I was looking for something a little different for my mantle this fall, but I also wanted it to be neutral enough to use across multiple seasons. I decided on a simple chain garland like we used to make in elementary school, only instead of construction paper, I used pages I tore from an old book I purchased at the thrift store for exactly this kind of purpose. I put in a movie for my daughter and me to watch and before it was finished I had completed two DIY book page chain garlands for my fireplace mantle that I can use year-round.
To make the chain garland I used supplies I already had in my crafting stash. My 12″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer that I’ve had for close to 10 years and will forever NOT ever be without! Some Tombow glue, though any good adhesive would probably work, and any old book that won’t bother you to tear up. If I remember correctly, I paid $1.00 for a set of three of these books at the local second-hand store. I think this one is about vampires or such–perfect for destroying for craft projects! I don’t encourage anyone to look too closely a the pages as you never know what’s written on them! Luckily, we are slicing these up so it doesn’t really matter.
I started by simply ripping out a whole bunch of pages from the book. I didn’t really pay attention to how many and then began slicing them (I stacked about 5 pages at a time) into 1″ strips. I used the whole height of the book page because it made a nice size loop for the chain. A small paperback book may not be quite tall enough to make a loop as big around as the one I made for the main chain.
I wasn’t sure how many links I would need since I’m not the type to measure so I just kept cutting and cutting. I knew it would be easy to throw together a few more links or remove links if needed. Once I had a good stack of strips cut for the garland I decided to make a second chain with thinner and smaller circles that I could layer with the first chain. Two garlands are always more interesting than just one in my book! So this time I cut the height of my book page down a bit (these are around 4″ tall) before I began slicing it into strips.
After you have a nice pile of whatever size and variety of strips that you want it’s time to start assembling the chain that will make the garland. Do you remember how to do it? Start by gluing one strip of paper into a closed loop, then slide a new strip through the center of the original, completed ring and then glue that strip shut to create a link. Keep adding new strips through each newly completed loop to create more links. Does this bring back memories of kindergarten?
Pay attention to where you are adding the new strip, especially as your chain gets longer. I found a few places that I had added two links to one loop. But that’s not a big deal–just tear off the second link and throw it away! Easy peasy!
Once you think your chain is the length you want, repeat all the steps again to make the second chain. I knew I wanted the smaller garland to drape a few more times across the mantle so I made it longer than the larger loop chain.
I love how the book page garland looks on my fall mantle. I may make a few more garlands for use on the greenery on my staircase this Christmas. I added some twinkle lights intertwined through the loops and it’s so festive and sparkly! I may even add a little glitter to help reflect more light if I make another set.
This DIY book page garland was inexpensive, easy, and fast–three of my favorite things when it comes to crafts! You could easily do this with the help of your children. This simple book page garland would be beautiful around a Christmas tree, on a stairwell, draped across a mirror, or even across some display towels on a towel bar. Get creative!
We hope you enjoy this idea and would love to see your garlands if you decide to make them. Share them on your social media and tag us @thesweetteasisters on Instagram.
I love changing the decor in my home according to whatever season we are in. I really just do three 3 big changes a year; fall, Christmas/winter, and spring/summer. I don’t do anything for say, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or St. Patrick’s Day.
Even though I enjoy decorating, I always struggle with centerpieces for my dining table or tabletops. Lately, I’ve been using a 3-tier tray for both the dining table and the table in our living room. But I have been wanting to change it up with something different and fun, but most importantly, QUICK!
I saw a picture online of a pretty fall display built on a long charcuterie board and I knew this was what I wanted to try! I didn’t have a board like that at home and so the search began (shopping is the best part, isn’t it?!) I found what I was looking for at Target from their Magnolia line. It’s 40’ long and fits the dining room table perfectly.
Next, it was time to gather my supplies: a garland of greenery, one medium-sized pumpkin, a few smaller pumpkins, a couple of small candles, and a pair of wire cutters. (If you don’t own a pair of wire cutters, get a pair ASAP! You’ll thank me when you realize how much easier it is to trim faux greenery!))
To create the centerpiece start with the bottom layer of greenery. I laid the leaf garland down the center of the board and using the wire cutters I trimmed it to just a bit longer than my board so there would be enough to wind in and out of the other items I planned to add. Then I placed the larger pumpkin in the center and a jar candle on each end.
All I had to do after that was fill in the spaces with the smaller pumpkins, tucking the leaf garland in and around everything, until the board was as full as I wanted and I liked the way it looked!
Presto, a centerpiece!
My sister, Doe, thought a smaller board would be cool for the table in my living room, but I didn’t have one and didn’t want to go buy one. So my husband came to the rescue.
He had a piece of 1X8 out in his shop leftover from another project that was just shy of 24”. He milled the edges so that they were slightly rounded, sanded them, and I stained it. Once it was dry we added handles.
This was a fast project and I was thrilled with how it turned out. I wouldn’t put food directly on it, but it’s perfect for decorating.
I gathered a new group of supplies: some faux fall flowers I had purchased on sale at JoAnn’s, a variety of jars and vases in different sizes, some battery-operated votive candles and holders, and more pumpkins.
This time I wanted flowers to be in the center of the tray so I chose a jar that was a good height for the scale of the board, with a broader neck opening. The clear glass of the jar didn’t offer much impact on the tray, but I didn’t want to go buy a different vase. I remembered I had a can of gold marbling spray paint leftover from another project so I simply used that to spray paint the jar–it was just the thing it needed to add a little visual weight!
