Mary Beth Chapman writes an honest story of losing her 5-year-old daughter in a tragic accident. But it’s not just about her loss, but what she has gained over a 25-year journey of loving God, and loving musical artist Stephen Curtis Chapman.
A self-described shy girl married to an introvert, she shows how her journey turned out much different than she expected.
What I gained most from this book was that it felt like I was sitting down with a woman who was dropping the veil of a public personna to be real about her questions, fears, highs and lows, and yet also her unbending faith in God.
If you’ve experienced a tragedy. . . If you feel like God is taking you down a different path than you thought you’d be on at this time… If you want to be honest with God, and yet know that He has you in the palm of His hand every step of the way… this is a great book for you.
I remember when I turned 30. My co-workers threw a big birthday bash. Instead of putting Happy 30th, the ornery crew put Happy 40th. I took a big, black marker and slashed through the 40 and put 30 in its place! The funny thing is that I loved turning 30. I finally felt like a real grown up. I was a mom to 3, and had been for a few years, but that number–the number 30–spoke of maturity and growth and future to me.
When I meet people as I travel across the nation, and they discover where I live, many have mixed responses. One person asked, “Do you live in the dustbowl?”
I had to laugh because where I live is beautiful, with lots of lakes, and a winding river and bluffs and hills. This video shows how the dustbowl perception is skewed, not reality at all.
Often we have also have misperceptions about Jesus. Let’s dig deeper into that together.
This week’s reading: Mark 4:10 through 6:13
Questions for this week’s study:
1. As you read, note how people responded to Jesus.
2. Why did they respond the way they did?
3. What was Jesus looking for in those who he encountered?
4. How did you form your perception of God?
“I’m just like that seed, Suzie. The one that is on the rocks. I knew Jesus as a child, but got lost from my faith. Later I tried again, but I let other things get in and take away my faith. Is it too late? R. M.” (more…)
This week’s study is in Mark 4:1-8. Just 8 short verses but packed with truth that can help us grow in our faith, especially if we feel that God is distant, or we are the ones that are too far away.
Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker columnist, and author T. Suzanne Eller shares how to live free when you've felt broken, how to nurture family regardless of the obstacles, and how to deepen intimacy with a relevant and life-changing Savior.
Think, Grow
