I have gotten this question more frequently lately... so I thought I would answer it- where else, but my blog! I hope that the fact that I am getting this question means that more people are reading my blog, but who knows!
I believe I blog because I feel that so many people in this world are going through so many of the same things- only we don't know it. Blogging for me is a way to be in contact with people I know, people I dont know and people I have things in common with. My blog is of course a personal testimony of my life and all that my life entails. That could add up to a lot on some days and not so much on other days! I write about many things on here and I plan to get deeper into it- I write about church because I love the Lord and I feel very blessed. I write about family - my immediate family, my extended family and my CF family. I hope to connect with people in the world that may be sharing my experiences and I hope to compare notes! People interest me, they intrigue me and I want to know what makes them live life to thier fullest! I hope you enjoy my posts, I hope you feel free to leave comments, and I hope to make an impact and a change for the better of those I cross paths with!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Pursuing Missional Faithfullness- Q & A
1. What have you heard from God that you expected to hear or hoped to hear?
Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. Jesus prayed for God to strengthen his disciple’s ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy and praise. But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.
I believe God will hear us and has heard us- all the prayer triplets, our ministers and our congregation as we pray seeking what He would have us do and be as a church now and in the future. I believe He will answer us and lead us in His direction. This is and has been my expectation. I believe we are being given wisdom and guidance right now- through this experience. I believe God is strengthening our ministry right now through this experience.
2. What did you hear from God that was unexpected or a surprise?
I noticed that one of God’s main objectives is a “restored” relationship and a close fellowship with Him-no matter who we are. I don’t think that we can be good stewards of God’s word and work if we ourselves are not on good terms or in close relationship with Him.
I could list the things that my triplet came up with that we feel are needs and areas in the church that we could move towards and projects that we could recommend taking on- but I think each of us in my triplet realized in the big picture: This experience is not about us. It is about reaching for God and forming OR repairing OR maintaining and improving our relationship with Him first and foremost. Then it is about letting Him lead us. We have to let go and let God. *we find our way by following God’s spirit!*
3. What did you hear from God that requires change- or risk-taking- in your life or the life of the congregation?
GOD HAS A SPECIAL & UNIQUE PURPOSE FOR EACH OF OUR LIVES this was apparent throughout our study guides and it really was a strong thread in my prayer triplet as you may remember our power point presentation a few weeks ago during the worship service where we emphasized this verse:
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
GOD PLACES A DESIRE AND A PASSION IN OUR HEARTS TO DO THE THINGS HE CALLS US TO DO & GOD'S PRESENCE & POWER WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU WHEN HE CALLS YOU (He will never leave you)- I found that all Christians (as different as we all are) are in the same boat! We all experience doubt and confusion.
I think that even though there may be risk involved we should at least try. I think that a risk not tried is a potential success that has failed before it has been given the opportunity to be realized. In my own life and in my community (including WHBC) I think that where people are sick or hurting (physically or emotionally) - we should risk bringing help or healing. I think that where there is miscommunication a chance for clarity should be risked. I think that those we feel the need to judge or hate- we should risk praying for them (and ourselves) first instead. I think we should always risk forgiveness and love. I think we should risk being uncomfortable at the expense of making someone else feel comfortable or even loved and cared for.
God already has a purpose for my life- that is a scary thought if I am honest. Scary because I don’t think I have been privileged yet as to what that purpose is! And the scarier thing is that I may never realize what that purpose is. But God knows, and He knows how to work in my life to achieve that purpose- what scares me is that I could choose to inadvertently not work toward that purpose. I feel the need to be in control much more often than I feel the need to not be in control! Letting go of that need for control and letting God be in total control is a change that I need to make that to me is a considerable risk. But through this experience, I have learned that –that may be exactly what I need to do. That may in fact be just what God is saying to me. It could be what God is saying to our church as well.
4. What more do you need to hear from God, or hope to hear, before you can write the story of God’s call and intended future for Walnut Hills Baptist Church?
I think personally I need to hear that taking a risk is okay and that even if taking that risk ends in failure, at least it was attempted and that the next risk would still be worth it. I think I need to hear that we are in this with God and with one another and as much as God is there to hold us up, so are we there to support one another. I think I need to hear that no idea, no suggestion, no voice is stupid. I think I need to hear that people won’t get carried away with, but that they will get excited about change. I think that I need to hear that risk taking requires us to lean on God- thus teaching us humility, trust and responsibility in our relationship with God. I think I need to hear that people get it, that they get that this is a journey with God- and we are all on this journey together. I think that I need to hear that people are excited to be on this journey with one another moving with God, not before or after Him, not before or after one another, but together. And I need to hear that not having a clear and detailed agenda or schedule is okay and you can still move forward without one- figuring it out as you go, and moving with the changes that will inevitably come with the territory. Change = Fear is something that has always struck me, however through this experience thus far I am learning that Change is less equal to fear than it is equal to intrigue and possibilities when God is in that change. And I think I need to hear that this process is not just a trend, but a foundation for our future (personal and church) to continue to build on.
