From Lorna, blogging for this chapter:
What a chapter! I surrender all. The story of Mary of Bethany entering the party, a room full of men, carrying her perfume in a alabaster container. All that mattered to her was Jesus. She poured the perfume on the head of Jesus and sank to her knees and pouring the rest on His feet, wiping them with her long and flowing hair. It did not matter to her that she was risking her pride, her reputation, and her dowry - she is ready to abandon all for Jesus. What she does is dramatic, and it causes an enormous stir. Mary of Bethany turned that day into a day that would go down in history. Another unforgettable woman: Mother Teresa, on the 4th of February, 1994, at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D. C, like Mary of Bethany did not care what other people thought, motivated by her love for Jesus, she spoke about how much He loved us, and about how He had died for our sins. and she talked about taking time to love, and about "war against the child"....the unborn child. She boldly called abortion the greatest destroyer of love and peace. Mother Teresa spread His fragrance to the world. Was it Giorgio? Givenchy? Este'e Lauder? No- it was Jesus. Jesus was so evident in her, His life so undeniable.I hope we are encouraged to think about these unforgettable woman, to break our alabaster box of our own agendas, reputation, pride to let the fragrance fill the room and bring joy to weary faces.We are living in a time when laser surgery, face-lifts, breast implants, liposuctions and tummy tucks are readily available. But the most beautiful woman I (Kathy) have ever met has been those women who have surrendered so totally to Jesus that He radiates through their person. I want to give people something to talk about - and that something, that Someone, is Jesus. That’s what Mary of Bethany did, and we can, too, if we trust Him and abandon ourselves to Him. In obeying the prompting of the Spirit, I pray that we will leave a legacy of the fragrance of Christ and become unforgettable women for His glory.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Can't Hurry Love
When they talk about Beauty and the Beast I thought about how I often think about people that are "gruff", including myself at times. "Underneath all his gruff exterior, the beast longed to be loved, to be understood." "Belle lives inside me: the girl who wants to be pursued, sought after, swept up, and rescued."
"Jesus takes our hand and guides us through this earthly journey, while all around us are the forces of darkness...'Say what you will, she is My Beloved."
It gave me comfort to hear about Kathy's experience with that song. (Although it was horrible and I hate that she had to go through that.) But it helped me to hear that someone else has followed the voice of God, only to be met with people that one might think would be happy for that abandon and following, but instead thought it was a gray area, or even that the steps that you take to follow God where the wrong ones. "Although it was extremely painful for me, it was one of those times in my life when I was convinced I had done what was pleasing to the Lord. The minute I did what God asked, a weight lifted from me." "Will I trust God even when there is no immediate reward?" Yes I will! "My life is in Your hand. My heart is in Your keepin."
The story of Lazarus really relates to my current situation and I think if you are going through any kind of wilderness you can put yourself into this story and learn something.
If Jesus would have just healed Lazarus it wouldn't have been such a deliverance. We have to tell Him "Lord, the one you love is sick." John 11:3b Jesus said "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4 He didn't say that there wouldn't be death, He just said that the sickness wouldn't end in death. (Roughly remembered:>) John Piper says the Passion for the Supremacy of Christ is that we are most satisfied when God is most glorified.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
Our answer and Martha's - "Yes, Lord...I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." John 11:27
You are my Father, my Bridegroom, my Provider, my Defender, my Deliverer!
"...it is about a love affair with God. In that you will always be fulfilled."
"Jesus takes our hand and guides us through this earthly journey, while all around us are the forces of darkness...'Say what you will, she is My Beloved."
It gave me comfort to hear about Kathy's experience with that song. (Although it was horrible and I hate that she had to go through that.) But it helped me to hear that someone else has followed the voice of God, only to be met with people that one might think would be happy for that abandon and following, but instead thought it was a gray area, or even that the steps that you take to follow God where the wrong ones. "Although it was extremely painful for me, it was one of those times in my life when I was convinced I had done what was pleasing to the Lord. The minute I did what God asked, a weight lifted from me." "Will I trust God even when there is no immediate reward?" Yes I will! "My life is in Your hand. My heart is in Your keepin."
The story of Lazarus really relates to my current situation and I think if you are going through any kind of wilderness you can put yourself into this story and learn something.
If Jesus would have just healed Lazarus it wouldn't have been such a deliverance. We have to tell Him "Lord, the one you love is sick." John 11:3b Jesus said "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4 He didn't say that there wouldn't be death, He just said that the sickness wouldn't end in death. (Roughly remembered:>) John Piper says the Passion for the Supremacy of Christ is that we are most satisfied when God is most glorified.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
Our answer and Martha's - "Yes, Lord...I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." John 11:27
You are my Father, my Bridegroom, my Provider, my Defender, my Deliverer!
"...it is about a love affair with God. In that you will always be fulfilled."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Killing Me Softly
"Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." Song of Songs 2:10
Jesus calls us to go somewhere with Him. We don't just sit there and wait for Him to change things or do things for us. We have to come with Him - out of our muck and into His joy. "... I want to live in such a way that I continually let Him take me to higher places." "You know that you should heed His call, but you also know that change will be involved. That change can be painful." But that change is so worth it. But to make the change we have to "[carry] the stones to the water and [pile] them one by one on top of each other. After a while the water will begin to flow in a new way because it's been redirected. Eventually there's a brand new riverbank and the water flows with ease on a new path."
We have to get to the point that we are "intolerant of [our] sin" and as Kathy said (which really hit home with me), "let myself feel ' a little hungry, a little lonely'." But "nothing, absolutely nothing is worth losing the peace of God".
Our love for Him, our action, our daily lives are supposed to come from an "overflow of His love in [our] hearts."
God's desire for us is that we live in a "perpetual state of repentance". That we are constantly changing, growing, moving closer to Him and to His heart. We can't do that by stagnating in the same place. Keep a running note in your mind of what God is doing with you now. Think about the "kisses" that you have received from Him. What is He trying to show you? Some lessons are hard and take a long time (I'm going through some right now) but I don't ever want to feel like I am not striving to do and overcome all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He asks us to cry out to Him from our hearts, rather than wail upon our beds. Rather than wallowing in our sadness and mistakes let's cry out to the heart of God in repentance, for change and renewal.
From Seduction of the Lesser Gods " Without knowing fully what we are doing, we hide the things we secretly love and admire under our skirts, like Rachel, sitting primly and righteously on our camels, wondering why we are not whole, why we still suffer, why we feel unreconciled to the God we profess."
"And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled [Jacob], He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
So the Lord alone led him."