I added the flowers to the jar, trimming and arranging them so that they would just sit on the rim of the vase, using only enough stems to fill the opening but not needing to squish them in.
Next, I added a couple of pumpkins I found on sale at Hobby Lobby and a few small gourds from the grocery store. My mom always said that when it comes to decorating, a good rule of thumb is: work in odd numbers and keep things in the shape of a pyramid. So, I kept the larger pumpkin closer to the center and the smaller gourds spread out toward the edges. As a last touch, I included two LED, battery-operated candles in small glass votive holders.
The completed board looked great on the table, but it still needed a little something to make it pop. I had just the thing! A piece of flannel in yellow and cream. The flannel layer works like the mat inside a framed picture creating movement and layers for our eyes to follow.
I’m so happy with the simple little boards that I have plans to make more of them in various sizes! If I decide to use them for food I’ll simply lay down a piece of parchment paper first.
You could easily recreate these centerpieces yourself using whatever you have at home. If you don’t want to buy or make a board, a tray, mirror, or even a picture frame would all work as your base layer. Look around your house and see what things you could gather together to display on top. If you (or your husband) are handy with tools, whip up a quick board yourself!
If this post inspires you to put together a centerpiece for your table we’d love to see it! Post it to your Instagram and tag us.
If someone had told me at any point in my earlier life that “using my gifts” in ministry would look like me creating a centerpiece by building an incomplete, multi-colored Lego structure while simultaneously preparing deviled eggs I would have been super confused and then laughed and laughed!
I’ve found myself out of my depths lately when it comes to serving in my local church. For most of my adult years, I’ve been involved mainly in a Women’s Ministry capacity: pretty events with tasty food, lovely centerpieces, and handcrafted, girly gifts. Sure, in my “younger years” I helped my sister, Shan, put on a few VBS events, and even played my part in a few skits. But the Youth Group? Not even for a minute.
I’m not sure I even really liked Youth Group when I was a youth! I mean I loved the teaching and I loved the fellowship, but all the silliness and games just made me want to crawl under a table until it was over. My older kids weren’t even part of a Youth Group. But I do remember my Youth Group fondly. In fact, some of my dearest friends now are people I hung out with in Youth Group (including my husband). And a major foundation for my faith was laid in my High School Sunday School Class.
Images from our first night of serving youth group snacks and a quickly assembled table centerpiece. A simple start that will lead to greater things.
When my husband and I relocated across the country and began settling into a new town and a new church I was determined to wait and see where God would lead me to serve, instead of striving to serve where (and in the same ways) I had always served. I wanted to have an open mind and an obedient spirit to be used in whatever way would benefit His Kingdom the most–without me meddling in things–even if it was out of my normal. I still pretty much assumed it would be in Women’s Ministry somehow–because what else would He call me to?!
What I used to think was a gift for “hospitality” (meaning serving women and couples through events) I’m now realizing is a gift for facilitating fellowship around food–in general. Over the last few years, I have felt strongly that God wanted me to feed people. Not just spiritually with His word, but practically as well. I’ve tried to lean into that calling and be obedient when I sense Him nudging me to get my oven preheated. Feeding people isn’t a new act of service for me, I’ve been involved in many meal trains for people in my church and have participated in almost every women’s luncheon/tea/event that I’ve known about since I was young. I just didn’t really expect God to lead me to feed a group of teenagers and their leaders.
GOD MADE YOU TO WORSHIP YOUTH NIGHT Centerpiece featuring ping-pong balls from teaching illustration. The big idea for the night: “Who or what will I LOVE this week?”
It started with my son and daughter joining a youth small group through our church. My husband and I offered to host the high school boys group in our home. Right away, I felt led to also offer to feed the youth and the leaders dinner each week before their meeting. Feeding them and seeing them get to know one another in a way that often happens when people eat together, fed my own soul in a way I had not anticipated. All I had wanted to do was take a burden off the leaders and families on what I knew had to be a busy night for them. And to give the kids an opportunity to talk outside of their question and answer time at the end of their teaching time. Both of those things may have happened, but on top of that, I was the one blessed to witness their time together.
GOD MADE YOU TO FELLOWSHIP YOUTH NIGHT. Legos represent living stones being built up into a spiritual house. Notes on the table remind the youth that they are loved and welcomed in our church body and by God.
But then COVID became a whole pandemic and the world shut down. Small groups stopped and transitioned to virtual meetings. I was so sad to lose that Tuesday evening opportunity. And then my husband had (and survived) a major heart attack and my whole world flipped into chaos. There was no way I could have managed meals for others as I was barely figuring out meals for us at this point, but I was watching and eagerly awaiting when we would settle down and figure out how to function again.
Once COVID restrictions had lightened up, my husband was feeling better, and we were establishing new rhythms and routines, our church started gearing up to relaunch our in-person Youth Ministry and somehow I found myself heading up a Youth Ministry Support Team. One of the main jobs of this team is to provide snacks for the Youth Group on Tuesday nights. How hard could that be? I imagined it would be a plain table with simple snacks laid out for the kids, buffet style. Quick and easy–nothing to see here, just chips and cookies!
GOD MADE YOU TO GROW YOUTH NIGHT. Fishers of men theme to highlight discipleship.
