Wow!!! I am so proud of us…of you. What an incredible journey you have taken me on this summer. Your stories, thoughts, and words of wisdom have blessed me beyond measure. Words cannot express what it means to me that you spent your summer studying Hidden Joy. There were so many times that your comments were direct answers to the prayers I lifted over the months and years of writing. Your words have been God’s sweet gift to me. I hear His words all over again,
This is your life sweet child. This is why I allowed so many years of pain and suffering in your life. Hidden Joy, p. 166.
I pray that as we end our time together, you have been encouraged. If you are sitting in a dark place, believe with all your heart that the Lord has a beautiful redemptive plan to bring you out of your darkness into His marvelous Light. And not just bring you through to the other side, but to lift you up to a new place, singing a new song.
I titled Chapter Eleven A New Song because that is what God has given me…a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3.
You are the “many” whom He was speaking of when He gave me this verse twenty-three years ago. Little did I know when I wrote Hidden Joy that the Lord would allow me the privilege of leading over 350 women through this story. I pray that even now He is forming your stories so that one day you will be the one who will lead many to “see and fear and trust” in the Lord. Many of you already have!!
I have spent many an evening in tears reading your comments… how God has used His Word as shared in the pages of Hidden Joy to speak into your lives. Your stories have not only blessed and encouraged me, but you have blessed and encouraged each other.
I ask one thing of you…that you would already be planning your next Bible study. It is imperative that you continue to be in His Word!! This fall I will be leading a Bible Study here in Charlotte. We will be studying the book of Proverbs. I cannot wait to begin!!
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this study. Karen True, who works with Jennifer Rothschild’s ministry, womensministry.net, has invited me to journal our walk together. She will post the journal entries. Her web site is a wonderful resource for any woman who leads and/or teaches Bible study or works in women’s ministry on any level.
I would love to share some quotes from you. Please share your thoughts on any or all of the following questions:
why did you choose to do this on-line study?
what are the benefits of an on-line study?
what are the drawbacks of an on-line study?
what is it like to be in fellowship with women in an on-line study?
did it help you grow as much as being in a traditional bible study?
share a specific way this study touched, changed, or spoke into your life.
GIVEAWAY
From the comments I receive, I will select a name and send you a copy of Hidden Joy to give away to a friend as well as a $20 gift card to a place of your choice (as long as I have it in my area!).
I was quite nervous to do this on-line study. It was my first and according to many of you, it was yours as well. What a great experiment. I am so glad to have shared it with you. Nancy Leigh DeMoss has approached me about doing this study in the future through her ministry, Revive our Hearts. I will keep you posted as to a date and time!
Let me close our time together in prayer:
Heavenly Father, Sovereign and Holy God, Savior and Redeemer, Mighty and Majestic Lord, Author of Life, Giver of Truth, my Strong Tower and Best Friend. I love You, Lord, and thank You for the gift of Your Word. Thank You that it is Living and Active, purposed by You to speak into my life each and every day! Thank You that You redeem us from darkness and despair. Thank You that You make all things new. Today we rejoice in this day that You have made…yes, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Lord, give us each a new song, a hymn of praise to You. No matter our story, no matter our pain, no matter our struggles, no matter our hurt, bring us to the place of finding the hidden joy in our dark corner. Lead us to a place of perfect healing. Restore us to wholeness and use us to bring glory and honor and praise to You. Father, as we end our time together, lead us each to a new study, a new fellowship of women to continue our journey together with You. Thank You, Lord, that only You bring beauty from ashes!! We ask all this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story 
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book)
Wendy,
There is so much I want to say and I don’t know if I can even articulate what is going on inside of me. To be a part of this on-line study—simply put—has been God appointed. I jumped on the ban-wagon because your book sounding interesting. It sounded like something that would be a good read and maybe help me deal with some stuff that’s needed to be weeded out for a while now. God and I are still in the pulling stages, but what I’ve learned from this study; from you, from my sisters, from God… it astounds me.
On page 166 in the margin, I wrote, ‘I wonder how many women because of Wendy’s transforming story will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord?’ I don’t really need to wonder that. I just need to know that God brought all those who needed to hear it now, to this place, to this on-line study at this moment.
God spans the minutes, the days, the years, the distance between us and brings people together who need each other.
I needed each and every post. Each and every comment. Each and every moment spent sitting at my Father’s feet while going through this study. I can’t thank Him enough for prompting me to partake of something so new to me.
