Okay, I'm really embarrassed about this... but truth to tell, I only just remember that this blog was here! My life has been quite busy and exciting, I honestly forgot about the reading! Fortunately, I've read the book enough times that I'll just be able to pick up where you guys are, and hopefully start contributing to the blog extremely soon. =D
Later,
Sadie
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
5+6
I was supposed to type up my thoughts on three-six last week, but as I am obviously behind, I'm going to skip three and four. And then this week we are doing seven and eight, right? Or am I off? What are you guys doing?
One thing really stuck out to me in chapter five. Screwtape is talking about World War 2, and he says, "If we are not careful, we shall see thousands turning in this tribulation to the Enemy, while tens of thousands who do not go so far as that will nevertheless have their attention diverted from themselves to values and causes which they believe to be higher than the self." I thought this was really interesting. We always see war as a really bad, and terrible thing, and like Satan would really be rejoicing during a war. And yes it is a terrible thing, but I thought it was insightful that he mentioned that through the suffering of a war, so many people turn to Jesus, and ultimately that takes away the "joy" (if the devil ever has joy idk) the devil has in a war.
I think it's also really fun that this is more than just a spiritual-help book, or whatever. It's like a story and I can't wait to see what happens to the guy!! :)
One thing really stuck out to me in chapter five. Screwtape is talking about World War 2, and he says, "If we are not careful, we shall see thousands turning in this tribulation to the Enemy, while tens of thousands who do not go so far as that will nevertheless have their attention diverted from themselves to values and causes which they believe to be higher than the self." I thought this was really interesting. We always see war as a really bad, and terrible thing, and like Satan would really be rejoicing during a war. And yes it is a terrible thing, but I thought it was insightful that he mentioned that through the suffering of a war, so many people turn to Jesus, and ultimately that takes away the "joy" (if the devil ever has joy idk) the devil has in a war.
I think it's also really fun that this is more than just a spiritual-help book, or whatever. It's like a story and I can't wait to see what happens to the guy!! :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Conviction
Wow, there's a lot in the next two chapters that I really, sadly, relate to. Like Wormwood mentions in chapter 3, I say things that aren't bad in and of themselves, but it's how I say it. So many times the way I've stated my words have been so harsh and unkind that I might as well have said something completely horrendous in my verbiage. It's incredible how this book gives a fresh perspective on how the spiritual realm can/does affect and view our lives. It sure does makes you think twice about things.
How Wormwood describes feelings in chapter 4 on prayer is something that I may be guilty of. Trying to make myself feel how I'm praying. I can see why that's so dangerous because of the focus change it does to you. Instead of focusing on the Lord and his promises, we focus on how we feel and start to base our prayers on that, which could even lead to getting mad at or blaming God because he hasn't made us feel right in our prayers. Sad indeed. It really opens your eyes to how patient, gracious, faithful, and loving our God is!
~Tiffany
How Wormwood describes feelings in chapter 4 on prayer is something that I may be guilty of. Trying to make myself feel how I'm praying. I can see why that's so dangerous because of the focus change it does to you. Instead of focusing on the Lord and his promises, we focus on how we feel and start to base our prayers on that, which could even lead to getting mad at or blaming God because he hasn't made us feel right in our prayers. Sad indeed. It really opens your eyes to how patient, gracious, faithful, and loving our God is!
~Tiffany
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Appearances
Hello,
First I'd like to thank Erica for inviting me read Screwtape Letters and participate in this study. So far I'm enjoying the story, and the Lord is convicting me of some of the ways I let Satan work in my life. I can't wait to see what else He has to teach me through this book.
For those of you who haven't met me, I'm Annie P. and I'm 17. I live in a small town in Nebraska, and I've been homeschooled for most of my life (I'm finishing up my junior year of high school). Okay, enough about me...
The Lord really impacted me with something I read in chapter 2. I found the section on page 12 about appearances quite convicting. In case you don't remember, Screwtape is telling Wormwood to use appearances to trip up his person and distract him from the Body of Christ. Instead of viewing the neighbors in his pew as brothers and sisters in Christ, Wormwood wants his person to see their imperfections.
This got me thinking. As humans why do we get so caught up in outward appearances? Well the simple answer is because we are human. But as Christians we need to focus on a person's heart more so than what they look like on the outside. The Holy Spirit can't work through us until we learn to disregard outward appearances. I'm not saying that the outside doesn't matter (because it does: it reflects what's in a person's heart), but we can't let our opinion of them be ruled by what they look like.