But as I began preparing for that first Tuesday night, the Lord laid it on my heart to provide a little more sustenance than chips and cookies. So I rounded up some of the parents for a more substantial snack and then I sat down to whip up some quick signs in Canva to use down the center of the table. These signs would highlight the five areas the Youth Pastor would be teaching over the course of the year. While putting those out I decided to use a sharpie marker to quickly write out the main scriptures that went with each teaching topic down the paper table runner so the kids could read them as they filled their plates. It wasn’t fancy or even really well done, but it was something and it caught the eye.
The next week, while talking with the Youth Pastor about what the lesson and illustration would be, I thought, “Oh, I can use that on the table as a visual reminder for the kids!” I had begun to realize this “snack ministry” was an ideal opportunity to put the Scriptures in front of kids who may not be putting them in front of themselves. And to reinforce the concept and lesson they heard during worship and teaching. Food for the belly and food for the soul.
GOD MADE YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY. A movie theater theme to remind them to tell the epic story of what God has done and is doing in their life.
And that’s how I suddenly found myself elbow-deep in my son’s box of Legos at 2:00 on a Tuesday afternoon while 24 eggs boiled on my stove. I have to say, as confused as I am about why God called me to serve here, I am loving every minute of it. When I think I have no clue what to do for the next week the Lord will give me just the perfect idea!. And then I’ll spend a few days wondering how in the world I’m going to pull that off–and then He helps me do that too!
So lately, I’m finding my creative juices are churning less over homemade cards, pretty centerpieces, and pretty gifts and more over a new kind of centerpiece and a new kind of fellowship. I love getting to see the teens light up when they see a table laden with awesome snacks just for them and watch them look over the centerpieces, connecting what they see with what they just heard. I’ve never considered my love of crafts as a “gifting”–it’s just always just been a hobby that I can pull from for ministry stuff, but now I’m beginning to wonder. It seems that God will use anything, in any way, to serve His WHOLE church body and bring glory to His name!
GOD MADE YOU TO SERVE. A skeleton body missing parts illustrates the need for all parts of the body to participate for the body to function well. A mixed-up Mrs. Potato head illustrates the value of each part and of not comparing your role with another. A variety of gifts are wrapped and labeled with some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I’d love to hear about where and how you use your unique gifts to serve your church body. Did you always know that was the place for you? Has your area of service changed over the years? We’d love it if you’d share your serving story in the comments!
When I was growing up, it was common for people to just drop in for a visit, especially on Sunday afternoons. I loved this as a child because you never knew who might show up or who you might drop in on.
As a young adult, I found this terrifying! For me having someone into my home required at least a little preparation and warning!
When we were first married and had young children our get-togethers revolved almost entirely around friends with small children or family. These didn’t require a lot of planning or preparation. We were all in the same boat…exhausted and running in all directions. There wasn’t Pinterest or any social media to tell us we were doing it wrong. We’d gather potluck style, use paper plates, play games and let the kids run wild! The only time I made a big effort was at our annual Christmas party where I really looked forward to trying new recipes out on my friends! I remember one year I made crab (artificial) quiche and I felt so fancy!
Once the kids were older and mostly out of the house something changed and I felt pressure to make things nicer, better….perfect. I would drive myself crazy making sure that every nook and cranny was spotless. The house needed to be decorated and every detail seen to. A menu was chosen that would be sure to impress. By the time my guests arrived I was too tired and worn out to really enjoy the evening and I usually needed a couple of days to recover!
Where did this pressure come from? Myself! I was the person driving the crazy train! It got to the point that we just stopped having people over. Oh sure, there were other reasons that also led to that happening, but I think mostly I was exhausted. I just couldn’t keep up.
After not having anyone in our home other than family for so long, the thought of inviting anyone in filled me with fear. Fear of rejection, of judgment, of not being or doing enough. But I was lonely and missed the sweet fellowship of people.
And the Lord was working on my heart. He started to impress on me the need to be faithful to steward the home He had given us. A place with plenty of room inside and out, a place people could hopefully come and feel welcome and loved. A place to share His love with others. I no longer wanted to “entertain”, I wanted to extend hospitality–to just minister, encourage, and love. To build and strengthen relationships with the people He placed in my life.
So, I put on my big girl panties and invited a group of ladies over for lunch. They were all co-workers of mine. I wasn’t sure they would accept the invitation when I extended it, but they did and we had a lovely time together! I made a simple lunch of chicken salad with croissants. Nothing fancy. Still, I fretted over the house and food before they got there. Was it good enough? The laughter and conversation we shared around the table told me that fretting was an unnecessary burden I placed on myself. But it was going to take baby steps for me to adapt.
As I continued to reach out to various friends and acquaintances it became easier and less scary. I began to loosen up…a BIT.
Two of my favorite memories are of having our dear friends, Marc, Lisa, Marina, Ed, Johnny, and Stacy over for PIZZA! Take and bake! Not even homemade, and I think we may even have used paper plates! BUT we had the best time!
Another time we hosted a chili feed with some friends from church, some neighbors, and my brother and sister-in-law. We had several pots/types of chili to sample and once again the laughter and conversation flowed! I was getting the hang of it! More fun get-togethers continued to happen, and then…COVID!
Oh, how I missed my friends and vowed to have them over ASAP! Like many of you, the pandemic changed a lot of my thinking, especially about things that are important and one thing that became ever clearer to me was that it was the fellowship that mattered, not the perfection of the house of food.
