Good morning ladies,
Yesterday before church Gary and I had a disagreement. We were talking about Awana and the need we have for leaders. I was listing off some people I’d spoken to who that I hoped were going to volunteer.
Gary commented after one name that I needed to leave him alone. “Can’t you tell,” he said, “that he doesn’t want to do it? Haven’t you noticed that he is avoiding you at church?”
I was crushed and I burst into tears.
One of the reasons I stepped down from Children’s Ministries years ago was that I felt people were avoiding me because they were afraid that I was going to try and recruit them. I was passionate about what I was doing and I wanted them to be passionate too. No tactic was off-limits to secure the needed volunteers.
I thought that I had changed.
Last year when I took over Awana I resolved not to harass people into serving, I wanted an army of God’s choosing. I would ask, and if they turned me down I would be gracious, confident God would bring me the people needed.
Obviously, I hadn’t changed as much as I’d thought.
Paul in writing to the Philippians says:
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is comforting to me that God knows I’m a work in progress.
Love,
Jill
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Choose Wisely
Good morning ladies,
Last night before I went to bed I made a nice bowl of fruit for the kids to eat if they got hungry while doing their homework. This morning when I came downstairs, it was still there, all dried out.
This summer when we were on the “Daniel diet” and all they could eat was fruit, vegetables and lean chicken, that fruit would have been gone. But now they have a wide variety of food to choose from and fruit isn’t always on the top of their list.
People often comment how much more focused on God people used to be. Maybe it was because they didn’t have so many choices.
In Colonial America after a hard day working in the field, or a worse day at home making and doing everything by hand, all people had to look forward to, was a roaring fire and a few Bible stories. No TV, no computer, no organized sports, not even a lot of other books to choose from. Just the Bible. No wonder they were closer to God.
Now there is no way that I want to go back to the 1700’s or 1800’s. Heck, I don’t even want to go back to the 1980’s.
I love all the choices and conveniences that God has given to us.
I think our challenge is to remember to eat the fruit.
1Cornthians 6:12
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Love,
Jill
Last night before I went to bed I made a nice bowl of fruit for the kids to eat if they got hungry while doing their homework. This morning when I came downstairs, it was still there, all dried out.
This summer when we were on the “Daniel diet” and all they could eat was fruit, vegetables and lean chicken, that fruit would have been gone. But now they have a wide variety of food to choose from and fruit isn’t always on the top of their list.
People often comment how much more focused on God people used to be. Maybe it was because they didn’t have so many choices.
In Colonial America after a hard day working in the field, or a worse day at home making and doing everything by hand, all people had to look forward to, was a roaring fire and a few Bible stories. No TV, no computer, no organized sports, not even a lot of other books to choose from. Just the Bible. No wonder they were closer to God.
Now there is no way that I want to go back to the 1700’s or 1800’s. Heck, I don’t even want to go back to the 1980’s.
I love all the choices and conveniences that God has given to us.
I think our challenge is to remember to eat the fruit.
1Cornthians 6:12
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Face Down
Good morning ladies,
Some days it is easy to focus on God, some days it isn’t. Today is an isn’t
I walked by a Barbie doll that the dogs had drug downstairs and as I looked at her half chewed body face down on the carpet I thought, “I can relate sister.”
Someone once said “The more they had to do the more they had to pray.” For me, it is the grumpier I feel the more I need to pray.
I am not feeling strong or Godly today, but that really doesn’t matter, because the Truth says: I am still indwelt with the power of the Holy Spirit whether I feel like it or not.
Ladies, when you are feeling out of sorts-remember that is when you need to spend time with God the most.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Love,
Jill
Some days it is easy to focus on God, some days it isn’t. Today is an isn’t
I walked by a Barbie doll that the dogs had drug downstairs and as I looked at her half chewed body face down on the carpet I thought, “I can relate sister.”
Someone once said “The more they had to do the more they had to pray.” For me, it is the grumpier I feel the more I need to pray.
I am not feeling strong or Godly today, but that really doesn’t matter, because the Truth says: I am still indwelt with the power of the Holy Spirit whether I feel like it or not.
