Welcome, everybody! We are ecstatic that you are joining us for Bible study this summer! Please read the following instructions quickly but carefully then watch the video. On each of our summer Bible study posts, I’ll always write out the interactives just in case you can’t get the video to work. OK, Sisters! Here goes!
BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT: PLEASE READ ALL WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND WATCH THE VIDEO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE . ALL COMMENTS ARE MEANT TO BE IN RESPONSE TO TODAY’S INTERACTIVES. Your comment today is particularly important because it also serves as your registration for the summer experience.
UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE ARE ASKING FOR EVERYONE PARTICIPATING TO LEAVE A COMMENT RATHER THAN THE GROUP LEADER LEAVING ONE ON BEHALF OF ALL. It tended to be too confusing. Your comment to each of the 4 blog posts this summer is your interaction with us here in our blog community. (I know some of this seems redundant but we get lots of questions about these kinds of details so we’re just trying to make sure we’ve covered as much as possible.)
If you are in a SMALL GROUP: you will share your responses to all of the interactives with one another in your gathering. Then, when you come back to make your comment to this post, you will choose one of the questions to answer here. You can answer more if you desire but we are only “requiring” you to respond to one.
If you are GOING SOLO: please respond succinctly to each of the interactives. The whole community will in effect become your group and sharing your answers will be part of the activity and accountability. It will make the summer experience immensely richer for you.
ALL PARTICIPANTS identify yourselves in your comments to this post by: First Name, city, state, and country if not the USA and whether you are participating with a small group or going solo, then respond to your interactives. Here’s a sample comment for our summer Bible study to give you a paradigm:
Cheryl, Shreveport, LA/small group: #3 … (her response to the third question will be written here. Note that she is participating in a small group so, since she’s already answered each of the questions in her gathering, she only needs to respond to one here. If she’d gone solo, she’d answer all of them here.)
1. A fun one: What title to a popular song – from any decade you wish – best captures you right now? (It can be serious or ridiculous.)
2. Write one sentence describing something about your present season – your right-here-and-now – that makes it unique. Life changes constantly. What is distinct about this particular season?
3. In one sentence, what is one thing you wish your sisters in Christ would know about you sooner that often doesn’t come out in your relationships till later? Complete this sentence: “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…”
4. *Optional: Make a one-sentence comment regarding anything in the video devotional that resonated with you.
OK, Sisters! Have Weeks One and Two of Gideon completed by our next gathering in two weeks on June 25th! We are so happy to have you here and to serve you.
Summer Gideon Study 2013 from LPV on Vimeo.
Kim/Prairie Village, KS, small group
#1. Wings
Betsy, Westerville, Ohio / solo
1. Blessings, Laura Story
2. Busy summer doing so many things I love – involved in a musical, teaching kids songs from two other musicals, doing two Bible studies (sooo needed) and getting to be with family often.
3. Need your love and involvement in my life even though I may seem withdrawn at times!
4. Pray for good Godly things to happen to my family after a long drought – bring on the summer fruit!
Thank you, Jesus, for being there through it all!
Susan, Huntsville, AL, small group, #1-“I am Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave-especially the line “lift up your head child, I’m not done with you yet!”
Heather, Glendale, AZ/solo
1. “Who Am I?” ~Casting Crowns
2. Working on a deeper understanding of what it really means to have a close, intimate relationship with God.
3. “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a sincere and trustworthy friend. My shyness tends to hinder my good intentions.”
4. In my walk with Christ, I am constantly in a cycle of growing fruit and consuming fruit. I am thankful to know that God allows us to be joyful and give thanks for the fruit He has blessed me with and that He makes me mindful that the fruit I do produce can be fed upon by the enemy if I’m not careful.
Amy from Saint Cloud, FL, solo
1. “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”
2. It’s a season of sadness and outside stress–loss in the family and the fallout of that (drama with family members) and trying to be a good wife in the midst of it all
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that although I’m theatrical by nature, I’m actually very shy and feel awkward meeting new people.
4. I want to be like Sara, to claim my fruit that’s there for the plucking.
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA / Daybreak Church Small Group
#2 Fun, busy, yet restful season! I’m writing a blog, volunteering in the community, staying connected with my church family and loving on my friends and family! My heart’s settled, I’m learning to trust God and enjoy this season of my life while it’s here.
