I am writing to share about the upcoming workshop I am preparing for. It is going to be a fantastic day for the ladies attending. I am thrilled with how everything is coming together and excited to see it all in action on August 5th. Registration is underway and will end on the 22nd; the cutoff for ordering lunch and getting a headcount for printing and assembling the learner’s guides. Ladies can look forward to a glorious day of fellowship, worship, special music, and learning.
The door prizes for the day will include two study Bibles that I have found helpful in my Bible reading and studies. One of them has become my Sunday morning Bible. Our goal in this workshop series is to improve Bible literacy and ensure everyone has the best tools. Therefore, the first 52 ladies who arrive on workshop day will receive Jen Wilkin’s book, Women of the Word, compliments of Crossway.
As this series wraps up, I am still determining the next step for myself and these faithful ladies who have worked tirelessly to make these events happen. I should have more information by the workshop date and will share it then.
These workshops are so vital to me because the Bible is the only way we can know God and His will. When we read and study the Bible, we should do so with joy, anticipation, and belief that God will fulfill His promises. We must study Scripture to learn more about God and to know and love God more. Bible literacy improves when we read and understand the Bible rightly, using the proper study tools. As Christians, it’s crucial to remember that He gave us His Word not just to fill our brains with biblical facts but to change our lives. Even with these tools, we remain entirely dependent on God’s Holy Spirit.
The workshop lessons I have prepared for the fellowship hall are geared toward any woman newcomer to the Bible workshops. We want everyone to have a chance to learn and grow in their faith. However, I am incredibly excited to be able to teach a special session on Revelation after lunch. I have found that many women are fearful of reading and studying this book of the Bible, and I aim to put those fears to rest. If this is you and you are local or near us, please get registered and plan to be with us. After this session, the tools each woman will have will bring better clarity to this apocalyptic-prophetic book that promises those who read and study will be blessed.
With all the excitement and work going on, some of you are wondering about my health issues this spring and summer. God has taught me many things about Himself and myself during this time. He reminded me of things I already knew and helped me to apply them in new ways. When things become personal, it becomes more real. And those nights of pain when I paced the floor reading Scripture from my phone will never be forgotten. I thank God that He sustained me. I’m now trying to find my new normal while waiting for the lasting effects of the shingles to subside because I’ve been diagnosed with PHN. I’m making some adjustments while learning to pay attention to myself in the busyness of days, asking for help when needed, and reminding myself of the certainty that my mission has not changed.
Thank you for reading.
Debbie Swindell 