The Bedroom Bible College Manual. That's what BBC stands for.
Last year this intriguing material was one of my daily assignments in school. WOAH, is it amazing!
When I first picked it up I was not to thrilled about it, but BBC has proven itself a gem!
It is a Bible Study book/instruction written/put together by Gregg Johnson. BBC is one of those things that you really have to do before you begin to grasp it. So, I'd highly recommend getting this book.
*A following is one of the Verse Studies I did recently:
Reference: John 8:34-36
..."I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV84)
Key Words: Truth - Jesus speaks truth because, He is TRUTH! When we have him, we have someone much, much more than trustworthy.
Slave - Anyone who abides by His prison cell of sin or legalism (both are sins) is, in a big way, a slave longing for true freedom.
Son - Through Jesus we can receive sonship, and BELONG to freedom and life forever. Through Jesus, the Son, we are made Children of the Creator.
Freedom - Brings life to our souls. Takes away the bonds/chains of sin. In this sense, it lives a life unto the Lord, through Christ.
Promises: Through Christ, we are FREE! If Jesus sets us free, we are free from the chains indeed.
Principles: Jesus came to break the chains apart. To rescue us from our Prison of Sin, and pay the price we could not. We are slaves to sin by human nature, but by Him who lives in me, I am a Child and Follower of The Most High.
What does this verse mean to me: I am free! Jesus came so I can take off this sin and follow Him. I have the truth! Truth that brings life. Real life.
*Note: This was just a Verse Study. The book also includes many more studies such as Word Studies, Chapter Studies, etc.
another thing to note, some of these things are things that I felt the Lord showing/saying to me as I was doing this, you may view this study or scripture with an entirely different view, and that is okay.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Weight of Glory
The post title is also the title of a well-known book, The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis. I have just finished reading this incredible book. And while I can not say I agree with everything Mr. Lewis writes in it, I can say it is by far one the best books I've yet to read; so thought-provoking!
So, while this is an insufficient recommendation, I'd highly recommend you read it.
Here are few of my favorite quotes from The Weight of Glory:
"...it is not so much our time and so much our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves."
"Though the world is slow to forgive, it is quick to forget."
"As St. Paul writes, to have died for valuable men would have been not divine but merely heroic; but God died for sinners. He loved us not because we were lovable, but because He is Love."
"A rejection, or in Scripture's strong language, a crucifixion of the natural self is the passport to everlasting life. Nothing that has not died will be resurrected."
"Neither the individual or the community as popular thought understands them can inherit eternal life, neither the natural self, nor the collective mass, but a new creature."
So, while this is an insufficient recommendation, I'd highly recommend you read it.
Here are few of my favorite quotes from The Weight of Glory:
"...it is not so much our time and so much our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves."
"Though the world is slow to forgive, it is quick to forget."
"As St. Paul writes, to have died for valuable men would have been not divine but merely heroic; but God died for sinners. He loved us not because we were lovable, but because He is Love."
"A rejection, or in Scripture's strong language, a crucifixion of the natural self is the passport to everlasting life. Nothing that has not died will be resurrected."
"Neither the individual or the community as popular thought understands them can inherit eternal life, neither the natural self, nor the collective mass, but a new creature."
1 Corinthians 13
So, last week in my wonderful writing book for school, one of my lessons was basically the following:
1.) I had to take notes off of the Living Translation's version of 1 Corinthians 13.
2.) I had to use that note outline to write a rough draft of 1 Corinthians 13.
3.) There are other little details I also had to do, but long story short the final draft's result was the following:
While I might speak all the languages one earth, if I don't have love, I only make noise. Not only do I only just make noise, I make useless, maybe even detrimental noise. I could have the gift of prophecy, which would let me foretell the future. If I do not, however, have enduring and everlasting love, what good is it? It's nothing, thus making me a mere human. Standing on the mountain tops, I might even command and move them with my faith. Generously, I could donate my possessions to the poor or be painfully burned at the stake for the sake of the gospel. Without love, though I may speak beautifully in any language or have all the fame I could want, I have nothing.
The following, though, is the nature of real love: love is extraordinarily patient and kind; it is never selfish. Love is not prideful or rude, nor does it demand its own way, though cheerfully lays down it's selfish desires. Love does not show-off. Neither is it irritable. Love is not steaming with revenge, but quite differently, love lets things go and is graciously forgiving. Love hardly notices and simply shakes it off when it is wronged. Therefore, it does not bear the heavy burden of a grudge. An additional thing love does not do is; it doesn't rejoice with or in evil, because love always rejoices with and in truth. Thus, love is righteous. Loving others also consist of being fiercely loyal, thinking positively of others, and defending their cause with a bold firmness. To truly possess the nature of love we must die to ourselves, by making us less and the Lord greater in our lives.
