RYP Stories: 2011-11-06

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Review of A LOYAL FAITH, Vol. 1: A Template

Today, we are going to take a look at another template. It's the template to review this blog up to now and what it has done for your life.

First of all, let me apologize for not having you do this sooner. You will find that the first time you do this, there will be a lot fo work. But, if you keep up with it, it gets easier from this point.

It is recommended you do this template once a month at the very least. Once a week is the most ideal. Consequently, once every 2 weeks is more of a moderate approach.

A LOYAL FAITH TEMPLATE:

Grab either the book you downloaded from http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction or look day per day at this blog. Re-read everything.

Also, grab your journal workbook. Re-read everything you have written.

Grab your daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and all other reviews as well. Read them.

Then, answer these questions:

1 What are the top 5 things you have learned so far?

2 How can you apply each to your life?

3 What has God said to you throughout this blog Bible study?

4 What have you said to God throughout this blog Bible study?

5 How have you grown a more loyal faith in God?

6 How have you grown a more loyal faith in the word?

7 List the top 20 things you have decided to apply to your life:

8 How have you been successful with applying each of those to your life? (Do not leave any blank.)

9 What needs more work with each? (Do not leave any blank.)

10 What are you top of those 20? List them by letter here.

11 What are your top 5? List them by letter here.

12 How would you define a more loyal faith now?

13 How is your faith today?

14 Write a summary.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

New to this blog?

Welcome!

I welcome everyone who has already read this blog and welcome anyone new. Thank you so much for taking a look. I hope you get a great deal out of this blog.

This blog is about a journey of your faith as you seek to gain a more loyal faith in the Lord and in his Word. Consequently, if you want to do so, and get the msot form this blog, I recommend you ignore what day it is and start from the very first blog post and work to today.

If you want to find it in an easier format, where you do not have to search through this blog day per day, you can click on the book at the left side of this blog. Or, you can click the link below to the Smashwords store and look for the book, "A LOYAL FAITH: AN INTRODUCTION, Vol.1." This is probably the easiest approach. but, you can also go through this blog if you want.

Thank you so much.

I welcome you again.

If you ever have any questions or comments, please feel free to send me an email to: hisfiction@gmail.com, if you want it to be private. Or, attach a comment at the end of this blog if you do not mind it to be seen by others. I would also love to get to know you.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

A LOYAL FAITH, Vol. 1: An Introduction

This blog, and all of the posts, so far have been an introduction. As we progress, and in a month or so, we will move to specific elements of what it looks like to have a loyal faith and what all the bible has to say about having a more loyal faith.

I jsut wanted to take a moment to remind you that is why all of this might seem basic so far. However, we have to establish a baseline in order to know where we start and where we grow from there and where we do not grow. These blog posts are just to get us to start thinking again about our faith, what we want from it, how to apply it to our lives, and far more importantly--what God wants.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

A verse to live by: Colossians 1:9: Pray for understanding of the Word

Today we are going to take a look at Colossians 1:9.

Grab your Bibles and let's take a look at the verse.

169 Take a look at the first version of the Bible and Colossians 1:9. Write a summary of what you learn and in your own words.

170 What does that verse mean to you?

171 List the things you can apply to your life from Colossians 1:9 for that version of the Bible.

172 Take a look at the second version of the Bible and Colossians 1:9. Write a summary of what you learn and in your own words.

173 List the things you can apply to your life from Colossians 1:9 for that version of the Bible.

174 Take a look at the third version of the Bible and Colossians 1:9. Write a summary of what you learn and in your own words.

175 List the things you can apply to your life from Colossians 1:9 for that version of the Bible.

One of the reasons we may stumble, and not get into the Bible as often as we would like or as we should is because we might not understand what we read. That can be a turn-off and can be frustrating at times. Therefore, we learn something valuable from this verse. 176 What is it?

177 The next time you go to read the Bible, what will you do?

178 The next time you do not understand something as you read the bible, what are you going to do?

Please note that you will most likely not get instant understanding of what you just read (or what you are about to read). Now you are about to see why it is critical to journal and why it is also critical to review.

It can take hours, days, weeks, months, and even years to understand soemthing in the Word. We might get explanations from trusted resources, but it does not mean it sets in. But, one day, out of the blue: BAM! We get it.

