reach out and post something, even if I haven't read most of the book.

Hope you all are doing well!

Judgmentalism & Sins of the Tongue

Once again I am behind on getting these posted...so far behind! My apologies. Here are the questions for thought and discussion from Ch. 17 & 19.

Study Questions

1. "Judgmentalism begins," writes the author, when "we equate our opinions with truth." What's the difference between a preference for something and a Bible-based conviction?
2. Paul faced judgmentalism head-on (Romans 14). How would you describe Paul's response in Romans 14:4-5? What position did Paul take concerning the personal convictions of what people ate or special days they observed?
3. What do you think is the proper balance between a) standing up for key biblical doctrine, and b) expressing disagreement with advocates of unsound doctrine in ways that do not degenerate into character assassination?
4. How do we know that God takes "respectable" sins of the tongue seriously? (See Matthew 12:36-37.)
5. Which word pictures did James use in James 3:1-12 to illustrated the tongue's power and sinful effects? What did he want us to realize?

Discussion Questions

1. Biblically, when should we pass judgment on the practices and beliefs of other believers? What criteria must we use? Read Romans 1:24-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. How is the perspective of Bible-based confrontation different from much of our society's emphasis on "tolerance"?
2. How have Christians' judgmentalism and sinful speech affected their churches? Their witness in the local community?
3. Jerry writes: "Note Paul's absolute prohibition [in Eph. 4:29]. No corrupting talk. None whatsoever. This means no gossip, no sarcasm, no critical speech, no harsh words.... Think about what the church of Jesus Christ would look like if we all sought to apply Paul's words." if indeed we could live and worship together in this way, what would the body of Christ be like? What are we each willing to do in order to help make that happen?

Personal Reflection:

1. How do you feel wehn you are with someone who continually practices judgmentalism--having a critical spirit and finding fault with everyone and everything? Why do you think a critical spirit is so damaging?
2. Which sins of the tongue tempt you the most?
3. Based on your speech, what is in your heart? What might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to do about it?
4. For the next two days, ask yourself, "Will what I'm about to say tend to tear down or build up the person to whom I speak (or about whom I speak)?

Week 6: Impatience, Irritability & Anger

I'm trying to get back on track this week, so I decided the first step is engaging in the chapters early and getting the questions posted on time. While I personally haven't dug in to chapters 14-16 yet, here are the study questions to help us all get started.

I don't think I'm wrong when I say that it is getting hard to stick with it. The blog feels a bit lonely, and I can relate to the difficulty too. But whatever your level of involvement on the blog, I hope you'll persevere through the book, and I'll try to do the same. The book isn't a "fun" experience, yet I have to say that this type of self-examination is certainly a tool God can and is using in making me/us more like Himself. And there is no greater goal than that! So even if you're not blogging, I'm just asking you to stick it out and see what God will do. Don't see it as more to feel guilty about but as a way to honor a God that is so holy that He cannot stand even the "smallest" sin yet so loving that He has forgiven even the "biggest" ones. Our sins are paid for, so now we have the freedom to live in the joy of the Lord AND the sanctification His Spirit longs to do in us...for our whole lives.

I'm thankful for sisters in Christ like you! I love you all and pray your week is blessed with the knowledge and presence of our holy and loving God!

Study Questions for Ch. 14-16 (Ouch! These hurt--are we sure irritability is a sin?)

1. Jerry defines impatience as "a strong sense of annoyance at the (usually) unintentional faults and failures of others." In what ways do you tend to express impatience? How do these expressions affect those people who are objects of your impatience?
2. Situations do not cause us to be impatient. "They merely provide," the author writes, "an opportunity for the flesh to assert itself. The actual cause of our impatience lies within our own hearts, in our own attitude of insisting that others around us conform to our expectations." Is Jerry's statement a new distinctive for you? Why is it important for us to understand this perspective?
3. Speaking through Paul in the following Scriptures, how does God want us to act when we're tempted to be impatient? 1 Corinthians 13:1-4, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:1-2
4. "Irritability describes the frequency of impatience, or the ease with which a person can become impatient over the slightest provocation." Keeping this definition in mind, do you agree that irritability is a sin? What do you think lies at the root of the irritability?
5. Contrast what the Bible reveals about righteous anger with what it says about sinful anger:

• Righteous anger (self-controlled, arises from an accurate perception of evil, focuses on God and His will): Exodus 32:15-20, Nehemiah 5:1-8, Matthew 21:12-13
• Sinful anger (sinful reactions to people's actions and words): Matthew 5:22, Galatians 5:19-20, Ephesians 4:29-31

A Little Behind...But Here They Are!

Hello, friends! I'm a little behind this week on getting the questions out, so I'll offer a condensed version of the study, discussion and personal reflection questions. I need a little jump-start this week. My level of focus is not good! Hope you're doing better than I am in that area!

Just reading the questions alone has given me a lot of food for thought and conviction. I continue to be thankful that Jesus' work of rescuing me from myself and my sin is finished! I pray the Spirit continues to speak to us all as we continue and that we'd be willing to submit.

Pride & Selfishness (Ch. 11-12)

Study Questions:

1. "The sin of moral superiority and self-righteousness is so easy to fall into today," Jerry writes, "when society as a whole is openly committing or condoning such flagrant sins as immorality, easy divorce, a homosexual lifestyle, abortion.... Because we don't commit those sins, we tend to feel morally superior and look with a certain amount of disdain or contempt on those who do."

• Why do you suppose it is that we can so easily drift into the pride of moral superiority and then develop a spirit of contempt toward those who practice those sins?
• To what kind of people did Jesus tell the parable about the self-righteous Pharisee? Why is this significant to us? (See Luke 18:9.)

2. Which biblical principles help us guard against a sinful desire for personal recognition? (See Luke 17:10; Psalm 75:6-7.)

3. What phrase in 2 Timothy 3:1-2 describes a selfish person? Why is this so convicting?

4. Because time is precious, it's easy to be selfish with it. What do the following verses reveal about sharing our time with others? (See Acts 9:36; Romans 16:2; Galatians 5:13, 6:2; I Thess 5:14; Hebrews 6:10; 1 Peter 4:10.)

Discussion:

1. Do you agree with the author that "there are degrees of selfishness as well as degrees of subtlety in expressing it"? Why or why not?
2. Why is it sometimes difficult to focus on and listen to other people's interest areas rather than talking about our own? How do our selfish tendencies influence our conversations? Our activities? Our thoughts?
3. If we allow sinful pride and selfishness to take root in our lives, what consequences should we expect? (See 1 Corinthians 5:6.)

Personal Reflection:

1. In which particular areas of your life do sinful expressions of pride and selfishness tend to surface (home, work, school, recreation, thoughts)?
2. What do your calendar and checkbook reveal about selfishness in your life?
3. Compare the sins of pride and selfishness to the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23). What changes might you need to make, with the Holy Spirit's help?

FYI

I am not sure how I have kept this secret so well (so unlike me!), I sort of anticipated saying something on Saturday, but then I was so consumed by the intricate painting of my angel ornament ...

These pictures say it all:

ETA of Baby #2: May 1, 2009! We are very excited!

Week 4: Discussion Questions

Oops! A little behind on getting these posted! Here are the questions for thought and discussion about anxiety, frustration and discontentment.

Discussion:

1. Why is anxiety so common in our culture--in our daily activities, in advertising, in news reports? How does the Bible's teaching about anxiety contradict what modern culture teaches about it?
2. Which other sins often crop up if we tolerate anxiety, frustration, and/or discontentment in our lives?
3. Do you think God sometimes allows us to face difficult, unchanging circumstances for reasons we may never know? Feel free to share a situation in which you learned a key lesson because you accepted that situation as part of God's plan for your life.
4. Discuss this quote from the author: "Suppose someone you love were to say to you, 'I don't trust you. I don't believe you love me and will care for me.' What an affront that would be to you! Yet that is what we are saying to God by our anxiety."
5. Throughout Respectable Sins, Jerry encourages us to remember God's attributes. If we believe and remember that God is infinitely wise, loving, and knows what is best for us, then how will we respond to circumstances that tempt us to be anxious, frustrated, and discontented? On the other hand, if we think God is simply toying with us and wanting us to suffer, how will we respond to trials?