Deuteronomy 32:10-12
Jesus calls us to go somewhere with Him. We don't just sit there and wait for Him to change things or do things for us. We have to come with Him - out of our muck and into His joy. "... I want to live in such a way that I continually let Him take me to higher places." "You know that you should heed His call, but you also know that change will be involved. That change can be painful." But that change is so worth it. But to make the change we have to "[carry] the stones to the water and [pile] them one by one on top of each other. After a while the water will begin to flow in a new way because it's been redirected. Eventually there's a brand new riverbank and the water flows with ease on a new path."
We have to get to the point that we are "intolerant of [our] sin" and as Kathy said (which really hit home with me), "let myself feel ' a little hungry, a little lonely'." But "nothing, absolutely nothing is worth losing the peace of God".
Our love for Him, our action, our daily lives are supposed to come from an "overflow of His love in [our] hearts."
God's desire for us is that we live in a "perpetual state of repentance". That we are constantly changing, growing, moving closer to Him and to His heart. We can't do that by stagnating in the same place. Keep a running note in your mind of what God is doing with you now. Think about the "kisses" that you have received from Him. What is He trying to show you? Some lessons are hard and take a long time (I'm going through some right now) but I don't ever want to feel like I am not striving to do and overcome all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He asks us to cry out to Him from our hearts, rather than wail upon our beds. Rather than wallowing in our sadness and mistakes let's cry out to the heart of God in repentance, for change and renewal.
From Seduction of the Lesser Gods " Without knowing fully what we are doing, we hide the things we secretly love and admire under our skirts, like Rachel, sitting primly and righteously on our camels, wondering why we are not whole, why we still suffer, why we feel unreconciled to the God we profess."
"And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled [Jacob], He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
So the Lord alone led him."
Deuteronomy 32:10-12
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Love Me Tender
"In the same way, when you are persuaded - through the prophecies or the miracles or the changed lives of others - that Jesus is, indeed, who He claimed to be, when you come into a personal relationship with Him, when His Spirit bears witness with your spirit, you are overwhelmed by the "sudden glory".
Our perspectives should be different now. Are we looking for signs of His love? They're everywhere! Are we fascinated by His mind? Wow! He has wisdom for our individual lives.
"But whoever take a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life." John 4:14 - Oh Lord spring up in me a spring of water welling up to eternal life
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." John 15:5 - Oh Lord that I would bear much fruit with You because apart from you I can do nothing
Have you received any "kisses from the King" lately? No only are the revelations that He gives us so amazing, but the very thought that He cares enough to plant those seeds into our lives is amazing. To think that He would guide us to a certain scripture, or call someone to say something to us, the orquestrated events that He would put into our lives help us to know that we are so loved and treasured.
"I don't want to ever settle for less in my life when I've learned that God Almighty always has a higher plan."
I love this - "according to rabbinic tradition, a kiss from God is a living word of prophecy...In traditional Judaism, Jamie explains, the first five books of the Torah are kissed by the worshippers. (Actually, one kisses one's fingers and then touches the mantle of the Torah.) Kissing is an act of devotion, showing how dear the Word of God is."
"The root Hebrew word for kiss is nasaq, meaning 'to kindle, to catch fire.' Can you think of an example when the Word of God lit a fire in you?"
What a great way to look at communion or the Lord's Supper (depending on what you're used to calling it) - we are being called into His presence, to remember who Jesus was and what He did for us, because He truly loves us.
Mary of Bethany - "sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said." She was kissed by her King. I don't want to miss "a word, a tender inflection, a warm look, a gently kiss".
We do activity for God and that is needed, but let us not replace communion with God with activity for God. "...good deeds will naturally flow out of communion with Him."
I could definitely relate to this passage of the chapter: "My 'busyness' is often a way, I realize, to make myself feel like I have worth and purpose in this world. I want people to think I am valuable, important, and wise."
Oh, God, make me like Mary of Bethany - to concentrate on communion with You and trust You with everything else. All things that I do are for Your glory! What else is there? I pray, Lord, that You won't ever need a megaphone to get my attention again!
"'Ask,' promised Jesus, 'and it will be given to you' (Matthew 7:7). 'You do not have because you do not ask,' said James (James 4:2). Even though there is no limit to God's blessing, if you didn't ask him for a blessing yesterday, you didn't get all you were supposed to have." Bruce Wilkinson
Our perspectives should be different now. Are we looking for signs of His love? They're everywhere! Are we fascinated by His mind? Wow! He has wisdom for our individual lives.
"But whoever take a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life." John 4:14 - Oh Lord spring up in me a spring of water welling up to eternal life
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." John 15:5 - Oh Lord that I would bear much fruit with You because apart from you I can do nothing
Have you received any "kisses from the King" lately? No only are the revelations that He gives us so amazing, but the very thought that He cares enough to plant those seeds into our lives is amazing. To think that He would guide us to a certain scripture, or call someone to say something to us, the orquestrated events that He would put into our lives help us to know that we are so loved and treasured.
"I don't want to ever settle for less in my life when I've learned that God Almighty always has a higher plan."
I love this - "according to rabbinic tradition, a kiss from God is a living word of prophecy...In traditional Judaism, Jamie explains, the first five books of the Torah are kissed by the worshippers. (Actually, one kisses one's fingers and then touches the mantle of the Torah.) Kissing is an act of devotion, showing how dear the Word of God is."
"The root Hebrew word for kiss is nasaq, meaning 'to kindle, to catch fire.' Can you think of an example when the Word of God lit a fire in you?"
What a great way to look at communion or the Lord's Supper (depending on what you're used to calling it) - we are being called into His presence, to remember who Jesus was and what He did for us, because He truly loves us.
Mary of Bethany - "sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said." She was kissed by her King. I don't want to miss "a word, a tender inflection, a warm look, a gently kiss".
We do activity for God and that is needed, but let us not replace communion with God with activity for God. "...good deeds will naturally flow out of communion with Him."
I could definitely relate to this passage of the chapter: "My 'busyness' is often a way, I realize, to make myself feel like I have worth and purpose in this world. I want people to think I am valuable, important, and wise."
Oh, God, make me like Mary of Bethany - to concentrate on communion with You and trust You with everything else. All things that I do are for Your glory! What else is there? I pray, Lord, that You won't ever need a megaphone to get my attention again!
"'Ask,' promised Jesus, 'and it will be given to you' (Matthew 7:7). 'You do not have because you do not ask,' said James (James 4:2). Even though there is no limit to God's blessing, if you didn't ask him for a blessing yesterday, you didn't get all you were supposed to have." Bruce Wilkinson
Monday, November 3, 2008
It Had to Be You
Ephesians 1:4-5
Kathy says that she is overwhelmed by the amazing things that she gets to experience because God has given her a voice. Can you complete this sentence based on what God has give you?
"I am overwhelmed by some of the amazing things I get to experience because God has given me..."