Make note in your journal when you do not understand something. As you review, go back and see if you understand it now. If not, make note in your review so you will look at it next time you review. But, if you suddenly have new understanding, make note of it. When did you get it? What do you understand? What does it say to you now? How can you apply it to your life?

Different daily quiet time activities

As you have your daily quiet time with God, there are several activities you can do:

A This blog--Bible study

B Bible reading

C Prayer

D Daily Devotionals

E Prayer journaling

F Ponder the Word

G Memorize the Word

The best daily quiet times (DQT) have some of each every week, but not necessarily every day.

The best DQTs will have at least A, B, C, and E in them every day.

167 QTP: How can you incorporate all of the above, A-G into your DQT every week?

168 QTP: How can you incorporate all of the above, A-G into your DQT every day?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Busy

So, how busy are you?

156 QTP: How busy are you?

157 Do you define yourself (your life) as busy, moderately busy, or not so busy?

158 QTP: How much free time do you have each week?

159 How much free time do you have per day?:

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

160 QTP: When was the last time you took a Sabbath day where you did not work and were not busy, but relaxed and spent time with God?

161 QTP: How many activities do you do that are God-centered? For instance, you have to have a job in order to have food and shelter. But, is do you work for the Lord or for man? Do you pray without ceasing while you work? If you work for man and use it as prayer time, as you are able, then that is a God-centered activity. List your God-centered activities.

162 What activities can you now make God-centered activities?

163 What activities do you need to get rid of in your life?

164 What can you do in your life to get rid of activities that aren't God-centered and how can you make certain activities God-centered? List three ways:

165 What has God said to you today?

166 What has you said to God today?

Busy

So, how busy are you?

156 QTP: How busy are you?

157 Do you define yourself (your life) as busy, moderately busy, or not so busy?

158 QTP: How much free time do you have each week?

159 How much free time do you have per day?:

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

160 QTP: When was the last time you took a Sabbath day where you did not work and were not busy, but relaxed and spent time with God?

162 What activities can you now make God-centered activities?

163 What activities do you need to get rid of in your life?

164 What can you do in your life to get rid of activities that aren't God-centered and how can you make certain activities God-centered? List three ways:

165 What has God said to you today?

166 What has you said to God today?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Happy Veterans Day

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Happy Veterans Day

a loyal faith blog: A fast life and a fast faith

A fast life and a fast faith

We live in a world where everything is: go, go go! and Busy, busy, busy.

We want to know all of the shortcuts. We have to save time and money, after all.

We want it all.

We want to do it all.

We even live with the perception that we are happier and more fulfilled by the more we have and the more we do. But, are we? Or are we just so accustomed to living in this manner we cannot imagine a life outside of that where we are fulfilled constantly and have a peace and joy that carries us through every storm?

We are tired because we want it all and we try to do it all. We are burned out. We don't have time for the things that really matter. We are just going through the motions. Maybe it's because we think people will look down on us if we do not.

It's bad enough that we look for shortcuts through life because we know we need a break somewhere. We also look for something which will get us there fast, wherever 'there' is.

145 QTP: However, what happens in our faith when he live in this manner?

146 QTP: How do you live in this manner?

147 QTP: How do you try to shortcut your faith? 148 What happens when you do?

149 Does your life reflect a busyness which has stunted your faith?

150 Are you able to focus on what really matters and what really is important? Or, does busyness prevent this from happening?

151 List three things you can get rid of in your life today to free your schedule and give you more time:

152 List three ways you can stop short-cutting your faith:

153 Write your thoughts on this blog post today.

154 What did God say to you today?

155 What did you say to God?

A fast life and a fast faith

We live in a world where everything is: go, go go! and Busy, busy, busy.

We want to know all of the shortcuts. We have to save time and money, after all.

We want it all.

We want to do it all.

It's bad enough that we look for shortcuts through life because we know we need a break somewhere. We also look for something which will get us there fast, wherever 'there' is.

145 QTP: However, what happens in our faith when he live in this manner?

146 QTP: How do you live in this manner?

147 QTP: How do you try to shortcut your faith? 148 What happens when you do?

149 Does your life reflect a busyness which has stunted your faith?

150 Are you able to focus on what really matters and what really is important? Or, does busyness prevent this from happening?