Personal Reflection:

1. What types of circumstances tempt you to become anxious, frustrated and/or discontent (a, f, and/or d)?
2. When has God used your a, f, and/or d to teach you something, help you grow in a particular area, or get your attention and make you more attentive?
3. What particular insights, verses or quotations particular connected with you this week?

Actions:

1. Carefully note when circumstances tempt you to be a, f, or d, and when temptation occurs, immediately ask God to help you trust and obey Him.
2. Write a prayer thanking God for being in control of your circumstances (even when you don't feel that certainty). Invite Him to help you respond in ways that serve and glorify Him.

Week 4: Anxiety, Frustration & Discontentment

Hello, friends!
Since we've got ungodliness and unthankfulness taken care of now (ha, ha), we're moving on to our friends in chapters 8 & 9--anxiety, frustration and discontentment. We can just skip these chapters if no one can relate to these issues... :)

Okay, seriously now, here are the study questions:

Anxiety & Frustration

1. What did Jesus teach, in Matthew 6:25-34, about how believers should respond to anxiety (worry)?
2. What do Matthew 26:39 and Philippians 4:6-7 reveal about our need to pray for relief and deliverance from whatever tempts us to be anxious?
3. When our faith falters and our situations loom larger in our minds than God's promises, how should we obey Jesus' command in Matthew 6:34 and find hope in Luke 12:6? What insight does Mark 9:23-24 offer?
4. Our frustration, which usually involves being upset at whatever or whoever blocks our plans or desires, has root in ungodliness because we are living as if God is not involved in our circumstances. What comforting and encouraging insights can we gain from Psalm 139:16 (NIV): "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be"?

Discontentment

1. What is discontentment? When does it spur us to positive action--and when is it sinful?
2. Jerry writes, "It is our response to our circumstances rather than the degree of difficulty [in them] that determines whether or not we are discontent." Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. One of the key verses for this session is Psalm 139:16. How might this verse help us in dealing with circumstances that tempt us to be discontented?
4. Write out what this statement from the author means to you: "We must believe that the Bible's teaching about these attributes [God's sovereignty, wisdom, goodness] really is true and that God has brought or allowed these difficult dircumstances in our lives for His glory and our ultimate good."

Happy reading!

Week 3: Discussion & Personal Application

Hello! Here are this week's questions for thought and discussion. Last week we didn't get much going, so I hope this week we can all find some renewed time to read, think and share in the things we're processing. We've still got a week and a half until we're together in person to encourage one another, so let's do our best to stick with it!

In fact, I'm personally requesting everyone to take time to post/comment this week in response to a specific question below or about something they're spiritually processing (or struggling to process as is often the case for me). I don't want to let us disengage!

There are some good questions this week:

Discussion:

1. Why do you think it's so easy for good people to be ungodly--to live most of the week as if God doesn't exist, as if they are not responsible to Him and dependent on Him?
2. If you feel comfortable, share a time when you went through daily activities without even thinking of God. What impact did it have on your life or on those around you?
3. What practical things can we do each day to "train" ourselves "for godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7) so we please and glorify God during even ordinary activities?
4. What are some blessings God has given you? Why is it important for us to thank Him for these blessings and make such thankfulness a natural part of our lives?
5. Where does the faith come from to believe and thank God even in the midst of difficult circumstances? Describe a challenging time when you were--or were not--able to give thanks. What did God teach you through that experience?

Personal Reflection:

1. Reread 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Matthew 5:16. To what extent are you mindful of doing "all" to the glory of God? How has ungodliness crept (or marched) into your social relationships, ordinary activities, your prayers, your daily planning?
2. Do your words and actions demonstrate that you consciously and prayerfully seek to glorify God--or tend to forget about Him? What are your attitudes and actions communicating?
3. How much has God done for you in Christ? In what ways can you be sure to take time each day to thank God for His temporal provisions and spiritual blessings?
4. If God stood in front of you right now and told you to do everything to His glory, what changes would you immediately make in order to make Him the center focal point of your life?

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that you would kindle within each of us an even stronger desire to live a lifestyle of godliness and thankfulness. I ask that you would graciously continue to reveal yourself to us, so that we can see you clearly and do nothing but respond to your greatness! Send your Spirit to convict, to heal and to guide. Thank you for our relationships with one another and for the ways you are working in each of us.

In Jesus,

Amen.

Prayer for a Stranger

Hey, Noggies,
I came upon the blog yesterday of a woman who is scheduled to have a c-section tomorrow, knowing that her son is likely to only live minutes or, best case, hours. A similar story to Todd & Angie Smith I think, if you've read their blog. She and her husband are strong believers, and her blog is quite inspiring, though desperately sad. I just bawled and read yesterday.

Anyway, you don't have to read the blog if it's hard for you...because it is very sad and hard. But I thought I'd ask you to pray with me for this couple, Stacy & Spencer, and their son, Isaac. With the timing of finding their blog, I feel called to pray for them. They are still praying for a miracle because that is truly what it would take for their son to be healthy and stay with them on this earth. He has organs that have been growing outside his body and his spine and lungs have severe issues as well. Here's the blog if you want to read: http://sgirl79.blogspot.com/.

So, if you pray, pray for them in this last 24 hours before his birth, that they would have peace, that God's perfect love would cast out their fear. Pray for Isaac, that he doesn't experience any pain, that he feels his parents' deep love for him. Pray that Stacy, the mom, gets to hold Isaac while he is still alive. And pray for a miracle. I'm crying just typing this...I can't imagine. Their faith and their love for their son and their God is so obvious. A miracle in this situation would touch so many people. I so wish for God to answer that prayer for them!

Thanks for praying,
Beth

Week 3: Finally to the Nitty Gritty

We finally get to start talking about our "respectable sins" this week! Isn't it exciting? :) I have not read chapters 7 and 10 yet, but looking at the topics, ungodliness and unthankfulness, I know the fun is just beginning! I have no doubt that this is the beginning of new self-revelation, conviction...and hopefully freedom, too!

In all seriousness, I pray that this is the beginning of us getting to the "root" of some of the sins we struggle with. I continue to think about what it really means to be a person who makes a difference, and I think these sins we consider the "little ones" can often make so much difference in how we relate to other people. Wouldn't it make a difference if we made being grateful contagious instead of complaining? Or if we mentioned the great decisions people around us have made instead of criticizing them behind their backs? The list could go on and on...

Key Verse:
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness...Be filled with the Spirit, ...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Titus 2:11-12; Ephesians 5:18, 20

Study Questions:

1. How is the definition of ungodliness in teh quotation on page 35 different from what you thought ungodliness meant? What does Romans 1:18 reveal about this sin?
2. Do you agree or disagree that ungodliness is "apt to be the root cause of our other sins" and that each of us is guilty of this sin?
3. Read James 4:13-15. For what expression of ungodliness did James, through the Holy Spirit, condemn those people?
4. What does Paul's summary prayer (Colossians 1:9-10) reveal about our responsibility to God? About our "typical," human-centered prayers for ourselves, friends and family members?
5. During biblical times, leprosy devastated many lives. The Mosaic Law required that a leper continually cry out, "unclean, unclean" while walking along the road (Lev. 13:45). In light of this, what is poignant about Jesus' experience between Samaria and Galilee? (See Luke 17:11-19.)
6. Read Romans 6:6,17 and Ephesians 2:1-5. What is a person's spiritual condition without God? What has God done for every believer?
7. According to Acts 17:24-25, why should we express heartfelt gratitude to God?
8. According to the promises of Romans 8:28-29, 38-39, why should we give thanks by faith even when a situation is disappointing or difficult?

More soon! I hope we can get some good discussion going now that we're getting a little further into the material!

Hugs,

Beth

Week 2: Discussion & Personal Application

Hello,
Just me again! Here are this week's discussion and personal application questions. A couple of the discussion ones feel a little "Sunday schoolish" to me in terms of having fairly obvious, easy answers. If you feel the same, either pick a different question to reflect on or try to take it in a deeper direction than it seems to require. I'm not too worried about depth of conversation with this group. Thanks for all the comments so far. It's great to be in conversation with you all again. Both the accountability and the sounding board are so beneficial for me. I hope the same is true for you!

