I’ve so enjoyed reading your comments on the blog this week! I hope you’ve gotten your RSS feed running so you’ll know whenever a new comment posts . . . this little detail makes interacting so much easier!
I’ve been answering a lot of individual questions this week about the blog study so I thought I’d address a few of those right here in case others are having the same questions:
Is it too late to start?
No! Jump on in! Once the videos post, they’re up for quite a while. No worries about starting a little late.
How do I find the page?
The easiest way here is to use the address: www.precept.org/onlinestudy. It’s called a vanity URL and will take you to the longer address of www.preceptministriesinternational.blogspot.com which is a pretty long name to remember. Since you’re here right now, the best thing to do is bookmark it!
When should I watch the video?
It’s best to watch the video after you finish the lesson. That way my observations won’t influence your approach to the text and you’ll be in context for what I’m talking about. Then we’ll discuss on the blog.
Where do I order the book?
You can order the book direct from Precept's eStore at this address: http://bit.ly/hzQmag
What can I start on while I’m waiting for my book?
You can download the first lesson here: http://bit.ly/fp3IbB
Where do I sign-up?
You can register for the class at www.precept.org/chocolate
The book has six lessons. Why is the class eleven weeks?
Sweeter than Chocolate! studies flex to meet people at different levels. Because there is so much content, we’re flexing the time frame and taking a little slower pace to be able to smell more of the roses along the way.
How much are we covering each week?
The first week we’re looking at lesson one, after that we’ll take about a half lesson per week. Click here for the syllabus.
I’ve heard from a number of you this week via Facebook messages with questions. Please know you can always get me over there. I may not be able to respond to every message, but do know that I read them all and always do my best to respond.
If you have a chance, touch base this week with me via Facebook so I can get to know you a little better. If you haven’t “friended” me yet, I’d love for you to do that and message me with a little something about yourself.
Many blessings,
Remember, you can watch the video and post responses anytime day or night! Don’t be shy!
Pam's next video will be posted on February 3rd at 12:01 AM!
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ivonne and I identified with Abraham and his decision to obey God to leave his land, father, relatives and go. I like Abraham, have been called to leave a place I loved for 20 odd years, my children, friends, job, grandbaby, church and follow my husband to a new place. I know that God called us to this place and by faith I placed my hand in my husband's hand and followed him as he followed God. I wish I could say that I do not look back. I don't want to and I feel bad, but I miss so much and at times I feel so alone. It has encouraged me to know that God is faithful.
God has not called me to a place I did not want to go in a location sense. (perhaps I haven't been listening) I have moved from Iowa as a child with my family to Colorado, from Colorado to Chicago and back again to Colorado in less than 6 months; from Colorado to Minnesota, then to Nebraska and back to Minnesota. My children and grandchildren are in Colorado. Ivonne, I have prayed for you today. God is faithful and I know you will find His people in the new place. The biggest test of my faith has been when God called me to walk through the dark valley of grief when my first grandson committed suicide at age 15. But God truly is faithful, He walked me through that experience and returns with me there from time to time still. He has not left, even though sometimes I have thrown my pain and anger in His direction. --- That's enough of that from me, now.
ReplyDelete@Ivonne, I'm glad that you're becoming a part of this community. Have you found a new church yet? I know that can take some time and establishing a new normal is a process.
ReplyDelete@Cheryl, I can't imagine that kind of pain. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am so glad to hear your testimony that God has held you through these difficult times.
Praying for both of you today!
@Cheryl . . . where in Chicago were you?
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, I registered for the class but I still dont get any notifications of new posts...what can be wrong? thanks
ReplyDeleteToyin
Hey Toyin,
ReplyDeleteYou'll need to set yourself up for an RSS feed. Look on the right side of this page and you'll see a place where it says you can either subscribe to posts or comments. That's the feed. I have mine running through G-Mail. If anybody else is better at this, please feel free to chime in!!!
Hello Pam and all...My name is Karen, and I am sorry to have to post as "anonymous" but I am having difficulty with putting my name in the profile without also sending out my full name and e-mail address to the world.
