a poem

though the rain fall
You are the sun
hidden but no less real
though the wind blow and
erase me and all memory of this
place-- You are my foundation
my home my legacy
though every feeling and fiber of my being shout
that hope is gone...
I will not
I cannot
be hopeless for You are here
ever real

A Prayer

Father I do not ask that you make me all I can be
I want more than that
I want to be all that you can make me
I want to be what I can only become by your power

Study notes for Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Ecclesiastes chapter 5
Stand in awe of God
A study in how we approach God

• verse 1 Be aware of your approach to God. This verse says "guard you steps"---lit. Keep your footing. What are our attitudes, intentions, and preconceptions as we draw near to God?
• Moses Exodus 3:5 and Joshua 5:15 what might removing the shoes imply?
• vs. 1b go near to listen i.e. with a humble, obedient heart .see proverbs 12:15
• not with the sacrifice of fools i.e. many worthless words. see proverbs 18:2
• vs. 2 do not be hasty hurried or anxious, approach God quietly, reverently. see proverbs 19:2 to be hasty is often to miss the way. see also prov. 29:20...
• vs. 3 a man in desperate situation may dream that he is safe elsewhere, and a fool in his ignorance may speak with more confidence and zeal than the situation merits. Difficulties bring troubled sleep and confused dreams just as foolishness brings many troubled and confused words.
• vs.4-5 do we make vows to God today...if so how? What are the spiritual consequences for failing to keep a vow? What about foolish vows we sometimes make in youth or ignorance?
• vs. 6 how might our mouths lead us into sin? Do we ever speak rash or angry words that cause us to do something we will regret?Do we ever speak hasty words and commit ourselves to more than God has given us the strength to accomplish?
• vs. 7 "... stand in awe of God. Amazement, and Wonder, at the Exceeding greatness of our God.
• amazement = stunned surprise
• wonder = silent admiration
• when was the last time you were stunned, surprised, and silent in the presence of God?

following is a link to a great web site for further studyhttp://studylight.org

see also http://preceptaustin.org

Our Greatest Fear

Our Greatest Fear by Marianne Williamson
from her book A Return to Love

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,but that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.Your playing small does not serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.It is not just in some; it is in everyone.And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our fear,our presence automatically liberates others.

StudyLight.org - Plug in, turn on and be enlightened!

StudyLight.org - Plug in, turn on and be enlightened!
here is a link to the great bible study web site I recommended
a few days ago.

Nerves and Common Sense

Nerves and Common Sense: Table of Contents
Here is a book you may find helpful
you can read any or all of it online
just click on the title above to
take a quick look at the table of contents and
I think you'll be interested
there are also several other books by the same writer
available on this site--click on Spiritual Freedom Library Catalog

Be blessed, Evan

study notes coming

I hope to be posting some of my personal study notes and outlines, beginning this week.

these will be from classes I've taught or am teaching at church.

I hope you find them helpful

Let God be God

let God be God.

what does that mean?

here is one possibility for today...

• Glorious
• Omnipotent
• Director of the universe

why not let him run things?

why not let him receive the glory?

why not let him direct your life?

Be blessed, Evan

wanted to mention a great site for bible study
studylight.org
this is really cool it has multiple versions
and many helps and resources
daily devotional thoughts
bible reading plans
discussion forums etc.

when you go ,try clicking on
the preferences button--upper right
on the home page,this will let you see
all the resources which are available

Be blessed, Evan

well its been a long day
sundays always are with young kids
but its been a great day
as sundays always are with young kids

life is what we make it folks
we're grown up people now
and we have to decide whether
we're going to live like the sons and daughters of God
or the sons and daughters of men

are we saved and set free
or are we unsure and uninspired
have we read Romans 1-8 till we've
worn the words off the page
have we read Galatians till we know
that it's all about grace and
nothing about our effort

always remember:
God's grace is greater than my weakness
God's spirit is stronger than my sin
and God's love is better than life

Be blessed, Evan