151 List three things you can get rid of in your life today to free your schedule and give you more time:

152 List three ways you can stop short-cutting your faith:

153 Write your thoughts on this blog post today.

154 What did God say to you today?

155 What did you say to God?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Giving God Time

Part of growing more loyal in your faith means giving more time to the Lord and his Word.

The more time you give to God, the more of a loyal faith you will have.

But, the first question we need to ask is:

143 QTP: How much time do you give to him every day and week?

This question is asked not to make you feel guilty or proud. Rather, it is asked because we need a baseline.

144 QTP: So, how much time do you spend with God each day?

Take that amount of time for the next five days. Make sure you do that as a minimum each day.

If you have not spent time each day, start with 15 minutes each day. Again, do this for 5 days.

Then, the next week, add another 15 minutes.

Add 15 more minutes every week until are able to spend at least two hours a day with the Lord and in his Word.

~ Stacy Duplease

Giving God Time

Friday, November 11, 2011

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you to all of our U.S. military and their families.

Happy Veterans Day.

Thank you for all you do. My life would not be what it is today if not for your fighting for my freedom. Your sacrifice makes a difference and is remembered.

Bless you.

Stacy Duplease

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you to all of our U.S. military and their families.

Happy Veterans Day.

Thank you for all you do. My life would not be what it is today if not for your fighting for my freedom. Your sacrifice makes a difference and is remembered.

Bless you.

Stacy Duplease

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you to all of our U.S. military and their families.

Happy Veterans Day.

Thank you for all you do. My life would not be what it is today if not for your fighting for my freedom. Your sacrifice makes a difference and is remembered.

Bless you.

Stacy Duplease

Your Weekly Review Template for A LOYAL FAITH

Your Weekly Bible Study Template for a loyal faith

(aka A Weekly Review)

http://aloyalfaith.blogspotcom

INSTRUCTIONS: This template is what you will fill out each week (every 5 or 7 days). When you fill this in, you look at your Daily Bible Study Templates alone. Write your answers to this template in your journal workbook.

~ 1 What are the five most important points have you learned this week?

~ 2 List the 5 to 7 answers you gave for: How will you apply one of those to your life this week?

~ 3 Evaluate each of them applications from this week:

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

What do you need to work on?

What has worked?

~ 4 What has God said to you this week?

~ 5 What have you said to God?

~ 6 What are the top three memories you've made this week?

~ 7 How have you seen God at work in your life, through your life, and around your life this week?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Jamestown Passage: 21,000 words and counting

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: 6-word memoir of your NaNoWriMo experience so far

a loyal faith blog: Your Daily Bible Study Template for A LOYAL FAITH

Your Daily Bible Study Template for A LOYAL FAITH

Your Daily Bible Study Template for a loyal faith

(aka A Daily Review)

http://aloyalfaith.blogspotcom

INSTRUCTIONS: This template is what you will fill out each day after you read the blog posts for today and after your write your answers in your journal workbook. Write your answers to this template in your journal workbook.

~ 1 What three points have you learned today?

~ 2 How will you apply one of those to your life this week?

~ 3 What has God said to you today?

~ 4 What have you said to God?

~ 5 What are three memories you've made today?

~ 6 How have you seen God at work in your life, through your life, and around your life today or yesterday?

Your Daily Bible Study Template for A LOYAL FAITH

Your Daily Bible Study Template for a loyal faith

(aka A Daily Review)

http://aloyalfaith.blogspotcom

~ 1 What three points have you learned today?

~ 2 How will you apply one of those to your life this week?

~ 3 What has God said to you today?

~ 4 What have you said to God?

~ 5 What are three memories you've made today?

~ 6 How have you seen God at work in your life, through your life, and around your life today or yesterday?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Templates: An explanation and where to find them

You will see a new feature on this blog today. It's something called, "Templates."

WHERE TO FIND THEM

It is a new page attached to this blog (a tab at the top of the blog). You can get to the templates by going there.

Please note that I will add them as I talk about them, so you will not see all of them quite yet.

WHAT ARE TEMPLATES?

