Christianity

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 5 – Shunammite Woman

Today I went walking at Camp Riversite. It is a park a couple miles from our home. I was hoping to see signs of Spring. Instead I saw old growth. Signs that life had been there, and would probably return.

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There was an old burr oak that must have been over 200 years old.

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I tried to imagine it as a seedling…imagining all the different people over the years that might have stopped and looked at it. The children that might have climbed in it’s branches.

This tree would have been 100 years old when the influenza hit in early 1918.  They called it the Spanish flu. That pandemic killed my husband’s grandfather and 675,000 other people in the United States. 50,000,000 were to die world wide. Most of them ages 15-34. (*)  The death rate was 50%. Not good odds.

As I read through Bible passages looking for stories for these posts I am wading through hundreds  and thousands of years. The one constant is the God who created it all and is longing for us to turn to Him. Time and time again He is there when the trouble hits. He is there when people cry out to Him.

Today we are looking at someone who was given a gift they didn’t ask for. (Actually two people received things they didn’t ask for.) We are also looking at the death of someone in the age group mentioned above. You can find the story in II Kings 4:8-37.

Here is the study template if you need it. anxiety template

Let me know what you learn. Until next time.

Karen

 

* (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/reconstruction-1918-virus.html)

 

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 4 – The Widow of Zarephath

 

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Today I am thankful the state parks have been “reopened”. There was some confusion between the powers that be and the park workers. Thankfully it was sorted out and the barricades are down. The pictures above are of “Cave Point” in Wisconsin.

I am thankful that my children all have jobs that are considered “essential”.

I am thankful my husband is retired and safe at home.

I am thankful that Arianna has two neighbor children she can “play” with by keeping a garden hose on the lot line to remind them of social boundaries.

I am thankful that piano lessons can continue for Arianna with the magic of Zoom. It is a miracle I was able to figure out the technology to set it up with her piano teacher.

I am also thankful for a good supply of clean water; for plenty of food in my cupboards.

We will be looking at a widow who was in much more dire straights than we are. There was a famine in the land, and the innocent were suffering.

I Kings 16:29-34 will set the stage for the story that can be found in I Kings 17:1-24.

God does at least 3 miracles here. See if you can find more. Notice how God provides for Elijah. Why are these things unusual?

Here is the study template if you need it. anxiety template

I’m eager to hear what you learn from these passages. Don’t forget to comment below. As always, let me know if I can pray for you in any way. Prayer comes easier these days

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 3 – Rahab

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“Have no anxiety about anything…” (Philippians 4:6) You know the rest of the verse.

We are all struggling with anxiety these days. We want to do something…anything. We hate the feeling of being helpless. But the reality is we have always been helpless. At times like this we realize how small we are.

God knows our fears. He knows how prone we are to worry. He doesn’t scold us, but says again and again. “I will be with you.” “Be not afraid.” He is asking us to trust Him. He is asking us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10)

One of the ways we can be still is to be in His Word. Scripture is living and active and powerful. It gives us peace while the world around us is going mad.

Today we are looking at someone who faced certain destruction. Her name is Rahab. Her story can be found in Joshua 2:1-24; 6:20-25.

Here is the template for studying. anxiety template

When you are done reading and studying I would encourage you to come back and comment on what you have learned. It is valuable for us to share with each other.

My favorite thing about being in a Bible study, (which I have had to put aside for now.) is to hear every person’s perspective on the same passage. While there is only one interpretation, there are many applications. It would be an encouragement to me if you shared what you have learned.

Thank you. Stay safe and well.

Karen

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Take Courage, Where our Hope Lies

 

 

 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ”

John 16:33 (NASB)

 

The hope we have in Christ is more hopeful than any president or king or government policy. These are frightening days, but more frightening than a pandemic is the thought of spending eternity apart from God. If you are unsure of your eternal future take some time to work through the “Redeemed” bible study.

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I would be happy to answer any questions.

I will be continuing the series “Dealing with Anxiety” tomorrow. Watch for new posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Dealing with Anxiety – Study 2 – Hebrew midwives
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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 2 – Hebrew midwives

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Social distancing is the new normal. Anywhere from 3 to 6 feet is now the respectful distance to stand from someone. Groups are to be held at less than 10. If you might be sick you should self-quarantine yourself. I am doing my best to comply with this new way of living.
I’m thankful for a God who doesn’t practice social distancing. A God who comes near…who is with us…who even goes so far as to seek us out. A God who promises to one day wipe away every tear from our eyes.
So as we wait for these social distancing days to be over remember that He is very near. That He loves us with an everlasting love. That in these uncertain times we can be certain of our God pulling us close. Use these days to be in His word. To be in His presence.
Monday we learned about Hagar who encountered the God who sees. Here is the second passage in this series of anxious people. Use the template below to work through the text.

 

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Exodus 1:8-21 – There are a lot of people mentioned in this passage. I would suggest you focus on the Hebrew midwives.  Study this with someone you know over the phone or by skype. Tell me what you learn in the comments. Tell me how I can pray for you.

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 1 – Hagar

These are anxious times. The unknown is always more unsettling than the known.

In an effort to be of help I have created a template for studying about other people who were in anxious situations. Scripture is full of stories that God graciously wrote down for us. Our hope lies firmly with Him, not our circumstances.

