Beholden

I've had quite the summer. We have been busy with intentional time which hasn't left much time for much else. I've slowed down on the social media posting as well as the blogging. It has taken me all summer to realize I'm likely depressed after the year we've been through. It's a weird season. I've been so hopeful in some areas while just completely still in other areas. I noticed something was up when things were going well and I still couldn't get out of this weird inability to get things done like I used to. I have zero interest in pretty much all things craft, instagram and social. The only thing I've been really excited about is our new Discipleship group that I am hosting with a friend of mine. It started as a quick conversation with a friend who lives in the same neighborhood I live in and attends the same church with me, across town. I admire my friend for the way she lives her life wholly and with Christ, family and country at the forefront. She has a no nonsense approach to everything and her integrity shines as brightly as her smile. Okay, enough gushing. My point is, we had a simple, quick conversation. I asked what she thought about maybe doing an open house bible study with people who are interested in real relationships, real conversations and real growth with a deep focus on the truth, word and the Lord. She said she liked the idea and she was down to help co-lead with me. Not sure with what I was really signing up for, I stayed in prayer about it and just kept going with it. I know that all of it will be work but with Christ as the foundation, it's just less overwhelming.

I'm not sure how I heard about the book #Beholdingandbecoming but it was probably in passing in another group or my other wonderful friend who is on the launch team. I've never read a book by Ruth Chou Simons but I've enjoyed her paintings and a new book for a new group seemed perfect for this season I've been in. I also really liked the concept. I have been working on myself a lot this year, with counseling and good counsel, with friends, food and coffee and there are a few points that keep coming up. 1. Foundation in Christ. 2. Woman's ministry 3. The way out is through 4. Take risks in relationships 5. Don't grow weary 6. Get in the word 7. Truth 8. Honesty 9. Integrity 10. Life eternal vs. this temporal place and one of the loudest ones 11. Iron sharpens Iron. All of these phrases or words come up with other little sub ideas like accountability, respect, intentional and reverence. How do you fear the Lord when you don't respect him? How do women see the Lord? How do I view life and what is most important? This book is supposed to bring up some points by showing us what we are beholden to and how we can become what Christ wants us to become. I love the idea because it speaks to my heart. After a women's breakfast we did this year, I thought so much about the women who attended and who complimented it. It was such a good time. We all had food, fellowship and real intentional time together. That spoke to my soul. I loved helping with the event but I loved what the women got out of it more. The time together and the time with God, uninterrupted by daily life and responsibilities for an hour. It was life giving.

When the idea of starting a bible study came up and this book coincided with where I was, it made sense to move forward. We had a total of 7 women show up on Tuesday, some with kids and some with busy schedules but they all made time. And they all committed to being intentional, honest and accountable for the homework and each other. It is such a gift to be in this position. I realize that I need to get my act together with some things and this group of women are akin to help me and I them.

I received the books on Friday but didn't open the box until Sunday to hand out at church. I glanced at it and at first impression, it's a very pretty book. I found the writing to be easy to follow but not particularly difficult to work through. We are doing 16 weeks with the focus on each chapter, with it's 2 parts, to be read with time to respond about feelings, thoughts and questions for our next meeting. I purchased the guided companion to help us along since this is a new group and I don't really know how to lead. I planned to work these questions in to our weekly email and use as a guide for our group to use as a jumping off point. I found the questions in the book to be a little open ended for our group and decided to take a chance and offer my own questions to make us all think about when we are reading, rereading and preparing to discuss.

This is part of my email to the bible study group. These are my own questions and although some mimic the same ideas Ruth Chou Simons shares, they are not from the book.

Take some time to pray and ask God to show you his greatness in creation and where that places you. Thank Him for the creation that surrounds and take some time to worship; however that looks. The guided companion starts with the lyrics to the hymn For the Beauty of the Earth by Falliott Sandford Pierpoint (1864) You are free to look it up online or you can just listen to the sweet voice of our own Bethany Kolb!!! How awesome is that?!!! The version in the book is a tiny bit different but it's still wonderful to listen to and equally wonderful to look up and read to yourself. We'll probably begin our group with prayer and this song, at least just to listen to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LVZaReECVI #bethanykolbmusic

Below are some questions for you to think about as you read through. No pressure. Take time with one or two (or all of them) and be prepared to share an answer if you're comfortable.

1. When you ask yourself about worship, what comes to mind? What is it that your heart truly beholds? Food? Time? Rest? Relationships? Work? Family? Self?

These things can become idols if we're not careful about how we allow them to take up space in our minds, lives and hearts.

2. When was the last time you stood in creation and took it all in? Did you feel part of the creation? Did you feel large or small?

3. God's greatness vs. your lack of greatness. Thoughts?

4. Do you chase greatness? What does that look like for you? How does that affect your walk?

5. How does God remind you about how He is in the mundane, busy, quiet and loud times of life? How do you see His creation? How do you worship within his creation?

Matthew 6:21 New International Version (NIV)

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.