Discussion Questions:
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times?
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
Your Homework for this Week: Read Chapter 6, Facing the Giants.
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1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small. I’ve not always relied on Him when I should, but I’m learning now that I don’t need to be alone, He is always with me and I can turn to Him when I feel lost and sad or even when I’m happy.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like. Not recently, but in the past I think I’ve been on my own mountain. During our first deployment, I was new to the area, pregnant and far from home. It was hard to think about not being alone when I didn’t know anyone and hadn’t learned my way around. There were a few times when I thought about running home to find the safety of friends and family, but I stayed, made friends, kept busy and learned to come off that mountain.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times? I have found myself in the cave of emptiness and apathy. I think that I’ve possibly been in all of them at one time or another, but recently those are the ones that I’ve found myself in.
I’ll finish the rest of my answers later when I’ve had some more time to meditate on them.
Katie
Katie, I love that you stayed and made a life for yourself instead of running home. I know it must have been difficult, but I know you are better because of it.
Natasha
1. There are many moments when my flesh wants to argue with our deployment situation, and it feels so wrong to be apart from my other half. It is easy to try to question God and be negative about this situation, but I have learned to not dwell on these feelings and embrace the fact that this is exactly where God has us right now. And in fact, I am to be thankful. As a side note, I have not beecounting the days, and I think this is SO much better because I am not focusing on the time. I am not going to count down the months and days this time because it makes time go so much faster! I recommend not counting if you struggle with dwelling on time being a giant.
2. I love this chapter. So applicable at all times of life! I have been teetering in the cave of apathy I think, because sometimes it is easier to not care about him being gone than to be sad. With the fourth of July, and all other special days, I have sort of learned to not care. birthdays, holidays, anniversary… I turn off my excitment because it is better than being sad. Same thing with missing my hubby so bad- I would rather just not really think about it than feel sad about it all. I try to have a healthy balance of enjoying special days by myself and not getting all worked up and emotional. In order to protect myself I head into the cave of apathy. Thankfully I have not fully crossed into yet, and I do not plan on doing so.
9. I try to read the Bible every single day and have quiet time in the morning. It is extremely difficult while I am visiting family right now. An awesome tip I have for others is to do “Blanket Time” with your kids so you can have your own time in the Word and they learn discipline. Simply lay out a blanket and a few quiet toys and make two rules: no talking, and no getting up! At first it may take some fir discipiline with the children, but they catch on very quickly and end up enjoying the time to themselves! It even works for my strong-willed three year old!
Kelly
I love your blanket time! Great idea.
Natasha
I completely agree with your answer to #2, I often find myself not getting excited because then I’ll be sad that Ben’s not here for something. While we were married before he deployed, we are planning a wedding when he returns, and some days I find myself not fully engaging in the planning because it just reminds me he’s not here to share it with me. Nevermind the fact he is probably more than happy to be missing a lot of these wedding discussions
Michelle
I had never thought about counting down the time as being a negative thing, but I think you are so right! I end up dwelling so much on the weeks, days, minutes….I am going to try to not do this. Thanks so much for sharing!
Katie D.
I don’t plan to count down the days either. It does seem to drag out the time.
I also like your idea of blanket time. My youngest is 14 so won’t be applying it in my own household, but as I support other military Families, plan to share the idea.
Deborrah
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small. That he is always with me. Even on my worse days…he is walking beside me.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like. This chapter is so true!! I have had those days where I wanted to run for that mountain, and I do. The phone rings and I just don’t answer it and when I finally take the call, I just make up some excuse for not answering it. Just wanted to have that alone time. But I do thank God that I have two sisters, which are stubborn and will not give up. Better to answer the phone or they will be here on my front door step…:) Even if they both live miles away.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up. I guess I would have to go back to a couple weeks ago when my husband did not make rank. Just seems like we are wasting our time, but then I realized that this is not a waste of time and things will only happen in God’s time not ours.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times? I would say the cave of apathy…seems like sometimes it is easier to just say that nothing matters that to face the hurt and sadness. But I have found that during these times, I do turn to God and seek his wisdom to move past these feelings.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking? That God gave me the best parents in the world. I always made sure they knew how much I loved them and they always made sure I knew how much they loved me. But I always thought that they would be here forever, that we would have so much time together. Times that I should have taken off work and went back home to visit them, but I always thought I will next month or next year. Now that they have both passed on, I realize that there is no more time. There are missed opportunities there that I can’t get back.
