Change is coming!

Beginning January 1, I will be consolidating all three of my blogs into one at melanishock.blogspot.com.

All previous posts from eatthisbooklogos.blogspot.com will now be available at melanishock.blogspot.com.  You will also find all previous posts from questmiles.blogspot.com as well as theparsonshouse.blogspot.com.

If you are a follower on any of these three blogs, please go to melanishock.blogspot.com and follow us there.  We want to continue to be able to continue to communicate with you!

The past five years have brought numerous changes and advances in technology.  Beginning in 2015, we will be expanding our web presence in several different areas, including online Bible studies, webinars, free downloads, apps, etc.  We will also be attempting to make our website more useful and interactive for you.

Please sign up at melanishock.blogspot.com or follow me on Twitter @melanishock or @eatthisbook and we will bring you news of the changes as they happen!

© 2009-2014 by Melani Brady Shock

Lord, Is it Warfare? Teach Me To Stand

After reading Philip Harrelson's "Top Ten Books of 2013" (check out his blog at barnabas14blog.blogspot.com) and finding this title by Kay Arthur listed, I decided to check it out. For one thing, I respect Kay Arthur and her thorough but "user-friendly" presentation of Bible study concepts. We do not agree on a few things, but in matters of Bible study, we definitely agree on most.

For another thing, I respect Philip Harrelson and his love of solid theology versus "pop" theology (my term--could also be called "Theology of Fluff" or maybe even "Feel Good Theology"--you are free to choose.) 😁

That being said, I am in the middle of this study on warfare and am finding it very thorough, but one able to be explored by both the average and more-than-average student of the Word. Totally Biblically based, it leaves the exploration and discovery to the student, and does not lead into areas of speculation or opinion regarding spiritual warfare.

In order to receive the most from this study, the student must be prepared to spend about 30 minutes per day reading the book, scriptures assigned, and answering the written questions. Do not attempt to take a shortcut. That totally defeats the purpose.  

This isn't a book to be read.  It is a concept to be explored and discovered.

Lord, Is it Warfare? Teach Me To Stand

After reading Philip Harrelson's "Top Ten Books of 2013" (check out his blog at barnabas14blog.blogspot.com) and finding this title by Kay Arthur listed, I decided to check it out. For one thing, I respect Kay Arthur and her thorough but "user-friendly" presentation of Bible study concepts. We do not agree on a few things, but in matters of Bible study, we definitely agree on most.

For another thing, I respect Philip Harrelson and his love of solid theology versus "pop" theology (my term--could also be called "Theology of Fluff" or maybe even "Feel Good Theology"--you are free to choose.) 😁

That being said, I am in the middle of this study on warfare and am finding it very thorough, but one able to be explored by both the average and more-than-average student of the Word. Totally Biblically based, it leaves the exploration and discovery to the student, and does not lead into areas of speculation or opinion regarding spiritual warfare.

In order to receive the most from this study, the student must be prepared to spend about 30 minutes per day reading the book, scriptures assigned, and answering the written questions. Do not attempt to take a shortcut. That totally defeats the purpose.  

This isn't a book to be read.  It is a concept to be explored and discovered.

The filter of first

"I can't think in the morning. My body gets up, but my brain doesn't wake up until noon."

"I am SO not a morning person."

"My mornings are chaotic. No way can I connect with God."

"I'm a young mom. I haven't slept through the night in forever. I have to drag myself out of bed way too early as it is. I simply cannot connect with God in the mornings."

"I already get up at 5:00 a.m. to go to work. And now you are saying I have to get up earlier than that? That's legalistic and extreme. I can talk to God anytime during the day and He hears me."

We have all heard it.  We have probably all said it in one form or another at one time or another.  But regardless of our personal opinions and preferences, there is no denying the compelling case that the Word makes for meeting God in the mornings.

Whatever you do first in the day is the filter through which everything else in the day passes.

• If you start with texting, you are beginning your day through the filter of earthly relationships.
• If you start with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you are beginning your day through the filter of the thoughts and activities of other people.
• If you start your day with internet, you are beginning your day through the filter of earthly events, crises, and situations.
• If you start your day with conversation, you are beginning your day through the filter of the needs of your home.

Let your first thoughts be thoughts of Him.

Let your first words be words to Him.

Let your first communication be from Him through His Word.

But if your day begins through the filter of His Word and communication with Him, everything else that happens in the day takes on a totally different hue.

The filter of first.

Keep reading.  These are not my words, they are His…

Psalm 108:2-"Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early."

Psalm 143:8-"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee."

Proverbs 8:17-"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

Mark 1:37-" And in the morning rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

Isaiah 50:4-"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."

Psalm 5:3-"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 55:17-"Evening, morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice."

Psalm 57:8-" Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early."

Psalm 63:1-"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:"



© 2014 by Melani Brady Shock

The filter of first

"I can't think in the morning. My body gets up, but my brain doesn't wake up until noon."

