Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate - Week Six!


May I say that it has been a pleasure studying Psalm 119 with you these past few weeks. As you have studied and discussed, God's Word has been hidden in your hearts and we are not the same girl's coming away from this study as we were coming in. Praise God!

By the way, if nothing else, these videos are meant to be used as a springboard for further discussion during your group time. I've left in all the goofs (keeps me humble) , just a little disclaimer though - headcolds can play havoc with simple clarity of thought (and so I just needed to make sure that I was being a little clearer than mud) so know this...

Those that love God's law (which is God's Word, which is Jesus because He has fulfilled the law) have Great Peace (Jesus being the Prince of Peace!)... and nothing causes them to stumble (in regards to their SALVATION WALK - not in reference to their SANCTIFICATION WALK).

This will make more sense after you watch the videos... I love you and look forward to seeing you on October 26th when we begin our new study in Revelation.

PS... I'll let you know who won the little Beaded Bookmark on Monday on the Pure Grace Home Page!

Your sister servant,


Video One


Video Two

Video Three



Monday, October 19, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate - Week Six!


Good morning Girls!

As we enter into our final week of study, it is proving itself to be one that requires time for deep contemplation.

I will be posting my final thoughts this week on Thursday morning in order to give you the necessary time for personal reflection as you work your way through the last four stanzas of Psalm 119.

May God bless you as you finish this week strong!

With love,

Monday, October 12, 2009

Just a thought, I thought I would share....

One verse that spoke to me this past week from Psalm 119 was v. 130 'the unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple'.

Unfolding is so vastly different from the force that is used to rip or tear into something. Unfolding takes time, there is a gentle rhythm, motion and care to unfolding that force could never achieve.

Flower buds unfold, warmth and light, among other things, working to achieve this. And in between each small and gentle motion of unfolding, there is growth. A tightly sealed little rosebud is so much smaller than the full and substantial and mature rose. The more unfolding of God's Word the more Light, the more Light, the more unfolding of God's Word. This in Itself is what gives understanding to the simple... of course we know from our study in John that Jesus Himself is not only God's Word... He is also The Light.

And by the way, as far as being simple goes, take heart, in this particular rendering it means to be humble.

Just something, among many things, that God spoke quietly to me about this week. Just a thought, I thought I would share...

Sweeter Than Chocolate - Week Five!



Week Five! It is my prayer that we finish this study strong and I commend you for 'staying the course' in your commitment. It hasn't always been easy, has it? There were no promises that it would be, but the treasures we have gleaned have been well worth it!

Once again you have a full week ahead of you, remember... don't set your study aside and then try and play 'catch-up' on the last day, you will miss so much and leave yourself feeling only frustrated and exhausted. Rather, set aside a certain amount of time each day, praying before you begin that God Himself would guide you through and open your eyes to those truths that He would have you to know.

I encourage you to continue in your markings that I have already given to you in past weeks, along with those that you have added yourself. This week you will be looking at everything from Joshua to Acts, from Habukkuk to Matthew and Mark and even a little of Revelation 1!

Because of the extent of your homework and knowing that you will have PLENTY to discuss when you gather together, whether On-Line or in person, I have kept the interactives this week to only a few:

- Continue in your markings and write down your findings from what you have marked

- This week mark the word 'righteous' in all four stanzas and go back to the beginning of Psalm 119 and mark every occurrence of it as well

- Remember to mark purpose clauses, time references and every mention of 'adversaries' and its synonyms

- Discuss with your In-Person Group or On-Line Group what you have learned from your studies, in the additional scriptures that have been included in your homework, that have deepened your understanding of the significance of the cross of Christ

I am looking forward to meeting with you in Bible Cafe, see you there!

Friday, October 9, 2009

New On-Line Study!






We have a new On-Line Study beginning the week of October 26th!

Behold! Jesus is Coming is a 13 week study on the book of Revelation. The everyday Christian can understand the book of Revelation and this clear, helpful study encourages readers to delve into this important scripture and, by studying it inductively, let the text speak for itself.

The Canadian price for the study workbook is $10.99 (before taxes). In Canada you can order your study from the Precept Ministries Order Line at 877 234 2030. For the local groups and solo participants, if you get your registrations in to me by October 19th I can order the workbooks free of shipping and handling for a cost of $12.00 per workbook (after taxes).