All dear gifts and special powers from the Lord will someday end, but not love. This one thing, as astounding as it may be, is truly everlasting. Eventually, knowledge and things we consider of high value will disappear. They will simply be gone. As humans, we know so little, even with our special blessings. Even the most gifted of God's Children's preaching is actually extremely poor! But one day, God will make His children gloriously and beautifully perfect and whole. When this occurs the need for all things will come to an abrupt end. Thus, we who claim to know Christ, must love like Christ; for He is The Everlasting.
An analogy could be the following: When I was a child, I, naturally, lived and thought as such. When I became a man, I, naturally, behaved and thought as such. Similarly, we now know only a little about The Creator. Though the view is poor now, someday we'll see all His greatness. Not only will we see it, as Children of His, we will see our Father face to face! So, though things are now hazy, one day it will be clearer than we ever imagined. We will see His completeness just as clearly as the Lord sees our hearts at this moment! Faith, hope, and love; these are the three divine things that remain. Though we are not take lightly the fact that the greatest and most essential is love. This is only a faint and incomplete picture of Christ's love; as imitators of Him we must love the same!
I have been thoroughly challenged and so much more through this passage over the years. This particular lesson in writing was a true challenge and eye-opener to me; God can bless us even through writing! How amazing!
I am only learning myself, thus what I wrote off of 1 Corinthians 13 is not perfect. Though I do hope you can learn from it, also.
I hope this will inspire you to dig deeper into The word and listen to what The Father has to say to you through it!
The following is the Amplified version of this passage, and this particular version's definitions in 1 Corinthians 13 has been, for several days, a tremendous inspiration and so much more to me. I hope it's vivid descriptions will be a help to people reading this!
1IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths andmysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). 3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing. 4Love endures long andis patient and kind; love never is envious norboils over with jealousy, is not boastful orvainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) anddoes not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights orits own way,forit is not self-seeking; it is not touchy orfretful orresentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].6It does not rejoice at injustice andunrighteousness, but rejoices when right andtruth prevail. 7Love bears up under anything andeverything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled andpass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed andcease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. 9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). 10But when the complete andperfect (total) comes, the incomplete andimperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways andhave put them aside. 12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality andface to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know andunderstand fully andclearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully andclearly known andunderstood [by God]. 13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.-1 Corinthians 13 AMP
"He loved us not because we were lovable, but because He is Love."-C.S. Lewis
1.) I had to take notes off of the Living Translation's version of 1 Corinthians 13.
2.) I had to use that note outline to write a rough draft of 1 Corinthians 13.
3.) There are other little details I also had to do, but long story short the final draft's result was the following:
While I might speak all the languages one earth, if I don't have love, I only make noise. Not only do I only just make noise, I make useless, maybe even detrimental noise. I could have the gift of prophecy, which would let me foretell the future. If I do not, however, have enduring and everlasting love, what good is it? It's nothing, thus making me a mere human. Standing on the mountain tops, I might even command and move them with my faith. Generously, I could donate my possessions to the poor or be painfully burned at the stake for the sake of the gospel. Without love, though I may speak beautifully in any language or have all the fame I could want, I have nothing.
The following, though, is the nature of real love: love is extraordinarily patient and kind; it is never selfish. Love is not prideful or rude, nor does it demand its own way, though cheerfully lays down it's selfish desires. Love does not show-off. Neither is it irritable. Love is not steaming with revenge, but quite differently, love lets things go and is graciously forgiving. Love hardly notices and simply shakes it off when it is wronged. Therefore, it does not bear the heavy burden of a grudge. An additional thing love does not do is; it doesn't rejoice with or in evil, because love always rejoices with and in truth. Thus, love is righteous. Loving others also consist of being fiercely loyal, thinking positively of others, and defending their cause with a bold firmness. To truly possess the nature of love we must die to ourselves, by making us less and the Lord greater in our lives.
All dear gifts and special powers from the Lord will someday end, but not love. This one thing, as astounding as it may be, is truly everlasting. Eventually, knowledge and things we consider of high value will disappear. They will simply be gone. As humans, we know so little, even with our special blessings. Even the most gifted of God's Children's preaching is actually extremely poor! But one day, God will make His children gloriously and beautifully perfect and whole. When this occurs the need for all things will come to an abrupt end. Thus, we who claim to know Christ, must love like Christ; for He is The Everlasting.