So with that in mind, when the time finally came to have friends in again the pressure was OFF. I let myself off the hook with having to feel like everything was just so and doing everything myself. One of ”my” rules had always been that the first time someone comes over to my house for dinner, they don’t bring anything. We provide it all, do it all, but not this last time! This time I asked almost everyone to bring something to share and it was wonderful! And you know what? I didn’t even mop my kitchen floor! And no one even pointed it out with shocked and judging eyes!
I still enjoy doing things well and trying to make my guests feel special. That hasn’t changed, but the internal pressure I placed on myself is no longer weighing me down….Oh, the freedom!
So here’s my new hospitality manifesto:
1) I Keep it simple. In summer BBQ is perfect. In the cooler months, I try to choose a one-dish recipe or a crock pot meal. Amy Hannon’s Roast Cobbler from her Love, Welcome, Serve cookbook is a favorite around here. And don’t forget there’s always pizza!
2) I let my guests share in the joy of providing part of the meal.
3) I focus on getting the main areas we will use clean (especially the bathrooms) and don’t sweat the rest.
4) Let the Lord lead in the inviting. He’s the master mixer!
5) Relax. Breathe. Enjoy
What about you, friend? Are you caught in the web of perfection, running yourself ragged, trying to impress instead of bless? We’d love to hear what’s on your heart and if you have any of your own tips to share! Leave us a comment!
October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we’ve put together a list of 9 simple ways you can show your pastor you care. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture that costs a lot of time or money. In fact, that may just make your Pastor uncomfortable. Simple and heartfelt can make a bigger impact than splashy and pricey.
Check out our list of simple ways to show your appreciation in a meaningful way. Most of them are low to no cost. Choose one idea or pick a few and do them throughout the month–there is no wrong way to let someone know they are seen and their efforts are appreciated.
Don’t forget to include your Associate Pastors, Youth Pastors, Music Pastors, etc.! They all work tirelessly and outside of “regular” office hours to shepherd a flock of unruly sheep. Whenever possible, include spouses and children in your blessing as well. They often sacrifice much for the ministry with little to no recognition.
Pray for your Pastor and his family. If you haven’t already, join our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor Challenge on Instagram! If this is the only thing you do this month it will be time well spent and the rewards will be massive. In fact, pray for your church’s entire leadership team. The burden to lead well is often heavy and lonely. We have put together a FREE printable for you to use this month that gives you things to pray for every day. After you’ve finished praying, send them a quick text to let them know you have prayed for them. Check out our Instagram stories each day for some images you can text or message to your Pastor to tell them they’ve been prayed for.
Invite them into your home for dinner. Get to know them as people, not just a preacher/shepherd. There’s no need to cook a fancy meal unless that’s something you enjoy doing. Order a couple of pizzas or do a Nacho Bar. Pull out a board game (Cards Christians Like seems fitting!) or a puzzle and have a relaxing evening just laughing, sharing, and getting better acquainted.
Offer to bring dinner to them–even when no one is sick! What is better than a night off from cooking dinner? Dinner that’s delivered and eaten on all disposable products! NO COOKING and NO DISHES, can I get an “amen”?! Again, if cooking a big meal isn’t your thing, do something simple like tacos. You could even pick up some of the sides from a local Mexican restaurant. You could easily get a rotisserie chicken from the deli, grab a bagged salad, and heat up some refrigerated mashed potatoes. Easy-peasy, quick, and delicious! Or play pizza-delivery person. Include a bagged salad, some soda, and brownies from the bakery at your grocery and it will be a winner for the parents and the children. I always try to send paper plates, disposable cups, napkins, and cutlery. If I’m cooking the meal I package it in disposable containers. It’s always hard to make sure dishes make it back to the people they belong to. **Anytime food is involved, do take the time to ask if there are any dietary restrictions.
Tell them you appreciate them. It’s really as simple as that. It can be by a text, a message on social media, or better yet– old fashioned snail mail. If you prefer, even an encouraging phone call can brighten their day. Be specific. Tell them what they’ve done or how what they recently taught has impacted your life or your faith walk. Your words could be just the boost they need to keep them from discouragement.
Praise them to their spouse and children. You can guarantee the praise will make it back to the pastor. It will bless not only the pastor to hear it through the grapevine, but their spouse and children will beam with pride to hear that you appreciate all the work their loved one puts in to serving the church body.
Slip them a gift card for a local restaurant or cafe. Think coffee shops, ice cream parlors, delis, bakeries, etc. A gift of $10 gives them a reason to slip away from studying for a treat and they will return refreshed and ready to get to work. If you have the means, a gift card for a larger treat, such as dinner out or a night at a hotel is a treat they may not often give themselves.
If they have small children, offer to babysit so that they can take their spouse out on a date. Getting out of the housen (or some alone time!) can be hard. Asking people to watch your kiddos can be even harder. If you know the family and love their kids don’t wait for them to ask you to babysit–OFFER! Your Pastor and Spouse will be blessed beyond measure!
Drop off a little giftie of food to the church office. Some homemade cookies in a gift sack with a bow, maybe a 12 pack of their canned/bottled beverage, or even sack lunches can really brighten their day and give them a boost of energy!
Organize a love offering to be given sometime during the month of October. Coordinate with your Elder Team or Board Members to take up a free-will, love offering to give to your pastor one Sunday.
Bonus: Be slow to complain. Before you bring any grumblings to your Pastor, ask yourself if this issue will matter when you face Jesus. If it doesn’t, then take those grumblings to God and let Him deal with them. If the matter is big enough, be sure to spend some time praying for your pastor and about when and how to best approach him in love before you go charging into his office or email with your issue. I guarantee he will greatly appreciate your kindness!
