“Nothing that Satan can do to you should cause you to fear.”
I read this in my devotional book this morning. R-i-g-h-t…
Fear. Most of us believe, I think, that we are not afraid of too much. We don’t walk through our days living in “fear.” But, what about anxiety. There is a lot of anxiety out there these days with the economy so terrible, massive unemployment, credit card debt, foreclosures, lost retirement savings, etc. Then there’s the war in Afghanistan. The constant threat of terrorism.
Paul said to Timothy that God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power. Jesus chose the twelve disciples the Father had given Him and then jealously guarded them from the evil one. So, if this is true, then everything that happens to you, as in the disciples’ case, is first sifted through the Messiah. The King of kings, Lord of lords. So, if THAT is true, why are Christians living fearful, anxiety-filled lives? What does that say about you? Me?
Regardless of what you say and testify to…an anxiety-filled life proves your lack of confidence in God’s protection. I have a plate in my bookcase at work that says, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” I have been burdened lately by my own anxiety, and I see so many of my Christian friends suffering through various degrees of anxiety. But, we of all people, children of God, should be living our lives with confidence that the Christ is continually engaged in our daily challenges and constantly interceding with the Father on our behalf. Where is our joy in that?
Anxiety is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. Unbelievers see our anxiety-filled lives and wonder what makes us so different from them? They don’t see how Christ living in us is making any kind of difference in how we approach life and its struggles…soooooo….I’m sure they’re thinking…what’s the point?
And, I think The Potter continually molds and shapes and bends us by giving us the opportunity, sometimes on a daily basis, to choose to live joyfully, worshipfully, and in thanksgiving…no matter what Satan and this broken world throws at us.
So I challenge you today to “learn to dance in the rain.”
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
"Good Morning. This is God..."
"...I will be handling all your problems today."
This plaque is sitting on my desk right in front of me. I read it this morning and thought...ya, okay...what the heck are You up to?!
Nothing is making sense these days with business being so slow and the bills continuing to pile up. Everyone is hurting because of the economy, but I continue to hold fast to God's promises that He will provide. But, the provision is slow in coming (in my opinion). We're having to take a serious look at how we will proceed and are talking to some smart people about our future plans.
In Jeremiah 29 God says, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I have the word "plans" circled and written next to it "we must have faith in the plan we don't yet know about."
Oh brother. That's so true. Because nothing is making sense in the here and now...so whatever You're doing God, I trust You...I just refuse to believe You have abandoned us and our partners. I look forward to the day when we all can look back reflecting how Your Divine Provision!!!!
This plaque is sitting on my desk right in front of me. I read it this morning and thought...ya, okay...what the heck are You up to?!
Nothing is making sense these days with business being so slow and the bills continuing to pile up. Everyone is hurting because of the economy, but I continue to hold fast to God's promises that He will provide. But, the provision is slow in coming (in my opinion). We're having to take a serious look at how we will proceed and are talking to some smart people about our future plans.
In Jeremiah 29 God says, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I have the word "plans" circled and written next to it "we must have faith in the plan we don't yet know about."
Oh brother. That's so true. Because nothing is making sense in the here and now...so whatever You're doing God, I trust You...I just refuse to believe You have abandoned us and our partners. I look forward to the day when we all can look back reflecting how Your Divine Provision!!!!
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
How Long Will You Forget Me?
HOW LONG will You forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? I can't seem to be comforted. All night my hand is stretched out in prayer without slacking up. I earnestly remember God; I am disquieted and I groan; I muse in prayer, and my spirit faints and is overwhelmed. I remember the days of old, the bygone years of prosperity.
My heart does not turned away, neither have my steps declined from Your path, though You have distressingly broken me in the place of jackals and covered me with deep darkness. If I have forgotten Your name, stretched out my hands to a strange god, would You not discover this? For You know the secrets of my heart.
Hello? Why do You sleep, O Lord? Wake up! Don't cast me off forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget my affliction and my oppression? For my life is bowed down to the dust; I feel like my body cleaves to the ground.
Rise up! Help me! Deliver me for Your mercy's sake and because of Your steadfast love! I cleave and hang on to Your testimonies that were written on my heart from days gone by. I will earnestly recall Your deeds and remember the wonders You performed in my life. Lord, don't put me to shame!
My heart does not turned away, neither have my steps declined from Your path, though You have distressingly broken me in the place of jackals and covered me with deep darkness. If I have forgotten Your name, stretched out my hands to a strange god, would You not discover this? For You know the secrets of my heart.
Hello? Why do You sleep, O Lord? Wake up! Don't cast me off forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget my affliction and my oppression? For my life is bowed down to the dust; I feel like my body cleaves to the ground.
Rise up! Help me! Deliver me for Your mercy's sake and because of Your steadfast love! I cleave and hang on to Your testimonies that were written on my heart from days gone by. I will earnestly recall Your deeds and remember the wonders You performed in my life. Lord, don't put me to shame!
Psalm 13:1-2a , Psalm 44:9-26, Psalm 77:1-15, Psalm 119:31
Monday, November 01, 2010
G3 Summit 2011
This year's God, Girlfriends & Grace Summit was so ... well, I can't even think of the appropriate adjectives to describe the weekend! The previous four Summits have been wonderful in being exactly what was needed with the Holy Spirit's presence ministering in His perfect way to those that attended.
But this year's Summit took us to new heights of spiritual awareness and learning, unexpected to the point of awe. Our structure of this Summit was a lot more loose, more time to rest and meditate and blocks of time to study the Word.
In fact, this year's Summit was so spectacular, next year we are adding a day (Friday) to the weekend because several women expressed a strong desire to have more time for study and meditation. It is indeed challenging to combat rush hour getting out of Dallas late Friday afternoon. Many have said they struggle to decompress from the hectic week taking until Saturday to really relax and turn to focus specifically on Spiritual things.
I totally agree. This year for me was especially hard physically, mentally and spiritually...I really needed one more day to find the rejuvenation I was looking for in all those areas of my life. Therefore, our dates for 2011 are:
But this year's Summit took us to new heights of spiritual awareness and learning, unexpected to the point of awe. Our structure of this Summit was a lot more loose, more time to rest and meditate and blocks of time to study the Word.
In fact, this year's Summit was so spectacular, next year we are adding a day (Friday) to the weekend because several women expressed a strong desire to have more time for study and meditation. It is indeed challenging to combat rush hour getting out of Dallas late Friday afternoon. Many have said they struggle to decompress from the hectic week taking until Saturday to really relax and turn to focus specifically on Spiritual things.
