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Ep 79. Psalms 11-15: "Like Silver Refined..." almost (Women's Bible Study)

We are now knee deep in our study of the first book of Psalms in our Women's Bible Study. This was our shortest read so far, but I think it is the longest podcast.  What does that tell ya? (And I cut out A LOT!) David gets some advice this week, he encounters liars & fools, he is shaken but not moved, and he seeks the ideal worshipper. David was BUSY this week, and so were we. Buckle up and hunker down, and don't be afraid to groan.
P.S. You'll hear what this podcast was ALMOST titled. And I still like it. Somebody should use it.

Ep 78. Prepisode for Psalms 11-15: Five Psalms in Five Minutes (Women's Bible Study)

SUPER FAST BIBLE STUDY!! That's what everyone wants, right?  
Nahhhh! It's time to s-l-o-w  d-o-w-n. Technically, yes, you can read all 5 of our Psalms in this week's study in 5 minutes...but let's take the time to really dig deep this week. Come on, I know you can do it! (I said that in my best Denise Austin voice, for those of you my age...for you young'uns, you'll have to Google her.)
I issue several challenges to you this week. If I double dog dare ya, will you take up the challenge? How about if I triple dog dare ya? According to my 6 year old nephew, no one can refuse a triple dog dare! 
But seriously, challenges are a great way to stretch your self and grow in your knowledge of the Lord. And isn't that what this journey is all about?

Ep 77. Psalms 6-10: The Hope of the Hopeless (Women's Bible Study)

Welcome to week TWO of our Psalms study. This week, we see lament turn into praise in our Women's Bible Study. We see God's heart toward the weak and afflicted. We see how his weapons are made ready for those who reject his law and oppress his people. Even when it seems that God is far off, or that he is indifferent, we learn (again) that humanity is the crown jewel of creation, and God is never far off. He sees and hears his people's cry for deliverance, and in his righteousness, he is a just judge, upholding the upright, and putting an end to the wicked. 
"Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted." Ps. 10:12

Ep 76: Prepisode to Psalms 6-10 (Women's Bible Study)

Our reading this week in our Women's Bible Study is Psalms 6-10. We have four Psalms of David, and one that is written anonymously...so only God knows the true author. And we tackle some weighty issues, the Psalmist asks some hard questions; but notice this doesn't bother God, it doesn't make him angry. Instead, he includes the questions in his book, recorded for all eternity so that we can see and understand that he is not threatened or rattled when he is asked hard questions. In fact, he welcomes them. He will use even our hard questions for our good and his glory. He will reveal something about himself as he reveals (or doesn't reveal) the answer.
This episode will get you ready for your week of reading!!

Ep 75. Psalms 1-5: Widsom, Royalty, and Lament (Women's Bible Study)

We're off to an amazing start this week as we kick off our study of the Psalms in our Women's Bible Study.  We start off with Psalms 1 and 2, which set the stage for the entire rest of the book. 
Psalm 1 shows us the wisdom of the Blessed Man who loves the law of the LORD, vs the wicked man who rejects the law, therefore rejecting God...his way will perish. 
Psalm 2 sets God's chosen man on the throne of Israel, and shows the futility of humanity "setting themselves against the LORD and his Annointed." We see that they are given fair warning, and are extended an invitation to "Kiss the Son," and not perish. The choice is theirs.
Psalms 3-5 are Psalms of David, where David pours out his soul in lament. We trace the cry, the complaint, and the turning point in these Psalms which teach us how to bring our sufferings and complaints to the Lord, the only one who can deliver us.
All of this AND MORE in this episode!!

Ep 74. Prepisode for Psalms 1-5: A New Study Begins (Women's Bible Study)

Today is the day!! We begin our journey through the first book of Psalms in our Women's Bible Study. We are wading into the waters of Psalms chapters 1-5. 
Here are the things to look for each week as you read:
1) Identify the type of Psalm (Praise, Lament, Thanksgiving, Royal, Wisdom....)
2) Look for lines of parallelism. What are they speaking to you? Are they expanding the meaning, contrasting two opposite views, or repeating for emphasis?
3) Look for imagery: similes, metaphors, word pictures
4) Look for the character of God. It's gonna be all over the place in the Psalms. Remember, this was Israel's hymn book. These songs were used to teach people who God was and who he is!
Now you'll actually have to listen to the episode to get specific questions for each chapter. I can't just give everything away! 