An analogy could be the following: When I was a child, I, naturally, lived and thought as such. When I became a man, I, naturally, behaved and thought as such. Similarly, we now know only a little about The Creator. Though the view is poor now, someday we'll see all His greatness. Not only will we see it, as Children of His, we will see our Father face to face! So, though things are now hazy, one day it will be clearer than we ever imagined. We will see His completeness just as clearly as the Lord sees our hearts at this moment! Faith, hope, and love; these are the three divine things that remain. Though we are not take lightly the fact that the greatest and most essential is love. This is only a faint and incomplete picture of Christ's love; as imitators of Him we must love the same!
I have been thoroughly challenged and so much more through this passage over the years. This particular lesson in writing was a true challenge and eye-opener to me; God can bless us even through writing! How amazing!
I am only learning myself, thus what I wrote off of 1 Corinthians 13 is not perfect. Though I do hope you can learn from it, also.
I hope this will inspire you to dig deeper into The word and listen to what The Father has to say to you through it!
The following is the Amplified version of this passage, and this particular version's definitions in 1 Corinthians 13 has been, for several days, a tremendous inspiration and so much more to me. I hope it's vivid descriptions will be a help to people reading this!
1IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths andmysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). 3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing. 4Love endures long andis patient and kind; love never is envious norboils over with jealousy, is not boastful orvainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) anddoes not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights orits own way,forit is not self-seeking; it is not touchy orfretful orresentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].6It does not rejoice at injustice andunrighteousness, but rejoices when right andtruth prevail. 7Love bears up under anything andeverything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled andpass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed andcease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. 9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). 10But when the complete andperfect (total) comes, the incomplete andimperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways andhave put them aside. 12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality andface to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know andunderstand fully andclearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully andclearly known andunderstood [by God]. 13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.-1 Corinthians 13 AMP
"He loved us not because we were lovable, but because He is Love."-C.S. Lewis
To know Him and make Him known.
That is the 'secret sauce' behind this girl. To know Him and make Him known is my life's purpose.
Many of you may not know my favorite book of the Bible is Philippians. There are many reasons as to why it's my favorite, but a leading reason, I think, is because it has continually re-affirmed and challenged me.
It has brought peace and order to a girl with problems and crazy emotions.
As of the past several months, this next portion from Philippians has really served to assure me that I'm called to know Him and make Him known.
I hope you can learn something from it, also.
7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16Only let us hold true to what we have attained.-Philippians 3:7-16 ESVWednesday, October 31, 2012
We are called to be women!
"We are
called to be women! The fact that I am a woman doesn't make me a different kind
of Christian but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different woman! I
have accepted God's idea of me and my life is offered back to Him of all that I
am and all that HE WANTS ME TO BE."--Elisabeth Elliot
Hey all,
this next part was a status update made by Above Rubies today on Facebook, but it was so
long I decided to put it in a blog post to share with y'all.
"THE
EARTH QUAKES--LOOK OUT! Don't miss reading this!
I was
looking at my daughter, Evangeline's Facebook and noticed her answer to an
article she read called, "Why Motherhood is not the Finish Line for
Biblical Womanhood" written by a single woman. I thought I would share it
with you. Of course, Vange writes in her style! Those who know Vange will love
it! If you haven't been introduced to her y
et, well,
look out! But, you'll love her, too. Nancy
'The problem
with this article is in its very, very, narrow definition of motherhood. If you
define motherhood as the few short years where you have your own children
around your knees, she is right, because once the children are no longer little
ones in your arms you have reached a finished line of sorts--which is the most
limited and incomplete view of mothering I've ever heard.
BUT, if you
step back and look at the bigger picture and a more biblical view of mothering
- mothering is INNATE. It is the compassionate, nurturing, God-given nature of
the female gender. It both predates and postdates having children of your own.
It expresses God's compassion and tenderness to those around us, whether they
be our family or the families He puts in our lives. I would never argue with
the author that having a firm basis of biblical truth is not critical. Anyone
who replaces the Bible with the La Leche League manual is asking for trouble
eternally, but they are equally asking for trouble if they try to strip the
compassionate, nurturing, mothering heart out of women and turn them into
theological robots who do not understand one of their greatest callings while
on earth.
