learning to live simply...

I promised y'all in my last post that I would talk about what I am learning in Bible study this semester.

Before I do though I must make a disclaimer:

 I was apprehensive about Bible study this year. I am new to this Bible study, while the majority of the other girls have been in it together for over a year. However both of my roommates are in it and invited me along this year. I am so glad I chose to go along because these past couple of months have been so wonderful and the girls in the group, along with the leaders are such powerful women of God. I am glad to have them as a part of my life.

OK, back to the post. This semester we are going through a book together chapter by chapter as a group. It is entitled "Becoming a Woman of Simplicity" by Cynthia Heald. Below is a picture of it. I recommend all college girls and working women to read this series.

This is just one of a series of books written by the author. All of the books in the series are focused toward women and how they can live out their lives in order to draw into a closer relationship with the Lord. "Becoming a Woman of Simplicity" aims at teaching women the power of living a life simply devoted to Christ. What a perfect read for super busy and stressed out college students. It seems as though each week, as our group tackles a different element of simplicity, it is though the author as well as the Lord is speaking directly to me. So far we have covered living simply with God, Christ's acceptance allows us to be free of the worries of the world, learning to not love the things of the world, remaining devoted to God through troubles, and learning to concentrate on really knowing God. All of these things, once learned lead us to live a more simple and less complicated life. Isn't this so cool? Although all of these principals are so simple and it seems like we should know them already, the truth is...we don't. That is why this semester it is one of my goals to truly live a more simple life. No I am not going to go off the grid or anything. But I have made a promise to myself that I am going to limit my exposure to the media world and focus more attention on getting school work done, and more importantly focusing on my "me time" with God. Who knew being a simple girl could be so rewarding, fun, and liberating? Like I said earlier, check this book (or any of the other books in the series) out today and dig deep into what God has in store for you as a woman of faith. One of my favorite quotes of the book so far is this:

      The world had never known a man like Jesus-absolutely good, unfailingly gracious, the visible expression of the invisible God. And what was the world's answer? A cross. As the cross was the world's answer to Christ, so the cross is the believer's answer tot he world. The world will sometimes mask its face and pretend friendship for the Christian. It will offer its pleasures, money, methods, and applause-but always at the price of compromise. The Christian's answer is the cross. (John Phillips)

Such powerful words but they ring so true. Can you tell that I am in love with this book?

One last side note pertaining to this before I leave. I am beginning to catch up on my Bible reading since I have set aside more solid "me time" with the Lord. I have now finished 2nd Corinthians and have started on Ezra. Ezra was such a humble servant and lived his life simply devoted to serving the Lord. How ironic that I would be reading about him as I am in the middle of this Bible Study. God is so good!

As a peek into my next blog post...

My college class this semester is putting on a relationship series. Each Sunday we are taught about a new dimension of how a good relationship built within Christ works. I have learned oh so much and my heart has been spoken to a bunch in the past couple of months. i cannot wait to share with you m thoughts and observations of my own relationship and of those around me.

Until next time, I pray that you are well and as always I hope that your journey is blessed!