This 13 week study will begin the week of October 26th and run through to the week of February 22 (breaking for the month of December).

To register simply:
1. E-mail me your name by clicking here
2. Your general location (Province/City)
3. Indicate whether or not you would like me to order the Workbook for you
4. If possible, including a picture of yourself

That's it! I am presently putting the finishing touches on the new On-Line Revelation Bible Study Room in anticipation of your arrival, the doors will be open soon and you are more than Welcome!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Enjoying the Fellowship of My Sisters!


click on pictures to enlarge

This morning I got to enjoy the fellowship of Edna, Margaret, Cat, Wendy, Jan, Debbie and Joan as we gathered to partake of that which is Sweeter Than Chocolate... God's Word! It was wonderful being with these women once again, to laugh and to share, to ask questions and dig deeper into the Scriptures - Edna was right though when she said that the time just seemed to fly by. I still think that one day our love of God's Word and being together will cause us all to just pack an overnight bag and make our Bible Study morning into a long weekend... now wouldn't that be great!








As the clock began to inch past 12 noon, we packed up our things and headed to the Frogstone Grill for our lunch. Joan was not able to come with us because of a prior commitment and she was dearly missed. This precious woman has been just such an encouragement to this group as she has week after week brought such great insight, through her diligent word studies, to share with the women.








When we arrived there was so much... chatter! Actually, that is not exactly accurate, it was more like C-H-A-T-T-E-R! Who would have ever believed us if we had told them that we had just spent the better part of three hours together... talking! Amazing!






As we found our places around the table and began to settle in, it seems that certain 'somebodies' had left a little gift for our group. Angie and Marnie were unable to attend the luncheon and so a lovely card, candies and chocolates had been gift bagged and left for us to enjoy - thank you girls! We miss you so much and are looking forward to seeing you in just a few short weeks.








We talked as we chose our orders, we talked as we placed our orders, and we talked as we waited for our orders to arrive! As our plates began to be placed in front of us, and as I took pictures, Debbie suggested that perhaps you should try and guess who ordered what. We stopped talking as Margaret gave thanks, praying a blessing upon our food and fellowship - and then we dug into our lovely lunch as we continued to... talk!




Who's plate do you think this is?


Yum! How about this?

Or this creative looking plate?

The elbows and glasses might be a clue!

Fingertips are poised and at the ready by the knife and fork!

How about this?

I purposely saved this last plate for last because whoever it belongs to... they were certainly not about to wait for me to take a picture... look at that knife a fork fly!



After our meal the candies were opened and sweet tooth's were indulged... and satisfied!


All in all it was a really wonderful morning and afternoon spent with my sisters... if you would like to see a little video montage of the afternoon check out the Pure Grace Home Page!Love you,

p.s.    Just know that the video below is rough, but sincere!
p.s.s    If you would like to leave a comment on this post click here!





Monday, October 5, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate - Week Four!

Hi Girls! Well, here we are already, on Week Four!  This will be a FULL week for you and I know that whether you are going solo, or whether you are gathering with your group, you will have more than enough to do.

Know that I am daily praying for each one of you, well aware that the enemy would like nothing more than to keep us from going deeper with God through His Word; whether it be through distraction, discouragement or just plain weariness. I am walking this with you and know that we need to simply tell it all to God and ask for His refreshing and His sweet leading as we walk through this week TOGETHER.

In addition to your Workbook Homework discussion, your interactives for this week are:

1. Read through the Introduction to Week Four from your STC Workbook at the beginning of your time together, to refresh and review the thrust of this week's study.

2. Read aloud all four stanza's KAPH, AMEDH, MEM, NUN before beginning study discussion.

3. During your time together (or on your own) mark every reference and synonym to:
- the arrogant, the wicked (mark them the same)
- false, evil way (mark them the same)
- every time phrase reference
- terms of conclusion
ex: v. 100
v. 104
- faith (ful) (ness)

4. Continue marking every occurrence of 'affliction' and it's synonyms

5. Continue marking 'according to'

6.  Make a list of what you have learned through each of your markings and reflect on how this has deepened your study of these four stanzas.

