Tag: bible

Posted in 2025, life, Religion

Learning the Bible

Posted on by nancyb422

Friday evening and Saturday morning I was in Massachusetts for an event with Beth Moore.

Have you ever heard of her or gone to one of her events? She is a dynamic woman who conducts bible studies through Living Proof Ministries.

The first time I was introduced to her was an online Bible Study on the book of Galatians, “fruit of the spirit”. There was a lot of food for thought – pun intended!

The second time was in Atlantic City with two long time friends. The events involve a 2-1/2 hour session on Friday evening and another on Saturday morning. I can’t recall what book of the Bible was involved but I remember Peter feeling like he was sinking when Jesus called to him to walk on water – so maybe it was Matthew!

This time in Swansea Massachusetts and was the book of Luke and specifically Chapter 9 and the transfiguration. Who was there, what it meant, chapters and verses leading to it and after it.

Along with the Bible study there was the most glorious music led by Travis Cotrell and 3 other singers and musicians. I admit there were tears rolling down my face many times during the two days and my eyes still feel a little sandpaper-ish.

I attended with my college friend again and we had such a wonderful time talking and talking on the hour ride, at dinner, in our hotel, and then breaking down the two days on the ride home. We’ve been friends since our freshman year – holy moly – 46 years! We had our time apart over the years when I was living in California but we rekindled our friendship and it’s richer than before.

I have been reading verses in my bible daily along with my daily devotional and I have realized as I read that I really want to dig deeper into various books and what they mean. I will see where what I experienced this weekend leads me.

Posted in 2025, Home, life, Religion, thoughts, Writing

Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Posted on by nancyb422

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

I have to work hard to brush away negative and worrying thoughts.

I’m learning to rely on faith.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Nights when I wake up at 3am and the first thing that pops into my mind is something about work, I roll over and I pray. It pushes out the worry and negativity and I fall back to sleep.

During the day if I start to worry, I just talk to God and thank him for the day, the weather, my home, whatever!

Posted in 2024, life, Religion, thoughts

Religion

Posted on by nancyb422

Do you practice religion?

Religion: “the service and worship of God or the supernatural” or “a particular system of faith and worship”.

I attended Holy Trinity School from first to eighth grade. Every Sunday we attended 9:15 mass at Holy Trinity Church.

I made my first communion in third grade, and my confirmation in sixth grade, and our eighth grade graduation was at the church.

Through high school, college, and until my mother passed away when I was 27, when I was home, I attended church with my family.

During that phase of my life my religion fell into the “a particular system of faith and worship” category. I felt like I was always being talked at.

About 10 years ago, I began exploring other options of religion. I tried the episcopal church, the baptist church, the local non-denominational church, and even met with the Jehovah Witness ladies who knocked on my door!

I found that I really enjoyed the non-denominational church because it felt like everyone was involved in the ceremony. I read and learned more about the Bible than I did in my years at school. I loved the music too!

This began my “service and worship of God (or the supernatural)” phase. Although I don’t attend the church anymore, I feel closer to God than I ever did before.

Posted in 2022, life, Religion

Troubling Thoughts

Posted on by nancyb422

I’ve spent the last 2 years reading a daily bible verse or two accompanied by the author’s thoughts in “God’s Wisdom for Women” (or something similar). It usually sets me straight for my day.

Friday, June 24th, I read the verse from 1 Corinthians 14:33 that says, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace – -as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” This is the wording from the New International Version. Pretty simple, makes you feel good right?

Well, there are times I like to go to my bible and read more of the chapter and I was kind of shocked to read what followed in Verse 34-35: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”

I think any type of good feeling disappeared at that moment! Such bullshit! This isn’t God’s word, these are words strung together by men to keep women then and now in their places. I believe in God, and I pray to God regularly, but that really shook me. I believe God wants all of us to have a voice and for those voices to be heard. But you know, people conveniently point to the bible when it suits them to say “see, right here in the bible” to their wives, children, friends, and congregations.

And then, ironically, Roe v. Wade was overturned that same afternoon. But that’s a story for another day.