EMERGENCE

A Spiritual Mindfulness Tanka

carview.php?tsp=

Budding presence born.

Existing in the here. Now.

Living as meant. Be.

Breathing in the sounds of life.

Emerging as purposed. Formed.


Spiritual Life Fitness Challenge: Write your own 5-7-5-7-7 spiritual mindfulness poem. Add color, sound, movement, and texture to it. Journal about the experience. For those who want to go further with this exercise, you can assign a Bible verse for personal reflection and meditation.

A.M. Splash: Just Some Random Thoughts

carview.php?tsp=

Time for some random thoughts on everything and nothing. Maybe my thoughts will get you thinking your own thoughts…or maybe not.


  • Why don’t people OPEN their hearts, minds, mouths when it comes to speaking up or standing up to an injustice?

  • Does justice for all apply to everyone? (This is not a concept theory, but it is a legitimate question.)

  • What is the difference between Christianity, Christian nationalism, and Christian patriotism? (Think on which best aligns with Christ, His ministry, His message, and His mission.)

  • How is it fair to criminalize the innocent and exonerate the guilty?

  • Is it possible for a sitting judge to be impartial when he or she allows personal prejudices to dictate decisions?

  • Why do people run away instead of stick around when it comes to fighting the good fight of faith?

  • Will people ever move beyond their own selfish opinions?

  • What purpose does division serve in the place where there should be unity?

  • Why is it that when a person has an issue with someone, they go speak to everyone but the person they have the issue with?

  • Didn’t GOD make man – all men, regardless of race, culture, creed – in His image?

  • Why is race even a thing?

  • Why does one group of people get to oppress another?

  • Isn’t all unrighteousness still unrighteous?

  • When the Bible says to work out your own soul salvation with fear and trembling, does that mean that other people get a say in how we each do it?

  • What is the whole duty of man, again?

  • In the absence of knowledge, why does the proud man write his own version of truth?

  • If given the choice between being selfish and selfless, which is your default setting? Answer honestly. (Okay, for real, this time.)

  • Do temper tantrums used under the guise of faith ever really accomplish anything?

  • Why don’t people understand that JESUS was not prejudice, racist, divisive (based on a 21st century definition), or bigoted?

  • Remind me again… Doesn’t the Bible say that there is a way that seems right to a man? (Finish that thought, please.)

  • How can being cruel actually be kind?

  • Can things that look bad on the outside be good on the inside? Likewise, can things that look good on the outside be bad on the inside?

  • When all is said and done, what do people really believe in – self or Savior?

  • What is the most important part of hospitality?

  • When did passive aggressiveness ever benefit anyone?

  • How did we get here? HOW did we get here? How did WE get here? How did we get HERE? (There is a difference.)

  • Why is it that when people don’t know what to think, they take liberties to fill in the blanks?

  • Why does any one individual try to break the spirit of another individual?

  • Why do we so easily forget that we will have to give an account for what we have done? (Hmm…does that mean that the things not done may be a part of that process?)

  • If we have no reverential fear of GOD, shouldn’t we be concerned?

  • Seriously though… Isn’t there a difference between admonishment and criticism?

  • What does “check your privilege” mean for the follower of Christ?

  • Are you helpful or hurtful to those around you? (Look inside yourself and at your behavioral patterns for the truest answer.)

  • Are we a thankless people? (Assess and determine.)

  • If the Bible indicates that it is critical that we examine ourselves, why then do we not do it?

  • Do people value integrity anymore?

  • How much does the LORD really mean to you?


Credit: Dreamstime

What Solomon Knew: Lessons in Wisdom

carview.php?tsp=

Statement: The more I live, the more I observe the world around me, and the more I study from the Word of GOD, the more I marvel at how wrong mankind gets things.

A.M. Thoughts: With arrogance and pride, he [mankind] struts about with a sense of intellectual superiority , but he has not an ounce of true knowledge. He refuses to acknowledge or perhaps to accept the Fullness and Glory of our awesome GOD. He fails to take to heart or to keep in mind the statues, laws, ordinances, and instructions contained within the Word of GOD itself. He denies the Savior even when He sacrificed Himself once and for all. He often neglects that which he professes to believe in. He speaks words that are a far cry from the truth, yet he wants others to believe it is truth nonetheless. He demonstrates a lack of love and a lack of awareness when and where a compassionate response for the care and concerns of others may be needed. He straddles the fence where morality, honor, justice, and integrity are concerned, but he wants to proclaim that he is taking a righteous stance for the good of all. He sings aloud with many words from a heart that is lukewarm, hardened, or maybe even empty. He boasts of having godliness, spirituality and wisdom, yet his actions, behaviors, attitude, and choices say otherwise. He is not humble nor is he sincere when it comes to surrendering or submitting to GOD.