You can download a copy here.

trouble-and-anxiety-study-templateDownload

Here is the first passage for you to look at and discover how God was at work. It is about Hagar, an Egyptian maid. She finds herself homeless, and later homeless and without food and water. Genesis 16, Genesis 21:1-21.

I will be posting a new passage at least twice a week. Take time to read it through. Our God is not far off. He is right here with us in the midst of the uncertainties. Day by day He will be faithful. Believe it.

As always I would love to hear from you. Also if you have prayer requests please let me know.

Karen Pickering

 

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A Fresh Start

This year I stayed up with my Granddaughter, Arianna until midnight.  We started a fire,  watched movies,  made gingerbread houses from a kit. She insisted we write down resolutions.  I have quit doing resolutions years ago, but when pressured by a 10 year old I caved and got out a notebook. Here is my list. (I know enough not to make it long.)

Daily goals

1 – Morning and evening Bible reading.

2 – Play my guitar

3 – Practice my harp – (Something I was going to learn years ago.)

4 – Practice violin with Arianna – She has been patiently waiting for me to teach her.

5 – Write 100 words.

I am hoping I stick with this list of five, but the one that is the most important to me is #1. My life accounts for nothing if I don’t know the one who created me. He has written a living book. One that speaks if we listen. One that changes us if we let it.

Praying you find daily time to be in His Word.

“Make the Book live to me, O Lord,

Show me Thyself within Thy Word.

Show me myself and show me my Savior,

And make the Book live to me.” – R. Hudson Pope

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Living with Anxiety

As a child I was afraid of the dark. I was especially afraid of noises in the dark. I remember one particular dark night when there was an unfamiliar noise coming from outside. When my Dad said goodnight he noticed my distress.  I heard him go outside for a few minutes and then come to my bedroom. He asked me to follow him so he could show me how the tree branches were rubbing against the house. That was the offending unfamiliar noise. He tucked me back into bed, the noise explained, my anxiety subsided.

I was anxious. My Dad was there to ease my fears. He was with me, close at hand. He didn’t scold me for being afraid.

There is a verse in Philippians that talks about anxiety.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Too often this verse is used as a club to shame a fellow Christian who is struggling. The “club” is often wielded by someone who hasn’t walked through dark waters.

I think the verses in Philippians are meant to reassure us, not scold or shame us. It simply says if we go to our Father, His unexplainable peace will enfold us. He has promised to be with us. He can be trusted to keep His word.

But this is the hard bit.

He doesn’t promise to take us out of the trouble, but in verse 9 he promises something better.

“…and the God of peace will be with you.”

We need Him desperately. We don’t always know how desperately we need Him. When trouble comes we find out how valuable His presence is. Bit by bit we learn to depend on Him. The longer we are by His side the more we can relax in His presence. We don’t gain self-confidence we gain God-confidence.

Being with my dad on that dark night reassured me. My circumstance hadn’t changed. The night was still dark. The noise was still there, but my dad was there to be with me.

How much more can my heavenly Father reassure me. In my anxiety I can turn to the only one who can ease my fears.  Believe it. Cling to His promise.

“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

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The Fringes of His Ways

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I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

He stretches out the north over empty space, And hangs the earth on nothing. Job 26:7

He wraps up the waters in His clouds; And the cloud does not burst under them. He obscures the face of the full moon, And spreads His cloud over it. Job 26:8-9

By His breath the heavens are cleared; Job 26:13 (NASB)

Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. Psalm 147:8 (NASB)

Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord; Psalm 98:8-9a (NASB)

Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! Job 26:13 (NASB)

Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Psalm 90:2(NASB)

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Time has Flown

I looked around the room and wondered where the time had gone. I remember being a child with all  these people and now most of us are grandparents or great grandparents. Our outer shell has changed, but the same people are still inside.

My sisters and I were at a family reunion. My father was one of eleven children. Two of my dad’s youngest brothers were there to celebrate the day with us.  

It was a day of remembering, of catching up, of meeting new people, of laughing at old jokes and some new ones. We sang old and new songs. My cousin Cindy’s husband, Les Mau, gave a short message, since it was Sunday. As we sat and listened we heard him say.

“Don’t miss heaven.” If there is anything our grandparents or parents would say to us it is “Don’t miss heaven.” I can’t get it out of my mind.

We are so busy living our lives, finding our place, accumulating things that we forget to tell those we love…”Don’t miss heaven.” Nothing else matters. Nothing.

And so dear reader, if you have followed me for any length of time, I want to tell you. “Don’t miss heaven.” This life isn’t all there is. We were made for eternity. Don’t get distracted by the here and now and forget about what comes next.

I have been reading through some of my Dad’s old notes. There is a theme. There was an urgency to his life. Our time is short. With eternity in view 80 years is nothing. Here is what my Dad laid out again and again.

We should run to Christ. – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

If we run to Christ He will accept us. – “and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37b

All should repent. – “…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

We have strong encouragement – “…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, “ Hebrews 6:18b – 19a

Gospel in a nutshell –  “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation…for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:9, 10, 13

The message is simple. There is nothing I can do to earn it.

No one is beyond His reach.

None of us know how long we have.

I am looking forward to someday leaving this earth and going to heaven. I hope to see you there.

“Don’t miss heaven.”

If you have any questions please contact me through my blog.