Would you like to "SOAP?"

{Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.} 

- Joshua 1:8

This past Monday, I checked out a women's bible study connected to the church I have been attending lately. I went into it expecting to hear a lesson, pray, maybe talk a little and then go our separate ways, but this wasn't the case at all! We sat there for a good 15 minutes just having casual conversation getting to know one another, talking about random happenings throughout the week, and cracking jokes. Then the leader, Bethany, talked about the college retreat that some of the students had been to earlier this month, which later transitioned into what our study was about. 

Throughout the week, we are encouraged to read a chapter of the bible a day (we're starting in John) and complete the S.O.A.P. method. This consists of spending just a few minutes out of your day to 1) write down pieces/parts of the scripture that stood out to you, 2) observe what's going on in that scripture and put it down in your own words, 3) Be specific and take note on how that applies to you, 4) and lastly jot down a prayer that refers back to #3!

 After learning about this method, I am so glad that I went and have started on this journey. Not only do I feel like it will help me grow in the word and my relationship with God, but I also feel like it will help me see Christianity/bible reading/praying/moral actions as a delight rather than a duty!

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For the month of February, our group will act as accountability partners. When we meet each Monday, we will have to show that we did the reading and "soaping!" After this month, it is encouraged to reach out to friends as a way to get others involved, so if you would be interested, feel free to contact me!

Please Read.

{Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.} 

 - Proverbs 31:30

You. Are. Beautiful. 

Children.

{And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.} 

- 1 John 2:28-3:10

Today, I had the opportunity to sit in on the children's Sunday school class at my home church. Their smiling faces, excited voices, and sparkling eyes reminded me of how magical the gospel seemed at that young age. Lately I've been struggling with having a passion for Christ. I've been looking at Christianity as a stark, black and white religion. Seeing the children's eagerness today reminded me how to gain that relationship & passion for Christ back.

This small lesson reminded me that I am a child of God. I may be still growing in my faith, not comprehending all aspects of Christianity and the greatness of god, but I do know that he loves me just as I am and doesn't expect me to have an omniscient perspective. I'm supposed to keep pursing a relationship with Christ, push forward and run the race. 

       

      

{Sweater & Skirt: Forever 21 / Shoes: Toms / Hat: American Eagle / Tights: Hue}