Hey everybody!!
Sorry I've not posted lately. Judgement House season is always busy, but this year, it almost did me in!! I still am not back 'up to par' like I"d like to be.... So.... I just didn't have the brain power to sit and write. So sorry!
I hope you have found yourself becoming UNSTUCK.... that is kind of where we left off last time. If you don't remember, take a few minutes to review the last post and see what you think!!
By this time, the end of the semester is in your sights. For some of you, that is a huge relief. For some, it can't come quick enough. For some, perhaps some sadness because you LOVE this semester and all that comes with it. Whatever the case, I am sure there are some of you looking ahead... planning.... dreaming.
What I want to 'talk' with you about today is just that... your dreams.
I can imagine there are none of us who are seriously considering becoming professional nobodies. Nor can I imagine you are thinking about just dropping out of life all together (well, ok... maybe considering it, but just for small moments of time!!). I wonder if you are having the same dreams of being a 'grown up' that you did when you were little? Do you still want to grow up to be the same thing as when you were 5? 10? 15?
I know. It really is none of my business. BUT, the upside to that is, I'm not asking you to TELL me those things. I want you to tell YOURSELF those things!!! :)
Here is the thing. Most children have pretty lofty dreams (becoming a professional athlete, a famous ______, President of the United States). Most children do not aspire to be a couch potato. Having said that... something happens between our childhood dreams and our adulthood and those things tend to 'calm' some. Most of our dreams are not reality once we are adults. Very few people achieve all they ever hoped to. So, what happened??
Here is my question: Around what do your dreams revolve??
"I want to play ball in the NFL when I grow up!" "I want to be a famous singer and travel around the world when I grow up!" "I want to be a doctor and save all the sick people from dying when I grow up!" "I want to be the richest man/woman in the world when I grow up!"
What do all these things have in common??
MOST dreams we have of the future revolve around that pesky self we battle with a lot of the time!! Is there something wrong with that? NO... not if GOD is the center of that self. However, most humans I know don't really have that going for them!!
So.... we are going to explore our dreams a little as they relate to US and GOD. First of all, if "I" is the center of everything you do (I wanna, I'm gonna... I will, I didn't, etc) then this is an issue of PRIDE. Yes. I did say that!! Pride is defined as thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. So... when we center our world around US, then that becomes pride!!
Here are some ways, according to Doug Fields, that pride can rear its head as we pursue our dreams:
~Entitlement: this happens when we shoot for the sky, but don't want to work to get there.
~Overconfidence: we work hard for our dreams, in our OWN strength. (this ends up with thoughts like, "No one around here can do things as well as I can", or "Everything always depends on me.")
~Superiority: As we work, and make progress toward our dreams, we tend to look down our noses at others. (Some thoughts that come from this might be: "I'd never be caught with them." or, How did he get himself in such a mess anyhow, why can't he just get it together?")
~False Humility: Maybe we've given up on our dreams all together, and are wiling to 'settle'..... Feeling like a loser all the time is also pride. It is self focus, which is at the center of pride.
Did any of these hit you? Do you relate to any of these? Do you see that perhaps your dreams are YOUR dreams and not God's plan? (Don't get me wrong. God's plan is for you to be the best you that you can be.... but we get into trouble when WE plan and ask God to bless it.)
Doug Fields goes on to say that PRIDE can sneak up in strange places.... see if any of these sound familiar:
"I hate my job. I deserved that raise, or promotion, and don't know why ______ got it."
"I can't believe my friend lives in such a big home. That is so not fair. I deserve that, too."
"I know I stepped in line ahead of someone else. No way will I apologize, that is just the way it is!"
"That coach is such an idiot!! I so could do a better job!"
"That cop had no right to pull me over. Why doesn't he go find something better to do, like protect us from real criminals?"
"I know I've got some bad habits. But, it is who I am, and I don't have to change for anyone."
So... anything? Was that you? (Not worried about anyone else right now....)
I'd like for you to take a few minutes to think. Do you have dreams that have not come to pass? If so, please let's look at the 'stuff' behind those dreams, ok??
Do any of your dreams revolve around....
~the desire to win at all costs?
~the need to be noticed?
~the need to prove to someone you can be successful?
~the desire, longing, to be noticed?
~the need to be seen as right?
~the quest to be respected?
~the hope of making a name for yourself
WOW.... this is some hard stuff. I know, I"m right there with you!! (I'm not just typing this AT you....)
So, we realize we are prideful in ways we never thought possible. What now? Where do we go from here? Do we just lay our dreams down and forget about them?? hang on..... we'll figure that out......
Here is what we do: We must realize that God doesn't want us to be stuck in pride-fueled dreams that lead nowhere near His path of greatness for us. That does NOT mean we give up on everything 'we' have dreamed of. It DOES mean that we need to check our dreams against God's plan for us!!
Please read Ephesians 2:8-10.
Verses 8-9 talk about us being saved by Grace and not works (we cannot earn our way into salvation, it is a free gift (grace)...) Verse 10 is where I want us to focus:
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
So, here's the deal. God's dreams aren't elusive and illusory... we don't have to chase them all over hte place and wonder if we got it right!! He created us.. we are His workmanship... He isn't going to create us to torment us!!
When we draw close to Him, He will work through us to bring those dreams about~ But, we have to understand that God's dreams for us are NEVER rooted in our own self-importance; they are ALWAYS rooted in HIS glory. Because we are created by Him, we represent Him in all we do. (Just like a pair of Nike shoes are made by Nike... if they are a crappy pair of shoes, they reflect on the Nike name!)
So, here is what I'd like you to think about until the weekend (I"ll get back on the Sunday night posting schedule this weekend!)
1. Are you working to reach goals/dreams that are pitted in 'self'?
2. What area of pride (if any) did you identify with (remember the list near the top??)?
3. Do you see yourself as God's workmanship? What does that mean to you?
4. How does being God's workmanship affect you (deeper than 'what does that mean to you')? What does that look like in your everyday life?
5. Where do you go from here?
We'll pick up right here this weekend. Until then, leave some comments!
(If you are unsure how to do that, email me or send me a FB message. I've sent directions before, but I can send them again~ ckmiller5@gmail.com)
Judgement House was great. Ran very smoothly, I didn't forget anything huge (i was so afraid of that... chemo brain and all), people were there because they wanted to see others come to know Jesus!! We had a ton of prayer requests, rededications and 52 professions of faith.
Thanks to JJ and Gabe for coming home that weekend. We had one of our cast members get sick, and they filled in. Thanks for serving, fellas!!
I hope you have a great rest of the week!! I am looking forward to seeing you all when you are home for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks!! Maybe we'll have a 'college hang out' at the Millers'....
Love you ~ You are precious.....
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Unstuck?
Hey everyone,
Sorry I didn't post last week. I had 2 training things for Judgement House, and was exhausted when I got home!!