We hope these 9 simple ways to show your pastor you care are helpful not only for October and Pastor Appreciation month, but all year! Do you plan on doing any of these things this October? We’d love for you to share with us! Leave a comment here and share a picture on Instagram of the ways you are showing your Pastor you care!
Pastor Appreciation month is almost here and we are here to tell you the very best way to appreciate your pastor this October. It costs nothing but time (and maybe a little printer ink) and will benefit not only your pastor but you and your entire church body. And the benefits will be unmeasurable and eternal. Are you ready? It’s so simple! Simply join our 31 Days of Prayer for your Pastor Challenge and commit to pray for your pastor every day for the month of October!
Does that sound a little overwhelming to you? Are you worried you won’t know what to pray every day for 30 days? Do you think you might forget? Don’t worry! Like the good sisters we are, we have a few tools and tips to help you out.
Oftentimes the hardest part of praying is knowing what to pray for so we created this FREE PRINTABLE: 31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor. Just work your way down the list praying one each day. We’ve even included a few scriptures you can look up to help you as you pray. Print the list and keep it somewhere handy for you to grab when it’s time to pray or just download the image and screen shot it on your phone so you’ll have it wherever you go.
We know how easy it is to say we are going to pray for something (or someone) and then get so busy in our day we forget to actually do it. Luckily, technology has given us a great tool to remind us–our phones! We just set a recurring alarm labeled 31 Days of Prayer. Choose a time that you are reasonably sure you can step aside for a few moments of uninterrupted prayer. Maybe it’s right before you go to bed. Or when you get in your car to drive to work or drop your kids off. Maybe your lunch break or as you step into the shower is the ideal time. Or you could pray together as a family before one of your meals. Whatever time works for you, just set that alarm and when it goes off, stop what you’re doing and look at your list and spend a few moments in prayer.
Need a little extra accountability? Get your friends to join the challenge to pray along with you. Use #STS31daysofprayersforyourpastor and share this challenge with your friends. Can you imagine a group of people (or an entire church body!) engaged in daily prayer for their pastor? Follow and share our daily posts on our Instagram page and know a community of believers will be praying alongside you for their pastors as well. The power of social media can spread our prayers far and wide.
Now, what if you took it one step further and each day after you’ve finished praying you texted your pastor to tell him you had prayed for him and what you prayed for? Check out our Instagram stories each day for encouraging images you can screenshot to send to your pastor.
Daily prayer really is the very best way to appreciate your pastor this year! Will you be joining us? Comment here and head on over to Instagram to let us know you’re in!
XOXO,
Shan and Doe
P.S. Don’t forget to include your Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and other Pastors in your 31 Days of Prayer!
“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching, and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16
September and the onset of fall always means “fresh start” to me, even more so than January 1. That being the case we thought this was the perfect time to tell you about three bible study resources for fall!
What other time of year screams, “We’re starting new!!” like fall? I think it’s all the back to school excitement! New backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, and of course new clothes and shoes! Even though my children are grown and no longer need those things, I still look forward to picking up some of those things for myself this time of year. A few new notebooks, maybe some markers and always, always a new bible study!
These are some of the wonderful Bible Studies that we have done this past year, are currently doing, and have on our list to do next!
First: Jen Wilkin has some great studies available online that you can do for FREE–including the workbook and either audio or video of her lectures. We have done her studies on James, 1st Peter and are currently working our way through Matthew Part 1 and Part 2. We have also read her book Women of the Word that is an excellent resource for learning to study the bible on your own.
Jen Wilkin studies are what I would consider to be “in-depth studies”. They cover the entire book, not just a few chapters. Jen stresses comprehension, interpretation and application so you will be reading the entire text repeatedly, highlighting, annotating, looking up definitions, paying attention to context and paraphrasing verses, just to name a few things.
While these studies do require some time and attention, they are powerful and worth your time and effort, I guarantee you will not be the same after doing one of her studies.
Second: The Daily Grace & Co. has some really great SHORT, affordable bible studies–many are just $5 during their sales, which they have often! While the studies I’ve purchased have not required a lot of homework they do employ the same study techniques as the Jen Wilkin studies and I felt they had some really good questions on the daily work. I did their Habakkuk study earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I just purchased The Lord’s Prayer study and I’m looking forward to doing it soon! They also have a devotional book called New Every Morning that I’m loving! I got it on one of the $5 sales!
Variety of studies from The Daily Grace & Co.
Third: Now, this last recommendation is not what I would call a traditional bible “study”. Rather, they are lectures that you could use alongside your bible reading.
Kristi McLelland is a speaker and professor at Williamson College in Tennessee and serves as a biblical culturalit. Her studies are found through New Lens Biblical Studies. The classes don’t really require any homework other than reading whichever book of the bible she’ll be discussing and listening to the lecture. I took a copious notes! Both Dori and I couldn’t believe how much we learned! Kristi will help you learn to look at scripture with a Middle Eastern lens in addition to a Western lens. These studies are an investment–one that we highly recommend.
