S.O.S. ~ so many GOOD choices

It's been quite some time since I have shared any

S.O.S.

{it's had different meanings}

but most often and lately

it has stood for

Study On SONday

(especially if it's posted Sun. around 6 p.m. like this)

however originally
SOS

was thought to stand for "help" as in "Save Our Ship" even "Save Our Souls" as a distress signal yet those were after thoughts (known as backronyms) yet on this blog, it stood for
SOAKING ON SONDAY
with a song, scripture, scene and later added sermon and studies
but I have digressed from the reason I've not been sharing any
SOS
it's not because I am not doing any
STUDY nor that I don't have a song, scripture, scene or something that I'm soaking in/on
it's because I have too many and have gone in  too many directions  yet somehow God is weaving them together  or else I'd be sending out a real S.O.S. for HELP from you and God as I'm still being "REDEEMED" (yes, that is the last study I began sharing  but have not kept up with that here)
Here are the sessions:

Click here for Session 1. Click here for Session 2. Click here for Session 3. Click here for Session 4. Click here for Session 5. Click here for Session 6.

but I now have a worse dilemma:  I have two or maybe more that I have signed up for this summer starting soon (I think) in June and  perhaps you remember that I paused midstream in
"You Are Free" by Rebekah Lyons
(hoping I'd be able to get back to it and finish it)
so that I could start
"REDEEMED" by Angela Thomas-Pharr
mostly because I can't choose
when I read about the Online Bible Study
I'm sure it's the ONE that God is leading me to do until ...
I read the next one that comes along 
after I already signed up
but
 one of these is one that I purchased quite some time ago
and decided that I couldn't do it because as I opened to the beginning, I felt that I needed the DVDs to go with the study to really be able to do it and now I'll have that opportunity so I don't want to miss out and because it's Lifeway's Beth Moore's:

ENTRUSTED

A Study of 2nd Timothy

(which contains my life verse)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (NKJV) 2 Timothy 1:7 You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. (TheVoice)

They ALL are so good and I'm thankful that they are being offered online  but not all at once ... yet truthfully, I don't think I've ever seen  a Bible Study that isn't good, just some speak to us more clearly  in the current season of our life journey and where we're at ...
so I guess this is an indication that I need this other one too
the other choice over at
Faith Gateway OBS
is an excellent one from another excellent author
Anne Graham Lotz

WE ALL NEED 
PRAYER
and
the wisdom offered through the book of Daniel, his prayer and
Anne Graham Lotz who was Chair of the National Day of Prayer (if you missed hearing her, I recommend strongly you check this out)

[the National Prayer] plus over at You Version, I'm working through  CHANGE and now HOLY EMOTIONS ...  and I have more saved to read
all of these helping me with HEALING
which one is for you? which one do you think is for me?

Pray that I can receive from God what He believes is meant to guide me
<><><>
And I can't believe that there is actually ANOTHER study that I must share ...(that's besides Margaret Feinberg's (Philippians) and Bonnie Gray's book club (Whispers of Rest) and probably others too) ... by another outstanding author with the OBS ministry of Proverbs 31: Jennifer Rothschild's "Me, Myself and Lies" ...  boy, oh, boy ... like I wrote above: too many really good and needed studies this summer and very difficult to choose between them for me. God's working overtime to offer so many ways to HEAL ... that's what these studies offer besides the actual study and content - ways to heal and grow beyond where you are with a better understanding of God's Truth. I'm pretty sure that "Entrusted" will take most of my 'extra' time, but I hope to follow along with the others as able.

{beginning to think I really need Bonnie's on "...Rest..." after all this, so I ordered it}

PSALMS as a PERFECT GIFT!

Earth Psalms
This isn't a book review
it's just a very strong gift recommendation
for you or someone you love
maybe for this
Mother's Day
or
any special day or just a day that you'll make special for them
or
yourself

I just happened upon it at our nearby public library and I wish I could keep it checked out to read one each week of the year (because there are 52 beautiful devotions and reflections!!!) You can check out some at Francine Rivers website!

[image credit: Francine Rivers]

every one is this awesome
pointing us to our
Creator
I'd love to be "gifting" this book to each of us!
For now, I'll be content with my library version before it's due (in two weeks???-not use to this again yet)
{Very impressed that someone requested or chose this along with some other really great choices although I am far from short on books to read, I couldn't pass this one up!}

Each devotional is personalized lessons in nature

starting with a scripture verse, 

followed by "Reflect, Apply, Connect (prayer)" sections

ending with a Psalm however what makes it unique are the exquisite photographs throughout the 208 pages plus often a part of a hymn or song
You have to have the hardbound copy to hold because the Kindle version  just does not do justice to the images
Of course, the real Artist is God and His handiwork in nature!