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the truth that God has forgiven our sin free us to honestly and humbly face our sin?
2. What hinders us from recognizing our sin? Why do we allow sin to "reign" in our lives? (See Romans 6:12.)
3. How might our lives change if we consistently pray about subtle sins and ask for the Holy Spirit's help each time we encounter situations that might trigger these sins?
4. Why do we need to "preach the gospel to ourselves," to read biblical assurances of God's forgiveness?
5. How should Jesus' work (the forgiveness his death and resurrection accomplished) motivate us to deal with our sin?

Personal Application:

1. In chapters 4-6, which insights did you particularly appreciate and why?
2. If you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord, do you find it easy or difficult to comprehend God's forgiveness and infinite love for you? Why?
3. If you're a follower of Christ, God has completely forgiven your sin and will work with you to put to death expressions of sin in your life--including the "respectable" ones. What does this mean to you personally?

Action Steps:

1. Together, let's invite God to give each of us a new heart that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him--and to promptly confess our sins as His Spirit makes us aware of them.
2. Write out 1 John 1:9 from your favorite translation of the Bible. Spend the next week working to memorize it and reflecting on the promise it holds.

Next week: Chapters 7 & 10

Week 2: Study Questions

Hello! I totally forgot to post our study questions earlier in the week, so hopefully you're all behind like me and haven't started reading yet! :) If you are just getting started, we're reading chapters 4-6 for Tuesday. Once again, I'll post the discussion questions sometime tomorrow. Here are the study questions:

Key verse: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. Romans 4:7-8

1. The moment we receive salvation through Christ, what does God do for us regarding the guilt and reigning power of sin? (See Romans 6:1-2; Colossians 1:13-14.)
2. What does God use to convict us of our sins--including our selfishness and judgmental attitudes? (See 2 Timothy 3:16.)
3. What assurance do we have that, when we acknowledge our sinfuless and ask for God's forgiveness, He will forgive us and no longer hold our sin against us? (See Romans 4:7-8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9.)
4. In Matthew 5:6, what did Jesus promise all who pursue righteousness, who earnestly desire to see their sin put to death and be replaced with the fruit of the Spirit? (See Matthew 5:4, 6; Galatians 5:22-23.)
5. Read Galatians 5:16. What hope is promised as we seek to "put to death" sins that keep coming back? What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit"?
6. As we ask God to enable us to deal with our sin, what must we "store up" in our hearts? (See Psalm 119:11.)
7. How can we be sure that God the Father and the Son, working through the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer (see 1 Corinthians 6:19), will help us deal with sin and direct our spiritual transformation? (See Romans 8:31; Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13.)
8. What is the Holy Spirit doing within each believer? (See 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

Week 1: Discussion & Personal Application

Hey! As promised, below are some questions to kindle some discussion as well as personal reflection over the first three chapters of the book.

Discussion Questions (some repeat yesterday's study questions)

1. How might we begin to see our own sins more clearly instead of focusing so much on other people's sins?
2. What impact do you think the "softening" of language regarding sin is having on our lives? On our churches?
3. How might what we learned today influence what we say, do and/or think?

Personal Reflection

1. During this session, what discoveries, quotations or verses especially connected with you? Why?
2. What "respectable" sins might you be tolerating in your life?
3. In what ways might these sins be affecting your life, your relationships and your relationship with God?
4. What do you think God wants you to learn from that situation?
5. What one insight regarding "respectable" sins would you like to begin applying to your spiritual journey this week?

Feel free to pose your own new thoughts and questions as well!

As a reminder, for next week, it's chapters 4-6.

Post away, ladies!
Beth

Week 1: Study Questions

Hello, noggies! Welcome to the first installment of Respectable Sins, the official book study of the NOG (that's N-O-G)!

I hope you're enjoying the reading so far. The discussion guide breaks the questions down into 3 sections with the first being what I would call "study questions," the second "discussion questions," and the third "personal applications." In looking at the questions, the personal applications seem to be those that strike the deepest chords and will be more likely to cultivate discussion, but I could be wrong. Anyway, my point in telling you all this (yes, I have a point) is to say that tonight I'm going to post just some of the study questions because I think they'll be more useful as you finish reading if you want some Scripture to go with it and some questions that guide your reading a bit more. In fact, in future weeks I think it might be good to post the study questions earlier and then the others later in the week.

So, use the following questions as you wish and more questions will be posted some time on Monday:

1. Why do you think it's important for us to understand what sin is and its impact on our lives and relationships?
2. What do James 1:14-15 and 2:10-11 reveal about the root of our sinful actions? About God's law and the consequences of breaking it?
3. In Matthew 5:22, 27-28, what did Jesus emphasize concerning the seriousness of sin--breaking God's law?
4. What evidence do you see that the word sin has virtually disappeared from our culture? That awareness of personal sin has effectively disappeared from many believers' consciences? What impact is this "softening" having on our lives and our churches?
5. Why is it easier for believers to focus on the sins of unbelievers rather than their own personal sin?
6. List some common "respectable sins." Why are we more inclined to tolerate them?
7. In Galatians 3:10, what did the apostle Paul quote to emphasize the importance of obeying God's law? What might this reveal about the consequences of tolerating "seemingly minor sins"?
8. Describe the choices Peter & Paul urge every true believer to make. (See Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Peter 2:11.)
9. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-10, where Nathan the prophet spoke God's words to David after his adultery, murder and denial of his sin. What do we learn about denial? About sin in relation to God and His law?

A Prayer for Us:
Lord, You are a holy, holy, holy God. We worship you and seek to live our lives solely for you, with no other gods getting in our way. As we begin this study, will you open our eyes to the "respectable sins" we are tolerating in ourselves and give us the courage to be honest with ourselves, with one another and with You. Speak to us individually and speak to our group about how these sins affect community as well. Continue to transform us as we learn to trust in You. Help us to receive both Your conviction and Your grace. We love you and bow to no one but You.

In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

Blessings to you, ladies! Let the posts begin!

I love and miss you all!
Beth

Pottery & Pajama Parties

I just wanted to do a quick check-in on some possible NOG gatherings. I know Nancy is anxiously awaiting responses about our pottery date, so if possible, get back to her in the next couple days. Thanks for checking on all the details, Nancy! Sounds fun! (Though, like I told Nancy, I am a terrible artist, so it makes me nervous. I think I'll be going and checking things out a bit before our scheduled date!)

And for my second item, I wondered about setting a date for an overnighter. (Pajama party may sound a little middle school, but I really liked the alliteration!) At least a few have mentioned that they think it sounds fun. I thought if it worked out schedule-wise it could be a good way to celebrate at the end of our study in November. What are your schedules looking like on Friday, November 14? I'm thinking a Friday evening/Saturday morning thing...does that sound good? I'm also thinking it can be part spiritual reconnection and part just plain old fun! Ideas and thoughts welcome!

Let the Book Study Begin!

Hello, Noggies!
I'm thinking we better stick with Noggies even though we're moving to a new book. We don't want to be known as the Respectable Sinners, do we?? :)

As promised, here's a recap of our reading plan and schedule. Time to hit the books!

In keeping with our sacred Tuesday schedule, we’ll read our chapters each week by Tuesday. Questions for thought and discussion will be posted on the blog on Sunday or Monday by me and/or Tiff, and blogging on the current chapters will center around Tuesday and Wednesday before starting the next week’s reading and beginning the cycle again.

We think at least loosely sticking to this weekly schedule will keep us all on the same page and not get anyone too far ahead or behind. Of course this doesn’t mean that people can’t post any time they have thoughts or questions; we just want to stay together in the reading material and make sure we’re making intentional time for each specific topic. Aren’t you excited to get some life back into the Nog Blog again?! I am!!!

