Have you ever thought about how you read the Bible? If you’re here reading these words, I can probably assume a few things.
— You’re curious about the Bible.
— You wonder if it can be trusted.
— You probably had some prior experience with reading or studying, but you’re curious for more.
Some people read the Bible for comfort, others for direction, and still others for a list of rules to follow.
What if I told you there was more to the Bible than that?
I spent a lot of years reading the Bible in small bites, a verse or two at a time, all the while struggling to understand what others seemed to quickly grasp. How did these words connect with my everyday life?
Then, in 2005, tragedy struck. My daughter, Emma, died in a house fire that destroyed everything –our possessions, our pictures, the place we called home.
In the days and months, and years that followed, I struggled to make sense of what I knew about the Bible with what I experienced through multiples layers of loss.
I needed grounding beyond my emotions and circumstances. I needed to know God.
During this most tumultuous time, I turned to the truth, searching Scripture not for answers but for a person.
Through reading the Bible with this shift, I experienced a deeper, more abundant relationship with the Creator than I ever thought possible.
What did I do? I read –a lot.
And I shifted my gaze from myself to the Author Himself. I started to read the Bible to learn about God first, not me. Yes, my story is a part of His story . . . but the Bible is, first, about Him. And I have much still to learn.
Too often, I read Scripture searching for comfort while missing the Comforter. Too often, I read Scripture searching for answers while missing the Source of truth.
This, my friend, is the heart behind the development of the Ruminate Faith Studies. These studies are designed to help us love God with our heart, soul, strength, and mind, just as Jesus instructs in Mark 12:30.
We do this by considering who God is first, identifying His story woven through Scripture while thinking deeply about His character. Only then do we see our appropriate place in God’s redemptive story.
This takes time to consider.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word ruminate this way: to think deeply about something; to chew the cud.
Chew the cud –can you picture a cow chewing over and over and over? I love this image as I consider God’s Word –not to think about it once or twice and move on, but to mull it over . . . to ruminate.
This idea taught me to not merely search for the “right” answer but instead see the One who is the source of love, who loves me., and you.
Through weekly teaching videos and personal study, each Ruminate Faith Study takes 5-6 weeks to think deeply about a topic. These studies help you chew the cud on such truths as God’s sovereignty, faith, hope, or suffering.
Once you’re steeped in God’s Word, your belief becomes action as you live out your faith in your everyday world.
BOOK ONE IN THE RUMINATE FAITH STUDY SERIES
The Anatomy of Faith
A 6-week journey exploring what faith is, what it isn't, and how to develop a faith that endures.
Through provided teaching videos, personal reflection on Scripture, intentional community, and a willingness to think deeply about faith, this study provides you with the tools needed to dig your roots deep and flourish, no matter what season of life you may find yourself.
- Week One: An introduction to a life of enduring faith
- Week Two: Consider the character and work of God
- Week Three: Remember God’s faithfulness
- Week Four: Establish who we are, and how we got that way
- Week Five: Examine our lives for evidence of God’s handiwork
- Week Six: Surrender control to the One who is in control
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8, NLT
The Anatomy of Faith study: $37 (includes 6 videos plus free shipping)
Available for purchase at my Etsy shop: The Rooted Life Co.
Mae Legacy Box
Mae Legacy Box celebrates the legacy of faith and influence one woman has for another, regardless of their age. This legacy box is named after The Rooted Life shop owner’s mom, a woman who continues to be an example of grit, grace, and endurance even as she battles cancer.
Boxes include one of each of the following:
- Vintage Tea Cup with Saucer
- Vintage spoon
- Small gift bag with 3 tea bags
- Recipe for a tasty treat
You can choose which color you’d like to receive, but the pattern will be varied and what is in stock. Each teacup and saucer is bubble wrapped and packaged with care.
The Mae Legacy Box (for one): $24 (includes free shipping)
The Mae Legacy Box (deluxe for two): $32 (includes free shipping)
The Mae Legacy Box and the deluxe version are available for purchase at my Etsy shop: The Rooted Life Co.