Hi Gals,
Just wondering who is still doing Esther besides Janie and me? Anybody else still working your way through? I'm just starting week 5... think Janie is way ahead of me! There is so much to learn from this little book :D
No matter how far you may be, or not be, its a story well worth exploring. Come along, come back, enjoy with us!
Blessings to All,
Margie
4/30/10
4/25/10
judgements
I am sure enjoying this study of Esther. But like each one of us it is so complex. As I read it I am usually thinking about work because that seems to be so much of my life. So, once again here are the parallels of my life.
I keep trying to write about my thoughts, and then erase them. I wish my mistakes were so easy to correct. A little of me wishes I were at work today because the dynamics of who is working is different than yesterday or what it will be tomorrow. One day we have a lot of complainers with little resolution of issues and tasks. Another day we have a lot of hard working, thought provoking people working on physical tasks that are accomplished just for the delight of working with good friends and making their load easier. A nice patient makes our day more delightful. And then BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.
So it is with Esther, Haman, Mordecai and Xerxes. One day things for each of them is going along well, for the counterpart not so well. But again in God`s timing everything is perfect. He is keeping a perfect time card, chart and footnote of everything for everyone. In HIS PERFECT TIMING all will come to pass for each one of us. OLD TESTAMENT times, as well as now with work God keeps the perfect timing. All of a sudden life changes. Now how can I be open to that, before a fall?
In other words, Haman had friends at his first party to boast of his honors to (meet his insatiable need to be noticed). They probably couldn`t say enough good things about him. But when he met the second time with his wife he asked for his advisers who spoke in retrospect of all his misdeeds, also they couldn`t say enough good about him. And they affirmed that he will die.
Back to my work place. No one can ever say enough right word. We just need to keep going back until God has another timing and purpose for us. JB
I keep trying to write about my thoughts, and then erase them. I wish my mistakes were so easy to correct. A little of me wishes I were at work today because the dynamics of who is working is different than yesterday or what it will be tomorrow. One day we have a lot of complainers with little resolution of issues and tasks. Another day we have a lot of hard working, thought provoking people working on physical tasks that are accomplished just for the delight of working with good friends and making their load easier. A nice patient makes our day more delightful. And then BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.
So it is with Esther, Haman, Mordecai and Xerxes. One day things for each of them is going along well, for the counterpart not so well. But again in God`s timing everything is perfect. He is keeping a perfect time card, chart and footnote of everything for everyone. In HIS PERFECT TIMING all will come to pass for each one of us. OLD TESTAMENT times, as well as now with work God keeps the perfect timing. All of a sudden life changes. Now how can I be open to that, before a fall?
In other words, Haman had friends at his first party to boast of his honors to (meet his insatiable need to be noticed). They probably couldn`t say enough good things about him. But when he met the second time with his wife he asked for his advisers who spoke in retrospect of all his misdeeds, also they couldn`t say enough good about him. And they affirmed that he will die.
Back to my work place. No one can ever say enough right word. We just need to keep going back until God has another timing and purpose for us. JB
4/22/10
Convicted
Every time I read in Esther I am more and more convicted of something. O can certainly say I am nothing at all like the queen. But the king, and all of his not so stately ways and Mordecai publicly crying and showing more of himself than perhaps most might show off. But now Haman. I think way too much of myself. Not in a good way either. Always doubting, condecending and I think that isn`t that needs to be nipped. Just after reading in Esther I started looking at some fabric someone wanted a baby quilt out of. It has gold lassos on it. I felt like someone just caught this stuffed pig and was circling her high over their head with a lasso. Wow, I do get carried away with my ideas. But there you have it. On with more studies. Everyone, have a great day, listen to Him whenever you get a chance. JB
4/19/10
Be Right
Hi All,
I am not successful at getting this on Growth today but I know Margie can. Isn't wonderful to have confidence in others?
I can`t believe every time I study Esther it hits me right between the eyes how much I am convicted. This week of believing those at work need to do it my way but still knowing the things that harness them are people above them, money, and keeping their jobs. All those things can makes see things differently and act differently than we might in another position.How would Haman and Mordecai act if their roles were reversed? How would the story have changed? The answer is I don`t know. But I do know I need to stop assuming I am right and look for God`s direction in all things. Then it will be right.
I am not successful at getting this on Growth today but I know Margie can. Isn't wonderful to have confidence in others?
I can`t believe every time I study Esther it hits me right between the eyes how much I am convicted. This week of believing those at work need to do it my way but still knowing the things that harness them are people above them, money, and keeping their jobs. All those things can makes see things differently and act differently than we might in another position.How would Haman and Mordecai act if their roles were reversed? How would the story have changed? The answer is I don`t know. But I do know I need to stop assuming I am right and look for God`s direction in all things. Then it will be right.
