1 Corinthians 2

S: 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms.


O: As Christians, we are people born of this world, but our souls should not be of this world. We have been given new life through Jesus death and resurrection. Our Spirit from God should be talked about not with our own words, but those from God.


A: Later in Corinthians, we will read about our Spiritual gifts. Just having been blessed by our God and given the Spirit is a gift. I should be sharing this gift with others, using my spiritual gifts. In life, we will come upon people who don’t want to hear, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Whether verbally, through acts of kindness or service, showing others what God has done for us and what he promises for them is what we have been called for; it’s why we were given the Spirit. 


K: Lord thank you for my blessings you have given me. I pray I continue to serve you justly, showing others your love through my daily life. For you, Lord,  it for me.

"The rulers of this world could not understand the wisdom of God in Christ and so they crucified him.  But as believers God has revealed to us, through the Holy Spirit, the wisdom of the cross.  Yet, our limited minds cannot comprehend all of the blessings in store for us!

Imagine planning a surprise party for someone you love. Perhaps you would choose a place they’d like to visit, a gift they’d like to receive and their favorite foods. Now, you prepare this elaborate blessing to give them and you know they are going to thoroughly enjoy it.  This is how God has prepared for us. He knows better than we do what we desire and enjoy, and we cannot even fathom what he has prepared for us.  How does this truth encourage you today?"  (https://womenlivingwell.org/2019/09/its-time-to-begin-intro-and-resources-for-1-corinthians-1-5/)

1 Corinthians 1

So my online Bible Study group is on 1 Corinthians, so I think this is a great place to start my weekly Bible posts.

I’m so excited about 1 Corinthians. A few new names here that I wasn’t aware of, so I looked into them. Apollos background can be found in Acts 18:24. Cephas was the name for Peter. As far  as Chloe is concerned, I don’t have much there. Her name isn’t mentioned previously, so I gather she may be a woman of respect in the Corinth area, and her people told Paul about issues going on. If you have an idea, please share it!

S: 1 Corinthians 1:10 I urge you brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.

O: Paul urged the early church to stand fast together, and not let themselves separate.

A: Reading this verse, I wonder what it would be like if we had listened. If the early church had actually fought to stay together, instead of fighting to be different. God’s initial intention was for all of us to be united in His Word. 2000 years later, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

We have so many different divisions in the church, and still today churches divide over differences in opinion. We shouldn’t follow opinions, but the Word. When left up to man to interpret, the Bible’s truth has gotten watered down. Leaders have chosen to follow beliefs that make them look better, to put themselves higher on a platform. They use God’s name for people to look at them, instead of using His Word for people to see through them (to Himself).

K: Lord I thank you for my blessings. I pray that you offer forgiveness to those who have dishonored your Word and torn the Church apart. I pray for those who have abused the system in every belief, that their heart may become fully open to you, and they may see their faults. I pray that the Church May come together as you intended, so we can all fully serve you. 

Welcome back!

It has been a few years since I last blogged. I am not sure why I stopped. So many things have changed since I was last here. I have a feeling the newest arrival at that time (Katie) was keeping me pretty busy at home, and I didn't make time.



Our little family of 5 moved to Manhattan, KS for my husband's job, in June 2017. It is a really neat little town, with a population of around 50,000 people. It is the home of K-State Wildcats, so we have a college-town atmosphere. Though small, we have everything we really need here. There is a mall, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc. We don't have a Sam's Wholesale, but there is one in the next city which is only an hour drive. Our neighborhood is amazing. We can actually walk down the street without fearing. I have taken runs by myself two miles without feeling the need to carry pepper spray.

The kids are now in 4th grade (Jeanne), Kindergarten (Hunter), and pre-k (Katie)! Time has gone so fast! The oldest love Amanda Arnold school and Katie is learning to love her UCC Preschool. She has her moments. I can't believe I haven't been posting all these things! I feel like there is so much to catch up on, so much missed with these kids alone!
*Jeanne is 9 now, a beautiful young lady. She has had struggles in school but we are trying to keep on top of that. She is enjoying soccer this Fall as her extra-curricular activity. She does really well with it (she played in Little Rock and here before), when she is paying attention.
*Hunter is a natural born story teller! He is still the sweetest boy and loves to be around his dad, Pop, and other men doing men things (sports, hunting, fishing, etc.) Hunter also is enjoying playing soccer for the first time. Watching 5 year olds learn to play is entertaining.
*And Katie is still a firecracker! She came into the world during a tornado warning and hasn't stopped since. She is the light of my life, though, and was home with me when we first moved here, until she started pre-k this August. Katie is taking pre-ballet for her after school fun. And that will give me plenty of writings, I am sure!