Ladies, when you are feeling out of sorts-remember that is when you need to spend time with God the most.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
God is Not a Vegetable
Good morning ladies,
The English language is a funny thing. We have a lot of words with similar meanings and subtle differences.
Take for instance, “can” and “may.” “Can” means you are able to do something, while “may” is used if you are asking permission.
Or consider “good” and “well?” “Good” is used to describe a noun: The car is good. But you use “well” if you are talking about an action: You drive well.
Lately I’ve been thinking about “should” and “need.”
The Free Online Dictionary defines “should” as: Used to express obligation or duty and “need” as: A condition or situation in which something is required or wanted.
I think the subtle difference between the two is that we use “should” when we are describing something we have to do, but don’t really want to. For example, I should clean the toilet; I should go to the gym; or I should eat my vegetables.
While we use “need” for something we realize is important to us. Such as, I need a drink; I need dinner; or I need to get a haircut.
A lot of people say they should study their Bible, or they should spend time with God. God is not a vegetable. He is the creator of the universe, the sustainer of all life, the only source of true happiness. And He has made Himself accessible to us.
A better phrase would be I NEED to study the Bible, and I NEED to spend time with God. And then thank God that you can.
Love,
Jill
The English language is a funny thing. We have a lot of words with similar meanings and subtle differences.
Take for instance, “can” and “may.” “Can” means you are able to do something, while “may” is used if you are asking permission.
Or consider “good” and “well?” “Good” is used to describe a noun: The car is good. But you use “well” if you are talking about an action: You drive well.
Lately I’ve been thinking about “should” and “need.”
The Free Online Dictionary defines “should” as: Used to express obligation or duty and “need” as: A condition or situation in which something is required or wanted.
I think the subtle difference between the two is that we use “should” when we are describing something we have to do, but don’t really want to. For example, I should clean the toilet; I should go to the gym; or I should eat my vegetables.
While we use “need” for something we realize is important to us. Such as, I need a drink; I need dinner; or I need to get a haircut.
A lot of people say they should study their Bible, or they should spend time with God. God is not a vegetable. He is the creator of the universe, the sustainer of all life, the only source of true happiness. And He has made Himself accessible to us.
A better phrase would be I NEED to study the Bible, and I NEED to spend time with God. And then thank God that you can.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
On My Knees
Good morning ladies,
Many of you have shared that you always pray on your knees so yesterday when I went to pray I decided I would try it. Now it is not that I have never prayed on my knees, I have, but my current routine is to pray sitting at a table surrounded by my books: the Bible, Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, and Stormie Omartian’s The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent. I also journal while I pray because I find writing keeps my mind from wandering, but I was willing to change if kneeling was going to be more honoring to God.
I knelt down beside my chair and started praying with: “Lord, I don’t know if this is what you want or if I am doing this to please men but…” I didn’t get any farther.
“When” God asked, “have I ever asked you do something that pleases men? I don’t care about the outside, I care about the inside (1Samuel 16:7) There are people who are praying on their knees, but on the inside they are standing up and there are people who are praying standing up but on the inside they are flat on their face. I care about the condition of the heart. A heart that is yielded to me in every area is pleasing; no matter what position their body is in.”
I got back in the chair.
Today Oswald Chambers starts off:
We will never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we surrender in every detail of our lives.
Yet self-surrender is the most difficult thing for us to do.
November 3, 2007 at the Precept training in Washington God drove me to my knees and then to my face. Here is my journal entry:
Thank you Lord for this retreat time, thank you for putting into me the desire to do this. Thank you Lord for giving me encouragement (2Thess3:3-5) Lord I will continue to do what you ask-one day at a time-no grandiose plans-just one day after the other.
(OC) The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that I will not begin to be a saint.
Lord you know the hard part is my family-to give them the quality time that they desire. You have placed me in all of these positions; You know what You are expecting of me. I love You Lord, I feel like I am on the edge of a cliff, or maybe I have already jumped and the ride is exciting. Lord I pray for a gradual decreasing of me and a gradual increasing of You-like the man who learned to replace cells with plastic.-I pray that you replace my self will with Your will down to the cellular level. I pray that there is not a part left in me that loves and desires the world. Lord, let me work to be a model to others, not so they can see the wonder of me-but so that they can see the wonder of You.