Every day, week, month, quarter, 6-months, and year, it is necessary to go back over your journal workbook, to check your application of the Word to your life, to see what prayers have been answered and which have not, to review and analyze your journal workbook to see how far you have come or what needs extra attention. These templates are the best to assist you with those endeavors. In short, they help you to review and analyze your spiritual walk in the Word. They check how far you have grown in having a more loyal faith. Let's face it. As long as we are human, we can always grow closer to God.

A LOT OF WORK

Yes. These templates are a lot of work. There is no argument about that. However, you do not have to start them today (most likely). Start with the segment of time in which you can do. I would start with either once a week, twice a month, or once a month. I also recommend doing the daily and weekly reviews as you are able. Some days, you might have more time. So, do the daily review. Some weeks you will have more time, so do a weekly review. Then, as you grow, and devote more and more time to the Lord and his Word, you can then commit to doing more.

At the bare minimum, do quarterly reviews.

I recommend doing monthly as a lower minimum and then weekly.

Daily is the ideal. Until you are retired, or until you have spend several years at gaining more time to devote to God, you most likely will not be able to do the daily review daily. However, you will be able to from time to time. So, go for it.

The point is to start with doing nothing and add some every day and every week until you are able to do more. What is my suggestion for adding some time to be with the Lord daily and weekly? It's Sabbath Templates.

SABBATH TEMPLATES (A SUGGESTION)

The Sabbath is the perfect time to look at doing a daily review, weekly, monthly, etc. review. That's what I recommend. It is to be a day of rest anyway. Why not recharge yourself and really spend the day with the Lord? These reviews would give you the opportunity.

But, taking an entire day will be rough at first. Devote a half hour the first weekend. Then, the second, add another half hour, totaling one hour. Then, add half an hour each weekend until you ahve 12 hours of taking a Sabbath day. If you discover adding half an hour is too much, do it in 15 minute increments, but start with half an hour the first weekend.

SPIRITUAL INVENTORY

Your two parts of the spiritual inventory were actually the first templates, by the way. So, you will see they have already been added to the TEMPLATE PAGE.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Your next template will be the daily template. This will be our next post.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

6-word memoir of your NaNoWriMo experience so far

Why don't you write a 6-word memoir of your NaNoWriMo experience so far?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

1 John 3:23: Faith commanded

Today, we are going to look more at what faith is, how it is defined, and how it is a command.

Grab your Bibles and your journaling workbooks. Then look up: 1 John 3:23 in one version of your Bibles.

132 TTP: Write your summary of the verse.

133 QTP: What are your thoughts on 1 John 3:23?

134 QTP: Look at another version of the Bible and write a summary here. How does this version differ from the other version?

135 QTP: Look at another version of the Bible and write a summary here. How does this version differ from the other 2 versions?

136 QTP: Look at another version of the Bible and write a summary here. How does this version differ from the other 3 versions?

If you want to look up other versions, please do so at this time.

Now, make sure to look it up in the AMP (THE AMPLIFIED) version if you have not done so already.

137 QTP: How can you apply that verse to your life? List three ways:

I do not know about you, but whenever I read how it is a command, it makes me stop and take a serious note of it. This is something God asks of me and I should not take it lightly.

This verse refers to an ongoing action. It is continual belief.

138 QTP: How have you taken lightly, and less seriously, the command to believe in the name of Jesus Christ, in who he is, and what he did and will do?

139 QTP: What will you do to keep it a serious daily matter in your heart, mind, actions, and life?

140 QTP: What has God said to you?

141 QTP: What have you said to God?

142 Write a summary of all you learned here in this post.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Why do I love www.StudyLight.org?: A Bible study tool

As I have my Bible study time today, and working on another blog post for "A LOYAL FAITH, " I use three resources (in roder of favorite to lesser favorite, but still incredible and right up there as a favorite):

http://www.studylight.org/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/

http://www.biblegateway.com/

I have used all three for years. Lots of years, as a matter of fact.

Nonetheless, www.StudyLight.org stand out to me?

I love how you can look up a verse and check a box that says, INCLUDE RESOURCES. It has all the dictionaries, encyclopedias, and commentaries right there at an easy click of the mouse. The next thing you know, you can spend a month researching one verse (no exaggeration). I highly recommend it. I guarantee you will find it a blessing.