ReplyDeleteI too have recently relocated and not yet in a new church. I don't have any family except for my daughter who has recently moved to another state. I have done some Precept studies in the past through the church I attended before I moved. I decided I would try to do a study on my own, but became somewhat overwhelmed. Then I received e-mail from Precept announcing this online study. I am so grateful for this opportunity to again study God's Word with His people. Thank you, Pam. Blessings.
Hey Karen,
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is fine, but if you select "Name/URL" from the pull down menu, you can just put Karen on the name line and leave the URL entry blank. That should work without giving your personal info to the world. :)
I'm so glad that you're going to be part of this community! Are you currently visiting churches? So important to have people face to face, too, but I know it can take awhile to find the right fit.
Pam, To answer where I was in Chicago. Since Dad and I had jobs at O'Hare before the sale of the home in Colorado, we rented an apartment in Franklin Park. In 1963, it was just 15 minutes from work (on Saturday, when I didn't go to work) On a work day it took about an hour to get there. Chicago traffic on Manheim Road. UGH I was there such a short time, My heart was in Colorado
ReplyDeleteGod has not called me to a different location either, but He has called me to obedience in my marriage, which is difficult for me for a variety of reasons. It is sometimes difficult to choose to obey God's word and precepts in the midst of a situation, so I really appreciated your reminder about 'deciding to obey in advance.' That's definately something that I need to start teaching my daughters and remember to put into practice myself - DAILY! Thank you Pam!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tech help, Pam. And thank you for the reminder that I need to get back to visiting local churches, which I have not done for several months. I have had every excuse imaginable for not doing so, but I know how important it is.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I want to say how sorry I am for your loss. I am praying for you today.
I've also been coming through an Abraham-ish situation.... Recently my husband and I were called to leave our church. Both of us held positions of leadership, and our decision was not received well by people we respected and trusted. We were called Jonahs, told we were making a mistake, comitting financial suicide because my income from that position would cease and I would have to again work outside the home...etc. It was one of the hardest times of my life, I dealt with anxiety attacks for the first time. I Thank God for his mercy that he healed me from the anxiety with the words "your mourning is over, now you are dancing". Now that it is months later, through this study, I've realized that i have been looking back too much. For me, to be in a new home church, but still in that growing-in phase is difficult and I feel a bit like a boat alone in the ocean because we chose to cut all ties with our previous church for the good of all in the situation (easier for folks to move one and for the new leadership to transition) but I have been fighting this "alien" feeling. Now at least I have a name for these feelings and I can look to the faithful in Hebrews for some hope :-) I know we did the right thing, I have seen immediate growth in our marriage, and my hobby business is now suddenly supporting us so I didn't have to get a job, so God's hand is here for sure, no question that we are going the right direction...
ReplyDeleteHi - I'm Lynn -In Beth Moores study of the Patriarchs she related Abraham's home of Ur - to our Usual Routine. Like Krystle - I am going through an Abraham situation of changing churches - it is difficult. But it was necessary for me to leave that home of more than 22 years and change. Again, like Krystle I now have names for the feelings I am experiencing!!
ReplyDeleteGod is directing me - I'm being challenged. Really enjoying the study.
This must be quite a study because I have had nothing but opposition since I tried to get into week 2!
ReplyDeleteWill catch up soon!
Thank you to Krystle and Lynn for your testimony. It was encouraging to me because my husband and I have been led to leave our church of 15 years. It is not easy, but your testimony was just what I needed--stepping out in faith!
ReplyDeletePam, in researching the Greek and Hebrew names for promise, I discovered in Greek; epaggelia, the word is feminine noun and in Hebrew; dabar, it is a masculine noun. Where can I go to find out the difference in the two types of nouns?