I'm finding that the enemy uses outward appearances to trip me up quite often. As hard as this is to admit, I'm finding that I'm guilty of judging people in our church based primarily on what they look like on the outside or how they act. This is exactly what Screwtape was trying to get Wormwood to do. I don't want to let the enemy have victory in this area of my life anymore. I want to see the heart of these people in my church.
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1st Samuel 16:7
First I'd like to thank Erica for inviting me read Screwtape Letters and participate in this study. So far I'm enjoying the story, and the Lord is convicting me of some of the ways I let Satan work in my life. I can't wait to see what else He has to teach me through this book.
For those of you who haven't met me, I'm Annie P. and I'm 17. I live in a small town in Nebraska, and I've been homeschooled for most of my life (I'm finishing up my junior year of high school). Okay, enough about me...
The Lord really impacted me with something I read in chapter 2. I found the section on page 12 about appearances quite convicting. In case you don't remember, Screwtape is telling Wormwood to use appearances to trip up his person and distract him from the Body of Christ. Instead of viewing the neighbors in his pew as brothers and sisters in Christ, Wormwood wants his person to see their imperfections.
This got me thinking. As humans why do we get so caught up in outward appearances? Well the simple answer is because we are human. But as Christians we need to focus on a person's heart more so than what they look like on the outside. The Holy Spirit can't work through us until we learn to disregard outward appearances. I'm not saying that the outside doesn't matter (because it does: it reflects what's in a person's heart), but we can't let our opinion of them be ruled by what they look like.
I'm finding that the enemy uses outward appearances to trip me up quite often. As hard as this is to admit, I'm finding that I'm guilty of judging people in our church based primarily on what they look like on the outside or how they act. This is exactly what Screwtape was trying to get Wormwood to do. I don't want to let the enemy have victory in this area of my life anymore. I want to see the heart of these people in my church.
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1st Samuel 16:7
"Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that as he is Christ's, even so are we Christs." 2 Corinthians 10:7
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Chapter 1 & 2
So now it's my turn to give you some random thoughts... :)
1st Chpater:
One of the things that really stood out to me was the fact that one of the demons' tactics was to make words and ideas seem ambiguous and obscure. That way, the person does not think of the meaning behind the ideas or words and is able to believe in many different things without coming to an actual conclusion of what he really believes or is saying. I was also made aware of how important logic and argument (in the good sense) really is! God created those things and they all point to Him! So when people start connecting that logic with the Creator, that's when it becomes the 'dangerous' thing. And so another tactic that Screwtape and the others like to use are what I would call the more-important-distractions. Things that seem more important to us at the moment than discovering the truth. And that's exactly how Screwtape gets one of his persons to continue to be an Atheist. Instead of letting him dwell on thoughts that could lead him to the Enemy, Screwtape distracts him by putting into his head that going to get lunch is more important and the actual 'real life' things like that than thinking about truth (or even ideas that would lead to truth). And so Screwtape's person continues to be an Atheist and has a dreadfully fatal end (in the fullest sense of the word!)
2nd Chapter:
In the second chapter, you find that Wormwood's person had actually, horrors of all horrors, become a Christian! But what's interesting, is that Screwtape doesn't really seem to find that too much of a problem. Of course, he chides his nephew for letting it happen, but it's as if he rather likes that Wormwood's person has become a Christian, because of all the things that are in their favor to get him back. Especially since he's such a 'young' Christian and has all these particular ideas of how Christianity should be, and of course the Church (not the spiritual one, mind you) helps greatly in spreading these ideas.
Isn't it amazing the perspectives this book gives you?? Wow! I can't wait to read more! This is certainly an exciting adventure for sure!
~Tiffany
1st Chpater:
One of the things that really stood out to me was the fact that one of the demons' tactics was to make words and ideas seem ambiguous and obscure. That way, the person does not think of the meaning behind the ideas or words and is able to believe in many different things without coming to an actual conclusion of what he really believes or is saying. I was also made aware of how important logic and argument (in the good sense) really is! God created those things and they all point to Him! So when people start connecting that logic with the Creator, that's when it becomes the 'dangerous' thing. And so another tactic that Screwtape and the others like to use are what I would call the more-important-distractions. Things that seem more important to us at the moment than discovering the truth. And that's exactly how Screwtape gets one of his persons to continue to be an Atheist. Instead of letting him dwell on thoughts that could lead him to the Enemy, Screwtape distracts him by putting into his head that going to get lunch is more important and the actual 'real life' things like that than thinking about truth (or even ideas that would lead to truth). And so Screwtape's person continues to be an Atheist and has a dreadfully fatal end (in the fullest sense of the word!)