~ Stacy Duplease

6-word life and spiritual memoirs: Part 2: Transformational and Repeat

My last blog post talked about writing 6-word life and spiritual memoirs.

So, what did you think?

I found this exercise one of the most profound, eye-opening, life-changing, and transformational activities I have done in a long time. (Thanks, Alana!)

I think it is a good idea to do this every now and then. Consequently, I recommend doing my last blog post every 3-months.

Also, every week, quarter, 6-months, and year, it is important to see how you are living out the 6-word memoir you said you wanted to live in the future. It would be important to evaluate and have regular reviews of it in your journaling workbook. For instance, How is it coming? Are you making strides to make that 6-word memoir yours? Or, are you needing to work on something about it?

Stacy Duplease

Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

A 6-Word spiritual memoir: The spiritual inventory-Part 3

If you look at my writing fiction blog, you will see a post from today talking about writing a 6-word memoir for your life. I got the idea from my friend, Alana. Here is what she wrote:

http://www.mrs-alanas-miscellany.com/2011/11/six-word-memoirs.html

Grab your journal workbooks at this time.

126 TTP (THOUGHT TO PONDER): Think about your life in general--not just spiritually. How would you describe it in 6 words? Now, write a 6-word memoir for your life in your journal workbook. Then, if you want, share it with Alana as a comment at the end of her blog post listed above.

If you go to my blog post, at the following link, you can see an example of mine: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/11/6-word-memoir-writing.html

God bless her. She could not have more perfect timing. It's definitely God moving and stirring souls. Her blog post got me thinking about our spiritual inventories.

Now... Let us write our spiritual memoirs in 6-words.

127 Regarding the time in your life before you started to read this blog, write a 6-word spiritual memoir.

128 Write what your 6-word spiritual memoir has turned into because of this blog.

129 Write what your want your 6-word spiritual memoir to be over time.

130 What did God say to you today?

131 What did you say to God?

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Jamestown Passage: 21,000 words and counting

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: 6-Word Memoir Writing

6-Word Memoir Writing

I wanted to share an awesome blog post about something I thought writers might like. I know I do:

http://www.mrs-alanas-miscellany.com/2011/11/six-word-memoirs.html

It's about writing your life story... your memoir in six words!

And, it's fun to put it on a picture which only adds to the message you are conveying. It's pretty powerful stuff.

Now, write your own and send it to Alana at that post. I know she would love it.

Here's mine:

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Jamestown Passage: 21,000 words and counting

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Writing as a journey vs. writing for word count: NaNoWiMo Day 9

a loyal faith blog: What does not demonstrate a loyal faith?

6-Word Memoir Writing

I wanted to share an awesome blog post about something I thought writers might like. I know I do:

http://www.mrs-alanas-miscellany.com/2011/11/six-word-memoirs.html

It's about writing your life story... your memoir in six words!

And, it's fun to put it on a picture which only adds to the message you are conveying. It's pretty powerful stuff.

Now, write your own and send it to Alana at that post. I know she would love it.

Here's mine:

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Jamestown Passage: 21,000 words and counting

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Writing as a journey vs. writing for word count: NaNoWiMo Day 9

a loyal faith blog: What does not demonstrate a loyal faith?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What does not demonstrate a loyal faith?

Now that we have taken a look at how faith can be defined, it is time to look at examples of those who are faithful and those who are unfaithful. This will help us as we learn more about that it means to have a loyal faith in the Lord and in his Word.

Let us take a look at one example of what it means to be unfaithful.

Grab your journal workbook and your Bibles and let's get started.

Please open your Bibles in your favorite version and turn to Titus 1:10-16. If you do not have one, I recommend starting with either the NIV (New International Version) or the HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible).

118 TTP: (THOUGHT TO PONDER) Then, write a list of all of the actions of the unfaithful listed in the passage.

Now, go through at least three versions of the Bible. But, preferably 5 and do the same.

