God’s love cannot change how we love if we don’t know God. The most effective way to know the truth about Him is to study His Word. My dear friend Brooke Sparks is here today to tell us what happened when she decided to followed through with a long-time prompting to go back to school and study God’s Word at Dallas Theological Seminary.
As a dedicated wife, mother of four children, and active member at her church and in her community, Brooke honored all her roles with grace and Christ-like love. I hope our conversation today is a great encouragement to any seminary student or college student and to their families, to those whose lives have been upending by the coronavirus and are possibly going back to school at older ages, and to any mom or dad who needs support as a homeschool parent, especially if you’re in school yourself or overwhelmed with your current workload.
As an author, speaker, and Bible teacher, Brooke is always a blessing, especially to groups of women on retreats or at gatherings. If you are interested in having her come speak to you and your circle, you can contact her on her website at brookeyoungsparks.com.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
LIT by Mary Karr
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge
Dream Big by Bob Goff
Stop Calling Me Beautiful by Phylicia Masonheimer
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
2 Corinthians 20:12
#1. The one-minute pause from John Eldridge: ask God for wisdom and union with Him.
#2. Have a routine, not a schedule.
#3. Only put four things on my to-do-list.
#4. Count the costs
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalms 115:1
Books by Brooke Sparks:
Forty Days with Our Savior
Peace Like a River
Between the Gardens
Contact + Follow Brooke:
BrookeYoungSparks.com
Instagram
Facebook
Find Amanda below to win a copy of Between the Gardens:
@AmandaFromTX on Instagram
Amanda From Texas on Facebook