Last time, we left off with 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
I asked you to make a list of the "everything" that is keeping you from growing in your relationship with your Jesus. Did you do that? What is it that keeps you from reading your Bible? Praying? going to church? Talking about God with others? That is what should be on your list!
Are you unsure what it means to 'grow in your relationship with Jesus?" Is it embarrassing to read your Bible unless you are alone? Frustrating because you don't know HOW to pray? Schedule so busy, you just forget? Just plain don't want to? Your mama not there to make you?
Does it go deeper than these things? Is it because you have just grown up going through the motions of being involved with church? Is it because you really aren't sure if you HAVE a relationship or not? Is it because it has been so long since you've tried that you just don't know where to start? is it because while you were home, you did all the 'right' things, but now you seem to do all the 'wrong' things?
Whatever the reason that you are having trouble working on your relationship with Jesus.... it doesn't matter!! HE still wants you! He wants you to talk to him! He wants you to come to Him, cry out to Him, laugh with Him, give your worries to Him! He WANTS that so badly.
I know sometimes being in that 'stuck-ness' can be very comfortable. WHen I was in high school, I had a pair of jeans that fit just right.... they fit perfectly... they were soft, broken in, went with everything... and I loved them!!! I literally wore them out. There came a time that my mama frowned upon me wearing them in public. They literally were about to fall apart, and I know that is what she saw when she looked at them! BUT they were SOOOO comfortable......
When I looked at the jeans, I saw visions of what they USED to be (good, strong fabric).... not what they were in reality (faded, weakened material that looked awful!)
Are you so comfortable being stuck that you aren't willing to do anything about it? YOu are miserable, or at least recognize you are stuck, but refuse to do anything about it?? Hmm....
You may be saying to me, "YES, dang it, I am stuck!! But, what do I do about it????"
It is simple....(simply stated, less simply applied. I know)
COOPERATION
Go with me, here... just play/follow along for a minute:
If any of you have experience with a small child around nap time.... this is going to make you laugh a little. When it is nap time or bed time for a little one, sometimes (a lot of times) their reply may be, "But, I'm not sleepy!!"
You cannot MAKE someone go to sleep! Have you ever noticed that? You cannot put one of those small little people in the bed and just magically make them *poof* go to sleep! Impossible....
BUT, you CAN set the stage... you can set up a bedtime routine (bath, brushing teeth, reading a story, etc) that lets them know each time that sleep is coming. You can dim the lights, rock them, sing to them... whatever it is, it lets them know.... sleep is coming.
Most of the time, parents do NOT crank up the music, play the Wiggles (they are too active), give them Mtn Dew, or break out the toys!! Why? These things do nothing to calm their little bodies.
FInally, the little one will begin to calm and get sleepy.....
Most small children that I've ever been around do not just say, "Hey, grown up, can you put me to bed now??" Usually, they fight to stay awake! Some do this by become super energized, some get really cranky and whiny, some get silly and laugh uncontrollably, and some just keep on keeping on! THey fight with everything they have to hang on to the 'awake' and keep the sleep out of the way!
Once they learn to cooperate with sleep and let it just happen, bed time gets a LOT easier!!! (Have you ever tried to MAKE yourself go to sleep?? How did that work out for you??? Doesn't happen, does it? You HAVE to let your body cooperate.....)
Becoming unstuck is much like this!! When we cooperate with sleep, we submit ourselves to the conditions that will take us there (the bed time routine).....
This is a picture of how sanctification works. Sanctification is a big word that means "the act or state of being purified and freed from sin"
Here is how the picture is painted: We cannot control change, we can only cooperate with God. (going from wide open to sleep.... setting the stage for sleep, etc.) Once we cooperate with Him, He can turn us from our ways to HIs ways. THIS is sanctification... being purified!!!
Doug Fields writes, "God doesn't simply want to fine-tune our manners either-He wants to change our characters from the inside out."
THIS statement brings me to my final question of the day:
Over your lifetime when you realize you are stuck, do you think God is more interested in your behavior or your character? (Do you think He wants you to behave like a good Christian (read your Bible, pray, go to church, etc) OR do you think He is wanting to change (mold) your attitudes, thoughts, etc?
Where are you? Happy in your stuckness? Ready to get unstuck? Don't understand what I'm saying? Don't care??
Let me hear from you!!!! I WANT YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!
I hope you have a great rest of the week!!
Pray for Judgement House!! This week, we'll begin to construct and get things ready! Next week... One week from Wednesday is Dress Rehearsal..... Gonna be huge this year!!!
Love you guys..... You are precious!!!!!
Sorry I didn't post last week. I had 2 training things for Judgement House, and was exhausted when I got home!!
Last time, we left off with 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
I asked you to make a list of the "everything" that is keeping you from growing in your relationship with your Jesus. Did you do that? What is it that keeps you from reading your Bible? Praying? going to church? Talking about God with others? That is what should be on your list!
Are you unsure what it means to 'grow in your relationship with Jesus?" Is it embarrassing to read your Bible unless you are alone? Frustrating because you don't know HOW to pray? Schedule so busy, you just forget? Just plain don't want to? Your mama not there to make you?
Does it go deeper than these things? Is it because you have just grown up going through the motions of being involved with church? Is it because you really aren't sure if you HAVE a relationship or not? Is it because it has been so long since you've tried that you just don't know where to start? is it because while you were home, you did all the 'right' things, but now you seem to do all the 'wrong' things?
Whatever the reason that you are having trouble working on your relationship with Jesus.... it doesn't matter!! HE still wants you! He wants you to talk to him! He wants you to come to Him, cry out to Him, laugh with Him, give your worries to Him! He WANTS that so badly.
I know sometimes being in that 'stuck-ness' can be very comfortable. WHen I was in high school, I had a pair of jeans that fit just right.... they fit perfectly... they were soft, broken in, went with everything... and I loved them!!! I literally wore them out. There came a time that my mama frowned upon me wearing them in public. They literally were about to fall apart, and I know that is what she saw when she looked at them! BUT they were SOOOO comfortable......
When I looked at the jeans, I saw visions of what they USED to be (good, strong fabric).... not what they were in reality (faded, weakened material that looked awful!)
Are you so comfortable being stuck that you aren't willing to do anything about it? YOu are miserable, or at least recognize you are stuck, but refuse to do anything about it?? Hmm....
You may be saying to me, "YES, dang it, I am stuck!! But, what do I do about it????"
It is simple....(simply stated, less simply applied. I know)
COOPERATION
Go with me, here... just play/follow along for a minute:
If any of you have experience with a small child around nap time.... this is going to make you laugh a little. When it is nap time or bed time for a little one, sometimes (a lot of times) their reply may be, "But, I'm not sleepy!!"
You cannot MAKE someone go to sleep! Have you ever noticed that? You cannot put one of those small little people in the bed and just magically make them *poof* go to sleep! Impossible....
