The Simple Life: Week 5

Good and Best, Perfect Peace, and The Beauty of Simplicity

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

We have arrived at our final week of study. Jane and I pray that your have made some life changing decisions during our six weeks of study! We are very sad that our Bible study is coming to a close, but look with expectation to what God will teach us next. This week we are focusing on exchanging good for best, perfect peace, and the beauty of the simple life. May you continue to answer God’s call to leave the complicated and embrace the simple.

Here is our short introduction to Week 6!

And here is our Community Call Week 5 if you missed that.

Just click on the arrow to listen to our TalkShoe call.

Here is our final Talk Shoe webinar of the series, Episode 6:

Weekly Homework

Remember to check your email every Tuesday evening for your new password for the week. Below you will find homework for each level of study. Feel free to change from Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 as your schedule allows! Remember, there is no pressure to complete every activity. These are just options for your growth. They can be accessed at any time, even after the study ends.

Level 1, Study: Weekly Goals

For Week 5, do chapters 9, 10, and 11 in Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Remember to focus on Jesus.
Feel free to do any of the other activities from Levels 2 and 3 as your time allows.

Level 2, Community: Weekly Goals

For Week 5, do chapters 9, 10, and 11 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post.
Join the Community Call, Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST on Talk Shoe (Information on TalkShoe is in your weekly email.)
Listen to the Podcasts for information about praying. Simply click on the links below.

What Is Prayer? podcast

When Praying Is a Struggle podcast

Level 3, Opportunity: Weekly Goals

For Week 5, do chapters 9, 10, and 11 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post, join the Community Call on Wednesday night on TalkShoe, and listen to the Podcast at the link provided up above.
Don’t forget to check out our private Facebook page. Leave your comments about this week’s study, post your prayer requests, or share any insights/questions you may have. Only members of our Bible study group will see these posts.
Your Simple Challenge activity for this week is Prayer. “Prayer: Conversing with God about what we’re experiencing and doing together.” Click on the link below for an excellent resource and ideas on how to pray.

Prayer

Take advantage of the Extra Simple resources by clicking on the links below:

Because You Prayed

Prayer Strategy: What to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Simple Priorities Tips for getting the most out of your 1440 minutes each day!

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For your listening and worshiping pleasure, take a few minutes to rewind the clock to a simpler time and rest at your Father’s feet. I pray that you will be refreshed by this beautiful music from Paul Cardall–simply beautiful!:

Questions of the Week (Please respond in the Speak Your Mind section at the very bottom of this page).

1. How did you add more prayer to your life this week? If you are comfortable, please share your greatest answer to prayer that you have experienced.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Simple Life: Week 4

The Freedom of Abandonment and The Sacred Present

” Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.” Psalm 90:12

Can you believe that we are more than half way through our Bible study? Jane and I pray that your life is beginning to change for the Simple! We are very excited to continue this journey with you. This week we are focusing on abandoning ourselves in God and living in the present. May you continue to answer God’s call God to leave the complicated and embrace the simple.

If you missed the Week 4 Community Call, here it is. In this call, we discussed Chapters 5 and 6.

Weekly Homework

Level 1, Study: Weekly Goals

For Week 4, do chapters 7 and 8 in Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Remember to focus on Jesus.
Feel free to do any of the other activities from Levels 2 and 3 as your time allows.

Level 2, Community: Weekly Goals

For Week 4, do chapters 7 and 8 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post.
Join the Community Call, Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST on Talk Shoe (Information on TalkShoe is in your weekly email.)
Listen to the Podcast for information on casting your burdens on the Lord . Simply click on the link below.

Level 3, Opportunity: Weekly Goals

For Week 4, do chapters 7 and 8 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post, join the Community Call on Wednesday night on TalkShoe, and listen to the Podcast at the link provided up above.
Don’t forget to check out our private Facebook page. Leave your comments about this week’s study, post your prayer requests, or share any insights/questions you may have. Only members of our Bible study group will see these posts.
Your Simple Challenge activity for this week is Submission. “Submission: Not asserting ourselves in order to come under the authority, wisdom, and power of Jesus Christ as our Lord, King, and Master.” Click on the link below for an excellent resource and ideas on how to practice submission.

