Congratulations to my writing friend and author, Mary DeMuth!

Her latest book was released yesterday: Stop Living Small, which I recommend to all women who have struggled or are struggling with the lies of unworthiness, which renders us with feelings of shame, remorse, loneliness, vulnerability, longings without hope of success, despair and more negative thoughts.

I relate to Mary's writing because I know she's been there, but her struggles taught the lessons we need to hear today. Number one is that God's love can erase all those lies.

I love Mary's writing because she puts feelings, which are hard to express, into words that form mental pictures in my mind.  Only then can I/we place ourselves into the picture" and find healing and joy.

Aging Defined

A Polish grandma once told me, "Oi, they forgot to tell me about the rust in the Golden Years."

One of Maxine's witticisms I can relate to is:

Yep, humor lightened the moment while the paramedics helped me up from my kitchen floor. That evening I learned that everything in my kitchen moved. I had nothing to grab onto.

Now at age 77, I agree with Old Socrates:

 I am the wisest [wo]man alive, 

for I know one thing, 

and that is that I know nothing. 

Selah ... think about this

Connie

Philippians, an in-depth study

Time. What's that? Everyone is so-o busy. Well, not everybody. Those with disabilities and many seniors like me have too much time.

Here's the deal. I'll study with the Holy Spirit's assistance

I have seven commentaries/study books, multiple versions of the Bible, and seven Bible research books plus the internet for an in-depth study of Philippians, my favorite New Testament book.

One of the highlights is the power of a woman long before women had rights. 

Due to illness, I was unable to complete this study. If I improve, I will try again.

Connie

8-28-2021

I am doing much better physically plus I have a caregiver each day. She takes care of my apartment, shopping, laundry, etc. Therefore, I can use my limited energy for the things I love. The study of Scripture heads my list. 

And I am happy to announce the in-depth study of Philippians is COMING SOON following the mini-study about Hagar.

Selah,

Connie

COMING SOON!

 

Have You Met Hagar?

Spring, 2021 found me studying the life of Hagar, a slave found in Genesis 16 and again in chapter 21:8-21. I recognized her name, but knew very little about her.

10 articles and 9 books later I found Hagar to be an extraordinary woman and well worth sharing her life with you. I think you'll be amazed how her story relates to the women of today.

Come back soon and I'll take you to Canaan ten generations after the flood.

Selah (think on this),

Connie

Closing for Now

Due to declining health issues, I am unable to maintain this blog.

Should my energy level improve, I'll be back. But...

Connie

Noah Study: Lesson 3

The story of Noah is about faith, obedience and grace. Let's begin by looking at what faith is.

Faith Quotes to Ponder

Faith in God is the rarest of things because we only have “faith” in our feelings. 

"I do not believe God unless He will give me something in my hand whereby I may know I have it. Then I’ll say, “Now I believe.”  

There is no faith in that.

-      David McArdle

Scottish Bible Scholar

When we are motivated by what Jesus needs- not what man needs and not what we think we need- then we are on the path of continual and perpetual blessing [through obedience based on faith.]

-      Chip Brogden, author

The life of faith is not a life of mounting up on wings, but a life of walking and not fainting… faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.

-      Oswald Chambers

True faith involves the whole of the inner person: the mind hears God’s instructions; the heart ponders the possible outcomes then acts in obedience to God’s Word.

-      Unknown

     

 

     Selah - think on this 

      

     Connie

     Next post: "Faith Defined"

Noah Study Lesson 2:

The Sunday group did not meet due to several not feeling well. However, I want to share what was on my heart. I ran across this on Pinterest:

I am guilty. Read, write, talk... no problem, but I haven't listened well. Overall I know what God expects from me, but right now? This moment? I don't know specifically. Thus, the temptation is to do my own thing. That may lead me where I don't want or need or shouldn't go. So...

First,

Next...

 Working on that.

Then...

 Now, with gratitude, I'll listen! 

Is there something in your life you need to change or to say I'm sorry for?

Salah ~ think on this

Connie

Noah Study: Week 1

Our study group met for our first session. Everyone received a Study Packet; and the tree picture (from Getting to Know You) to fill in and return next week.