BUT, you CAN set the stage... you can set up a bedtime routine (bath, brushing teeth, reading a story, etc) that lets them know each time that sleep is coming. You can dim the lights, rock them, sing to them... whatever it is, it lets them know.... sleep is coming.
Most of the time, parents do NOT crank up the music, play the Wiggles (they are too active), give them Mtn Dew, or break out the toys!! Why? These things do nothing to calm their little bodies.
FInally, the little one will begin to calm and get sleepy.....
Most small children that I've ever been around do not just say, "Hey, grown up, can you put me to bed now??" Usually, they fight to stay awake! Some do this by become super energized, some get really cranky and whiny, some get silly and laugh uncontrollably, and some just keep on keeping on! THey fight with everything they have to hang on to the 'awake' and keep the sleep out of the way!
Once they learn to cooperate with sleep and let it just happen, bed time gets a LOT easier!!! (Have you ever tried to MAKE yourself go to sleep?? How did that work out for you??? Doesn't happen, does it? You HAVE to let your body cooperate.....)
Becoming unstuck is much like this!! When we cooperate with sleep, we submit ourselves to the conditions that will take us there (the bed time routine).....
This is a picture of how sanctification works. Sanctification is a big word that means "the act or state of being purified and freed from sin"
Here is how the picture is painted: We cannot control change, we can only cooperate with God. (going from wide open to sleep.... setting the stage for sleep, etc.) Once we cooperate with Him, He can turn us from our ways to HIs ways. THIS is sanctification... being purified!!!
Doug Fields writes, "God doesn't simply want to fine-tune our manners either-He wants to change our characters from the inside out."
THIS statement brings me to my final question of the day:
Over your lifetime when you realize you are stuck, do you think God is more interested in your behavior or your character? (Do you think He wants you to behave like a good Christian (read your Bible, pray, go to church, etc) OR do you think He is wanting to change (mold) your attitudes, thoughts, etc?
Where are you? Happy in your stuckness? Ready to get unstuck? Don't understand what I'm saying? Don't care??
Let me hear from you!!!! I WANT YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!
I hope you have a great rest of the week!!
Pray for Judgement House!! This week, we'll begin to construct and get things ready! Next week... One week from Wednesday is Dress Rehearsal..... Gonna be huge this year!!!
Love you guys..... You are precious!!!!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Still stuck?
Hey everyone!! I hope you've had a GREAT week!!!!
Were you able to look at yourself? Where are you stuck? Relationships? Studying? Wanting to do good but not being able to? Frustrated with life? Tired? Torn between something?? LOTS of places you can get stuck!!
So, we kind of have established that 'stuckness' can be an issue for all of us!! If you were thinking of being stuck in a spiritual area (reading your Bible, praying, etc) that stuckness can make you feel like a failure. anyone been there with me? That will probably lead to feeling very hopeless, and feelings opposite of joy, confidence or contentment!! Do you think this is what Jesus meant by "abundant life" in John 10:10? Do you think Jesus really came so we could live each day with feelings of failure?? Hmmm......
God does not want us to remain stuck!! He wants us to move along and GROW!! In any human relationship, if there are bumps in the road, most of the time you get over it and move on. That is what GOd wants us to do!! God talked to Isaiah about a fresh start. Is. 43:19 says, "I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! DO you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland!" WOW... what a promise!! Do you think God still is doing something NEW? Do you want something new?? I just wonder if any of the areas in which you are stuck could use a new-ness to them? I know mine could!!
But how?? Do you find yourself in the place where you ask that question? "How do I get unstuck?" Some of the answers you may come up with may sound something like this: Read my Bible; Pray more; go to church more; etc. Have you been through this process? How did it work for you? Did you read your Bible more? Pray more? Did it stick? Did you change the things you wanted to? What NEW came from that? The fact is.... we CAN change, and we are FREE to change, but not by our own very limited power! Real lasting change comes from God's unlimited power!!
God created you just like He wanted you! Do you think it is a surprise to Him that you become stuck? Do you think He looks at you and thinks, "Aw, dang!! What was I thinking when I made _____?" Um. NNNOOOO. That is NOT what He thinks!! God is in the transformation business!! YOU do not have to come to Him all clean and 'changed'.... that is HIS job!!! Does this take some pressure off? Does it make you feel better?
So... Here is the deal:
~We all get stuck! (Adults especially are good at being stuck!! We've had lots of practice and tend just to stay stuck at times.)
~God knows you're gonna be stuck!
~You are allowed to be less than perfect!! God does NOT expect perfection!!!!! He expects you to lean on Him and trust Him to transform you!
~You can have a fresh start more than once!
~God wants to transform you, he does NOT want you to transform yourself!! He has NEVER wanted you to transform yourself!
What now? What does this mean?
I want you to smoke on this verse: 2 Corinthians 7:1
"Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
At first glance, you might think this means to quit doing everything fun and put on your sad, Christian face. NOT AT ALL....
It simply means, if something is getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus, get rid of it, and do it because you love God. (Easier said than done, I know.)
I want you to make a list of the 'everything' in your life, those areas that contaminate your character and rob you of your character..... Spend some time thinking about it... be honest with yourself. That is hard stuff... I know. This, my friends, will be the first step in allowing God to transform you... if that is what you want!!
We will pick up next week with this same verse. Really... read it... smoke on it.... think about what contaminates you have in your life right now...... I"m not asking you to DO anything about them... just recognize them!!
If you are having trouble with that, ask God to show you what they are!!! He will, you just have to allow Him to.
I hope you have a GREAT week!! The weather is supposed to be feeling a little more like Fall this week. I hope that will prove to to be true. Please pray for Judgement House. It is only a few short weeks away!!! God is already doing some pretty cool things... and Satan is trying to get his say so in, too.
Love you people... more than you'll ever know....
Let me hear from you!!!!!
Krista
Were you able to look at yourself? Where are you stuck? Relationships? Studying? Wanting to do good but not being able to? Frustrated with life? Tired? Torn between something?? LOTS of places you can get stuck!!
So, we kind of have established that 'stuckness' can be an issue for all of us!! If you were thinking of being stuck in a spiritual area (reading your Bible, praying, etc) that stuckness can make you feel like a failure. anyone been there with me? That will probably lead to feeling very hopeless, and feelings opposite of joy, confidence or contentment!! Do you think this is what Jesus meant by "abundant life" in John 10:10? Do you think Jesus really came so we could live each day with feelings of failure?? Hmmm......
God does not want us to remain stuck!! He wants us to move along and GROW!! In any human relationship, if there are bumps in the road, most of the time you get over it and move on. That is what GOd wants us to do!! God talked to Isaiah about a fresh start. Is. 43:19 says, "I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! DO you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland!" WOW... what a promise!! Do you think God still is doing something NEW? Do you want something new?? I just wonder if any of the areas in which you are stuck could use a new-ness to them? I know mine could!!
