Barb’s Bible Journal | Psalm 46:10

Barb’s Bible Journal | Psalm 46:10

by | Mar 29, 2019 | Uncategorized

This year, I’ve chosen Psalm 46:10 as my special verse for the year. Here it is:  

“Be still, and know that I am God! 
    I will be honored by every nation. 
    I will be honored throughout the world.” 

There are a lot of things happening in my life that are outside of my control and I need this verse as a reminder that I need to let go of control and trust God.  

Here are some notes from my journal: 

The phrase “be still and know that I am God” is pretty popular. It shows up on social media a bunch as well as on a lot of coffee mugs. The two words “be still” always soothe my heart. God always seems to know when I’m emotionally swinging like a trapeze artist around from worry to faith and back again. The words “be still” are a command to stop the madness that can bounce around in my mind more often than I’d like to admit. 

Be still – relax, let go, not make can effort, leave matters to God, let go of anxiety  

Don’t you feel like taking a deep breathe right now? Seriously, we probably need to all be still in this moment because there is something in our lives that is making us feel exactly the opposite of being still.   

Yet, be still doesn’t mean that we sit around and do nothing. Be still is an attitude, but it should not keep you from taking action. If you find a lump in your breast, be still doesn’t mean that you sit at home on your bed and hope that it goes away. Be still means that you make the doctor’s appointment ASAP, but that you give your anxiety and worries to God because He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7).   

I did some looking around about when this Psalm might have been written. One commentator* proposed that this may have been written when Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrians (Isaiah 37:36). Perhaps that is why the later phrases of the verse are so packed with meaning.  

    I will be honored by every nation. 
    I will be honored throughout the world. 

Those two sentences feel mighty prophetic in our world today, especially in our country, where it feels like our culture cares nothing about God.  In these two lines, God declares that He will be recognized as God by the nations that reject Him and that lands all over the world will recognize God’s fame.  

So, if you’ve ever felt like you’ve had to hop on social media and defend God, you actually don’t. God can take care of making sure that His Glory will be known throughout the world – you don’t have to get into a fight with trolls online trying to help God out.   

What’s my takeaway from Psalm 46:10 – I don’t have to be anxious when I remember that a powerful God is taking action on my behalf. 

* https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/46-10.htm 

The Color of Life | A Conversation about Love, Race, Justice & Privilege with Cara Meredith

The Color of Life | A Conversation about Love, Race, Justice & Privilege with Cara Meredith

by | Mar 28, 2019 | Uncategorized

When I use the phrase "racial justice" how do you feel?

Perhaps you're feeling uncomfortable or you're frustrated because you love people like Jesus does so a conversation about race feels unnecessary. As an African-American woman who also loves Jesus, I promise you, this conversation is necessary. And I want to give you permission to feel uncomfortable and even disagree with what you hear - as long as you're willing to stay engaged and don't give up on listening!

In today's Better Together podcast, I'm talking with author Cara Meredith about her new book, The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice. She's a Caucasian-American woman who married an African-American man named James Henry Meredith, who happens to be the son of Civil Rights activist and icon, James Howard Meredith. Not sure who he is? Cara talks about her father-in-law at the beginning of our conversation and here's an article where you can see photos.

Here's what Cara and I talk about in this episode:

  • Her father-in-law, James Howard Meredith and his pivotal role in US Civil Rights;
  • Why Cara decided to lean into racial justice instead of assume that it wasn't her fight;
  • Why the term "white privilege" is uncomfortable or offensive to some Caucasian-Americans;
  • Practical tool that Cara uses to engage in conversations about race when she doesn't understand or agree.

Connect with Cara Meredith: Facebook  |   Instagram   |  Twitter 

About Cara...

Cara Meredith is a spiritual writer, speaker, and sought-after conversationalist. The Color of Life, a spiritual memoir about her journey as a white woman into issues of justice, race, and privilege, released last month from Zondervan. She holds a Masters of Theology from Fuller Seminary, writes for numerous print and online publications, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Check out this episode!

Hope and Help for Caregivers | Interview with Sarah Forgrave

Hope and Help for Caregivers | Interview with Sarah Forgrave

by | Mar 28, 2019 | Uncategorized

Are you a caregiver who would love it if someone would stop and ask how YOU are doing?

In our culture today, many women find themselves caring for older parents or chronically ill loved ones. Even as medicine has advanced so much, the support for the endless job of caregiving hasn't kept pace. How do you stay uplifted and encouraged when carrying the responsibility of caring for a loved one?