I totally agree. This year for me was especially hard physically, mentally and spiritually...I really needed one more day to find the rejuvenation I was looking for in all those areas of my life. Therefore, our dates for 2011 are:
Thursday - Sunday
November 3-6, 2011
Check in is Thursday evening starting at 6:00pm. Check out is Sunday 1:00pm
We are blessed, blessed, blessed to have rates again next year that will knock your socks off and make your checkbook smile with joy!
Thursday-Sunday $165
If you choose to arrive on Friday afternoon, the rate is $135
So, for only $30 more you receive an entire extra day to spend focused on the Lord, to sleep, to rest, to walk the wonderful grounds of Hoblitzelle and refresh your mind, body and soul.
If you save $13.75 per month starting now...stash the cash in an envelope marked G3 SUMMIT and by this time next year you'll have your $165!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
G3 SUMMIT
I Samuel 3:17 says, "What is the word that the Lord has said to you?"Come. Away.
This is what we all long for, a word from the Lord. Do you yearn for the gift of dedicated time to focus on Him so that you can hear from Him in a mighty and personal way? Come and seek the Lord and find out what the Lord has for you!
A Secluded Place.
Rest. A While.
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31
God, Girlfriends, Grace (G3 Summit) Weekend
Friday-Sunday, October 22-24
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian
$125/person (includes accommodations, retreat materials & meals – except Saturday lunch)
Last day to register & turn in check: October 18, 9:00am
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31
I recently read a book by Margaret Feinberg entitled, “The Organic God.” In it she writes about this Scripture:
“Within the context of this chapter, Jesus is speaking to the disciples after they learned that their friend John the Baptist had been slaughtered, but within the context of my own life, it’s as if Jesus is issuing a personally engraved invitation to me.”
Come. Away. A Secluded Place. Rest. A While.
What a challenge this was for me. Feinberg made me stop, look at each word and see the individual meaning in each word. I felt the Holy Spirit calling me, as Feinberg put it, “ to leave my frantic busyness and move toward a deeper relationship with God.”
It sure is a challenge to slow down and take some much needed alone time. She reminds you and I to “close our eyes to the immediate demands of life in order to get a better view of the eternal. “
This, simply put, is what the G3 Summit is all about. This year in particular the schedule for the weekend is more loose, more unstructured, to allow you a lot more individual alone time to sleep, to be quiet, to study the Word at your own pace, to spend time with God. I agree with Feinberg that “though the invitation in Mark 6:31 doesn’t say how long to stay, I know from experience that resting will be well worth my while.”
Come. Away. A Secluded Place. Rest. A While.
______________________________________________________________
God, Girlfriends, Grace (G3 Summit) Weekend
Friday-Sunday, October 22-24
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian
$125/person (includes accommodations, retreat materials & meals – except Saturday lunch)
Last day to register & turn in check: October 18, 9:00am
I recently read a book by Margaret Feinberg entitled, “The Organic God.” In it she writes about this Scripture:
“Within the context of this chapter, Jesus is speaking to the disciples after they learned that their friend John the Baptist had been slaughtered, but within the context of my own life, it’s as if Jesus is issuing a personally engraved invitation to me.”
Come. Away. A Secluded Place. Rest. A While.
What a challenge this was for me. Feinberg made me stop, look at each word and see the individual meaning in each word. I felt the Holy Spirit calling me, as Feinberg put it, “ to leave my frantic busyness and move toward a deeper relationship with God.”
It sure is a challenge to slow down and take some much needed alone time. She reminds you and I to “close our eyes to the immediate demands of life in order to get a better view of the eternal. “
This, simply put, is what the G3 Summit is all about. This year in particular the schedule for the weekend is more loose, more unstructured, to allow you a lot more individual alone time to sleep, to be quiet, to study the Word at your own pace, to spend time with God. I agree with Feinberg that “though the invitation in Mark 6:31 doesn’t say how long to stay, I know from experience that resting will be well worth my while.”
Come. Away. A Secluded Place. Rest. A While.
______________________________________________________________
God, Girlfriends, Grace (G3 Summit) Weekend
Friday-Sunday, October 22-24
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian
$125/person (includes accommodations, retreat materials & meals – except Saturday lunch)
Last day to register & turn in check: October 18, 9:00am
Monday, September 27, 2010
Are You Abiding?
In our zeal to produce “results” for our Lord, we sometimes become so intent on fruit production that we neglect abiding in Christ. We may feel that “abiding” is not as productive or that it takes too much time away from our fruit production. Yet Jesus said that it is not our activity that produces fruit, it is our relationship with Him.
One of the most dramatic acts Jesus ever performed was cursing a fig tree that had failed to produce fruit. (Mark 11:14)
Are you comfortable in abiding? Remain steadfast in relationship with Jesus and a harvest will be the natural by-product.
John 15
excerpt from "Experiencing God Day by Day"
Henry & Richard Blackaby
One of the most dramatic acts Jesus ever performed was cursing a fig tree that had failed to produce fruit. (Mark 11:14)
Are you comfortable in abiding? Remain steadfast in relationship with Jesus and a harvest will be the natural by-product.
John 15
excerpt from "Experiencing God Day by Day"
Henry & Richard Blackaby
Thursday, September 02, 2010
God, Girlfriends & Grace
2010 SUMMIT
October 22-24
Camp Hoblitzelle
Midlothian, Texas
Our next Summit weekend is this October! It is just around the corner and we hope you are making plans to attend. This year's weekend retreat will be all about rest, rest, rest.
We are changing our format this year and providing you with more time to rest your mind, body and spirit. A freer schedule with less structure will give you the power to create how your personal retreat will unfold.
The Hacienda is our wonderful oasis again this year at Camp Hoblitzelle.
Cost for the weekend is $125.
This includes all meals, accommodations, and retreat materials starting Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Not included is the cost of lunch on Saturday at the Dove's Nest in Waxahachie.
$125 is due by October 15. If you wish, you may do two payments, one in September and the balance by October 15.
Please make plans to attend and give yourself the gift of spiritual and physical rest.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Truth is a Person
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ “ Luke 8:24b-25a
“Truth is a Person, not a concept. Jesus said He was the Truth (John 14:6). That means that you can never know the truth of your circumstances unless you have first heard from Jesus. The disciples thought they were perishing in the storm. They were fishermen who knew the sea and knew what their condition was. They had allowed their circumstances to convince them that the “truth” was their imminent death. But they were wrong. Truth was asleep in the back of their boat!
Since some of the disciples were fishermen, they trusted in their own expertise and wisdom rather than recognizing that only Jesus knew the truth of their situation. At times, our human knowledge in certain areas of life can blind us to our desperate need to hear a word from Truth.