From your questions, I will answer a few. What are the benefits of an on-line study. Getting to meet women from all over God’s creation in all aspects of their walk with God. Not feeling the time constraint of having to meet each week at a certain time. Yet still feeling accountable because you want to spend time with God, and your sisters.
What are the drawbacks of an on-line study. Not getting to meet my Dearhearts face to face. Not getting to hug them and hold hands and pray together in the midst of God that way. Not being totally accountable to share all that God may be doing in one’s life.
Share a specific way this study touched, changed, or spoke into your life. The very end prayer that Wendy shares is so powerful and moved me in such a way that I know it was God speaking directly to my heart. I feel as if my heart is one of those tender, deep places that no one can reach sometimes. I keep it locked up and protected… even from the Father. But in the prayer, she says: Help me to trust You in all things. I give You total access to my heart, the heart You created and specially formed for me.
God created this heart of mine. This heart that can be so tender and loving, yet so hard, and fragile all at the same time. He wants to take the places that have become like stone and replace it with a heart of flesh—one that can be molded and shaped to what He would have. One that will be able to better serve Him and those around me. Because it’s not about me. It’s about God and what He can accomplish through me to reach others. I want to be a vessel in which God smiles upon because it’s being used and completes what it’s meant to do.
We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but I know that joy is taking the trip with us. It’s not at the other end of our destination, although, I do think a joy like I can’t ever experience here will be waiting there, but for now, I will rest in the knowledge that God has a joy for me to share in now. It’s up to me to choose to accept it in the here and now.
Thank you, Wendy for this journey. Thank you for being the container in which God used to speak to a stubborn heart like mine. I truly love you, Dear Sister.
Good morning Wendy and girls!
I can't believe it is August 26th. Summer went by way to quickly!
But I am glad we have read this precious book in it entirety. What a blessing. Wendy, thank you for exalting God's Word in your heart, life and book. That is what makes the difference.
In this chapter, I was encouraged by the teaching on redemption and transformation in and by our Lord. So thankful He redeems us and transforms us as we yield to Him.
I am SO excited you may do this study on Revive our Hearts! Wowzie! So excited! Will be praying for you for that.
Please tell your friend, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, that our P31 Gather & Grow group (25 precious women) will be studying "Brokenness, Surrender and Holiness"! I know God has some mighty work to do in our hearts! (As one of my friends said, "it's strange that all of us women are excited about a study on brokenness"!)
why did you choose to do this on-line study?
As part of my summer studies…to be in His Word and grow.
what are the benefits of an on-line study?
Also, I get to "meet" women from across the country/world that I would not otherwise meet.
I can show up in my wrinkled pajamas and with bed head! (like I am now)
what are the drawbacks of an on-line study?
Don't get to meet the women face to face.
did it help you grow as much as being in a traditional bible study?
I think I was blessed in this study just as much as I would be in a "face to face" study, except that perhaps the depth of fellowship is not there. And I don't get to hug you, our leader, after each study.
share a specific way this study touched, changed, or spoke into your life
Easy…I pray God's Word daily now. That's big! Thank you!
I know we will all be meeting here still at "Living Truth". Our journey will continue.
Love you Wendy!
Sharon
Thank you Danielle for putting into words so beautifully to some of what was in my heart. I totally identified with so much of what you said.
Wendy, thank you so much for being obedient to God and allowing Him to do a great work in so many lives. My answers to the questions are pretty much the same as Danielle's and Sharon's, especially the bed head part (smile). Plus the fact that I travel makes the online study so appealing. I have been home for 7 weeks now, connecting with my “home girls” and loving the online perspective as well. I think the most specific way this study has spoken into my life has been that now His Word is so much more alive, active and powerful in my life. Getting off my mat, learning God’s standard of forgiveness and savoring my time in His Word have been beautiful lessons that I just treasure. Choosing His Word over my thoughts, choosing to surrender and trust over and over again, letting His Word dwell in my heart are all just parts of experiencing His Presence as I learn to abide in Him. Oh what a powerful work He is doing in my heart. I can’t stop thanking Him. He is so good! Danielle reminded us earlier in her post that it is not about us but what He will accomplish through us as we yield our hearts to Him. How I needed to hear that. How wonderful that our lives are all about Him! Oh what a glorious Lord we belong to.
I shall truly miss your study Wendy. God brought each of us into it for a reason and I know He has another one in store as we pack up to hit the road again. I am so grateful for all the ladies I got to get acquainted with and have bookmarked their blogs. Most of all I am so grateful to see God’s precious touch in so many lives
Love you so much Wendy. Hope we get to meet in person someday, if not here than in heaven.
