Crumbs from a full plate...

My little project

So, I am writing a bible study and it is all consuming at the moment. In the past, I have associated preparing messages and speaking with having babies - great idea and then you have to do it.

Writing is way harder...cause I can't rely upon my great BS skills to make it happen. People actually have to read it, which means I actually have to write it before they can read it. See how that works...very different from a verbal message. In that case, I produce at the same time someone else receives.I remember Bonnie Branson my high school English / Journalism / yearbook teacher saying that I might be a good writer someday if I would just focus and do the work. Well, Bonnie...I have focused. But, I needed a break for a few minutes.

One of the greatest current gifts of my life is Linda Lemke...God is so gracious, cause one day last summer she - having no idea what level of flake I am - agreed to write this with me. And we have ambled along since October and she is still with me even though we now have joined hands and are running headlong toward February 13th. Man...this is fun, but it is soooo hard!

My recap of Bible Study Finally

Yeah, I know I forgot to blog.

 It is frustrating really, cause I go about my day with lots of little blog post beginnings in my head, and then at night I am so old that I cannot form a complete sentence.  It's sad really..but, it's my reality. So, here is a little catch up of sorts.

My year in Bible study was way better than I expected or planned. (isn't that often the way with stuff?) I started the fall off by deciding for sure that I wasn't going to take a small group. That lasted 6 whole weeks till a leader was needed for a group starting with the 2nd 6 week study and looking around I saw no one else, so I took the group. Wow, what a gift from God they turned out to be for me.

These ladies were awesome cause most of them were new to this bible study thing. They had no rules, no preconceived notions, just lots of questions. Together we started to learn together and I was so privileged to watch them make changes in their life, see one of them find Christ for the first time and develop a love for God's word. For me it was refreshing and challenging - their questions alone were enough to send me to my knees several times. 

It was  clear cut example of how God says "oh, sure, that is what  you think you need. Great plan, but no go." And then he sends what you really need and what a blessing it is.

What about pictures?

One of the big questions that I have heard the last 2 weeks of Bible study has been “Is it okay to view erotic pictures and videos as long as you do it with your spouse?”  The thought behind this seems to be that anything that happens between a husband and wife is without sin. In fact, it is a common suggestion in our culture to spice up our marriages through the use of visual stimulation. And when faced with a husband who likes to look at porn and doesn’t intend to stop, this could be a possible coping tactic…many wives think better to join him than lose him.

There is much scripture that talks about this issue, but Matthew 5:27and 28 really nailed it for me. It says “you have heard that it was said ‘you shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” 

When we view pictures of anyone besides our spouse with the desire or the result of being stimulated – that is wrong in God’s eyes.  This is such a serious problem that the very next verse tells us that if our right eye offends us to tear it out and throw it from you.  I love how the message version describes this process of staying away from sin…

"Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. Matthew 5:29-30