Here’s the schedule as laid out in the discussion guide:

• Session 1-Facing up to the Truth: Chapters 1, 2, 3 (read by September 23)
• Session 2-the Remedy for Sin: Chapters 4, 5, 6 (September 30)
• Session 3-Ungodliness & Unthankfulness: Chapters 7 & 10 (October 7)
• Session 4-Anxiety, Frustration & Discontentment: Chapters 8 & 9 (October 14)
• Session 5-Pride & Selfishness: Chapters 11 & 12 (October 21)
• Session 6-Impatience, Irritability & Anger: Chapters 14, 15, 16 (October 28)
• Session 7-Judgmentalism & Sins of the Tongue: Chapters 17 & 19 (November 4)
• Session 8-Lack of Self-Control, Envy & Jealousy: Chapters 13 & 18(November 11)
  

Don't forget to also give some thought to a possible Nog Overnighter or some other dates to get together in person! Let us all know of any ideas!

Happy Reading! Can't wait to once again be challenged, entertained and loved by your thoughts and questions!

Mental Hugs,
Beth

Missing You

Tuesdays come and go like any other day of the week now. All summer they were what I looked forward to, and now every day looks the same.... getting the kids out the door for school, feeding the baby, doing the laundry, taxiing to soccer or football or piano lessons, etc. I've definitely lost some focus, and I definitely miss you guys!! I am so anxious for our books to arrive (which should happen today if tracking info. is correct!) so we can be in touch regularly again. Although blogging together can never duplicate some of the side-splitting one liners our group shared! (The only time I've laughed that hard since NOG is last night when my 11-year-old put all 10 sweatbands that he got at CHAOS around his head at once. He looked either like someone with a major head wound or like his brains were going to pop out the top of his head at any moment from the pressure!)

Even though I haven't had as much occasion to laugh since our NOG group ended, God is good and faithful, and He's continued to speak to me about the things I was learning through our study. Beth Moore and her daughter Amanda both shared posts recently that really ministered to me in what I'm learning right now. And this past week in the auditorium service Andrew reminded us about how God sometimes allows us to enter into things that are hard because that's the only way to sift out what needs sifting. More confirmation of that whole pruning thing that seems to by my life's theme right now. That's both encouraging and discouraging... Discouraging because I know the pruning season is likely to continue for a while, and encouraging because I trust God is in control of it for a great purpose. Making room for something greater than I can imagine, you know?

Anyway, I just wanted to touch base because I've been thinking about all of you (and this was the perfect time since I'm avoiding doing my garage sale sorting and laundry folding like I need to be.) I hope you girls are finding a way to stay connected to the Lord in this busy time of year. Let's not let what He showed us during NOG shrivel up without taking root in our hearts!
Love to you all~
Tiff

***UPDATE: My friendly mail delivery person (she's not a mailman) just dropped the package containing our books on my front porch! Prepare to be challenged: the first page I flipped open to is confronting the sin of frustration.... just witness me trying to get my kids out the door for church and you'll see me battling this one!

A Mess of Thoughts

I'm finding myself in a place of frustration lately. It's likely for a couple of reasons 1) I've been thinking more about "respectable sins" since Brianne raised the topic and 2) I've been spending additional time with people from my past that leave me confused and frustrated as I watch certain behaviors among "Christian" people (again, respectable sins).

To briefly explain my frustration, the gist of it is that I have been seeing Christian people acting in ways that are contrary to what I believe Scripture says. And some issues are pretty black and white to me. I know that it is not for me to judge them; I just find the discrepancies so frustrating that I never know how to respond when I'm in the situation. I honestly do not want to judge, and I know that can sometimes be my tendency. My greater feeling is sadness because I think, "Wow, if as 'Christians' we're not getting it, how in the world is anyone else going to get it?" None of us are truly "getting it," but I would hope we're at least seeking Jesus in it. And it also saddens me because I feel like living in those ways shows that they are missing out on the true power of Jesus available to all of us. Anyway, I feel like I sound totally judgmental here, and that is not my goal or my true feelings. I just hate this feeling of not knowing how to respond and coming home questioning myself, wondering what I should have done, etc.

These feelings are especially fresh on the heels of my 10-year class reunion, which was yesterday. (All went well, by the way.) I had a fine time and it was good to see some old friends, but I was also ready for it to be over. I know that going to a Christian school certainly does not automatically make you a Christian, but I also know that many of the people who were there are Christians, so it confuses/frustrates me to hear the things they think are so hilarious (jokes about how drunk people were, sex, etc.) and how much they think is acceptable to drink. One of my friends made a joke that it probably wouldn't be good to be hung over at her daughter's baptism, which is today. When I hear things like that, I just can't figure out how people's minds work in relationship to their faith. Seems like a pretty obvious discrepancy to me. On the way home I was feeling like a prude somehow and asked Brent if I was crazy to believe that it was wrong to get drunk because it seems pretty clear to me from Scripture. He confirmed that he does not think I'm crazy (always a relief!), so I followed up with, "How do people then justify doing that with their faith?" Of course, they justify it just like we justify so many things in our lives...I know there are a billion in my own life. Just seems odd when it's such a blatant outward behavior.

It just leaves me all in a mess because I feel guilty for judging people, but then I think, well, if I know that their behavior is wrong, I shouldn't accept it, should I? (I know I should still accept the person, but I shouldn't feel okay about their behavior, should I?) I don't want to continue rambling, but here are some of the questions I have in all this mess of feelings I'm expressing:
1) Do any of you have suggestions for how to handle situations like these? My example was drinking, but I don't mean just in that. What about when friends express things about their life or behaviors and you know they are wrong? How do you respond without making judgment?
2) When is it okay to make judgments? (i.e. when does judgment = accountability & discernment vs. being condemning)
3) How do I stand firm and not doubt myself when other Christians have these "respectable sins" and I begin to wonder if I'm just too legalistic, too this, too that, etc.
4) How do I welcome this type of accountability in my own life and recognize my own "respectable sins"? (Maybe by reading the book!) :)

I just feel like this whole post sounds like I'm a judgmental prude, so I guess I just have to trust that you guys know me better than that (I hope!). As we all know, I have plenty of idols and sins in my own life, but I guess I just want to know how to follow Jesus with abandon, not ever accept sin in my life and help others to do the same in a Christ-like, loving way.

Sorry to barf all over you, but you are obviously my place to process this morning. Thanks for "listening."

**Added later: As I just read through the post, I realized I talked a lot about behavior and not about the heart. But the heart is really where all our behaviors come from, so that's the issue I am truly dealing with in myself and others. I still don't know how to handle these situations, but I do know that just "changing behavior" is not the point. Other thoughts?

Cool Idea

So I am listening to Focus on the Family, and they are airing Lee Strobel...well he is a pastor in Chicago (I think)...and anyway at their church they set out to pray for one person every day at one o'clock for one minute....so 1-1-1. And there are awesome stories of people who seemed uninterested in Christ coming to Christ...I think we should do this!
I am going to do this for my boss, Vant.

Watch out Vant, here comes Jesus! :)

Calendar is reading my mind...

So now the daily calendar, "Flip", is starting to freak me out. Totally reading my mind and my heart and my struggles. So here it is...hopefully someone else will be touched by it as well.

What exactly is temptation? It is an enticement to get a legitimate need met apart from God's will or outside God's boundaries. Some people feel guilty for having needs. That is false guilt. Needs are needs....Needs are legitimate, and all of our needs are worthy of bringing to Christ so that He might meet them. Don't feel guilty for having needs. Guilt arises--and should arise--when we attempt to meet our needs by our manipulation or efforts rather than by trust in God.

'Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.'-James 1:14

Calendar to the heart

So I often joke/slightly serious about being quite protective of my family (ie: Rochelle)...and my preference to wear black leather or kick butt or argue just to win. And while I would do all of these things what often sends a pang of sadness through me is that I use to be so tender and gentle and compassionate. And it isn't that I don't have that anymore...it just seems lesser due to the 'role' I find myself in whether with family or work...or maybe I am placing myself in that role and I shouldnt' be...anyway that requires more soul searching...
My point is that I often find myself driven by anger, pain, a feeling of injustice, or the need to protect...and I know it is wrong. Often these angry feelings I leave inside...I do still have enough of my old self to know that I don't want to hurt other people or cut them down because I wouldn't like that done to me either...but that doesn't make it better because in my mind and heart I have already done so--so it is just as much damage to me.
Well I was thinking on this after our study last night and just feeling sad that I am in this position. So when I came in this morning I read my flip calendar for the day and I thought...thanks God...so appropriate...please Lord let me take this to heart. So hear it is, mainly for myself but also for anyone else that is a closet rocker/biker/kick butt chick... :)

Be angry and do not sin.--Ephesians 4:26
There is a way to express anger "without sinning". We can channel our anger into constructive change--putting the focus on what we can and should do rather than on what we want the other person to do. We can address concerns and problems before they fester to the boiling point....We can voice that we are upset, concerned, disappointed, or in pain without raising our voice, digging up the past, or ripping apart another person's identity. And we can always choose to give voice to our emotions without stirking out a person's personal characteristics.

