SLI ~ Week 6 (Chapters 11-12)

Here are the questions for this week:

This should get interesting :)

1. Based on Chapter 10, in all truthfulness, has your historical tendency been to view men (generally speaking) as gods? Or devils?

2. Based on Chapter 10 and your own day-to-day observances, what differences do you see between men’s insecurities and women’s?

3. On p.208 in Chapter 11, I suggest that women who struggle with insecurity tend to be particularly taken with 2 divine attributes: omnipotence and omniscience. Did either of these resonate with you? If so, how?

SLI ~ Week 5 (Chapters 9-10)

This week's chapters in "So Long Insecurity", were a little bit different. The first one, chapter 9, finally dealt with healing. The prayer that Beth wrote out was brilliant, though I didn't pray that exact one out loud. I read through it, and then prayed my own prayer...one that honestly started to heal my heart just like she said it would. This week's questions are a little different as well.

Here they are:

1. DO (don't just read, but actually DO) chapter 9. Reflect back on this time with God, and share anything specific that you received from it.

2. Go to this link and look at all the verses in the comment section. Pick five Scriptures that speak most powerfully to you right now - five that you feel like you need the most - and write them on the inside cover of your book.

I hope that this weeks reading was well received in your hearts. Can't wait to see the comments!

SLI ~ Week 2 (Chapter 3 & 4)

Okay, we're going to do something different this week. I'll post the questions (still straight from Beth Moore's blog), and I"ll write my responses in the comments section. I think my answers may have been distracting...what do you think? Anyway, you can all post your answers there as well...and we can have discussion. Oh so fun!! I thought we'd continue reading 2 chapters a week, and then discussing on Monday. So, this week is chapter 3 & 4.

Here are the questions/assignments:

1. Based on Chapter 3, what tends to be your prominent false positive?

2. Write out the challenge at the end of Chapter 3 again so that you can pound it into your belief system. Beth says it is CRITICAL to our journey! I believe her :)

3. Based on Chapter 4, what biblical character (or statement about him/her) resonated the most with you? Why?

I really learned a lot about myself this week. Or, not really "learned" as much as "examined". I guess I've always known, deep down, what I struggle with; however, it's a little different when you delve into it a bit deeper and start asking "why?". And really, it's not even about asking "why?" as much as it is about asking what it's keeping you from, and how it limits you from accomplishing all that God has perfectly set out before you. Besides the questions above, did any of you have any great revelations this week? Or anything that just really stood out as important that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about where you are on your journey!

SLI ~ Week 1

I've learned something new this week: reading is not quite as easy as it used to be! Let me clarify a little bit...finding time to read is not quite as easy as it used to be!! Ha! But, I'm so glad that I made the effort b/c I really enjoyed the first 2 chapters of our book. How about you?? While trying to do a little research on what we could talk about here at our little web-meeting, I went straight to the source...Beth, herself! On her blog, she is doing the same thing that we are, only on a MUCH larger scale. The discussion questions/thinking points that we'll use are straight from her so I think we'll really get a lot out of the book! Let's dive in!!

Discussion/Assignment:

**Beth wrote these herself, so the "I" is referring to her.**

1. Write a journal-type entry on the inside cover of your book describing this present season of your life and why you’ve chosen to read a book like this. If you already have a relationship with God, write it in the form of a prayer. I do this almost every time I begin a book that I think could have a considerable impact on my life. When I finish the book, I always go back and read it and it ends up meaning so much to me. Listen, Sister, if you expect little, that’s probably what you’ll get. But if you expect something big from God when you start a journey and you posture yourself to receive from Him, even when frail human beings are thrown in the mix, you’ll end up with something huge. Something life altering.

2. Based on Chapter 1: When was the last time you came face-to-face with our gender’s massive struggle with insecurity? Describe the setting.

