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| My old, (thrifted) copy |
Within minutes, six other lovelies arrived. The six had met in the past for other studies, but this was the beginning of a new study, and I had been invited to join them for the reading and discussion of Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster. We spent the entire morning sharing our individual stories. (I think it was intended for them to introduce themselves to me, but I'm pretty sure they learned new things about each other, too!)
I took notes as they shared. I sometimes have difficulty remembering details and I didn't want to forget a thing! I found myself placing asterisks beside a LOT of the information. I knew MY turn was coming! I was SO excited to tell how many details in MY life matched something in each one of theirs. Turns out that a couple of them knew my sisters, I'd met one of their husbands, and my children had gone to the same Christian school as another woman's.
I know it is no accident that I am in THIS study with THESE women. They come from a variety of backgrounds--age-wise, economically and denominationally--but there was immediate rapport. And though I've read the book several times, it's been awhile since the last read. As I read the first eleven pages prior to our first meeting, my heart beat faster.
The time is right for me! Once again!
"The Spiritual Disciplines are intended for our good.
They are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives...
(they) put us where (God) can work within us and transform us."
Richard Foster
QUESTIONS:
QUESTIONS:
- Is this print too scratchy to read? (Blogger has all kinds of new fonts, and I am experimenting) (OK.. I changed it to this. What do you think NOW? And does anyone know why when you first hit my page, the header & post titles & fonts blink all over the place????)
- Do you have a book or two that you re-read periodically?
Wow. That book takes me back!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to go looking for my copy...
I am so happy for you Rebecca. This sounds like exactly what you are needing right now as you've said you felt in a slump lately. Sometimes just getting around a group of Godly women like this and studying and praying together just helps put stuff into a proper perspective, and can spur us on! Sounds like a wonderful adventure! I should get my copy of Foster's classic out and re-read it too!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about your new study. I loved Foster's quote, "[I] want to bring God's abundance in my life."
ReplyDeleteYour notes on those who met with you will allow you to shelter "intelligently."
This sounds like a fun group Rebecca. I wish we had something like that here. Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteSounds like a devine appointment with a great group of ladies who love the Lord. I take notes myself when I meet new people.:)I hope you will share your transformation.♥
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca! Sounds like this group of ladies has already been a big blessing to you! Don't you just love how the Lord orchestrates these things??
ReplyDeleteAbout that gate...no it is not in my possession.
It is at a shop about 15 miles north of here. I couldn't afford it at the time I snapped the photo. I would almost bet that it is still there!! I'm heading up that way next week! I'll have to check and see!
Have a joyful weekend!
HUGS,
Becky
Congratulations on the new group of friends. I too, feel a bit in a slump lately with this new chapter of our lives. It's kind of a feeling of disconnectedness. Our last Sunday at our church of almost 30 years is tomorrow However, things really began coming together for us lately as well. It's a turning point. As for reading, believe it or not, I'm not much of a reader--more of a "skimmer," and yet I love to write! I have had to read my own books too many times--the nature of the whole writing thing. I'm quite sure I've read the Bible more than once and more specifically Psalms and Proverbs, many times. I rarely finish a book, (ashamed to say), but I do often get out both volumes of "The Englishwoman's Garden," usually each spring and thoroughly enjoy another trip through their the gardens of England!
ReplyDeleteThat is among my favorite of reads. The very word "discipline" used to give me hives, but I've come to see it as a key to freedom.
ReplyDeleteI'm not real good about re-tracing my reading steps. I rarely read a book more than once, unless it's a devotional, like "Streams in the Desert". I'm quite fond of "Everything by Prayer" (by Fred Hartley), and plan to read it again soon. It'll be a first for me.
Yes ... the font was a bit broken up, making it somewhat hard to read.
Enjoy your study!
Kathleen
How fun to be able to meet with other sisters in Christ. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time!!! I think your blog is just fine :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one book I have really treasured through the years. You can't read it often enough... the impact gets getting stronger with every read.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this post, Rebecca...
Love
Lidj
So true, Lidj! I've read it several times, and just reading the first chapter the other day, I was really challenged. It WILL be the first time I've been in a discussion group around it...
ReplyDeleteLast week, another local pastor's wife invited me to come to her ladies' Bible study at her church; they were already a couple of weeks into it, but I decided to join in. They're working through Beth Moore's "David." I was able to catch up with the homework prior to going. In the past, I've always led study; now it was nice to just go and not have the worries of planning/preparing. Everyone was so kind, even having a box of hats for me and a couple of frozen casseroles to take home. I'm exceedingly grateful for the outlet. Now, to figure out how I can get my own church people to do anything!
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
I am glad that so many people have read this book. I am finding it fascinating and so insightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by the cottage dear friend, it is always good to see you :)
M.