Oligopistos anyone?

We're about two weeks away from our next meeting. I hope everyone is enjoying the current selection.

At only 152 pages it's tempting to just stay up late one night and read it straight through, but I've chosen to take it slow and really meditate on the issues raised.

It doesn't take much spiritual introspection for me to see clearly how my own anxiety, fear and reactions to the circumstances in life reflect the "oligopistos" of chapter 3.

Looking at the make-up of our group I think this probably affects us in varying degrees and I am anticipating a great discussion complete with plenty of real life examples of how the Lord has worked in each of our lives in the area of "faith".

For me personally, I've been been seeing my anxiety and worry more as faithlessness and sin rather than just obstacles to my own peace - that changes things for me. At the same time, I am realizing how dependent I am on knowing God, knowing the scriptures and flat out crying out to Him for a remedy to being "of little faith".

How about you? Have the author's thoughts on Faith affected you these past couple of weeks?

Bloggging 101

Now that some of you have started to join the blog I wanted to post a few guidelines to help us get started.

Posting

If you have something you want to share with the group you should write a new post. Give it a descriptive title and type away. You can format it using the toolbar, add photos, etc. But a plain and simple post is nice too.

Use clear, concise labels. These are the little tags that you put in the white box on the bottom right hand corner of your post when you are writing. Try to use one that already exists on our blog under "Topics". If it doesn't fit, be as succinct as possible. If we go crazy on this it will just clutter up the blog.

If you are interested in more blogging tips, check out one of my favorites:

Darcy over at Life With My 3 Boybarians has a beautiful blog and she has posted a series on blogging - here's one that is good to read on the topic of labels or "tags".

http://www.lifewithmy3boybarians.com/2008/05/blog-bloat-tags-1.html


Comments vs. Posts

If you have something quick to add to a conversation use a comment on the relevant post. This will keep things focused. For example, if you have accepted the invitation to join the blog and want to say hi, comment on the welcome post.

http://chapelchelmsfordbookclub.blogspot.com/2008/09/welcome-come-on-in.html

You don't need to create a new post for that.

I know this is new territory for most of you. Relax. It's going to be fun. If you make a mistake you will not be banned from blogging for life.

Now - I am supposed to be cleaning the house while my dear husband who took the day off has the boys out. So my final tip... don't get lost in the blogosphere when you are supposed to be doing something else :) real life is waiting

Books we read in 2006 - 2007

2006 - 2007

1. The Shaping of a Christian Family - Elisabeth Elliot
2. Feeding Your Soul - Jean Fleming
3. Stepping Heavenward - Elizabeth Prentiss
4. The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
5. Heaven - Randy Alcorn

Books we read in 2007 - 2008

2007 - 2008

1. Letters to My Daughters - Paul Friesen
2. Humility - C.J. Mahaney
3. Feminine Appeal - Carolyn Mahaney
4. Hinds Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard
5. A Chance to Die - Elisabeth Elliot
6. Women's Ministry in the Local Church - Susan Hunt and Ligon Duncan
7. With Christ in the School of Prayer - Andrew Murray
8. When I Don't Desire God - John Piper

Welcome! Come on in...

Good evening ladies. Or good-morning, afternoon, whatever it may be. This blog is designed as a place for us to share our many thoughts in the days in-between our meetings. When you have just read something in our latest selection that inspires, confuses or provokes you this is the place to share it without waiting until the next month's meeting. Or maybe you forgot to say something important last time. We hope to enhance our discussion by making it more of an ongoing conversation.

You can say nothing and just read what others are saying or you can write lengthy posts about the author's views on deep theological matters - it's all up to you. So grab your copy of our latest book, a cup of something (double-tall latte for me) and check it out.

Let's remember to use our manners and not say something we wouldn't say in Jan's living room when we are all face to face and happied up on wonderful snacks.



Enjoy!