If you have ANY questions regarding the Interactives for this week, e-mail me at puregrace@telus.net and I will answer just as soon as I can.

Now, away you go, into the week, enjoying your Lord and walking strong with your God!

Love you,


Thursday, October 1, 2009

Refused... But Not Denied!

I am laughing so hard! I just wrote out a comment in the Bible Study Cafe and when I went to post it - I was refused! Refused! Great big red letters came up stating that I was only allowed 4,096 characters and no more! First thing I thought of was Psalm 119:96. Next thing I thought of was... why not 4,097? I am still laughing!

I've posted the comment below, but make sure you visit the Bible Cafe FIRST to hear the conversation so that you understand what I am responding to!

Gosh it is good to see you girl's here, let me just pull up some extra chairs for you 'new' girls to come and join in!

Let me get right to it and address some of the questions and queries. First, the amount of study required for the week and feeling rushed. Just do what you can each day (don't make the mistake of trying to complete the study in just one evening). If you find like Margaret, that it is the Digging Deeper portion that you are inclining more towards, then just do the necessary portions of the main study, but spend the majority of your time in the Digging Deeper sidebars. A word of caution here, as you dig deeper, don't forget the MAIN THRUST of the Psalm 119 stanzas lesson that you are studying, keep it ever before you!

Margaret, by the way, thank you for your insights regarding belief and obedience through faith. I am presently studying Jeremiah along with Psalm 119; it is sobering indeed to see where disbelief in the Word of God leads to. The children of Israel had been told by God what their unfaithfulness (due to their unbelief) would cost them, but they chose to listen to their own counsel and that of the false prophets. Unbelief can begin quite subtly, in statements such as "God would never do that" or "the God of the New Testament is a God of love, NOT a God of wrath".

Both statements could simply be a case of complete ignorance to the Word of God; perhaps listening to what others say the Bible says instead of studying and knowing truth for ourselves. The second statement stems from the same, although it is, along with the first, a form of IDOLATRY. Picking and choosing those attributes that YOU like about God and negating the rest of Who He is - creating your own god. Dangerous.
Which leads into what you were saying Margaret regarding mankind's concept about sin and their opinions regarding God when disaster strikes. Some of you did a 'side study' with me (during our study of Romans) regarding the Sovereignty of God. I had given you a 'string of pearl verses, the second one being... "I AM the LORD, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing WELL BEING and CREATING CALAMITY; I AM the LORD Who does all these." (Isaiah 45:6-7)

Did you catch that? It is GOD Who creates WELL BEING... AND Who creates CALAMITY. If we were ever to say that the coming down of the Twin Towers (or any other devastating disaster or affliction) was all the work of satan and God was absent in it, then we are saying that for that one moment in time, God was NOT GOD and satan got the upper hand. If this is the case, then God would not be God. God's plans and purposes for mankind CANNOT be trumped by satan!

God is above ALL THINGS. Psalm 119:89 tells us that FOREVER His Word has been settled in heaven. God is not like like man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). God's Word has been set in motion in heaven and in His sovereignty and in His righteousness and in His faithfulness, He MUST act according to His Word. Israel sinned in disobedience and unbelief and God acted according to His Word, we see God moving all through Scripture according to His character and according to His Word.

We can and must learn from God's dealings with Israel (His beloved) throughout the Old Testament in order to know the God of the New Testament. "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, SO THAT (purpose clause!) through PERSEVERANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT we might have hope." (Rom. 15:4)

Which leads us to our next question regarding the meaning of God's salvation 'according to His Word'. Debbie the definition of salvation that you gave is right on the mark... yet what does this definition mean ACCORDING TO HIS WORD? If one of the definitions is 'freedom from trouble' then how does that fit with John 16:33?

God's salvation 'according to His Word' is simply this... what God has SAID in His WORD regarding salvation. We need to know what the Old Testament and we need to know what the New Testament has to say about SALVATION. You get to know, by studying. Book by Book, Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse - remember, there are no short cuts in Bible study!

Which leads to our next question. Will the study of Revelation be too hard without a teacher? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The NISS (New Inductive Study Series) on Revelation that has chosen, has been written to do on your own OR in a group setting. It is designed for a day by day study that will take 20-30 minutes each day.