But how?? Do you find yourself in the place where you ask that question? "How do I get unstuck?" Some of the answers you may come up with may sound something like this: Read my Bible; Pray more; go to church more; etc. Have you been through this process? How did it work for you? Did you read your Bible more? Pray more? Did it stick? Did you change the things you wanted to? What NEW came from that? The fact is.... we CAN change, and we are FREE to change, but not by our own very limited power! Real lasting change comes from God's unlimited power!!
God created you just like He wanted you! Do you think it is a surprise to Him that you become stuck? Do you think He looks at you and thinks, "Aw, dang!! What was I thinking when I made _____?" Um. NNNOOOO. That is NOT what He thinks!! God is in the transformation business!! YOU do not have to come to Him all clean and 'changed'.... that is HIS job!!! Does this take some pressure off? Does it make you feel better?
So... Here is the deal:
~We all get stuck! (Adults especially are good at being stuck!! We've had lots of practice and tend just to stay stuck at times.)
~God knows you're gonna be stuck!
~You are allowed to be less than perfect!! God does NOT expect perfection!!!!! He expects you to lean on Him and trust Him to transform you!
~You can have a fresh start more than once!
~God wants to transform you, he does NOT want you to transform yourself!! He has NEVER wanted you to transform yourself!
What now? What does this mean?
I want you to smoke on this verse: 2 Corinthians 7:1
"Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
At first glance, you might think this means to quit doing everything fun and put on your sad, Christian face. NOT AT ALL....
It simply means, if something is getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus, get rid of it, and do it because you love God. (Easier said than done, I know.)
I want you to make a list of the 'everything' in your life, those areas that contaminate your character and rob you of your character..... Spend some time thinking about it... be honest with yourself. That is hard stuff... I know. This, my friends, will be the first step in allowing God to transform you... if that is what you want!!
We will pick up next week with this same verse. Really... read it... smoke on it.... think about what contaminates you have in your life right now...... I"m not asking you to DO anything about them... just recognize them!!
If you are having trouble with that, ask God to show you what they are!!! He will, you just have to allow Him to.
I hope you have a GREAT week!! The weather is supposed to be feeling a little more like Fall this week. I hope that will prove to to be true. Please pray for Judgement House. It is only a few short weeks away!!! God is already doing some pretty cool things... and Satan is trying to get his say so in, too.
Love you people... more than you'll ever know....
Let me hear from you!!!!!
Krista
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fresh Start, anyone???
Ahhhh, a fresh start. Feels good when you get one, doesn’t it? Maybe it is something big, like in an important relationship. Or, maybe it is something as simple as an unexpected nap on a very tiresome day! What does having a fresh start mean to you?
Can you think of any fresh starts in the Bible? Can you think of a time that people asked for/needed a fresh start and Jesus denied them?
Over the next few weeks, this will be our topic, “Fresh Start.” As we go along, I want you to really try and find some time to sit down and think. Perhaps early in the morning, or late at night. Maybe even between classes at some point, but as you have settled into your class routine, I’d like to now make sure you have this blog/study as part of that!!
Many of you were able to go with us to either New Orleans or Centrifuge, or both this summer. This has been one of the most powerful, thought provoking, ‘light bulb’ summers ever that I’ve been a part of! For those of you who did not go with us, but has been somewhere like that before (New Orleans, Ecuador, Centrifuge….) you know how powerful these times can be! You know that there are things that God speaks to your deepest parts in situations like these… but then we come home. Then what? Does God keep speaking? Do we stop listening? Are we so distracted by life that we can no longer hear? What is the deal with that?? Seems we all come home (adults included) having been touched to the very core of our being, but in no time, the fire and desire is gone…..
This is exactly what we are going to discuss the next few weeks!! Where does that desire go? When do we lose it? Was God REALLY speaking?
The question we will start with this week is this: “Do you feel STUCK?” (This is a good place for you to comment!!!!) Where do you feel stuck? Do you realize you are stuck? Do you want to stay stuck? How do you get yourself unstuck?
Please respond to this statement: “We want God in our lives, and all the good stuff He promises, but we also want what we want-even if it’s harmful to us.” (If I were going to comment, this might be a good place)
Please look up John 10:10. It simply says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” What do you think this abundant life looks like? Does it mean riches? Friendships? Jobs? Good grades? Happiness all the time? (another great place for you to comment!!)
How does your ‘stuckness’ affect your having abundant life?
We are going to leave off here for this week. During this week, I’d like you to make a list of those things in your life that might be keeping you from having abundant life. OR Make a list of those areas where you feel stuck! Either one, or both would be great!!!
I want us to work on getting Unstuck together, ok??
Love you guys to the sky and back. You are precious and God has big plans for you!!!!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Glad!!
Hey everyone!! Hope you've had a great week, and are looking forward to another one!!
I REALLY want you to comment!! PLEASE??? Many of you indicated to me that you really read the blog. I want this to be a place that you come to learn from each other.... NO ONE likes to 'hear' me blab that much!!!! So, please participate, ok??? PLEASE????
First of all: Just want you to know I miss you and I love you! When ya'll spend all this time growing up and coming on Wednesdays/Sundays... seeing you at school..... going on trips..... it just sucks when you aren't here!! BUT... I'm SO proud of you! You are showing yourself each day that you CAN make it in this world. Some days are better than others, and some days you feel more success than others... but you are doing GREAT!!!! (And, as much as I'd love for you each one to be back in my life week in and week out, I'm so proud of you for having what it takes to grow up!!)
Now. I want us to think about something for a few minutes.
(Hint: This could be what you would comment on!!)
How do YOU define glad?
What makes you glad?
Do you feel it is a strong word?
Here are some ways that this tiny word is used:
~I sure am glad that test is over!!
~I'm glad I didn't run out of gas on the way to the gas station!
~Whew... I'm glad I got to hang out with ______ this weekend.
~OH MAN, I'm so glad that I didn't go to the _________.
~Oh, you got a new ______? I'm so glad. You needed one.
Those are some ways that we often hear the word "glad" used. Can you think of any more?
NOW. I want to know what makes you just so excited you can't hardly stand it! What is that makes your tummy do flips? Is there something that absolutely you think you will explode if it doesn't just hurry up already?
For me, that is Christmas!! When I was little, I thought Christmas Eve MUST be THE longest day in the history of the world!!! It seemed the clock would tick forward one and back two! Then, at bed time... goodness... the NIGHT was horribly long. I would get so excited about getting up Christmas morning, my tummy really would tickle!!!
Another thing that makes me kind of giddy like that is knowing I'm getting a surprise. The surprise doesn't even have to be huge... just that someone cares enough to think about doing something for me absolutely sends me over the edge at times!!
What is it for you?
How would you feel if:
~Some random person approached you with a check to cover your full tuition for the rest of your college career?
~You were able to accomplish the biggest goal or meet the biggest challenge you face right now?
~You were able to provide something for someone else that they have struggled with?
Now. This is going to be a change of gears, but hang with me. I'll tie it all together, ok??