On today's Better Together Podcast, I'm talking with Sarah Forgrave,  author and speaker who loves encouraging others toward a deeper walk of faith. As one who experienced several years of surgeries and slow recovery, Sarah understands the fears and frustrations of not getting better. But, as the caregiver after her sister's heart transplant ten years ago, Sarah also learned many lessons about the the difficulties of caregiving.

Her prayer devotional for those dealing with medical illnesses, Prayers for Hope and Healing, released with Harvest House Publishers in 2017. Sarah's newest book, Prayers of Hope for Caregivers, releases April 2nd. 

Today, Sarah ministers to those of you who wish that someone could explain how it feels to carry the weight of another's care. We talk about when not to take things personally and how to clarify expectations. I love that Sarah speaks openly and honestly about suffering and how it drew her closer to God. So much good stuff today!

In addition to blogging about prayer, faith, and friendship on her website, Sarah is a monthly contributor to TheChristianMommy.com and has contributed to Guideposts' A Cup of Christmas Cheer and many other websites and anthologies. Outside of writing and speaking, she is the busy mom of two preteen children and the wife of an energetic entrepreneur and toy inventor. When she has a moment to herself, she loves to shop the aisles at Trader Joe's or curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.

CONNECT WITH SARAH: Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Prayers of Hope for Caregivers by Sarah Forgrave (Release April 2019)

 

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women's conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women's Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies. Her writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith.

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb's online home at barbroose.com.

Check out this episode!

We Are Blessed When We Rest | Barb Roose

We Are Blessed When We Rest | Barb Roose

by | Mar 13, 2019 | Uncategorized


 

Are you tired? Does taking a day off to rest seem impossible?

Listen to one of Barb's teaching messages on the topic of REST. The big idea of her message is this: We are blessed when we rest.

In this upbeat and equipping message, Barb talks about why and how Jesus championed rest for us.

Some of the highlights from this message:

    • We are blessed when rest.
    • When we are exhausted, sin starts looking good.
    • Rest realigns us with God's purpose for our lives.
    • Rest reconnects us with God.
    • Rest revives us.

Sabbath (Rest Day) Prayer: God, I will rest in you today. I will be blessed as I rest today. I trust that you are my provider and I give you what I have and trust you for what I don't.

BONUS! Is your life out of whack? Here's a video clip from the podcast episode where Barb demonstrates how non-stop living can throw our bodies out of whack. She also tells a funny, yet powerful story of how she realized what God needed her to change in her own life.

 

COMING THIS FALL! I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays

COMING THIS FALL! I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays

by | Mar 2, 2019 | Uncategorized

COMING THIS FALL!


 I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delays

Bible Study by Barb Roose releasing this September 2019!


Do you ever feel like God's is taking too long to answer your prayers? Have you ever taken matters into your own hands, only to discover that you've made the situation worse? 

If you've ever felt anxious, angry, discouraged, or depressed because God isn't giving you what you want, my new I'm Waiting, God Bible study will breathe fresh hope and practical next steps into your life. Click the "pre-order" button to find out more about this study!

Click here to Pre-order

 

BEHIND THE SCENES OF BARB'S NEW BIBLE STUDY!

It's been an exciting few months working behind my computer on the I'm Waiting Bible study. If you've been following my story, you know that living with unanswered prayers has been a huge part of my testimony for many years now. Even in the middle of a really hard season of life, I love how God continues giving me such incredible opportunities to use my gifts to encourage others. Praise God!

Here's a photo is of me signing the contract for the I'm Waiting Study.

My youngest daughter captured this special moment minutes before I rushed out the door to the airport for a speaking event. It's always an honor to sign a publishing contract and I never take these opportunities for granted! This is my third Bible study and fifth published project with Abingdon Press in Nashville, TN. I'm grateful for their continued support!

Next month, I'll fly down to Nashville to record the teaching sessions for the I'm Waiting DVD, which will be available with the Bible study. If you've enjoyed my teaching, whether at a live event or in my other Bible studies, makes sure to grab the DVD when it becomes available in the fall as well.

 

For those who continue to support my ministry through prayer, thank you! Here are a few personal prayer requests:
 
  • I'm Waiting Bible Study: Would you just take a few seconds and place your finger on top of the picture of the I'm Waiting Bible study and pray that God would use it for His glory in the hearts of women across the country?
  • Our Family: God continues to take care of me and my girls in miraculous ways! But, all of our hearts are still deeply broken. We have a wonderful community of support around us and praying for all of us, including my husband. Keep praying for rescue, healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

I've asked you to pray for me, but now, I want to pray with you and for you. Check out my 21-days of prayer challenge!

 

 

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