119 TTP: Go through each of those listed and write which have applied to you in the last month.

120 TTP: List those you have done in the last week.

121 TTP: List those you have done yesterday or today.

122 QTP: List three ways you can avoid these behaviors in the future.

123 QTP: What has God said to you today?

124 QTP: What have you said to God?

125 PRAY: Write out a prayer to God.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Jamestown Passage: 21,000 words and counting

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Writing as a journey vs. writing for word count: NaNoWiMo Day 9

a loyal faith blog: Further Application of Hebrews 11:1-2

Writing as a journey vs. writing for word count: NaNoWiMo Day 9

I have talked about this in previous blog posts. However, since we are now 9 days into National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), it bears repeating.

Write--because it is your passion.

Write because you want to grow as a person and enjoy the journey as your pen leads you form page to chapter and from chapter to novel.

Do not write for word count. You are guaranteed to fail and feel pressured and stymied.

Write to get to know more about life.

Write to share the parts of life which must be put down on the page.

Write to share a story.

Writing for word count adds undue pressure. If you write for the journey and the story, then the word count will happen naturally--provided you commit the time.

Enjoy your writing! See where the story takes you. See what happens to you because of the story.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Greetings

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: NaNoWriMo Day 8

a loyal faith blog: Further Application of Hebrews 11:1-2

Further Application of Hebrews 11:1-2

We are going to take a look again at Hebrews 11:1-2.

Please find your exhaustive-unabridged-long version of your summary of these verses in your journal workbook. Then, answer the following.

QTP: QUESTIONS TO PONDER

115 Regarding reading the Bible, how can you make your faith stand apart from the rest--and even from yourself in the past? List 3 actions steps you plan on using in order to have a more loyal faith in the Word of God:

116 Regarding your prayer life, list 3 actions steps you will do in an effort to demonstrate a more loyal faith:

117 Regarding Bible study, list 3 actions steps you will do in an effort to demonstrate a more loyal faith:

BIBLE READING VS. STUDY

By the way, the difference between Bible reading and Bible study is this:

When you read the Bible, you are reading it for familiarization. This is a quicker read. It takes less time.

When you study the Bible, you look at each word, each verse, and see how it fits in the Bible and what it means, and does not mean, for your life. You take your time and try to comprehend every word and you apply it to your life.

Does this make it clear?

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...

Hebrews 11:1-2 and the definition of faith: Part 2

Yesterday, we began to look at Hebrews 11:1-12 so that we could start to define faith and what it means to be faithful and unfaithful. We looked at several versions of the Bible in the process and came up with a summary of all the versions.

Today, I want to make sure that one of your versions was of THE MESSAGE BIBLE (MSG). If you studied it yesterday, then you know why. If not, take a look and see what you missed. It's a good one. As a matter of fact, that's the version I've decided to use to memorize regarding faith. Make sure if THE MESSAGE is new to you regarding your study of Hebrews 11:1-2 to write a summary of it in your journal workbook and add it to your overall exhaustive and all-inclusive summary of Hebrews 11:1-2.

I hope you got as excited as I did when I read THE MESSAGE version of those verses.

Now, do the same with THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE (AMP).

Again, THE AMPLIFIED added even more understanding.

109 QTP: If you could make the simplest definition of faith, what would it be--without paraphrasing one of these versions? Put it in your own words in your journal workbook.

Here is how I would summarize it. My definition is not more right than yours. It is just another way of phrasing it. So, don't change your based off of mine.

Faith is trusting, and having assurance, that what you cannot see or prove is true (Hebrews 11:1).

110 QTP: What have you learned about faith?

Hebrews 11:2 talks about what makes the people of the Bible great. It is their faith. They were not giants by earthly/man's standards, but they were great according to God's standards. Their faith was something that can set ups apart from the rest. And, do you know what? It can do the same for you and me.

111 QTP: Do you want your loyal faith to set you apart from the rest?

112 QTP: How will you make your loyal faith greater? List three action steps you will take:

113 QTP: What has God said to you today?

114 QTP: What have you said to God?

--- THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language

This edition issued by contractual arrangement with NavPress, a division of The Navigators, U.S.A. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary LanguageCopyright © 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. http://www.studylight.org

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author & Bible Study Writer
A timeless kind of love... and a loyal faith...
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My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Greetings

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a loyal faith blog: Hebrews 11:1-2 What is faith?