You're Invited to the "By His Wounds Online, Interactive Bible Study"

I've been wanting to start a Bible study for a while but have been uncertain about doing so until recently. I actually tried to start one up this month but not many could make it because of their busy schedules. Several friends that couldn't go mentioned to me that they still would like to order the book, and that gave me the idea to turn this into an online, interactive study!

The book I want us to go through is entitled, "By His Wounds You Are Healed: how the message of Ephesians transforms a woman's identity." I recently read Ms. Alsup's first book and was impressed with how straight forward and logical it was. I've read a variety of Christian books but her style of writing is much different. There's no fluff. It's not experiential (based off her experiences). Instead, she supports everything she writes with verse after verse. This is her second book and comes highly recommended that it be studied in a group since there are several discussion questions in the back.

Just so you get an idea, here is a description of the book taken from Amazon...

This study of Ephesians is for women who have tired of topical women's Bible studies and long to go deeper into the Word. When read in context, Ephesians has much to say to women beyond just the passages traditionally thought to apply to the female gender. The whole book applies, and the extensive good news Paul presents will radically transform how we view ourselves and our daily responsibilities. This study is appropriate for individuals or groups. It is accessible, practical, and easy to read while still dealing with the deep things of the Word.

Are you interested? It doesn't matter where you are in the world, through the wonderful invention of Facebook, I have started a private group where we can post amongst ourselves. So here is the 411.

What? An interactive, online 6-week Bible study. We will be going through the book Ephesians and will be using Wendy Alsup's book to help guide us in finding our identity in Christ. There are 35 lessons that we will study over a course of 6 weeks (that equates to roughly 6 lessons per week). These lessons can be used in place of your morning devotions or can be a supplement to whatever you are studying now. You can come back to the group page and comment daily.

Who? You! or any other lovely lady you think may be interested. Send them a link to this page to give them more details. It doesn't matter where you are in your walk with God. Old Christians and new alike are both invited.

Where? Facebook! After you have ordered the book, you may request to join our private group on facebook.

Why? Because we all have demanding schedules. Let's face it...we all spend a ton of time on facebook, so why not use this free resource to connect us with other sisters in Christ and to grow deeper in our faith.

When? March 12th will be our first day! You should order your book asap. Amazon's 2 day shipping is surprisingly inexpensive too.

How? Purchase Wendy's book here on Amazon. It's only $12. After you've done so, request to join the group here. There will be more instruction how to participate on the actual facebook page. We all be going through the same lessons daily and you can check in daily on the facebook page for new discussions or to share what the Lord has been teaching you.

If you have any questions, comment below! I'm really excited about this :) Feel free to share by grabbing the button below and posting it on your blog too.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.sparrownestblog.com/2012/02/youre-invited-to-by-his-wounds-online.html" title="Sparrownest" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/broknpromises27/42c02f61.jpg" alt="Sparrownest" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Future Postings...

I've had such a hard time blogging lately...maybe it's because I feel like if I don't have anything important to say, why say it at all? There just hasn't been much consistency and it's been bugging me. I will give myself a break, though...I spent the last two weeks watching my friend's daughter (along with Kaiden) so there wasn't a chance of me getting any time to think freely and write.

To have better consistency, I'm thinking about doing regular postings...one of the ideas I have in mind is all about shopping on a budget. Ever since I was young, my mom taught me how to really stretch the dollar. We are a single income family in the military, but if you were to walk into our home it doesn't look like that at all.  Most of our material possessions (that were not given/donated to us) were purchased on  clearance or at a thrift store. I've learned to develop an eye for good deals and I hate seeing other people pay full price for something they can either re-purpose, make themselves, buy on sale or get at a thrift shop. I'm not sure how I will be putting these postings together but they will be here shortly...I also plan on doing a series on military wife life. I don't feel that I talk about it much because it feels normal to me, but I know there are a lot of people who have never stepped foot on a base. Lastly, I also want to incorporate more DIY projects. I'm currently working on one that I've created myself but I don't want to post details until I finish...to make sure it will actually turn out lol.

Thanks for being patient with me blog friends. I hope you all have a happy Monday!

The project I'm working on...via instagram

Our New Jaipur Quilt and the Giveaway Winner Announced!

I'm so excited for our new blanket! It's called the Jaipur Quilt and I ordered it from West Elm (which is normally a store I cannot afford but they were having a sale with an extra 20% off all clearance prices!) We have a King sized bed and so it's awfully hard to find bedspreads and comforters that 1) I actually like and 2) I actually can afford. The part that I love about this quilt is the fact that it is handmade in India by a non-profit organization working with West Elm. The entire design is hand-blocked, meaning they stamp the design on by hand over and over and over again. Not one blanket is the same. It's been a slow process turning our house into a home and unfortunately our bedroom has taken the slack for it. I want our room to be a places of rest and comfort and now that I have a motif to base our room off of, I will be doing a lot more decorating in it.

Here is a video about how it is made. I find it so interesting! I may have to hand-block something of my own :)


And before I forget, the winner for the Kara Headband giveaway is.... Caitlin from Newbie Housewife! I'll be contacting you Caitlin with all the details for your custom-made headband :) Thank you to all the ladies who entered the contest. Please stay tuned on the facebook fanpage for more contests and giveaways.

Facebook Fanpage + A Giveaway!

Hey everyone! I've created a SparrowNest facebook fan page! I've been going back and forth about creating one just because I didn't want to have yet another thing to maintain but I think it will be easier to update readers with new posts and give them an area to view bigger pictures and comment. If you want to stay updated, please "like" the page which can be found here -->
https://www.facebook.com/sparrownestblog

I figured with this new announcement I would tie in my first giveaway! Drumroll please...I'm giving away one of my Kara headbands!!!!! 

The rules are simple. Each item you follow gives you (1) entry. 

• Like our new FB Fanpage
• Write a status on Facebook with this exact phrase (as you type the @, a link to the page should pop up): I just entered to win a Kara headband from the @sparrownest blog! http://tinyurl.com/78l62pv
• Follow us on Twitter
• Tweet a status with this exact phrase: I just entered to win a Kara headband from the @sparrownestblog! http://tinyurl.com/78l62pv
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Add our Etsy shop to your favorites (etsy account holders only)
• Favorite one of our products in our Etsy shop (etsy account holders only)
• Take our poll on the left-hand side of this blog
• Join this site with Google friend connect (on the right side of this blog)

Be sure to comment below with the exact number of entries you did and your email address! I will look for proof that you did what you said, so please be honest :) For those that have already been following with google, just mention that and it will still count as an entry :) Winners will be chosen with the famous Random.org! The contest closes this Thursday 1/12 at midnight Pacific time. Winners will be announced the following day!

Thank you to all my faithful readers and I hope you all have a happy Monday!