Be blessed
Loretta
Wendy,
I was not able to participate in the study this summer, yet you have blessed me in many ways. Specifically, you were so thoughtful and your prayer for me in the comment you left on my blog was so Spirit-filled. Thank you for your testimony and for caring for those of us who needed to be lifted up!
Blessings,
C.C.
Wendy a friend of mine gave me a gift which was your book. She ask if I would like to do a Wednesday on line book study? I had never did one before but oh Wendy I'm so glad I did. It was God way of teaching me that we all have a valley of weeping, then wondering why God allows things to happen to us, his story unfolds,Treasures in darkness, on the Mat, learning forgiveness, surrendering our Strongholds,Quiet time, Prayer, Abiding in Christ, and then a New Song Wendy I used every chapter of your book because it really is a process that we must go through and guess what the process will never end until Jesus come back and take us home. Wendy I love you and thank God for you, for your on line study,for the time we had together. This has been a blessing from God.
Dear Wendy,
I can hardly believe that 11 weeks are passed. I truly enjoyed the online study with your book. as I commented last week everyone's 'dark corner' is different but we should pursue God from that dark corner to bring us out and restore us, renew us and complete us. Today as I sit here another dark corner is upon me, my youngest son is in court for charges of drug possession : ( I do not know all the details for he has chosen not to include me in his life at this time, we have not spoken for 3 months. I am relying on God to bring this incident to a renewal for my son, that he will turn back to God, and his family, not to rely only on himself. God is making me stronger in Him.
To do an online study was good in that I could do it at my convenience but I did miss the personal friendships that could be established in a group setting. I did grow in my relationship with Christ with the help of your book and I thank you.
God Bless You!
Wendy, I think I know exactly what series you're talking about. Is it God's Design For Sex by Stan and Brenna Jones
If that's the books, I have them! We read the first one a long while back, but after that, I didn't think she was ready for the 2nd. I guess because the [age] for each one just didn't seem to fall right with us. I'm going to pray about using that series again and God give me the wisdom and discernment to know what to say and when to say it and how much to say.
Thanks for reminding me of them. Gotta find 'em.
From Janelle:
Why did I choose to do this on-line study?
-Your story intrigued me…I had been searching for guidance into a deeper relationship with God
-Online suited my lifestyle as a working mother with 2 young children and a hubby who was also working and attending college
-Online I felt safe to express myself honestly without the awkwardness of normal social gatherings
What are the benefits of an on-line study?
-I was able to work at my own pace, with the blogs as an enhancement to the study and a guide.
-So many different people joined and helped each other who couldn't have in a traditional bible study
What are the draw-backs of an on-line study?
-It is more impersonal than traditional studies
What is it like to be in fellowship with women in an on-line study?
-I witnessed many blogs of those who could relate to each other and help to encourage one another.
-It is easy to remain aloof.
Did it help you grow as much as being in a traditional bible study?
-Yes. I am in a place where I am growing in my personal relationship with Christ and I needed the ability to focus on how he was working in me before I can do that with other people.
Share a specific way this study touched, changed, or spoke into your life.
-The scriptures helped me to internalize the truth that God loves me, he views me as worthy of his love, and nothing I do will change that fact. Satan no longer can hold that lie over my life.
-It taught me how to pray the scriptures and to search my bible for truths I can apply to my specific journey.
-It helped me to create a better system of making time to spend alone with God and I am still working on it.
-Wendy, your honest, vulnerable window into your life paved a smooth path allowing me (and others) to hear God's message of truth from the scriptures and how they can apply to us where we are. The many areas of your journey that God worked in painted a beautiful picture of how God is continually working in our lives, accepting our shortcomings and patiently helping us to learn who he is and what he has planned for us. The PROCESS is the key, let God worry about the end PRODUCT of what we will be.
Thank you Wendy, and THANK YOU, HEAVENLY FATHER! YOU ARE GLORIFIED.
I am sadden that this is ending. However a work in my life has been started that with the grace of our Lord will continue. Thank you Wendy from the bottom of my heart for being so faithful to Jesus. In answer to your questions: My husband & I sold or gave away 95% of our possessions. We are living in different areas of the USA for short periods of time. Several months in one place or a week in another. Yes I know it sounds crazy. It has been my husband heart desire to do this for many years. Our children are grown, have jobs & lives of their own. My husband is retired. God led me after reading 'Parenting 20-Something Kids: Recognizing Your Role As They Find Their Way' Author Martha Pope Gorris) to give up my home for my husband. A big stepping out in faith on this one! lol Yes Jesus has blessed me & guided me through the ups & downs of this lifestyle. So long story, long, sorry! It is hard to find bible studies that I can do with others. The internet has been a God gift to me. I can find sites with great devotions,& the women from Proverbs 31 have been a life line for me. I have grown more in the past year & a half then in the last 10. All due to the studies that are being done via the internet. Rachel Olsen study on women in the bible started it for me. Tracie Miles Faith Challenge from last year. To name just a few that touch me. Now yours. What a blessing it has been on my life! My only negative is sometimes I miss the nuances of emotions that you can only get in person.
