In our group last night, we talked about the similarities between a soldier and a believer facing spiritual battles and battles of the mind. There is alot of similarities between the two and I asked our group to list some attributes of a soldier. When I did, we got alot of answers and I thought about for each one, a way that the soldier's attribute translate to spiritual disciplines. I also got some help from a few people and here's what we came up with:
Bravery - like a soldier, believers sometimes need bravery to do what God commands (i.e. Moses facing Pharoah, Joshua and Jericho, etc)
Obedience/Submissive - sometimes God will ask you to do something you don't want to do. But with this trait, you do it anyway.
Trained/Prepared - Reading His Word, implementing it in your life, spiritually exercising what you've learned in your life.
Strength - overcoming difficulties to act anyway. Strength is the first physical and mental element you need to stand. God gives this to those who follow Him.
Giving - giving of yourself to others, not for your glory, but God's. A soldier does this for his country. A believer does this for his King.
Discipline - like a boxer, calculating moves, not losing focus on distractions. disciplined. Effective in battle...
Loyal - Committed to Jesus... You are carrying out His wishes, not your own.
Experience - battle experiences make you a trained warrior. Book smart is a great start, but experience and wisdom fall hand in hand when facing battles making you more effective.
Loud - soldiers bark orders, and also call out status of distress (i.e. "I'm HIT!!!") or location of the enemy. Letting brothers and sisters in faith know your status can help you out of a situation that you could not do on your own. God puts these people in your life to help you.
Humility - for a believer, knowing who God is and knowing who you are. living out His wishes for humility in your life.
Alert/Focused - watching for attacks, analyzing your words to see who you are listening to.
Armed - having memory verses available to deal with situations.. having a Bible nearby to seek guidance... having humility to ask a friend who you know believes in God for an answer.
Team Mentality - knowing that other believers around you in coordinated efforts can do great things... things that would be much harder to do on your own. The purpose of family... one reason why we are the "body of Christ".
Sacrificial - giving of yourself because in doing so reflects Jesus and brings Him glory. Your compassion reflects His.
Communication - having someone or a handful of people in your life to communicate how the battles are going. Talkin g to them about your needs.
Planner - someone who learns from losses, from victories and refines their faith through life experiences... Someone who sees the answers God has for them and plans them into their lives. A planner thinks ahead on how to handle vulnerabilities of themselves or others.
Committed - Loving God no matter what. Even if facing physical or emotional loss, always knowing that God loves you and is with you no matter what life brings.
Honor/Respect - see Humility... Honoring God for who He is... Depending on Him because of who He is, Respecting His answers, even if they are not the answers you like...
Perseverence - When we go through something difficult for us, perseverence developes character in us to face not only that situation but also to face situations in the future. Remember that not only Christians but also those who are not Christians are watching us to see how react to those situations.
I wanted to add this to our blog because I felt like we had some really great input and this is something we could remember every day and it would make us more prepared to live out our faith in Jesus.
God bless,
Dave
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thoughts from Ezra...
In my quiet time, I started Ezra. In Chapter 1, I read this:
2 "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
" 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.' "
5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
7 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.
This doesn't seem like much, but what I have learned is that when God forgives and when God restores, He does it right. With the Old Testament, I used to read it like it was laid out in order. But really, it's not at all.
Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in Daniel, so my few times through the Old Testament I had a big question mark, or I did not care about the timing, but today I did. Persia did not exist until after the Babylonian Empire was defeated. Nebuchadnezzar had sacked God's temple, but here what we see in this verse, is God restoring the temple.
God is a restorer. He can take something that seems lost and make it new. When Babylon took over, all hope seemed lost. It is amazing that when we see this picture, that we see His faithfulness transcend kingdoms, time and even eternity.
When man fell, all seemed lost, but God sent a Savior, His Son Jesus, to be redemption for us. He is coming again you know? He will make all things new! In a world that seems to crumble more and more each day, our God who restores will never leave or forsake us and He is better and stronger than anything we could possibly face.
God bless,
Dave
2 "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
" 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.' "
5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
7 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.