Submission

Take advantage of the Extra Simple resources by clicking on the links below:

Wall of Fear

The Father’s Hand

Image courtesy of David Castillo / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of domdean/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For your listening and worshiping pleasure, please abandon yourself and enjoy this breath taking video and music by Paul Cardall–simply beautiful!:

Questions of the Week (Please respond in the Speak Your Mind section at the very bottom of this page).

1. What activity did you choose to do this week for the discipline of submission? If you are comfortable, you may share what you learned from the experience.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Simple Life: Week Three

One Thing and Living

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Jane and I welcome you back to Week Three of The Simple Life! We are very excited to continue this journey with you into the simple. We pray that you are learning to find simpleness and peace in your life by focusing on one thing–Jesus. May you continue to answer God’s call God to leave the complicated and embrace the simple.

Here’s our short introduction to the week 4 study:

If you missed the Week 3 Community Call Week, here it is. Lots of good things were discussed, so be sure to listen if you have time!

Weekly Homework

Level 1, Study: Weekly Goals

For Week 3, do chapters 5 and 6 in Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Remember to focus on Jesus.
Feel free to do any of the other activities from Levels 2 and 3 as your time allows.

Level 2, Community: Weekly Goals

For Week 3, do chapters 5 and 6 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post.
Join the Community Call, Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST on Talk Shoe (Information on TalkShoe is in your weekly email.)
Listen to the Podcast for information on casting your burdens on the Lord . Simply click on the link below.

Level 3, Opportunity: Weekly Goals

For Week 3, do chapters 5 and 6 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post, join the Community Call on Wednesday night on TalkShoe, and listen to the Podcast at the link provided up above.
Don’t forget to check out our private Facebook page. Leave your comments about this week’s study, post your prayer requests, or share any insights/questions you may have. Only members of our Bible study group will see these posts.
Your Simple Challenge activity for this week is Sabbath. “To keep a Sabbath is to set aside a 24-hour day in which you do no work to rest in God’s person and provision. Sabbath is a time to refrain from your normal responsibilities in order to pray and play with God and others.” For ideas on how to go about planning your Sabbath, click on the link below.

Sabbath

Take advantage of the Extra Simple resources by clicking on the links below:

Priorities

Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Day

Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

https://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=3840

For your listening and worshiping pleasure, please be blessed by the beautiful music of Paul Cardall–simply beautiful!:

Questions of the Week (Please respond in the Speak Your Mind section at the very bottom of this page).

1. How did you spend the Sabbath this week? What did you feel and how did it affect you and your family? What did God teach you through this time?

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of evgeni dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Simple Life Week Two

Week Two:

The World and Unshakable Simplicity

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jane and I welcome you back to Week Two of The Simple Life! We are very excited to continue this journey with you into the simple. We pray that you have begun to leave behind the tyranny of busyness and have turned toward becoming a slave of peace. May you continue to answer God’s call to leave the complicated and embrace the simple. Be sure to listen to the Michael W. Smith piece posted below (You will be on your knees by the end of this song … worthy is the Lamb.)

Community Call Week 2

For those of you who weren’t able to join the community call on TalkShoe, here is the Week 2 recording. Simply click on the sideways arrow to listen.

To kick off the second week, we have recorded a very short video for you to get you thinking about this week’s topic. We’ve embedded it right here so that you can watch it.

Weekly Homework

Remember to check your email every Tuesday evening for your new password for the week. Below you will find homework for each level of study. Feel free to change from Level 1, to Level 2, to Level 3 as your schedule allows! Remember, there is no pressure to complete every activity. These are just options for your growth. They can be accessed at any time, even after the study ends.

Level 1, Study: Weekly Goals

For Week 2, do chapters 3 and 4 in Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Remember to focus on Jesus.
Feel free to do any of the other activities from Levels 2 and 3 as your time allows.