This study has changed me to know that evil of the past can be changed & grown from! Also I have now started to pray back God's Word for my family. What a difference in my prayer life! I am now not only praying for them but I am now learning more scripture. What a bonus! Thank you again for a wonderful time of growth this summer! Blessing & Peace Mary
Wendy,
I so loved doing this study. It was just what I needed at this point in my life. I needed to learn about the transforming and redemptive power of God's Word.
I did learn as much as if I'd have been in a traditional Bible study. And what I learned, more than anything else, is that God's Word truly does hold the answers to ALL of life's questions. Spending time with God and in His Word, I can know those answers.
The benefits: Being able to express myself honestly without fear of who's 'watching'. (I'm not much of a talker in a group setting.) The drawbacks: Not being able to meet you wonderful women face to face. I think the only thing missing from the study was all the hugging we'd have done.
Thanks, Wendy, for following the Lord's leading and for the courage to share as you did. Love ya!
Love and blessings to you all, my sisters!
Dale
Though I have learned much from your book, I have learned to trust,rely depend and obey God's Word in all situations. Writing Scripture verses on index cards is very helpful. Praying is inconsistent and a struggle at times for me so I know I will be rereading the chapter on prayer many times.
I was hesitant at first to participate in an on-line bible study and althoughh I am thankful that I did, it would have been nice to meet and talk in person.
Wendy, your down to earth honesty is so refreshing. I hope you do another on-line study soon. God bless you and fellow bible study friends.
Paula
Wendy, I wanted to thank you for this study. It has been a blessing to me. Things I knew I should be doing, you made it so simple. I was surprised how involved and how much I learned. Thank you again
Wendy, I received your book as a gift from Danielle. Honestly, that was one of the best gifts anyone has ever given me. Your book touched me in a way no other book has except the Bible. There were times when I read it that I just couldn't hardly breathe because it was so close to my heart. Times when I just sat silently crying and times I rejoiced. I would like to say that I have participated in the study but unfortunately we were in the process of losing our home and I was busy looking for a new one, packing and then the whole moving/unpacking ordeal… Had no internet for almost two weeks ACK! But now that I am settled in I am going to go back and read each post that I missed. What a blessing it will be.
I just wanted you to know that I cling to the verse you gave towards the end as a possible life verse. I will trust in You Lord, with all my heart. You see, trust was my big issue with God. I learned how little trust I actually placed in God this past year and have been in a place of needing to trust Him completely. What a beautiful journey it has been, although painful. I journal my studies now like you suggested and I take so many more notes. I learned so much from your book! I can't say that often but for me your book was life changing. I really mean that. I want to thank you for sharing your journey with us and for writing the book. Thank you for the online study. I am sure I will treasure it.
Whew, this was a long one!! Well, my hubby is away on a camping trip and I couldn't sleep so I snuck down to catch up on blogs I haven't been able to read in what feels like forever. I just wanted to let you know how much I loved your book and that it has truly helped me come closer to the Lord through devotion time and trust issues. After reading the book you felt like my best friend, lol. I didn't want it to end…
Jennifer
It was with great excitement (and a sense of purpose) I began this online bible study. What a great opportunity to stay accountable through the summer months – a time when many Bible studies are disbanded until the leaves fall and/or school resumes.
To add to my excitement, I had heard Wendy is a wonderful writer with teachings rich in the word; also I was interested in learning how to witness to people who have encountered deep pain in their life and are asking very hard questions.
I was set to learn to help others and to participate in a community of people experiencing God's healing touch at the same time.
In Chapter Five – "Off the Mat" the table turned for me. God revealed to me His reason for leading me to this book. I was following his will to read and participate in the study, but his intent for me went so much deeper than teaching me how to help others…he was helping a healing me! You see, there was one dark corner in my life I was thinking was not causing me pain nor standing in the way of God's call on my life…and God, through Wendy's book and the events of the rest of the summer, has made it Crystal Clear that the bandages I used to patch over old troubles and hurts must come off…the rejection and shame covered up be exposed to the light!
