AUTUMN

Autumn or Fall

This is the subject for a whole unit in our ESL classes

(English as a Second Language).

We really enjoy this time of year,

especially since we spent so many years in the tropics

and didn't get to see the leaves change

like they do in the States.

HOWEVER,

since we are blessed with many, many trees in our yard,

we are also blessed with jillions of leaves in our yard and on the deck!
It makes for a big job.

BUT life is all about change, isn't it?
Nothing stays the same.
About the time I get used to some style or circumstance,
everything changes.
Which means the need to adjust.

Thank God, He never changes. He is the one constant in our lives.
My stability is in Him.
He is the same all the time, no matter what mood I'm in.
While everything else changes, and often for the worse,
I know He is the same.
And He will walk with me through my adjustments to the changes
going on in my life.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS, FOCUS

        

 I try to always have my quiet time first thing before my day gets hijacked by the urgent or interuptions or laziness or ......   Sometimes I find myself skidding into the Lord's presence, throwing myself into a chair, and saying, "OK, God, here's the deal". And then running through my list of things to pray about. When I've done that, I hurry out of His presence to get started on other things. Hmmmmmm.  Something is definitely missing. So where's the power I'm supposed to have? the instruction? the comfort? the answers?   And then I realize that I never gave Him a chance to say anything. Nothing. No wonder I was feeling empty. And so, just to help me slow down and refocus, I collected these verses (and a few others) to think about before anything else.   
                             

Be still (cease striving), and know that I am God…  Ps. 46:10

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  

Ps. 27:14

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.    Ps. 130:5

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.   Ps. 91:1

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  

Jer. 6:16

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.     

Matt. 11:28-30

Bible Studies

At his time in my life (that is: retirement) I can pick and choose what I will do more than at any other time in my life. I have more time now, to join in group Bible studies, offered by my church and other churches around town. Or I may do my own thing. But one thing I know, I must be in some sort of Bible study

I find that I need a structured way to study the Bible. I want something more than just reading my Sunday School quarterly. Sometimes, I like to track down a specific topic that I have been mulling around in my mind and so end up doing a sort of independent study. But, if this is my only way of studying the Bible, I've learned I stay within a much narrower channel and fail to broaden my thinking or challenge my ideas. I seem to just stay within my own comfortable realm. This stunts my growth, I've decided. 


Therefore, I've been enjoying studying from this website:
http://www.jesuswalk.com/
So far I have studied The Names of God, The Psalms, and am now finishing up John's Epistles. Once signed up, the lessons (usually 9-12 pages) are sent via e-mail weekly. It's all free and the sign-up is simple. I print these out and collect them into notebooks. There is a variety of Bible studies offered, character studies, book studies, topical studies. Each lesson comes with footnotes, art, questions to be answered, and often spiritual songs and hymns that connect with the subject of study, etc. I like this method because I can go at my own pace. I don't have to finish within the week. As a result, my studies go far deeper, I have a better understanding, and am able to discover the Greek or Hebrew words and meanings used in the original texts. And I'm collecting a great resource for teaching or further study.