deep{er} #1: a background

Hello, friends:)

Today I'm sharing something a bit different...

If you follow me on Facebook, you might have seen this photo and post stating that I'm starting a new series on my blog. 

It's true. I want to go deep{er} with God, and I want to share with you what I learn. 

I'm not a biblical scholar.... or a pastor... actually, I'm just a simple gal who wants to be a faithful servant. I want to shine His light everywhere I am--- and that includes my blog.

This little series will post on Saturdays. I originally wanted to call this "Saturday Reflections" since I will be reflecting on the week's studies and what God has shared or shown me. But I've gone back to the word deep{er}. This is my 2014 One Little Word.

The Story: It started in 2013 (or actually in December of 2012)... that's when I first heard of OLW. I wondered what I could do the next year that would make a difference in my life and in others' lives. The only thing I could think of was to go DEEP into God's Word. So my OLW for 2013 was DEEP. 

Unfortunately, I got sidetracked and didn't go as deep as I wanted. I did start some bible studies, took notes during sermons, went to conferences, and such. But I didn't dig into God's Word like I wanted to. Things happened and hurts held me back. I kind of shut down near the end of the year. 2013 wasn't supposed to turn out the way it did. 

Time came for me to pick my new OLW for 2014. I figured that I couldn't go wrong with going deeper....and added {er} to my 2013 word. I wasn't going to give up on my previous word. It wasn't God's fault that I hadn't succeeded.... and all He wants is a relationship with me anyway.... it was a win-win for all. 

Unfortunately, 2014 didn't start the way I had planned and more hurts happened. I was in a depression at the end of 2013... and after being hit with situations that were devastating (everything seemed to be going from bad to worse to worser to worse-est).... I put God aside and really was numb from it all until just recently. I think that my OLW will be deep{er} for awhile... or at least until I finish 365 days of going deep{er}! LOL! 

Q: So why share all of this with you???? 

This is my way of holding myself accountable to my 2014 OLW. If I'm not going deep{er} into God's Word... if I'm not digging deep into the meaning of God's Word.... if I'm not studying life's instruction book (also known as the Bible)... then I can't share anything with you. So I will share weekly to hold myself accountable of going deep{er} with God. 

This is my way of shining His light into my work. 

And honestly... my goal is to become more like my role models and women in the bible that lived and breathed Jesus. I want Him to be King over ALL of my life. I've asked Him into my heart (back in college)... but there's more to a relationship with Him than just asking Him to be my Savior. I want that "more life". 

Q: So where do we go from here?

Well, this post is just the background info to my new series. Starting today, I plan on getting started on my bible studies.... and I pray that you will join me! 

My goals for this week:

1. To pray daily and spend time getting to know God (again). I want to meditate on who He is... I need to remember He is almighty.... amazing... in charge...etc. 
2. I also want to finish a couple of other studies before I dig deep into His Word. I want to start slow and get back on track before I dig really deep! ***Every day I do 2 studies: The Power of a Praying Wife and 3 Minute Devotions. I highly recommend both books! More on each of these studies later! These are on-going studies. I would like to finish the last three chapters of When Life Is Hard by Dr. James MacDonald. I started this as a study with a friend, but due to schedule conflicts, we never finished. I want to finish it before I start my next deep{er} study.  

I hope that you will join me again next week. I'm planning on sharing what I learn from When Life Is Hard and other devotions.... ANNNNNNNND I want to share with you our new Study Room in our house. This SR has made me super excited to dig deep! OH! I also want to share with you my new bible and how I've changed my prayer book... there are lots of things I want to tell and show you!!  

I pray that this new series and these posts on my blog bless you. I hope that we will "dig deep" with God together ❤️.

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}


ps... these NEW posts will NOT be this long! I just had to share a bit of my background for this first post! My hope is to just share my reflections and a bible verse each week! Nothing too lengthy :)