This week slipped away from me so I did not have the opportunity to collect a list of wonderful posts I read throughout the week. So this will be a rambling post instead, I know at least my Mom will read it. 
One thing I have not mentioned here is that I am very excited my boys have decided not to play football this next season. I think manly man was a bit sad, while I ran into the laundry room and did a happy dance. We will be concentrating on basketball and soccer this next year. With my youngest entering middle school for the first time, this will be good so he can concentrate on school instead of football practice every night.
Speaking of school, I think I am ready for them to return. I have enjoyed having them home but my house is in constant disarray and food is being consumed in large quantities. My house at times smells like a locker room almost daily because when their friends are over they run outside and play a game of basketball, run back in to cool off and play one video game, eat food, then run back outside. They are all stinky and sweaty. Candle companies, Febreze and plug-in air freshener companies love me.
Mom, this last week consisted of very hot days and then loud storms in the evening. Typical Florida weather. Who would of thought this Arizona girl would end up in a place where it rains so much.
Can I just say how blessed I am by some people? Let me share a story with you, was not planning on it, but this is what has been on my heart lately.
When the Lord blessed me with the wonderful opportunity to head to Dallas for the Christian Book Expo I never dreamed the lasting affects it would have on me. When I arrived at the Expo I had all the classes I wanted to attend planned out. Well on one of those days something did not work out right and as an after thought I went to this session on teaching Bible Study. (I shared about that day here)
It consisted of a panel of four women, Kathy Howard being one of them. I really did not think this was a session for me. Boy was I wrong! By attending that one session I had not planned on attending, God gave me a spiritual mentor and friend in Kathy Howard. We spoke briefly after the session, I introduced myself to her. She is a speaker along with being an author of a wonderful bible study. I am not sure what words came out of my mouth that day, but what I was thinking was…HOW. How do you do what you do? How do get up front and speak with ease? How?
Upon my return home I received the sweetest email from Kathy and she offered to send me the bible study she had written. I will be honest when I first read that it covered the book of Malachi I figured it was going to be a 9 week study on tithing. I rolled my eyes and figured I would see what it was about. Since God was in the middle of this the whole time I am sure he was chuckling knowing how much my spiritual world was going to be changed. Before His Throne: Discovering the Wonder of Intimacy With a Holy God changed me. I studied that book while the whole time asking myself, “Why have I never studied Malachi before?”
I believe in this bible study so much, that I am walking out of my comfort zone and will be teaching it beginning the end of August at my church. Being a book reviewer I read a lot of books, many bible studies, etc… This is the first one that has moved me to action. I want people to learn and experience what God showed me about living a life with a healthy fear of God. If you live your life with a healthy fear of God then you don’t need to fear anything. Anything!
Fear is my thorn, for I fear everything. I am the most insecure girl around, but the perspective of living with a healthy fear of God has helped me take those first steps out of my comfort zone.
Kathy Howard is the real deal. Her friendship and mentoring has been priceless. If you are looking for a wonderful bible study I would encourage you to consider Before His Throne: Discovering the Wonder of Intimacy With a Holy God. And you know what, Kathy did not even know I was writing this post. This is purely from my heart. Kathy thank you for being my prayer warrior and allowing God to use you to write a powerful study of the book of Malachi. Later this year I will be telling you more about her because she has agreed to let me interview her. I can not wait.
Before His Throne Introduction Video (4.5min Version) from Kathy Howard on Vimeo.
Oh Lori, I'm so glad to read that you will be teaching this study at your church. I know how hard it is to step out of our comfort zones. I struggle in that area at times too.
I watched the video and it does sound intriguing. I love the example she provided about her dog. Those pink scooters can be scary. LOL. But so true for many of us, including me. I never thought of Malachi much except as you wrote …tithing. Maybe I too need to reconsider. I will check out her website.
Thank you for sharing things that you learn and how you're growing. I'm a big fan of yours Lori and cheering you on. Love you.
Hi Lori, thank you for stopping by my blog:) I love meeting other Floridians:) I've lived in Clermont for eight years–still trying to get used to Florida but for now this seems to be where God will have me to be.
Fear is my thorn, for I fear everything. I had to laugh when I read these words. One of my last posts was about the What ifs in our lives—I am of the habit of saying what if this bad thing happens or that. So I am trying hard to try to see the great things that could happen and rid myself of fear. I fear a lot and it has crippled me from moving forward. I will pray as you do this Bible study that you shed a ton of it!
Hope to see more of you around:)
The study sounds marvelous, Lori. I am glad that this study helped you to over-come your fear of speaking and leading a Bible study
The study sounds marvelous, Lori. I am glad that this study helped you to over-come your fear of speaking and leading a Bible study