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you? It says to me that as long as we focus our thoughts on only things that are right and good, God who gives this peace will be with us always. The two that I seem to go back to all the time are Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and Psalms 86:7 When I am in trouble; I call out to you because you answer me.
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do? To be still and know that he is God. Nothing more nothing less, this goes through my mind every day.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week? I am not sure that he is whispering, but I do have a since of peace in my heart. So I know that is from him and him alone.
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group? I read before I start my work day, at least a few scriptures. Just to be in his word before I start, in order to be able to handle whatever comes my way. Just to be still and know that he is God.
Cindy
Cindy, appreciate your honesty about missed opportunities.
Natasha
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
Although I am not going through a deployment right now, I feel that God is truly preparing my heart for one. I am learning so much: don’t lose heart, God has a plan, and although not everyone will understand, I am NOT alone.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
With any season of life, I think we do find ourselves on a Mountain for One. I think it is only natural for us to want to escape and even do so a little. It may be even a little “healthy” to do so with the right perspective. However, we must not stay there too long.
1Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”
If we stay on our Mountain of One and in our Cave too long not seeking a way out, the devil will devour us. Although we need some down time, too much is a bad thing. I’m finding more and more we need to find balance in our lives.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
This is totally not military related, may even seem a little petty, but…each year our church holds a block party. We have food, games, prizes, inflatables, music, and a cake walk. This actual event drew my family to the church a few years earlier. Each year the “help” gets smaller and smaller. Last year, I did almost all the work. It was very frustrating. I was just a committee member and took care of most of the planning. Even some people didn’t want to get the big tent for our meal because of the cost (those same people sure enjoyed that tent though!). At the end of the months of planning and the actual event, I told my pastor I wanted off the committee, that it wasn’t my job to do it all, and I didn’t even get to enjoy the event with my family because I was too busy working it. God got me then. It wasn’t about me, but I made it that way. The whole event is about Him and I forgot that during my pity party. I later apologized to my pastor for my attitude and told him I would love to continue to be a part of the event.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times?
I think I retreat to the CAVE of Self Pity. It is mental though. I don’t normally talk about it. I gripe to myself. I don’t share my heartaches too often. I usually just quit keeping up with my responsibilities for a few days until I get over myself.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
I think I missed out on things due to fear. My middle school music teacher encouraged my to be in the high school color guard, but I didn’t feel like I was good enough. I even backed out of living in the dorms in college due to fear, of what, I don’t know. I just chickened out. When you lack self esteem fear grips you and you miss out on what God can offer you. Those things could have built my confidence and provided great experiences.
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
When I read Philippians 4:8, I am reminded that whatever we set our thoughts upon is what we become. We can make excuses for ourselves about many things to make us “not look so bad.” When we do, that becomes our lifestyle. One thing I am seeing now is that some women that I care about are convincing themselves they need a break from their husbands and children, so for them it is ok to go out to clubs just to get away. I think that is asking for trouble. I don’t see anything wrong with some moms taking time to go to dinner to hang out to talk, but going out drinking to places where others are there to hook up, not so good. We have to be very careful of becoming worn out. We shouldn’t view our families, our lives, or the season we are in as a burden, when we do, that is asking Satan to come on in and take over.
I love Psalm 118:24: This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. It reminds me that each day is a gift. We are not promised tomorrow, so we should make the most of today.
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
I think God is telling me to be in his presence. So many times I find myself slipping away from Him because I have made my life so busy and so unorganized. I need to focus on Him.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
I think he is whispering, “Balance. Me first, then family. I’m with you.”
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips can you share with other women in the group?
Unfortunately, just sitting down reading the Bible, doesn’t always happen. Like many, I make excuses on why I don’t: busy with responsibilities, tired, you name it, I probably said it. However, I love a group study. For me, at this time in my life, it works for me. I have a group who is holding me accountable, I can discuss and get other perspectives, yet still hold to what God is telling me.
Natasha
Natasha,
I couldn’t agree with you more on mental cave of self-pity. I, too keep it to myself and don’t share my heartaches with others. Praying that both of us will learn to share with others!!
jennifer
1. One thing that God has taught me recently is to find time during this deployment to focus on growing my relationship with God and to find time to focus on what I can do to be a better wife when Ben gets home. There are things about myself that I know I need to work on (even if it’s sometimes hard to admit) and God has really been speaking to me that this time alone is the perfect chance!!
2. I really liked this chapter, because I am definitely someone to put on a front and then retreat into my house. I’ll come home after a bad day of work and a long day of missing Ben, and I’ll curl up on the couch, not answer my phone, decline invites to hang out and just feel sorry for myself. I often don’t complain to other people, but I dwell on the deployment internally. This chapter was a reminder that life goes on and that I need to refocus myself and find something to do when I find myself drifting up the mountain.