Ep 73. Introduction to Biblical Poetry and the Psalms: Women's Bible Study

Woot! Woot!! Y'all I'm super excited about this week as we prepare to read the First Book of Psalms, which is chapters 1-41. In this episode of our Women's Bible Study we take a look at some of the elements of Biblical poetry so we can readily recognize them as we are reading, and we can let them help us understand and interpret more accurately.
We take a look at how Biblical poetry is a condensed form of writing.
We identify parallelism and look at a few examples from our sample reading last week.
We look at how the writers use imagery to paint word pictures, and we talk about why it's important to draw these images out of the pages and bring them to life to enhance our understanding.
We look at the "homework" from last weeks prepisode and match the Psalm with the genre or type from the "Big 5."
And then we finish off with our regular housekeeping when we start a new book: who, when, to whom, and why. I cannot wait for y'all to actually get started this week!
Just for fun, here is my most favorite poem that I mention in the episode, The Song of Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats:
I went out to the hazel wood,Because a fire was in my head,And cut and peeled a hazel wand,And hooked a berry to a thread;And when white moths were on the wing,And moth-like stars were flickering out,I dropped the berry in a streamAnd caught a little silver trout.When I had laid it on the floorI went to blow the fire a-flame,But something rustled on the floor,And someone called me by my name:It had become a glimmering girlWith apple blossom in her hairWho called me by my name and ranAnd faded through the brightening air.Though I am old with wanderingThrough hollow lands and hilly lands,I will find out where she has gone,And kiss her lips and take her hands;And walk among long dappled grass,And pluck till time and times are doneThe silver apples of the moon,The golden apples of the sun.

Ep 72. BRAND NEW STUDY!! Prepisode for Psalm 1-41: Learning to Read the Psalms (Women's Bible Study)

Oooooo, I'm super excited for this one. We are embarking on a study for the first book of Psalm, or Psalm chapters 1-41. We're going to take our time, and we'll be camped out here for May and June, so no worries. We're not about wind sprints over here in our Women's Bible Study, we run cross country. 
This week, we just dip our toes in, and we take a look at the five major categories of Psalms: Royal (Messianic), Praise, Lament, Thanksgiving, and Wisdom.
The reading is a little different this week, as we are not reading for an actual study lesson. We just want to get familiar with the categories, and we want to look at the structure of the writings, Hebrew poetry is quite different from English poetry, and there is a learning curve. Your reading content for this week is:
Psalm 1  - 2  -  93  -  100  -  130. 
Read through these Psalms and see if you can identify which of the 5 major categories these Psalms belong to. We'll be doing this exercise each week as we read in this study, because it will help us with our comprehension and interpretation of each Psalm.
I'll meet you right back here next Wednesday for the "full length" introduction to Hebrew Poetry and the book of Psalm. Y'all I'm so excited!

Ep 71, Colossians 4: Be Salty (Women's Bible Study)

This is it, the final chapter of Colossians where Paul once again reminds the Colossae worshipers that the life of a believer is marked by consistent, steadfast prayer. He tells them when they are interacting with unbelievers to be SALTY. What does that even mean? Ahhhh, I explain it all in this episode of our Women's Bible Study. (OK, I have a little help from John Piper.)
Then we get a glimpse of the softer side of Paul. He has his heart on his sleeve as he sends greetings from his companions. It's a sweet reminder that this stalwart of the faith, was a real person. He had emotions and a personality, and was probably a fun and interesting guy to be around. Have you ever thought about Paul like that?
 
ACTS model:    A Simple Acrostic for Prayer (ligonier.org)
 
PRAY model:   How to Pray Using the PRAY Method (navigators.org)
 

Ep 70. Prepisode for Colossians 4: Paul's Benediction (Women's Bible Study)

We finish up the letter to the Colossians this week in our Women's Bible Study. I feel like this last chapter is a real glimpse into Paul's emotional character - which is a side we don't often think about when it comes to Paul. 
Paul transitions into his closing much the same way he opens the letter, talking about prayer. Then he gives one last discipleship instruction that recalls Jesus' own words about being salt and light.
And finally, we get to look at Paul's fellowship. Who was with Paul as he was in his chains for the gospel? Can we learn something from his example?