Calling all ladies...

There are many things I look forward to at the beginning of each school year, but for the past four years, near the top of my list has been BSF.  BSF is short for Bible Study Fellowship. 

Let me just go ahead and tell you that BSF rocks.  If you have ever wanted to be in a Bible Study but didn't really know where to start, look no further.  And don't worry if you don't live in Atlanta.  They are international.  You can pretty much find a BSF anywhere.

BSF is a group of women (although now they have men's groups as well) that come together weekly to fellowship together and study a book or section of the Bible in depth.  And when I say in depth, I mean in depth.  Last year, we studied Genesis.  Yes, an entire school year devoted to one single book of the Bible.  See what I mean by in depth?

But before you start to panic, don't.  You don't need to understand Hebrew to study this way.  You don't even have to know anything at all about the Bible.  The leaders are fabulous and well trained and can explain complex ideas in a way that a preschooler can understand.

And speaking of preschoolers, if you have one them you will love BSF even more.  Their children's program is fabulous.  They will hear the Gospel, learn hymns, and experience God's love.

If you are in the Smyrna area, BSF starts on September 11 this year and I would love to see you there. It has been a fabulous place to build friendships and deepen my faith. If you aren't in this area, check out their website to find a class.  Classes generally follow the local school calendars.

An honest confession

For the past several years now, my Mom, followed by my aunt, have hounded me to join BSF. Well, this year, I finally did.

I'm not quite sure if I'm glad or not yet. They told me it would be life changing. They are right. And those changes happened almost immediately.

Not to mention that the study for BSF this year is on Isaiah. For the past month, I've been living under the conviction of what a Holy God our God truly is. I always knew God is holy, but after studying Isaiah, I'm just beginning to barely grasp what holy actually is.

Last week's lesson was particularly convicting to me. We were reading Isaiah 6, in which Isaiah has his vision and is commissioned by God. God tells Isaiah that despite all his warnings, the people of Judah's hearts will be so hardened they they will not change their ways.

Matthew 12:34b says, "for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."

Here comes a really honest confession; I am quick to anger. Yes, even over the little things. Especially over the little things. Like when I spill a cup of milk all over myself and my clean kitchen. Even though I might not speak them out loud, the first words that pop into my head are not holy words.

My prayer this week is that my heart is not already hardened this way. I don't want my heart to be full of anger. I don't want to be like Isaiah's people, who are already so far gone that these warnings will fall on deaf ears. And, especially, I don't want to teach my children to become easily frustrated and angry. They watch my reactions and I need to be careful to show calm, patience, and understanding to them.