Have you ever been to a conference or a church service and you feel like the speaker has prepared what they are saying because they know what is going on in your life and it's meant for you? That's what happened this weekend.
Beth started off by referring to Matthew 20 when the 2 blind men are crying out to Jesus "Son of David, have mercy on me!" and Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" (see blog from 2/29 for the irony in this). Then she had us all write down in our listening guides what we want Jesus to do for us during the conference. I wrote something like: Jesus I need vision for my life. I need to know what you want me to do.
Unbeknownst (that is a real word isn't is?) to me the entire weekend was focused on the passage Philippians 3 and taking hold of the things we've been set apart for.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
She gave us a timeline starting with birth with a straight line until salvation. Then a dotted line on an upward slant with the end being death. She said that each dash on the line represents something we've been set apart for since birth, a part of our destiny. And the space between the dashes are times when we receive the next revelation, encounters with Jesus that alter the direction of our lives. (I can see this so clearly in my life...9:30, challenge leadership, teaching, being single, summer intern in California, Romania, coming home from Romania; almost all of them came with a clear revelation from God, and I'm sure other things have too). It was so encouraging to see that revelation is scriptural because that's what I've been needing!
There was so much truth packed in to this weekend (the image that keeps coming to my mind is a really big burrito) that I can't even begin to explain it all. If you know Beth Moore, you know she explained some if it according to the Greek. She talked about the obstacles we have to push through to in order to take hold of what Christ has for us. Her last session was about what it will be like when we do cross the finish line. Fullness of joy.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
beth moore
first of all, i'd just like to say that beth moore has a blog (now listed under my friends section). even though we've never met, i feel like we're very dear friends.
if you're ever near (meaning within a day's drive) where beth is speaking...go. she said at one point, "this is my idea of fun girls!" and it was fun. over 14000 women and a few men filled the jacksonville arena and worshipped Jesus and received a fresh word from Philippians 3. ahhhhh, spiritual refreshment and challenging truth all wrapped up.
i'm still processing. perhaps more to come in a future blog.
if you're ever near (meaning within a day's drive) where beth is speaking...go. she said at one point, "this is my idea of fun girls!" and it was fun. over 14000 women and a few men filled the jacksonville arena and worshipped Jesus and received a fresh word from Philippians 3. ahhhhh, spiritual refreshment and challenging truth all wrapped up.
i'm still processing. perhaps more to come in a future blog.
Monday, March 24, 2008
truth time
i realize that some of my blogging is not exciting, but i just feel this urgency to share truth when i learn something new. i guess this time it isn't something new, but when things are compiled into a list it makes it so much easier to understand.
so i'm meeting with the pastor's wife weekly (her name is Deborah, so in all other writings when i refer to Deborah, it's her). all of the ladies being discipled are going through this book called "Milk for New Christians." i admit, when they handed me this book I prayed, "Lord, make me humble." it would have been easy to cop an attitude saying, "i'm too good for this, i've been a christian for 10 years." but i have been pleasantly surprised and thankful that i am learning things. i do well with outlines. last week we were studying about the importance of God's word. like i said, i think i knew all these truths, but it was encouraging to see it all in one place.
seven results of studying the Word of God
keeps me from sin-psalm 119:11
builds me up-acts 20:32
live and not be ashamed-psalm 119:116
know the truth-pslam 119:160
know where i'm going-psalm 119:105
have understanding-psalm 119:99
know right from wrong-hebrews 5:14
if you're feeling low on faith, read God's word (romans 10:17)
if you're in bondage, read God's word (john 8:32)
the Word is Jesus Himself, how can we know Him and love Him if we're not reading His word?
challenge: i think if you read psalm 119, you'll discover even more results of studying God's word.
so i'm meeting with the pastor's wife weekly (her name is Deborah, so in all other writings when i refer to Deborah, it's her). all of the ladies being discipled are going through this book called "Milk for New Christians." i admit, when they handed me this book I prayed, "Lord, make me humble." it would have been easy to cop an attitude saying, "i'm too good for this, i've been a christian for 10 years." but i have been pleasantly surprised and thankful that i am learning things. i do well with outlines. last week we were studying about the importance of God's word. like i said, i think i knew all these truths, but it was encouraging to see it all in one place.