Share & Prayer Experience- Harvesting Meeting- September 12, 2010
a. What has been your experience with God during this process? What are words, phrases, or thoughts you believe are from God and what do these reflections mean for you and for Walnut Hills?
As I reflect over the past 100 Days of Prayer experience, I went back to the very first meetings journal notes and re-read the questions from that meeting and the answers that I had. The first meeting of my triplet asked some very hard questions right off the bat! One of those questions that has stuck with me throughout was this: What are your expectations and hopes for prayer triplet experience?
My answers to this question dealt mainly with prayer. I expected us to follow the example already set for us regarding prayer. Now when I say that- please understand I did not expect us to follow a certain format of prayer. I learned quickly in my triplet that each of us has very different styles of prayer, some of us like to pray by ourselves and in private, some of us like to pray with other people and for other people and some of us like to pray through other avenues such as music and some of us like to let others do the praying for us. Our triplet had a difficult start in regards to prayer. It was hard to get focused, it was hard to stay focused and it was very hard to pray together. None of us knew one another on that personal level- enough to share in prayer together. And we had to learn very quickly what one another’s comfort levels were in regards to prayer and how we each experience prayer in our lives.
Before we could move on this was a very important opportunity we had to grab onto. I say opportunity b/c I did not view it as an obstacle, but as a way to watch God move through each of us. Right away God was already teaching us and we were not even aware of it at the time!
As we learned with one another about prayer itself and practiced it, we began to notice things that we were doing just as Jesus did in His prayer time.
Jesus prayed for guidance in places of quiet solitude - “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
We of course prayed together, in a quiet place but with one another.
Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all believers -“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).
We prayed for one another as disciples of God and for our fellow believers that were also praying in triplets.
Jesus prayed in praise to God, the Father - “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure’” (Luke 10:21).
I think as things are revealed to us through this experience even beyond our own triplets- as I believe they will be, we will pray with praise for God opening our eyes and revealing His plan for our church.
Jesus prayed prayers of thanksgiving - “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks
and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body’” (Mark 14:22).
We prayed thankfully, that we have God to lead us and to trust in through this mission for our church.
Jesus prayed in a posture and with an attitude of reverent submission - “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).
We prayed His will, not ours for our church… What would He like for us to do, What would He like for us to be?
Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. Jesus prayed for God to strengthen his disciple’s ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy and praise. But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.
I believe God will hear us- all the prayer triplets, our ministers and our congregation as we pray seeking what He would have us do and be as a church now and in the future. I believe He will answer us and lead us in His direction. This is my expectation.
b. From this journey, are there particular areas that you believe God is calling us or gifting us to serve (Yes, we are called to go into the world but we cannot take on the entire world. So who or what direction has emerged in your personal or triplet’s journey)?
Particular areas that I believe God is calling us or gifting us to serve led me to research and really delve into what it means to respond to a call from God. Through studies, the bible, and articles and devotionals during my 100 days of prayer and share time with my triplet this is what I saw over and over:I noticed that one of God’s main objectives is a “restored” relationship and a close fellowship with Him.
GOD'S MAIN CALL IS TO A RESTORED RELATIONSHIP AND THEN TO CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM:
Only by accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will you ever be reconciled to God and be able to have a personal relationship with Him.
Jesus says in John 14:6: "I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."- John 14:6
and in John 1:12: " to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12
Eternal life and being a Christian is not just about accepting Jesus as your Lord & Savior, then waiting around to go to heaven where you will live forever. It is about a relationship with God, and getting to know Him , and serving Him and obeying Him because you love Him.
Second I noticed that:
GOD HAS A SPECIAL & UNIQUE PURPOSE FOR EACH OF OUR LIVES:
this was apparent throughout our study guides and it really was a strong thread in my prayer triplet as you may remember for those of you who saw our power point presentation a few weeks ago during the worship service where we emphasized this verse:
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has special plans for our lives, plans to bless us and prosper us; The next two verses spell out the necessary conditions for us to receive the benefit of His plans, "Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you. When you search for Me, You will find me; if you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
" God will instruct him in the way chosen for him." - Psalm 25:12
" You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." - I Peter 2:9
" For we are God's workmanship ("valuable masterpiece"), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
I have also noticed over and over in my life experiences dealing with those who feel called by God that each person believes that:
GOD PLACES A DESIRE AND A PASSION IN OUR HEARTS TO DO THE THINGS HE CALLS US TO DO:
" For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." - Philippians 2:13
(You will have a love & joy & passion for doing the things God has created you for & calls you to do)
And we have all had the “spiritual gifts” lesson, but it bears so much meaning if you find out what your gifts are and what you have a passion for- this is what God has equipped you with!