When Jesus spoke, the disciples saw the real truth of their situation. There was absolute calm. The disciples had seen Jesus perform other miracles, but they had not yet witnessed His power over nature in such a dimension. Often we are like the disciples. God may have recently demonstrated His power to us in a mighty way; we may have experienced many spiritual victories in the past. Yet, when a new and frightening situation comes upon us we, too, panic and say, ‘Lord, save me. I’m perishing!’ God will remind us of His provision, saying, ‘I can handle this situation, too, and you will know more of Me because of it.’
Have you become fearful instead of faithful? If you have, prepare for the rebuke, for it will come.”
“Experiencing God Day by Day”
Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
“Truth is a Person, not a concept. Jesus said He was the Truth (John 14:6). That means that you can never know the truth of your circumstances unless you have first heard from Jesus. The disciples thought they were perishing in the storm. They were fishermen who knew the sea and knew what their condition was. They had allowed their circumstances to convince them that the “truth” was their imminent death. But they were wrong. Truth was asleep in the back of their boat!
Since some of the disciples were fishermen, they trusted in their own expertise and wisdom rather than recognizing that only Jesus knew the truth of their situation. At times, our human knowledge in certain areas of life can blind us to our desperate need to hear a word from Truth.
When Jesus spoke, the disciples saw the real truth of their situation. There was absolute calm. The disciples had seen Jesus perform other miracles, but they had not yet witnessed His power over nature in such a dimension. Often we are like the disciples. God may have recently demonstrated His power to us in a mighty way; we may have experienced many spiritual victories in the past. Yet, when a new and frightening situation comes upon us we, too, panic and say, ‘Lord, save me. I’m perishing!’ God will remind us of His provision, saying, ‘I can handle this situation, too, and you will know more of Me because of it.’
Have you become fearful instead of faithful? If you have, prepare for the rebuke, for it will come.”
“Experiencing God Day by Day”
Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Thursday, August 19, 2010
HOLY MACKEREL!!
HUGE revelation this morning! A paradigm shift of the soul in this little office on Mockingbird Lane.
I hope I can articulate it.
Okay, so we all know that throughout our lives God will seek to grow us in our faith. He will continually bring me to times when I must trust Him. Like right now, for instance. When I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out why the first three years of the independent OMM has been what I term "so blessed" with constant work and a cushioned bank account. But not now. I know, I know, the economy, everybody's feeling it...but hear me out. All last year (year three), knowing that our lease would be up, we prayed diligently about whether we should find a cheaper place, stay here with the current space or stay here and expand. We also were presented with a three and five year option. We were clearly directed to stay here, expand and sign a five year lease. $$
Then almost immediately after all was signed, sealed and delivered, work stopped coming in. So we were frustrated and mad even because we weren't understanding why God would direct us down this road, but not provide. Well, I say "not provide" but here we are ¾ of the way through the year, we're still here, still open for business, still able to pay ourselves. But, you get the whole idea of stomach churning worry and sleepless nights. When what's in your face makes you forget what God is doing behind the scenes.
So we've been struggling with "trust" knowing full well that that's the lesson being taught here. It's been a roller coaster ride of emotions all year. Faith pretty solid, feeling stretched and trying hard to be confident in the Lord. Then other times feeling despair, anger, frustration...wondering how long this storm will be upon us and when the lesson is finished. But, regardless of where I am emotionally, whether I'm up or down, I am grumbling all the way as the storm tosses me about.
Every morning I try to read a little devotional book by Henry and Richard Blackaby called "Experiencing God Day by Day." This morning's reading knocked me off my "spiritual" chair. Here's what rocked me:
As I said earlier, God will seek to grow you in your faith.
"He will continually bring you to times when you must trust Him. He will lead you into situations that require a "little" faith, and if you are faithful, He will then take you into situations that require even greater trust in Him. Each time you are able to trust God at a higher level, God will reveal more of Himself to you. Your faith and experiencing God are directly linked.
The best way to tell if you are prepared for a greater revelation of God is to see how faithful you have been with what God has given you. This is a foundational principle in God's relationship with you. If you have been faithful with the little He has given you, you are ready to be entrusted with more. God will not lead you beyond your present level of trust and obedience to Him if you failed to trust God with the little He gave you."
WHOA!!! Wait a minute. So, we're in this present, what I call, "storm" because of how faithful and trusting we've been the last three years?!?! God took such good care of us. When we were badly hurting, feeling abused and abandoned, in our little faith we enjoyed such perfect provision. We were faithful, relying totally on Him, on our knees constantly seeking His face. So now He takes us into this situation (storm) because He feels we are ready to respond with greater faith and trust and the reward is that He will reveal Himself and we will know Him even more intimately.
Are you getting this? As the Apostle Paul says to the Corinthians, "I DELIGHT... in hardships, in difficulties...for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Of course I knew all of this...what's shifted for me is that I should be DELIGHTING in this present state that I am in. D-E-L-I-G-H-T-I-N-G ! ! ! No grumbling, not moping, not depressed. DELIGHTING! For God trusts me. God has proved me faithful. So, He has rewarded me by taking me into a situation that He feels I am ready for. And I have this wonderful opportunity to prove Him right.
I went to a craft show with my Mom last Friday...bought a wooden carved plate that had this saying on it:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." Something about that saying struck home to me...I told my Mom I needed to get that plate because I felt that was a lesson I was learning right now. To not be knocked over by the trials and troubles that come my way...to learn to receive all with grace, peace and faithfulness.
This has been sloshing around in my mind and soul for months now. Why we Christians mope around and get depressed when we face trials and troubles in life. Because that's what I've been doing, and I've felt like I've been dishonoring God. People have asked me throughout this year, "How's business?" And, I've struggled with being faithful to God's provision and testifying to it and yet not feeling overly enthusiastic about our struggles and where we are right now. So, my response often ends up being a wet noodle testimony. Yuck! I'm sure God cringes every time He hears my response.
But, oh boy, not anymore!! Now my response and my life will reflect my DELIGHT in the knowledge that where I am right now, in this "storm"...it's where the Lord wants me to be and believes I'm ready to achieve the next level of faith and trust in Him. And if we are faithful, in return He will reveal Himself to us in even greater ways...WOW, WOW, WOW.
I hope I can articulate it.
Okay, so we all know that throughout our lives God will seek to grow us in our faith. He will continually bring me to times when I must trust Him. Like right now, for instance. When I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out why the first three years of the independent OMM has been what I term "so blessed" with constant work and a cushioned bank account. But not now. I know, I know, the economy, everybody's feeling it...but hear me out. All last year (year three), knowing that our lease would be up, we prayed diligently about whether we should find a cheaper place, stay here with the current space or stay here and expand. We also were presented with a three and five year option. We were clearly directed to stay here, expand and sign a five year lease. $$
Then almost immediately after all was signed, sealed and delivered, work stopped coming in. So we were frustrated and mad even because we weren't understanding why God would direct us down this road, but not provide. Well, I say "not provide" but here we are ¾ of the way through the year, we're still here, still open for business, still able to pay ourselves. But, you get the whole idea of stomach churning worry and sleepless nights. When what's in your face makes you forget what God is doing behind the scenes.
