{"id":1707,"date":"2008-12-07T12:18:28","date_gmt":"2008-12-07T19:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=1707"},"modified":"2008-12-07T12:18:28","modified_gmt":"2008-12-07T19:18:28","slug":"bible-study-jonah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=1707","title":{"rendered":"Bible Study: Jonah"},"content":{"rendered":"

One area I don’t share here is my Bible study.\u00c2\u00a0 One reason is that it’s so personal, but also because it’s been so rare that I can sit, study and REFLECT.\u00c2\u00a0 I get to study whatever the boys are studying, but reflecting for myself, well, it’s just so hard.\u00c2\u00a0 And joining a group outside the home…forget about it!\u00c2\u00a0 I accept that this is a Season where that’s pretty hard to pull off.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe if I didn’t homeschool and work?\u00c2\u00a0 But I do…so let’s not go there.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I’ve been finding more time to get to reflect on the Word of the Lord.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve been asking the older boys to take JGirl for romps in the backyard or playtime in the bedroom.\u00c2\u00a0 I grab my Bible and notebook and I’ve ben working my way through Kay Arthur’s “Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days”.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s inductive Bible study which I’ve loved since Eric’s seminary days.\u00c2\u00a0 But I’ve never really understood how to do it.\u00c2\u00a0 This book has really been helping!<\/p>\n

Today she is having me apply the methods to the book of Jonah Chap 1.\u00c2\u00a0 First I observed the passage.\u00c2\u00a0 Then I reflected.\u00c2\u00a0 I really didn’t think I’d be able to relate to Jonah.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve studied this book many times before.\u00c2\u00a0 How can I – a mom of 5, living a quiet life – relate to a man who was literally called by God to go to a evil city.\u00c2\u00a0 Then not only did he not obey, he took off in the other direction!<\/p>\n

But I dutifully observed.\u00c2\u00a0 And, then I reflected.\u00c2\u00a0 And I learned something about Jonah and something about me.\u00c2\u00a0 I was really struck anew by the fact that when the storm comes up…Jonah goes below, lays down and goes to sleep.\u00c2\u00a0 And, when the storms hit here…I retreat…often falling asleep.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s not because I am so laid back about the troubles, it’s that I’m so overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

Here is part of what I wrote in my journal:<\/p>\n

During the storm he (Jonah) went below and slept.\u00c2\u00a0 I can relate to that.\u00c2\u00a0 When things get crazy, I retreat…I need to recharge.\u00c2\u00a0 Jonah didn’t pray….and often, I don’t either. It’s too overwhelming.<\/p>\n

If I – like Jonah in verse 9 – recognize that God created the sea and dry land….why do I think I can hide from Him or that He can’t fix my present storm?\u00c2\u00a0 Is it because I worry that if I ask Him the answers to my prayers are only coincidence or my desire to see only the good things?\u00c2\u00a0 And what if I ask Him to stop the storm and He says ‘No’.<\/p>\n

Wait…I know…I believe that even if He says ‘No’, He will not leave me alone.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m never alone.\u00c2\u00a0 When Joshua died, God obviously did not answer ‘Yes’ to my heart’s scream to save his life, to bring him back.\u00c2\u00a0 But He was there<\/strong> for me. He didn’t save me from the storm, but when I turned to Him, He comforted me.<\/p>\n

I don’t believe losing Joshua was a punishment for running from God, but it was definitely a storm in my life.\u00c2\u00a0 And it taught me that the Lord will be there for me, if I only turn to Him.<\/p>\n

In Chap 1, Jonah did not turn to God.\u00c2\u00a0 He did tell the sailors to turn back so he could obey and go to Ninevah.\u00c2\u00a0 He said ‘toss me over’…suicide really…still running from God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I’m excited to do more of this study.\u00c2\u00a0 Not sure if you’ll hear any more of it….not sure why I felt burdened to share this today.\u00c2\u00a0 Blessings!<\/p>\n

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