We started with the Israel study last year which is an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, looking at the history of the Jewish people and how to feast on the Word. The cost is $75
Next, we did the Italy study which is about the first century church in the book of Acts. Again, you just need to be reading the scripture. It adds so much more to your understanding and appreciation of scripture when you know the context and culture of the people writing and reading the passages! The cost is $45
Both of these studies would be good for seasoned readers who maybe have never read the bible from beginning to end – straight through, but we would definitely recommend them for those who are new to bible reading and/or study. They are a great way to grasp the whole story of the bible.
There are additional resources that she recommends as aides. We purchased a couple to use alongside our other studies but they are not necessary to understanding the lectures.
Even though these classes are a bit pricey they are worth every penny and I have gone back over my notes several times already as I’ve been reading through the Bible this year and plan to make watching the videos a yearly event!
Just recently we did her Ezer Kenegdo – this is just a short 1.5 hour lecture on the first two words God speaks about women. It was so good. The cost for that is $19
We have also her Jesus & Women study . This 7 session study is a thoughtful look at several of Jesus’ interactions with women in the bible. It will challenge and maybe even change the way you’ve looked at these stories! This study is available through Lifeway.com
Do you already have plans for a fall bible study? Do you prefer to study alone or in a group? My sister and I have been doing long distance studies together via FaceTiime for the last year and a half, and they have been wonderful, but I definitely miss getting together with a group of women! Whether alone or with a group of friends, one of the above studies might be the perfect fit for your fall bible study needs!
We’d love to hear what your plans are – feel free to leave a comment below letting us know what you’ll be doing! Also, include any study tools, books, website etc… that you’ve found helpful! We’re working on a list of our favorites to share soon!
Scones are one of the easiest pastries to learn to bake and these are perfect for beginners. They come together quickly and the overnight rest in the refrigerator makes them pretty forgiving.
The ingredients are ones I almost always have in my pantry so when I decide to make a special treat these are often what I choose. They are a family favorite for sure. They also make wonderful gifts to drop off with friends and neighbors!
One thing that will help your scones turn out beautifully is to measure out your buttermilk and measure and cube your butter then place them both back into the refrigerator until the recipe calls for them. Keeping things cold makes a big difference. I don’t even preheat my oven until the scones are assembled, sliced, and ready to bake.
Combine the dry ingredients and give them a good mix to break down any large clumps of brown sugar. Little lumps are ok and actually make for little bursts of flavor in the baked scones.
Pull the buttermilk and butter out of the fridge. Toss the cubed butter in the flour and then cut it into the dry mixture until the butter is the size of large peas.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly stream in the buttermilk until the dough just comes together. There will still be a little dry flour in the bottom of the bowl, that’s ok; it will get incorporated when you knead it by hand.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and carefully knead it a few times, just to incorporate the crumbs and make the dough fairly smooth and not too sticky. Handle the dough as little as possible so as not to melt the bits of butter.
Divide the dough in two and pat each half into an 8 inch circle. The sides won’t be smoothly round and that’s ok.
The scones are best if you can put them back in the refrigerator for a while before you bake them. I prefer to leave them overnight and bake them the following day.
Place each round in a zip-top bag or wrap them tightly with cling wrap and refrigerate. If you need to bake them right away, leave them in the fridge until the oven is completely preheated.
When you are ready to bake the scones, preheat the oven and then pull the scones out to slice once the oven has come to temperature.
Place the circles on an ungreased baking sheet (I use a pizza stone). Cut each circle into 8 triangles. Separate the triangles so they aren’t touching and bake until they are just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges. This will only take 14-16 minutes. You want to avoid over baking them so they aren’t dry.
Transfer the baked scones from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack so they don’t sweat and get soggy.
These scones are soft and fluffy and are delicious warm or cold, served with butter, jam, and fresh whipped cream. Make a batch and tell us who you shared them with!
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Scones
Light and flaky scones that can be prepped ahead and baked the next day.
Cut the butter into small cubes and measure out the buttermilk. Place both back in the fridge to keep cold until they are needed.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a food processor, combine the dry ingredients.
Stir well to combine and break up any large pieces of brown sugar. Smaller lumps are ok.
Take the butter from the fridge and sprinkle it around the flour mixture int he bowl, trying not to handle it too much.
Blend on medium speed (or pulse in the food processor) until the butter is the size of peas.
With the mixer on, slowly stream in the buttermilk until the dough just comes together. There will still be a tablespoon or so of dry flour at the bottom of the bowl.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface being careful to pour the dry flour onto the top of the dough so it can be folded in.
Knead the dough just a few times with your hands until it comes together and isn't very sticky. Be careful not to handle the dough too much as that will make the scones tough.
Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a circle about 8 inches in diameter.
Place each circle in a zip-top bag or wrap tightly in cling wrap and place them both in the refrigerator until the oven is preheated and you are ready to slice and bake them. They are best if left in the fridge overnight but are still delicious if baked the same day.
Preheat the oven to 400°. Once it is preheated, remove the scone circles from the refrigerator and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Slice each circle into 8 triangles.
Separate the triangles so they aren't touching and bake just until the edges begin to brown. This will take about 14-16 minutes. Do not overcook the scones or they will be dry.
Let the scones sit for just a few minutes once they are out of the oven and then serve them with soft butter, lemon curd, jam, and fresh whipped cream.
As you may have gathered from my sister Doe, I am not a menu planner. Is this a problem for me? Yes, yes it is. But I am one of those people who has to be hungry for something in order to want to make it for dinner.
Has this been a problem for my family? Yes, yes it has. Many a night I am just a girl standing in front of the refrigerator asking it to tell me what to make for dinner. I may have a lot of ingredients, but no ideas.