Here's to a nogarific group!

I also enjoyed our finale tonight, though finales in general tend to be bittersweet, don't they? I really am amazed and thankful for the way God orchestrated us to be the noggies this summer. It's actually an example of how God can take "just another Bible study" and do more than we can ask or hope.

As it is past midnight and I am still sitting at the church waiting for my class reunion books to finish printing (okay, so I may be hoping for a bit of sympathy), I thought I'd do a little research on possible future plans for our group. As a few of us chatted after our meeting tonight, we wondered about the possibility of reading a book together and discussing via this blog and then maybe meeting together just once a month. Feedback on this idea would be welcome!

I mentioned one book that seemed similar to the issue that Brianne suggested in her email, having conversations with fellow Christians about ways we accept certain sinful behaviors in our lives. One of the ABC Groups is doing a book called Respectable Sins, which discusses a similar topic. In reading a little about it, it sounds like its focus is on the sins we accept as Christians and the Church more than how to talk to others about it, but I do think it sounds pretty good. If you want to read more about it, this blog had some good feedback (or you can also find it on Amazon.com and read an excerpt): http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/respectable-sins-by-jerry-bridges-9781600061400-1600061400/.

So, this is just a possibility. Thoughts are welcome. My thoughts are no longer useful to anyone, so I must go check the printer and then hopefully go home!

Good morning!

Garlic Bubble loaf

While I'm thinking of it....
1 lb frozen bread dough
1 TBLS parsley flakes
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup butter

Melt butter in microwave, add seasonings and stir. Thaw dough and cut into bite sized pieces. Dip each piece into butter mixture and put into loaf pan. Let rise until it is close to the top of the pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from pan right away.

A couple of side notes. I've accidentally let the dough almost completely rise before getting it cut and dipped. That worked fine too. Today it was about 1/2 way risen when I cut it apart. Then I let it rise after being dipped. So I don't think there is a real rule on this. It just ends up a little more or less dense depending on your method. I usually have to get the loaves out of the freezer late morning or by lunch time to just do the normal counter thaw. You could speed up that process a bit by putting it in a warm place (i.e. next to the crock pot or oven, etc.)

Who knew I could ramble about bubble loaf? I'll keep you "posted" (pun intended) on the pottery outing. As always, I really enjoyed the fellowship, learning and laughing tonight. Sure going to miss it! :-( And someone better bring Amy up to speed!

Sweet dreams Tiff (HA! She could be the only one reading this at this hour of the night!)
Nancy

Fliphamena says ...

Since I haven't been sitting at my desk for weeks, I haven't been able to get any wisdom from my friend, Fliphamena, my desk calendar.

Here's what she's had to say over the past few weeks. I share it because it is a good reminder to me to just take some time to be quiet and stop living on the surface. I am so easily distracted!

Meditation is not a confusing activity. In a sense, meditation is just positive worry. If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate.

Phew, that takes some load off ... :) I know how to worry!

To practice meditation, take the statement from Psalm 16:8: "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Say these words out loud several times, and let them roll around in your mind ... Take some time to imagine how this might be experienced in your life.

Sounds simple enough. If I could just take on simple steps ... baby steps, as we have discussed ... knowing that each step takes me closer and closer to God.

As I meditate, these thoughts move from my head to my heart. I begin to think, "I want a life where I live in peace." Then these thoughts move to my will: "God, I choose for my life to be so. I will do whatever is needed to have it so." And then comes the thought "I am with you." Something that simple. And He is with me. I'm tuned in to the right channel.

The whole heart and will struggle that we talked about last week. (Isn't Fliphamena good?) Again, thinking about the process in steps helps me. I think when I think about how far I have to go to become more like Christ, I get overwhelmed. And if I can't do it right the first time, then I don't do it all. So, if I can just think in terms of steps, letting God win each step, I feel less discouraged.

Love you Noggies!
See you tomorrow night! Our last (sob) hurrah!

Keep the Fire Burning

I've found myself growing increasingly complacent these last couple of weeks. I was so on fire the first couple weeks of the study, and then life got a little too hard and tiring, I guess. Kind of sucked the oxygen out of me so the flame began to flicker. To stay on that theme... I've been burning the candle at both ends with all that we have going on in our family, so I'm having a hard time keeping the fire burning, spiritually speaking. I don't know about you, but I want to grow lukewarm when I start to feel a little disillusioned or have my heart grow cold when things get difficult. I want to be on fire, even when I feel like I'm in the fire!

I'm processing through some hard things right now, and as I grow more aware of what idols I run to for comfort, I more quickly recognize that I'm not always processing things very well. I think that I am most often "letting go" of things, usually just because I'm too worn out to deal with them on my own any more, only to have them rise up again later. What I really want and need to do is turn them over to God--to both surrender my own will and agenda as well as trust that whatever He's at work doing truly is the better thing. Honestly, what I've been hoping would change in my life just isn't changing, at least not nearly fast enough to suit me, and I'm struggling to figure out how whatever He's doing is even better than what I'm hoping for. That may sound a little vague, I know, but I'm guessing you get my point.

So anyway, today I found myself going back to the questions I posted earlier on in the study, as well as formulating some new application questions from the more recent lessons we've done. With one week to go before our study is finished, I feel like I'm at the point where I need to focus on some real life application. I don't want to have gone through this study only to have "eaten the seed" rather than really "sowing" it into my life to produce a harvest of good fruit. So in attempt to finish this study well--to keep the fire burning--I'm going to keep trying to press into the answers to these questions (it's a long list, but I thought reading through them might also spark some renewed conviction in different areas for the rest of you, too):

• What "envelopes" do I fail to let go of and await the reply? Am I praying with faith and expectancy?
• Who (or what role, activity, etc.) am I allowing to be my god by asking them/it to tell me who I am--to define me?
• Where in my life am I double-minded and unstable--claiming God is my God while serving false gods?
• What (or whom) am I convinced would make me happy if I could obtain it?
• Where am I settling, out of desperation and lack of faith, for "crumbs" when the Lord has fullness to offer?
• What am I filling my internal vacuum with other than God--the Ultimate Thing?
• Where am I willing to sacrifice true freedom to return to idols that offer temporary comfort?
• Do I really believe that where God is taking me is better than where I am now?
• Do I believe that God's call to remove idols from my life is done completely out of His deep love for me?
• What giants in my life are preventing me from seeing the truth about my Promised Land? Am I willing to persevere when God's promises aren't fulfilled without first facing a struggle?
• What areas of my life am I letting go of but not truly making an offering to God?
• Do I believe God when He says that He and He alone can truly satisfy me? Do I believe that He is provision enough to fill the empty spaces left when I let go of my idols? Especially if He leaves those spaces empty for a season?
• Where have I fled prematurely instead of "staying" when the victory looked unsure?
• Am I willing not only to surrender my will to God but also trust Him with my heart, no matter what He will do in it?
• Am I trying to change my heart and my behavior on my own, or am I making room to allow God to change me?
• Where is God me calling me to obey that I don't really feel like obeying? ("Obedience without warm tingly feelings will always be some part of our faith journey.")
• What prevents me from spending more time in prayer with God? What do I need to remove in my life so I can choose prayer? (Blogging perhaps?!)

Okay, so I just had to take a break to change a blowout diaper, soak baby clothes, talk to my kids about their awful behavior on the bus today, send my daughter to her room for talking back, and clean up spaghetti sauce that got splattered on and in every nook and cranny in my kitchen. And now I'm typing hunt and peck style with one hand while I hold a fussing baby, and we need to leave for football practice in 15 minutes. I'm beginning to see why it's been tough to stay focused!

I will have to trust the Lord that He can speak to my heart even in the midst of all of this. Praying He also meets you in the midst of whatever your reality feels like today!