This doesn't seem like much, but what I have learned is that when God forgives and when God restores, He does it right. With the Old Testament, I used to read it like it was laid out in order. But really, it's not at all.
Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in Daniel, so my few times through the Old Testament I had a big question mark, or I did not care about the timing, but today I did. Persia did not exist until after the Babylonian Empire was defeated. Nebuchadnezzar had sacked God's temple, but here what we see in this verse, is God restoring the temple.
God is a restorer. He can take something that seems lost and make it new. When Babylon took over, all hope seemed lost. It is amazing that when we see this picture, that we see His faithfulness transcend kingdoms, time and even eternity.
When man fell, all seemed lost, but God sent a Savior, His Son Jesus, to be redemption for us. He is coming again you know? He will make all things new! In a world that seems to crumble more and more each day, our God who restores will never leave or forsake us and He is better and stronger than anything we could possibly face.
God bless,
Dave
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Movie Week! Wednesday and Friday
Wednesday - The Ultimate Gift
Remember that on Wednesday, we will be starting a little early, around 6:30. Bring comfy chairs or bean bags to sit in the gym. We decided it was going to be too cold to do a movie night outside, so we'll be at the gym watching the Ultimate Gift instead of Brenda's house. We also have a lesson on the movie if we are interested in doing it next week.
Friday - Escape from Halloween
Well, some of us are used to Hoedown for Halloween and for those who aren't and want to get out during candy time, we are going to Fireproof at 7 and then dessert at Mimi's after the movie, so grab a quick dinner and we'll meet you there!
Remember that on Wednesday, we will be starting a little early, around 6:30. Bring comfy chairs or bean bags to sit in the gym. We decided it was going to be too cold to do a movie night outside, so we'll be at the gym watching the Ultimate Gift instead of Brenda's house. We also have a lesson on the movie if we are interested in doing it next week.
Friday - Escape from Halloween
Well, some of us are used to Hoedown for Halloween and for those who aren't and want to get out during candy time, we are going to Fireproof at 7 and then dessert at Mimi's after the movie, so grab a quick dinner and we'll meet you there!
Give With No Regrets
In Schindler's List, Schindler smuggles Jews from the Nazi's. In this scene, he laments because he could have saved more and did not. While he did great things for the Jews, he had some things he left undone.
I believe that unfortunately, we'll be that way as well at the end of our lives. When we see the Father, we'll know that there is so much more that we could have done for Him on this earth and we will wish we had.
My post this week is a reminder to live your life for Him with all that you are. Give all you can, whether it be financial, physical, your time or just an ear to someone who hurts. Forgive those around you because Jesus loves you and He loves them. Seek after Him with all your heart and all you are.
We could never measure up to what Jesus did. He literally gave His entire life in teaching, healing and giving, all to the glory to God. We are not guaranteed our next breath, so live for Him with every breath you have. You are loved with an everlasting love from the very source of love itself.
God bless,
Dave
Friday, October 24, 2008
The High Places
2 Kings 12
1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.
2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
I've been going through the Old Testament the last part of this year and it is interesting to hear of all the kings of Judah and Israel. They chose to follow God or they did not. But every now and then, there is this "exception" that I read of those who follow the Lord, but they keep the high places allowing others to sacrifice to Asherah a mother goddess, Baal and other idols.
I know the question is one that has been asked, but sometimes, lessons we actually learn are ones that we hear more than once, so I'll ask it anyway: Do you have high places? I know that my audience is predominantly Christian, but if you walk the high hills of your heart, what do you see? Are there things you hold out for yourself? Are there "off limits" places in your walk that you have not torn down yet?
If we are honest, most of us can find something that is a high place. Is it money? your time? what you watch? who you depend on? places you go? what you listen to? unforgiveness? I am no prophet or mind reader. I can't answer that question. No one can answer that question but you and God. He knows and He loves you anyway.
My hopes are to be like Josiah. When my days are done, I want to know I tried my best to hold nothing back. Feed the poor, help the homeless, the widow, teach, serve, laugh, study and sing all in the name and for the name of Jesus.
