This week has been particularly a rough one. I won't go into all the details. But let's just say I've needed all the advice I give in this video.
I was talking to my mom on the phone earlier. She reminded me how life does us. We think we have things figured out and then WHAM! We are reminded that we know nothing at all and the best course of action would be to crawl back into bed and start over. That last bit was my contribution to the conversation.
In any event, I hope this conversation we have challenges something inside of all of us and we are reminded that we need to trust God with the details and give Him our doubts.
You might notice I am wearing the same outfit as last week. I did film them a few days apart. I just was feeling the cream and roses. You will be comforted to know that I might have looked put together on top, but underneath I had on the stretchiest of stretchy pants and my rattiest house slippers.
You might have noticed I didn't post a Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch video last week. Then again, it probably didn't even cross your mind.
The truth is that I did create a video for last week. I just didn't post it. I really wasn't that happy with it.
Not that this week's video is stellar in any way. It just is something that I probably needed to post last week.
Today we are talking about "ugly."
Ugly words.
And I am sure you all have noticed a plethora of ugly lately. Folks just can't seem to keep it in...whether we all need to hear it or not.
I have certainly been guilty of spewing a bit of ugly myself.
I usually have a rough outline when I record these videos. Because me ranting aimlessly for 30 minutes is a complete waste of time.
In this video, however, I ran a little fast and loose. You will probably be able to tell. l repeated myself fairly often. In my defense, I was interrupted more than a few times. I just cut out those conversations I had with my family.
Nobody wouldn't have been interested in where I keep my Miracle Whip or why The Muffin's prescriptions weren't ready at The Walmarts. But if I do seem distracted you will understand why.
I have also noticed I tend to lean towards the video camera an awful lot. I think it's because I can't see and for some reason that will help you see me better. Unfortunately, the closer I get to the camera the clearer you can see the "bat in my cave." I have one of those noses. You could probably see up clear to my brain under perfect circumstances.
But enough about my nose buggers and squinty eyes. I do hope I am able to encourage all of us to use our words with care.
Hope you enjoy. Below the video are Scriptures that pertain to our subject today. Don't be ugly!
As promised, here are some Scriptures that talk about using our words.
1. Proverbs 11:9 “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise
discernment rescues the godly.
2. Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a
deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
3. Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the
soul and healthy for the body.”
4. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the
tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
5. Proverbs 18:4 “A person’s words can be life-giving water;
words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”
6. Proverbs 12:18 “There is one who speaks rashly like he
thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
7. Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies about others is as harmful
as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a
sharp arrow.”
8. Luke 6:43-45 “For there is no good tree which produces
bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For
each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns,
nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good
treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the
evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which
fills his heart.”
9. Proverbs 21:23 “Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.”
10. James 3:5 “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing
that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”
11. James 1:26 “If you claim to be religious but don’t
control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”
12. Proverbs 17:18 “Even a fool who keeps silent is
considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
13. Titus 3:2 “To speak evilof no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect
courtesy to all people.”
14. Psalm 34:13 “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips
from speaking deceit.”
15. Ephesians 4:19 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your
mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it
may give grace to those who hear.”
Sometimes love requires us to move beyond our own comforts and desires. It requires us to give up precious time, possessions, wants...etc. It requires us to sacrifice.
We as Christians understand that because God sent His son as a sacrifice we now have freedom, peace, joy, and everlasting life.
The dictionary describes sacrifice as "destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else."
Destruction sounds kind of ominous...so we will go with surrender. What have we surrendered for the sake of someone else?
What have we sacrificed for the sake of another?
To live a beautiful life requires us to think beyond ourselves. Even when it comes at a cost.
Today I am talking with Joann. I think you will find her story touching. Especially, for those who are dealing with similar challenges in your own life.
Sacrifice will probably hurt...but it can still be a beautiful thing.
You can print off the scripture Joann talked about in the video by clicking this link or the picture below.
I'm not really good at taking care of myself. For one, I feel guilty. Should I take precious time for myself when I need to be devoting it to something "far more important?"
The result of that mindset can be damaging. Not only to me, but to those around me.
That is why today we are talking about "Soul Care" in The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch. We are currently going through a series "Learning to Live a Beautiful Life."
Soul Care needs to be a part of our plan.
In this video, I not only talk about planning for daily prayer and devotion, but I also talking about other nourishing habits that keep us active and able to do what God has called us to do.
I hope you enjoy the video. What are something of the things you do on a daily basis to care for yourself and your soul?
By the way, I mentioned in the video that I would share my current "chair exercise" routine video. It's under 10 minutes. WE can do this!
Welcome to another Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch post.
Today we are going to talk about Identity.
I haven't always been so immune to "unconstructive" criticism. And, trust me, I've had plenty of people feel like they could speak vileness into my life.
Those people were undoubtedly hurting and confused about their own identities. We can't love others if we don't love ourselves first.
The Identity we are speaking about today must not be confused with the humanistic notion of self-esteem. It cannot be tied up in exterior or physical characteristics. It can't be something I muster up every morning because I tell myself that I'm superwoman and capable of anything I put my mind to. It can't be wound up in another's opinion of my appearance, social graces, intelligence, general personality or tacky statement earrings.