A Letter from Kelly and Prayer Requests

Did you girlies check out Beth Moore's blog today? Kelly wrote us a letter! I think I may write her a note back. Just think, if every woman who did this study over the summer writes her, she'll be fielding well into the thousands of e-mails. Wouldn't that be awesome? In a totally overwhelming sort of way, but still awesome to know that God has been at work in so many lives through her study.

Now on to prayer requests:

Teresa: Wants to live in greater surrender to God, especially regarding His plans regarding her work

Nancy: Seeks wisdom in finding balance and prioritizing fall activities and schedules; smooth planning for parents' 50th anniversary event and pictures (I added that one Nancy.... hope that's okay)

Rochelle: Wants to discern how she needs to slow down and listen to God so she can get beyond the feeling that she's "skimming the surface" of life

Amy: Longs to get past this pregnancy insomnia phase and receive some rest, as well as peace from the anxiety of worries over Baby's movement and health

Stacey: Desires permanent and continuing transformation in what she's learning about herself

Beth: Seeks peace, perspective and proper priorities in the midst of overwhelming busyness

Sheila: Needs wisdom regarding lakefront house/lot; feels overwhelmed by the heavy and increasing workload at her job with the other nurse practitioner going on leave

Tiff: Wants to keep eternal perspective and reach contentment in current life stage, and to grow in greater unity with Steve, especially regarding family priorities. Also....I just thought of this....please pray for my now jr. high boy. He is e-mailing one girl in particular a LOT, and I'm not feeling at all prepared for that type of stuff. Yikes! We need wisdom in our parenting in increasing degree every day!

A few things that I'm personally going to be praying for our group this week:

• That we will surrender whatever areas we are still withholding from the Lord, and to grow more trusting in God's heart for us. I can't believe how profound that concept of surrender/trust being different feels to me! I think I might listen to that Natalie Grant/Wynonna song every day this week.... He's gonna bring it all together for good
• That the idols that we haven't realized or that simply continue to appeal to us in our difficult times will continue to be stripped away to make room for what He has to offer.
• That the Lord will bring clarity and agreement about the future of our group.
• That we will finish the final week of NOG strong--praying for each other and gleaning all the Lord has for us from the lessons.

Amy-isms

Just because I LOVE Amy's wisdom and wit, I felt compelled to share some key quotes from the evening:

"Got a rectal - didn't see that coming!"

"Uh, this is an exit only ..."

"Sweet spot" - referring to the place Stacy doesn't want to leave

And I know there were others that I keep forgetting. Just wanted to thank Amy for the way she makes us all smile.

And thanks again for another refreshing night, ladies. Just what the Doctor ordered, if you know Who I'm talkin' 'bout ... :)

Sweet Dreams!

Anybody out there?

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing this week. I miss connecting with you girls! Other than Nancy's link to Ashlee's blog, Beth and I are the only people who have posted or commented. I want to hear from the rest of you, too! (No offense to Beth, because she knows how much I value her friendship. But I talk to her all the time already!)

How are the lessons coming? What key things is God bringing to the surface for you? How has your week been since we last met? What big (or small) things are going on in your world--either externally in your relationships, work, and home, or internally in your heart and mind? The 2 hours we have on Tuesday night just aren't long enough for everyone to share deeply, so now's your chance....

I'll be waiting!

Loving it!

I got started on this week's study today, and I just wanted to say that I'm loving it! I felt as though I wanted to underline everything she said. I especially loved her intro about "staying" when it gets hard. It's so refreshing to me to hear her say more than just how awesome life with Jesus is and to get honest about the fact that it's also HARD. I love the promises of life with Jesus; in fact, the full life, redemption and transformation he offers are some of my favorite things to think about. But my reality much more often is that I'm just trying to keep believing those promises while my idols call out to me and tempt me to the "easier" solutions they offer. Sometimes I just need to be encouraged to stay, and I need someone else to tell me that God is working out my faith in greater ways than I can imagine. That's what Kelly is doing for me today.

With that lesson on staying, I also resonated with Day 1's idea that walking away from our idols is a lifelong process. I'm totally with Kelly that "I am more accustomed to a gradual process" (p. 146) even though I'm always hoping for the miraculous healing. I need to keep remembering that and asking God to help me be okay in the process, especially since the process is lifelong. I think it's the perfectionist/all or nothing ideology in me that feels the need to get it all right before I'm acceptable to God, myself or anyone else. When I write it down, it's sounds utterly ridiculous because I obviously can't even come close to getting it all right, but day to day it seems so true. Anyone relate?

I can't take the time to write more now, but I am excited about this week and just thought I'd get some thoughts out here again for us Noggies to consider.

By the way, we do have a wedding talk written, so I'm thankful about that. Of course, being me I must second guess it (and third guess it and fourth guess it...), but I know the ideas in it are God's truth and am just praying His Spirit will make it come out like it's supposed to!

Mental hugs to all,
Beth

Prayer Requests

I don't want to think about the fact that we have only 2 weeks of this study left! I haven't given any of you any mental hugs lately... So consider this a mental group hug for you all! :) And here are this week's prayer requests, too:

Sheila: minimal stress regarding piano playing at Saturday's wedding; wisdom regarding buying the "huge mess" across the road

Beth: clarity on what to say for Saturday's wedding talk; peace and focus in the midst of overwhelming busyness

Teresa: smooth adjustments to the new routines with back to work/back to school

Tiff: joy while trusting God when life feels hard; continued prayers for parenting (see last week's requests)

Nancy: enjoyable final week of summer with kids, especially with the added business of Clayton's birthday

Brianne: wisdom; taking time to listen for God's plan in many areas

Rochelle: focus and being intentional about resting and listening to God

Let's finish strong, ladies! Pray for each other, and dig into the study as much as you can!

Ashlee's Blog

Sure enjoyed the evening again ladies. Lots to think about always.

Thought I would drop this blog link to you if you are interested in seeing any of Ashlee's artwork. I'd like to know a little bit more about some of them.

Her wall murals aren't coming through. She had them in photo buckets and worked fine the other day, but they won't pull up now. Not sure what the problem is there.

http://www.ashleesthings.blogspot.com/

And get some sleep! Why are you up reading this :-)

I think I can, I think I can...

Hello, friends! I'm just noticing that the blog action this week has been much less, which is totally fine, but I'm wondering if it might be because many of us are feeling overwhelmed or distracted by various things in our lives. I know I am! It seems that maybe we've hit the point in the study where we have to really push ourselves to finish well. I ran into Amy on a walk today, and we are both feeling like we've been struggling more to get our study done the last couple weeks. In fact, she asked me what this week's study was focused on, and I couldn't remember even one thing to tell her from the meager two days I've completed! So, assuming that others may be feeling this way, too, this blog post is just to say, "We can do it!" Let's believe that God still has great things for us in these final weeks and be willing to engage with Him in whatever conviction or healing He wants to offer. Let's also pray for each other as we continue on.

I am still loving this journey with you...I just need a little push to get up the hill right now!

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!

Prayer Requests

Thought I'd create an official place for us to leave our personal prayer requests again. I really don't want us to allow ourselves to get sidetracked completely by our own thoughts and reflections--as inspiring and entertaining as they can be--and forget to make room for praying for each other! I know that no advice I personally can give you will do you as much good as if I spend a few minutes each day praying for you! I think maybe we should go back to saving the last 10 minutes of our group time to share our requests. Anyway...

Let's all leave our requests in the comments so they're in one neat and tidy spot when we want to look for them later, okay?

(Rochelle, I know you included yours in your post, so maybe you can just cut and paste it into a comment?)

God's Purposes

I know we've been doing lots of posting lately and not so much commenting, so I hope that doesn't mean everyone is feeling overwhelmed by the volume of stuff to read on this blog. But hey, I guess we all have a choice how much time we spend here, so I will stop feeling guilty about adding to it and just get on with it...

I haven't started this week's lessons yet, either, but this daily devotional from My Utmost for His Highest had a few lines that really struck me in relation to what Brianne shared on Tuesday night as well as what I posted last week. Since it seems our group is often of one mind and generally relates to the same concepts, I thought I'd share it with all of you. In case you can't/don't want to take time to read the whole devotional here are a few lines in particular that have me thinking:

What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires.