Everything I Need to Know About Life I Learned From Noah’s Ark

1. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

2. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something Really big.

3. Don’t listen to critics. Do what has to be done.

4. Build your future on the high ground.

5. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

6. Two heads are better than one.

7. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.

8. When you’re stressed, float for a while.

9. Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.

10. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don’t sit there and complain– shovel!

11. Stay below deck during the storm.

12. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs & the Titanic was built by professionals.

13. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.

14. No matter how bleak it looks, there’s always a rainbow on the other side.

15. DON’T MISS THE BOAT !!!

~ Unknown

We covered the foundational posts: 

               Noah's Family Tree

               Getting to Know You

               As We Begin

               Noah Verse By Verse (July 2015)

(See Blog Archives- above right. Click on the title you wish to read. Or continue to scroll down.)

Noah's story is about faith and obedience plus God's mercy:

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7(NLT)

For this study we need:

1.  A basic understanding of what faith is.
2.  A look at the Hebraic (Old testament) versus the Greek (New Testament) mindsets.

That's where we'll begin next week.

Selah ~ think on this

Connie

Noah's Family Tree

for Noah

Adam & Eve

'                         (

 Cain                                                                                                               Seth

   ↓                                                                                                                        $

Enoch                                                                                                              Enosh

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Irad                                                                                                                 Kenan

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Mehujael                                                                                                        Mahalalel

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Methushael                                                                                                    Jared

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Lamech                                                                                                          Enoch

w/Adah                  w/Zillah                                                                                              $

   ↓                                ↓                                                                                             Methuselah

Jabal                 Tubal-Cain                                                                                               $ 

   &                                &                                                                                            Lamech

Jubal                  [Naamah]                                                                                              $                      

                                                                                                                                    Noah                                                                                                                                                     [10^thgeneration]

Note the similarities in names between Seth and Cain's heirs.

A key to the building of the ark is found in the relationships between Noah and his father and grandfather. Both were still alive during the building process. 

NEWS

Moody Publishing announced today that they are releasing two new Bible Studies for Women.

Moody asked women what they were looking for in Bible studies. Their response was "something in-depth with no fluff...something to feed the mind not just the heart."

I am delighted that publishers are listening. I've been saying that for years; and why I studied then wrote this study and several more.

My in-person group meets Sunday afternoon. Prepare your heart and mind... I am!

Remember to submit- in the box to the right- your e-mail address so you won't miss a post.

Getting to Know You

This is YOUR tree to copy.

The ladies in the real-time study group did this "Getting to Know You Tree."

Instructions:
Place your name on the trunk; then add who you are as one word at a time in each leaf. This will help us know who you are and we will use it as a prayer reminder by exchanging them each week.

For those online: Using the comments, write what is on your leaves.  We will pray for you also.

I tried to copy my tree, but it didn't work.

Here is the list of my leaves (in no particular order):

adoptive mom, friend, daughter, sister, heir,wife/widow, musician, record maker, neighbor, trustworthy, lover, forgiving, collector, Hebrew learner, compiler, content, writer, editor, poet, author, letter writer, cook, baker, mystery fan, blogger, organizer, honest, defuser, giver, storyteller, thankful, classical music lover, journal writer, movie watcher, praiser, encourager, gramma to 3, X-stitcher, game player ~ Canasta, Mahjongg, Scrabble~ quoter, knitter, nurse, book lover, Bible study-er, aunt, color-er, senior, seed planter, forever student, sister, pray-er,& most important a child of the King of the Universe. At the top of the roots, I added F-A-I-T-H.

As we begin...

Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible, wrote:

          "This ability of the Bible to continually reinvent itself is matched only by its ability to make itself relevant to anyone who encounters it... The chameleon-like quality is what makes the Bible so vital." (p. 408)

That's why we can read a portion of Scripture many times, but each time it is as if it is brand new. Because our level of understanding grows/changes that we're ready to go to the next level in our comprehension.

In Dr. Bob Utley's "Opening Statements on the Study of Genesis1-1," he reminds us that even though "it is beyond our mental capabilities... we must be able to comprehend it in order to be able to properly respect it. Believers interpret it differently (some poorly), but all are responsible for the truths they understand.*" (p. 2)

Remember the onion's many layers? Each of us is accountable for what we understand in God's Word...and that's different from person to person. What a just God we have.

