Nela,
Thanks for your comments and concern. You have no idea just how much it means to me that people care so much.
I'm about to head to bed - but I have to share that I worked some on my books and decided to divide the project over three days at least (and that is just for the books in my bedroom - let alone the rest of the house).
Tonight we got two bookcases set up to be one tall bookcase and I went through the books in them and pulled out what I'm getting rid of. I have a picture I'll share later - two probably - one is of the bookshelf and one is of a couple of boxes of books. I think I have about 8 of those boxes to go through tonight when Art is at work - and then tomorrow night I will work on the dresser top and the books in the dresser drawers.
Art looked at what we'd done and was REALLY impressed and pleased.
I've found some new verses of scripture I want to work on memorizing. Our Pastor used them in a sermon a few weeks ago and talked about "tough times" and are we really willing to trust God through those tough times.
If you notice in the scripture - there is no real reason given for rejoicing - there is nothing to give one hope...yet the writer declares he will rejoice.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17[/sup] Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18[/sup] yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19[/sup] The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
I'm finding that memorizing scripture is really helping my depression and God often brings me verses when I need them the most and don't feel like looking them up.
I wound up breaking down and ordering Dr. Stanley's Life Principles Bible. I'm super excited - I was able to get it in burgundy leather on Ebay for a little over $25 (including shipping).
I looked at the one you shared Nela and I may try to get that one for the New Year or something - but I've wanted this Bible for so long and waffled back and forth on it so many times. Normally, I do not like to get a Bible that has study notes by only one person....but the fact is - I've listened to Dr. Stanley off and on for about 20 years and I still have sermon notes from about 20 years ago that I go and reread sometimes and have put in 2 or 3 Bibles. Something about his teaching just really...challenges me and makes me grow I guess. So I'm super excited.
And for those who are wondering - some of the Bibles I've had over the last 20 years are:
Discipleship Study Bible - from 1986....I bought one for Art and fell in love with his
Thompson Chain Reference (I need to share a story about that) - I just wish it had more room to write in
Kay Arthur's Inductive Study Bible - in both NIV and NASB
Life Application Study Bible - from when I worked at the Christian bookstore and she gave me a 40% discount on it cause she knew I loved it
ESV Study Bible (which I really have yet to explore)
The Quest Study Bible
The Amplified Bible - I'd love to get it in large print now that I'm older
There have been a couple of others but these were the main ones I remember at the moment.
As I said - I tend to write in them - a LOT - and they become like a journal of my life during a certain period of time. Some notes get copied from Bible to Bible - while others don't.
Now to share the story about the Thompson Chain.....my dad and stepmom got it for me around 1986 I guess...something like that - maybe before then. I loved that Bible and filled it with notes on the sides and just really used it all the time.
Then we were in church one day and the preacher wanted to speak on "dry bones" from Ezekiel. I forget the exact chapter - but I looked and I looked and I looked again in my Bible and couldn't find it. I was getting frustrated to the point that I turned to the index - looked to make sure I was in the right area and then turned back to look again.
Turns out that I had TWO sets of the same 64 pages....and was missing one set of 64 pages.
I went to the Christian bookstore (that I worked at years later) and asked about exchanging it for one that had ALL the scripture and they said it would have to be sent back to the publishers with a note.
I couldn't do it. I couldn't give up my Bible - I mean....it had so many notes and stuff in it.
Years later - I finally bought myself another Thompson's Chain Reference - AFTER MAKING SURE IT WAS ALL THERE!!!
When I went to buy my ESV Bible - I was feeling so guilty - I mean - I have ALL THESE BIBLES here....but Robin really helped me. She was like, "Mom....a married woman will often do things like get a new nightie or something to enhance the relationship...maybe getting a new Bible will help bring new joy and insights to your quiet time....especially where it is a new version for you..".
Ah.....a daughter after my own heart.
Anyway - I gotta head to bed before I fall over. Later today I hope to share about our anniversary.....32 years. WOW.