Over ten years ago I wrote my first blog post in anticipation of starting a Bible study.  It was the book of Ruth, one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  I learned so much during the weeks we read in our study guides, looked up Scripture, and gathered weekly to talk as only us girls can.

Writing the blog was a way I hoped to connect with the women of the class.  I made friends there, relationships I still cherish today.

God does things like that when we study His Word.  He gives so much more than we expect, so much more than our efforts deserve.

Next week I begin a new Bible study.  And I am just as excited about staring something new.

Since seeing War Room months ago, I’ve been drawn to the books and studies that have emerged from the movie experience.  First it was Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.  I loved the book and did a review about it.

Then I found Armor of God and determined this would be the next study I wanted to lead.

Ms. Shirer opens her book Fervent with this quote from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

Theoden:  I will not risk open war.

Aragorn:  Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.

The quote sums up life.  There is a war between good and evil.  We can ignore it, stick our heads in the sand, and pretend it does not exist or affect us.  But the truth is this.  War is upon us whether we risk facing it or not.  The question is:  What are we going to do?

We begin our study next week and the battle is before us.  The armor has been provided by God Himself.  It’s His armor, tested and tried and found to be suitable and a perfect fit for me.  For you.

What matters is whether you and I will take it up, put it on, and wield the sword?

As I dig into the Word of God, my deep desire is to know my Savoir more, to understand His heart, to hear His voice, and thus to follow Him wherever He goes.  I pray that also for those who will study with me.

Over the next few weeks we will do our homework and then gather together to discuss truths that will begin to take root in our hearts and will begin to bear fruit in our lives.  We will share our thoughts and reflect on what God is teaching us about fighting the good fight of faith.

It’s the way we do life together.  It’s the way we grow.  It’s the way we become armed and dangerous women of God.

Expect to hear more about this later.  It’s gonna be good!