GOD GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO EQUIP YOU FOR YOUR CALLING:
List of Spiritual Gifts
Administration: Discernment: Exhortation: Faith: Giving: Knowledge: Leadership: Mercy: Prophecy: Service: Helps: Teaching: Wisdom:
And I have also noticed that many people feel they are not fit for what God calls them to do. This is not true though- and what news could be better than that?!
GOD'S PRESENCE & POWER WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU WHEN HE CALLS YOU:
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." - Acts 13:2
The Greek word for called means that God "called them unto Himself", first to a love relationship with God, and next to where His presence and His power would be at work. We only need to respond in faith and obedience, and God will provide the power and whatever else is needed to get the job done. Moses being called to help lead God's people out of Egypt is another good example of God's call and how God provided everything (see Exodus 3 & 4).
And lastly, I found that all Christians are in the same boat! We all experience doubt and confusion- but we are not truly following Jesus unless we are being fishers of men and an active witness for Jesus Christ, telling the lost about Him and sharing His plan of salvation with them. He also wants the church to teach and help others become fully devoted and passionate disciples (learners and followers) of Jesus Christ, so they will be fruitful witnesses and servants of His.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT GOD CALLS ALL CHRISTIANS TO DO:
"Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19
"Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” - Matthew 28:18-20
c. Remember – we are not trying to outline a vision in this harvesting phase – we are attempting to hear God’s call upon our lives. Our understanding of God’s call will lead us to be the church and do the tasks of the church.
In closing, I could read you the list of things that my triplet came up with that we feel are needs and areas in the church that we could move towards and projects that we could recommend taking on- but I think each of us in my triplet realized in the big picture: This experience is not about us. It is about reaching for God and forming or repairing or maintaining and improving our relationship with Him first and foremost. Then it is about letting Him lead us. We have to let go and let God. *we find our way by following God’s spirit!*
d. If it is helpful, as a triplet, bring an image that reflects your experience or reflections. Images often aid in communicating information and meaning.
I still really like our power point presentation that we showed during worship a few Sunday’s ago… and I think it still holds true even as we continue through this journey of pursuing missional faithfulness.
As I reflect over the past 100 Days of Prayer experience, I went back to the very first meetings journal notes and re-read the questions from that meeting and the answers that I had. The first meeting of my triplet asked some very hard questions right off the bat! One of those questions that has stuck with me throughout was this: What are your expectations and hopes for prayer triplet experience?
My answers to this question dealt mainly with prayer. I expected us to follow the example already set for us regarding prayer. Now when I say that- please understand I did not expect us to follow a certain format of prayer. I learned quickly in my triplet that each of us has very different styles of prayer, some of us like to pray by ourselves and in private, some of us like to pray with other people and for other people and some of us like to pray through other avenues such as music and some of us like to let others do the praying for us. Our triplet had a difficult start in regards to prayer. It was hard to get focused, it was hard to stay focused and it was very hard to pray together. None of us knew one another on that personal level- enough to share in prayer together. And we had to learn very quickly what one another’s comfort levels were in regards to prayer and how we each experience prayer in our lives.
Before we could move on this was a very important opportunity we had to grab onto. I say opportunity b/c I did not view it as an obstacle, but as a way to watch God move through each of us. Right away God was already teaching us and we were not even aware of it at the time!
As we learned with one another about prayer itself and practiced it, we began to notice things that we were doing just as Jesus did in His prayer time.
Jesus prayed for guidance in places of quiet solitude - “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
We of course prayed together, in a quiet place but with one another.
Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all believers -“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).
We prayed for one another as disciples of God and for our fellow believers that were also praying in triplets.
Jesus prayed in praise to God, the Father - “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure’” (Luke 10:21).
I think as things are revealed to us through this experience even beyond our own triplets- as I believe they will be, we will pray with praise for God opening our eyes and revealing His plan for our church.
Jesus prayed prayers of thanksgiving - “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks
and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body’” (Mark 14:22).
We prayed thankfully, that we have God to lead us and to trust in through this mission for our church.
Jesus prayed in a posture and with an attitude of reverent submission - “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).