I also agree with Dr. Utley's opening statement in each of  his "Study of Genesis" sessions:

          "A commentary is a guide, which means you're responsible for your own interpretation... You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretations... You must not relinquish this to a commentator. [pastor, priest, rabbi, Sunday School teacher or Bible study leader*] The questions are meant to be thought-provoking...not definitive."

Please remember these words as we begin our study of Noah.

Selah,
Connie

* emphasis & additions are by this writer

Studying Scripture

Looking for the perfect way to study and understand God's Word?

The answer is whatever works best for you, but help is available. I searched  Google and perused Pinterest and found hundreds of options. In reality, they are variations of a simple format.

First, you must make a commitment to study. Set a time; inform your family so you won't be interrupted.Write it on your calendar and to-do list. Get a simple notebook or journal to write in. Choose a place where you are comfortable- I chose a specific rocking chair in the corner. When I was there, my young son never distracted me.

Optional, join an established study group to see if that's best for you.

Choose a version of the Bible that is easy for you to read and understand. Later, you will want to do comparisons. I own about 12 versions/paraphrases that I have purchased over the years. However, I find I use BibleGateway.com and blueletterbible.org, which are faster and  less cumbersome. 

           

            Pray with an open heart and mind for God to bless your study with understanding,

            Read selection/passage/chapter slowly. Savor the words and ponder its meaning.

            Interpret and evaluate... use helps, but remember this is between you and God. 

            Listen to His instructions.

            Apply the concept  to your life.

    

Think of onions and their many layers. That's a good mental picture of our understanding of Scripture. God teaches us layer upon layer that's why the Bible is never stagnant. He builds on our unique foundation.

What you need to know...

Where you are at this moment.

Next time it will be new again.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote, “If I were able to keep it all figured out, I would start to lose that sense of reliance on the Lord.”

Personally, going deeper in God's word fills me with great joy and draws me closer to Him. When I'm not studying I feel a huge gap in my life. I pray and start again...

Charlie Brown has the right attitude:

For those of you who have studied Scripture for a long time, the above has already happened in your lives.Stick to what works for you. Embellish or expand it. Do that Google search or Check out Pinterest to freshen your approach. Consider Bible Journalling. Share your wisdom and encourage the new study-ers.

Encourage your churches to go deeper in their Scripture studies. 

One final suggestion: stay hydrated. Drink water, tea or your favorite beverage to keep your brain cells operating at full speed.

As always Scripture says it best:

Selah ~ Think on these things.

Connie

Verse By Verse & More

Genesis 6-9 study begins July 31st, 2016. 

Lessons will be posted weekly after the live sessions. 

For a student guide and FREE gift subscribe 

and I will e-mail them to you. 

See below for Introductory background notes. 

2016

The study of Noah will restart later this year.

Noah Verse by Verse

     

Who:      Noah and his family

What:     the great flood

When:    1600 years or 10 generations after Adam

Where:   Mesopotamia (modern day Iran)

Why:      to understand how the life of Noah impacts upon us today

Studying Noah’s life is like putting a puzzle together. Sadly, we will never be able to complete it... many pieces are missing. However, it will worth the attempt. I pray that looking deeper into Noah’s life will create a desire to explore other people and events in God’s Word.

We will be studying Genesis 6 through 9 verse by verse, but before we begin, I would like to set the foundation of life prior to the flood. I found I needed an understanding of the developments prior to the building of the ark and this helped me keep things in perspective: 

Old Stone Age:  prior to 10,000 B.C. ~hunting, food gathering; caves and temporary shelters; flint, chipped stone tools; cave paintings.

Middle Stone Age:  10,000 - 8000 B.C.~ food producing; first settlements.

New Stone Age:  8,000--4,000 B.C~ pottery, textiles, agriculture, domestication of animals.

Copper Age:  4,000 – 3,000 B.C. ~ copper pits, ovens, fireplaces, underground dwellings.