4/16/10
need a strong group to pray
My cousin Angie needs our prayers..she has found a lump in her breast and they found pre cancerous cells on her cervix..she is only 26 and needs some people to pray for her..Her husband is in the navy and will be leaving on deployment next month so i thought our group would be good to offer her some help and guidance..thanks girls
4/14/10
No Fear!
As I watched the video for the next weeks study which talked about facing fear, I was struck with what a brave group of women you all are!
There are only 4 of us currently making this journey through Esther together; yet amongst such a small group are some of the most courageous gals I know. Think about this, one is starting a brand new life with huge changes coming her way. One is committed to standing beside her man even when it means sometimes she has to stand alone. And one is reaching beyond the job she has done for years to train for something that will stretch her to a whole new dimension!
Aren't you so glad to know that If_______________ then ____________! (If you have seen the video, you know the answer... if not you'll get it when you get there)
Love and Blessings,
M
There are only 4 of us currently making this journey through Esther together; yet amongst such a small group are some of the most courageous gals I know. Think about this, one is starting a brand new life with huge changes coming her way. One is committed to standing beside her man even when it means sometimes she has to stand alone. And one is reaching beyond the job she has done for years to train for something that will stretch her to a whole new dimension!
Aren't you so glad to know that If_______________ then ____________! (If you have seen the video, you know the answer... if not you'll get it when you get there)
Love and Blessings,
M
4/12/10
Can't Wait!
Happy Monday everyone!
Spent part of my weekend catching up on the Esther study. The plot is growing deeper and the story is beginning to carry me away. Such suspense! Even though I already know how things turn out, there are so many nuances and so many ways God is using this story to speak directly to me!
How about the rest of you? Are you finding out that you are part of royalty? That you are "chosen for a time like this"? That no matter what choices you make God's will will be done - with you or with out you? Can you spy ways that He may choose to use you? Are you growing to knowing?
For me, guess I am living in the palace right now. Not working much and facing not so big challenges, like what time to walk the dogs or what to fix for just me for dinner! But big decisions loom on the horizon. I want God to send a middle man like Hathach to tell me whats going on out there and what I need to do! Do you think He will? Or will He get the message to me some other way? Maybe through one of you? In some situation that I find myself? No doubt it'll be clear when it comes. Hope that I'll be wise enough to listen and brave enough to do His will.
How exciting it will be to watch God working in all our lives. And share in the stories...how I look forward to it - In fact, can't wait!!
Love and Blessings to each,
Margie
Spent part of my weekend catching up on the Esther study. The plot is growing deeper and the story is beginning to carry me away. Such suspense! Even though I already know how things turn out, there are so many nuances and so many ways God is using this story to speak directly to me!
How about the rest of you? Are you finding out that you are part of royalty? That you are "chosen for a time like this"? That no matter what choices you make God's will will be done - with you or with out you? Can you spy ways that He may choose to use you? Are you growing to knowing?
For me, guess I am living in the palace right now. Not working much and facing not so big challenges, like what time to walk the dogs or what to fix for just me for dinner! But big decisions loom on the horizon. I want God to send a middle man like Hathach to tell me whats going on out there and what I need to do! Do you think He will? Or will He get the message to me some other way? Maybe through one of you? In some situation that I find myself? No doubt it'll be clear when it comes. Hope that I'll be wise enough to listen and brave enough to do His will.
How exciting it will be to watch God working in all our lives. And share in the stories...how I look forward to it - In fact, can't wait!!
Love and Blessings to each,
Margie
4/9/10
Returning
Slowly returning to the study the words for filling in at the bottom of page 84, struck! How amazing it is to see God speaking right to my heart in His timing here!
How about you, are you ready? Are you willing? Are you returning?
Praying you all find yourselves back into the study and will be sharing your thoughts and posts here soon :D
Love and Blessings,
M
How about you, are you ready? Are you willing? Are you returning?
Praying you all find yourselves back into the study and will be sharing your thoughts and posts here soon :D
Love and Blessings,
M
4/7/10
Honestly!
Hi Everyone,
If you look to the right ---->, you will see a poll. Please take a quick minute to answer honestly (just click what fits you best; you can check more than one answer). Its time to pick up where we left off. This will give us a chance to see where we were/are so we can get going again.
Love and Blessings!
