Welcome to the Simply Joyful Podcast
Episode #24 with Denise Hughes
Digging Deep: How to Dive into God’s Life Giving Word
Everyone knows that the key to a fruitful life in Christ starts with getting into the Word. However, it's really easy to stare at that big Book and not know where to start. I'm a total Bible nerd, yet, I sometimes struggle to figure out what I want to study next.
Most of you know I'm a big fan of Denise Hughes's Word Writer Bible study series. It's so perfect for busy moms! Denise and I first met two years ago at a writer's luncheon. Today, I have the privilege of “introducing” you to her. We're going to be talking about her Bible study series and her new book Deeper Waters: Immersed in Life-Changing Truths of God. Denise has such a great story to tell about how God emptied her out and filled her up again. I know you will be encouraged in your own walk with the Lord.
I cannot wait for you to hear this episode!
On a “Simply” & “Joyful” side note…
Denise says instead of everyone rushing around on Sunday mornings looking for where they last left their Bibles, she has a basket on their fireplace hearth that she keeps everyone's Bible—perfect for after dinner when they gather for family Bible time.
Denise is also a believer of keeping everything simple. If they don't need something, or don't use it regularly, she's more than happy to donate it.
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In This Episode
Here are a few fun quotes from this episode. Please feel free to “click to tweet” (below) or share the images below on social media.
Highlights from the Show . . .
Be sure to check out Denise's website for more information on her Deeper Waters Retreat. Also, you can see more of her writing on the (in)courage website.
—I ask Denise to share about the medical scare in her family that led to her knowing to hold her hands open to God.
There is no easy, pat answer when you’re talking about human life. —Denise Hughes
—I share the heartbreaking story of the unexpected passing of my father-in-law.
—I ask Denise to share a little about her Bible studies Word Writers — my favorite!
—Denise shares the story of where the idea for Word Writers came from — an event that happened in her life when she was 12.
—Denise talks about her new book, Deeper Waters.
There are so many books out there that tell you why you need to study the Bible, or how to study the Bible, but few books share why they struggle when studying the Bible. —Denise Hughes
I really wanted to help unlock the mystery of the Bible. —Denise HughesClick To Tweet
We throw out all these stories, but often times we don’t have the foundation. — Kristi Clover
It’s alarming how much Biblical illiteracy that is happening in this generation. — Denise Hughes
I love teaching books, but there is only one Living Word. —Denise Hughes
—Denise shares how Ezra 7:10 is the core verse for her book.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. —Ezra 7:10
The more research I did on Ezra, the more I fell in love with this time. —Denise Hughes
Ezra was a word writer. — Denise Hughes
—I ask Denise to share the doubts that she has had throughout the years and how God worked through her doubt.
It’s ok to doubt. —Kristi Clover
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. —Matthew 7:24-27
At some point we must make our faith our own. —Denise Hughes
I knew the Sunday school stories, but I didn’t really know the Bible. —Denise Hughes
Being a lover of words, we have to take God’s word in context. —Kristi Clover
—I ask Denise to expound a little bit about the voices in our lives that she talks about in her book. I also ask her to share some ways we, as women, can slow down and listen to His still small voice.
Read it. Write it. Pray it. —Denise Hughes
By His word, we will know his voice. —Denise Hughes
Keep it simple, ask God which book He wants you to study, and then faithfully study that book. —Denise HughesClick To Tweet
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. —Psalm 119:18
The Holy Spirit can teach us something new every time we come to His word. —Denise Hughes
Don't forget to check out my huge homeschool giveaway HERE!
More great Simply Joyful Podcast episodes that were mentioned in this episode:
- Lisa-Jo Baker
- Wendy Speake
- Pam Farrell
- Tricia Goyer
- Check out the Mud Stories Podcast with Jacque Watkins here!
And if you are wanting some great Bible study apps, here are a few of my favorites you can download!
Books Mentioned…
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A Special Thanks to…
Rend Collective for allowing me to use their incredible song “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.” This song has so much special meaning to me and it highlights the theme verse for my podcast — Nehemiah 8:10. Be sure to check out their music! They are such a fun band to listen to…and to see live.
Let's Connect!
Connect with Denise Hughes…
As an English teacher, Denise loves the world of words, where life and literature connect, but she's most passionate about the one Book with living words—the Word of God. She's the host of the Deeper Waters Retreat, where women can gather and grow deeper in God’s Word, and she’s the author of the new Bible study series Word Writers, an inductive Bible study that guides you through individual books of the Bible, verse by verse, and then invites you to write out Scripture. Denise enjoys serving as the Editorial Coordinator at (in)courage, and she blogs at Embracing Grace and Truth, where she writes about the faith, motherhood, and writing. When she's not teaching in the classroom or at conferences, she's trying to find shade in sunny Southern California while sharing life with her husband and three kids.
You can check out Denise's books HERE on Amazon! Be sure to visit her site as well at www.DeniseJHughes.com.
Connect with Kristi…
I hope you enjoyed this week's podcast! My prayer is always that you will be blessed and encouraged by each episode.
Blessings and joy,
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