If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are.

If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like one key to ridding my life of idols truly is making room and allowing those things to become a greater reality in my life... believing God's intentions, increasing fellowship and oneness with God, and releasing my own agenda and purposes.

So nothing terribly new and exciting here, but I always feel even more convinced about things when I put them down in black and white. Once again it seems we all ultimately are seeking the same thing: that the Holy Spirit will help us fill our minds with Him, with His truth, His love, His glory.

Thanks so much for sharing life with me, girls. I'll be praying for each of you!

Thoughts

Hello, hope you all are having a good week!

I admit, I haven't started this week's study yet (a super-crabby (and rightfully so!) 15 month old with 3 molars descending has had something to do with that ... and I'm really into napping on the couch lately!)

HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that I'm not learning something. Here is some wisdom from Flip's sister (Flip is Bri's monthly calendar), Flipahmena. This encouraged me as I find myself wondering how in the world I am going to put to action/thought all the glorious things God has revealed lately through this study and you lovely Noggies. (Underlines mine.)

God is never more than a thought away. Frank Laubach wrote, "We can keep two things in mind at once. Indeed, we cannot keep one thing in mind more than a half a second. Mind is a flowing something. It oscillates. Concentration is merely the continuous return to the same problem from a million angles. So my problem is this: can I bring God back in my mind-flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind as an after-image, shall always be one of the elements in every concept and precept? I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question." (AT LEAST WE HAVE THE REST OF OUR LIVES FOR THIS EXPERIMENT! I'M GOING TO NEED IT!)

To make my mind a home for Jesus, I deliberately fill my mind with the kinds of things God says are important.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent and praiseworthy - think about such things.

We often want to be able to hear guidance from God about important decisions such as whom to marry or what job to take. But we also want to reserve the right to feed our minds on whatever junk comes along. Whatever repeatedly enters the mind occupies the mind, eventually shapes the mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become. The events we attend, the material we read (or don't), the music we listen to, the images we watch ... the daydreams we entertain - these are shaping our minds. And ultimately they make our minds receptive or deaf toward the still small voice of God.

Paul says, "We take every thought captive!" (2 Corinthians 10:5) That sounds exhausting. (YES IT DOES) Do we have to filter 185 billion mental images through the course of our lives? But of course, we don't do this on our own. God will help us fill our minds with the right kind of thoughts. God is never more than a thought away.

So, I guess this is my prayer request for the week: that the Holy Spirit will help me fill my mind with Him, with His truth, His love, His glory. That I will be aware of it. That I will grant myself grace as God does, and won't get wrapped up in doing it the right way, but that I would just try. And be happy with and encouraged by those baby steps, as Beth said.

Have a super day!

Strength in the next Generation...what is the answer?

So here is an additional musing after our conversations tonight. How did the next generation please God to be able to go into the Promised Land? Why didn't they get their own 40 years of waiting? And here is my thinking on it--relating to my conversation concerning the difficulty of perservering and having faith when your mentor, your "human guide" starts to faulter and doubt and become bitter. These kids that made it to the promised land were just that, kids at the time their parents, mentors, grandparents, etc doubted God...said they would rather have Egypt than His way and basically snubbed their nose at where God was leading them and at what His promises were...I would say they were full of bitterness and doubt.
So does anyone know...how did these kids end up differently? How did they overcome the previous generation's laments and bitterness....how did they take a different approach and follow God or please Him so that they were able enter the Promised Land? I mean it isn't like they were in a bubble for 40 years and the months prior and didn't hear the lamenting of their elders and their elders doubt, and sit around the campfire and be inundated with that line of thought. So my question is...what was different...I think the answer to this would help at least me. ( I myself will be reading further in Numbers tonight to try to find the answer...)

I want to be the person that through the battle can see the joy and not just the doubt and the emptyness...that can sing when the lions are approaching...and can worship when my flesh is burning. That is my prayer...that is my goal...to be so clairvoyant on Christ and His purpose and His goal that all else falls away and I become one with my Savior and my God--and therefore find peace ONLY in Him and everything else (material possessions, etc) is just a bonus.
As a wise gal said tonight (paraphrasing) it sucks to be human... :) and yet I must add that it is good because we get grace along the way.

Highlighting

I have a confession to make...I love to highlight...yes, I'm a highlighting fool. SO when I came across this quote I just had to post it because it seems to echo what a lot of us have been saying during this bible study...

"I'm learning that there is a vast difference between a highlighted verse in my bible and a highlighted verse in my life." -Mark Hall (lead singer of Casting Crowns).

So here is another prayer request--that I can go from LOVING to highlight my Bible to ACTUALLY highlighting the verses in my life...

demons and angels

Lately I appear to be stumbling across some "solid" tunes that relate to what we are studying.

After spending way too much time trying to figure out how in the world I could post this song, I have to leave you with a weak link:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mMIUpWKGs44

Check it out when you have time. This song is sung by Storyside: B, a Christian band I have been hearing on Sirius and other local radio stations. I recently purchased their cd because I like their song, "Be Still" so well, but as I've listened to the rest of the cd, I was struck by this song, "Demons and Angels."

As I tried to search for it on the World Wide Web, I was disappointed that there were no good recordings of the song. I clicked on the link I am sharing and was mildly irritated b/c who likes Final Fantasy games? Not me. But as I watched the battle between cartoon figures (excuse me, game enthusiasts, animae) I tried to look past the silliness, over-the-top drama, and tried not to think about the gamers out there, palms sweating as they take on a different persona and try to fight imaginary demons.

I thought about how we typically do not see what is going on in the spiritual world, and could this be a rudimentary picture of what is happening right now!? Our souls are being fought over, we are caught between demons and angels. All this idol talk isn't idle (ha ha ha) ... Jesus didn't die for our sins unless He knew how serious the battle is, how important it was to save us, how dearly and deeply He loves us and longs for us to have an abundant life. And so often I make choices that move me away from Him and how that must grieve Him. I just pray my heart and mind GETS IT and truly starts to apply all that He is revealing to me.

So, nothing really NEW here, just a reaffirmation of the battle, and maybe just another way to internalize what is going on and how we must CHOOSE to make room for Him. (I'm telling myself this, trust me!)

Meat, Manna, Milk and Honey OR Life After Death

So I worked on my lessons this weekend about the Israelites and their deliverance and the Promised Land. Right now I'm thinking about two lines from Day 3 in particular: "God's promises aren't necessarily realized without struggle," and "We have to believe that where God wants to take us will be better than what we're clinging to, even if we can't imagine it." I don't know about the rest of you, but man, those are hitting home with me right now!

Those of you who knew me before my NOG days know that Tori's arrival into our family was a surprise, and not a completely welcomed surprise at first. But as I began to process some of the emotions my pregnancy stirred up, I felt like God told me that I was entering a season of pruning for bearing greater fruit. A time in which parts would be cut away--but only to reveal a deeper beauty underneath. And that sounded pretty good to me at the time... greater fruit, deeper beauty. Good stuff, right? Those promises sounded encouraging and purpose-giving.

But now, now that I'm really entering into that season (and if I'm honest about it, most days I'm not even entering it so much by choice as much as by the fact that it simply can't be avoided), I'm not feeling so encouraged or full of purpose or beauty. More like isolated and resentful and ugly. Wondering why on earth I ever thought the promise of being "pruned" was encouraging at all, and realizing that some parts of my life that I am/was pretty attached to are being cut away. And honestly, it kind of hurts.

Then I read this bit about the Israelites wanting to go back to Egypt because they were tired of eating manna every day. How they would have paid the price of their freedom to have what they somehow remembered as being a pretty good set up back in Egypt. Silly Israelites. Then later, when they could even see with their own eyes the greatness of the land God promised them, they lost heart because it just seemed too daunting. They wanted to give up. Give up on remembering God's goodness in the past. Give up on seeing through their circumstances to the greater purpose and promise. Just plain give up on believing God.