If you trust God with you and trust God with me, then this can be and I believe will, be an EXCEPTIONAL study. Bible Study Cafe will be vital to the depth of study that is done and I will be posting my written notes and teachings each week to add to what you are also gleaning.

And last but not least, regarding YODH v.73 where I asked you to explain how you were "made" and "fashioned". You already saw from my interactive segment that FASHIONED = KUWN a primitive root, meaning that it cannot be confused with any other Hebrew word.

FASHIONED/KUWN means to be erect, to stand perpendicular, to set up; to establish; to fix; to prepare; to apply. Here is where I was going with this question - in Genesis 1 and in John 1:3 we see God speaking all things into existence. In Genesis 2:7 and in Psalm 139:13 we see God forming, knitting, weaving man. And He did this for a PURPOSE, it was to stand us up (1 Cor. 16:13); to establish us (2 Peter 1:12 1 Thess. 3:13); to fix us firmly (Heb. 12:2); to prepare us (1 Peter 1:13); to apply us to His good purposes (Eph. 2:10), by His Own Mighty Hand. And as far as my alluding to our Romans study to help us in understanding this... read Romans 9 regarding God's choice!

Well, I have a pot of homemade turkey soup bubbling away on the stove and I am away to set the table! Thank you to my 'Home Girl's' for keeping the Home Fire's Burning in faithfulness to God's Word and in the spirit of fellowship that we might remain 'sharp women' of God.

By the way... there is an onion in the soup! I have not tasted an onion in almost 20 years! Praise God with me and let us bless His Holy Name!


Monday, September 28, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate Week Three

Keeping in line with my thoughts that I am not here to be slick but that I am here to serve, I hope that you get a kick out of how this post was put together! I'm still laughing! I could at least have given you something other than my keyboard and notebook to look at... (don't even ask... I mean that, don't even ask!)

Just know that I love you and am walking the STC path right along with you. I don't have time to proof this post, so unless I have made a spiritually and biblically dangerous goof, just deal and enjoy your week in God's Word, Sweeter Than Chocolate!
(your sister in Christ, Miss Malteser Flake)


Remember to take the time to do your initial Overview of the 5 stanza's that we will be studying this week. You will find that the questions in your Workbook will guide you through this and you will glean much that will add to your understanding in the days ahead!



Read through the first 10 stanzas of Psalm 119, replacing every synonym for 'Word' with 'Word'.

VAV v.41-48
- Read 2 Timothy 3 and discuss VAV in the light of it, keeping in mind "him who reproaches me" (v.42)
- mark the purpose clause 'so' in v. 42
- what are God's lovingkindnesses?
- what is God's "salvation according to His Word"?

ZAYIN v.49-56
- from the context so far, what is the affliction of the psalmist?
- discuss the phrase "in the house of my pilgrimage" in v.54
Is this house the same for the psalmist as it is for you?

HETH v.57-64
- make sure you mark "according to" throughout Psalm 119 and throughout your Bible
- discuss the scope of "considering my ways"
What would, could, should this lead to? (Think of v.26)
- in the light of v. 63 what is the difference to be between a COMPANION and an ACQUAINTANCE?

TETH v. 65-72
- in v. 65 discuss what it means that God has dealt with His servant "according to His Word"?
- in v.66 "for" is a purpose clause mark it and discuss what implications arise because of this purpose clause regarding belief or the lack of it.
- discuss what you have learned regarding AFFLICTION from v.67-68, 71

YODH v.73-80
- according to v.73 explain how you were "made" and "fashioned"
FASHIONED = KUWN it is a primitive root, meaning that it cannot be confused with any other Hebrew word (ex: in English trunk can mean the base of a tree or a piece of luggage or the nose of an elephant or the back of a car)
FASHIONED/KUWN means to be erect, to stand perpendicular, to set up; to establish; to fix; to prepare; to apply
Discuss this (you girls that went through the year long study in Romans with me can begin pulling on your understanding from that study in context with this!)
- according to v.74 how should our hearts be positioned to respond to our brothers and sisters in Christ? Why?
- spend time discussing your completed homework assignment on pg.60-61

Enjoy your study this week girls - and I look forward to seeing you in Bible Cafe!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate Week Two - Approaching God's Word