So we've been struggling with "trust" knowing full well that that's the lesson being taught here. It's been a roller coaster ride of emotions all year. Faith pretty solid, feeling stretched and trying hard to be confident in the Lord. Then other times feeling despair, anger, frustration...wondering how long this storm will be upon us and when the lesson is finished. But, regardless of where I am emotionally, whether I'm up or down, I am grumbling all the way as the storm tosses me about.
Every morning I try to read a little devotional book by Henry and Richard Blackaby called "Experiencing God Day by Day." This morning's reading knocked me off my "spiritual" chair. Here's what rocked me:
As I said earlier, God will seek to grow you in your faith.
"He will continually bring you to times when you must trust Him. He will lead you into situations that require a "little" faith, and if you are faithful, He will then take you into situations that require even greater trust in Him. Each time you are able to trust God at a higher level, God will reveal more of Himself to you. Your faith and experiencing God are directly linked.
The best way to tell if you are prepared for a greater revelation of God is to see how faithful you have been with what God has given you. This is a foundational principle in God's relationship with you. If you have been faithful with the little He has given you, you are ready to be entrusted with more. God will not lead you beyond your present level of trust and obedience to Him if you failed to trust God with the little He gave you."
WHOA!!! Wait a minute. So, we're in this present, what I call, "storm" because of how faithful and trusting we've been the last three years?!?! God took such good care of us. When we were badly hurting, feeling abused and abandoned, in our little faith we enjoyed such perfect provision. We were faithful, relying totally on Him, on our knees constantly seeking His face. So now He takes us into this situation (storm) because He feels we are ready to respond with greater faith and trust and the reward is that He will reveal Himself and we will know Him even more intimately.
Are you getting this? As the Apostle Paul says to the Corinthians, "I DELIGHT... in hardships, in difficulties...for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Of course I knew all of this...what's shifted for me is that I should be DELIGHTING in this present state that I am in. D-E-L-I-G-H-T-I-N-G ! ! ! No grumbling, not moping, not depressed. DELIGHTING! For God trusts me. God has proved me faithful. So, He has rewarded me by taking me into a situation that He feels I am ready for. And I have this wonderful opportunity to prove Him right.
I went to a craft show with my Mom last Friday...bought a wooden carved plate that had this saying on it:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." Something about that saying struck home to me...I told my Mom I needed to get that plate because I felt that was a lesson I was learning right now. To not be knocked over by the trials and troubles that come my way...to learn to receive all with grace, peace and faithfulness.
This has been sloshing around in my mind and soul for months now. Why we Christians mope around and get depressed when we face trials and troubles in life. Because that's what I've been doing, and I've felt like I've been dishonoring God. People have asked me throughout this year, "How's business?" And, I've struggled with being faithful to God's provision and testifying to it and yet not feeling overly enthusiastic about our struggles and where we are right now. So, my response often ends up being a wet noodle testimony. Yuck! I'm sure God cringes every time He hears my response.
But, oh boy, not anymore!! Now my response and my life will reflect my DELIGHT in the knowledge that where I am right now, in this "storm"...it's where the Lord wants me to be and believes I'm ready to achieve the next level of faith and trust in Him. And if we are faithful, in return He will reveal Himself to us in even greater ways...WOW, WOW, WOW.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
My Blessing to You Today
May Christ through your faith actually dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it; that you may really come to know practically, through experience for yourselves, the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled through all your being unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Ephesians 3: 17-19
Ephesians 3: 17-19
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Day and Night
This year a group of G3 girlfriends have been meeting once a month on a Saturday afternoon to study God's Word. Jamee has taught us several study principles and techniques along with sharing some great study guide recommendations.
I read a devotional this morning by Henry & Richard Blackaby that talked about how critical meditation is to the Christian life. Psalm 1:2 says, "But her delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law she meditates day and night."
Blackabys state, "Meditation means 'to think deeply and continuously about something.' For a Christian, this means remaining in the presence of God and pondering each truth He reveals about Himself until it becomes real and personal in your life.
This certainly takes time and practice. But, when God's truth is allowed to touch the deepest corner of your soul, the Holy Spirit will transform you into the image of Jesus Christ."
I immediately thought of our monthly Bible study and how we read and study and take notes, but do we really "meditate" on the Word? Do we sit and be still before the Word that we've just studied? I do think about it...but do I meditate on it..."deeply and continuously?"
A challenge for us all.
I read a devotional this morning by Henry & Richard Blackaby that talked about how critical meditation is to the Christian life. Psalm 1:2 says, "But her delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law she meditates day and night."
Blackabys state, "Meditation means 'to think deeply and continuously about something.' For a Christian, this means remaining in the presence of God and pondering each truth He reveals about Himself until it becomes real and personal in your life.
This certainly takes time and practice. But, when God's truth is allowed to touch the deepest corner of your soul, the Holy Spirit will transform you into the image of Jesus Christ."
I immediately thought of our monthly Bible study and how we read and study and take notes, but do we really "meditate" on the Word? Do we sit and be still before the Word that we've just studied? I do think about it...but do I meditate on it..."deeply and continuously?"
A challenge for us all.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
My Temptation
My temptation these days is “trust.” Or, rather…the “lack” of trust. Satan temps me not to trust the Lord. He says to me, “Look at your bank account! Look at your production schedule! Nothing is coming in and everything is going out! You can’t trust Jesus. He’s allowing you to fail.”
Hmmm…interesting that I listen to the Evil One more so to Jesus. It is a real struggle of faith. It is a battle unseen. Paul said, ”For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6:12
Lord help me. I know I walk this path for a reason (probably for many reasons). May I prove worthy. Am I getting stronger? I can’t tell. Am I slow to respond? I just can’t tell. I really do feel like I’m in the middle of a battle and can’t really see if I’m winning. Satan is so intent on keeping Christians “in their place.” In other words, he surely wants to keeps us from getting stronger. I think he thinks that he may have lost the war of our souls, but he’s right in there fighting the battle of spiritual growth and strength. So many Christians “settle.” They get saved, grow spiritually to a certain point, but then stop and rest contented. If there’s one think I’ve learned in traveling the G3 road, it is this. Sooooo many of my girlfriends have chosen to “stop” and not go any further on their spiritual journey. It’s too hard, too painful, too exposing, too whatever…but they just stop. They live their lives stuck in a place where they are just getting by spiritually. They attend church, sing in the choir, teach a Sunday school class…but they don’t KNOW God on an intimate level, they don’t really deeply understand His ways, they don’t trust Him for the important things in life (notice I didn’t say the “big” things in life. Every Christian comes running to God during the “big” events in life…but do they run to Him in the “important” things…the EVERY DAY things?). I guess they think God’s not really interested or involved in the daily, minute-by-minute happenings in our lives…that He sits aloof and doesn’t involve Himself in the minutia of life. Although, I think deep down inside they know that’s not true because they see Christians around them who bear witness that God IS interested in having that kind of relationship with us and testify to that experience. That’s where my friends get stuck. It’s just too hard and too much work to go there.