2nd Chapter:
In the second chapter, you find that Wormwood's person had actually, horrors of all horrors, become a Christian! But what's interesting, is that Screwtape doesn't really seem to find that too much of a problem. Of course, he chides his nephew for letting it happen, but it's as if he rather likes that Wormwood's person has become a Christian, because of all the things that are in their favor to get him back. Especially since he's such a 'young' Christian and has all these particular ideas of how Christianity should be, and of course the Church (not the spiritual one, mind you) helps greatly in spreading these ideas.
Isn't it amazing the perspectives this book gives you?? Wow! I can't wait to read more! This is certainly an exciting adventure for sure!
~Tiffany
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thoughts on chap. 1&2
Wow. I've only read two chapters and I'm already hooked! I will try really hard not to race ahead!
There were two things in the first two chapters that especially stuck out to me. One was this sentence: "Never having been a human (Oh that abominable advantage of the Enemy's!), you don't realize how enslaved they are to the pressure of the ordinary." It's not really the sentence itself that stuck out to me, but instead what is in the parenthesis. Think about that! It is exasperatingly frustrating to the devil that God has such an advantage over him - he has been a human! He understand how we work! I just think that the way that is structured - a devil being frustrated about God understanding the human view - is really neat.
The other thing that stuck out to me was when Screwtape was talking about the people in the church. He was telling Wormwood to make sure the guy kept focus on the congregation's outward appearance, without ever thinking about how mighty they might be in God's kingdom. That kinda struck me...cause that's the way I look at a lot of people at church. I don't see their heart or their relationship with God...I just see their fatness or their ugly clothes or whatever it is, and I judge. So that part was really good for me to read!
Oh, and one more bit I really liked: "I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That, I confess, is a spectacle which makes our boldest tempters uneasy." Wow. I love that description of the Church!
(btw I think it is kinda cool that the book is dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkein. :)
There were two things in the first two chapters that especially stuck out to me. One was this sentence: "Never having been a human (Oh that abominable advantage of the Enemy's!), you don't realize how enslaved they are to the pressure of the ordinary." It's not really the sentence itself that stuck out to me, but instead what is in the parenthesis. Think about that! It is exasperatingly frustrating to the devil that God has such an advantage over him - he has been a human! He understand how we work! I just think that the way that is structured - a devil being frustrated about God understanding the human view - is really neat.
The other thing that stuck out to me was when Screwtape was talking about the people in the church. He was telling Wormwood to make sure the guy kept focus on the congregation's outward appearance, without ever thinking about how mighty they might be in God's kingdom. That kinda struck me...cause that's the way I look at a lot of people at church. I don't see their heart or their relationship with God...I just see their fatness or their ugly clothes or whatever it is, and I judge. So that part was really good for me to read!
Oh, and one more bit I really liked: "I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That, I confess, is a spectacle which makes our boldest tempters uneasy." Wow. I love that description of the Church!
(btw I think it is kinda cool that the book is dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkein. :)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
New Book!
Yes! We are beginning The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. Starting on Monday, we'll be reading two chapters a week. Post your thoughts!
Monday, October 20, 2008
options
Okay. We need to make some decisions here. If you hadn't noticed, I don't really like things to just hang out in the no-zone. So! Here is what we need to think about:
Is anyone going to take the time and energy to actually post here? We've had some good ideas: keep it open as a book discussion blog (which we could also use shelfari for if we wanted to have a book discussion or something), and keep it open as a Bible Study sharing-type blog. Those are both good ideas, but there's no point in doing them if no one is going to take the time.
So I think everyone needs to kind of make a decision about that. If no one has the time (which is totally understandable!), I'm not sure there's any point in keeping it. Ana, if you think the name is cool (which it is. :), I could make you the admin so I didn't have to worry about it. If some people are done here, we could remove them from the authors list, and if someone else wants to use it for something else, they can be in charge of recruiting other people for whatever they want to do with it! As long as one of us originals are in charge, I really don't care how it's used, for what book, and for which people.
What are you all thinking about this? I really need some input!