"I am SO not a morning person."

"My mornings are chaotic. No way can I connect with God."

"I'm a young mom. I haven't slept through the night in forever. I have to drag myself out of bed way too early as it is. I simply cannot connect with God in the mornings."

"I already get up at 5:00 a.m. to go to work. And now you are saying I have to get up earlier than that? That's legalistic and extreme. I can talk to God anytime during the day and He hears me."

We have all heard it.  We have probably all said it in one form or another at one time or another.  But regardless of our personal opinions and preferences, there is no denying the compelling case that the Word makes for meeting God in the mornings.

Whatever you do first in the day is the filter through which everything else in the day passes.

• If you start with texting, you are beginning your day through the filter of earthly relationships.
• If you start with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you are beginning your day through the filter of the thoughts and activities of other people.
• If you start your day with internet, you are beginning your day through the filter of earthly events, crises, and situations.
• If you start your day with conversation, you are beginning your day through the filter of the needs of your home.

Let your first thoughts be thoughts of Him.

Let your first words be words to Him.

Let your first communication be from Him through His Word.

But if your day begins through the filter of His Word and communication with Him, everything else that happens in the day takes on a totally different hue.

The filter of first.

Keep reading.  These are not my words, they are His…

Psalm 108:2-"Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early."

Psalm 143:8-"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee."

Proverbs 8:17-"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

Mark 1:37-" And in the morning rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

Isaiah 50:4-"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."

Psalm 5:3-"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 55:17-"Evening, morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice."

Psalm 57:8-" Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early."

Psalm 63:1-"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:"



© 2014 by Melani Brady Shock

Every. Day.

It is no small advantage to the holy life to "begin the day with God."  The saints are wont to leave their hearts with Him over night, that they may find them with Him in the morning.  Before earthly things break in upon us, and we receive impressions from abroad, it is good to season the heart with thoughts of God, and to consecrate the early and virgin operations of the mind before they are prostituted to baser objects.  When the world gets the start of religion in the morning, it can hardly overtake it all the day.

~Thomas Case

© 2013 by Melani Brady Shock

Every. Day.

It is no small advantage to the holy life to "begin the day with God."  The saints are wont to leave their hearts with Him over night, that they may find them with Him in the morning.  Before earthly things break in upon us, and we receive impressions from abroad, it is good to season the heart with thoughts of God, and to consecrate the early and virgin operations of the mind before they are prostituted to baser objects.  When the world gets the start of religion in the morning, it can hardly overtake it all the day.

~Thomas Case

© 2013 by Melani Brady Shock

La. District Women's Conference 2013

What an awesome day!

A group of young women (192 of them to be exact) ages 18-30 gathered together for 2 1/2 hours to share the Word of God and be challenged to "unite our heart" to hear His Voice.

The challenge was given to establish a daily time with God every single day -- preferably in the morning -- and then breakout groups discussed how to effectively overcome the challenges we face that prohibit us from making that happen.

The panel was capably and skillfully moderated by Malinda Trentacoste.  The individual panel members each used their personal experiences and personalities to explain how they committed and processed through their own challenges in order to make sure that daily time happens.

The panelists included: Paula LeJeune, Leah Pagels, Holly Sponsler, Kendra Shock, and Danielle Cox.  What awesome women all of them are!

We made this blog available for group discussion, accountability, and motivation.  If you were part of this session, please leave your comments below.  And if you weren't here today, you can still be part of our online group, so just join right in!

I'm really thankful to be associated with such awesome, brilliant women with such bright futures!

© 2013 by Melani Brady Shock

La. District Women's Conference 2013

What an awesome day!

A group of young women (192 of them to be exact) ages 18-30 gathered together for 2 1/2 hours to share the Word of God and be challenged to "unite our heart" to hear His Voice.

The challenge was given to establish a daily time with God every single day -- preferably in the morning -- and then breakout groups discussed how to effectively overcome the challenges we face that prohibit us from making that happen.

The panel was capably and skillfully moderated by Malinda Trentacoste.  The individual panel members each used their personal experiences and personalities to explain how they committed and processed through their own challenges in order to make sure that daily time happens.

The panelists included: Paula LeJeune, Leah Pagels, Holly Sponsler, Kendra Shock, and Danielle Cox.  What awesome women all of them are!

We made this blog available for group discussion, accountability, and motivation.  If you were part of this session, please leave your comments below.  And if you weren't here today, you can still be part of our online group, so just join right in!

I'm really thankful to be associated with such awesome, brilliant women with such bright futures!

© 2013 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:60

60 - I made haste,

and delayed not to

keep thy commandments.

To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them.

~ Charles Spurgeon

To be slow to guard the commands is to ignore them.

~ Me

Hebrews 2:1-"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, 

lest at any time we should let them slip."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock