Sage Words

Study Tip: Begin at the Beginning

Today, I want to offer some quick tips for studying the book of Genesis. "The Beginning" Road Sign with dramatic blue sky and clouds. First tip – Don’t worry about all the “begats”.

The first book of the Bible is a great place to start studying God’s Word. It is the “book of beginnings”. Reading two chapters each day will finish off the book in under a month Kay Arthur’s notes in The New Inductive Study Bible divides the book into two sections. Chapters 1-11 describe four great events while chapters 12-50 look at the lives of four great people. Here are some things to look for as you read through Genesis:

Firsts – Of course Genesis tells of the first man and woman and so on, but it also describes the first act of worship. Interestingly, the first mention of love in the Scripture occurs in the context of a father’s love (ch. 22). That story of Abraham and Isaac is one of my favorites in all of Scripture.

God’s Revelation of Himself – God becomes more personal as the story unfolds. From Elohim in the opening words to God Almighty and the God Who Sees, God displays more of His character to His people

God Initiates – Everything we are and have comes from the will and hand of God. He made us, revealed Himself to us, and sought a relationship with us. After man’s failure, God’s in love and grace initiated redemption for a hopeless humanity. The story of His pursuit of us begins in Genesis.

Spiritual Lessons from the Wii Fit

By Paula Wiseman

I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas, and we've really enjoyed it. It doesn't hurt that I've lost five pounds so far. (More than I lost in three months of running, I might add, but that's another story.) My BMI is dropping. My balance has improved. My coordination… well, I'll get back to you on that one. Plus, as I've used it, I've unlocked new exercises, more reps, and some challenge games.

So how is my Wii Fit like the Holy Spirit?

I have to take advantage of it. If I don't take the thing out of the box, I'll never get any stronger or fitter. If I never rely on the Holy Spirit, I'll never get any stronger or fitter for God's kingdom.

I get better, the more I use it. My scores from the first week were terrible. I don't even want to discuss step aerobics. In the same way, it becomes more natural to follow the Spirit, the more I do it.

Some parts have to be unlocked. Even though all the games, challenges, levels and reps are on the disc, I can't get to them all at once. The Holy Spirit wants me to exercise my faith before He opens up some things to me. The stronger my faith and my walk with Him get, the more challenges I'll b ready for.

I got it as soon as I received the gift. All those games and levels were mine as soon as I opened the present, but I have to put in some effort to access them. All that the Holy Spirit has for me was mine as soon as I accepted the gift of salvation. However, I have to put some effort into my own growth.

So how fit are you? How many levels have you unlocked?

"…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Phil. 2:12-13.

So how is my Wii Fit like the Holy Spirit?

I have to take advantage of it. If I don't take the thing out of the box, I'll never get any stronger or fitter. If I never rely on the Holy Spirit, I'll never get any stronger or fitter for God's kingdom.

I get better, the more I use it. My scores from the first week were terrible. I don't even want to discuss step aerobics. In the same way, it becomes more natural to follow the Spirit, the more I do it.

Some parts have to be unlocked. Even though all the games, challenges, levels and reps are on the disc, I can't get to them all at once. The Holy Spirit wants me to exercise my faith before He opens up some things to me. The stronger my faith and my walk with Him get, the more challenges I'll b ready for.

I got it as soon as I received the gift. All those games and levels were mine as soon as I opened the present, but I have to put in some effort to access them. All that the Holy Spirit has for me was mine as soon as I accepted the gift of salvation. However, I have to put some effort into my own growth.

So how fit are you? How many levels have you unlocked?

"…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Phil. 2:12-13.

Friday Update: Reading and Writing

By Paula Wiseman

Reading: During school, I’m not getting much read except what I have to. Most recently, I finished T.A. Barron’s The Lost Years of Merlin. It’s a great example of the Hero’s Journey story structure. We’ll be examining it from that angle.

Writing: I submitted a short piece after Christmas. Contingency is off getting critiqued, and I’m fighting with Claire’s book. It’s not wanting to proceed in a neat orderly fashion. She’s a great character, strong but not “perfect”. I expected the book to unfold as her struggle to deal with her bitterness toward her ex. As it began to take shape, though, her relationship with her daughter is becoming sharper and is demanding attention. Brooke is trying to steal the book! At this point I don’t want her to, but that could change. I let Cass steal a book once and it worked out.