Holy wars never were very effective in bringing people to Jesus, but the church today needs to lead a war campaign for the hearts of people. We must tear down our high places and shine like Josiah. In our obedience in removing the high places, we will honor God more than we ever thought we could.
Josiah was given the book of God and realized the sin of his people. He tore his clothes as king and repented of the people's sin and his own sin. Here is an account of Josiah the king's reaction to the knowledge of God. (KEEP IN MIND HE WAS 18 WHEN THIS STARTED!!!):
4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel.
5 He did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.
6 He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people.
7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.
8 Josiah brought all the priests from the towns of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He broke down the shrines at the gates—at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the city governor, which is on the left of the city gate.
9 Although the priests of the high places did not serve at the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.
10 He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.
11 He removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots dedicated to the sun.
12 He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the LORD. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley.
13 The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption—the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the people of Ammon.
14 Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones.
15 Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—even that altar and high place he demolished. He burned the high place and ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole also.
There's more, but Josiah, when he learned of God, he went for it. He trashed everything that set itself against God in his land. My challenge today is for you to clean your lands. Remove your high places. Fight the places in your heart and life that don't belong to God and conquer them for God's glory. Your inner battles won will have an outer effect.
In verse 25, the final thought of Josiah was this:
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
You are writing the story of your life right now as you live and we all are living in a generation where those who believe in Christ must stand to make a difference or what we have will be taken from us. We can't stand for what Christians have bickered over in the past. We can't fight about doctrine differences, Rapture timings, ceremonies, etc... It has to be about what a real relationship with Jesus means.
We must vow to remove the high places from our lives and turn our hearts in serving the King. It matters more than anything, even our own lives. It is for His renown that we set ourselves as ambassadors for in this world.
God bless and with much love,
Dave
1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.
2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
I've been going through the Old Testament the last part of this year and it is interesting to hear of all the kings of Judah and Israel. They chose to follow God or they did not. But every now and then, there is this "exception" that I read of those who follow the Lord, but they keep the high places allowing others to sacrifice to Asherah a mother goddess, Baal and other idols.
I know the question is one that has been asked, but sometimes, lessons we actually learn are ones that we hear more than once, so I'll ask it anyway: Do you have high places? I know that my audience is predominantly Christian, but if you walk the high hills of your heart, what do you see? Are there things you hold out for yourself? Are there "off limits" places in your walk that you have not torn down yet?
If we are honest, most of us can find something that is a high place. Is it money? your time? what you watch? who you depend on? places you go? what you listen to? unforgiveness? I am no prophet or mind reader. I can't answer that question. No one can answer that question but you and God. He knows and He loves you anyway.
My hopes are to be like Josiah. When my days are done, I want to know I tried my best to hold nothing back. Feed the poor, help the homeless, the widow, teach, serve, laugh, study and sing all in the name and for the name of Jesus.
Holy wars never were very effective in bringing people to Jesus, but the church today needs to lead a war campaign for the hearts of people. We must tear down our high places and shine like Josiah. In our obedience in removing the high places, we will honor God more than we ever thought we could.
Josiah was given the book of God and realized the sin of his people. He tore his clothes as king and repented of the people's sin and his own sin. Here is an account of Josiah the king's reaction to the knowledge of God. (KEEP IN MIND HE WAS 18 WHEN THIS STARTED!!!):
4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel.
5 He did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.
6 He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people.
7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.
8 Josiah brought all the priests from the towns of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He broke down the shrines at the gates—at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the city governor, which is on the left of the city gate.
9 Although the priests of the high places did not serve at the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.
10 He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.
11 He removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots dedicated to the sun.
12 He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the LORD. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley.
13 The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption—the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the people of Ammon.
14 Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones.
15 Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—even that altar and high place he demolished. He burned the high place and ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole also.
There's more, but Josiah, when he learned of God, he went for it. He trashed everything that set itself against God in his land. My challenge today is for you to clean your lands. Remove your high places. Fight the places in your heart and life that don't belong to God and conquer them for God's glory. Your inner battles won will have an outer effect.