How great! "It is a precious thought to think that Jesus, our Bridegroom, is preparing a place for us, looking forward to the time when He will come and take us home. We feel sure that He hopes we are also anticipating this day. For what bridegroom wants an apathetic bride?"
I love how they compare the first bride (Eve) with the last bride (the Bride of Christ). That comparison tells us that God is lonely for us, looking for the completion of His holy Bride and that we are to reflect the nature of Christ. As we prepare for our Bridegroom's return we are to prepare our character instead of our gowns. Prepare our characters with purity, radiance, integrity and growing devotion to Him.
Purity - "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8
"For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]." Zephaniah 3:9
"Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are}sinner, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]." James4:8
Radiance - "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
Integrity - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them." Proverbs 11:3
"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God." Ephesians 6:14
Growing devotion to Him - "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18
Are we happy? "Happy is fleeting...The goal is loving Jesus. Then, and only then, do you experience an inextinguishable joy."
Will He catch us? Yes. So, if I die to _____, will He catch me? Yes!
Kathy says that she is overwhelmed by the amazing things that she gets to experience because God has given her a voice. Can you complete this sentence based on what God has give you?
"I am overwhelmed by some of the amazing things I get to experience because God has given me..."
How great! "It is a precious thought to think that Jesus, our Bridegroom, is preparing a place for us, looking forward to the time when He will come and take us home. We feel sure that He hopes we are also anticipating this day. For what bridegroom wants an apathetic bride?"
I love how they compare the first bride (Eve) with the last bride (the Bride of Christ). That comparison tells us that God is lonely for us, looking for the completion of His holy Bride and that we are to reflect the nature of Christ. As we prepare for our Bridegroom's return we are to prepare our character instead of our gowns. Prepare our characters with purity, radiance, integrity and growing devotion to Him.
Purity - "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8
"For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]." Zephaniah 3:9
"Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are}sinner, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]." James4:8
Radiance - "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
Integrity - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them." Proverbs 11:3
"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God." Ephesians 6:14
Growing devotion to Him - "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18
Are we happy? "Happy is fleeting...The goal is loving Jesus. Then, and only then, do you experience an inextinguishable joy."
Will He catch us? Yes. So, if I die to _____, will He catch me? Yes!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places
"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11b
I love how Kathy accepts that the man's lack of love for her was God's protection, because he wasn't God's choice for her. How has God protected you in that way (with any situation, not just relationships)? Do we always accept His protection or do we sometimes wallow in the rejection? (I know I tend to be a wollower.)
"The book of Ecclesiastes was written as a warning, a flashing red light to two groups of people:
1. To those who do not know the Lord and are trying with things "under the sun" to fill up those places only God can fill.
2. To those who do know the Lord but lose that "first-love" passion and then, like Solomon, try to find their way out of the wilderness. They look for love in places that will leave them lost, discouraged, and empty-handed."
What are some ways that you (recently or far in the past) have tried to fill up the emptiness in your life?
"Life under the sun is sweet, and we are to enjoy God's gifts of beauty, food, and sex - but none of them was ever meant to be abused. None of them was ever meant to meet our deepest needs. Phillip Yancy writes:
'Ecclesiastes endures as a work of great literature and a book of great truth because it presents both sides of life on this planet: the promise of pleasures so alluring that we may devote our lives to their pursuit, and then the haunting realization that these pleasures ultimately do not satisfy. God's tantalizing world is too big for us. Made for another home, made for eternity, we finally realize that nothing this side of timeless Paradise will quiet the rumors of discontent.'"
"The word translated "vanity" or "meaningless" in Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 means "something passing swiftly away." What do you learn about these things according to Proverbs 31:30 and Matthew 6:19-21?"
"Read Ecclesiastes 1:4-11. What word pictures does Solomon use in verses 5-7 to describe the monotonous cylcle of life? What are his conclusions, according to verses 8-11? What are his emotions?"
According to the first verse in this blog, what does it mean to have "eternity in your heart?"
"Read 1 Kings 11:1-13.
A. Why did God tell the Israelites not to marry the women from the surrounding nations? ? (vv.1-2)
B. Describe everything you can about Solomon's disobedience. (vv2-3)
C. How is the heart of Solomon contrasted to the heart of his father, David? (vv4-6)
D. What did Solomon do for Chemosh and Molech, two detestable gods? What do you think motivated him to do this? (vv 7-8)
E. Find as many reasons as you can in verses 9-11 for God's heartbreak concerning Solomon.
F. What was going to be the consequences of Solomon's attitude and behavoir? How did God's love for David mitigate the consequence? (vv 11-13)"
Name a favorite romantic place - it can be a place to be with the one you love or a place to be with the One you love.
I love how Kathy accepts that the man's lack of love for her was God's protection, because he wasn't God's choice for her. How has God protected you in that way (with any situation, not just relationships)? Do we always accept His protection or do we sometimes wallow in the rejection? (I know I tend to be a wollower.)
"The book of Ecclesiastes was written as a warning, a flashing red light to two groups of people:
1. To those who do not know the Lord and are trying with things "under the sun" to fill up those places only God can fill.
2. To those who do know the Lord but lose that "first-love" passion and then, like Solomon, try to find their way out of the wilderness. They look for love in places that will leave them lost, discouraged, and empty-handed."
What are some ways that you (recently or far in the past) have tried to fill up the emptiness in your life?
"Life under the sun is sweet, and we are to enjoy God's gifts of beauty, food, and sex - but none of them was ever meant to be abused. None of them was ever meant to meet our deepest needs. Phillip Yancy writes:
'Ecclesiastes endures as a work of great literature and a book of great truth because it presents both sides of life on this planet: the promise of pleasures so alluring that we may devote our lives to their pursuit, and then the haunting realization that these pleasures ultimately do not satisfy. God's tantalizing world is too big for us. Made for another home, made for eternity, we finally realize that nothing this side of timeless Paradise will quiet the rumors of discontent.'"
"The word translated "vanity" or "meaningless" in Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 means "something passing swiftly away." What do you learn about these things according to Proverbs 31:30 and Matthew 6:19-21?"
"Read Ecclesiastes 1:4-11. What word pictures does Solomon use in verses 5-7 to describe the monotonous cylcle of life? What are his conclusions, according to verses 8-11? What are his emotions?"
According to the first verse in this blog, what does it mean to have "eternity in your heart?"
"Read 1 Kings 11:1-13.