And suddenly, I'm just a big fat ungrateful Israelite.... Wishing for the "comfort" of Egypt's shackles around my wrists. Tossing piles of manna to the side because I've just had enough of it. Licking the drops of honey off my fingers as I turn and walk the other way because I don't have it in me to fight for more, all the while forgetting that the battle isn't mine, anyway. I'm tempted to give up. Give up on remembering God's goodness in the past. Give up on seeing through the circumstances to the greater purpose and promise. Just plain give up on believing God.

So, as usual, it seems to come down to a choice.

Am I willing to be pruned--to suffer a thousand tiny "deaths" to allow for the new life God offers? Because with pruning, the new life can't grow 'til after the death occurs. When an artist carves a sculpture, the beauty can't be revealed until a lot of the surface is cut away.

Will I keep my focus on the free-flowing milk and honey and look past the "giants" of my circumstances? I can't visibly see my Promised Land right now like the Israelites could, and that makes it seem even more difficult. But the question is still the same: Will I choose to believe God's promises to me, or not? Do I really believe where He promises to take me is better than where I am now? Will I make room in my life for what He has promised to give?

I'm not sure exactly what saying yes to those questions looks like. And like many of us have admitted, I'm not always sure I really feel that "yes" way down deep inside, even when I say it externally. But as our courageous blog initiatior asked... Is there anything else worth chasing? Nope.

I believe, Lord. Help me in my unbelief!

Brave

Hey Girls!
So this is my first time actually posting and not just commenting on someone else's post....how exciting! See, I'm also behind the times Tiff...actually worse...I'm not even on Facebook!! I was meaning to post yesterday but spent all of my time reading the posts...you guys are awesome bloggers!! I LOVE reading all of them so keep them coming!!

I know most of you have already said this...but hugs out to all of you! I can't even begin to describe how REFRESHING it is to have a group that is brutally honest about our shortcomings, fears, and idols...and the psycho thing is that I completely relate with them all! I am part of another group and we met the other night and people were giving very trite answers to some very difficult questions. I THANK you that this is not the case with our group. This stuff is really HARD and I'm glad that sometimes that IS the answer...it's just plain hard.

I also resonate with Beth in wondering if I really want to change. I'm pretty comfortable with all my idols and quite FEARFUL of saying goodbye. One of my favorite songs (which I'm sure many of you know) is Brave by Nichole Nordeman...here are the lyrics...italics mine...(sorry, no video here:)

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

Fellow noggers...my prayer request is that I'm brave and can say goodbye to my idols...I know it will be slow and painful...I'm praying for all of you also in this so that we can be a flame that starts a fire of nogging!!

Sheila

Poopy Mouth...and Brain?!?

Greetings!!!
I must say Beth's post has struck a cord with me as well...honesty is refreshing and quite potent to get your mind and heart churning!

So I have titled this poopy mouth...some may ask why...Rochelle may just say it is as I expected...its Brianne! ;) he he he. Okay but back to seriousness...

S0 when I think about my heart and is it changing, or am I just going through the motions--I am pierced by the reality of my biggest problem...my mouth, tongue, well really everything in the lower quadrant of my face...or really we could just stay it is my whole head since it has the brain and the eyes in it as well...but anyway off track--you get the point.

I often find myself wanting all the things we are talking about and longing for them and praying that will be me...but then I find myself the next minute with my mouth open and poop is streaming out of it. I mean sometimes in mid poop stream while my mouth is still going my brain disengages and says: Really? Is this me? This is me isn't it...I mean wow I am disappointed...didn't I just say the other night or 20 mintues ago or whenever to God or the person I was with--that I dont' want to be this person...I want to only say things that are true, kind and uplifting...I want to be Christ-like...pretty sure poop stream from mouth doesn't qualify as Christ-like!!
And perhaps I should step back and clarify my definition of Poop. Although I am sure you have all already have come to your own assumptions. Therefore, when I say poop I mean gossiping, or maybe not saying the nicest thing about something or someone and of course in some way justifying it (rolling my eyes at myself), or maybe just allowing non-niceness to go on around me and I stay mute, and by my silence agree...

So anyway this is my really big problem...and if I were to dig even deeper I would say I have Poop of the Brain too....My thoughts are putrid at times...and while some of you have posted that you felt inferior at the study due to the way you grew up or the way your life was previously...don't be! I grew up in a Christian environment, I appeared to be all those "good" things...but often my brain was full of poop and I was sinning hardcore in my thoughts and sometimes in my words (but I tried to keep that in because gosh, got to keep up that Christian image!) So please PLEASE don't feel inferior or less or any of those lies that Satan is whispering to you...because everyone is TOTALLY in the same boat regardless of whether it is seen or it is unseen! (Okay side note again...maybe I shouldn't talk for everyone else...but I AM definitely in the boat with the oars and rowing hard, perhaps even hoisting the sail on the boat --in otherwords I am clearly familiar with the boat!)
So there you have it...that is the deep thoughts that assaulted me after reading the latest posts and I knew I needed to write this and share...and I guess this is my prayer request...that my thoughts and my tongue reflects what I want to be--who God has made me to be--and isn't just full of Poop! (yes I know this word is slightly icky and I have said it a gazillion times, but being a mom it apparently has become in the top 10 words of my vocabulary now and for some reason has become practical vs icky for me...sad...)

Let's think happy now!...Here is my yummy promise of the day...one of my ALL TIME favorite verses that lifts my soul from its miry (and poopy) depths!
COME TO ME, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest-Matthew 11:28

Thank goodness for that! Because I need rest from the battle that rages in me...whether it never hits my tongue...my mind is constantly battling...

Have a great day ladies, and remember you are not alone--regardless of your past or present!
Mental Hugs!
Bri

Empty Me, a.k.a. Make Room

After reading Tiff's comment on Beth's post that caused us all to start reminiscing about the Spice Girls (ahem), Tiff mentioned how she often prays that the words she sings would be true of her, or would become her desire ... it made me think of a song I've been hearing more and more on the radio. It is exactly what we've been talking about. Just thought I'd share, cause that's what friends (and blogs) are for. :)

Empty Me
By Chris Sligh

I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you so why surrender all?
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

thanks Beth

ok...finally getting to the Nog Blog---thanks for you help Nancy and Tiff! (I am not computer-smooth!) Beth--thanks for you honesty about feeling inferior (I think that was the word you used). I felt inferior last night 2nd to not growing up in a Christian environment and making some pretty poor decisions in my past.....when does that stop trailing a person? Anyway-- true honesty is a breath of fresh air and I'm thankful this group has that down pat! Gotta run--Blessings to you all,
Amy
p.s...I'm REALLY trying to limit my internet time 2nd to my love/temptation to look at real estate up for sale.....so please bear with me if I'm a little "behind".

Do I Really Want It?

Okay, so I'm just going to confess that I'm struggling with some feelings of inferiority after meeting last night and reading blog posts. It's really just more frustration with myself because I feel like I'm being a hearer of the Word but not a doer. I am loving this study, I can't honestly say I've ever been in a Bible study group that I've loved more, and there are just tons of nuggets of wisdom and life in this whole NOG experience for me. Yet, in some way I feel like I'm missing it. I read Tiff's questions from her post earlier today and relate to all of them, yet I don't feel like I'm truly processing and being changed in it. I love our discussions and honesty, but admittedly I'm comparing myself to all of you and thinking, "Their hearts are purer. Their hearts really want this." Sometimes I think I'm just good at talking about it. I hate to even type that.

I guess that's my prayer request. I want to really want it; I want to truly allow the Lord to tweak me. I don't know if it's fear or apathy or lack of faith or what it is, but I don't want to be a hearer and not a doer. I truly want to constantly be transformed into more of the likeness of Jesus, yet I don't know if I'm really chasing after it as my Ultimate Thing. Well, actually I know a lot of the time I'm not.

A couple additional requests...

1. Brent & I have to do a 5-minute Scripture/marriage meditation at my cousin's wedding in a couple weeks. No idea what we're saying. Please pray that the Lord will give us a clear word...preferably the same one to both of us! And that I might actually hear it!
2. I just continue to ask for prayer against the god of approval in my life and that my focus would be less on myself, so that I can love others well rather than constantly wonder if they love me. (But after all, in the words of a wise woman, "I am most focused on myself because I am myself!")

I truly value your hearts, minds and friendship so much. Thanks for your honesty and your prayer!

Mental Hugs,
Beth