Is anyone going to take the time and energy to actually post here? We've had some good ideas: keep it open as a book discussion blog (which we could also use shelfari for if we wanted to have a book discussion or something), and keep it open as a Bible Study sharing-type blog. Those are both good ideas, but there's no point in doing them if no one is going to take the time.
So I think everyone needs to kind of make a decision about that. If no one has the time (which is totally understandable!), I'm not sure there's any point in keeping it. Ana, if you think the name is cool (which it is. :), I could make you the admin so I didn't have to worry about it. If some people are done here, we could remove them from the authors list, and if someone else wants to use it for something else, they can be in charge of recruiting other people for whatever they want to do with it! As long as one of us originals are in charge, I really don't care how it's used, for what book, and for which people.
What are you all thinking about this? I really need some input!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Diligence
"Thou has commanded us to keep they precepts diligently." Psalm 119:4
As I was reading in Psalms a few days ago, I came across this verse, and I noticed I had underlined the word "diligently." Somewhere in the margin of the page, close to this verse, I had written this: Are we becoming illiterate Bible students, or are we diligently being in the word? This instantly reminded me of the 90 day challenge. I just want to encourage you all, that even though we are behind it's the diligence that's going to pay off. If we are diligently reading our Bibles, even if it's just a little bit here and a little bit there, we are still hiding God's word in our heart (Psalm 119:11).
Monday, August 11, 2008
Soooo.....
The goal for finishing the challenge was yesterday........I'm sure most of you met it, but I am still deplorably behind, being barely finished with Joshua *blushes greatly* So, where is everyone? How did the study go? If you haven't finished it, how is it going?? Can't wait to see some comments!!! =)
~Sadie
~Sadie
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
psalms
I've really struggled with the challenge (ha! funny, struggling with a challenge...) over the last couple of months. Between being gone for almost two weeks in July, and everything else that has been going on, I haven't spent as much time on it as I should've. It's been rather depressing, actually, but yesterday as I was thinking about it, the verse that says "though I fall, I shall rise" came to my head. So! Though I've fallen a bazillion times with this challenge, I'm going to keep trying.
I'm actually only in Psalms. :/ I copied over part of the schedule where I am right now, and I'm going to try to do two days' worth in one day. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
I found a couple of cool verses towards the beginning of Psalms.
5:11-12 is simply wonderful!
I'm actually only in Psalms. :/ I copied over part of the schedule where I am right now, and I'm going to try to do two days' worth in one day. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
I found a couple of cool verses towards the beginning of Psalms.
5:11-12 is simply wonderful!
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
5:8 is also a really good verse. Part of it says "depart from me, all you workers of iniquity." That comes to my mind sometimes when I'm struggling to overcome what the devil is brining against me. It's quite helpful, actually! :)
So, that's what I have. How is everyone else coming on the challenge?
(Oh, and as soon as someone needs the next week's schedule, let me know!)
Friday, July 11, 2008
week 8
Here is week 8...sorry it's late. (haha!)
- Monday: Isa 14:1 thru Isa 28:29
- Tuesday: Isa 29:1 thru Isa 41:18
- Wednesday: Isa 41:19 thru Isa 52:12
- Thursday: Isa 52:13 thru Isa 66:18
- Friday: Isa 66:19 thru Jer 10:13
- Saturday: Jer 10:14 thru Jer 23:8
- Sunday: Jer 23:9 thru Jer 33:22
How is everyone getting along?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
week 7
Here's week 7...three days late. I don't think any of us are this caught up yet, though.
- Monday: Psalm 89:14 thru Psalm 108:13
- Tuesday: Psalm 109:1 thru Psalm 34:13
- Wednesday: Psalm 135:1 thru Prov 6:35
- Thursday: Prov 7:1 thru Prov 20:21
- Friday: Prov 20:22 thru Ecc 2:26
- Saturday: Ecc 3:1 thru Song of Solomon 8:14
- Sunday: Isaiah 1:1 through Isaiah 13:22
Thursday, June 19, 2008
"respected group leader," my foot!
Anywho, has everyone but Sadie and me died? Well, I guess Tiff hasn't, because I just skyped her yesterday...
Where is everybody? Just because you're behind doesn't mean you're allowed to not share what God has been speaking to you through the reading!
I'm behind too...I'm only in Second Kings...*blushes mightily*
Has this reading been good for everyone? Are you glad you started; are you disgusted with it? What is everyone thinking?