A. Why did God tell the Israelites not to marry the women from the surrounding nations? ? (vv.1-2)
B. Describe everything you can about Solomon's disobedience. (vv2-3)
C. How is the heart of Solomon contrasted to the heart of his father, David? (vv4-6)
D. What did Solomon do for Chemosh and Molech, two detestable gods? What do you think motivated him to do this? (vv 7-8)
E. Find as many reasons as you can in verses 9-11 for God's heartbreak concerning Solomon.
F. What was going to be the consequences of Solomon's attitude and behavoir? How did God's love for David mitigate the consequence? (vv 11-13)"
Name a favorite romantic place - it can be a place to be with the one you love or a place to be with the One you love.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Someday My Prince Will Come
Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
A genuine Prince Charming of depth, sensitivity, and nobility who can take us into a wider world (a whole new world)! Jesus is such a sweet Prince Charming! Sometimes we may look at Him from afar, like amovie star or fairytale Prince, but we can have the most intimate relationship with Him who knows our very thoughts even before and better than we know them ourselves.
"Individuals, though they may not recognize Jesus, are often drawn to Him through His creation. The authors of Sacred Romance believe that everyone has a sense of this mystery through the music and beauty of the world. God says the same thing in His word."
Psalm 19:1-4 "THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. 2Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God made a tent for the sun"
So, how has God's voice gone out into the world? How far-reaching is this language, according to the psalm? Do you remember a way that God called to you, through His creation, when you were young?
I love that He does not give up on us! And I love that "best of all, He is not just some historical figure from the past - He is alive today"!
What have you been rescued from and how has He rescued you?
Psalm 34:4-8 "I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused. 6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7[a]The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.
8O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him."
Oh, how I want to be radiant and to never cover my face in shame! To shine the radiant light that reflects Christ!
Read Luke 1:5-7
What does blameless mean? Read Philippians 2:14-16 and 1 John 1:7-9 to help your definition.
Read Luke 1:8-25
Describe Zechariah's doubt and the discipline that followed. How might this discipline produce growth?
"Can you think of a time when God 'rescued' you through discipline? Think of a time when you suffered consequences because of sin, or missed a blessing because you didn't trust Him - but you learned, and changed, and grew stronger."
"I belong to the Lord, body and soul,...Let it happen as you say." Luke 1:38a - in the Amplified Bible Mary calls herself the handmaiden of the Lord. Confirm aloud to Jesus that you are His handmaiden, al l His, body and soul.
Let's practice the presence of God!
In Luke 1:46-50 we see Mary "dance to the song of her Savior God, and so can we. The euphoria that these women feel is the euphoria of women who have fallen deeply in love with the Lord, and they know, because they have passed through the stormy waters triumphantly, that their love is going to last. His love is going to last. They have reached the land of invincible love - not a land that is free of trouble, but a land that is full of confidence and joy."
"Can you think of a time in your life when God didn't come through with a miracle and yet, He did comfort you with His kisses: His presence, His prophecies, and His provisions?" That is the time that I'm in now. The specific miracle has not occured, but I am comforted only in His kisses.
I've always known that He is "I am" but I have never felt so profoundly affected by that until today while I was working through this study. He is. That's it. He is.
Meditate on our verse this week:
Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
What is your favorite romantic book or movie?
"The LORD your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
A genuine Prince Charming of depth, sensitivity, and nobility who can take us into a wider world (a whole new world)! Jesus is such a sweet Prince Charming! Sometimes we may look at Him from afar, like amovie star or fairytale Prince, but we can have the most intimate relationship with Him who knows our very thoughts even before and better than we know them ourselves.
"Individuals, though they may not recognize Jesus, are often drawn to Him through His creation. The authors of Sacred Romance believe that everyone has a sense of this mystery through the music and beauty of the world. God says the same thing in His word."
Psalm 19:1-4 "THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. 2Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God made a tent for the sun"
So, how has God's voice gone out into the world? How far-reaching is this language, according to the psalm? Do you remember a way that God called to you, through His creation, when you were young?
I love that He does not give up on us! And I love that "best of all, He is not just some historical figure from the past - He is alive today"!
What have you been rescued from and how has He rescued you?
Psalm 34:4-8 "I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused. 6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7[a]The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.
8O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him."
Oh, how I want to be radiant and to never cover my face in shame! To shine the radiant light that reflects Christ!
Read Luke 1:5-7
What does blameless mean? Read Philippians 2:14-16 and 1 John 1:7-9 to help your definition.
Read Luke 1:8-25
Describe Zechariah's doubt and the discipline that followed. How might this discipline produce growth?
"Can you think of a time when God 'rescued' you through discipline? Think of a time when you suffered consequences because of sin, or missed a blessing because you didn't trust Him - but you learned, and changed, and grew stronger."
"I belong to the Lord, body and soul,...Let it happen as you say." Luke 1:38a - in the Amplified Bible Mary calls herself the handmaiden of the Lord. Confirm aloud to Jesus that you are His handmaiden, al l His, body and soul.
Let's practice the presence of God!
In Luke 1:46-50 we see Mary "dance to the song of her Savior God, and so can we. The euphoria that these women feel is the euphoria of women who have fallen deeply in love with the Lord, and they know, because they have passed through the stormy waters triumphantly, that their love is going to last. His love is going to last. They have reached the land of invincible love - not a land that is free of trouble, but a land that is full of confidence and joy."
"Can you think of a time in your life when God didn't come through with a miracle and yet, He did comfort you with His kisses: His presence, His prophecies, and His provisions?" That is the time that I'm in now. The specific miracle has not occured, but I am comforted only in His kisses.
I've always known that He is "I am" but I have never felt so profoundly affected by that until today while I was working through this study. He is. That's it. He is.
Meditate on our verse this week:
Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
What is your favorite romantic book or movie?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
So what do y'all think?
I so much don't want a ho-hum relationship with anyone, but especially not with Jesus.
I want to yearn for closeness with Him the way that He yearns for closeness with me.
I don't want to be lukewarm and propogate religion.
I want to love God and capture the heart of a dying world.
I don't want to see or live a show.
I want to be real and honest with God, with others and with myself.
(Y'all are welcome to use the workbook too if you are looking for something day-to-day but it is not in anyway neccessary for our group.)
I'll share a couple of things with y'all each week from the Falling in Love with Jesus workbook to get us bloggin. Don't feel like you have to answer every question. Some of them will be for your own personal reflection. Also, we are all very busy (isn't that why we're here:>) and I know that you may not always have time for everything. But make sure that you read until the end, because the last question is the easy one:>)
Dee and Kathy mention kisses from the King in the workbook. " A kiss from the King, according to rabbinical tradition, is a living Word from Scripture. When a verse leaps out at you and you have the sense that God has spoken personally to you, you have been kissed by the King." Make a special note when you receive a kiss from your King, in the same way that you might scrapbook other memorable events in your life.
What do you learn about how Jesus sees yuo and what He desires from you from these passages?