1. APPROACH GOD’S WORD AS GOD BREATHED


2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God breathed

2 Peter 1:2-3 - All that we need for life and godliness comes through the true knowledge of God; it is a knowledge that involves the heart
- Remember that God is not looking for scholarship; He is looking for relationship
- We will see in this week of study that we are to be women who know the Word of God and treasure the Word of God in our hearts
- The way we approach God’s Word is crucial
- All Scripture is God breathed

Hebrews 4:12 - God’s Word is alive
- It is a living Word
- Every time we open the Bible to read or study,
God’s Word comes to us with a warm breath;
fresh from the mouth of God

Isaiah 55:10-11 - God speaks an accomplishing Word over us
- Every time you open the Bible
- God is about accomplishing something in you
- Accomplishing a good work in you
And He will be faithful to complete it
- He is equipping us for today
and for what lies ahead
- Know that whenever you open your Bible
that God’s mouth is about to breathe a FRESH Word on you


2. APPROACH GOD’S WORD WITH THE SPIRIT’S FILLING

2 Peter 1:2-3 - “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness… through the true knowledge of Him…”
- The moment we are born again
Receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior
Having acknowledged in humility through confession and repentance
our sinful state and His death on the cross as payment of our sin
We are at that very moment INDWELT by the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is the power that 2 Peter is talking about
God speaks to us through His Spirit
And it is His Spirit that leads us into all truth
- Now that we are INDWELT
Ask for God for the INFILLING of the Holy Spirit that we might
“behold wonderous things from His Word”
- Many times this is the missing link when we open the Word of God
And so it remains dry to us

3. APPROACH GOD’S WORD READY… WHEN GOD SPEAKS,
TALK BACK!


- Don’t just read God’s Word… respond to it!
- Remember God is about relationship… not just scholarship!
- Lost in Leviticus or Numbers TELL HIM
Ask Him to give you understanding
This may come through your study group, your pastor or by continued study
- What if you are suddenly hit by a spirit of unbelief?
TELL HIM
Ask Him to increase your faith Mark 9:24
- If you have trouble staying awake and alert during Bible reading TELL HIM
God already knows
Yet when we open our mouths to Him – we are living in full on relationship!
Psalm 15:7 - God will instruct our hearts even when we sleep
But when we awake in the morning and whenever we approach His Word
We need to be talking back!

4. APPROACH GOD’S WORD AS HEALING

- Jesus tells us in John that He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water
- Psalm 107:20a says that God “sent forth HIS WORD and healed them."
You and I are sanctified, set apart, by God’s Word 1 Timothy 4:5
You and I are healed by God’s Word Psalm 107
God’s Word is the Word of Life
God’s Word is Living and Active Hebrews 4:12
- John 8:31 tells us that those that continue in His Word prove themselves to be His disciples!
Let’s CONTINUE in His Word!



INTERACTIVES

Aleph: How does Aleph define the blameless?

Beth: How do I become this person?
- Discuss ways that we can treasure God’s Word in our hearts
- What has the heart to do with the propensity to wander?

Gimel: Here we see the first glimpse of opposition
- How is the servant described?
- How is the opposition described?
- Discuss why we are in need of counsel
- Discuss the common counselors of our culture today

Daleth: Called the stanza of ‘the path’ or ‘the way’
- 'Way' or 'ways' is used 13 times throughout Psalm 119
- 5 of those 13 are found in Daleth
- Discuss the changes in the psalmist from v.1 to v.32?
- Discuss why this change occurs

He: Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9
- Discuss the attitude of heart that is needed in knowing God’s Word
- ‘Heart’ is a keyword throughout Psalm 119
- If you have not been marking every occurance of it including synonyms
go back and do so
- Then write down what you have learned regarding the heart
in order to better answer the question
- read again v. 37 and discuss what is meant by ‘vanity’

Daleth: Taking all that you have learned so far from Psalm 119
- discuss the FALSE way in comparison to the TRUE way

Have a great week in His Word!

I’ll be dropping by the Bible Study Café and look forward to meeting with you there!


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Where Three or More Are Gathered...

I just had to share the first Sweeter Than Chocolate! gathering that happened Tuesday evening at Linda P's home.