My (and our) Identity must come from Someone eternal. Someone who is never-changing. Someone who cannot lie. Someone whose own prejudices and failings won't cloud His picture of me.
I hope I conveyed these thoughts in the video below. I hope that you take this video to heart. As a society, we MUST not be a part of small-humanistic thinking.
God says I am LOVED.
God says that I am CHOSEN. That I am ACCEPTED. That I am VALUABLE.
I am made in HIS image.
And so are you.
If you haven't already take some time and watch the other videos in our "Learning to Live a Beautiful Life" series.
This might be a tough interview to watch. But, I felt it was so important to talk about trusting God through our sorrows AND learning to life a beautiful life DESPITE of heartache.
I am talking with Debbie today. We actually filmed this interview before Thanksgiving of 2020. I had already had in my heart the "Learning to Life a Beautiful Life" series we are going through now.
My hairstyle is old and I'm rocking a pumpkin graphic tee and I look about 7 feet tall (and as wide) next to Debbie. I'm only 5'4, but Debbie is a tall 4'11. She is, in fact, the same height at my momma.
Debbie is one our faithful Bible Ladies. She would join the rest of us every Wednesday morning at my house for brunch and the Word. She is also our piano player and church and (before Covid) our adult Sunday School at church.
In this video, Debbie tells of navigating the loss of a child. Every parents' worst nightmare. Despite her loss, I have only known Debbie to be sunny, outgoing, and generous. I hope that her story encourages you.
As promised, I am sharing a printable for you with Debbie's favorite Scripture. I know! I told you NO PRINTABLES this series.
Next week, we will be talking about Identity. Do you know who you are in Christ? How do you see yourself? Do you compare yourself with others?
For now, I know you will be blessed with our video today.
Time for another round of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch.
This time I keeping it simple. I am not going to be sharing a yummy brunch recipe with you nor am I going to have a bunch of printables available for your use.
At least, not many. I might get a wild hair and create something late at night when I need something creative to focus my attention on.
Right now, I am just keeping one of my resolutions. I have a tendency to be a little bit "extra." I need some time to be a little better to myself so I am giving myself permission to let some things go.
Anyhoo.
This series of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch we are going to talk about how to live a beautiful life. This is something I have discussed, wrote about, and spoke about for years. I decided to create a simple series that can help all of us to be more mindful about living that beautiful life.
Our first topic is Gratitude. I understand that this is a biggie. Many of you don't feel very grateful right now. I, myself, have a list of things that is causing me some anxiety.
However, I completely believe it is the DISCIPLINE of gratitude that makes the difference. Sometimes you gotta "fake it til you make it."
I promised in the video (which you can watch below) that I would provide some of my favorite Gratitude scriptures...appropriate for study and for plastering all over your house.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with
praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast
love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow
due to change.” James 1:17
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God." Phil 4:6
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who
redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Ps. 103:1-5
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts
in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall
thank Him." Ps. 28:7
"I will praise the name of God with song, and shall
magnify Him with thanksgiving." Ps. 69:30
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his
steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his
steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his
steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his
steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever; ..." Ps. 136:1-5
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Heb. 12:28-29
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Rev. 7:12
Another little note before you watch the video. The sound is ATROCIOUS. I think our external mic needs a little revival. I tried to fix it in editing, but it was just too far gone.
I didn't have time to film another go around. I hope you don't mind attempting to read my lips. I AM SO SORRY!
I promise I will fix it. For now, I hope you are encouraged.
This is our very last Bible Study for the Woman of the Bible Series.
Don't worry. I am in the works for a brand new series that will start soon. Be ready for a few special videos in the meantime.
Same time. Same place.
Actually, I am a little late this week getting this one up. It is ALWAYS tech problems.
The Woman at the Well is a story many of us have heard countless times. There are songs written about Wells that never run dry and never thirsting again.
It is a strange idea. Not ever being thirsty again.
It didn't take long for the Woman at the Well to understand that the thirst that Jesus spoke about wasn't physical thirst...but spiritual thirst. He offered Living Water. Eternal Water. And that woman who had suffered a life of sorrows was ready to receive all He had to offer.
I hope I am as thirsty.
I am also sharing this week the fabulous Charcuterie board. You need to jump on the Charcuterie board train. I have a few I am doing to put together for the Christmas season. I will be sure to share.
As always, you can grab you FREE printables at the end of the post. I am also including a FULL recipe book for all the recipes featured in the The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch "Women of the Bible" Series.
As I am writing this post, I am STILL waiting for the Bible Study to upload.
It's been quite the week.
Have you ever had a season in your life that you have felt uneasy, yet you really couldn't pin down why? Or maybe it is a mixture of things...not one specific incident you can point to.
For example "this happened (name your crisis) and it stinks."
This week I've been uneasy. I might talk more about it in a later post. Even the Bible Ladies video coming to you right now made me uneasy.
Why? In it I call myself something I rarely even admit to. Morbidly obese. The struggle is real and private and painful and humiliatingly.
This part of my life has been the one unconquered battle.