ReplyDelete@Paulette . . . in many foreign languages, Hebrew and Greek included, nouns are assigned gender really without any particular reason. The easiest example I can think of is, oddly, in French. "Cat" is a feminine noun while "dog" is a masculine noun. Doesn't mean all cats are female and all dogs are male, just is. Your biggest help in grammar will probably be from www.studylight.org, but that will be more for parsing of verbs. Verbs are where most of the action is! ;)
ReplyDelete@Karen . . . How pushy of a question is this? Did you check out a church this weekend? :) I know it can be hard to find a new one and I know that sometimes it can be hard to live in an old one, but it is so important to have a local group of people we can do life with. If you did check one out, what was your favorite thing about it?
ReplyDeleteIn many cases, God's promises or commands are conditional. In regards to the word promise, in 1 Kings 2:4, he says, keep my statutes, etc. etc. etc. SO THAT, the Lord may carry out His promise.
ReplyDeletePam, not pushy at all, and thank you for asking. :) Sunday morning I was just about to leave for the church I felt the Lord was leading me to. I literally had my carkeys in my hand and was on my way out the door when my security system malfunctioned and I could not get alarm to shut off. This has never happened before. Too long a story to post here, but I did not make it to church. The good news is that I am now more determined than ever to get there this coming Sunday. I was feeling some resistance within myself, and that has lifted.
ReplyDeleteKaren . . . Great to know! Can't wait to hear about your adventure next week!! Thank you for being so gracious to answer.
ReplyDeleteI just love reading everybody's comments and I would love to do just that read only, but one of the directives is that we are to chime in so here goes...which came first the chicken or the egg? That question used to be open for debate before I read the bible. Now I know God created...Which came first with Abraham and with us too? Faith or obedience. If you have faith does it make obedience easier? Vs 8 By faith when Abraham was called obeyed...Living in the land of Ur he had faith. Soooo....faith and obedience go hand in hand? Ahhh, I think I see, when we are disobedient we lack faith in God, right? Remember that page that said jot down your questions? I could not think of one and now here I am with twenty questions. Thanks for indulging me.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to be a part of this Bible study. All of the posts are such a blessing, even when you read of someone else going through such a sad time in their life. Truly God is FAITHFUL!! I too have gone through many hard times and even when life seemed so hard I kept looking up and telling God I will sever You know matter what, know matter what, know matter what!!! Ummmm, I LOVE HIM, MY LORD!!!! Thanks Pam for all that you do and your obedience to God. I want to be around strong women and I have met so many tonight as I read all comments. Praying for all of you!! God Bless!!! Rebecca
ReplyDelete@Rebecca . . . glad to be walking with you!
ReplyDelete@Vickie . . . Check out Hebrews 3. Pay special attention to the last two verses! :)
I love the thought that Abraham and Sarah were older and yet they stepped out and obeyed, uprooting their routine and comfortable life. We can place our "security" in the comfortable routines and surroundings of life. I wonder what Sarah had to leave behind that was too much to carry? Abraham left when God called and it reminded me of the song we used to sing, "Trust and Obey".
ReplyDeleteGood comments, Pam! We often think about how extremely old they were when Isaac was born, but you're very right — they were already old when it was pack it up and leave your country time!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to Abraham. God lead me to move to Texas from Kansas when I graduated from college. I've been here about 16 years now. The latest call was to leave my job of 10 years to go back and pursue a Ph.D. and a career in teaching. Now that the degree is almost finished, I have to trust God for the promise of a new job.
ReplyDelete@Marlene . . . was the call to pursue the advanced degree easier than the initial move to Kansas since you had more history with God? BTW -- Congratulations on the post-grad studies . . . a big deal at any age, but especially going back after 10 years!
ReplyDeletePam,
ReplyDeleteI think this call was tougher since I'm married and it involved leaving a job, selling a home - all to make it happen. But God has provided for our needs and opened some doors along the way. I read Kay's book, "As Silver Refined" when I went through the difficult time of giving up some of the comforts to follow God's direction.
This morning at church my pastor was talking about Abraham and what a life of faith looked like. He said the symbol of a life of faith is a TENT. I liked that picture.
ReplyDeleteI know I am late in answering here but I am still here doing this study!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great reminder/lesson of how important it is to decide to believe in advance. It is the only way to walk by faith since so much we can't see.