If you
actually look at the biblical injunctions that are addressed to women I believe
that they demonstrate that God cries out for women to be encouraged in these
very roles that the author is so sick of the church encouraging (loving your
husband and loving your children). Maybe she does not have a husband or
children so therefore needs to realize that she can still manifest who she is
with the God-given female mothering nature within her. She ALSO needs to
realize that mothering never has a finish line. Never! NEVER!!!
That is why
Paul told the older women to instruct (mother) the younger women to be great
wives and mothers before all other earthly ministries, the very thing this
author is griping about. We are told that when we mother we are then fruitful
for the Kingdom of God more than by doing other ministries. In this way we
light up the world! In this way we keep the world going! In this way we bring
God's nurturing heart to the world! In this way we honor Him! Talk about
doctrine - could we be reading from the same bible? Part of training in
theology is part of training to be a good mother. Good godly mothering is a
dying art in this society today. It is belittled, despised, rejected, touted as
disturbing, to name just a few attitudes.
Yet, most
women, at sometime, become or embrace mothering and are left bewildered,
discouraged, and lonely in a mothering land that is despised everywhere we turn
today - EVEN in the churches... and if we do not encourage or teach them that
this is God's own heart, His idea, One of His destinies for us - then we
ourselves have become blinded by this age and God himself will reach out and
take them by the hand and gently lead those that are with young!
God is
calling for a revival of mothering. Calling them to stand in their land of
mothering and nurture with all their God-given power!
LIVE
MOTHERS! LIFE TO MOTHERS! MAY GOD GRANT THEM ENERGY AND POWER FOR TRULY THE
EARTH QUAKES WHEN A MOTHER UNDERSTANDS HER DESTINY ON EARTH AND BEGINS TO PRAY
OVER HER DOMAIN!' "
I just
thought this was so full of truth and so profound, had to share it with all my
fellow ladies. They post things like
this all the time; I'd highly reccommend liking the page!
*this blog
is pretty much nothing I wrote. Just thought this was awesome!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
It's (not that) Complicated
I've recently read a book titled "It's (not that) complicated" by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin
I definitely consider this book a must for every single Christian Young Woman between the ages of 14-28ish.
There are several reasons I consider this book a must and here are some of the reasons as to why:
-It is all biblically sound. All the things they present in this book they do so from a Biblical World View. Also, they wisely use scripture as reasoning for the things discussed.
-The authors of "It's (not that) complicated" really bring the discussion to a relate-able view. The authors speak from their own experience, others' experience, and most importantly, what the bible says about it all. I believe this could help girls realize they are most certainly not alone in their struggles. It is truly astounding how they make the book so relate-able, yet not what I'd call 'seeker friendly'.
-They do not twist scripture. Not only do the authors manage to stay clear of twisting scripture, they go into depth to explain scriptures and as to how they do, in fact, apply us.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' presents a unique, yet biblical message. This is something that seems to be harder and harder to find these days. But this book truly has got IT!
-'It's (not that) complicated' presents a beautiful and powerful picture of how God intends his daughters to be natured. God has a unique and special call on the lives of Woman. 'It's (not that) complicated' provides practical ways as to how this is so. This book may be able to help you see what it means to be the Woman of God you are called to be, and most definitely gives help for that. This book also provides practical how-to's on striving to be that woman.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' shows what it truly means; from a biblical perspective, to be a Sister in Christ, and to be one in all purity. This point is
connected to the last one.
-This book has a very thought-provoking message. In fact, I think it's safe to say every paragraph has something that can hit you HARD, though in a God glorifying way.
-This book is a true help. It shows you that things start at the root of the heart. It also shows how to and helps you get convicted to, root your heart upon the Lord and his ways!
-It's (not that) complicated in so many ways, has an emphasis on God's love and selflessness. It's (not that) complicated digs deep to help us realize some forms selfishness is in. This book points you to strive for selflessness and to truly carry out God's love, and not what the world calls 'Love'.
-I believe this book may be able to help us get an understanding of what truly living our lives unto the Lord looks like. Sometimes, we say we are living unto the Lord, but what are your heart intentions? Is your heart set on fully living your life to glorify God? Are your words spoken with interest in Yourself or with the true interest of others in mind? Are you doing what needs to be done to set your heart on The Lord and nothing less? Are you dying to the sinful nature? Are you being the sister in Christ you are commanded to be? Do you EVEN walk in love? I do believe this book is a tremendous help in these ways.
-If you merely allow it too, this book speaks to and can change you on so many levels and in so many areas. I say this from personal experience.