I was brought to tears and shouts of joy when I read this sentence in the final chapter: "From June 7, 1986 to the day you purchased this book, God designed that our hearts, our stories would be intertwined."
Indeed, I was guilty of having "tried to push past (my) painful memories…and believe(d) they are gone."
God lovingly and gently and bubbled up that which I had pushed down so deep to the surface and began a healing in me. He showed me this summer the obstacles in the way of what he has called me to do. He began by addressing my perfectionism, then he led me to a Breath Prayer "Create in me a clean heart, O God and put a new and right spirit within me"…at last he lead me to the reason he had me purchase this book and read Wendy's words – to encourage me and to heal me of the stain on my heart. Like dirt swept hastily under a rug, my problem was still there. A rock in the road between me and my savior.
Over and over this summer I have witnessed instances of God's perfect timing and his perfect writing. His word lives and breathes into our lives if only we have open eyes, ears and hearts to receive his message, and the courage and wisdom to obey. Wendy is a wonderful witness to this, and I pray I may one day be, as well.
I am blessed, so blessed. And even though what God has called me to do to for now requires exposing some things I would prefer to keep quiet (just between me and God) I know he is with me and I am obeying His will – fulfilling the destiny he authored for me. I have peace because there is a work of light being done in my dark corner.
Praise Him!
On fire for God,
Liz
AK
Part II ~ previous post too long…:)
I guess I have answered the questions posed as to why I began the study and how it has spoken to me. It's already been said that a perk to doing an online study is you can do it at any hour, in any manner of dress; and I echo the drawbacks to be lack of hugging!
To be in fellowship with women in an on-line study has its perks! You can go back and read each others words again. Similar to thinking before you speak, you can compose your own thoughts and responses, but you can preview, edit & publish! As in face to face in a large group, you can participate as much as your life allows…posting/attending each week or catching up at the very end; quiet one week, unstoppable the next. You also have the advantage of hearing more voices – many who might not speak in person do speak through the written word.
Also, the power of prayer is multiplied! Hearts are connected through words and shared experiences – God hears All of our prayers for each other and he listens and rescues us.
Finally, in answer to the question did it help you grow as much as being in a traditional bible study?
Resoundingly, YES. I did not expect it when I jumped in, but it surely did! God sent out his word to me and I know with his help it is achieving his purpose in my life. I have been testifying about this incredible experience, and I sincerely pray I can encourage others by my witness.
Liz
AK
Hi,
I chose to do this online study because I believe I was led to do it by hearing of Prov. 31 on the K-love radio station, looking it up on the internet, and finding you, Wendi, and the summer Bible study on your blog.
The benefits of an online study are that you can do it at your leisure and I feel more enabled to share as I like to journal or write and can say more than face to face.
The drawbacks are not being able to meet the people you share with.
I think it is great to be in fellowship with other women in an online Bible study because of sharing our similar fears, worries, thoughts, circumstances, etc.
It helped me to grow, maybe more so, than being in a traditional Bible study as it held me accountable and I was excited to see each week what was shared. I teach Sunday School and do not get to attend a study in the traditional way.
This study penetrated my soul, brought me closer to my Father, held me accountable, and made me excited to dig deeper.
I so appreciated you, the women, and the study. Thank you for personally answering a question that I had. It meant a lot to me. I hope you do another online study.
Joyce
Wendy,
There is no way to begin to share how much this book has meant to me!
Even today I recieved new direction and insight from God, as I again looked at some of my underlined (and there are many) parts. A new lie revealed and broken! We serve such a precious God!
Thank You for being a willing vessel. Thank you for giving us your friendship and yourself.
Thank you that in it all you pointed to God so that by looking at Who You love we too could receive eagerly from Him.
Oh yeah,
How was your boat ride?
Hope I can run into you again sometime with more time to chat!
Love Pamela
Your book was a precious gift to me after reading your blog praying for you and those who would read the book! I knew God was going to deal with me on some things, so I put it off-stupid, I know! I began to read a little at a time and knew a friend would benefit as well. Let her use it while I was out of the country. She read it in a day–mom of 4, all under the age of 8! She urged me to read it. So I joined the study! Once I got started I could not stop! I just wanted to read more and more. I felt accountable to do the readings in the book but would rarely read the comments posted. To sit in a room with those ladies would have worked for me, but then again, it would not have. I was able to read and study while my darlings were nestled into their beds.
I did not talk with others doing the study but DID talk to others who were not, does that count?
Loved that it is loaded with scripture and I have my breath verse hanging on my bedroom wall so to see it as soon as I wake up!