Song of Songs 2:10, 2:14
Zephaniah 3:17
I love that even when a man might think that we are sappy or sentimental, God understands us because He made us that way. He made us to understand the things that we understand and to feel the things that we feel.
How did Jesus, your hero, sacrifice for you?
What are some of the prisons from which He has rescued you?
They mention Mary of Bethany and her three stages of love with her Savior. First Love - Luke 10:38-39, Wilderness Love - John 11:5-6, and Invincible Love - John 12:1-3
Can you think of experiences in your own relationship with Jesus that you could place in each of those categories. Like Dee mentioned, we may not live in Invincible Love all the time, but we may have had moments of it. We aren't perfected - "God loves you just they way you are but He refuses to leave you that way." - Max Lucado
How did the beloved feel in the following situations:
Ruth 2:8-10
2 Samuel 9:6-8
Do you have trouble beleiving that Jesus loves you and actually delights in you? Why or why not?
An easy question to get us talking - What is your favorite romantic song? (To answer you can just click under this post on 0 comments and add your answer:>)
I so much don't want a ho-hum relationship with anyone, but especially not with Jesus.
I want to yearn for closeness with Him the way that He yearns for closeness with me.
I don't want to be lukewarm and propogate religion.
I want to love God and capture the heart of a dying world.
I don't want to see or live a show.
I want to be real and honest with God, with others and with myself.
(Y'all are welcome to use the workbook too if you are looking for something day-to-day but it is not in anyway neccessary for our group.)
I'll share a couple of things with y'all each week from the Falling in Love with Jesus workbook to get us bloggin. Don't feel like you have to answer every question. Some of them will be for your own personal reflection. Also, we are all very busy (isn't that why we're here:>) and I know that you may not always have time for everything. But make sure that you read until the end, because the last question is the easy one:>)
Dee and Kathy mention kisses from the King in the workbook. " A kiss from the King, according to rabbinical tradition, is a living Word from Scripture. When a verse leaps out at you and you have the sense that God has spoken personally to you, you have been kissed by the King." Make a special note when you receive a kiss from your King, in the same way that you might scrapbook other memorable events in your life.
What do you learn about how Jesus sees yuo and what He desires from you from these passages?
Song of Songs 2:10, 2:14
Zephaniah 3:17
I love that even when a man might think that we are sappy or sentimental, God understands us because He made us that way. He made us to understand the things that we understand and to feel the things that we feel.
How did Jesus, your hero, sacrifice for you?
What are some of the prisons from which He has rescued you?
They mention Mary of Bethany and her three stages of love with her Savior. First Love - Luke 10:38-39, Wilderness Love - John 11:5-6, and Invincible Love - John 12:1-3
Can you think of experiences in your own relationship with Jesus that you could place in each of those categories. Like Dee mentioned, we may not live in Invincible Love all the time, but we may have had moments of it. We aren't perfected - "God loves you just they way you are but He refuses to leave you that way." - Max Lucado
How did the beloved feel in the following situations:
Ruth 2:8-10
2 Samuel 9:6-8
Do you have trouble beleiving that Jesus loves you and actually delights in you? Why or why not?
An easy question to get us talking - What is your favorite romantic song? (To answer you can just click under this post on 0 comments and add your answer:>)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Stop! In the Name of Love
This is just an excerpt from the introduction to the workbook that I am using to help me to lead this study. It is a great explanation of what we are trying to do in this study. I hope that y'all will enjoy the first chapter as we get ready for next week.
I have a short video for y'all to watch and I will put it up on the blog as soon as I figure out how to do that!!! But when you see the REACH video somewhere on here, please watch it!
Amber
"If you are not in a deep love relationship and feel like flipping the switch when the topics of romance, weddings, and marriage come up - don't! Though love songs will be sung and romantic stories told, we are using these as "parables" to help you understand the best romance, which is your relationship with Jesus, who is the ultimate Bridegroom for all believing women, whether they are single or married.
We pray this won't be just a sentimental journey, but a journey that you can look back on and say 'It was during those ten weeks that I began to really see Jesus in a new way and yearn for an intimacy with Him that I had not known.'
Please remember, you are His Beloved. You are the object of His affection. He wants to whisper words of love to you. He wants to take you higher, out of the hiding places, into the land of invincible love.
If you are thinking, I don't know if I even want a deep love relationship with Jesus. I feel dead inside, hang on! You may feel skeptical, but we plead with you to keep your heart open. You may discover the greatest romance of your life/"
From Falling in Love with Jesus workbook
I have a short video for y'all to watch and I will put it up on the blog as soon as I figure out how to do that!!! But when you see the REACH video somewhere on here, please watch it!
Amber
"If you are not in a deep love relationship and feel like flipping the switch when the topics of romance, weddings, and marriage come up - don't! Though love songs will be sung and romantic stories told, we are using these as "parables" to help you understand the best romance, which is your relationship with Jesus, who is the ultimate Bridegroom for all believing women, whether they are single or married.
We pray this won't be just a sentimental journey, but a journey that you can look back on and say 'It was during those ten weeks that I began to really see Jesus in a new way and yearn for an intimacy with Him that I had not known.'
Please remember, you are His Beloved. You are the object of His affection. He wants to whisper words of love to you. He wants to take you higher, out of the hiding places, into the land of invincible love.
If you are thinking, I don't know if I even want a deep love relationship with Jesus. I feel dead inside, hang on! You may feel skeptical, but we plead with you to keep your heart open. You may discover the greatest romance of your life/"
From Falling in Love with Jesus workbook
Friday, September 12, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the ladies' blog!
I am looking forward to "Falling in Love with Jesus" with y'all! I will send an instructional email on Monday and then I will begin posting for the new semester!
I am looking forward to "Falling in Love with Jesus" with y'all! I will send an instructional email on Monday and then I will begin posting for the new semester!
Chapter 11
Whatever it takes is scary! Yet it is even scarier to not be in the exact center of God's will!
1. Can you imagine your own Polaroid picture of God's will for you developing over the years? What do you know now about God's purposes for you that you did not yet "see" two years ago? Is there an area of your life where the fuzziness is giving way to a sharper image?
2. How is it possible that the center of God's will can be the safest yet most dangerous place to be?
3. Kay writes, "Most of us are called to pay a much smaller price, although each point of surrender can at times turn into high drama as we play tug-of-war with God." What are the "high drama" points in your tug-of-war with God thus far in your life? What part have they played in your developing maturity?
4. What great surrender challenges do you see ahead? Do you find yourself dreading them or eagerly awaiting them? How can such challenges craft you into Christlikeness?
5. Of all the stirring images in this chapter, which had the most profound effect on you? Why?
1. Can you imagine your own Polaroid picture of God's will for you developing over the years? What do you know now about God's purposes for you that you did not yet "see" two years ago? Is there an area of your life where the fuzziness is giving way to a sharper image?
