Bible Study

I am having an odd week. I decided to change all my schedules and take a mini retreat. I cancelled almost everything and added God. You know the feeling, irritations, cranky, unholy talk filled with negatives and wrong attitudes, a lack faith that fills the soul with fear. I know, retreats are usually taken with other women who join together in the mountains or some special place. Not this one. I am completely alone, and I'm loving every moment. I am one of those people that gain energy when I get alone, while the other group gains energy when they are with people. They call me an introvert for that, but I don't feel like one...who are THEY anyway.

I've been to two bible studies and visited a friend I've not talked to for over 15 years. Was a delightful time of refreshment.

Now the bible studies I must share with you. One was a walk through the old testament in historical order through pictures with a woman called Vicky Semeru You must get her book on this unique presentation.

Let me give you a hunger to know more with a few tid bits:

God is above the heavens. Everything rests on him and he knows no beginning or end. He was before time and will be after time. He in fact created time to bring us in relationship with Him. Christ is the focus of the old testament and as you watch the history unfold notice the word references to him as God begins his process to redeem us all. (The italics are pictures.)

God's time line:
God created the world it was good and perfect
Adam and eve created and sinned. They required a garment from the death of an animal.
The ark with a rainbow of promise
Tower to babble.. God confused the language and destroyed the towers power.
Abraham...his descendant's would be as many as the stars in heaven
Issac to be sacrifice on pile of stones/ knife
Isaac sons Esau and Jacob. Esau sold birth right to Jacob for bowl of food.
Jacob fathered the 12 tribes. tents. Jacobs ladder and Jacobs is now called Israel.
Joseph, a son of Jacob had the the coat of many colors. Sold into slavery by brothers.
Joseph found favor with the Pharaoh, pyramid. Israel delivered from famine.
History passes and they are now slaves in Egypt a whip.
Moses the deliver...Passover lamb, tabernacle in dessert, word of God.
Moses receives the ten commandments. tablets
Joshua leads the people to the promise land. feet and picture of the land divided the 12 sons.
People ask for judges, not God's idea. Crown with line through it
Eli selects Saul as king a crown.
Saul becomes unfaithful to god so his line is cut off.
David selected by God from tribe of Judah from Jacob from Isaac from Abraham Large crown with a star. Israel is now a nation not tribes.
Solomon builds a temple for God.
The nation Israel is divided in half. Map divided in half.
North kingdom ruled Jeroboam called Israel kingdom. Taken captive by Assyria.
Southern half called Judah, taken over by Babylon.
Israel in captivity but allowed to live in the land.
Under foreign rule by Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, then Romans
The Cross our redeemer.

The second bible studies message was by Beth Moore. Basic with many wonderful illustrations.
When we trust in the Lord we do not sin. When we do not trust or believe our fear leads us into sin. It happens in cycles. Notice the trigger of the cycle. Notice when trust leaves because sin is soon to follow. We will continue to go around the same circle till we choose to say no to fear and trust past the fear. Note God never gives up on us He knows beginning to end so he will see us through regardless of what we do.

Been a nice retreat for me so far. Hope you enjoyed what I learned.