encouragement 2 - Barbara Lynn Seibel

May 2, 2021April 17, 2021

DECISION

What is your process when making a decision?
Are you one who spends hours researching various points of view before making a decision?
Or are you one who makes a quick decision based on your gut feeling?
Perhaps you rely on others to make a decision for you?
What other ways have you used to make a decision?

Most likely your process depends on what the issue is that a decision needs to be made about.

Thus, you may incorporate all the processes above and others for making a decision.

Regardless of the process you have used, have you ever made a bade decision?
When is a decision, good or bad, irreversible?
What is significant about the phrase ‘Valley of Decision’ found in Joel 3:14?

April 25, 2021April 5, 2021

OVERFLOW

What does it mean when we say something has an overflow?

Whether it be a cup of water or a grape press as pictured above if we describe something has an overflow it typically means filled past an item’s capacity.

Sometimes, this is seen as a positive situation but at other times it is decidedly negative.

What examples can you think of where an overflow is positive?

What examples can you think of where an overflow is negative?

Which meaning does Joel 3:13 use for the word overflow?

April 11, 2021March 27, 2021

COME QUICKLY

How do the words “come quickly” and the image of an hourglass in motion impact you?

Do the words “come quickly” combined with the hourglass in motion yield excitement or dread in you?

Perhaps both?

How are the words “come quickly” and the image of an hourglass related to Joel 3:11?

March 28, 2021March 13, 2021

PROCLAIM

Do you remember the phrase used in several Verizon phone commercials, “Can you hear me now?”

What were they proclaiming with this phrase?

Who were they proclaiming to with this phrase?

Why was this message important to proclaim?

How does this line of questions relate to Joel 3:9?

March 21, 2021April 17, 2021

SPEECH

Is there a speech you have heard that you still remember even though it was years ago?

Why did that speech impact you so significantly?

Do you remember who delivered the speech or do you just remember the impact of their words?

Or maybe the words that impacted you were not part of a formal speech but written in a book or letter?

Whose speech, whether spoken or written, do you place high value on today?

Why?

August 16, 2020August 15, 2020

OVERWHELMED

When have you felt overwhelmed?

What triggered the feeling of being overwhelmed?

An overpacked work schedule?
Too many social engagements?
Grieving the loss of a loved one?
Losing a job?
A personal health crisis?
Global challenges such as Covid-19, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.?
A combination of any of the above?

Any of the above and more can trigger feelings of being overwhelmed even in the most steadfast personalities.

Now have you ever considered how you might react if you saw a mighty heavenly army coming towards you?

July 26, 2020July 25, 2020

How do you respond to thunderstorms?

When my husband and I first moved to South Carolina we had to transition our dog, Dutch, to apartment living. Dutch was used to having over ½ an acre to roam prior to this adjustment. He appreciated affection but mostly liked some space between himself and others.

Then one night after we had gone to bed, a thunderstorm occurred. At the first crack of thunder Dutch jumped onto our bed to get in between us. He stayed there until the storm had passed, trembling the entire time.

Until that moment, we had no idea how deeply scared of thunderstorms Dutch had been.

As we continue our study in the book of Joel today, we come to a verse that describes something more frightening than a common thunderstorm.

May 24, 2020May 23, 2020