Level 2, Community: Weekly Goals

For Week 2, do chapters 3 and 4 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post.
Join the Community Call, Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST on Talk Shoe (Information on TalkShoe is in your weekly email.)
Listen to the Podcast for information on casting your burdens on the Lord.We also left the link from last week. Simply click on the links below. We have kept this podcast the same from last week, because it applies to both weeks.

Silence and Solitude podcast

Level 3, Opportunity: Weekly Goals

For Week 2, do chapters 3 and 4 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post, join the Community Call on Wednesday night on TalkShoe, and listen to the Podcast at the link provided up above.
Don’t forget to check out our private Facebook page. Leave your comments about this week’s study, post your prayer requests, or share any insights/questions you may have. Only members of our Bible study group will see these posts.
Your Simple Challenge activity for this week is Silence. Commit this week to adding more silence to your life. Turn off the radio while you are driving to work. Skip the morning news–you’ll be surprised how much more peaceful your heart will be. Add a time of silence at the end of your day. Resolve to listen today instead of talk. For more ideas on how to add silence to your life please visit the following link (Be sure to click on the Jesus Prayer link.): Silence
Take advantage of the Extra Simple resources by clicking on the links below:

In The Morning

Scripture Prescriptions: Perfect Peace

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For your listening and worshiping pleasure, please be blessed by the beautiful music of Michael W. Smith (make sure you listen all the way to the end–you’ll be simply blessed!):

Questions of the Week (Please respond in the Speak Your Mind section at the very bottom of this page).

1. How did you add more silence to your life this week? What did you feel how did it affect you and your family? What did God teach you through this silent time?

Image courtesy of evgeni dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Simple Life Week 1

Week One:

Profound Simplicity and Gracious Acceptance

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

Jane and I welcome you to Week One of The Simple Life! We are very excited to be with you during this journey into the simple. In the weeks leading up to this study, we have been praying for you. Thank you for answering God’s call; it is not an accident that you have joined this study. God is calling you to leave the complicated and embrace the simple.

Weekly Homework

Each week we will add your assignments to a password-protected post. Look for the password every Tuesday evening in your email. Below you will find homework for each level of study. Feel free to change from Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 as your schedule allows! Remember, there is no pressure to complete every activity. These are just options for your growth. They can be accessed at any time, even after the study ends.

Level 1, Study: Weekly Goals

For Week 1, do chapters 1 and 2 in Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Remember to focus on Jesus.
Feel free to do any of the other activities from Levels 2 and 3 as your time allows.

Level 2, Community: Weekly Goals

For Week 1, do chapters 1 and 2 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post.
Join the Community Call, Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST on Talk Shoe (Information on TalkShoe is in your weekly email.)
Listen to the Podcast for information on the discipline of silence and solitude. Simply click on the link below.

Silence and Solitude podcast

Level 3, Opportunity: Weekly Goals

For Week 1, do chapters 1 and 2 of Becoming A Woman of Simplicity.
Answer the question on the Speak Your Mind comment section at the bottom of this post, join the Community Call on Wednesday night on TalkShoe, and listen to the Podcast at the link provided up above.
Don’t forget to check out our private Facebook page. Leave your comments about this week’s study,post your prayer requests, or share any insights/questions you may have. Only members of our Bible study group will see these posts.
Your Simple Challenge activity for this week is Solitude. Before next Wednesday, set a goal to take four 15-minute mini-retreats n a quiet peaceful place where no one can find you. It is in the quiet places that God has our full attention and often reveals things to us that we miss in the rush of the day. Unplug everything and rest in God. He is waiting to refresh you.
Take advantage of the Extra Simple resources by clicking on the links below:

Simplicity, A Not So Simple Choice

May She Rest in Peace

For your listening and worshiping pleasure, please be blessed by the beautiful music of Paul Cardall:

Questions of the Week (Please respond in the Speak Your Mind section at the very bottom of this page).

1. How did you feel about your mini-retreat this week? What did you feel or what did you notice? What did God teach you through this quiet time?

Week 1 Community Call

For those of you who missed the Week 1 Community Call on Talk Shoe, here is a recording of it. Simply click on the sideways arrow to listen to the call.

Image courtesy of evgeni dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net