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they (we) can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So (we) they have no excuse for not knowing God."Intro

lines up perfectly with the online study of reading Psalms with the book
"Redeemed ..."
by
Angela Thomas-Pharr
<><><>
"... God speaks through nature" (the rest of the title of "Earth Psalms: reflections on how ...)
this is clearly shown in this book and words


You do realize another selling or buying point for me in any devotional are the prayers here is a sample of one that goes with her #16 devotion  of my life verse 2 Timothy 1:7

"Dear God, so often I feel like a turtle, retreating into my shell because it's safe. But making safety my first priority won't lead to growth. I don't want to miss the opportunities around me because I'm too afraid to take a risk. You have given me a spirit of courage. Please help me to trust You, to trust Your love for me and Your good plans for my life. Help me to move forward in courage."

WOW

the day has finally arrived when I have no
WOW
not because
I've stopped
Walking
not because
I'm not
Worshiping
not even because
I haven't heard any wonderful
Whispers
because
I have and I most definitely am
On
this
Wednesday
and every day
because
"Worship is Life"
God is so worthy of us living lives of worship!
in wonder and in awe

... LIVING IN AWE OF GOD...

this precious family was certainly out for a 
WALK

and then a
SWIM
but it was my 4 furry family members
that caused them to take a dive into cold waters
However
before I leave this
Weds.
let me share this playlist from one of my
"Calming..."
You Version reading plan
from

"Labyrinth by David Baloche"

WeAreWorship TV

which fits with my theme for today

"Worship is Life"

(see not at the end)
<><><>


"Worship is Life" (actually is a book written) by Pastor Todd Marshall (which I was fortunate to hear speak this past Fri. at our AG EQUIP Conference, Fri. & Sat.). Pastor Todd and his wife Brenda were my choir directors and youth leaders at my RLC (home church -which has now changed to another one closer to home, yet I still consider RLC my church). Please check out their website, ministry and book!

"REDEEMED... " Starts Today

April 20th through June 1st, 2017

(videos every Thursday at LifeWay)

(from the author of this)  AngelaThomas Pharr "Hey everybody!! I’m so excited to begin REDEEMED with you this coming Thursday, April 20th. If you don’t already have your member book, I hope you can get your hands on one soon. Check your local LifeWay store, LifeWay online or my website to get your member book. On Thursday, you’ll receive the link to Video 1. It’s my version of an introductory video to set up the content and style of the study, then we’ll begin the first day of the workbook on Friday. I’m gonna try my very best to interact with you everyday. I’m not sure I can respond to all your comments or questions, but I’ll do what I can that day! While we’ll be doing this study together, our daughter is expecting our first grandchild, one child will graduate college and three others will finish their spring semester (Read: Will need their mama to help them move home and then help them pack and get to their summer commitments). Just like you, we’ve got a lot going on! And with children, the month of May just seems to cave in on top of you. All the more reason to take a little time with our Redeemer everyday! Please don’t worry about getting behind, or not staying right with all of us. I’ll try to post my comments with a clear reference to the day of the study I’m referring to. LifeWay has tried to make this area easy for you to use, so that you can comment to one another, interact and encourage one another, etc. I’ll post my daily comments here and also on all of my social media outlets. This is my first-time hosting one of my studies online, so I’m excited to walk these next six weeks with you. Please know I’m praying for you. My husband, Scott, is praying for you. My friends who pray for me are praying for you! This is gonna be fun, but more than anything, I’m praying for God’s power as you spend time in His Word and in His presence. The Redeemer keeps redeeming our lives until we see Him face to face. May we all keep being redeemed. I love you so. Angela {taken from the comments of the sign-up post and also her blog}

I'm not sure how this all will work yet

even though I hold the book in my hands
but the first place 
I believe I need to begin 
(besides reading the Intro and viewing the first video)
is by defining

REDEEMED

1. compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something). "a disappointing debate redeemed only by an outstanding speech" synonyms: save, compensate for the defects of, vindicate  2. gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.

(but Day 1, gets into this in her book)

And in case, you're not able or convinced yet  that this is a Bible Study you need and have not signed up
Please look at the rest of the title ... (or even the book description)
GRACE TO LIVE EVERY DAY BETTER THAN BEFORE

"The moment you accept Jesus as the Lord over your life, you are redeemed.  As the redeemed, we experience a lifelong journey  of being transformed into His image ..."