Well, that’s true. Sometimes it is hard work. It involves commitment and resolve. You get knocked down a lot and you pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Satan will attack, attack, attack. He surely doesn’t want you going down that road! If you get stronger and grow deeper spiritually, you’re more of a threat to him.
But, don’t be discouraged my dear ones. The rewards are endless, eternal and are given NOW in this world to equip, strengthen and give peace!
I speak more to myself here than anyone else. I needed to a good talkin’ to. :+) I have been reminded that no matter what…no matter what…no matter what…
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Therefore, I will sing:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
“Blessed be Your Name”
Matt Redman
Hmmm…interesting that I listen to the Evil One more so to Jesus. It is a real struggle of faith. It is a battle unseen. Paul said, ”For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6:12
Lord help me. I know I walk this path for a reason (probably for many reasons). May I prove worthy. Am I getting stronger? I can’t tell. Am I slow to respond? I just can’t tell. I really do feel like I’m in the middle of a battle and can’t really see if I’m winning. Satan is so intent on keeping Christians “in their place.” In other words, he surely wants to keeps us from getting stronger. I think he thinks that he may have lost the war of our souls, but he’s right in there fighting the battle of spiritual growth and strength. So many Christians “settle.” They get saved, grow spiritually to a certain point, but then stop and rest contented. If there’s one think I’ve learned in traveling the G3 road, it is this. Sooooo many of my girlfriends have chosen to “stop” and not go any further on their spiritual journey. It’s too hard, too painful, too exposing, too whatever…but they just stop. They live their lives stuck in a place where they are just getting by spiritually. They attend church, sing in the choir, teach a Sunday school class…but they don’t KNOW God on an intimate level, they don’t really deeply understand His ways, they don’t trust Him for the important things in life (notice I didn’t say the “big” things in life. Every Christian comes running to God during the “big” events in life…but do they run to Him in the “important” things…the EVERY DAY things?). I guess they think God’s not really interested or involved in the daily, minute-by-minute happenings in our lives…that He sits aloof and doesn’t involve Himself in the minutia of life. Although, I think deep down inside they know that’s not true because they see Christians around them who bear witness that God IS interested in having that kind of relationship with us and testify to that experience. That’s where my friends get stuck. It’s just too hard and too much work to go there.
Well, that’s true. Sometimes it is hard work. It involves commitment and resolve. You get knocked down a lot and you pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Satan will attack, attack, attack. He surely doesn’t want you going down that road! If you get stronger and grow deeper spiritually, you’re more of a threat to him.
But, don’t be discouraged my dear ones. The rewards are endless, eternal and are given NOW in this world to equip, strengthen and give peace!
I speak more to myself here than anyone else. I needed to a good talkin’ to. :+) I have been reminded that no matter what…no matter what…no matter what…
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Therefore, I will sing:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
“Blessed be Your Name”
Matt Redman
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
God's Provision Brings Glory
"Did you know that you bring glory to God by calling upon Him when you are in distress? God promised He would deliver you if you turned to Him. you deny the Lord honor that is rightfully His every time you find yourself in difficulty and you fail to call upon Him for help!"Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
Psalm 50:15
There may be times when God allows you to reach a point of need so that you can call upon Him, and thus let Him demonstrate to a watching world the difference He makes in the lives of His children. If God never allowed you to experience need, people around you might never have the opportunity to witness God's provision in the life of a Christian. If you never faced a shortfall, you might be tempted to feel self-sufficient and without any need of God in your daily life.
Pride will tempt you to think that you do not need to seek God's assistance. Self-regard will seek to convince you that you can handle your dilemma through your own wisdom, resources, and hard work. Pride will also rob glory from God and seek to give it to you. Don't allow your pride to take what rightfully belongs to the Lord. Call upon your Lord and wait exclusively upon Him to rescue you. Then give Him the glory that He deserves.
Self-sufficiency can greatly hinder your ability to experience God and bring Him honor. The next time you are in distress, turn to Him!"
"Experiencing God Day by Day"
Henry T. Blackaby
Richard Blackaby
Friday, June 11, 2010
My Way or the Highway!
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9"Rarely does God do something exactly as we think He will. Moses experienced this as he learned how God was going to deliver the Hebrews out of Egypt. God told him He would harden Pharaoh's heart. Yet, the result was not what Moses anticipated. Rather than allowing the Hebrews to leave, Pharaoh increased their hardship. Rather than becoming a hero among the Hebrews, Moses was despised by them for bringing greater suffering. Moses returned to the Lord and asked, 'Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?' (Exodus 5:22).
Much of the frustration we experience as Christians has nothing to do with what God does or doesn't do. It has everything to do, rather, with the false assumptions we make about how we think God will and should act.
Have you ever done the will of God and then things seemed to become worse? Moses completely misunderstood what the results of his obedience to God would be. When things did not turn out as he anticipated, Moses became discouraged. God had told Moses what to do, but He had not told Moses what the consequences would be. It is foolish to attempt to do God's work using your own 'common sense.' God does not eliminate your common sense; He consecrates it. He gives you His wisdom so you can understand His ways.
As you look back on God's activity in your life, you will recognize the supreme wisdom in how He has led you. As you look forward to what God may do, be careful you do not try to predict what He will do next. You may find yourself completely off the mark."
Experiencing God Day by Day
Henry T. Blackaby
Richard Blackaby
Friday, May 07, 2010
God's Timing
“God’s timing is perfect! When He speaks, the time to respond in obedience is now. We often act as if we have all the time in the world to obey Him, but history doesn’t wait on our commitments. There is no such thing as postponing a decision with God. Either we obey, or we disobey. It is either faith or unbelief, obedience or disobedience.
When God announces that now is the acceptable time, what you do next is critical. How often people have been unprepared when a word came to them from the Lord. God said, “Now is the time for you to respond to Me” and their response was, “But, I’m not ready. I have some things I need to do first. I’m too busy.” (Matt.8:21)
God’s timing is always perfect. He knows you, and He is fully aware of your circumstances. He knows all that He has built into your life until now, and He extends His invitation knowing that His resources are more than adequate for any assignment He gives you.
That is why Scripture tells us God is concerned with our heart. If we do not keep our heart in love with Jesus, our disobedience when God speaks could affect the lives of others. When God speaks it is always out of the context of eternity. We don’t have to know all the implications of what He is asking. We just have to know that it is a word from Almighty God. “Now” is always the acceptable time to respond to the Lord.”
