INTRODUCING.....!!!!

Welcome to Gypsy Ponderings!

I am so glad you are here! Where is "here"?

Let me explain.

Imagine you've just walked into the coziest place in the world, and it is perfectly to your taste. Come on in and have a seat. I am honored you've chosen to spend your time with me. Let me get you some coffee or tea or even ice water. One of my faves is chocolate milk, so let me know if you like that. More than anything, make yourself at home.

As you look around, you might be wondering exactly what this place is. This, my friend, is my favorite hang out spot. This is where my heart resides. This is where I spend time seeking God, learning His Word, walking the journey He has set before me, and praying to become like Him. It's a peak into my journal, and a set of French doors into my spirit. More than that, though, I pray it is as place for His heart to invade my world so I can offer the world His heart.

How did this place come about? Well, let me tell you.

I grew up in a church where a weekly count was made of those had read their Bibles daily and how many chapters they had read. One man read a chapter every single day, which sounds like a great goal, until you find out he always read Psalm 117. I tried to read the Bible daily, but really after reading the same stories over and over, it felt pointless. I knew about David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion's den, Joseph, Moses, Noah and the ark. Why keep reading the same stories over and over?

In my late teens, I started reading the Bible through from beginning to end. There was so much I didn't know was even in there, and when I did, I found that there were connections and themes and "bigger pictures" I had never known.

Along the journey, I learned how to study topics, memorize verses, understand the Lord and His Word better by actually understanding the words He used, and most importantly, how to apply it to my every day life.

Often I get asked how I know what I know and why it is so personal...why my relationship with the Lord is so personal. It's because I've learned Him. I've learned Him through personal experience which is made clear by understanding Him through His Word. In conversations about this and observing various classes and Bible studies, I've realized these are skills every Christian should possess, but few do. From conversations I've had, I believe many want these skills, but they are not taught them. They are told to read their Bibles but not taught how to study and learn from them.

I'm no theologian, and I do not claim to be the foremost authority on the Bible, but I love studying it, and I love digging into it, pondering it, and learning its Author. This gypsy loves pondering the wonder of the Almighty, and this place you've entered is where I invite you to sit down and join me in my ponderings and take time to ponder yourself.

I'll share my daily readings, toss out some thoughts, include some personal topic study and word meanings, and let you see how I study. As I right this, I'm trying to figure out exactly how to do this so it isn't overwhelming. The fact is if we were sitting in my home having coffee, I'd talk about one thing with some of you because that is your interest and another thing with some of the rest of you and still another thing with some others. Right now, I am considering three different tracts that are all part of my study but would make for LONG posts if I include them all, but I don't want to drown anyone in posts each day. So, what is the best way for our conversations to proceed without losing anyone to boredom or the feeling of being overwhelmed? Maybe we'll work that out as we go. Please be patient as I learn this heart hosting thing, and pray for my wisdom. I've never done this before, and I am praying even as I write.

Please know while I may stumble and bumble, I am excited about our gathering here. I am excited about our learning the Lord and His heart through His Word. I am excited that He has dropped this into my heart, and I am praying for you, for it to bless you, for you to grow, for you to eventually be here because you like it but really, I want you to not need  to be here. I want you to be able to do this yourself. But even when you know how to do all this on your own, know you are wanted here because none of us are meant to be on this journey alone, and I learn from you, too.

So, want another cup of coffee or tea or chocolate milk? Need a lap blanket? Comfy?

I hope so because we've got SO MUCH to talk about!