Category Archives: Studying

Apr17

DAY 107 (2014)

Posted on April 17, 2014 by lsgrlr

Every sunset says, “You get another chance tomorrow.”
(Photo by Lisa R.)

In keeping with my recurrent theme of realizing how fear has kept me from moving forward. I have recently started studying (seriously studying for my GRE). If I had a dollar for the amount of times I have had to answer the question, “When are you taking your GRE” in the last three months I’d be a millionaire. Each time I have answered the question I have added a month (so I’ll be taking my Graduate exam sometime in 2030). The overwhelming respond to my answer is, “Why are you waiting?” My answer to them, “I want to pass it the first time.” The real reason? FEAR. Because I really do want to pass it the first time and the thought that I may not be able to has me procrastinating. This realization came to me about the same time that I realized that God was not going to allow me to move forward until I had done the things He had told me to do, one of which was take the GRE. The irony is that I lost confidence in being able to pass when things started to feel like they were collapsing around me. Which is funny because, things started to collapse because I wasn’t doing what I suppose to do (yup my life is like a bad comedy routine). My point? If we just do what God says the moment He says it, life would be easier. I like easy. What about you?

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

So what’s my plan? I am gonna study, study, study…

Feb9

DAY 40 (2014)

Posted on February 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Don’t just know what you know, know what they know too. Be ready to defend your beliefs.

Had a guest speaker today, he challenged the congregation to know why we believe, what we believe. I have written about this topic before, but for some reason today’s message gave me pause for thought. Here’s the truth I know what I believe, I even know why I believe it. But that doesn’t always translate into being able to rightly defend my faith. I don’t know about you all, but sometimes (this will be hard to believe) in situations where I am faced with the dreaded, “Can you prove God exists” question I find myself quite at a loss for words (see I told you you’d find it hard to believe). At the moment when evidence is what’s need words fail me, mostly because I have no idea what words to use. But here’s why: I only know what I know (profound, huh?). When going to battle we must anticipate what the other side will do. We can’t just know what we know, we need to know what they know, as well. We must, well, “Know our enemy”. Today’s speaker, (Carl Kerby, Reason For Hope), didn’t just know what he knew. He knew what the other guy knew. He took the time to study. He had both sides of the coin. We can’t fight if we are not prepared, we can’t give an account for our faith if we don’t have the tools necessary to de-bunk truth as the world teaches it. Today that gentle whisper came to my heart to remind me, I can’t be lackadaisical any longer, It’s time to learn how to defend my faith.

“Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

So what’s my plan of attack? Gonna learn what I don’t know.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfcbpmQFfbc, this video is fun watch)

Dec30

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 30, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Revelation 4. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Verse 11). God is worthy of all our praise and all our honor. He has created us to do this. That’s why our hearts feel most at peace when we give Him glory. Today if you are feeling discontent or not peaceful, start praising God. I guarantee it will change your perspective.

Dec9

DAY 343

Posted on December 9, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Every sunset says, “You get another chance tomorrow.”
(Photo by Lisa R.)

Today was a very long, and tiring day. I am wiped out. Patients galore. I feel worn out all I want to do is put my head down and sleep. But sadly, I can’t because I need to study. I have procrastinated long enough. I am very good at it too, procrastination. I once got an award for it, no lie 🙂 . I only procrastinate with things that I really don’t want to do. Things I like no matter how mundane will get accomplished with ease, precision, and in a timely manner. Why? Because I like them. I enjoy doing them. As I sit here writing I am quietly plotting what further device and excuse can be used to put off the unwanted task (did I mention I got a award for this). However, that gentle voice is reminding me that things I don’t like are often the instruments used to build discipline and to help grow me in the direction I am meant to be. Nobody makes a difference by only doing what they like, you have to embrace the good and the bad. Understanding that ALL experiences in life are meant to edify if we choose to see them as what they are, tools in the hands of our creator. Today I don’t want to study, I am tired, cranky, and I am fairly certain my brain is mush. But I am also alive and able to accomplish the task by trusting the One who promises to go through it with me. I will not put off till tomorrow, what can be done today.

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame” (Proverbs 10:4-5).

So what am I thankful for today? A reminder to cease the day.