On my wedding day, I felt like a princess! My mama worked herself silly and made me the most beautiful dress. She made it with such love (and frustration at times!!)~ It was beautiful! I was so proud of it, I couldn't stand the thoughts of getting anything on it (and, she might have skinned me!!) I wanted to look perfect for my man!! I wanted my hair, my make up, my dress... everything to be so perfect! Even though I know Chris loves me, and it wouldn't have mattered if I had a hair or two out of place... does a groom really want to meet his bride who is a mess? Have you ever seen a bride who really just kind of threw herself together? NO!!! Brides spend HOURS getting ready....
Did you know that WE are the Bride of Christ? That sounds weird, especially for your guys, but it is the truth! All through the Bible, we are referred to as the Bride of Christ.
Now. In Revelation 19:6-8; here is what John writes:
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! FOr the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."
(Have you heard people speak of 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb'? This is it. This will be the party of all parties! Not a 'supper' like we in the South know it. It will be a time of great celebration! Jewish weddings are traditionally a time of great celebration; and it goes on for days in some cases.)
Did you notice the word "glad" in this passage?? Think about this: If you are going somewhere that is THIS exciting, are you 'just' glad? This is kind of how I think I can show you some emphasis.... Are these the same kind of glad?
~I"m glad I'm going to Walmart in a little while.
~I'm glad I'm going to Ecuador, or New Orleans.
Which is more?
Well, as we are clothed in our white linen that is all bright and clean.... don't you think we are going to be just a LITTLE bit excited???
Now, lets look at Isaiah 61:10: "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, and as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
WOW. This kind of tells us it is coming... WARNING... Kind of like someone tells you, "Hey... this weekend when you are home, we're gonna hang out at the park and ride (or wherever)." So.. from that time until the time it actually happens, the excitement builds. Just like my own wedding... from the time we decided on a date... much was to be done, but excitement was building!!
These words, "delight greatly" ~ hmmmm
Now. Look at Matthew 5:12: "Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
So, here is how all this ties together:
In the original language, glad means this: To exult, to rejoice with exuberance, and very often literally to leap for joy. When is the last time you were so full of joy you just could not contain yourself?? In both of these passages (Matthew and REvelation) this word glad means literally 'to leap very much'...
The word delight in the Isaiah passage means, "rejoices greatly" and means to spin... to be so happy you just spin. Literally, I spin before the Lord. As a Bride, I really did feel so beautiful that I wanted to just spin so my groom could see. (Have you ever seen a little girl wear a 'dress up' dress and just kind of walk on air?? THAT is what we are talking about here)
This has absolutely challenged me to look at myself... am I glad?? Do I look at the my salvation and it make me so happy that I literally cannot contain myself? Do I look around me and what the Lord has done for me and do the same thing? I AM the Bride of Christ.
You may not understand this, I don't completely. But, I do understand the bride part. I am Chris' bride and I so wanted him to be pleased with me. Guys, you don't want to wait at the end of the isle for your bride and her not look beautiful, right? Girls, you want everything to be perfect (and it will be... when God sends your man... it will be!!)!! So it is with my Bridegroom.... Christ. WOW.
There is MUCH more to this and we might dig a little more in the next couple of weeks, but for this week, I want to challenge us to examine ourselves.
~Are you glad?
~Are you screwing up the look of the Bride of Christ? (how you livin? Are you TRYING to learn and grow in your walk with Christ? NO ONE is perfect, and NO ONE EVER stops growing... do NOT let yourself think that you will 'arrive' one of these days!! THere is always something you can learn)
~Do you let little things distract you from how much He really loves you? (Do you walk around like Eyeore because of the crap in life, or do you dance around like Snoopy being oblivious to the junk?)
So~ Let me hear from you!!
I love you. Thanks for hangin' in with this today.... Wrestle with it... really, that is alright!!
I REALLY want you to comment!! PLEASE??? Many of you indicated to me that you really read the blog. I want this to be a place that you come to learn from each other.... NO ONE likes to 'hear' me blab that much!!!! So, please participate, ok??? PLEASE????
First of all: Just want you to know I miss you and I love you! When ya'll spend all this time growing up and coming on Wednesdays/Sundays... seeing you at school..... going on trips..... it just sucks when you aren't here!! BUT... I'm SO proud of you! You are showing yourself each day that you CAN make it in this world. Some days are better than others, and some days you feel more success than others... but you are doing GREAT!!!! (And, as much as I'd love for you each one to be back in my life week in and week out, I'm so proud of you for having what it takes to grow up!!)
Now. I want us to think about something for a few minutes.
(Hint: This could be what you would comment on!!)
How do YOU define glad?
What makes you glad?
Do you feel it is a strong word?
Here are some ways that this tiny word is used:
~I sure am glad that test is over!!
~I'm glad I didn't run out of gas on the way to the gas station!
~Whew... I'm glad I got to hang out with ______ this weekend.
~OH MAN, I'm so glad that I didn't go to the _________.
~Oh, you got a new ______? I'm so glad. You needed one.
Those are some ways that we often hear the word "glad" used. Can you think of any more?
NOW. I want to know what makes you just so excited you can't hardly stand it! What is that makes your tummy do flips? Is there something that absolutely you think you will explode if it doesn't just hurry up already?
For me, that is Christmas!! When I was little, I thought Christmas Eve MUST be THE longest day in the history of the world!!! It seemed the clock would tick forward one and back two! Then, at bed time... goodness... the NIGHT was horribly long. I would get so excited about getting up Christmas morning, my tummy really would tickle!!!
Another thing that makes me kind of giddy like that is knowing I'm getting a surprise. The surprise doesn't even have to be huge... just that someone cares enough to think about doing something for me absolutely sends me over the edge at times!!
What is it for you?
How would you feel if:
~Some random person approached you with a check to cover your full tuition for the rest of your college career?
~You were able to accomplish the biggest goal or meet the biggest challenge you face right now?
~You were able to provide something for someone else that they have struggled with?
Now. This is going to be a change of gears, but hang with me. I'll tie it all together, ok??
On my wedding day, I felt like a princess! My mama worked herself silly and made me the most beautiful dress. She made it with such love (and frustration at times!!)~ It was beautiful! I was so proud of it, I couldn't stand the thoughts of getting anything on it (and, she might have skinned me!!) I wanted to look perfect for my man!! I wanted my hair, my make up, my dress... everything to be so perfect! Even though I know Chris loves me, and it wouldn't have mattered if I had a hair or two out of place... does a groom really want to meet his bride who is a mess? Have you ever seen a bride who really just kind of threw herself together? NO!!! Brides spend HOURS getting ready....
Did you know that WE are the Bride of Christ? That sounds weird, especially for your guys, but it is the truth! All through the Bible, we are referred to as the Bride of Christ.
Now. In Revelation 19:6-8; here is what John writes:
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! FOr the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."
