Comments on: THE FINGERPRINTS OF GOD (Bible Study That Transforms)

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:37:24 +0000

I appreciate your perspective, Susan. I love that you are thinking the issue through.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:33:46 +0000

That new devotional should be good. I’m always looking for goood Christian children’s books for my grandkids.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:50:28 +0000

Yes, Anne. LOVED your review! :)

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:14:07 +0000

I read the essay and thought yes, how many times I’ve been in a Bible study and failed to be transformed. Unfortunately, in the past, I would fearfully conclude that perhaps the reason was that I was not really a Christian, which led to prayers begging God to save me, for real, this time.
I’ve done the “Xanax Approach”, but…okay, if it is not a time that you are doing serious Bible study, is it always wrong? Like when I went through anxiety and fear several years ago, I did turn to passages about fear, and how God is with us, for comfort, even memorizing a passage that really helped me. I know we shouldn’t make the Bible about us at our every encounter with it, but Jesus called the Holy Spirit also our Advocate, our Counselor. So sometimes when I need some “counseling”, or advice, or comfort, I don’t think it is wrong to turn to the Bible for help. Sometimes in my life, it was a big shout for “Help!” – I needed help right then and there. In a way, I think it can still be making the Bible about God, because I’m not trying to solve my problems myself, or with positive thinking, or by calling a friend, but I’m going to Him because I believe He can and will and wants to help me. I learn things about His character and that I can depend on Him.
And it can transform me from being afraid and doubting into resting in His care and provision and love for me.

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:07:24 +0000

For those who love Storybook Bible like I do–she has a new Devotional for Kids book coming out (can pre-order now) called Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing–looks so good!

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:44:46 +0000

Anne,
I love this: “Could we not count every part of our lives as orchestrated by Him?” I love your insight into the incident with your dog and how she protected Joey, and your peering into the mystery of Al being in Brooklyn. Dee is so right about you, Anne – you are a contemplative, always peering deeply and seeing what most of us often miss.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:41:07 +0000

Hi Diane,
I’m sorry I missed the opportunity to pray about your family get-together, but I’m glad it went so well and the cousins got to reconnect with each other! Family is certainly a gift, isn’t it? Sorry though that your brother, the one we’ve been praying for, did not come.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:39:07 +0000

Anne – that was an excellent review!

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:24:59 +0000

Praying, Dee. Have a great time.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:24:00 +0000

Yes, I really liked this article too. Teachers, when we need to make application to our Bible lessons, make sure it is about God and not us.

“That the Bible isn’t mainly about me, and what I should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.

That the Bible is most of all a story — the story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

That — in spite of everything, no matter what, whatever it cost him — God won’t ever stop loving his children… with a wonderful, Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.

That the Bible, in short, is a Story — not a Rule Book — and there is only one Hero in the Story.”