Every few years I’m inspired by Doe’s menu planning and give it a try. I start out weak, work up to mediocracy, and then fizzle out. It’s not my spiritual gift! That’s why I love this soup. I usually have the ingredients on hand (because I use whatever I have on hand) and this time of year it’s something I crave often!
I call it Whatever Ya Got Soup
The very best thing about this soup? You really do use whatever you have on hand. Do you have some leftover green beans and corn from yesterday’s dinner? Throw them in the pot. A random can of sliced carrots in the pantry? Throw them in the pot, too! A bag in the bottom of the freezer with only a few frozen peas? You got it, toss em in!
Maybe you don’t have any ground beef but you’ve got some kidney beans or some great northern beans–that’s fine–just substitute the beans for the beef.
Most any pasta will do for this soup, even broken up spaghetti pieces, but if you don’t have pasta, just throw in a diced raw potato or two.
You could put just about anything in and it makes a nice hearty meal, especially served alongside some yummy bread! One of my favorite bread recipes to make is from the cookbook “New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.”
This is a great book with a lot of wonderful recipes and most are very simple. I use the Master Recipe and if I keep a batch of dough in the fridge I can whip up a couple of small loaves in about an hour and a half. It makes a lovely rustic round loaf.
Hopefully, if you’re a non-planner like me, I’ve given you a little hope and maybe some dinner inspiration. Let us know if you give this soup or bread a try!!
XOXO,
Shan
Shan’s Whatever Ya Got Soup
A simple soup that can be made using whatever meat and veggies are hanging around in the pantry and fridge.
In a large pot brown the ground beef, drain, and return to the cooking pot.
Add 5 cups of whatever combination of liquid you've chosen and the soup mix. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
Allow the broth and cooked beef to simmer over medium heat for 30-40 minutes then add the canned tomatoes and vegetables. Cook unitl the vegetables are your desired tenderness.
Add the uncooked pasta (I usually use elbow noodles) and cook al dente.
Ladle into bowls and top with a little grated parmesan cheese.
Does the thought of committing to daily Bible reading send dread down your spine? Or maybe it stiffens your back because of those “legalistic-perfect Christians”. Oh, friend, I hope it doesn’t, but I understand if it does. The guilt I used to feel every time I missed a day or got so behind I just stopped reading altogether was enough that for many years I barely opened my Bible other than on Sunday. I wouldn’t commit to reading because I was just so tired of failing.
Part of my struggle was I wasn’t sure where to start. I knew I could start with Genesis and go book by book, but that just felt overwhelming, and I didn’t always understand or have any context for what I was reading. Not understanding can make the word of God feel very remote and dry.
I also had trouble “catching up” or feeling behind if I missed a day. In my mind, I had to follow a specific plan to read a certain amount, on a certain day, at a certain time. And if I missed a day I felt as though I needed to read the previous day before I could read the current day. And if I missed multiple days? Two choices: binge-read or give up. I have chosen both in the past.
Can I give you a bit of encouragement, sister? Reading your Bible doesn’t have to be a burden. In fact, I’ll dare to say it SHOULDN’T be a burden. God didn’t give us His word just to add work to our day. Reading our Bible isn’t what saves us or makes us better Christians. But reading our Bible WILL help us as we function as believers.
How much easier is it to trust someone that you know personally?
How much easier to follow someone when you know where their heart is?
How much more likely are you to have faith in someone when you have seen and understand how they have handled themselves in the past?
The Bible tells us in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ “ NASB
Reading our Bible helps us to know and see God in a very real and life-altering way–if we can just get past our issues first. I’m going to share a few things that have worked for me and I think maybe they can help you as well.
The first thing I’m going to encourage you to do is kick your preconceived notions of “the right way” to the curb! Other than with an open heart and a teachable spirit, there is no “correct” way to read the Bible. God isn’t timing how long you spend reading or keeping track of what time of the day it was. He doesn’t care what order you read the books in or if you highlight and write in the margins. He doesn’t require that you read from your favorite Bible, or even READ at all. I promise God isn’t grading you on your Bible time. He just wants you to spend time in His Word and with Him.
Maybe you don’t have an hour or two to dedicate to the Word every morning, but I bet you can grab 15 minutes here and there throughout the day. You might be surprised how many verses can be read in just 15 minutes.
Don’t rely on the fact that you have your phone with you all the time, we’re too easily distracted by social media and the internet. I can’t tell you how many times I pick up my phone to turn on music and then wonder half an hour later how I ended up on Facebook without any music playing!
Try keeping an inexpensive Bible in multiple rooms of your house. Did you know you can buy a paperback Bibleon Amazon for about $3.00? The words in the cheap paperback are the same as the ones in your favorite leatherbound Bible. Consider keeping a paperback one in your kitchen (read while you’re eating breakfast or sipping coffee). You can keep another one in your car (read while you’re waiting on your kids or husband). The best place to keep one is probably in your *gasp* bathroom! Start leaving your phone behind and browsing the Bible instead.
I just recently learned that Jews view scripture as food and they “eat their portion” daily. I love that image. A bite here, a full meal there, and a snack for good measure adds up to nutrition.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal…Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6: 27, 35 ESV
Remember, there is a difference between READING scripture and STUDYING scripture. Both are important, and each produces fruit differently. I will never discourage you from doing a deep dive into God’s word to study it–cross-referencing, reading commentaries, making outlines, and listening to lectures, but if you’re already struggling to be in the Word on a regular basis, maybe it’s time to scale back a bit and do the basics. Much can be learned by JUST READING. Don’t even highlight or write in the margins if you don’t want to, just read straight through like you would any other story. Do the best you can, until you can do better, but don’t do nothing just because you can’t do it all.