Our first week is well underway and I can hardly describe to you what it did to my heart when I saw these three beautiful women gathering for the 'soul' purpose of pursuing intimacy with God through His Word and fellowshipping with their sisters in the joy of it all... I am still tearing up as I write this - my cup is overflowing.

I will let you hear of this evening in Linda P's own words...

So here we are at our first Sweeter Than Chocolate gathering. It was definitely sweet. We missed our other half but look forward to having the three of you next week. Here's a sneak preview of our group.
The weather was so perfect once again so we spent the first half hour walking in the garden and sipping our coffee. We met in the guest cottage and spent some time reading Psalm 119 together and doing some writing in our journals.
Our first writing prompt was "What sweeter than chocolate means to me..." and second, a little more intimate was, "If your soul is a landscape describe what it looks like during this season of your life."
Glenna's description of sweeter than chocolate had our mouths watering and our souls thirsting for God's Word.
This was just our ice breaking evening so now we are on track to do our first week of homework. I think you will find it very self explanatory, especially if you view Cathie's video before you start the workbook. Like she says, just enjoy the experience. Tuesday nights are low key and relaxed and there is no right or wrong. We are making our way together.
Looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday at 7:00. (Oh, yes. The girls talked about it and we will wind it up at 9:00 to accommodate the working gals.) Also, while I am in Ontario Glenna will host the Tuesday evenings in Langley. And one last item of business....we will each take a turn bringing a chocolate treat. Glenna will bring one next week.
Bye for now.
Linda
From left: Glenna, Linda, Patricia

Enjoy your time in God's Word this week girls and in fellowshipping together On-Line, in person or both! Know that I am praying for you and studying right along with you, trusting God with us every step of the way!

Lord, open our eyes that we might behold wondrous things from Your Word; may Your Word become our very soul's delight. Psalm 119:18,77


Monday, September 14, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate-Week One Introduction



Welcome girls, to Sweeter Than Chocolate!

Remember to get familiar with your STC! page - check out the Sidebar Links and for quick and easy access to Bible Study Cafe, simply click its link.

Read through pg. 2 of your workbook under "How To Use This Study". I would suggest that for this first week you complete the main study text and then if time or inclination allows, going back and going deeper.


Find the level of study that brings you joy, healing and sweet refreshment… not guilt! Just make sure you stay in the Word every day, don't try and complete the entire week in just one sitting, do a little every day.

Don’t let the word "inductive" bind you up or freak you out! Inductive Bible Study simply means that the Bible is going to be our main source of Truth. We only look at the commentaries and insights of others after we have studied the Word of God for ourselves.


Inductive Study involves 3 basic disciplines:
a. Observation - What Does The Bible Say?
b. Interpretation – What Does The Bible Mean?
c. Application – Living in the light of it

Each week Bible Study Café participation comes after your completion of your homework. Videos will be posted on Mondays to accommodate those groups meeting earlier in the week, but are to be viewed only after completion of homework.

This week’s Interactives:
1. Discuss with your group (including On-Line):
a) your view of the Bible entering into this study at this particular point in time
b) how much do you read it
c) have you found it’s claims to be true
d) what are some difficulties you have found in trying
to study/read it
e) has the Word shown itself to be sweet in your life?

2. a) In v. 1-8 who does the psalmist focus on?
Why?
b) Under what circumstances will the psalmist not
be ashamed?
c) What does the word “blessed” mean?
d) Discuss what it means to be “blameless”
with no “unrighteousness”
e) How does Psalm 119:8 fit with Deut. 31: 5-9?

Enjoy your study this week girls!
And remember…
man does not live on bread alone,
but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth
of God
Hang on His every Word!

Can hardly wait to meet with you in Bible Study Café!


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Sweeter Than Chocolate Giveaway!

I have recently made this lovely and elegant Beaded Bookmark especially for you registered Sweeter Than Chocolate girls! All the cream and clear coloured beads have come from our own Angie's Auntie Jean, so this particular Giveaway has a very special meaning indeed.

I have always used ribbons as my bookmarks, but have just recently been smitten by the look and feel of ... beads!

Remember, every time you visit the Bible Study Cafe and leave a comment during our Sweeter Than Chocolate study, your name will go into the drawing for this lovely Beaded Bookmark!

with love,

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Introducing.... The Sweeter Than Chocolate On-Line Study Girls!