Early Bronze Age:  3,000 – 2,000 B.C. ~ bronze from copper, hieroglyphic writing, pyramids, many gods, from small family groups to larger nomadic clans, by 3,000 B.C. irrigation techniques, and in 2900 B.C. the 365 days calendar.       

Here's another timeline to show us that the advancements by Noah’s time were, indeed, sufficient to build the ark as God commanded.

Significant Advances:Significant Background Advancements

7500 B.C.            Hatchets used to fell trees; sheep domesticated

7000 B.C.            Stone tools shaped by grinding

6500 B.C.            Cattle domesticated; gathering of wild honey in paintings

6000 B.C.            Skull found with evidence of surgery

5500 B.C.            Evidence of pottery

5000 B.C.            Copper melted; mirrors

4500 B.C.            Brass & bronze derived from copper

4000 B.C.            Casting of molten silver & gold

3500 B.C.            Olives cultivated; planting vs. foraging

3300 B.C.            Horses domesticated

3250 B.C.            Potter’s wheel in use

3200 B.C.            Earliest writing in Sumerian language; boat with sail/picture

3150 B.C.            Wheeled carts

3100 B.C.            First kingdom-Egypt with 100,000 citizens; chariots

3000 B.C.            Egyptian hieroglyphic script

2900 B.C.            Egypt adopts civil calendar of 356 days

2700 B.C.            Writing invented

2650 B.C.            Step (cut stone) pyramid

2500 B.C.            Egyptian dam 272’ thick; percussion instruments; 

                         axes with sockets for handles

2450 B.C.            Smelted iron; copper pipes

2348/2100 B.C.    The flood

2000 B.C.            Drains, sewers & soap



Noah's family tree also indicates his knowledge base relevant to building the ark- see next post.

Selah...

Connie

Previous Post: Introduction to Genesis 6-9.

~ ~ ~

7/23/15

Temporary delay: was admitted to hospital unexpectedly on 7/20/15. I am home, just need to rest a few days and I'll return with this exciting study!

9/13/15
My desire doesn't match my ability.Unable to give you my best due to health issues. Please check back periodically... I'll be back! 

Noah's family tree also gives us insight into Noah's knowledge and capabilities. We'll look at that in the next post.

Selah, 

Connie

New Year Crash & What's up?

Began 2015 with a dead computer, but now I'm ready to share GemLode with you.

GemLode is for those who want to delve into Scripture, who want to get beneath the surface of God's Word, who want to study and increase their knowledge and then apply it to their lives.

My name is Connie and I met the Lord in a very personal way over 50 years ago. Over those years, I have been dismayed by the lack of in depth Bible studies. Now that I am retired, my greatest joy is the study of Scripture. Thanks to the internet, resources are readily available plus I have built a small Bible reference library.

Currently, I am writing a Scripture based book.

Max Lucado wrote, "Blessed are the available. Blessed are the conduits, the tunnels, the tools. Deliriously joyful are the ones who believe that if God has used sticks and rocks [and donkeys] to do His will, then He can use us."

I am available. I desire to be a conduit into God's Word. For our first study, I have used over 40 references and spent over 6 months studying and writing on Genesis 6-9. I have a student PDF for those who e-mail me at constancegilbert@gmail.com.

It is with joy that I begin next week sharing what I discovered about Noah and the Ark. I am praying for you, the readers, as we embark on this verse by verse expedition.

Selah...think on this

Connie

Computer

My computer died & has not been replaced yet. Will be back a.s.a.p.

Coming January 2015

You are invited to join me as I take a deep look into Scripture. It is my heart's desire to understand God's Word and to apply it to my daily live.

But you may ask, "There are thousands of Bible studies available. Why one more?" Because I believe we are all responsible for the truths found in Scripture. Although much of God's Word is beyond our mental abilities to understand, He promises us in 1 Corinthians 2 that we can be taught:

"...the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory... as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined,are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God... that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit." [NET Bible]

Some friends are joining me... all seniors who have grown gray-haired and gained wisdom through our years of walking with the Lord. Thus this blog will be a weekly commentary of our spiritual discoveries, which is meant to stir your gray cells, to provoke new thoughts, to take you closer into the presence of God.

We will begin mining for the greatest of all gems with Genesis.