Delanie from Spring Hill, TN
1. We are the Champions
2. I am a wife and mama of 2 boys in the throws of tantrums and triumphs, waiting for my eldest to go to kindergarten; and in the process of cleaning and purging to put our house on the market, in hopes for land and space to breath God in.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I know God’s mission for my life and I can see what is unseen, can hear him speak to me, but don’t know how to convey the magnitude of it
4. My response to video is sobs and shouts, it was a message that went straight to my heart.
#1-Good Morning”-Mandisa-I play it everyday to get me jump started.
#2-I have had some health problems and my husband;s business after two years is finally starting to do better. Also my oldest Savannah is going to Judson University in August-She is ready, I AM NOT!
#3-I just want to be an encourager and to be encouraged.
#4-I can not wait for the fruit! It is exciting to see what God has in store for my life. Expect the unexpected!
Judy, Clarks Hill SC, solo
1. “Blessings” by Laura story
2. learning to live satisfied with all that we have. We have moved close to our children and grandchildren.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I am working to discern God’s will for my life and need to be in the Word and studying with others who are also searching.
4. I am going to be more attuned to the ripening of fruit and opportunities that need to be cultivated so they bring glory to God.
1) Emeli Sande – Next to Me
2) Waiting/Transition – I am on the cusp of seeing fruit in a new job. 1.5yrs of faithful waiting/applying by faith is about to accumulate into a job! :o)
3) I wish that my sisters in Christ knew I am not as put together as I like to appear.
4) I wept as you spoke over me the Truth that fruit is about to be picked in my life. I so desperately wait to see this happen. Summer here we come!!
Patricia, Alabama/solo
1. Free Bird
2. retired, feeling there is something I’m to do with my crafts to help those going thru cancer.
3. that I may be quiet but doesn’t mean I don’t care or don’t have any thoughts, just ask my real friends.
1.”House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
2. Youngest will begin full day Kindergarden in fall, will be home alone during the day for first time in 11 years.
3. Former worship leader being called back by His Spirit.
4. Summer: I claim this word, surrender & press in. Praying for bananas with my name on them.
2. In a season where things are good. Not that long ago we were in a season where life was a little harder. But God is teaching me that this life, seeking Him is abundant no matter what is going here on earth.
Linda
Jasper, TN small group
1. Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce ( esp. the line that says “there never seems to be enough time to the things you want to do”)
2. This time of my life is season of caregiving of my elderly parents, who no longer drive or do some of the other things that once did. I also take care of 3 yr. old granddaughter and 6 month old great niece a few days a week.
3. I wish my Christian sisters knew how much I long for deep friendships with them.
4. Looking for some summer fruit to ripen and to pluck.
Laura/Houston, TX/Group
#2 I am in a season of waiting and preparation for what is to come.
Michael Ann, Irvine, Ca Solo
1. Whip it Good – Devo. Whipping it with the Lord and moving forward.
2. Coming out of a deep valley of brokenness onto a path of walking in forgiveness, and waiting in anticipation to see how the Lord will provide for me to go back to college in the fall as a 49 year old college student 🙂
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I”m really kind of shy and I’m not so strong.
4. That the fruit of something I have sown will be ripe for the picking this summer. This made my heart leap and I asked myself, “Do I dare hope in this?” I pray that the Lord will enlighten my eyes so that I will see it.
Diane Hovis, Lexington, OK – solo
#1 Starts w/Me by Tim Timmons
#2 I think I am in a season of WAITING, trying to discern what direction God wants me/us to go.
#3 I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am just a vulnerable as there are.
#4 I am ready to get my shout back on!!
Melanie Beam, Kingsport TN ~ studying on my own
1) “I Have Confidence” from The Sound of Music….”What will this day be like, I wonder…. What will my future be, I wonder….?
2)I am mentoring a young mom and stepping out of my comfort zone with my MaryKay business where the Lord is opening so many doors for me to share my faith as I work 🙂
3)I wish my sisters in Christ (and my biological sisters) in Christ knew that I love the Lord with everything I am striving to be a woman after God’s own heart.
4)Beth said first thing, “We are to ripen something we have sown.” I am ON IT!!!!
Nancy from Columbus IN
1.) I really can’t think of a song-might be related to my season which includes a muddled brain.
2.) I am recovering from a total hysterectomy 3 weeks ago, which has been more difficult than I thought it would be, physically,mentally and emotionally.
3.)I wish they knew how truly introverted I am.
