The view I enjoy from my desk this morning is sun-covered treetops and mountains across the way. Fall-like temperatures and the sound of birds from the other side of the screen door are added blessings. I’m an early riser, typically up long before the sun. My most productive time of day follows the aroma of coffee brewing, but it’s about something other than productivity in the early mornings at our little hillside cabin. I slowly experience all of nature coming to life while sipping coffee from a pottery mug. And this morning, although my body is achy and my mind a little slow, I’m savoring these sights and sounds while dwelling on gratitude.
Specific prayer over August has proven helpful. Thank you to those who joined me. Change is in the air, and it’s not just the seasons. With gratitude for where the past decade has taken me in this journey with my Lord, I acknowledge that He has afforded me many opportunities.
I will share here that I posted a video on Facebook this past week highlighting how God has blessed me beginning in July 2015. In retrospect, the times spent in Kenya were instrumental in my heart attitude, so you will notice it was there I started the video. The link is HERE if you still need to look for it. I’m incredibly thankful for these times, people, and places, with many others not included in the video. In moving forward, I’ve made note of my plans to lead and serve this semester:
- The eighth week of the long semester of Christian Theology for Women, beginning September 10th, will be Soteriology (doctrine of salvation) and the last for this Sunday evening class. I aim to talk with any woman who has attended this class to ensure she understands these core doctrines. If anyone has questions, we can meet, or she is welcome to participate in one of our theological coffee talks that will be offered on various days/times. The coffee talks will be hosted from my home.
- The Wednesday night class, Knowing the Bible, has been well attended. I can imagine women enjoying this method of study for years to come. If you wish to attend, you should arrive on time because we anticipate an entire room. The six-week survey of Colossians will meet in W123 as planned, but in January, rather than Philemon, we will study Paul’s letter to the Galatians. In addition, I plan to do a year-long study (two semesters) of Ephesians beginning September 2024.
- The quarterly workshops will continue at least through November. November’s workshop is Knowing God, and we have begun considering another program. These workshops strictly fall under “education.” As you might recall, the four previous workshops were a series for Bible interpretation. However, November’s workshop will be completed in a single day (9 a.m. – 1:30). I will let you know that there are a few spots left for Table Leaders in November, so if you desire to be more a part of things on workshop day, please get in touch with me. Ladies who lead will need to know some things in advance.
If you recall, attendance has been good for the theology class and increased to the point that we moved from a classroom to the fellowship hall. But it will be a full six years that I have been teaching women’s theology when this semester concludes. Over that time, much has changed for me personally and in church life. As I think back, theological teaching began as a class called Back to the Basics – The Bible when I led two different groups of ladies through a brief study of Bibliology. Following this class, my pastor recommended that I teach theology in a way that was “seminary lite.” Then I questioned him about the name “Dr. Gregg Allison” of Southern Seminary. I’ve used Allison’s work as a guide all these years. I’ve also kept “seminary lite” in mind as I began each semester and encouraged women to think for themselves. As this class ends, I am reminded of how God has grown me in this teaching. It’s bittersweet.
Ministry from my home continues. My calendar allows for discipleship, mentoring, and biblical counseling. God has been so perfect to allow me to participate (even in small ways) in his work in the lives of women in my church and community. I am truly grateful.
While hearing the birds sing this morning, I was reminded of this hymn, and it seemed appropriate that I would share the lyrics with you:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
I know He watches
I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
He watches me
I know
He watches
Me
Debbie Swindell 