(Have you heard people speak of 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb'? This is it. This will be the party of all parties! Not a 'supper' like we in the South know it. It will be a time of great celebration! Jewish weddings are traditionally a time of great celebration; and it goes on for days in some cases.)
Did you notice the word "glad" in this passage?? Think about this: If you are going somewhere that is THIS exciting, are you 'just' glad? This is kind of how I think I can show you some emphasis.... Are these the same kind of glad?
~I"m glad I'm going to Walmart in a little while.
~I'm glad I'm going to Ecuador, or New Orleans.
Which is more?
Well, as we are clothed in our white linen that is all bright and clean.... don't you think we are going to be just a LITTLE bit excited???
Now, lets look at Isaiah 61:10: "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, and as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
WOW. This kind of tells us it is coming... WARNING... Kind of like someone tells you, "Hey... this weekend when you are home, we're gonna hang out at the park and ride (or wherever)." So.. from that time until the time it actually happens, the excitement builds. Just like my own wedding... from the time we decided on a date... much was to be done, but excitement was building!!
These words, "delight greatly" ~ hmmmm
Now. Look at Matthew 5:12: "Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
So, here is how all this ties together:
In the original language, glad means this: To exult, to rejoice with exuberance, and very often literally to leap for joy. When is the last time you were so full of joy you just could not contain yourself?? In both of these passages (Matthew and REvelation) this word glad means literally 'to leap very much'...
The word delight in the Isaiah passage means, "rejoices greatly" and means to spin... to be so happy you just spin. Literally, I spin before the Lord. As a Bride, I really did feel so beautiful that I wanted to just spin so my groom could see. (Have you ever seen a little girl wear a 'dress up' dress and just kind of walk on air?? THAT is what we are talking about here)
This has absolutely challenged me to look at myself... am I glad?? Do I look at the my salvation and it make me so happy that I literally cannot contain myself? Do I look around me and what the Lord has done for me and do the same thing? I AM the Bride of Christ.
You may not understand this, I don't completely. But, I do understand the bride part. I am Chris' bride and I so wanted him to be pleased with me. Guys, you don't want to wait at the end of the isle for your bride and her not look beautiful, right? Girls, you want everything to be perfect (and it will be... when God sends your man... it will be!!)!! So it is with my Bridegroom.... Christ. WOW.
There is MUCH more to this and we might dig a little more in the next couple of weeks, but for this week, I want to challenge us to examine ourselves.
~Are you glad?
~Are you screwing up the look of the Bride of Christ? (how you livin? Are you TRYING to learn and grow in your walk with Christ? NO ONE is perfect, and NO ONE EVER stops growing... do NOT let yourself think that you will 'arrive' one of these days!! THere is always something you can learn)
~Do you let little things distract you from how much He really loves you? (Do you walk around like Eyeore because of the crap in life, or do you dance around like Snoopy being oblivious to the junk?)
So~ Let me hear from you!!
I love you. Thanks for hangin' in with this today.... Wrestle with it... really, that is alright!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Are you a loser?
Hey ya'll....
I'm excited about this week's passage!! It has been something I keep going back to a lot. I hope you get something from it!!
If you don't have your Bible in front of you, you can visit this website: www.bible.com There you can put the passage into the search box, and it will find it for you. You can also switch to different translations there!!
When you call someone a "loser" what do you mean? What if someone calls you a loser? Does that give you a wonderful feeling? Do you ever feel like a loser? What does it take to get you out of this 'slump'? Let's look today and see if we really are losers... then, let's see what that does to our thinking!!
Find Romans 8:28-39.
This whole chapter has become one of my favorites over the past several years. I keep going back to different parts of it pretty often!! The passage we are looking at now is basically a big pep talk from our Heavenly Father.
~The first verse we're looking at will probably sound familiar to some of you. Many times, we use this when there is a situation that looks kind of bad, or grim... "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (v28). What does this mean to you? Does it mean that no matter what, everything is good? Explain your thoughts, please!!
~Following v 28, Paul explains that those of us God foreknew (knew before), he predestined to be conformed into the likeness of His Son. That is COOL... you know why?? He 'foreknew' EVERYONE!! Psalms 139 talks about how well, intimately He knows us!! He knew me before I was ever 'knit together' in my mother's womb. Who is it He wants to conform to the image of Jesus? EVERYONE... John 3:16 also says it.... "Whosoever will" WHO EVER!!! That is YOU!!! So, if God knew you before you were created, and chose you.... what does that say to you?
~Verse 31 asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? IF God is for us, who can be against us?" So.... if God loves you enough to know you so well even before you are created.... and he chose us.... then... what IS your response? Do you believe it? What about those days when everything is going wrong? Do you FEEL like God is for you on those days? What about when you have a disagreement with someone you love? What about when life is throwing things at you like never before? If God... the God of the universe; the God who created the sunset; the God who made ice cream; the God who created fire flies; THAT God is for you? WHO (bigger than that) can be against you? What do you think about that?
~The other verse I'd like to examine a little bit is verse 37. Between v 31 and 37, Paul talks about God being the one who chooses, justifies and condemns. Then, he asks the question, "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?" But, strangely, doesn't list people, but 'things'.... trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword... those are the things that he asks about. That just about covers it, doesn't it? When you are going through any of these things, don't you feel pretty much like a loser? Do you feel separated from God during these times? Do you feel like He is a million miles away? Do you feel that sometimes you bring these things upon yourself and you don't deserve to be close to God? Or that He doesn't want to be close to you?? Read on, my friend.... v 37 is the coolest... it says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
THAT says a LOT.... what are we? why are we? Not only do we win, we conquer. Not only that we are MORE than a conqueror!! Have you ever seen an unhappy, unsettled, insecure conqueror? YOU are more than that if Jesus lives within you!!! How does that make you feel? How does that change your thinking? Does it speak to you? Respond, please!!!
If you continue reading, Paul lists the things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ.....
Now that we've walked thru this passage a little, think about it: When you feel like a loser, are you really? Is there anything that can 'make' you a loser? Are there any losers in this world? If so, who? Talk to us about your thoughts on this passage.....
Remember: YOur comments will not post immediately. Me or Chris have to approve them. Also, what do you think.... you wanna share this blog with your friends? It's alright with me!! Is it alright with you?
I love you guys.... I am better for knowing you and I appreciate what you mean to me!!
Live your life like a conqueror this week!! Walk tall and confident in the Father's love for you!!!!
I'm excited about this week's passage!! It has been something I keep going back to a lot. I hope you get something from it!!
If you don't have your Bible in front of you, you can visit this website: www.bible.com There you can put the passage into the search box, and it will find it for you. You can also switch to different translations there!!
When you call someone a "loser" what do you mean? What if someone calls you a loser? Does that give you a wonderful feeling? Do you ever feel like a loser? What does it take to get you out of this 'slump'? Let's look today and see if we really are losers... then, let's see what that does to our thinking!!