In verse 25, the final thought of Josiah was this:
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
You are writing the story of your life right now as you live and we all are living in a generation where those who believe in Christ must stand to make a difference or what we have will be taken from us. We can't stand for what Christians have bickered over in the past. We can't fight about doctrine differences, Rapture timings, ceremonies, etc... It has to be about what a real relationship with Jesus means.
We must vow to remove the high places from our lives and turn our hearts in serving the King. It matters more than anything, even our own lives. It is for His renown that we set ourselves as ambassadors for in this world.
God bless and with much love,
Dave
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Life Group News!
Feed America Cancelled this week!
Feed America has been cancelled this week due to a conflict with Tom's schedule. Enjoy the week off and we will be back at it next week!
Fireproof Study Continues...
Daniel and Nicole opened their home to the married couples and we had some great snacks and some really good discussion. I had a few people tell me that the discussions are very genuine. Alot of studies, people don't want to talk about issues in marriage and the topics are very light, but we've had some great and very deep discussion as the study has continued.
Venue Change for the Next Fireproof Lesson #3:
Remember couples that we are at Dave & Michelle's home this Friday. The votes are in and we are skipping the week of Halloween. We will need to make up this week at some point as we still need to finish on November 14th. We are out of town for a family Thanksgiving reunion November 21st to 23rd, so we would not be able to meet on this week.
Corn Maze this weekend!
Well, it's been awhile for a number of us, but we are going to go to a corn maze this weekend. Watch your email and Michelle will send out directions and time. We are going to have a bon-fire there, so I think some smores are in order.
Movie night next Wednesday!
We will be watching a great movie at Brenda's next week called "The Ultimate Gift". This is an outside movie, so bring your chairs and anything to stay warm... if it's raining, we'll keep you posted for alternate options. Talk to Michelle on any finger foods or items you would like to bring. The drive ins may be harder to find these days, so we are going to make our own.
Escape from Halloween!
Alright, this sounds bad, but a few of us like to "run" from Trick or Treaters and go out to eat on Halloween. Most of us in the past went to Hoedown, but since that's a week earlier now, we are going to have dinner and do a revisit to see Fireproof for a second time, as long as it's still in theaters. We may be humbugs, but we're going to have fun doing it. Michelle and I used to hang around, but we get like 2 to 4 kids the entire night in our neighborhood. Pray for us...it probably had something to do with giving away really bad candy...Dave made me keep the good stuff for us!
Feed America has been cancelled this week due to a conflict with Tom's schedule. Enjoy the week off and we will be back at it next week!
Fireproof Study Continues...
Daniel and Nicole opened their home to the married couples and we had some great snacks and some really good discussion. I had a few people tell me that the discussions are very genuine. Alot of studies, people don't want to talk about issues in marriage and the topics are very light, but we've had some great and very deep discussion as the study has continued.
Venue Change for the Next Fireproof Lesson #3:
Remember couples that we are at Dave & Michelle's home this Friday. The votes are in and we are skipping the week of Halloween. We will need to make up this week at some point as we still need to finish on November 14th. We are out of town for a family Thanksgiving reunion November 21st to 23rd, so we would not be able to meet on this week.
Corn Maze this weekend!
Well, it's been awhile for a number of us, but we are going to go to a corn maze this weekend. Watch your email and Michelle will send out directions and time. We are going to have a bon-fire there, so I think some smores are in order.
Movie night next Wednesday!
We will be watching a great movie at Brenda's next week called "The Ultimate Gift". This is an outside movie, so bring your chairs and anything to stay warm... if it's raining, we'll keep you posted for alternate options. Talk to Michelle on any finger foods or items you would like to bring. The drive ins may be harder to find these days, so we are going to make our own.
Escape from Halloween!