[image credit]

looking forward to the practical side of
REDEMPTION
<>
After the beautiful two page introduction, Angela begins her book with "Preparing for 40 Days"  - "I CAN'T" ... first let me go back a bit into her Intro ... the words that leaped off the page to this soul thirsting for change and a beautiful, grace-filled walk with Jesus - inspite of the disastrous day-by-day struggles, I want to live a life that's being "redeemed" and changed (her words) "to connect your very real, everyday life with the very, real presence and power of God". Angela continues: 
"Here's all I know: When those two things intersect, lives are going to change. Healing will happen. Prayers will be answered. You will know God even more intimately as Your Redeemer."
See the words that are meant for me or stood out! I know you do!
"HEALING WILL HAPPEN"
yes and that's what I pray for me, for you then I read the page with I CAN'T {in red, nonetheless} and the words on that page resonated over and over and the last words on that page
"...Too many years have been wasted spinning in circles, going nowhere." (p.7)
"How would you fill in this blank?" (top of p.8)
"I've given up trying____________________"

Romans 7:15, 18b-19
Romans 7: 24
and on and on
each word sinking deeper
striking nerves
thoughts
right down to the marrow of my bones
in my head, in my heart
page 8 - page 9
"Who will deliver me from my pain?"
"my regret, my habits, my choices, my secrets, my sin?"
"Who will deliver us from ourselves?"
of course, most of us, know the answer
but do we really?
all the other questions and words from Angela are just as
POWERFUL
Romans 7:25
followed by
... We have a Redeemer! And we shall be 
Redeemed!
 page 10
is just as powerful, reading Romans 7:15 to the end and Romans 8:1
page 11
GOD CAN
this I believe and really need to see
especially because I already knew
"I Can't"
but
"HE CAN"
or
this is not all
there is still so much more
like page 14
"When MY GREAT NEED accepts GOD'S GREAT LOVE, REDEMPTION BEGINS
I CAN'T, HE CAN" Angela Thomas-Pharr   (need an image for this one)
WEEK 1: WHEN LOVE MAKES A PROMISE
{yep, this one is a study meant for me}
video link
sample of book
and also
You Version has a 5 day reading plan of
"Redeemed"

{not to be confused with LGG's "Broken and Redeemed", which just finished}

No WOW ~ just a reminder

'US' (above) is LIFEWAY WOMEN
but I've signed up so why don't you?
starts tomorrow

but
in case you did not know

[image credit: CrossCards]

I'd love to be off for a bike ride

instead

of

my normal

Walk On Weds.

listening for

His Whisper

... but for many reasons, I'm not ... no bike (since I've moved home-not a priority and what I had is either gone, rusted or junked; my knees don't work like they used to and the weather is not cooperating right now, kinda dreary and weary) ... occasionally I do use that indoor kind, called an exercise bike, just to keep my knees functioning somewhat better than they do

and

my balance

has been off since last year

which was the reason

I found out inadvertently that I have

hearing loss

so

I'm still adjusting to this.

For this reason

I am leaning in even more

to hear

HIS WHISPERS

much more needed than the loud sounds that invade

my space and place

I choose to fill my head

with

Gods' Words

... my 'ice pick' headaches on my left side of my head have subsided since I went on an audio break and restarted adjusting to my hearing aides and had an MRI ... the headaches are not officially an ice pick headache because of their location but that is the best description for the ones I had, I still have some dizzy stuff when I roll to my left, and due to some problem with my right ear, which is my worst one, of my Eustachian tube not functioning (known as dysfunctional Eustachian tube) - opening and feels like you do on an airplane but it does not pop and stay open, just momentarily, with all the 'tricks' - from gum chewing to nasal spray to holding breath ... this is when more than ever, one relies on the inner person hearing and God's whispers, His Spirit alive in me, is all the more important, as I isolate more and more (of course, which isn't good or recommended) - it is what it is BUT GOD - yes, He is here and hears, I rely on this and His Whispers (wherever they come from) ... 

HAPPY BIKE DAY!

or

HAPPY WEDS! 

WOW

guess I'll try some

Worship On Weds.

with

Kari Jobe's "The Garden"

and

some others and others

Such a joy to see the birds and buds coming out

{just not the insects, like wood or deer ticks}

This was late today, but then you know that it's just been written and is new

A BLESSED RESURRECTION SONDAY!

[images credit: KTIS]

KTIS is my long-time Christian radio station in MN. I love my KTIS!
"Easter: A Preview of what is to come"


My personal preference is no longer to use the word "easter" since I have learned the origin of that word is pagan and I prefer to refer to this wonderful celebration of Jesus Christ as my title reads: RESURRECTION SONday (Sunday) because it is all about the Son of God and Man, who was resurrected on this day by His Father. And I truly believe what all these images proclaim. I'm so thankful that I'm REDEEMED by Jesus Christ!