4. I tend to go between apathy and self-pity. Some days I try to not even think about it and not get excited about things because I don’t want the disappointment of the moment when I realize just how much I wish Ben were here to share it with me. Then other days, I find myself wanting to just feel sorry for myself all day.
6. This verse always reminds me of the old saying “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. Whenever our thoughts turn negative, we need to refocus and repurpose our thoughts to someting positive or “Nice”. Letting our thoughts wander to the negative is never good for us, but is also never good on those around us. Unfortunately our thoughts lead to actions and reflect what is on the inside, so we always need to work on what’s inside, so that God’s love is reflected outward. For me, the one thing that this verse always reminds me of is gossip. For us women, I feel like it is so easy to do, and gossip often generates from our thoughts and opinions that we hold in our own head.
7. God is telling me to step up and use this time to grow in Him and to let Him prepare my heart to be the husband that Ben needs while deployed and for when he returns.
8. God has been whispering encouragement to me this week through other people. A hug from a friend, a phone call just to check in. Just the little things that let me know he’s putting people in my life to help pull me through this. Also, at night my thoughts have been drawing to situations that I need to work on about myself, which I feel is him whispering to me, during the quiet moment of my day.
Michelle
I agree with your comment about gossip. What a dirty word! But such an easy trap to fall into!
Natasha
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
I can’t believe we are almost through this study. I have really enjoyed they study itself and the discussion. I have learned that no matter what, I am not alone. There are others that know what I am going through and can relate and I know that the Lord is with me ALWAYS!
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
I so related to this chapter this week! I have definitely spent more than my fair share of time on the Mountain for One recently. During my time on the mountain, I feel so withdrawn from part of my life. Even though I was keeping myself busy my heart wasn’t in it and I just felt like I was going through the motions.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
There have been a few times in my life that I’ve wanted to give up. Giving up and withdrawing are appealing during though times because it offers an escape from daunting circumstances and makes me feel as though if I don’t think about it, all will be okay and everything will go back to the way it was or should be – the way that will make me the happiest. In the end, withdrawing is all about me.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times?
I think each cave describes me during times of retreat. I think I bounce from cave to cave blaming everyone & everything to make myself feel better or I use each cave to hide in and not deal with whatever the issue at hand may be.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
I know the Lord has done so many things in my life and blessed me in so many ways. When I actually take the time to think about the blessings he has given me, I am always humbled and overwhelmed. I can only imagine what blessings I missed while I was living my life, my way, and trying to walk as far away from Him as possible. I am so thankful that He has always loved me and has always been there for me.
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
This verse helps to remind me to focus on the positives in life and not dwell on the negative things. One of my favorite verses when I’m feeling overwhelmed or bogged down is Jeremiah 29:11 – it helps to remind me that the Lord is in control of my future and life; including all the big things as well as all the little things.
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
I think God is telling me to rest and take care of myself but not to wallow in self-pity.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
The Lord has used His word, others around me, and my circumstance to whisper to me to look outside and enjoy His creation and know that He is in control and to stop thinking and worrying about the what if’s…
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
Oh, how I wish I could say that reading my Bible is a daily priority!! I want it to be, but I let life get in the way. When I’m working over the school year, I have to make a point of getting up early and having my quite time before I get started with my day; some days I do better than others. My days are always so much better when I have my morning quiet time. Over the summer, now that my daughter is a tween, I try to make a point of having my quiet time while she is awake. I encourage her to have her quiet time while I’m having mine. I want her to come to understand that I have quiet time because I want to and because I love spending that time with the Lord. I don’t want her to think of quiet time as being a chore or homework for church!
jennifer
Jennifer- I love that you are using your quiet time to also encourage your daughter to have hers. It’s so important to set an example, especially to give the impression its something you should want to do, not something you “have to do”. thanks for sharing!
Michelle
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small. At the end of each day he is reminding me “See I told you I would strengthen you to get through this day.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times? I find myelf sometimes in the cave of chaos although I guess until now I didn’t see it as me retreating there I just thought that was how it was going to be Baby crying forgetting things running around like crazy, ofcourse I know I can prevent the mood swings I would probably say I find myself most often in the cave of emptiness, Especially when my husband doesn’t call or when he does it doesn’t say much or is emails are one sentence in reality I know the reall reasons for this but sometimes I do retreat in to the cave of emptiness and think he doesn’t love me as much as I love him. Family and friends would probably guess I retreat into the cave of apathy b/c in front of people I put up a strong don’t care front. But when I am alone I am very emotional about the Deployment and everything that comes with it.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you? This is one OFmy favorite versus now and as we were preparing for deployment. Focus on what is true!! Right now. Don’t worry about what might happen
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do? lean on him
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
I have my quiet time at night after the baby is in bed.