We prayed His will, not ours for our church… What would He like for us to do, What would He like for us to be?
Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. Jesus prayed for God to strengthen his disciple’s ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy and praise. But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.
I believe God will hear us- all the prayer triplets, our ministers and our congregation as we pray seeking what He would have us do and be as a church now and in the future. I believe He will answer us and lead us in His direction. This is my expectation.
b. From this journey, are there particular areas that you believe God is calling us or gifting us to serve (Yes, we are called to go into the world but we cannot take on the entire world. So who or what direction has emerged in your personal or triplet’s journey)?
Particular areas that I believe God is calling us or gifting us to serve led me to research and really delve into what it means to respond to a call from God. Through studies, the bible, and articles and devotionals during my 100 days of prayer and share time with my triplet this is what I saw over and over:I noticed that one of God’s main objectives is a “restored” relationship and a close fellowship with Him.
GOD'S MAIN CALL IS TO A RESTORED RELATIONSHIP AND THEN TO CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM:
Only by accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will you ever be reconciled to God and be able to have a personal relationship with Him.
Jesus says in John 14:6: "I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."- John 14:6
and in John 1:12: " to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12
Eternal life and being a Christian is not just about accepting Jesus as your Lord & Savior, then waiting around to go to heaven where you will live forever. It is about a relationship with God, and getting to know Him , and serving Him and obeying Him because you love Him.
Second I noticed that:
GOD HAS A SPECIAL & UNIQUE PURPOSE FOR EACH OF OUR LIVES:
this was apparent throughout our study guides and it really was a strong thread in my prayer triplet as you may remember for those of you who saw our power point presentation a few weeks ago during the worship service where we emphasized this verse:
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has special plans for our lives, plans to bless us and prosper us; The next two verses spell out the necessary conditions for us to receive the benefit of His plans, "Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you. When you search for Me, You will find me; if you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
" God will instruct him in the way chosen for him." - Psalm 25:12
" You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." - I Peter 2:9
" For we are God's workmanship ("valuable masterpiece"), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
I have also noticed over and over in my life experiences dealing with those who feel called by God that each person believes that:
GOD PLACES A DESIRE AND A PASSION IN OUR HEARTS TO DO THE THINGS HE CALLS US TO DO:
" For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." - Philippians 2:13
(You will have a love & joy & passion for doing the things God has created you for & calls you to do)
And we have all had the “spiritual gifts” lesson, but it bears so much meaning if you find out what your gifts are and what you have a passion for- this is what God has equipped you with!
GOD GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO EQUIP YOU FOR YOUR CALLING:
List of Spiritual Gifts
Administration: Discernment: Exhortation: Faith: Giving: Knowledge: Leadership: Mercy: Prophecy: Service: Helps: Teaching: Wisdom:
And I have also noticed that many people feel they are not fit for what God calls them to do. This is not true though- and what news could be better than that?!
GOD'S PRESENCE & POWER WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU WHEN HE CALLS YOU:
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." - Acts 13:2
The Greek word for called means that God "called them unto Himself", first to a love relationship with God, and next to where His presence and His power would be at work. We only need to respond in faith and obedience, and God will provide the power and whatever else is needed to get the job done. Moses being called to help lead God's people out of Egypt is another good example of God's call and how God provided everything (see Exodus 3 & 4).
And lastly, I found that all Christians are in the same boat! We all experience doubt and confusion- but we are not truly following Jesus unless we are being fishers of men and an active witness for Jesus Christ, telling the lost about Him and sharing His plan of salvation with them. He also wants the church to teach and help others become fully devoted and passionate disciples (learners and followers) of Jesus Christ, so they will be fruitful witnesses and servants of His.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT GOD CALLS ALL CHRISTIANS TO DO:
"Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19
"Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” - Matthew 28:18-20
c. Remember – we are not trying to outline a vision in this harvesting phase – we are attempting to hear God’s call upon our lives. Our understanding of God’s call will lead us to be the church and do the tasks of the church.
In closing, I could read you the list of things that my triplet came up with that we feel are needs and areas in the church that we could move towards and projects that we could recommend taking on- but I think each of us in my triplet realized in the big picture: This experience is not about us. It is about reaching for God and forming or repairing or maintaining and improving our relationship with Him first and foremost. Then it is about letting Him lead us. We have to let go and let God. *we find our way by following God’s spirit!*
d. If it is helpful, as a triplet, bring an image that reflects your experience or reflections. Images often aid in communicating information and meaning.
I still really like our power point presentation that we showed during worship a few Sunday’s ago… and I think it still holds true even as we continue through this journey of pursuing missional faithfulness.
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