Alright, this sounds bad, but a few of us like to "run" from Trick or Treaters and go out to eat on Halloween. Most of us in the past went to Hoedown, but since that's a week earlier now, we are going to have dinner and do a revisit to see Fireproof for a second time, as long as it's still in theaters. We may be humbugs, but we're going to have fun doing it. Michelle and I used to hang around, but we get like 2 to 4 kids the entire night in our neighborhood. Pray for us...it probably had something to do with giving away really bad candy...Dave made me keep the good stuff for us!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Walking on Water
In Matthew's (Matthew 14) account of Jesus walking on the water, Peter calls out to Jesus and the verses follow:
28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29 "Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
I was talking with a friend and the thought came to me... Why a storm? Why not calm waters? If Peter was going to start walking on water, step one to me would be calm water. So why a storm? But the reason that came to me made perfect sense. In one illustration without saying much more than an invitation, Jesus shows us how to keep our heads above water and also what makes us sink. Peter in faith actually got out of a boat. It seems simple enough, but how many of us decide to take a swim out of a boat when it is storming? It's harder than we think. Not only does Peter get out, but he also walks on water! Then as the wind and waves creep in, he doubts and sinks.
We have this huge illustration of what it means to walk through storms in our lives. The first thing we must do is get out of the boat and walk. The other thing we have to do is walk in faith, keeping our eyes on Jesus. If we let the winds and worries creep in, we can easily sink, but Jesus will pull us back up if we cry out to Him. My friend heard this song the next day after our discussion of Peter walking on stormy waters and the words seemed to be confirmation. Here are the first verse and chorus of Casting Crown's song "Voice of Truth"
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "
this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
You would think God was listening to our conversation or something...
28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29 "Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
I was talking with a friend and the thought came to me... Why a storm? Why not calm waters? If Peter was going to start walking on water, step one to me would be calm water. So why a storm? But the reason that came to me made perfect sense. In one illustration without saying much more than an invitation, Jesus shows us how to keep our heads above water and also what makes us sink. Peter in faith actually got out of a boat. It seems simple enough, but how many of us decide to take a swim out of a boat when it is storming? It's harder than we think. Not only does Peter get out, but he also walks on water! Then as the wind and waves creep in, he doubts and sinks.
We have this huge illustration of what it means to walk through storms in our lives. The first thing we must do is get out of the boat and walk. The other thing we have to do is walk in faith, keeping our eyes on Jesus. If we let the winds and worries creep in, we can easily sink, but Jesus will pull us back up if we cry out to Him. My friend heard this song the next day after our discussion of Peter walking on stormy waters and the words seemed to be confirmation. Here are the first verse and chorus of Casting Crown's song "Voice of Truth"
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "
this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
You would think God was listening to our conversation or something...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Fireproof your marriage couple's study begins
Friday was our first night as we watched a few clips from the movie and discussed marriage. I believe we had 8 couples at the Ashworth house as the study began. Michelle had a fine spread of tacos and the fixins and we all had some great laughs and some very real discussion.
A big thanks to everyone who has come to make this commitment to their marriage in this study. My hopes are that these 6 weeks will help us in growing closer to God and our spouses, not to mention each other in the entire process.
Next Friday, we are at Daniel and Nicole's house couples, so we should get directions to their house this week.
God bless,
Dave
A big thanks to everyone who has come to make this commitment to their marriage in this study. My hopes are that these 6 weeks will help us in growing closer to God and our spouses, not to mention each other in the entire process.
Next Friday, we are at Daniel and Nicole's house couples, so we should get directions to their house this week.
God bless,
Dave
Bowling for Ryan
Well this group has been known for getting involved when it comes to our community so this time it was a cause to bowl. While we were there, some of us got to have our pictures taken with Ryan. We are missing Dave, Lori, Emelie and Heather who showed up to bowl with us. We had a great time and while Ed smoked us all the first game with a 178, Michelle came back and won the 2nd game to make us all look bad, but I don't think it mattered when it came to the big picture.We are all brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers and I couldn't imagine what it would mean to have to face this challenge alone as a family. Coming to help raise money for Ryan was worth the trip, even if my bowling goal is to break 100.
We make a difference being together as a group and all because we love Christ. Ryan will have many challenges ahead, so please keep Ryan in your prayers. Thank you for all you do to make a difference. Whether it's praying, worshiping together, building a ramp, sorting food, uplifting each other or laughing together, who we all are in Christ together matters.