For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.
Isahah 55:10-12 NASB
Ask God to give you a love and a hunger for His word. Sometimes, when I was making an effort to be in the Word, I didn’t enjoy it. I was tired, it was dry, I wanted to be sleeping…lots of reasons. So I confessed that to God (I’m pretty sure He could already tell) and I asked Him to please help me love it–to place a desire to read His Word in my heart. And before I begin reading, I ask Him again. I also ask the Holy Spirit to open my mind and heart to help me understand what I’m reading. God is faithful and He will help you.
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight to my heart; For I have been called by your name, O Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 NASB
Take advantage of technology. Somewhere I heard about an app for my phone called ReadScripture. It’s a year-long reading plan that can be started at any point in the year. (I just happen to like to start things at the beginning of something; like a Monday, or the first day of a new month, or maybe even January 1st!) You can read it at your own pace or their recommended pace. There’s nothing revolutionary about that though, that’s how it is with most plans.
What I LOVE about the ReadScripture app is that it’s meant to help you see the Bible as a whole story and to see Jesus as the running theme throughout. At the beginning of each book, there is a short video that gives you an overview of the book, along with information for context and how it fits with the big picture of the Bible. Occasionally, throughout the book, there may be other videos explaining different things. ReadScripture pairs with BibleProject.com where you can sign up to have the reading plan and videos emailed to you instead, in addition to a blog and podcasts. I come back to my ReadScripture app every time I start a new Bible study so I can rewatch the overview video as well as any other videos they have included. While I prefer to read my actual Bible, rather than on my phone, I do keep track of what I’ve read in the app.
LISTEN! Remember how I said you don’t even have to READ the word? Listening to it counts as well, friend! I remember my mother had all the books of the Bible on tape and it was in this huge hard-back case that weighed a ton. Now, you can listen to scriptures from your phone or computer with just a few clicks–and often for FREE. My favorite is an app on my phone called Dwell. It’s not free, but I love the different ways it can be customized. You can change the speaking voice, add music in the background, and there are multiple plans to choose from. You can also listen to “playlists” set up by other users. It has been well worth the $30.00 a year I paid for it.
I listen while I’m cooking or cleaning. Sometimes I listen when I’m driving somewhere or as I fall asleep at night.
Talk about what you’re reading or learning with a friend. This doesn’t have to be something formal or in person (unless you need an excuse to get together!) and they don’t have to even live in your town. Shan and I live 2500 miles apart and have begun having a weekly phone call to talk about what we’re reading. Sometimes it’s the same thing, other times we are each reading something different, but it’s so fun to see how often God is showing us similar themes. Some weeks we have to shift our call to another day or skip that week completely. We just pick up wherever we are when we do get to chat. Be warned though, if you are like Shan and me, your phone conversation could take up a good portion of your day. (And that’s the very best part for me!)
To Plan or Not to Plan? You don’t have to follow a reading plan if that’s not your style. Some people like the structure, some people do not enjoy being told what to do (or read)! The point is to do what works FOR YOU, in this season. I just came out of a season of just randomly reading different books in the New Testament. It was great, but now I’m ready for a little structure again.
If you’re the type of person who likes to have a reading plan in place and like to see yourself marking off the chapters, some of the apps I mentioned above will provide the ability to mark off and track what you’ve read. You can also go old school and print a paper copy to manually mark off. A quick search on Pinterest will give you MANY options!
There is more than one style of reading plan as well. Most of us are used to the “reading straight through” plan. Start at the beginning of Genesis and just keep reading in order until the end of Revelation.
Another option is the “chronological” plan. It might come as a surprise to learn the books of the Bible are not placed in the order in which they happened. If you want to read the Bible like a timeline, look for a chronological plan. You may find chunks of certain books are moved in within other books to create a full, chronological story.
The “five-day plan” divides the Bible up so that instead of reading seven days a week you are reading five. This might be a great plan for you if you like the idea of having two days to catch up if you get off track during the week.
If reading only in one Testament at a time is not your cup of tea, look for an “Old Testament/New Testament” plan. Each day you will read selected passages from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
A plan I hadn’t heard of before is called the “M’Cheyne plan”. Each day you will read two passages from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and another from either the Psalms or the Gospels. When you finish the plan (a year if you follow it as given), you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice.
Whether you choose a plan or not, DO NOT GIVE UP, friend! You’re going to miss days or maybe even weeks. You’re going to not understand some things. You’re going to want to skip entire books in whatever plan you’re reading (ugh–Job!!). But whatever happens, just pick up your Bible and start where you were at the next time you can. God will still be there. His Word will be the same. You don’t have to be perfect because He has already filled in the gaps of our humanness.
I love the way Psalms 1:1-3 tells us that for those who delight in and meditate on the law of the Lord (night AND day), “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.”
Our earthly lives are about seasons, my sisters. Some seasons are dry, some are rainy, and some are beautifully sunny. Some bear rest, some pain, and some work, but all seasons result in fruit–in its time.
Remember, whatever season you are in, it is a GIFT from God. Acknowledge it. Sit in it. Soak it up. It is God who will produce in us.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
