I am enjoying the rare treat of some quiet time around the house these days. My oldest girls have been busy with some fun summer camps and all (yes ALL) the kids went to VBS every night this past week. I nearly fainted when I found out I was going to have 2.5 free hours every night:)

All this extra quiet time has really helped me get into a better routine with my Bible study. Sometime that's all it takes, doesn't it? Some extra quiet, an unexpected respite or break...sometimes that's the perfect opportunity to start over, start fresh. I wanted to share with you some of the things God has been using to make my quiet time amazing...not because I think you need to do it this, of course. Just as encouragement, sisters:)

First, though I know Dave says, "Get up early in the morning and wait on the Lord," and I mean no disrespect whatsoever in this comment...with a house full of little people, there's a limit to how *early* I'm willing to get up:) I do spend a few minutes in prayer and try to listen to the radio as I'm getting the kitchen squared away for the day, but I save my real study time for a time of day when I will have the best chance of success. This last week, it was after I dropped off the kids at VBS. This coming week, it will probably be late mornings. When school starts, it will be during the kids mandatory reading time.

Second, I've been on this kick of wanting to understand Biblical principles better. Things like "holiness," "purity," "righteousness." A great way to view every reference the Bible makes on topics like these is to go to Bible Gateway and search. Be sure to choose the version of the Bible you most often use for your personal study. What I find is that reading through one search generally leads to another and another. I keep a note pad handy to jot down any particular scripture that stands out to me.

Third, I really like to listen to quiet praise music while I'm studying. If it's distracting to you, skip this. A great way to listen to praise music is to create a playlist on a free music site like this one. I choose 6-8 songs that repeat over and over and I try to stick to soothing, quieter songs. Right now, I'm on a Kari Jobe and Sherrie Youngward kick:)

Lastly, I've asked God for accountability in my study time. Thankfully, my husband is willing to check in with me through the week and ask me what I'm learning in the Word. He lets me ask the same of him. I could also ask another sister in the Lord to keep me accountable and pray for me. Knowing that someone is going to ask me what I've been studying has encouraged me to stay with it.

Sisters, what are ways God is encouraging you in your pursuit of Him, in your study of the Word?

~Jen

Linky Love

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

My kids and I have been memorizing this verse this week.  I must confess, I am the absolute WORST when it comes to scripture memorization!  My kids are amazing at it...in fact, they know all the books of the Bible and put me to shame when we race to find scripture.  Pretty sad, huh?  Anyway, the material we've been using suggests that we approach scripture memory in a variety of ways.  Day 1, we make up hand motions; day 2, we draw a picture; day 3, we write the verse three times...and so on. I'm finding that hand motions are my friend when it comes to scripture memory:)  If Pastor Dave ever teaches one of the verses I know motions to, I'm going to have to sit on my hands!

I think it's important that we find whatever way works best for us to learn the Word of God.  Maybe you learn best by listening to podcasts.  Maybe curling up in an easy chair with your Bible works for you.  Maybe you need to take notes while you're studying.  Maybe (like me!) you need hand motions to really, really "get it." 

Or maybe you don't know what works best for you.  Maybe...and it's okay if this is true for you...maybe you aren't really studying the Word right now.  Maybe you want to, but you aren't sure how to get started.  Or maybe you've started in the past, but haven't found a way that works for you consistently.  If any of this is ringing a bell, if the Holy Spirit is giving you a nudge right now, I want to encourage you!  You can be a student of the Word of God.  In fact, God made you unique and beautiful and knows exactly how to teach you.

Below is a list I like to call "Linky Love."  These are links to websites and web tools that I know to be helpful in our pursuit to know God's Word and apply it to our lives.  It isn't an exhaustive list, so please, if you are aware of other helpful sites--let me know!  Not only do I want to share them here, but they would be personally encouraging to me as well.

Remember, these are all helpful tools, but the most important pieces in growing in our study and understanding of God's Word are a humble heart and teachable spirit.  May the Lord bless you as you grow in the knowledge of His grace...

Jen

Bible Gateway:  http://www.biblegateway.com/
Study Light:  http://www.studylight.org/
Blue Letter Bible:  http://www.blueletterbible.org/
Amazing Bible:  http://www.amazingbible.org/
Bible Study Tools:  http://www.biblestudytools.
The Active Word (Bob Coy):  http://www.activeword.org/
Thru The Word with J. Vernon McGee:  http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104119/k.949F/Welcome_to_Thru_the_Bible_RadioThe_Bible_Study_Program_Taught_by_Dr_J_Vernon_McGee.htm
The Word for Today (Chuck Smith):  http://www.twft.com/
Moody Bible Institue Radio:  http://www.moodyradio.org/

Anybody Out There??

Hello?  Yoo-hoo?  Anybody still reading?

Well, of course not, seeing as I haven't really posted anything new since, oh say FEBRUARY!  That's some hiatus, huh?

It wasn't intentional, but sometimes lengthy breaks are good.  Quiet is good for revival and that's just exactly what's going on here at "We Gather Together."  I'm really excited about the direction of this little space.  In addition to telling our "God stories," we're now going to be offering posts that emphasize more teaching.  Right now, it will just be me sharing whatever I'm studying and how the Lord is speaking to my heart through the Word.  As we travel on, I'm hoping more and more of our sisters in the Lord will offer their own reflections on the Word and how God is teaching each of them.  If you like to write, if you feel led to share what you are learning in the Word...this is an open invitation to share!  I'm not looking for great spelling and grammar and perfect prose...just hearts open to the Lord and solid Biblical truth we can share with one another.

So, ready, set, off we go on the adventure!  I'm looking forward to our journeys together!

Jen