M
If you look to the right ---->, you will see a poll. Please take a quick minute to answer honestly (just click what fits you best; you can check more than one answer). Its time to pick up where we left off. This will give us a chance to see where we were/are so we can get going again.
Love and Blessings!
M
Mason
I thought I would share the new bundle of joy that is growing way to fast..This is Mason Wade Piechowski..he will be 3 weeks tomorrow and this is him enjoying his first tummy time...look at that head control...he was born March 18th weighing in at 9lbs 6 oz..he is already 11lbs..growing to fast for mom to handle..but he is a pleasure to have around...he is a lot of fun and his big brother is loving having him...
4/4/10
Happy Easter!
Lets share praise and worship today. Here's the challenge... Post your own link to a favorite Praise song from YouTube (or other source) on our blog page.
Here is one that touched me this morning! Just click on the words below...
Worthy Is the Lamb
Here is one that touched me this morning! Just click on the words below...
Worthy Is the Lamb
4/3/10
Happy Easther
I mean Easter! But since we are getting back on track with our Esther study... Happy Easther too.
Interesting that the video actually starts with a review. God is awesome in the way He works things isn't He?
Wishing everyone a wonderous new week begining with Easter Sunday. Looking so forward to hearing from each of you soon.
May you be powerfully blessed!
Margie
Interesting that the video actually starts with a review. God is awesome in the way He works things isn't He?
Wishing everyone a wonderous new week begining with Easter Sunday. Looking so forward to hearing from each of you soon.
May you be powerfully blessed!
Margie
4/2/10
Sharing a great Good Friday Devotional!
Victory is on the Other Side of Failure
"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.'"
Matthew 28:5-6a (NIV)
Devotion:
Told by a teacher he was too stupid to learn: Thomas EdisonFired from his job at a newspaper because he didn't have good ideas: Walt Disney
A music teacher told him he had no hope as a composer: Beethoven
Falsely accused, arrested, killed: Jesus Christ
The disciples of Jesus must have been shattered that Friday. For three years they followed the man from Nazareth. They watched Him heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, and even raise people from the dead. When Jesus said, "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, NAS), they got it. Darkness enveloped the hearts of their countrymen. They needed a "Light."
Twelve ordinary men abandoned everything to follow Jesus: jobs, family, and homes. Not with regret, but with hope. Hope for the promise Jesus offered. Look where it got them that Friday. Good Friday, we call it now. But it was anything but good to them. Jesus was dead - they'd witnessed the crucifixion. Only 11 now, they must have gathered that night after scattering throughout the city. Other followers joined them to mourn the death of the man they loved, and the death of the hope He offered.
On Saturday, they still gathered. No one left - though they could have. They could have packed up their things and put this failed adventure behind them. Back to fishing, back to family, back to normal. But no one left. In spite of what appeared to be complete failure of this new kingdom, everyone stayed. Faithful.
Saturday inched forward to noon, dusk, and then evening. The beauty of the night sky didn't ease their pain. Perhaps they reminisced some. In hindsight, Jesus wasn't really what they were expecting. When the prophets of old foretold a king would come to rescue them, they figured it would be someone imposing, with power, maybe with chariots to whip their enemies into submission. Some took longer than others to readjust their expectations. But when God opened their eyes to the beauty of His plan, they bought into it with their lives.
I'm sure troubled thoughts stole their sleep that Saturday night. Finally, in complete exhaustion their tired bodies overtook their worried minds. Sunday morning dawned. I imagine some woke up hoping it was all a bad dream. Then reality settled in, like heavy summer storm clouds. Jesus was still dead.
Two women got ready first and went to the tomb. Expecting to find the body of their beloved Savior, God treated them instead to a display of His power. With a violent earthquake shaking the ground, an angel of the Lord came from heaven, rolled back the stone covering the tomb and sat down on the rock. Hello!
The angel looked at the women, and spoke words that transformed them from hopeless to hope-filled: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee" (Matthew 28:5-7a, NIV).
Can you even imagine the celebration? It had only looked like failure. Instead, it was glorious victory! Hope wasn't dead. Jesus was alive! The disciples learned a lesson they would never forget: When God is involved, things aren't always what they seem.
Today we see problems and failures with the same eyes as the disciples. Even knowing that God is able to do things beyond what we can imagine, when we look at a "failure," we often only see an ending. God, however, sees an opportunity for a new beginning. As we celebrate Easter, may that truth nestle itself into our heart. With God all things are possible. He is risen!
Dear Lord, my heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise for You. How can I begin to thank You for sending Jesus, and for His sacrifice for me? Thank You also for the lesson that nothing is too big for You. Help me remember that truth when I'm facing what looks like failure. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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