Mary Magdalene knew suffering. The Bible says that she was possessed by 7 demons. While, I know my issues aren't caused by demon possession, I do know what it is like to be DESPERATE for change. For an answer. For the magic pill.
When Mary Magdalene was delivered she was changed. That change shaped the rest of her life. She was witness to life and ministry of Jesus Christ. She was witness to His crucifixion. She and the other women in Jesus' life lovingly and carefully prepared his body for burial. And she was the first that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection.
While we have not been given such a front row seat to mankind's greatest miracle, each of us have been changed. And we continue to change.
My daily reminder to myself is that I need to continually be desperate for Him. That I need not forget ALL He has done for me. And if He could make this crooked body walk again. If He could fill my empty arms with a beautiful child. If He could cause laughter and joy to rise within my heart after dark, dark days. He can take care of WHATEVER I have need of.
In our video today, we also discuss Mary's rather soiled reputation. Which is most definitely undeserved. While Bible Scholars have righted that wrong, it's tough to get rid of a label. And it's tough to get rid of those labels we attach to ourselves.
What label have you attached yourself to?
I think it is time to peel off some of those labels.
In the video, I am sharing an Old-Fashioned Apple Pudding. You can find the recipe and Scripture printables below.
However, let it be known that this is not the first video I filmed and edited.
The first one was a comedy of errors. Interruptions. And I was chatty.
Waaayyy chatty. And not in a good way.
Anyhoo. So I got my thoughts together. Put on my false eyelashes and filmed another one.
THEN the Interwebs struck. I not only tried to download this video once, but twice.
My internet is a testy old lady. She kept kicking me out of the World Wide Web. We finally had to take the computer over the church office and let the internet over there do it's thing. It's holy internet. Blessed and sanctified.
Anyhoo.
This week we are talking about Abigail. Actually, we also discuss Michal and a little bit of Bathsheba's role in the Bible.
All of these ladies were David's wives.
David's life was messy. We all know that.
But God used him. As God uses all of us in all of our imperfections.
Of course, this lesson isn't about David. We read about Abigail. The beautiful young woman who is married to a surly older man. She does some fast thinking and saves all of the men in her household from certain destruction via David's sword.
And becomes one of his wives when it's all said and done.
I don't recommend finding a good harem to marry yourself into, but I do suggest we all take a page from Abigail's book.
I hope you enjoy the video. Below are this week's printables. You must try the recipe for the Pumpkin Muffins. I used it again tonight with a box of sugar free brownie mix and a half a can of pumpkin.
Of course, there is much more to Hannah then her barren womb.
It was a lesson I really could have expanded and expounded upon. I certainly have had years of trying to work it all out in my own head.
Here's the truth. Sometimes we don't know why. We just have to accept that God has purpose in our suffering.
Hannah's purpose was that she would give birth to Samuel. He would be raised in the temple and later be spiritual counsellor to King David. He was the one who found him raising sheep, after.
Samuel learned to listen to God's voice. And the story of his mother is one that reminds us to trust God in ALL THINGS and never give up hope.
Be sure to download the printables locates at the bottom of the page after you are done watching the lesson. The recipe today is for an Impossible Breakfast Pie.
Our story today has everything! Battles! Blood! Murder!
It's not a movie or a good murder mystery. It's a true story from the book of Judges.
I have your printables linked below. And don't forget to print the recipe for the Blueberry Buckle. Your family will thank you. Be sure to share this study with your friends. I will try and get out a landing page and start linking all of the lessons.
The family of Abraham certainly has some twisty
relationships…AND it’s about to get even more complicated.
Have you ever seen the movie White Christmas?
It’s one of my favorites. In the movie, two sisters have a
singing act and we first see them singing this song written by Irving Berlin.
Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir
I'm here to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are
wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from
Rome
She wore the dress and I stayed home
All kinds of weather we stick
together
The same in the rain or sun
Two different faces but in tight
places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing can come
between us
Many men have tried to split us up
but no one can
Lord, help the mister who comes
between me and my sister
And Lord, help the sister who comes
between me and my man
All kinds of weather we stick
together
The same in the rain or sun
Two different faces but in tight
places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come
between us
Many men have tried to split us up
but no one can
Lord, help the mister who comes
between me and my sister
And Lord, help the sister who comes
between me and my man
Sisters, sisters
Sister, don't come between me and my
man
Obviously, the two sisters we are going to talk about today
indeed had a “mister” come between them.
We are talking about Rachel and Leah. And the ultimate in
sibling rivalry.
In the video, I read to you a little blurb from my study
Bible (The Life in the Spirit Study Bible) about polygamy. I promised you some
Scriptures.
Of course, I didn’t get them put in my video (distraction
problems) but I thought I would share this article for you here
regarding polygamy and God’s plan. I found it to be sound.
As always, I am including some FREE printables for you to
enjoy along with your study. AND a printable recipe for the Veggie Crustless
Quiche. Just look below. The Scripture printable is a PDF of the scripture from Proverbs you see above. It is really lovely.
Next week we are talking about Deborah and Jael (found in
Judges) and I am sharing one of the most viewed recipes on my blog. The
Blueberry Buckle.
