Notes on Chapter one- Are you Frazzled?

Did you get the Frazzled Female Bible study book? You really don't need it to follow along here, but realize that this is a very abbreviated version of my notes on the book, and does not do justice to the study.

Chapter 1 Martha gets a bad rap.... Luke 10:38-42

You know the story.

Martha was running around like a crazy woman while Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet. When she could take it no longer, Martha went to Jesus in a huff- and demanded- tell Mary to help me!! Instead of getting what she was looking for, Jesus said Mary was making the right choice.

Ouch!

Poor Martha... getting rebuked from Jesus like that, and having it recorded for us for all of history. Its easy for us to point the finger at Martha for all she was doing wrong... But, remember.... Jesus didn’t really say that Martha was doing anything wrong- only that she was stressed out and that Mary had instead, chosen to do what was better. He was telling Martha she had a choice.

When Martha was busy working in the kitchen, she was practicing her gift of hospitality and doing what she had been called to do- good things- using her spiritual gifts and serving God by serving food and giving rest. But she just got so busy doing the good things and serving God that she failed to take time for the best thing which was spending time with Jesus and growing their relationship.

And it is obvious that they had a relationship.

Did you notice how Martha spoke to Jesus? She was so bold! Marching in there to interrupt his teaching. They had to know each other, to be good friends. Martha had to have sat at Jesus' feet in the past and probably planned to sit with him and learn after she finished preparing the meal and a place for him and disciples.

But Martha was so busy doing other things- things that had to be done! And Martha had so much to do! And Martha did not have any help! And Martha was stressed out!

Can you put your name in there instead of Martha's?

Maybe Jesus was rebuking Martha’s service in her own power - service without Jesus fueling you is exhausting and hopeless and INEFFECTIVE and just puts you in a bad mood FAST and makes you look at what others are doing or not doing thus taking your focus off of GOD and you start pointing fingers.

Who of us have not been there before- or maybe everyday?

I think Jesus was telling Martha three things:
∙ Worship before work
∙ Don’t over do it in service- even if it is to him
∙ You have a choice to spend time with him first and let him fuel you for service

TODAY, we are not busy making food for Jesus and his disciples, but ...

What are you busy doing?

What are you choosing to do instead of spend time with Jesus?

What is keeping you from spending time with Jesus each day?

What are you stressed out about each day?

What are you trying to do in your own power?

Summing up Chapter 1, God gives you gifts and talents and he wants you to use them to help others but your chief blessing does not come from what you are doing (even if it is service to God) but from your relationship with him. You can only develop and strengthen a relationship by choosing to spend time with him.... letting him give you direction and fuel- and it is your choice whether to spend time with him or to do other things.

Need a little extra help to spend time with Him? Consider joining the 5:16 a.m. club here.

Next: Chapter 2: Attitude Check. Read Philippians 4:4-16.

Frazzled Female Bible Study in a nutshell....

Did I mention I am hosting a great Bible Study in my house, The Frazzled Female by Cindi Wood?

Did I say its a great Bible study?

Did I let you in on the fact that it is for the frazzled, the rushed, the busy and stressed out women?

Did I tell you that you'll really like it and it was written for us women dealing with the things we are dealing with today?

Want to hear me sum up my notes on The Frazzled Female Bible Study in a nut shell?

Want to follow along? Get a book at Lifeway or at Cindi Wood's website or maybe even the library.

Coming up... Chapter 1: Martha gets a bad rap.

Your homework: read Luke 10:38-42.

How have I seen God working in my life lately? The God chronicles.

Last year, when I asked my church to be placed in a Women's Sunday School class, I was taken to the youngest ladies class in the church, where I was the youngest person by a good 20 years. The same was true for the Women's Bible Study classes. It highlighted the need for more programs for women in the church.

I began praying that God would lay on the Bible Teacher's heart topics for Bible study that would be interesting and draw more women my age in the church. As I was praying one morning... (maybe more like whining my lack of bible study choices), I heard the very clear voice of God telling me to have a bible study in my home and do the studies that I have been waiting for someone else to do and to use the studies to reach women in the community.

You know sometimes you hear God's voice, but its faint, and you can talk yourself into ignoring it. You start wondering... did I really hear that? No! That's not what he said! I was mistaken! I said it to myself! I can just ignore it! That's not really what he meant! But this was not the case... it was so clear it was unmistakable and there was no way to talk myself out of it.... I tried, and then I delayed,and then I found some excuses.

My house is not finished and ready for company.

I am not a teacher.

There is only one working bathroom and that in the master bedroom (and even that one doesn't look so great).

My furniture is not nice enough.

I get nervous talking in front of a group.

I work full time and don't get home in time to get the house ready.

The dog is in the house and will drive everyone crazy.

But as I was delaying I found confirmation in every direction. My Sunday School teacher would look directly at me! In a class of 30 women! Directly at me! In my eyes! and speak about obeying God's call. I would pray one night for confirmation and the next morning read Hebrews 2, all about what happens when we do not obey. Every sermon preached focused on hearing from God and then doing what he said to do.

Above my many objections... I dragged myself to the bookstore, got the books and posted the signs and started the study (The frazzled Female by Cindi Wood- I cant link well right now- google it for information about book and study-it is a really good one.)

About 12-15 women came to the first study and are anxiously awaiting the next one to start (Victoriously Frazzled) and other women in the church in other neighborhoods are being recruited to hold studies in their homes.

I know this was not accomplished through my own trying, but through God's power. I think the key is to make yourself available, first to hear his voice, then to respond and he will accomplish what his purposes are.

I have found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, whatever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Philippines 4:12-13 (The Message Bible)

Look here for more!! Thanks Tyler for this series of God Chronicles!

A little weight watcher poem

When you have eaten too much and cant write it down
when you feel like the biggest failure in town
when you want to give up just because you gave in
and forget all about being healthy and thin
so, WHAT! You went over your points a bit
its your next move that counts.... so don’t you quit.

It’s a monment of truth, its an attitude change,
Its learning the skills to get you back in the game.
Its telling yourself, “You’ve done great until now.
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow.”
Its part of the journey toward reaching your goal.
You’re still going to make it, just stay in control.

To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
if you summon the will to get back in the race.
But, often the struggler’s, when losing their grip,
just throws in the towel and continues to slip.
And learn too late after the damage is done,
that the race wasn’t over and they still could have won.

Lifestyle changes can be awarkard and slow,
but facing each challenge will help you grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint in a cloud of doubt.
When you are pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit.
If you bite it you write it...
And don’t you quit.

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