For those who want to know, here is what Ryan's website states about his condition:
Ryan is a 2 ½ year old boy who lives in Rutherford County. He is a joyful child who was diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy in his fi rst year of life. You may know of this genetic disorder from the 40+ years of the Jerry Lewis Telethon supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Muscular Dystrophy causes severe muscle weakness, lack of muscle tone and affects many areas of his health including eating, breathing, and all areas of development. Due to this severe muscular weakness, Ryan is unable to stand or walk.
As we watch our community and hear how we can be a part, let's keep each other informed and do what we can.
God bless,
Dave
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Isaiah 62:2 & a New Name
I came upon a Bible verse in Isaiah in my daily Bible readings last week and it struck a chord with me. It's found in Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. (NIV)
What struck me was I will be called by a NEW NAME by the Lord. That took my breath away...have you ever read a verse or a portion of a verse that just captures your attention? Well that one did for me. My mind wandered back to the audio theater that I listened to a while back called "Affabel". Some of the characters' earthly names were Deceived, Faint Heart, Selfish which really got me to thinking about what WOULD I be known as if my parents hadn't given me the name "Lisa Michelle"?! It's a sobering thought and made me thankful for my given name that I'm called by.
It made me even more thoughtful and reflective about what name I want my Lord and Savior to bestow upon me in Heaven. Names like Compassion, Forgiven, Charity, Loving, Praiser, Faithful, Finisher come to mind, so that makes me realize my actions, thoughts, deeds, reactions, etc. here on earth are going to determine the name that HE gives to me. It makes me think further about how I live my life each day...am I reflecting all the goodness that HE has so freely given to me? Am I showing Christ' love to others in need? Am I forgiving others with the same forgiveness HE has given to me? Or am I being petty and holding grudges against my brothers and sisters over things that aren't really going to matter in the end? Am I being HIS hands and feet to an unsaved person? Whew...that's a lot to consider, but we are called to be salt and light to the lost and dying world.
Does that make you wake up and take notice of your life like it has me? I do know my biggest desire is for me to hear the Maker of Heaven & Earth to say to me..."Well done, thy good and faithful servant".
Blessings,
Michelle
What struck me was I will be called by a NEW NAME by the Lord. That took my breath away...have you ever read a verse or a portion of a verse that just captures your attention? Well that one did for me. My mind wandered back to the audio theater that I listened to a while back called "Affabel". Some of the characters' earthly names were Deceived, Faint Heart, Selfish which really got me to thinking about what WOULD I be known as if my parents hadn't given me the name "Lisa Michelle"?! It's a sobering thought and made me thankful for my given name that I'm called by.
It made me even more thoughtful and reflective about what name I want my Lord and Savior to bestow upon me in Heaven. Names like Compassion, Forgiven, Charity, Loving, Praiser, Faithful, Finisher come to mind, so that makes me realize my actions, thoughts, deeds, reactions, etc. here on earth are going to determine the name that HE gives to me. It makes me think further about how I live my life each day...am I reflecting all the goodness that HE has so freely given to me? Am I showing Christ' love to others in need? Am I forgiving others with the same forgiveness HE has given to me? Or am I being petty and holding grudges against my brothers and sisters over things that aren't really going to matter in the end? Am I being HIS hands and feet to an unsaved person? Whew...that's a lot to consider, but we are called to be salt and light to the lost and dying world.
Does that make you wake up and take notice of your life like it has me? I do know my biggest desire is for me to hear the Maker of Heaven & Earth to say to me..."Well done, thy good and faithful servant".
Blessings,
Michelle
Friday, October 3, 2008
Welcome to our Newsletter!
We are starting our small group blog and we are going with the name Life Group Newsletter. I did alot of thinking and "Ashworth Group" just doesn't have much of a ring to me. We are group of people who are dedicating ourselves to glorifying God "for life". The name "Life Group" is not being used at WOC and since we are a unique group in the way we reach out to the community, it seemed to fit.
So welcome to the Life Group Newsletter! More to come as we continue to grow.
God bless,
Dave
So welcome to the Life Group Newsletter! More to come as we continue to grow.
God bless,
Dave
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