Emails & Encouragements

I asked for feedback on the Ephesians study, thought I'd pass these words of encouragement along:
from Shannon Pifer:
I know you like hearing from us as we study, so I thought I'd share a few thoughts with you about how it's going for me...First, it's struck me how different things jump out at me depending on how I'm taking it in. I've been listening to your husband while I drive. (By the way, he has a great radio voice and should do a radio show or something!) I've also been reading from my Bible as well as from the study guide worksheet as I study. It's so funny that it's all the same words, but depending on where I'm reading it from or how I'm hearing it, I'll catch things that I never caught before. I wonder if you or the other ladies have that same experience, or maybe my brain is weird or something!I also had a verse jump right out at me as I read this morning. I've probably read Ephesians through a dozen or so times in the past week or two but never caught it. Verse 8&9 of chapter 5 talk about walking as children of light. Then verse 10 says "...trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." I thought, "Well that's exactly what I'm doing here, taking this class and studying this book. I'm trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord!" I just thought that was neat, finding in the book I'm studying the very reason why I'm studying it!
That's it! Nothing too earth shattering! I'm looking forward to tomorrow night! Blessings-Shannon
from daughter Kris:
...on another note i finished this weeks study and am just blessed ... from reading ephesians so many times (like eight?) i'm looking forward to the rest of the study.
from Katie Hughes:
am so excited about doing your study this summer. I did a bunch this morning and am already reaping the benefits :) ...Also, I wanted to tell you about this book on marriage Josh and I just read that is pretty awesome. I thought about it on Tuesday night because Betsy Ricucci (who sort of co-wrote it with her husband) says something really cool about Proverbs14:1 in the chapter entitled "Walking in Wisdom." She talks about what it means to "build" rather than "tear down" and then says this: "As a wife, mother, and homemaker, I can often reach the end of a day and think, Now, what have I accomplished today that was really worthwhile?...here is the biblical answer to that question: Because today's activities have furthered the building of my home, this has been a day in which, but God's grace, I have displayed true wisdom. According to Proverbs 14:1, if the choices I make are tearing down that which is most important, then I am living as a fool. But if I am living so as to build my household, then even when I am tempted to think my efforts aren't amounting to much, I can find encouragement that I am living wisely" I never thought of it that way, that if we are building our homes (not as works righteousness, obviously) then we can find reassurance that wisdom is displayed, even when it feels like foolishness in this world, where accomplishments are measured by successful careers and monetary gain. Oh, and the book is called Love that Lasts. It's by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.

Judy Murphy reports that she and Dave have been working on the study together (he wants to get in touch with his feminine side, biblically) and want to continue to work on it in North Carolina - via email!

from Julia Stake: I am looking forward to tomorrow night's study. I have enjoyed reading through Ephesians and doing the initial observation, though I must say with a longer book it does take a while. I can't imagine reading through Isaiah all at once or several times at once!! :)

from Beth Kinnon: Hi Susan! Just to give you some feedback....I was at the VBS training last night and saw Brittany Harlacher, Dana Letson, Krista Bump, and I can't think who else, but one more lady from the group. We all were making progress on the study, two women were on step 3, two on step 2 and one on step 1. Everyone was very encouraged and encouraging. I don't think anyone had trouble with the study not being "user friendly". We are all very excited to be studying Ephesians with you this summer! Of course, at the training they gave us quite a bit of VBS homework, so we might fall behind on the Bible study homework....... :)Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday evening,Beth

I'm encouraged! Hope you are too. Don't be shy about coming even if you have to miss some - see you Tues nights at 7 at the ministry center.