For me, the last time I came face-to-face with our gender's (my) massive struggle with insecurity was about a week ago (on my birthday) on the floor of my closet. Let's just say I had a "moment" (or twenty!). Looking back, I'm going to blame it on the poor lighting and the terrible mirror...but in the midst of my total meltdown I felt hideous. I can laugh now, and chalk it up to the 29th birthday blues, but deep down it still hurts a little bit. No woman wants to feel ugly, or fat, or pasty white (can I still blame that on England?!), or all of the above. And though I don't feel that way every day, or even every other day, there are some low moments scattered throughout my month where I feel pretty bad about myself. And let me tell you, Chris just LOVES it when those moments rear their ugly heads!

3. Based on Chapter Two: What part of the definition or description of insecurity resonated most with you and why?

The definition that resonated the most with me was the part that said insecurity is "a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth and our place in the world". Doesn't that just sound awful?! Let me tell you, it's pretty tough to write it. But we're being honest, and it is my sincere prayer that I will truly learn something by exploring this side of myself.

As a military wife, I have found that it's often difficult to find my own identity. It's not easy to have a career when you move all the time. For me, it's even hard to find the motivation to pursue things that I know I won't be able to continue at our next location...wherever that may be. And when I feel that way, it's hard to feel like I have a "place". And I'm not talking about my "place" in my family b/c I truly believe that I have the best job in the world being Elli's mommy & Chris's wife. I'm talking about the doubt in my heart that I am using the gifts that God gave me to the best of my ability. The questions, "am I wasting time", "is this what I should be doing", "am I doing enough", are always in my head.

I'd love to hear what all of you think about these questions & the book in general. Whether you've read the book, are reading it with us, or would just like to leave a comment...I'll treasure your responses. Though I had thought about what I was going to write, it wasn't until I actually sat down to start typing that my true feelings started to come out. Maybe it will be the same with you...and maybe we can overcome some of our own insecurities together :)

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

SLI ~ Book Club!!

Since my ordered copy of "So Long Insecurity" never came in, I decided to take measures into my own hands...I broke down and went to Books-a-Million. I don't know if I've just been spoiled by Barnes and Noble or what, but I'll do just about anything to keep from having to visit Books-a-Million! It's so disorganized & chaotic in there, it drives me crazy (yes, I admit I'm a little OCD about that kind of thing...I take my books seriously! Ha!). Anyway, I now have the book and I'm ready to dive in :)

So, for those of you who are on board (I'm thinking there's 2!), I thought we could read the first 2 chapters this week and discuss next Monday (29th). Sound good? I have to admit, I've thumbed through a few of the chapters b/c I just couldn't help myself. I'm a serial "end of the book" reader. It's terrible, I know. I totally spoil it for myself! But since this isn't really that kind of book, I think I'm good :)

Happy Reading!!

A Blog Book Club...Who's In???

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile now, and though I LOVE the idea, I'm not sure how well it will work. BUT, I'm going to try it anyway, and I hope you'll join me for something super fun & a little different...a Blog Book Club :)

I seriously love Beth Moore. I've done a few of her Bible Study's, and have really enjoyed them. And as much enjoyment as I get out them, the best part is that I truly learn from them. Beth has an unique way of putting things into perspective. She doesn't necessarily simplify things, she just uses her gift of writing to make scripture a little easier to delve into. She recently wrote a new book called, "So Long Insecurity...you've been a bad friend to us", and ever since I heard about it, I've been wanting to read it.

On the surface, I'm not an insecure person. But, like everyone (I think), once I really look at myself, and dig a little deeper, those insecurities are there...hindering my relationships, and limiting my life. After reading some reviews, it sounds like this book isn't as "scripture based" as most of her other books, and is more autobiographical than anything that she has ever written. It's about women; their quest for perfection & acceptance. I, for one, am anxious to see what she has to say.

I couldn't find this book on the shelf (Columbus isn't exactly known for it's great bookstores!), so I've had to order it. I'm kinda glad though, because that gives everyone a little time to go out and buy it for themselves (or borrow it, or check it out of the library). I'm thinking of starting this little adventure in book-clubbing on Monday March 15th and I'd love for you all to join me!! Go ahead and start reading, and we'll review/discuss the first chapter on that first day. I'm excited...I hope you are too!!