Preparatory Bible Study: Read 1 Kings 3:5-15. Emphasis should be placed on 1 Kings 3:9.

What Solomon Knew: Lessons in Wisdom – > A new series of lessons based on the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon is planned for the coming weeks and months.

We will explore topics such as:

  • Where Knowledge Begins
  • How to Live a Godly Life
  • How to Walk Toward Wisdom
  • The Heart, Character and Integrity of a Man
  • The Limitations and Follies of Man
  • The Sovereignty of GOD
  • How to Enjoy Life
  • Lasting Love in Relationships
  • Pride: The Anti Agent
  • The Inevitability of Imperfection
  • The Ugliness…From a Spiritual Perspective
  • The End As in the Beginning

Look for featured Bible study lessons and Spiritual Life Fitness messages to be sprinkled into this year’s Phone Tree Bible Study Group blog line.


Credit: Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

Singing David’s Song of Deliverance

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

carview.php?tsp=

Reading Assignment: 2 Samuel 22

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

You know what? The Sesame Street Cast was on to something when they encouraged listeners to, “Sing. Sing a song. Sing out loud. Sing out strong. Sing of good things, not bad. Sing of happy, not sad… Make it simple. To last your whole life long.” I love that.

In 2 Samuel 22, David sang a song to the LORD. It was song of deliverance. It was a song of declaration that celebrated the GOD who had rescued him – a man who was sought after by his enemies. The words that David sang out loud and sang out strong were heartfelt and revealing. We would do well to sing those words for ourselves.


A Final Challenge:

  • Develop a personalized list of Bible study questions to consider from the 2 Samuel 21-24 chapter readings. If you are inclined to do so, feel free to share them with the group.
  • Comment by email or on the blog as to which section of David’s song resonated with you the most.
  • Pen your own song of deliverance. Once it has been completed, do what David (and The Sesame Street Cast) did…SING!


carview.php?tsp=

Photo Credit: FREERANGE

A Study on the Books of Samuel: 2 Samuel 21-24

carview.php?tsp=

In this final week of study,

  • Pray that the LORD might grant you a clear understanding of His warnings and His wisdom lessons.
  • Read 2 Samuel 21-24.
  • Take notes on the following:
    • The Three-Year Famine
    • The Gibeonites
    • The Seven Descendants
    • The Sparing of Mephibosheth
    • Rizpah
    • Philistine Giants Destroyed
    • David’s Song of Deliverance
    • The Last Words of David
    • Mighty Men of David
    • The Census: Israel and Judah
    • David’s Confession of Sin
    • GOD’s Directive to Gad
    • The Altar on the Threshing Floor

  • Look for A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article later this week.

carview.php?tsp=

Photo Credit: Frugal Mom and Wife

The Portrait of a Rebel

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

carview.php?tsp=

Reading Assignment: 2 Samuel 20:1

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

The selfish, self-serving rebel, with his unruly heart, his defiant attitude, and his recalcitrant nature, is a far cry from being obedient. He is a narcissist who practices the art of antagonism. He actively entices and provokes, all while seeking to undermine authority. He incites chaos and encourages conflict. However, his plots and schemes will always find him out. His wayward, disorderly behavior all but guarantees a swift race toward the path of destruction. In the spiritual sense, there will be no salvation in the face of his divisive obstinance.


Bible Study Questions to Consider:

1) Considering etymology, what is the Hebrew meaning of the word rebel (in the noun form)?

2) Based on 2 Samuel 20:1, what can be deduced about Sheba?

3) In chapter 20, how and/or why are the people divided?

4) In Biblical terms, what is the usual meaning of the blowing of a trumpet or a horn? Why is the act considered to be significant, as it relates to Sheba?

5) What chain of events transpired following Sheba’s revolt?

6) What was the final outcome of the rebellion?

7) Why is it important to know that order was restored under King David?


Meditative Scripture:

carview.php?tsp=


Photo Credit: FreeP!k, BibleHub

A Study on the Books of Samuel: 2 Samuel 20

carview.php?tsp=

This week,

  • Pray the Psalm 27 prayer over your life and over the lives of those who are in your sphere of influence.
  • Read 2 Samuel 20.
  • Take notes on the following:
    • The Life, Rebellion, and Death of Sheba the Benjamite
    • The Men of Israel Versus the Men of Judah
    • The 10 Concubines
    • Amasa, Commander of the King’s Army
    • Abishai (David’s nephew)
    • The Presence and Actions of Joab
    • The Wise Woman of Abel Beth Maacah
    • King David’s Officials and Their Posts
  • Look for A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article later this week.

carview.php?tsp=

Photo Credit: ​The Tel Abel Beth Maacah Excavations