Hebrews 11:15 just jumped out at me this week. The statement that if they had been 'looking back', 'remembering' where they had come from, they could have returned. Oh that just hit me with such a fresh Word! I love when that happens.
The example of faith that has affected me the most so far has been Noah. The fact he was 'divinely warned of things not seen'...a great flood, not to mention he had no idea what rain even was. I love to really think about the fact that it took Noah 120 years to build this ark in his backyard, and then when it is done and he enters, he and his family sit in that ark for seven days before the rain and flood even begins. I can't even imagine what that was like. But just such a patience and steadfastness and show of walking in faith when you have no idea what is really going to happen or come. I want to live like that.
I love this study. Pam you are a great teacher.
Blessings,
michelle
@Michelle . . . Glad you're keeping at it and noticed you posted on week 3, too! It's good to be reminded that we're not the only ones who have to walk without seeing, isn't it? I agree with you on Noah . . . to have to do something so public for so long . . . wow, that's big faith. Glad you're enjoying the study. :)
ReplyDelete@Karen . . . How was church?
ReplyDeleteFinally, finished week two (halfway to week 3). God's timing is perfect.......here's my example of that:
ReplyDeleteWhen first thinking about week 2, I firmly stated to myself that I do not look back on many things. I used to until one day a lady in a small group mentioned that I was the only one carrying around a specific incident replaying it over and over. She was probably right, the others involved probably dont even remember.
That ended some real intense dwelling in the past. It actually applied to several situations from my past.
Then I said to myself, but God isnt moving me anywhere at all right now. Most of my friends and group members are probably sick of hearing me say that I dont know what I am supposed to be when I grow up (I'm 52 so..........). I have felt totally void of direction lately.
Then came the timing of this course, clashing with some events today. There they were: Events and God confirming some things to me.
The 'Ah Ha' moment was when I took a sheet of paper and wrote down what He wants me to do, and where He wants me to step out. OK, I ran it by my elderly Mom before the sheet of paper but she didnt quite get it. Bless her for listening politely.
My stepping out will take some real faith on my part. It may involve leaving some Bible study comfort zones (so many of your stories about seeking a church, really struck me). Other things are more personal, but pretty huge.
Thank you Pam, thank you all for sharing.
If anyone comes along later, just know, it's in God's perfect timing that you ended up here!
Laura.
@Laura . . . God's timing is always perfect! So glad His Word is at work in your heart and mind!
ReplyDeleteAs we talked about obedience in advance a phrase that came up was “you have to be all in” and I thought this was really insightful. You can never be half obedient- it is an all or nothing sort of thing. It is important that we purpose in our hearts, as Daniel did (Daniel 1:8), to be obedient even before a situation comes into our lives that demands obedience. There are circumstances in life that come at us quickly and we don’t have time to think- but if we have already decided in advance to be obedient to God, then it makes those situations simple.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite examples of faith…this was a fun one for me (Laura) to hear the group respond to. It is neat to see how each character resonates with different people- for me Abraham and Enoch are shining examples of faith. Abraham went out from everything familiar and went to a place God was going to give him as an inheritance. He died without receiving the promises but looked forward to a heavenly city and that was why he could endure not receiving the land during his lifetime. He also did not withhold his only son, Isaac, from God and knew that God is able to raise people from the dead because the promises had to come through Isaac. And then there is Enoch- ever faithful to walk with God. One girl in our group, Olivia, said that Noah was her favorite because he was a doer and not just a hearer. He obeyed and started building a massive ark even though it didn’t make sense to the people around him. Megan said that her favorite example of faith is Sarah because even though Sarah messed up- she trusted God and He was still faithful to her.
Love all of your insights! It is great how God can use the stories of different biblical characters to resonate with different ones of us. I think He still does the same things today. How many times have you been encouraged by the faith of someone in your life today who is walking with God? Gives me encouragement to know that God can use anything and God can redeem anything. May He use our lives to encourage someone else today!
ReplyDeletePam, I loved your phrase of "directional resolve". Abraham definitely encourages me to press forward with obedient faith. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Abraham encourages me, too!
ReplyDelete