Experiencing God Day by Day
Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
When God announces that now is the acceptable time, what you do next is critical. How often people have been unprepared when a word came to them from the Lord. God said, “Now is the time for you to respond to Me” and their response was, “But, I’m not ready. I have some things I need to do first. I’m too busy.” (Matt.8:21)
God’s timing is always perfect. He knows you, and He is fully aware of your circumstances. He knows all that He has built into your life until now, and He extends His invitation knowing that His resources are more than adequate for any assignment He gives you.
That is why Scripture tells us God is concerned with our heart. If we do not keep our heart in love with Jesus, our disobedience when God speaks could affect the lives of others. When God speaks it is always out of the context of eternity. We don’t have to know all the implications of what He is asking. We just have to know that it is a word from Almighty God. “Now” is always the acceptable time to respond to the Lord.”
Experiencing God Day by Day
Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Walking Through the Fire
This week I spent some time looking into the fiery furnace. You know that sensation people speak about who have near death experiences and see themselves and all the activity within the room from high above? Like they're floating above it all looking at themselves? I'm not having a near death experience, that's what I feel like I'm doing. I'm IN the furnace, but I'm looking at it from above. And, I must say I'm learning a lot. In the heat of it all, the light bulb came on. FINALLY.
The light bulb sputtered on dimly, like a 40 Watt bulb, when I had breakfast with my accountability partner yesterday morning. Then today it flat out hit 300 Watts.
Let me tell you what I learned.
I'm in a monthly women's Bible study that is going through a study on Daniel by Beth Moore. So, there's these three Hebrew dudes in Daniel 3 who pretty much told the King of Babylon no way they're bowing down to this 90 foot gold statue. Now, they pretty much knew that either God would deliver them FROM the fire or deliver them BY the fire. In other words, either they wouldn't get thrown in to begin with or perhaps miraculously the fire would go out...or they would be thrown in, and within a few seconds would be delivered into the arms of God, Himself. Either way, they told the King, there was not going to be any bowing.
They found out soon enough, however, that there was a third scenario that God had up His sleeve: that He would deliver the three men THROUGH the fire.
As Beth Moore puts it:
"Consider three different scenarios when people of God face a fiery trial:
Scenario A: We can be delivered FROM the fire. The dividend? Our faith is built.
Scenario B: We can be delivered THROUGH the fire. The dividend? Our faith is refined.
Scenario C: We can be delivered BY the fire. The dividend? Our faith is perfected."
If you look at Isaiah 43:1-2 as well as this passage in Daniel 3, both speak about "walking" through the fire. Not sitting, not running around panicking, but steadfastly walking, putting one foot in front of the other.
Everyone's read and heard sermons about this passage. About how God is always with you when you're in the midst of a fiery trial. But, looking into that furnace, like King Nebuchadnezzar did, do you see one person, two people? You should see four, like the King did. Although in your (and my) case, it's the Holy Trinity and you (me).
I've been wah-wahing these last months about OMM's finances and about our lack of work. We are trying to stay strong in the faith, diligently believing we are in the Will of God and moving in the right direction with the business, and yet worrying because we are not seeing any results of our work, only the bank account going down, down, down. I haven't been complaining, just worried about God's timing. I am strong most of the time, but there are moments when I have a total melt-down and my faith flies away.
Then I talk to the Lord about my wimpy faith, about how sad I am that I can't remain strong, and how I wish I could have a stronger, more steadfast trust in the Lord, so when I go through the fiery trials of life, they do not affect me and I stand firm in my resolve. I pray for this. And, I pray for this. And, I pray for this.
So, I'm in the furnace called "OMM's future." I keep wanting to be delivered FROM this. And, if He were to do this, my faith would certainly be built up. In fact, it's happened numerous times over the past four years of OMM's independent existence. He has delivered us and our faith has been built up.
Now I see that He is wanting to deliver me THROUGH this fire. So that my faith will be refined. Are you following me here? He's not delivering me FROM the fire this time, but walking with me through it. He's taking me to the next level in faith building. Haven't I been asking for this for months and months? How am I supposed to be refined if I don't go THROUGH the fire?
Bingo. The light bulb.
Sigh...what a relief. I FINALLY get it.
The light bulb sputtered on dimly, like a 40 Watt bulb, when I had breakfast with my accountability partner yesterday morning. Then today it flat out hit 300 Watts.
Let me tell you what I learned.
I'm in a monthly women's Bible study that is going through a study on Daniel by Beth Moore. So, there's these three Hebrew dudes in Daniel 3 who pretty much told the King of Babylon no way they're bowing down to this 90 foot gold statue. Now, they pretty much knew that either God would deliver them FROM the fire or deliver them BY the fire. In other words, either they wouldn't get thrown in to begin with or perhaps miraculously the fire would go out...or they would be thrown in, and within a few seconds would be delivered into the arms of God, Himself. Either way, they told the King, there was not going to be any bowing.
They found out soon enough, however, that there was a third scenario that God had up His sleeve: that He would deliver the three men THROUGH the fire.
As Beth Moore puts it:
"Consider three different scenarios when people of God face a fiery trial:
Scenario A: We can be delivered FROM the fire. The dividend? Our faith is built.
Scenario B: We can be delivered THROUGH the fire. The dividend? Our faith is refined.
Scenario C: We can be delivered BY the fire. The dividend? Our faith is perfected."
If you look at Isaiah 43:1-2 as well as this passage in Daniel 3, both speak about "walking" through the fire. Not sitting, not running around panicking, but steadfastly walking, putting one foot in front of the other.
Everyone's read and heard sermons about this passage. About how God is always with you when you're in the midst of a fiery trial. But, looking into that furnace, like King Nebuchadnezzar did, do you see one person, two people? You should see four, like the King did. Although in your (and my) case, it's the Holy Trinity and you (me).
I've been wah-wahing these last months about OMM's finances and about our lack of work. We are trying to stay strong in the faith, diligently believing we are in the Will of God and moving in the right direction with the business, and yet worrying because we are not seeing any results of our work, only the bank account going down, down, down. I haven't been complaining, just worried about God's timing. I am strong most of the time, but there are moments when I have a total melt-down and my faith flies away.
Then I talk to the Lord about my wimpy faith, about how sad I am that I can't remain strong, and how I wish I could have a stronger, more steadfast trust in the Lord, so when I go through the fiery trials of life, they do not affect me and I stand firm in my resolve. I pray for this. And, I pray for this. And, I pray for this.
So, I'm in the furnace called "OMM's future." I keep wanting to be delivered FROM this. And, if He were to do this, my faith would certainly be built up. In fact, it's happened numerous times over the past four years of OMM's independent existence. He has delivered us and our faith has been built up.