4.)As I have been forced to stop because of physical limitations, I have become aware of God’s timing again and again, as it applies to my life or others. Fruit that is or isn’t ready to pick, sometimes too soon, sometimes left to spoil; becoming more aware of His schedule and not mine.
1. Empty and Beautiful, by Matt Maher
2. Returning to my first love, working with children for Jesus
3. I wish they knew that I struggle with my obesity.
4. For something to ripen of what I have sown.
Brenda, Franklin, TN, solo
1) Ready to Run
2) Closing up things at my dream job to move forward to the unknown.
3) …that while I appear to have it all together, I’m so incredibly insecure.
4) Needed to hear “Summer is the time for ripening!”
Kim; Poplar Bluff, MO/small group: (#4)from the video–I am excited that there is a banana this summer with my name on it and that God wants me to shout and rejoice.
Amy; Frisco, Tx; group
1) Promises by Sanctus Real
2) I am currently in a season of waiting
3) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I struggle with fear and insecurities
Unique about this season: my daughter just graduated from a K-8 Christian school. We will both be leaving behind dear friends and starting new student and parent relationships in a different (public) school system.
Bethany / Macon, GA / solo
1. My Redeemer is Faithful and True, Steven Curtis Chapman
2. Pregnant with our second baby
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I struggle with worrying I’m not as good a friend to others as they are to me.
4. Oh, to rejoice in the fruit of this baby the Lord has given to us. We’ve cried, prayed, begged, and now that we are 18 weeks along, I have still been afraid to rejoice completely in it for fear something bad will happen. Help me, Father, to shake that anxiety and fear and rejoice whole heartedly in this amazing blessing you’ve given to us!
Sharon, Mineola, Texas
small group of 17 possibly
I also need to ask the Lord to help me recognize the fruit in my life! That truly spoke to me!
Mary, Houston, TX/solo
1. He Is With You
2. My boss, who considered me a valuable asset, has been fired and replaced by someone who doesn’t know me and currently doesn’t seem to want to.
3. Until I get comfortable with someone I am limited in what I share.
Orlando, FL/Solo
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
2. This is my season of change. I need to take charge of things going on in my life.
3. I keep a lot of things to myself rather than admitting the truth.
4. Keeping quiet.
Windy, Georgia, very small small group
1) Is There Life Out There? (just the title)
2) In the middle of adding our youngest child to our homeschool routine.
3) I wish my sisters knew sooner that I really do like physical contact, even though I don’t seem to be good at initiating a hug.
4) I am so looking forward to beginning to even recognize my fruits!
Rachel, Wake Forest, NC, solo
1. Where would I be? By Matt Redman
2. I have returned back to school after teaching for 5 years and I am having to trust the father for every need! This wasn’t in my plans but clearly it is in His plans.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I like to go deep in relationships. I don’t just want to know what is going on on the surface of their lives and mine.
4. To be faithful to His word this summer…Watching for the fruit of something to ripen for the plucking!
Wanda, New Lenox, Il (solo)
#1 High Hopes, it’s an old one about the ant
#2 Full of love even for those that get on my last nerve.
#3 That I have worn a lot of hats during my life.
#4 oh wow, the ripened fruit and the remembering how good, how gracious, how amazing is the God I serve.
Brenda, Pullman, WA/solo
#1 – “I could Sing of Your Love Forever” (Martin Smith)
#2 – Two teenage sons in the house, one 16 and the other 14
#3 – I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I desire real, transparent relationships.
#4 – It is important to ask God to open our eyes to see the fruit ripening in our lives so the birds of prey don’t devour it before we can pluck, prepare, and store it.
1.)”Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees(..just turned 50yrs old)
2.)I am in a season of…acceptance.
3.)I wish that my sisters in Christ knew that I am simple.
4.)Great reminder to keep my eyes open and not miss the present harvest, by lamenting yesterday or wishing for tomorrow.
Katie San Antonio, TX / with one amazing sister in Christ
#1 I Will Survive (husband out of town, two littles and pregnant)
#2 My grandmother was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. First big illness to shake our family’s foundation
#3 I wish my Christian sisters knew I don’t have it all together. I have my struggles and secret sins just like everyone else.
#4 I don’t want to just survive this hot Texas summer while pregnant, I want to recognize the fruit that God has for me and then prepare it and store it for whatever is coming down the road.
Peggy, Warsaw, IN solo
1. I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.
2. Busy- squeezed between spouse,work, helping parents and enjoying grandchildren.
3..I’m newer to a relationship with Christ than most of my friends.