Find Romans 8:28-39.
This whole chapter has become one of my favorites over the past several years. I keep going back to different parts of it pretty often!! The passage we are looking at now is basically a big pep talk from our Heavenly Father.
~The first verse we're looking at will probably sound familiar to some of you. Many times, we use this when there is a situation that looks kind of bad, or grim... "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (v28). What does this mean to you? Does it mean that no matter what, everything is good? Explain your thoughts, please!!
~Following v 28, Paul explains that those of us God foreknew (knew before), he predestined to be conformed into the likeness of His Son. That is COOL... you know why?? He 'foreknew' EVERYONE!! Psalms 139 talks about how well, intimately He knows us!! He knew me before I was ever 'knit together' in my mother's womb. Who is it He wants to conform to the image of Jesus? EVERYONE... John 3:16 also says it.... "Whosoever will" WHO EVER!!! That is YOU!!! So, if God knew you before you were created, and chose you.... what does that say to you?
~Verse 31 asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? IF God is for us, who can be against us?" So.... if God loves you enough to know you so well even before you are created.... and he chose us.... then... what IS your response? Do you believe it? What about those days when everything is going wrong? Do you FEEL like God is for you on those days? What about when you have a disagreement with someone you love? What about when life is throwing things at you like never before? If God... the God of the universe; the God who created the sunset; the God who made ice cream; the God who created fire flies; THAT God is for you? WHO (bigger than that) can be against you? What do you think about that?
~The other verse I'd like to examine a little bit is verse 37. Between v 31 and 37, Paul talks about God being the one who chooses, justifies and condemns. Then, he asks the question, "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?" But, strangely, doesn't list people, but 'things'.... trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword... those are the things that he asks about. That just about covers it, doesn't it? When you are going through any of these things, don't you feel pretty much like a loser? Do you feel separated from God during these times? Do you feel like He is a million miles away? Do you feel that sometimes you bring these things upon yourself and you don't deserve to be close to God? Or that He doesn't want to be close to you?? Read on, my friend.... v 37 is the coolest... it says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
THAT says a LOT.... what are we? why are we? Not only do we win, we conquer. Not only that we are MORE than a conqueror!! Have you ever seen an unhappy, unsettled, insecure conqueror? YOU are more than that if Jesus lives within you!!! How does that make you feel? How does that change your thinking? Does it speak to you? Respond, please!!!
If you continue reading, Paul lists the things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ.....
Now that we've walked thru this passage a little, think about it: When you feel like a loser, are you really? Is there anything that can 'make' you a loser? Are there any losers in this world? If so, who? Talk to us about your thoughts on this passage.....
Remember: YOur comments will not post immediately. Me or Chris have to approve them. Also, what do you think.... you wanna share this blog with your friends? It's alright with me!! Is it alright with you?
I love you guys.... I am better for knowing you and I appreciate what you mean to me!!
Live your life like a conqueror this week!! Walk tall and confident in the Father's love for you!!!!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Jesus' Question
So, here we go!! I am going to post some scripture and some questions. Please respond to questions!! You can also respond to someone else's comment, if you want. If that makes you think of another question, please post that for us to ponder, as well!! Hope this will get us all thinking!!!
If you have trouble, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I think I've got it set up right, but I'm still learning so, we'll see!!
Please read John 5:1-15
As you read; ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see in this passage.
I'd also like you to think about the possible sights, smells and sounds that were happening in this passage. We read that this pool was near the Sheep Gate (shoooo weeee); there were many disabled people (which would mean lots of things.... blind, lame (can't walk), mute, mentally challenged, etc)
The next thing I'd like to ponder a minute was the length of time this man had been 'invalid'.... 38 years!! That is a LONG time... your whole life plus a lot. Almost my whole life!! This was a lame man (Jesus saw him lying there; later Jesus said, "Get up!!" We don't know WHY he couldn't walk, just couldn't!) What would it mean not to be able to walk? How would that affect life?
Here is how this pool worked. The water was still in the pool and at different times, the water would begin to stir. When the water would begin to stir, the people would scramble to get into the pool, because the first one in would be healed of whatever their ailment was. (Some versions of the Bible have a verse that explains that an angel of the Lord would stir the water.) So, we learn of this man who had had some kind of issue for 38 years ~
We see in verse 6, Jesus saw him lying there and learned he'd been in this condition a long time, then he asks a question. Re-read that section and think about that question.....
Alright: Now that you have a good idea of maybe what the scene looks like, lets get to the questions..... Comment on one or all, but please participate!!!
1. Verse 3 tells us there were a 'great number' of disabled people surrounding this pool. What kind of people do you think these were? Do you think this was a pleasant place to be? Do you think there were people who were not disabled there? What kind of risk was involved in going here? (For both disabled and non disabled people?)
2. Verse 5 says, "One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years." Define invalid for me. How does a person come to be an invalid? What does valid mean? What do you think, in Jesus day, it meant to have a physical or mental difference? Do you ever feel like an invalid? Do you see others around you that perhaps feel like an invalid?
3. In verse 6, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" Why do you think He asks that question? Wouldn't one assume if this man is at the pool he would want to get well? (Do you think the man wanted to say, "DUH... I'm here aren't I?')
4. Is the man giving excuses or reasons that he is unable to get into the water? What is the difference? Do you think if a person gives reasons for doing/not doing something others can see that as excuses? Is it our business? Does it matter? What did Jesus do? (WHether it was reason or excuse, Jesus just healed the dude. It didn't matter to him, apparently.)
5. The man, who hadn't walked in 38 years, got up and walked.... "at once"... that is pretty cool. But, the Jews were focused on what? (verse 10) So, what do you think about that? Do things like this happen now? (Do we see/hear of miracles happening right before our eyes but miss it because we are focused elsewhere?)
6. The man who was healed didn't have a clue who Jesus was!! Can you imagine?? All this dude knew was that he was at the pool waiting for the water to stir, knew he probably wasn't going to get in first, but still stayed there. (Maybe he had no way to get home. Maybe he had no home, and this was his only hope?) THen, this man shows up, asks a question and BOOM, he's walking like nothing was ever wrong!! Then, later, Jesus finds him at the temple and tells him to stop sinning. The passage doesn't say Jesus introduced himself to the man, but after the 2nd encounter, the man says it was Jesus who made him well. Has Jesus ever showed up in your life, but you didn't recognize Him? How do you think this man's life changed (besides the obvious)? When you realize that Jesus has been around in your life, does that change your life? The man by the pool walked differently (obviously), talked differently (didn't understand what had happened, but told people), his whole life was changed in just a few minutes.
What have I left out? What did you see in this passage? What can you take away from this? Have you learned something? WIll you look at people differently? Will you look at yourself differently?
I hope you have a great week. I"m looking forward to hearing from all of you!!
If you have issues, either FB me, or email me (ckmiller5@gmail.com)
I love you! You are precious!!