Krystal
I sometimes feel the same way, that maybe my husband doesn’t love me as much as I love him. It is hard to stay strong when you are not getting the affirmation that you normally would if he was actually there with you. But I have to remind myself of all the things he has said and done that make me know he loves me so much. Thanks for sharing this. It’s nice knowing I’m not the only one.
Katie D.
1. The end of this study lines up exactly with my husband heading to Iraq. We have two weeks left before he leaves so I am clinging to every word of this study to prepare my heart and get right my relationship with Christ before he leaves. This week I was reminded to try to stay positive. No matter what is going on in my day and no matter how rotten things may seem, there is always something to praise God about.
2.With this deployment so so close the mountain of one is what I fear most. I hate to be alone and I know that I will struggle with that, but I am reminded that God has put people in my life to be there for me when I need them. I just need to ask for help.
4. The caves I most often retreat are the cave of chaos and the cave of self-pity. I do where my feelings and emotions on my sleeve and unfortunately anyone around me either knows how I am doing just by looking at me. When I get overwhelmed I just feel very sorry for myself and focus on negative things only.
5. I miss the small blessings that he brings me everyday because I am always focusing on the big things that seem to all be going wrong.
7. God has recently blessed me with some great neighbors that I know are going to be a huge help during deployment. I do think that God is asking me to not try to get through this deployment on my own, he wants me to ask for help.
Johanna
Praying for you over these next couple weeks as you get ready. God will be with you every moment. Psalm 37 is a great one to read.
Katie D.
Thank you.
Johanna
Johanna, I can so relate to your comment about knowing that God places people in our lives, but that we then are the ones who have to reach out. I don’t consider asking for help a sigb if weakness, but my independent nature tends to keep me from reaching out, even though I know folks are there and more than willing to help out. Praying that you will find yourself reaching out without being aware so that your brothers and sisters in Christ can carryout his will in your life during this deployment.
Deborrah
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
To lean on him to get through the big and small obstacles.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
I have definitely already been on the Mountain for one and we are only about 2 months into our 3rd deployment. I realize I need to come off the mountain and do things differently but I also know I’m only human and will probably end up back on the mountain of one.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times?
chaos and self-pity
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
Isaiah 40:31
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
To be strong but to always know that I can lean on him. To reach out to other women going through tough times.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
That he will be walking beside me during the journey of deployment.
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
I try and read my bible before my feet even hit the floor in the morning. It makes such a difference to start off my day in the word and with God.
Melissa
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
God has answered many, many of questions that I have had in the past. It is a blessing to finally have that burden lifted that I could have been better or done it better. I has been a relief to know that I am not by myself in these feelings.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
This chapter seems to describe the last 6-7 years of my life. My continuous pity party and it has been so comfortable to continue to live that way. I am so depressed and that in itself is a battle. My husband is home and we have been a family for 2 years now, but the depression continues as I have children with special needs and dietary concerns and my husband didn’t understand and I had the burden of educating him once he was back. It is still a difficult journey to get everyone on track and make myself grow as a Christian too.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up. In all honesty, I can be having a good day and then all of the sudden everything goes wrong at the same time. I instantly want to give up. I am so drain that I have no reserve left to help me through.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times? I have all of them, but the one that I retreat to the most is the second one. I do not have the book in front of me.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking? I honestly don’t know how to answer that question.
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
Not to give up and to keep moving forward
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week? To stay focused and be persistant.
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
I have not been able to make reading my bible a priority as each day brings me new challenges, however, being in this bible study has allowed me to delve into my bible more than ever before.