Now I see that He is wanting to deliver me THROUGH this fire. So that my faith will be refined. Are you following me here? He's not delivering me FROM the fire this time, but walking with me through it. He's taking me to the next level in faith building. Haven't I been asking for this for months and months? How am I supposed to be refined if I don't go THROUGH the fire?
Bingo. The light bulb.
Sigh...what a relief. I FINALLY get it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Living Word
"And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'"
Luke 24:32
Jesus joins those who are earnestly seeking Him. Two men walked along the road to Emmaus discussing the confusing events that had just occurred in Jerusalem. They thought they had understood the happenings of their day, but the death of Jesus had left them disoriented to God and His activity in their world. They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah, but His death had left them perplexed and discouraged. They needed answers.
God reads the heart and knows the honest pursuit of His will by His children. Jesus drew near to these men, walked with them, and opened their minds to what the Scriptures said about Him and about the events of their day. As Jesus was speaking, their hearts burned within them! As they listened to Jesus relate the Scriptures to what they were experiencing, they knew in their hearts that they were hearing God's truth. Their doubts vanished, excitement overcame them, and they raced back to share the truth with their friends!
If you become bewildered by circumstances in your life, Jesus can reorient you to Himself through the Scriptures just as He did for these two men. From your human perspective, the situation may be confusing and discouraging. It takes the presence of Christ to open your eyes to the truth of the Scriptures. Have your circumstances confused you? You need Jesus to give you His perspective. Once you've heard from Him, you'll be like these two men, excited to join God in what He is doing around you and eager to include others in the experience.
Experiencing God Day by Day
Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Sunday, March 14, 2010
G3 SUMMIT MARCH 2010
Holy Leisure, Learning Partnership, and Holy Expectancy. These are the key phrases embraced in the G3 Summit March 2010 weekend. The theme, "Growing Deeper, Celebration of Discipline" was a perfect focus for this core group of chosen vessels: Sharon, Jamee, Anita, Carolyn, Cindy, & Cathy (not shown). Through the Lord's servant, Jamee, He taught us about the Discipline of Study and gave us some of the key tools to use in Study.We all held hands and jumped out of the boat and into the water together! LOL. It was glorious! Our first WORD study: ABLE
This lead us into a spontaneous worship period proclaiming, "HE IS ABLE!"
Our Saturday night adventure into Discipline of the Non-Verbal Books took us out to the lake where we were in the midst of God's great canopy of stars. Jamee lead us in several camp songs (o boy!), we made S'Mores and meditated on God's glorious creation.
In the sacred moments of Sunday worship, this core group committed to continue the practice of the Discipline of Study, Meditation, Prayer & Solitude and to come together once a month to share, encourage and continue to "grow deeper" spiritually in preparation for what the Lord has for each one of us in service to His Kingdom. Sunday, February 21, 2010
GROWING DEEPER: Celebration of Discipline
The G3 Summit is fast approaching...just three short weeks away. This will be the last blog posting to remind you to send in your reservation and check. We have five rooms reserved already so there are only five rooms left.
Our theme for the weekend remains "Growing Deeper: Celebration of Discipline." Using the book by Richard Foster as reference, we will focus on several of the spiritual disciplines.
Our monthly teleconferences have been a great way to stay connected until we were able to reschedule the Summit. Thank you to Jamee for teaching us about the Discipline of Study during those phone conversations. This leads us right up to the Summit weekend.
Our Scripture for this weekend:
Psalm 1:1-3
"Blessed is the woman who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down (to relax & rest) where the scornful gather. But her delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (instructions/teachings) she habitually meditates (ponders/studies) by day and by night. And, she shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended) by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything she does shall proper and come to maturity."
Jeremiah 17: 7-8
"Most blessed is the woman who believes in, trust in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For she shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the water; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit."
Colossians 2:7
"Have the roots of your being firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded in Him, being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."
We look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. The retreat this spring will indeed be a time of spiritual rest & rejuvenation for many of us. I've talk to several of you, and you express the desire and need to "get away" to "restore your soul" and really spend some quality time in the Presence of the Lord, so we will be budgeting a lot of time for you to practice the disciplines of meditation, solitude and prayer.
We also have scheduled some great times of fun & laughter with our sisters in Christ. We're taking our trip into Waxahachie to the Dove's Nest for lunch and shopping on Saturday, and we'll be having a real campfire with star gazing and S'mores on Saturday night!
For those who have never been to a G3 Summit or are hesitating about attending...I challenge you and encourage you to seriously consider it. Be courageous and get out of your comfortable spiritual boat!
Friday-Sunday
March12-14
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian Texas
William Booth Hacienda
$125 (includes two nights, all retreat materials, all snack & all meals - except Sat lunch at the Dove's Nest in Waxahachie)
What to bring:
Bible
G3 Summit Journal (provided if you don't have one)
Pillow (if you want to use your own)
Camping Chair (for campfire)
Sleeping Bag (for star gazing)
REGISTRATION & CHECK DEADLINE: March 8
Our theme for the weekend remains "Growing Deeper: Celebration of Discipline." Using the book by Richard Foster as reference, we will focus on several of the spiritual disciplines.
Our monthly teleconferences have been a great way to stay connected until we were able to reschedule the Summit. Thank you to Jamee for teaching us about the Discipline of Study during those phone conversations. This leads us right up to the Summit weekend.
Our Scripture for this weekend:
Psalm 1:1-3
"Blessed is the woman who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down (to relax & rest) where the scornful gather. But her delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (instructions/teachings) she habitually meditates (ponders/studies) by day and by night. And, she shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended) by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything she does shall proper and come to maturity."
Jeremiah 17: 7-8
"Most blessed is the woman who believes in, trust in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For she shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the water; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit."
Colossians 2:7
"Have the roots of your being firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded in Him, being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."
We look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. The retreat this spring will indeed be a time of spiritual rest & rejuvenation for many of us. I've talk to several of you, and you express the desire and need to "get away" to "restore your soul" and really spend some quality time in the Presence of the Lord, so we will be budgeting a lot of time for you to practice the disciplines of meditation, solitude and prayer.
We also have scheduled some great times of fun & laughter with our sisters in Christ. We're taking our trip into Waxahachie to the Dove's Nest for lunch and shopping on Saturday, and we'll be having a real campfire with star gazing and S'mores on Saturday night!
For those who have never been to a G3 Summit or are hesitating about attending...I challenge you and encourage you to seriously consider it. Be courageous and get out of your comfortable spiritual boat!