Anywho, has everyone but Sadie and me died? Well, I guess Tiff hasn't, because I just skyped her yesterday...
Where is everybody? Just because you're behind doesn't mean you're allowed to not share what God has been speaking to you through the reading!
I'm behind too...I'm only in Second Kings...*blushes mightily*
Has this reading been good for everyone? Are you glad you started; are you disgusted with it? What is everyone thinking?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Erica's post.....
OK, this is me posting for our respected group leader =) since her internet is down.
"One little story stuck out to me, from 1 Kings 12:6
“Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, ‘how do you advise me to answer these people?’ And they spoke to him…But he rejected the advice the elders had given him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.”
He takes the advice of the young men, and rejects the advice of the elders.
Sounds like part of what the Rebelution is about, doesn’t it? Listen to your elders; take their advice!!!
The other stories I really liked were the one everybody knows about Elijah. First drinking from the brook and being fed by ravens, and then asking the widow woman for a cake, and her flour and oil never were empty.
Anybody else getting anything interesting out of their reading lately?"
~Sadie and Erica
"One little story stuck out to me, from 1 Kings 12:6
“Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, ‘how do you advise me to answer these people?’ And they spoke to him…But he rejected the advice the elders had given him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.”
He takes the advice of the young men, and rejects the advice of the elders.
Sounds like part of what the Rebelution is about, doesn’t it? Listen to your elders; take their advice!!!
The other stories I really liked were the one everybody knows about Elijah. First drinking from the brook and being fed by ravens, and then asking the widow woman for a cake, and her flour and oil never were empty.
Anybody else getting anything interesting out of their reading lately?"
~Sadie and Erica
*ahem*
Sorry this is so late...our internet at home is dead in the water, and I have just now gotten to the library to get the new schedule up! I don't have time right now to put it on the sidebar, in case you're wondering why I'm not up-to-date on that. But here is week six!
Monday: Nehemiah 13:15 thru Job 7:21
Tuesday: Job 8:1 thru Job 24:25
Wednesday: Job 25:1 thru Job 41:34
Thursday: Job 42:1 through Psalm 24:10
Friday: Psalm 25:1 thru Psalm 45:14
Saturday: Psalm 45:15 thru Psalm 69:21
Sunday: Psalm 69:22 through Psalm 89:13
How is everyone doing?
Monday: Nehemiah 13:15 thru Job 7:21
Tuesday: Job 8:1 thru Job 24:25
Wednesday: Job 25:1 thru Job 41:34
Thursday: Job 42:1 through Psalm 24:10
Friday: Psalm 25:1 thru Psalm 45:14
Saturday: Psalm 45:15 thru Psalm 69:21
Sunday: Psalm 69:22 through Psalm 89:13
How is everyone doing?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This is Amazing!
Thanks for adding me on to the team! I started reading Genesis last night and reached chapter 30 today. Reading it as a true, infallible story this time around is fascinating. I am jotting down quick notes in my journal, but not stopping too much. It's great getting the big picture for a change, instead of stopping and pondering on all the nit-picky stuff. That's not to say theological correctness in unimportant, but I believe both enjoying God's magnificent plan for mankind and studying theology should be pursued.
God bless your bold readings this week!
God bless your bold readings this week!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
One more Check-in!
I know how you feel, Tiffany! I'm still in Deuteronomy, *blushes*, but I am catching up. And I'd just like to say "Thank You" to everyone for the wonderful encouragement! You all are great!
~Sadie
~Sadie
Checking In...
You girls have no idea what it means to be behind! :P I'm still in Exodus! But I'm almost done with it, and I am reading my Bible everyday- even if it is just a few chapters!! :) So I'm doing good, and I don't feel discouraged!
You gals are asking so many questions, and I would like to answer them!! But I'm not having the time to lately! Though, I feel the same way, Anne, about Christ being the sacrifice for us today!! I'm soo thankful that we don't have to do all that!! Oh, so gross and so much work! :)
Well, I better be going! Sorry I haven't posted more! Love you all!
~Tiffany
You gals are asking so many questions, and I would like to answer them!! But I'm not having the time to lately! Though, I feel the same way, Anne, about Christ being the sacrifice for us today!! I'm soo thankful that we don't have to do all that!! Oh, so gross and so much work! :)
Well, I better be going! Sorry I haven't posted more! Love you all!
~Tiffany
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