The Threads Blog

The newest short-term Bible study from Threads is now available … just in time for the new year. Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey joins author Margaret Feinberg as she explores biblical metaphors in our modern-day context. Feinberg spends time with a shepherdess in Oregon, walks the fields with a farmer in Nebraska, explores a vineyard in California, and talks with a veteran beekeeper in Colorado.

The months of December and January have taken on a whole new meaning for me these past couple years. About six years ago I was taken on my first duck hunt, and it’s been all downhill since. It seems to dominate my conversations, spare time, and as many mornings as possible. There’s just something about being out in God’s creation before the sun is up and breathing the cold early morning air that I really enjoy. I see sights on the lake in those precious few hours that make my days more enjoyable. But, the thought crossed my mind this week, “Do I enjoy talking about God as much as I do duck hunting?”

Nothing says “Christmas cheer” like … coloring? Sure, why not! As part of our Christmas wishes to you, we want you to have your own copy of our Christmas card to decorate however you like. Download the free PDF included here. Hopefully a little absent-minded coloring will relieve a little of that holiday stress. Merry Christmas! We hope it’s as holly and jolly as ever.

It’s easy to forget she was a young girl who had dreams and aspirations for her life. We forget Mary was a daughter and sister and friend. I imagine she had dreams of the perfect wedding and the perfect groom. I’m sure being pregnant before the wedding with a baby who didn’t belong to Joseph wasn’t even close to what she had in mind.

Hear ye, hear ye! We’re happy to announce that Paula Swenson can pack her bags! That’s right, Paula is the winner of our “Send Me” contest and will be joining Operation Christmas Child on a shoebox distribution trip to Ecuador in March 2010.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be addressing the idea of discipleship at threadsmedia.com and in our upcoming newsletters. Last week, we started the conversation by establishing that discipleship is much more than a program we add to our already busy calendars. Instead, it’s a way of life. You can read that article HERE.

When you think of Jesus as Savior, what has he saved you from? The most likely answer would be “hell.” But honestly, if you’re still alive, and if you’re reading this you are, then you haven’t been saved from hell yet. That time will come, but if you’re living your life with just that, you’re missing out on so much. Sometimes I read the Psalms and feel overwhelmed by the love David had for God. But there were many moments in David’s life where he was literally saved by God. His knowledge of God as Savior was literal and had been experienced many times. There was little doubt that God would rescue him in death because He had already saved him multiple times in life. I think this is something we miss out on in our comfortable lives.

If you’re considering using Collegiate for your personal Bible study or small group, or if you haven’t received your copy of the Winter issue yet, we’ve posted a free, downloadable PDF of all the December Bible studies. It’s a rare look inside the Bible studies of Collegiate magazine. And while you’re there, don’t forget to download the free teaching plans and commentary. Happy reading!