Krista
If you have trouble, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I think I've got it set up right, but I'm still learning so, we'll see!!
Please read John 5:1-15
As you read; ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see in this passage.
I'd also like you to think about the possible sights, smells and sounds that were happening in this passage. We read that this pool was near the Sheep Gate (shoooo weeee); there were many disabled people (which would mean lots of things.... blind, lame (can't walk), mute, mentally challenged, etc)
The next thing I'd like to ponder a minute was the length of time this man had been 'invalid'.... 38 years!! That is a LONG time... your whole life plus a lot. Almost my whole life!! This was a lame man (Jesus saw him lying there; later Jesus said, "Get up!!" We don't know WHY he couldn't walk, just couldn't!) What would it mean not to be able to walk? How would that affect life?
Here is how this pool worked. The water was still in the pool and at different times, the water would begin to stir. When the water would begin to stir, the people would scramble to get into the pool, because the first one in would be healed of whatever their ailment was. (Some versions of the Bible have a verse that explains that an angel of the Lord would stir the water.) So, we learn of this man who had had some kind of issue for 38 years ~
We see in verse 6, Jesus saw him lying there and learned he'd been in this condition a long time, then he asks a question. Re-read that section and think about that question.....
Alright: Now that you have a good idea of maybe what the scene looks like, lets get to the questions..... Comment on one or all, but please participate!!!
1. Verse 3 tells us there were a 'great number' of disabled people surrounding this pool. What kind of people do you think these were? Do you think this was a pleasant place to be? Do you think there were people who were not disabled there? What kind of risk was involved in going here? (For both disabled and non disabled people?)
2. Verse 5 says, "One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years." Define invalid for me. How does a person come to be an invalid? What does valid mean? What do you think, in Jesus day, it meant to have a physical or mental difference? Do you ever feel like an invalid? Do you see others around you that perhaps feel like an invalid?
3. In verse 6, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" Why do you think He asks that question? Wouldn't one assume if this man is at the pool he would want to get well? (Do you think the man wanted to say, "DUH... I'm here aren't I?')
4. Is the man giving excuses or reasons that he is unable to get into the water? What is the difference? Do you think if a person gives reasons for doing/not doing something others can see that as excuses? Is it our business? Does it matter? What did Jesus do? (WHether it was reason or excuse, Jesus just healed the dude. It didn't matter to him, apparently.)
5. The man, who hadn't walked in 38 years, got up and walked.... "at once"... that is pretty cool. But, the Jews were focused on what? (verse 10) So, what do you think about that? Do things like this happen now? (Do we see/hear of miracles happening right before our eyes but miss it because we are focused elsewhere?)
6. The man who was healed didn't have a clue who Jesus was!! Can you imagine?? All this dude knew was that he was at the pool waiting for the water to stir, knew he probably wasn't going to get in first, but still stayed there. (Maybe he had no way to get home. Maybe he had no home, and this was his only hope?) THen, this man shows up, asks a question and BOOM, he's walking like nothing was ever wrong!! Then, later, Jesus finds him at the temple and tells him to stop sinning. The passage doesn't say Jesus introduced himself to the man, but after the 2nd encounter, the man says it was Jesus who made him well. Has Jesus ever showed up in your life, but you didn't recognize Him? How do you think this man's life changed (besides the obvious)? When you realize that Jesus has been around in your life, does that change your life? The man by the pool walked differently (obviously), talked differently (didn't understand what had happened, but told people), his whole life was changed in just a few minutes.
What have I left out? What did you see in this passage? What can you take away from this? Have you learned something? WIll you look at people differently? Will you look at yourself differently?
I hope you have a great week. I"m looking forward to hearing from all of you!!
If you have issues, either FB me, or email me (ckmiller5@gmail.com)
I love you! You are precious!!
Krista
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Welcome....
"Welcome to what?" you may ask!! Welcome to a new school year!! Welcome to a fresh opportunity!! Welcome to our brand new Blog!!
Each year while you were in youth, many of you participated in mission trips and centrifuge! If you did go on these trips, you know the frustration of being there (wherever it was... Ecuador, New Orleans, Centrifuge, etc) and wanting to continue the 'camp high'.... that is why we are going to blog. We want to continue some of those things that created the camp high!
I'm not really hung up on numbers, however, there is an overwhelming and alarming number I'd like you to know about. The funny thing is, I don't even KNOW the number! Haa haa. Here it is: According to statistics; something like 80% (this is the number I do not know!) of high school graduates NEVER return to being actively involved in a church once they leave home! That is SCARY to me!! I have had the honor or watching most of you grow from aggravating middle schoolers into wonderful young adults. You have so much to offer those around you. I have seen you grow in your walk with your Jesus, and I do NOT want to see that stop just because you aren't at home any longer.
So, we are going to give this blog a go... see what happens. Here is how it will work:
Each week (Sunday night, most likely) I will post a scripture and a few discussion questions.
You, at some point in the week, will visit the blog and respond to the questions!!
How does that sound? Easy? I sure hope so!!! I do not want this to be a burden at all, but something you look forward to.
I will also create a post for you to comment on relating to prayer requests.
I want this to be YOURS.... so... What suggestions do you have??
Also, I am making this a 'closed' blog. That way, not just anyone can leave comments!! IT does NOT have to be only FBCBlairsville friends, it can be friends you have while you are at school, I will just have to give them permission to join!!
So, what do you think? Ready to get started?
Love you bunches.....
Krista
Each year while you were in youth, many of you participated in mission trips and centrifuge! If you did go on these trips, you know the frustration of being there (wherever it was... Ecuador, New Orleans, Centrifuge, etc) and wanting to continue the 'camp high'.... that is why we are going to blog. We want to continue some of those things that created the camp high!
I'm not really hung up on numbers, however, there is an overwhelming and alarming number I'd like you to know about. The funny thing is, I don't even KNOW the number! Haa haa. Here it is: According to statistics; something like 80% (this is the number I do not know!) of high school graduates NEVER return to being actively involved in a church once they leave home! That is SCARY to me!! I have had the honor or watching most of you grow from aggravating middle schoolers into wonderful young adults. You have so much to offer those around you. I have seen you grow in your walk with your Jesus, and I do NOT want to see that stop just because you aren't at home any longer.
So, we are going to give this blog a go... see what happens. Here is how it will work:
Each week (Sunday night, most likely) I will post a scripture and a few discussion questions.
You, at some point in the week, will visit the blog and respond to the questions!!
How does that sound? Easy? I sure hope so!!! I do not want this to be a burden at all, but something you look forward to.
I will also create a post for you to comment on relating to prayer requests.
I want this to be YOURS.... so... What suggestions do you have??
Also, I am making this a 'closed' blog. That way, not just anyone can leave comments!! IT does NOT have to be only FBCBlairsville friends, it can be friends you have while you are at school, I will just have to give them permission to join!!
So, what do you think? Ready to get started?
Love you bunches.....
Krista
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