Sheree, Lexington, SC/Womens Bible Cafe online small group
1. “Take Shackles off my feet so I can dance”
2. PRESENT SEASON: Almost an Empty Nester…My baby boy, who is my youngest of 4 children and only child at home just graduated high school and about to begin college at The Citadel in August. It’s just me and my two best doggies, Samantha, my Doberman and Jimbo, my Bichon.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I’m okay being alone now. I do not need an earthly man to make me happy!! I have Jesus, and He’s all I need! Gee, always trying to fix me up with someone!!
4. I loved the devotion from Psalm 32 1-4 about how “my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” When I’m dry and thirsty and lacking energy, I know where to take a refreshing drink…from the Spring of Living Water!! Thank you Beth…loved that!!
Shannon, Jacksonville, FL/solo: #1- Everlifting by Christy Knockels
#2- Youth Director with two young ones, 2.5 and 7 months, at home, traveling this summer with my group but anxious about leaving them. (My husband is amazing though!)
#3- I’m really an introvert and not the extrovert everyone thinks I am in my ministry… It’s only through God’s power!
Debbie, Merced,CA/Going Solo
1. Don’t Blink
2. I find myself pondering very often why am I here, if I have met God’s purpose for me.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I do not trust people easily or quickly.
Janet , Odessa, TX ~ SOLO
1. “At This Moment” by Billy Vera
2. I am floating on Cloud 9 as I fully enjoy my 6 week old grandson; he is our second grandchild,(I am 60:), but we lost our first at 7 mos to SIDS in December of 2010:(
3. I have an extensive “head knowledge of the Bible”, but struggle with “heart knowledge of the Scriptures”.
4. I am anxiously searching this summer for the ripening of something I’ve sown in the past!
Jamie,Lexington,KY,USA,solo
1. Wham–wake me up
2. Daughter getting ready to start senior year of high school, college too close, hard to believe, what will I do when she is out and on her own.
3. I want to have the relationship strong relationship with Christ so many others have
Leanne, Saskatoon, SK, Canada/solo
1. One Headlight
2. After being a stay-a-home mom for 8 years I anticipate working outside my home this fall
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I care for them far more than they know
Carol, Prospect Heights, IL/small group: #2: I am realizing that I am no longer one of the “youngsters”, that I really AM as old as I am (58) and it bothers me and scares me to enter this stage of life!
1. Shower the People
2. I am writing and teaching a Bible Study on the Book of Jeremiah.
3. I wish that my sisters in Christ knew how seriously I take Bible Study.
4. Praying diligently for a summer harvest!
Kathy, Charlotte, NC/Group
2. Changes, contentment & support-My husband has just started a new job!
1. “The Sound of Silence”
2. If I laugh too hard I might pee a little!
3. If I laugh too hard I might pee a little!
4. So looking forward to the “ripening” this summer from God in my life.
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
Going Solo
1. “The Warrior Is A Child”
2. This is a season of grief over the loss of two dear friends within 6 months of each other, leaving an empty place only my Father can fill. I don’t want new friends right now.
3. I can’t even think of something I “wish” in this place I’m at right now.
4. It challenges me to think of there being fruit in my life ripe and ready to pick that I haven’t seen. I will start looking for it today.
Laura Gadsden,Al solo
1 Rollercoaster
2 My husband just started a new ministry position at a busy time, while I am home with our child with autism out for summer and his precocious little sister.
3 God has carried me through so much, but I still have so much to learn.
4 My goals for this summer are diligence and patience.
Sherry, Wake Forest, NC/Solo
1. Blessings,Laura Story
2. Seeking a season of spiritual growth, learning to put God first.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am authentic and love deeply.
4. Can only watch 2 min., of video. We are having server issues.
1. Shout by the Temptations
2. Finally at the age of 54,I have more self-confidence because of my relationship with God.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I would prefer to discuss our faith and God more than any other subject.
4. We-eee-eeel…the video made me wanna “Shout Kick my heels up and throw my hands up and throw my head back and don’t forget to say I will” Thank Him, Praise Him, Share Him then watch Him.
Kristi Parris, Piedmont ,Al/ Solo
1. God Gave Me You
2. I am currently walking in the season of infertility.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I get so much strength from their encouragement and words.
Bless you, Kristi. I walked that season at one time and still remember the ache in my soul. Praying for FRUIT for you.