2. How is it possible that the center of God's will can be the safest yet most dangerous place to be?
3. Kay writes, "Most of us are called to pay a much smaller price, although each point of surrender can at times turn into high drama as we play tug-of-war with God." What are the "high drama" points in your tug-of-war with God thus far in your life? What part have they played in your developing maturity?
4. What great surrender challenges do you see ahead? Do you find yourself dreading them or eagerly awaiting them? How can such challenges craft you into Christlikeness?
5. Of all the stirring images in this chapter, which had the most profound effect on you? Why?
Chapter 10
The church exists for humanity. What a wonderful thing for Kay to get to see how God uses His church. It is also nice to know that the hope of the world isn't dependent on what we do or who we are -- it's dependent on what He does and who He is.
Our purpose isn't even the pandemic as a whole, or any other social issue. The purpose is each individual person that is affected by the pandemic or other issue.
We are to share with the world that their sins are forgiven, not judged or condemned.
1. In what ways can you identify with Kay's sense of despair as she witnessed her first International AIDS Conference in Bangkok? What infiltration of evil in your world do you find overwhelming?
2. Read Acts 26:12-23, then focus on verses 17 and 18. As you anticipate your next twelve months, is it conceivable that you are also being "sent off"? If you were to choose an area of service, what might it be? Does this question fill you with anxiety or anticipation?
3. "The only problem is that it's impossible." Kay jolts the reader with these words. List several biblical examples of God's accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Recount the names of God's servants chosen and empowered to play critical roles in those events.
4. In the midst of her discussion of the history of the Christian church, Kay asks the question, "So why would I put any faith at all in such a ragtag bunch of losers? Because God does." What is your understanding of why God works through people rather than solely through divine, supernatural means?
5. Discuss the range of roles the church has played in world history - from heroic to horrific. If you were to interview local residents about the impact of your church on your community ro the world, how might they respond?
Our purpose isn't even the pandemic as a whole, or any other social issue. The purpose is each individual person that is affected by the pandemic or other issue.
We are to share with the world that their sins are forgiven, not judged or condemned.
1. In what ways can you identify with Kay's sense of despair as she witnessed her first International AIDS Conference in Bangkok? What infiltration of evil in your world do you find overwhelming?
2. Read Acts 26:12-23, then focus on verses 17 and 18. As you anticipate your next twelve months, is it conceivable that you are also being "sent off"? If you were to choose an area of service, what might it be? Does this question fill you with anxiety or anticipation?
3. "The only problem is that it's impossible." Kay jolts the reader with these words. List several biblical examples of God's accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Recount the names of God's servants chosen and empowered to play critical roles in those events.
4. In the midst of her discussion of the history of the Christian church, Kay asks the question, "So why would I put any faith at all in such a ragtag bunch of losers? Because God does." What is your understanding of why God works through people rather than solely through divine, supernatural means?
5. Discuss the range of roles the church has played in world history - from heroic to horrific. If you were to interview local residents about the impact of your church on your community ro the world, how might they respond?
Chapter 9
"God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9
Jesus treated all people with dignity. He treated people like human beings (imagine if she just try that:>)
Our job description: developing friendships
We have to stop judging people from our frame of reference, thinking that we know what they should have done, or how we would have handled it better
Love them and Love God and Love them for God
Feeling His pain draws us into deeper communion with Jesus. That is such an amazing concept! It made me so happy to know that all of the despair that I feel when I think about the overwhelming problems in the world is straight from the heart of God. He feels the same pain when He looks at His precious children and sees their pain. We are supposed to have a heart for His world.
Let us not exagerate our part of the partnership. We just show up.
1. In what ways do you identify with Kay's perception of prostitutes at the opening of this chapter? How would you compare them to your own perceptions of people who are HIV positive?
2. Kay writes, "There were profound spiritual truths hidden in that encounter with these outcast women." Discuss the truths you find in this encouter and identify the most unexpected insight you gain.
3. Reread the story of Kay's encounter with Pastor Mike. Choose one sentence you would most like to discuss and turn it into a question for your group to discuss.
4. Read the following verses recounting the emotions that Jesus felt:
Matthew 21:12
Matthew 23:37
Luke 13:15-16
Luke 17:2
John 11:35
Compare those emotions to what you have felt as you have read this book so
far.
5. How would you describe Kay's discovery that transformed her despair and hopelessness into an unexpected bond with Jesus?
6. The title of this chapter is "An Unexpected Bond." Select one unexpected insight that you have found particularly meaningful.
Jesus treated all people with dignity. He treated people like human beings (imagine if she just try that:>)
Our job description: developing friendships
We have to stop judging people from our frame of reference, thinking that we know what they should have done, or how we would have handled it better
Love them and Love God and Love them for God
Feeling His pain draws us into deeper communion with Jesus. That is such an amazing concept! It made me so happy to know that all of the despair that I feel when I think about the overwhelming problems in the world is straight from the heart of God. He feels the same pain when He looks at His precious children and sees their pain. We are supposed to have a heart for His world.
Let us not exagerate our part of the partnership. We just show up.
1. In what ways do you identify with Kay's perception of prostitutes at the opening of this chapter? How would you compare them to your own perceptions of people who are HIV positive?
2. Kay writes, "There were profound spiritual truths hidden in that encounter with these outcast women." Discuss the truths you find in this encouter and identify the most unexpected insight you gain.
3. Reread the story of Kay's encounter with Pastor Mike. Choose one sentence you would most like to discuss and turn it into a question for your group to discuss.
4. Read the following verses recounting the emotions that Jesus felt:
Matthew 21:12
Matthew 23:37
Luke 13:15-16
Luke 17:2
John 11:35
Compare those emotions to what you have felt as you have read this book so
far.
5. How would you describe Kay's discovery that transformed her despair and hopelessness into an unexpected bond with Jesus?
6. The title of this chapter is "An Unexpected Bond." Select one unexpected insight that you have found particularly meaningful.
Chapter 8
Regarding the opening quote, may we be ambassadors of You that we may leave sweetness behind when we leave every place that we go that would give those around us desire to know more of You.
I love that she asks why God keeps putting her in situations for which she is not prepared and then realizes that HE is prepared enough for the both of us!
Compassion means "Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]." Romans 12:15
Compassion is how we make an invisible God visible.
He thirsts...
1. Reread the quote from Lewis Smedes. Has anyone ever willingly entered into your life's pain in the way Smedes describes? Have you ever felt God's pull to do so in the life of another? Describe what happens in the heart of a sufferer who is on the recovering end of such mercy.
2. Take a few private moments to be completely vulnerable before God. What about this chapter seems most threatening to you or your current lifestyle?