seven results of studying the Word of God
keeps me from sin-psalm 119:11
builds me up-acts 20:32
live and not be ashamed-psalm 119:116
know the truth-pslam 119:160
know where i'm going-psalm 119:105
have understanding-psalm 119:99
know right from wrong-hebrews 5:14
if you're feeling low on faith, read God's word (romans 10:17)
if you're in bondage, read God's word (john 8:32)
the Word is Jesus Himself, how can we know Him and love Him if we're not reading His word?
challenge: i think if you read psalm 119, you'll discover even more results of studying God's word.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
throw off everything that hinders
i had a thought a few nights ago and God confirmed it this morning during beth moore bible study.
"i am SO glad i do not have to carry the burden of providing and making decisions for my life."
when i had this thought, i was actually a little shocked. this is a new belief in my life and i didn't know that it had taken hold. as a single woman, for so long i've envied my married girlfriends for several reasons, one of them being that the husband is provider and ultimately responsible for the direction of the family. (though i know some of you out there do your best to get your opinions heard by your significant others).
but i am becoming more and more confident these days that Jesus is my Provider and the Leader of my life. i've seen proof of provision, so that's not a big issue for me right now. however, knowing what to do/what job to look for/whether to go to school/etc has obviously been a concern. but that's not a burden i'm supposed to carry. perhaps i'm too laid back in the jobhunt/making decisions, but i don't think so. i am convinced that God is going to tell me what to do. even if it is just one step at a time, i just know He's in charge of the future and He's going to let me know what i need to know, when i need to know it. He is in control of my life; it's by His grace that i take my next breath and next step; He is my load-bearer, my burden-carrier.
to carry this worry would hold me back. it would keep me from running to win the race. i keep thinking of the tv show "the amazing race": if i remember correctly, every time they had to race to the finish line, they put their packs down and ran with all their might. it's really hard to run with a backpack on...and you look pretty stupid trying to do it too.
i'm not saying we're supposed to just sit around until He tells us to get up. it's a race! we're running. but we've got to be actively seeking, keeping our eyes and ears and hearts open.
i know that not worrying is something Jesus has been trying to teach me for a long time. i hope i get it this time around.
"i am SO glad i do not have to carry the burden of providing and making decisions for my life."
when i had this thought, i was actually a little shocked. this is a new belief in my life and i didn't know that it had taken hold. as a single woman, for so long i've envied my married girlfriends for several reasons, one of them being that the husband is provider and ultimately responsible for the direction of the family. (though i know some of you out there do your best to get your opinions heard by your significant others).
but i am becoming more and more confident these days that Jesus is my Provider and the Leader of my life. i've seen proof of provision, so that's not a big issue for me right now. however, knowing what to do/what job to look for/whether to go to school/etc has obviously been a concern. but that's not a burden i'm supposed to carry. perhaps i'm too laid back in the jobhunt/making decisions, but i don't think so. i am convinced that God is going to tell me what to do. even if it is just one step at a time, i just know He's in charge of the future and He's going to let me know what i need to know, when i need to know it. He is in control of my life; it's by His grace that i take my next breath and next step; He is my load-bearer, my burden-carrier.
to carry this worry would hold me back. it would keep me from running to win the race. i keep thinking of the tv show "the amazing race": if i remember correctly, every time they had to race to the finish line, they put their packs down and ran with all their might. it's really hard to run with a backpack on...and you look pretty stupid trying to do it too.
i'm not saying we're supposed to just sit around until He tells us to get up. it's a race! we're running. but we've got to be actively seeking, keeping our eyes and ears and hearts open.
i know that not worrying is something Jesus has been trying to teach me for a long time. i hope i get it this time around.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
WOOHOO!
Today I'm excited for 2 reasons~
1. God answers prayer. I have been missing my friend Jill and trying to find her so we could reconnect. She's just one of those heart friends and we lost touch after I moved to Romania and she got married. So last night I just prayed that God would help us to reconnect if it was His desire and I emailed her old yahoo address. And today she wrote back. YEA!