-This is book is not merely a help to yourself. It helps those around you. It is when you put off sinful ways and on the Lord's all, that we are shining the love of God, doing damage for the Kingdom's sake, and truly doing things unto the Lord. This book provides principles on how to put of your old self and put on the word. They are practical, yet many times radical things that may really change your conduct.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' is not a legalistic step-by-step type of book. Though the Botkin sisters do provide some practical tips, they point out again and again we must change and evaluate our heart intentions, because the heart is where our actions, thoughts, words,etc. flow from. It's pretty important!
I can assure you there are more details to the reasons of as to why I believe this book is a must read, though that is all the time I have to write today on the subject of 'It's (not that) Complicated.'
Girls, I'd highly recommend looking into this book!
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-That-Complicated-Biblical/dp/1935877127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349985103&sr=8-1&keywords=its+not+that+complicated
If any of you do end up reading the book, I'd really enjoy discussing it with you! I mean this stuff is good stuff, and that's what the bible says to talk about and meditate on.
I definitely consider this book a must for every single Christian Young Woman between the ages of 14-28ish.
There are several reasons I consider this book a must and here are some of the reasons as to why:
-It is all biblically sound. All the things they present in this book they do so from a Biblical World View. Also, they wisely use scripture as reasoning for the things discussed.
-The authors of "It's (not that) complicated" really bring the discussion to a relate-able view. The authors speak from their own experience, others' experience, and most importantly, what the bible says about it all. I believe this could help girls realize they are most certainly not alone in their struggles. It is truly astounding how they make the book so relate-able, yet not what I'd call 'seeker friendly'.
-They do not twist scripture. Not only do the authors manage to stay clear of twisting scripture, they go into depth to explain scriptures and as to how they do, in fact, apply us.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' presents a unique, yet biblical message. This is something that seems to be harder and harder to find these days. But this book truly has got IT!
-'It's (not that) complicated' presents a beautiful and powerful picture of how God intends his daughters to be natured. God has a unique and special call on the lives of Woman. 'It's (not that) complicated' provides practical ways as to how this is so. This book may be able to help you see what it means to be the Woman of God you are called to be, and most definitely gives help for that. This book also provides practical how-to's on striving to be that woman.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' shows what it truly means; from a biblical perspective, to be a Sister in Christ, and to be one in all purity. This point is
connected to the last one.
-This book has a very thought-provoking message. In fact, I think it's safe to say every paragraph has something that can hit you HARD, though in a God glorifying way.
-This book is a true help. It shows you that things start at the root of the heart. It also shows how to and helps you get convicted to, root your heart upon the Lord and his ways!
-It's (not that) complicated in so many ways, has an emphasis on God's love and selflessness. It's (not that) complicated digs deep to help us realize some forms selfishness is in. This book points you to strive for selflessness and to truly carry out God's love, and not what the world calls 'Love'.
-I believe this book may be able to help us get an understanding of what truly living our lives unto the Lord looks like. Sometimes, we say we are living unto the Lord, but what are your heart intentions? Is your heart set on fully living your life to glorify God? Are your words spoken with interest in Yourself or with the true interest of others in mind? Are you doing what needs to be done to set your heart on The Lord and nothing less? Are you dying to the sinful nature? Are you being the sister in Christ you are commanded to be? Do you EVEN walk in love? I do believe this book is a tremendous help in these ways.
-If you merely allow it too, this book speaks to and can change you on so many levels and in so many areas. I say this from personal experience.
-This is book is not merely a help to yourself. It helps those around you. It is when you put off sinful ways and on the Lord's all, that we are shining the love of God, doing damage for the Kingdom's sake, and truly doing things unto the Lord. This book provides principles on how to put of your old self and put on the word. They are practical, yet many times radical things that may really change your conduct.
-'It's (not that) Complicated' is not a legalistic step-by-step type of book. Though the Botkin sisters do provide some practical tips, they point out again and again we must change and evaluate our heart intentions, because the heart is where our actions, thoughts, words,etc. flow from. It's pretty important!
I can assure you there are more details to the reasons of as to why I believe this book is a must read, though that is all the time I have to write today on the subject of 'It's (not that) Complicated.'
Girls, I'd highly recommend looking into this book!
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-That-Complicated-Biblical/dp/1935877127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349985103&sr=8-1&keywords=its+not+that+complicated
If any of you do end up reading the book, I'd really enjoy discussing it with you! I mean this stuff is good stuff, and that's what the bible says to talk about and meditate on.
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