Katie Wenze - Stoney Creek, Ontario


Jennifer Bell - Port Coquitlam, BC
(No Photo)



Hannah Neufeld - Maple Ridge, BC
(No photo)



Carrie Saur - Alberta, Canada


Melody Bell - B.C. Canada


Shelly J. - B.C. Canada
(No photo)


Joan N. - B.C. Canada



Patricia - B.C. Canada


Deb B. - B.C. Canada


Sherry S. - B.C. Canada
(No photo)


Jan O. - B.C. Canada


Margaret B. - B.C. Canada

Cathie C. - BC, Canada


Wendy L. - BC, Canada


Cat A. - BC, Canada


Edna H. - BC, Canada


Glenna N. - Surrey, BC, Canada

Linda P. - BC, Canada


Debbie S. - BC, Canada


Marnie B. - BC, Canada


Angie C. - BC, Canada

Monday, August 24, 2009

What Study Would You Like To Do Next?


Author: Jennifer Rothschild
Price: $11.95 American
Me, Myself, and Lies: A Thought Closet Makeover is a Bible study for women to encourage them to clean out the junk in their thoughts and replace these hidden negative thoughts and failures with positive truths from God’s word. Author Jennifer Rothschild shares practically and helpfully from her own life and from Scripture to show how every woman can turn her words, and her life, around for good. (7 sessions)
Words are powerful. Especially the words women speak to themselves. All too often, what they say to themselves when they lie in bed at night or look in the mirror in the morning is not even close to the words God wants them to speak to their souls. According to Rothschild, what we think about often has a ripple effect on nearly every area of our lives, “This Bible study, based on Jennifer's popular book: Self Talk, Soul Talk, teaches how to replace the lies you may have been telling yourself with the truth from God’s word.”



Author:  Kay Arthur
Price:  $17.25 Canadian
Kay Arthur shows that the idea of covenant—God’s enduring promise—is key to understanding our relationship to God. Covenant explores God’s initiatives with humanity by studying His covenants throughout history. The nine week format touches on the most important aspects of covenant:

Week 1: The Whole Counsel of God
Week 2: In Covenant with Him
Week 3: The Customs of Covenant
Week 4: The Lord Watch Between Me and You
Week 5: A Walk into Death
Week 6: The Oneness of Covenant
Week 7: The Covenants of Salvation
Week 8: Mediator of the New Covenant
Week 9: The Covenant of Transforming Power

Through the process of inductive Bible study, participants will learn what it means to live covenant relationship with God.






Author:  Beth Moore
Price:  $14.95 American
Beth Moore’s newest Bible study is Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman. Going up against heavyweights bent on her destruction, Esther trusted God and landed a blow that saved her people. The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today's woman. Esther's destiny can be yours as you know more deeply the God who is in your corner.
Join Beth in an in-depth and very personal examination of this great story of threat and deliverance. She peels back the layers of history and shows how very contemporary and applicable the story of Esther is to our lives. If you've ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, this is the study for you. Just as it was tough being a woman in Esther's day, it's tough today. This portion of God's Word contains treasures to aid us in our hurried, harried, and pressured lives.

The Member Book offers nine weeks of personal interactive study five days a week.





Study: Revelation (13 weeks)
Author:  Kay Arthur and David Arthur
Price:  $10.99 Canadian
Yes. . .the everyday Christian can understand the book of Revelation! This clear, helpful study encourages readers to delve into this important scripture and, by studying it inductively, let the text speak for itself.
Revelation Week 1: Unveiling the Future.
Week 2: What Happened to Your First Love?
Week 3: What if You're Not an Overcomer?
Week 4: Do You Live As If He's Worthy?
Week 5: The Breaking of the Seals.
Week 6: The Trumpets Are Blown- Woe, Woe, Woe.
Week 7: When Satan Is Cast Down to Earth.
Week 8: The Mark of the Beast.
Week 9: The Seven Bowls of Wrath.
Week 10: Solving the Mystery of Babylon.
Week 11: Exactly What Happens When Jesus Comes?
Week 12: The Reign of Christ and the Lake of Fire.
Week 13: What is Heaven Like?