3. Consider these words: shocked, angry, frustrated, guilty, troubled, wrestling, resistant, stirred, hopeful, inspired, called, compelled. Choose the three words that come closest to describing what you are experiencing as you are reading this book. Explain your choices.
4. How has your understanding of HIV/AIDS, world poverty, social injustice, and the experiences of the outcast been affected by Kay's experiences and perspective?
5. Reread each surrender question at the end of chapters 1 through 8. Identify which have been the easiest
I love that she asks why God keeps putting her in situations for which she is not prepared and then realizes that HE is prepared enough for the both of us!
Compassion means "Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]." Romans 12:15
Compassion is how we make an invisible God visible.
He thirsts...
1. Reread the quote from Lewis Smedes. Has anyone ever willingly entered into your life's pain in the way Smedes describes? Have you ever felt God's pull to do so in the life of another? Describe what happens in the heart of a sufferer who is on the recovering end of such mercy.
2. Take a few private moments to be completely vulnerable before God. What about this chapter seems most threatening to you or your current lifestyle?
3. Consider these words: shocked, angry, frustrated, guilty, troubled, wrestling, resistant, stirred, hopeful, inspired, called, compelled. Choose the three words that come closest to describing what you are experiencing as you are reading this book. Explain your choices.
4. How has your understanding of HIV/AIDS, world poverty, social injustice, and the experiences of the outcast been affected by Kay's experiences and perspective?
5. Reread each surrender question at the end of chapters 1 through 8. Identify which have been the easiest
Chapter 7
Let's be present in everything that we do. It is really easy for me to rush through the day always thinking of the next thing, but God puts us in each situation for His purposes. I don't think that we can fully reach His purposes if we are not really present in each moment of our days.
"So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
1. In this chapter Kay describes a transformation in her understanding of the essence of compassionate service. Contrast her understanding at the beginning of the chapter with her understanding at the end.
2. Discuss the various levels of impact we can have on those in need:
- providing physical labor
- speaking words of truth
- simply being compassionately present
Do you tend to place a higher value on one over the others? Why or why not?
3. How might the thought of being a container of God influence your impression of what you have to offer to a hurting world?
4. Why did many of the residents of the leprosarium in the Philippines who were already cured of leprosy remain there? Compare their experiences with that of people who bear the "scars" of broken lives as they consider visiting or joining a church.
5. Name specific improvements a local congregation can implement to become a place of greater welcome and safety for those who bear the scars of brokennes.
6. Kay writes, "To make a difference, you don't have to have a grand strategy for eliminating poverty, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, greed, or suffering." What is needed? How does this realization affect your willingness to personally engage with a hurting world?
"So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
1. In this chapter Kay describes a transformation in her understanding of the essence of compassionate service. Contrast her understanding at the beginning of the chapter with her understanding at the end.
2. Discuss the various levels of impact we can have on those in need:
- providing physical labor
- speaking words of truth
- simply being compassionately present
Do you tend to place a higher value on one over the others? Why or why not?
3. How might the thought of being a container of God influence your impression of what you have to offer to a hurting world?
4. Why did many of the residents of the leprosarium in the Philippines who were already cured of leprosy remain there? Compare their experiences with that of people who bear the "scars" of broken lives as they consider visiting or joining a church.
5. Name specific improvements a local congregation can implement to become a place of greater welcome and safety for those who bear the scars of brokennes.
6. Kay writes, "To make a difference, you don't have to have a grand strategy for eliminating poverty, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, greed, or suffering." What is needed? How does this realization affect your willingness to personally engage with a hurting world?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Chapter Six
Forgiveness Mercy Healing Grace
Acceptance Second Chances New Beginnings
Connection Compassionate Redemption Authentic Vulnerable
"The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost." 1 Timothy 1:15
"...bridges are built between two who really aren't much different after all. Suddenly, we both know why we need a Savior." Kay Warren
"Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!" Psalm 103:1
vs 2 "...and forget not [one of] all His benefits"
vs 3 "Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,"
vs 4 "Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption. Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;"
vs 5 "Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!"
vs 6 "The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed."
We feel like if we don't judge people they might get away with something (or thing that we approve of it) but we don't have to judge people (better yet we're not even supposed to). We are supposed to love people!!! It goes back to trusting God with what He says. we have to trust Him for justice and mercy. After all - if we are the ones being judged then we want Him to be merciful, right? His mercy is for everyone!
It doesn't matter how close we are to righteous, we just aren't with Him (Romans 3:23). Our good intentions don't solve the problem (Romans 7:21). But...
"I love you, ____. I know it all, and I still love you."
Discussion Questions
1. What does Kay mean by the phrase "the mirror doesn't lie"? Were you taken aback by the shift from righteous indignation to the dramatic statement "The harsh reality is that give the right circumstance, any one of us is capable of any deed"?
2. Read the quote from Henri Nouwen that follows the phrase. Do you find yourself agreeing with or resisting his premise?
3. Consider Kay's metaphor of Carlsbad Caverns. Take a few minutes to privately consider the very worst of yourself buried deep withing your own subterranean caves. Are you afraid that God is shocked and repulsed by what he finds there? Are you prepared to invite God to flood your deepest crevices?
4. Kay identifies a truth that "changes everything." In what way does this truth change you?
5. How would you summarize this chapter's connection between understanding our own depravity and our personal involvement in ministering to the needs of others?
6. As you review this challenging chapter, look for all the good news, naming every positive truth you find encouraging. How does this final exercise affect your response to this chapter?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Chapter Five
Are we disturbed yet? Just to be really honest, I have been growing increasingly disturbed over the last year or so and I am so glad to see that I am not the only one. I feel very uncomfortable with sitting in my own little pretty, safe world while others go through such horrific events. We have been on vacation this week and I have felt so uncomfortable with the idea of the frivolity when there is so much more to be done. But at the same time I am searching for the path that God has for me in all of this. I want to go there, I just don't know where there is. I guess we have to just keep seeking - " Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!" Matthew 7:7-11
I agree with Kay - I am tired of changing the channel - I want to do something about it. I want to be the love of Christ to not only those that are hurting, but to those that hurt as well. Like I tell Kennedy all the time, How are "bad" people going to know how to be good if we don't tell them how to meet Jesus?
Do not let yourselves be overcome with evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. Romans 12:21
Chapeter Five Discussion
1. Click. Do you identify with Kay's desire to change the channel to avoid exposure to the evil in our world? With what emotions and thoughts did you struggle as you read this chapter?
2. Kay writes,"What could I do against such despicable evil? I was just an ordinary woman." Yet she did choose to personally engage in the battle. What moved her from her state of helplessness to her proactive response of becoming involved?