Friday-Sunday
March12-14
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian Texas
William Booth Hacienda
$125 (includes two nights, all retreat materials, all snack & all meals - except Sat lunch at the Dove's Nest in Waxahachie)
What to bring:
Bible
G3 Summit Journal (provided if you don't have one)
Pillow (if you want to use your own)
Camping Chair (for campfire)
Sleeping Bag (for star gazing)
REGISTRATION & CHECK DEADLINE: March 8
Friday, February 05, 2010
Putting Out Into Deep Water
So the Lord's leading us out into deep water these days. This…is a love / hate kind of thing. I love that we're expanding into new territory. I hate that it's so scary and un-navigable through my eyes. Though I know it is best for OMM to move forward into this new area of service and that staying back and doing just what we've always done is detrimental to OMM. That doesn't make moving forward any easier.
I think about the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan River looking into the Promised Land. Moses had just died and Joshua became their leader. I'm thinking they were afraid of what they would find on the other side of that River. Though they believed God that this land would be flowing with milk and honey and they would posses it, I'm sure many were thinking the 40 years in the desert was familiar territory and the fact that God had provided for them seemed a better bet. Certainly a safer one.
This is what the Lord said to Joshua as he prepared to cross the Jordan:
"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aid: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' "
Joshua 1:1-9
Jesus said to Peter in Luke 5:4, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
What a lesson for me today. When Jesus tells us to cross over and take the land…to put our nets into deep water…what is our response? Are we afraid? Do we look behind us at the easier, less fearful way that we had been treading? He certainly provided for us “back there.” Our life wasn’t necessarily easy, but it was sufficient. But, God doesn’t want us to rest in His blessings to the point that we become sluggards and spoiled. He has a plan for our lives and He constantly pushing us to move forward into new territory. Though where he seems to lead us sometimes seems so crazy and impossible…He tells us…no He COMMANDS us, "Be strong and courageous."
WOW.
I think about the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan River looking into the Promised Land. Moses had just died and Joshua became their leader. I'm thinking they were afraid of what they would find on the other side of that River. Though they believed God that this land would be flowing with milk and honey and they would posses it, I'm sure many were thinking the 40 years in the desert was familiar territory and the fact that God had provided for them seemed a better bet. Certainly a safer one.
This is what the Lord said to Joshua as he prepared to cross the Jordan:
"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aid: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' "
Joshua 1:1-9
Jesus said to Peter in Luke 5:4, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
What a lesson for me today. When Jesus tells us to cross over and take the land…to put our nets into deep water…what is our response? Are we afraid? Do we look behind us at the easier, less fearful way that we had been treading? He certainly provided for us “back there.” Our life wasn’t necessarily easy, but it was sufficient. But, God doesn’t want us to rest in His blessings to the point that we become sluggards and spoiled. He has a plan for our lives and He constantly pushing us to move forward into new territory. Though where he seems to lead us sometimes seems so crazy and impossible…He tells us…no He COMMANDS us, "Be strong and courageous."
WOW.
Monday, February 01, 2010
G3 SUMMIT MARCH 2010
The fall G3 Summit that has been rescheduled for MARCH 12-14 is fast approaching. We hope you are planning to attend.
Our monthly Teleconferences have been a fabulous time of learning and sharing. Our focus has been on the Spiritual Disciplines....in particular the Discipline of Study.
Take advantage of this "spring break" spiritual retreat for yourself.
Here are the details:
MARCH 12-14
$125
The Salvation Army Camp Hoblitzelle
Midlothian, Texas
Our monthly Teleconferences have been a fabulous time of learning and sharing. Our focus has been on the Spiritual Disciplines....in particular the Discipline of Study.
Take advantage of this "spring break" spiritual retreat for yourself.
Here are the details:
MARCH 12-14
$125
The Salvation Army Camp Hoblitzelle
Midlothian, Texas
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
2010 Schedule
Happy 2010! I hope each one of you had a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year holiday. Lots of fun and laughter, I hope.
It's a new year, a new decade, and there are exciting things happening this year with God, Girlfriends and Grace. As most of you know our fall Summit had to be postponed. This is a reminder our
It's a new year, a new decade, and there are exciting things happening this year with God, Girlfriends and Grace. As most of you know our fall Summit had to be postponed. This is a reminder our
re-scheduled 09 weekend is March 12-14, 2010.
We have been doing monthly teleconferences since October on the subject of "The Spiritual Disciplines," which if you remember was the theme of our 09 Summit. These monthly teleconferences with Jamee have kept our minds and hearts focused on our theme taking us right up to the Summit in March.
Our next teleconference:
January 19, 2010
1-712-432-7600
Participant Code: 26958#
7:30pm (CENTRAL)
8:30pm (EASTERN)
Finally, the dates for our
We have been doing monthly teleconferences since October on the subject of "The Spiritual Disciplines," which if you remember was the theme of our 09 Summit. These monthly teleconferences with Jamee have kept our minds and hearts focused on our theme taking us right up to the Summit in March.
Our next teleconference:
1-712-432-7600
Participant Code: 26958#
7:30pm (CENTRAL)
8:30pm (EASTERN)
Finally, the dates for our
2010 Summit
OCTOBER 22-24, 2010
We hope you will prayerfully consider attending these G3 events.
We hope you will prayerfully consider attending these G3 events.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Making the Choice
That all too familiar artistic rendering of Jesus standing outside a door gently knocking created to represent the Scripture found in Revelation 3:20 has, I believe, somewhat distorted how we see the Lord's pursuit of us.
Sure, His calling to us is often in a still small voice, a nudging of the Holy Spirit...but I'm thinking that if we're not listening, many times His pursuit of us can be a passionate in your face kind of experience where a life-challenging curveball or unexpected right-hand turn forces you to STOP. You are then put in a place where you have two choices: acknowledge the Lord in your life...or not. Take Him seriously...or not. He will spew the lukewarm out of His mouth (Revelations 3:16).
This applies to both the unredeemed and the child of God. He pursues both...one with the desire to establish a relationship and the other to deepen the relationship (there is such a thing as a lukewarm Christian).
His passion for you is so intense that He will continually pursue you, both subtly and with great fervor, to get a choice out of you.
Sure, His calling to us is often in a still small voice, a nudging of the Holy Spirit...but I'm thinking that if we're not listening, many times His pursuit of us can be a passionate in your face kind of experience where a life-challenging curveball or unexpected right-hand turn forces you to STOP. You are then put in a place where you have two choices: acknowledge the Lord in your life...or not. Take Him seriously...or not. He will spew the lukewarm out of His mouth (Revelations 3:16).
This applies to both the unredeemed and the child of God. He pursues both...one with the desire to establish a relationship and the other to deepen the relationship (there is such a thing as a lukewarm Christian).
His passion for you is so intense that He will continually pursue you, both subtly and with great fervor, to get a choice out of you.
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