Learning: Sometimes God wants me to read what I write. Sometimes, it’s for me.

Some of you have prayed for my nephew, Scott, as he wrestles with a leukemia diagnosis. He’s been in and out of the hospital again after running a fever. They expected this after the chemo. Hopefully, with that ‘checked off the list’ he can make a full recovery and head back to work soon. Thank you for your prayers.

Twenty Years After the Bad Beginning

By Paula Wiseman

Tuesday is dedicated to Study Tips so I didn’t mention it then, but January 5th marked the 20th anniversary of my first date with my husband. (Yes, I keep track.) That evening was a series of disasters. Jon got lost and was 45 minutes late. We went to a restaurant that had absolutely nothing for me on the menu- authentic Mexican. I’m more of a sissy-have-a-little-chili-powder-in the-room-and-call-it-Mexican type. I had five refills, I think, trying to quench the burning from whatever I ordered.

s42600cb103632_22 After all this, we missed the movie and had to wait an hour and a half to catch the next one. Awkward. Then when it was all over, he didn’t kiss me goodnight. I figured that was the end of that. And then I didn’t hear from him until February 8th.

I didn’t know it then, but Jon operated on a different schedule than most. Of course, we had that second date, and all the ones that followed, and in April we’ll celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary.

God’s plans aren’t always packaged the way we expect, nor do they proceed in a typical fashion. An early disaster isn’t always an indication of future ones. Hang in there.

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning.” Ecclesiastes 7:8

Study tip: Set a goal

By Paula Wiseman

How does goal-setting help your study time? CB047269

It gives you focus. While you may get some benefit wandering through the Scriptural landscape, your study time will be more productive if it’s directed. This year, I’m reading the New Testament, just a chapter a day, but I think I should make it through three times.

It gives you purpose. I’m a big fan of those serendipitous ‘lightbulb’/hidden treasure moments, but you’ll be a more active, engaged reader if you’re looking for something. And believe me, it won’t interfere with discovery at all. I want to see Jesus more clearly and soak in what I have because of Him.

It will keep you motivated. Nobody wants to spend time doing something ‘just because’. But if I have a clear goal in mind, the effort comes much easier. I want a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and spending time with Him in His word is one way I’m working to achieve that.

What goals have you set for your study time? Increasing it? A particular topic or study? A reading plan?

Goal-setting

By Paula Wiseman

Happy New Year! I wish you a healthy, fulfilling 2010. j0439558

I am very much a creature of scheduled habit. I hate surprises and I prefer things to go off the way I expect in the time frame I have reserved for them. (Now, I'm not so stiff that I can't adapt to changes. I just prefer things that way. You understand.)

The last few months, it's been a challenge getting my posts up each day. So much so, that I missed quite a few. I had added a morning run during the summer and the return to homeschooling threw off that schedule of mine. I was running during my study time, so then I was studying during my blogging time. The blog didn't get done.

This morning, I read Psalm 119:112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end. (NKJV) In the CEV, it reads I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what. See that resolve, that commitment! I always find time to do those things I am totally committed to.

The question is, what will those things be?

That's my project for today- determining where I should spend my time and energy. God has a plan for this upcoming year so my first test is making sure my goals are inline with His.

I have to watch out for my health and I have to take care of the ones He's entrusted to me.
I want my marriage to thrive.
I have responsibilities managing the household. I've taken on obligations, like doing science with the grade schoolers and various church offices each with duties associated with it.
Then there's writing. It is truly the most fun, most challenging, most gratifying thing I have ever worked at.

I will be prayerfully considering each of those areas. What am I doing right? Where do I need to make changes? What needs to go completely? Is there something I should add? Jon is working on something similar right now. He's finding he'd really like to have a business, and he's got a few ideas. He's also really like to be teaching on marriage and family. Maybe that's the direction God has for us and my goals will start coming in line with that. I'll let you know. What about you? Where do you spend most of your time and energy? What goals and dreams do you have?