Friday, February 27, 2015

Slow: Hebrews 5:11



- Here is another example where slow is used in a negative sense.
- Being slow to learn - not progressing from the basics.
- It is clear that these he is writing to have been believers long enough to have grown and be teaching others, but they are needing to be taught basic truths from the beginning. {similar to what we read in Luke 24:25}



- I like verse 14, "...who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good and evil."
- Where am I? Have I progressed from milk to meat? Is there an area I am slow to learn in?
- Just like all things, we are seeing that a balance in slow is healthy. Being too slow or too hasty - neither is healthy.



Thursday, February 26, 2015

Slow: Acts 27:7



* Here in this passage we see the making of very slow progress by ship on a journey to Italy. Pual was a prisoner and winter was fast approaching.

* vs. 24-25 bring some hope and lessons
* Frequently I will think to myself that if I am struggling to make something happen, or almost forcing it - it is not likely what I should be doing. Such was the case for the crew of this ship.



* Staying close to God and not only listening to Him but also obeying Him is truly the best place for me to be in the center of His will.
* What am I seeing slow progress in? Am I seeking God to make sure I'm in His will?


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Slow Day



















Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Slow: Luke 24:25



After studying this passage, one of our pastors mentioned that slow used in this way means dumb. Sometimes slow is negative.

* Jesus reprimanded two of His disciples for their foolishness and slowness of heart in believing.
* They had known Jesus personally in the flesh and learned from Him yet still had trouble understanding and receiving at face value what He said.



* In what ways am I slow of heart and foolish?
- listening to doubts instead of truth
- letting discouragement bring me down
- forgetting
- letting my mind wander instead of focus on Jesus



* Jesus' solution was to go back to the beginning and explain just like we often do with our children.
* Then Jesus stayed with them and enjoyed a meal and their eyes were opened: for me this could be still spending Quality Time with Him seeking time in His presence to have my perspective renewed and refocused.



Monday, February 23, 2015

Slow: Nahum 1:3


Looking through a journal/notebook I realized that there are more Slow thoughts that I've jotted down and I have never written here. Each of them are a continuation of my searching God's Word for slow. Today, let's start with Nahum 1:3 ~

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet."

* Look at verse 1; who is this passage about? {Nineveh}
* At the time I wrote this, I had just finished studying Nineveh while looking at Jonah's life and slow. I noticed one very interesting thing in the intro to each book:
- Jonah was written around the time of 785-760 BC
- Nahum was probably written during the time of 663-612 BC
Did you catch that? This passage is 100 years later and it seems Nineveh has not remained changed for the long haul as a prophet is being sent a second time.

* Look at verse 2 - how does God see Nineveh? {as His enemies; angry}
* Write out verse 3a {see above}.


* vs. 3-8:
- the next verses describe His power displayed; list some of the ways. Here are the ones I came up with:
:: whirlwind/storm/clouds
:: rebukes the sea and it dries
:: makes rivers run dry
:: wither/fade
:: mountains quake
:: hills melt away
:: earth trembles
:: wrath like fire
:: rocks shattered
:: overwhelming flood
:: darkness
- What do these things have in common? They are all created things - and God is reminding us of His authority over Creation. We are also His Creation.

* verse 7:
- In the midst of all these reminders, He holds out a light of hope. Look at verse 7 and write it out, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."
- What is my responsibility to receive this refuge from Him? 
- TRUST. When I lose that - I am like Nineveh trusting my own strength or thoughts.


* Now, go back to verse 3 {written out at the top of the post}
- How does it encourage or challenge you that God reminds us He is slow to anger in the midst of this trouble and judgement to Nineveh?
- Remember how many years this has been?
- How does trust fit with a s.l.o.w. posture to you?

:: I am grateful to be re-visiting slow in God's Word - I'll be looking at passages and reflecting on them here all week. Hope you will join me in slowing!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Eleven!


Adorable Free Printables Garland


I love discovering new blogs and being inspired anew! And, my favorite recent discovery was Raising Up Rubies! I had so much fun perusing lots of her archives and pinning new ideas. One idea I pinned was this garland made of free printables - what a great idea to include in her housewarming gift! Original idea was from here.

This turned into the perfect Slow Day evening project - searching for fun free prints and cutting, hole punching and threading with yarn. Here are the prints I used:

Diamond Ombre Printables {various colors}
Sunflowers in Ball jar Watercolor printable
Vintage Brownie Camera printable
Without the Rain ... printable
I Know my Redeemer Lives chalkboard printable
Choose Joy printable
BeYOUtiful printable
Vintage Mason Jar printable
Child of God printable
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You printable