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.
Friday, July 25, 2008
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