2. two words: peanutbutter pie
I went out to lunch with my mom, her best friend and her sister and mom. We were going for the pie folks, and were planning on being there right when they started serving lunch and pie, so that they wouldn't run out. We had to make a detour because the president came to Jacksonville today, but we finally made it and oh was it worth it. If you come visit me I will introduce you to the pie. It just takes 30 minutes to get there, an hour if the president is in town.
1. God answers prayer. I have been missing my friend Jill and trying to find her so we could reconnect. She's just one of those heart friends and we lost touch after I moved to Romania and she got married. So last night I just prayed that God would help us to reconnect if it was His desire and I emailed her old yahoo address. And today she wrote back. YEA!
2. two words: peanutbutter pie
I went out to lunch with my mom, her best friend and her sister and mom. We were going for the pie folks, and were planning on being there right when they started serving lunch and pie, so that they wouldn't run out. We had to make a detour because the president came to Jacksonville today, but we finally made it and oh was it worth it. If you come visit me I will introduce you to the pie. It just takes 30 minutes to get there, an hour if the president is in town.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
joining the church
This is what I found the other day just in case anyone was wondering. I don't remember reading this when I read Spiritual Disciplines back in the day, but finding it online worked for me.
http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/whyjoin.html
I did join the church I've been attending for about a month this morning. It's called Turning Point at Calvary. So far I just love the people, and it seems that they are loving God and making disciples.
Something that I find...weird about myself: I always expect to feel "moved by the Holy Spirit" or confirmation to know that God is talking to me about something, through scripture or whatever means He desires. But there are some things we just have to do, and we shouldn't need a conviction or a kick to the rear. This morning I just kept waiting for God to say something...and He didn't. I had been praying for weeks about joining this church; I've been participating in some of their ministries since day 1; the pastor even preached about the vision of the church today (see footnote about the irony in my life). I guess I'm just now processing...God can speak through our emotions, but He didn't with me today, or these past weeks. It was a step of faith to join...to say I'm planting my life here...minister to my needs and I'll minister to yours as well.
Footnote:
I know some of you have heard me say, "I don't want to be a part of a church that's building. I want to be at one with its priorities straight." Amazingly/ironicly that's exactly where God has placed me, in a church that's building and has its priorities straight.
http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/whyjoin.html
I did join the church I've been attending for about a month this morning. It's called Turning Point at Calvary. So far I just love the people, and it seems that they are loving God and making disciples.
Something that I find...weird about myself: I always expect to feel "moved by the Holy Spirit" or confirmation to know that God is talking to me about something, through scripture or whatever means He desires. But there are some things we just have to do, and we shouldn't need a conviction or a kick to the rear. This morning I just kept waiting for God to say something...and He didn't. I had been praying for weeks about joining this church; I've been participating in some of their ministries since day 1; the pastor even preached about the vision of the church today (see footnote about the irony in my life). I guess I'm just now processing...God can speak through our emotions, but He didn't with me today, or these past weeks. It was a step of faith to join...to say I'm planting my life here...minister to my needs and I'll minister to yours as well.
Footnote:
I know some of you have heard me say, "I don't want to be a part of a church that's building. I want to be at one with its priorities straight." Amazingly/ironicly that's exactly where God has placed me, in a church that's building and has its priorities straight.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
step 1
had a little breakthrough yesterday related to the whole i-haven't-had-a-calling-so-does-that-mean-i'm-not-called?
2 corinthians 5:14-15 "for Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
all i know is that Christ's love compels me...it makes me want to DO something...to make disciples, to speak truth, to encourage, to have deep relationships, to love deeply, to live for Him.
not really sure what that means, but it's a step. and that's all i asked God for was a step at a time.
2 corinthians 5:14-15 "for Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
all i know is that Christ's love compels me...it makes me want to DO something...to make disciples, to speak truth, to encourage, to have deep relationships, to love deeply, to live for Him.
not really sure what that means, but it's a step. and that's all i asked God for was a step at a time.
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