3. What weapons has God provided for our battle against evil? Choose one in which you find the most encouragement, and explain why.
4. Kay describes what God does not want us to do in the face of evil. Identify the undesireable response into which you are most prone to slip. What could strengthen your resolve to avoid that response?
5. How has this chapter made you uncomfortable or challenged your thinking? Select one uncomfortable thought from this chapter that you will use to engage in a meaningful conversation this week.
I agree with Kay - I am tired of changing the channel - I want to do something about it. I want to be the love of Christ to not only those that are hurting, but to those that hurt as well. Like I tell Kennedy all the time, How are "bad" people going to know how to be good if we don't tell them how to meet Jesus?
Do not let yourselves be overcome with evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. Romans 12:21
Chapeter Five Discussion
1. Click. Do you identify with Kay's desire to change the channel to avoid exposure to the evil in our world? With what emotions and thoughts did you struggle as you read this chapter?
2. Kay writes,"What could I do against such despicable evil? I was just an ordinary woman." Yet she did choose to personally engage in the battle. What moved her from her state of helplessness to her proactive response of becoming involved?
3. What weapons has God provided for our battle against evil? Choose one in which you find the most encouragement, and explain why.
4. Kay describes what God does not want us to do in the face of evil. Identify the undesireable response into which you are most prone to slip. What could strengthen your resolve to avoid that response?
5. How has this chapter made you uncomfortable or challenged your thinking? Select one uncomfortable thought from this chapter that you will use to engage in a meaningful conversation this week.
Chapter 4
What peace (that passes understanding - Philippians 4:6-8) comes from truly, deeply, deep-down-to-the-core knowing and beleiving and living Psalm 118:1.
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Philippians 4:6-8 AMP
because...
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Psalm 118:1
Father God, teach us the truth of Psalm 118:1. You are good. You are good to me. You are good to all of us. Your loving-kindness and mercy are forever! We can trust you. May we live without anxiety because we live in the joy that overflows from Your presence.
Discussion Questions (Just make a comment on this post for discussion:>)
1. Consider a detour in your own life - a time when you suddenly found yourself facing an unwelcome change in direction. At the time, how did it affect your understanding of and relationship to God?
2. Kay identifies two choices in the face of crisis: pull away from or turn toward God. Apply these two options to the scenario in question 1 above. Imagine the actions and results involved in pulling away from God. Imagine the actions and results involved in running toward Him. Discuss what you discover during this exercise.
3. "What is God's explanation for this broken system?" Kay cried out to her friend Elizabeth. Yet she concludes in this chapter that God is absolutely worthy of our trust. In your own words, explain how Kay bridges the gap between these two seemingly opposite perspectives. What is the condition of your own "bridge" between the reality of suffering and the trustworthiness of God?
4. Contemplate your willingness to lash yourself to the mast, as Kay describes it. What cost would you pay for doing so? What is the cost if you do not do so?
5. Read Job 23:8-10, then reread verse 9 aloud. Note the phrase "when he is at work." Picture your greatest suffering or fears as north, east, south, and west, then read the paragraph surrounding Kay's motto, "Control the controllables and leave the uncontrollables to God." What would you need to surrender to join Kay in her refrain?
6. Kay describes an epiphany in the bamboo hut with the suffering Cambodian woman. How did this epiphany transform her ministry?
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Philippians 4:6-8 AMP
because...
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Psalm 118:1
Father God, teach us the truth of Psalm 118:1. You are good. You are good to me. You are good to all of us. Your loving-kindness and mercy are forever! We can trust you. May we live without anxiety because we live in the joy that overflows from Your presence.
Discussion Questions (Just make a comment on this post for discussion:>)
1. Consider a detour in your own life - a time when you suddenly found yourself facing an unwelcome change in direction. At the time, how did it affect your understanding of and relationship to God?
2. Kay identifies two choices in the face of crisis: pull away from or turn toward God. Apply these two options to the scenario in question 1 above. Imagine the actions and results involved in pulling away from God. Imagine the actions and results involved in running toward Him. Discuss what you discover during this exercise.
3. "What is God's explanation for this broken system?" Kay cried out to her friend Elizabeth. Yet she concludes in this chapter that God is absolutely worthy of our trust. In your own words, explain how Kay bridges the gap between these two seemingly opposite perspectives. What is the condition of your own "bridge" between the reality of suffering and the trustworthiness of God?
4. Contemplate your willingness to lash yourself to the mast, as Kay describes it. What cost would you pay for doing so? What is the cost if you do not do so?
5. Read Job 23:8-10, then reread verse 9 aloud. Note the phrase "when he is at work." Picture your greatest suffering or fears as north, east, south, and west, then read the paragraph surrounding Kay's motto, "Control the controllables and leave the uncontrollables to God." What would you need to surrender to join Kay in her refrain?
6. Kay describes an epiphany in the bamboo hut with the suffering Cambodian woman. How did this epiphany transform her ministry?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I am soooo sorry!!!
I am so sorry that I haven't posted chapter 4 (from last week) or chapter 5 yet. I will get them posted this week!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Rondean
Hi...my name is Rondean!!! I love to entertain, do craft for the home and kids, and do outdoor activities witht he family. I have a family of 4, Terry (husband), Gracie-6 yrs, Avery-7 yrs (son). I enjoy learning more abouHi...my name is Rondean!!! I love to entertain, do craft for the home and kids, and do outdoor activities witht he family. I have a family of 4, Terry (husband), Gracie-6 yrs, Avery-7 yrs (son). I enjoy learning more about God's word by conversations with others and reading. I have started the book only - Chapter 1 and can already ses that it is going to be a learning lesson.t God's word by conversations with others and reading. I have started the book only - Chapter 1 and can already ses that it is going to be a learning lesson.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hi this is Kathy,
What can I say about myself??? I am really not good at this part. I am a mother of 2, Ben(11) and Ashlyn (5). I love to cook and be outdoors. But....not at the same time. I am a horrible griller and can make some horrible hockey puck hamburgers. I have started the book and I am really liking it. I think this will be fun!
Thanks gals forgetting it set up,
Kathy
What can I say about myself??? I am really not good at this part. I am a mother of 2, Ben(11) and Ashlyn (5). I love to cook and be outdoors. But....not at the same time. I am a horrible griller and can make some horrible hockey puck hamburgers. I have started the book and I am really liking it. I think this will be fun!
Thanks gals forgetting it set up,
Kathy
Introductions
Yeah Rondean!!! Rondean set up this great blog for us to discuss on instead of doing lots of emails!!! I am still figuring out how to work it and I plan to seout chapter 4 tomorrow, but for now let's start introducing ourselves! Just make a comment on this post and tell us who you are a little about yourself!
Monday, July 14, 2008
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