Jamie
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small. My husband is not actually deployed right now, but he is away on a month-long training and we do not get to have any communication. I am staying with my parents for the month, and God is teaching me that they are the ones I need to be serving right now. I can spend all my time wallowing in misery over missing my husband or I can be joyful that I get to spend time with my mom and dad. I can pour myself into their lives and encourage them because they do need it, especially my dad.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like. This chapter spoke to me the most of any chapter because I think this is what I struggle with the most. I need people so much and have a VERY difficult time when I feel disconnected, so I have not really ever purposefully distanced myself from people, BUT in my heart I often feel very alone and being alone is terrifying to me. Through my dating/engagement to my husband I felt like I was the only one who knew what it felt like to never get to be with the one you love, to be worried that he could be hurt, etc.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up. There was a period of about 4 months right after my husband proposed to me that we were not able to communicate at all. He was going through some pretty awful training, and I was terrified for him. I also had a lot of pain over the circumstances that were going to surround our wedding. I sank into depression and struggled with an eating disorder. I felt like I would never be good enough and that things would never be ok. I definitely wanted to just give up. All the pain began to make me numb.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times? Definitely the Cave of Self-Pity. I struggle with looking at the lives of those around me and dwelling on how it’s not fair that they get to have their husbands with them all the time. They are settled and I have no idea where we will go next. Fighting against self-pity is a constant battle for me.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking? Probably a lot more than I realize. One thing He did for us was give my husband and me a small group at our church full of military people to teach us and encourage us. Everyone is moving on now and I am really going to miss it, but I know God will give us new friends wherever we go next. At the time I did not realize how wonderful it was, but looking back I can see what a huge blessing it was.
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you? Without a doubt my biggest struggle is with my though life. My thoughts are what cause me to feel alone and sorry for myself. They are what cause me to fear and worry. If I were to discipline my mind to only think about things that are pure and noble and so on, that this verse describes then I would be a much more content and calm person. Another verse that has been really encouraging to me is Psalm 37:3-6. It’s a little too long to type out here, but you should all look it up. It is soooooo good.
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do? My husband and I will find out where the army is sending us in about a month. We have a particular place where we want to go, but God is telling me that I need to be brave and content no matter where we end up going. Wherever we go I need to jump into things with enthusiasm and find people to serve and love.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week? This past week I was at the beach with my family. I don’t know how many of you have been to the Oregon Coast, but it is cold and stormy. I love it. God used the rain and crashing waves to remind me of His power. Drawing me out into His creation is the way that God encourages me the most.
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group? I typically read my Bible right after my husband leaves in the morning. I read the Bible from cover to cover, a couple chapters at a time, and then just start over when I’m done. This has really helped me to be disciplined. I always know where I’m at so there is no opportunity for me to not read because I don’t know where to start. And it is amazing what God can reveal to you even in those “boring” Old Testament books. I have discovered that every part of the Bible has something wonderful in it.
Katie D.
Psalm 37 is one of Charles Stanley’s favorite chapters in the Bible. (yes, I LOVE Charles Stanley and his preachings) It is a great chapter of encouragement. I especially like v. 24 — “though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hands.”
Deborrah
1. We’re in our sixth week of this study – only 2 weeks left!! What has God taught you recently through the journey of deployment? It can be big or small.
I’m preparing for deployment (of which the date for departure has now been moved for the 3rd time — now two months sooner than the last time change). God is teaching me to “go with the flow” and know that HE is in control.
2. What did you think about this chapter this week? Have you found yourself on a Mountain for One recently? If you feel comfortable, share what that’s been like.
Sometimes I think we retreat to the Mountain for One because it seems safest (to us anyway). We put up barriers and choose not to “deal” with the issues at hand. What we don’t realize is that we are secluding ourselves and missing out on His journey that he has planned for us.
3. If you feel comfortable, share your response to the question on page 75 regarding a time when you wanted to give up.
4. To which CAVE do you most often retreat in hard times?
I retreat to the CAVE of emptiness — not because I feel unloved or unwanted, but because I don’t have to feel anything there. I can just exist for a while and make the motions to get through the day.
5. What has God already done in your life that you missed because you weren’t looking?
6. Read Philippians 4:8 and discuss your thoughts. What other verses has God used to encourage you?
2Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.”
7. Like Elijah, what action is God telling you to do?
Not to be afraid and run from the situation I find myself in (a deployment), and to count on him to provide all my needs and to never leave me.
8. How has God been whispering encouragement to you this week?
Trying to get the kids ready for college, my younger son ready for band camp and now that the date has moved forward, my husband ready for deployment, I seem to be so busy trying to manage it all and take care of the details that I’m not being still to hear HIS whispers.
9. How do you make reading your Bible a priority? When do you do this? What tips an you share with other women in the group?
This was so much easier when I didn’t work outside the home. I would spend an hour every morning as soon as I got up on the back porch sipping a glass of sweet ice tea deep in God’s word. Now that I work outside the home, I try to read scripture in the morning before I start my day. Some weeks I am more successful than others. Sometimes I work I listen to Joyce Meyers or Charles Stanley sermons on the computer while I work.
Deborrah