When we decided to move here, I looked for jobs with my background in Forensics. There was nothing available in an hour distance, and even splitting the half hour was too long of a drive for Shawn's work. So we decided I would be a stay at home mom. I did look into substitute teaching, as a small paying job to keep me busy (because going from 8-5 for as long as I can remember to always being home was overwhelming). I figured it would be perfect, because I would be on the kids' schedules, and could say no if someone was sick. When we first got here, Hunter and Katie were in daycare 3 days a week, and I would sub those three days.


After a month or so, other bills started burdening us (had to get a new truck because Shawn's died), and I could see I needed to help out more. So I became a work from home mom, starting my own business as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. So I toggled between subbing or having a facial on MWF, or doing a facial while my littles napped on Tuesday/Thursdays. It was going ok, but by Christmas that first year, we realized how much we were spending on Katie to be in daycare, and how little subbing was taking in. And my Mary Kay business hadn't really boomed yet (I still didn't know many people here and I am not one to walk up to strangers and start up a conversation). I would have had to substitute every MWF and still wouldn't have covered her bill. So we made the decision that she would stay home with me, I would no longer sub, and I would push a lot harder with my business to try to make it worth it.



After a few more months, my business had gotten better, and I was getting lots of referrals, however it was to college students who don't buy much. So after another year, we re-looked at how much we were spending on daycare, and decided to switch Hunter to UCC pre-k program and was so happy with that choice. The reason we didn't do that one from the beginning is that it is from 9 AM-1PM, so I couldn't have substituted with those hours. My business is making enough to cover daycare, so I feel happy about it. Now that Katie is in school in the mornings, I am going to try and boost it again, and we will see where it leads me.


I joined a Thoms Moms group here in Manhattan, we have have Bible Study (which I now help lead) and play dates alternating throughout the month. There are also fun events we plan during the year. This group has helped me grow so much spiritually, and I would be lost without them. This group was a God-send for me being stay at home mom. I have made great friends and get to have adult time while the kids play during the week.



Well that is a pretty decent "Welcome back" and update, I think. My plan is to write 2 blog posts a week, one being the online Bible study post (I am still happily in that group), and the other being a post of relating to life here, including all the fun stuff our Thoms Moms group is doing. Till next time, see ya later alligator!

Proverbs 7

S: Proverbs 7:17 I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh,with aloes, and with cinnamon.

O: in this chapter again we read about seduction and adultery. This verse the woman tells the young man she has her bed ready. The bed can reference a burial place. Also the spices she mentions were used in funeral feasts. The seductress and the act of adultery here will be the man's death.

A: when I am tempted by any trick of the devil, I must be strong enough to see that it could lead to my spiritual death. Any stray from God's word could not only hurt myself, but my family and friends. I must be true to God and myself.

K: Lord, keep me close. Protect me from the tricks of the evil one. Give me strength to avoid him.

Proverbs 6

S: Proverbs 6:23 For the command is a lamp, and the teaching a light,and a way to life are the reproofs that discipline,

O: God's word is a light for us to use in the world filled with darkness. Just as we use a flashlight, lamp, or fire to lead us to safety in a storm, God's word can lead us to the safety of heaven in a world where evil hides around every corner.

A: I need to trust in God's word and use it as my light. This light can not only guide me to safety, but it can also be used as a beacon to call to others who are lost. I need to use God's word as my light to help others as well as myself. 

K: Lord, I put my faith in you every day, knowing you will not lead me blindly into darkness. You are my guide in this world. I hope and pray that I can also guide others back to you. Amen.

Proverbs 5

S: Proverbs 5:15-16 15 Drink water from your own cistern,running water from your own well.16 Should your water sources be dispersed abroad,streams of water in the streets?

O: The water here could represent a person's affections or desires. We are not to want love and affection from someone outside our marriage. We should only drink in the love of our own marriage.

A: This chapter is beautiful in a way. It reminds us of God's love for us as well as love of a husband and wife. Just as we are married to our husband, we are married to God. If we seek love outside of the realms of our vows, we are also seeking love away from God. 

K: God I thank you for my husband and my family. I thank you for the bond of marriage. I am renewed every day as I wake up next to my husband and know that he is mine. Please keep my heart guarded against those who want me to stray. Amen.

Proverbs 3

S: Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold any goods from the owner when it is in your power to act.28 Say not to your neighbor, “Go, come back tomorrow,and I will give it to you,” when all the while you have it.

O: One way to serve God is by showing kindness to our neighbor. Neighbor can be our actual next door neighbor, the guy down the street, the homeless man, etc. 

A: How often do I withhold goods when I should act? How would I feel if I knew God was withholding from me?

K: God, allow me to have mercy and grace for others as you have shown to me. Allow my heart to be opened so that I may see.