Everything that I have done since then is a result of that prayer.
Love,
Jill
Many of you have shared that you always pray on your knees so yesterday when I went to pray I decided I would try it. Now it is not that I have never prayed on my knees, I have, but my current routine is to pray sitting at a table surrounded by my books: the Bible, Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, and Stormie Omartian’s The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent. I also journal while I pray because I find writing keeps my mind from wandering, but I was willing to change if kneeling was going to be more honoring to God.
I knelt down beside my chair and started praying with: “Lord, I don’t know if this is what you want or if I am doing this to please men but…” I didn’t get any farther.
“When” God asked, “have I ever asked you do something that pleases men? I don’t care about the outside, I care about the inside (1Samuel 16:7) There are people who are praying on their knees, but on the inside they are standing up and there are people who are praying standing up but on the inside they are flat on their face. I care about the condition of the heart. A heart that is yielded to me in every area is pleasing; no matter what position their body is in.”
I got back in the chair.
Today Oswald Chambers starts off:
We will never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we surrender in every detail of our lives.
Yet self-surrender is the most difficult thing for us to do.
November 3, 2007 at the Precept training in Washington God drove me to my knees and then to my face. Here is my journal entry:
Thank you Lord for this retreat time, thank you for putting into me the desire to do this. Thank you Lord for giving me encouragement (2Thess3:3-5) Lord I will continue to do what you ask-one day at a time-no grandiose plans-just one day after the other.
(OC) The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that I will not begin to be a saint.
Lord you know the hard part is my family-to give them the quality time that they desire. You have placed me in all of these positions; You know what You are expecting of me. I love You Lord, I feel like I am on the edge of a cliff, or maybe I have already jumped and the ride is exciting. Lord I pray for a gradual decreasing of me and a gradual increasing of You-like the man who learned to replace cells with plastic.-I pray that you replace my self will with Your will down to the cellular level. I pray that there is not a part left in me that loves and desires the world. Lord, let me work to be a model to others, not so they can see the wonder of me-but so that they can see the wonder of You.
Everything that I have done since then is a result of that prayer.
Love,
Jill
Monday, August 24, 2009
Run with the Horses
Good morning ladies,
A few years ago one of my best friends moved to Texas. When I went to visit her we went to a Christian bookstore and I met a man, who, in one encounter changed the course of my life.
At the time I had just finished leading a Beth Moore study at the church. Beth had just come out with a new book so when I walked in the store I was greeted by a huge Beth Moore display and I stopped to look. This man, John, who worked at the store, came over and started talking to me about Beth Moore. Although I think Beth is wonderful I had to be honest and say that I personally preferred the type of Bible study taught at Bible Study Fellowship.
Well, that did it. We were kindred sprits. He had served as a discussion leader under A. Wetherell Johnson, the founder of BSF for years. The conversation continued for hours and somehow it came out that I NEVER write in my Bible. John couldn’t believe it because he knew BSF leaders were sometimes instructed to mark passages in their Bibles. Nope, I said, even when my teaching leader told me to, I refused to mark in my Bible. He said I had a disobedient spirit. HUMPH!
What he said bugged me and when I got home I needed to prove him wrong so I decided I would write in my Bible. Of course I didn’t want to write in my “good Bible” so I went and found an Inductive Study Bible that I had bought years before after hearing Kaye Arthur, the founder of Precepts speak. I went to Precept training a few months later.
During that encounter John, recommended two books that he said had changed his life: Randy Alcorn’s Money, Possessions, and Eternity and Eugene H. Peterson’s Run with the Horses, The Quest for Life at Its Best, both of which I bought. I read Mr. Alcorn’s book and loved it, but somehow I couldn’t get into Run with the Horses. I tried a few times, but it never made any sense to me, so I kept putting it aside.
Friday after God told me it was time to run, I went and found the book.
Run with the Horses is the story of Jeremiah; a prophet in the Old Testament who was obsessed with God and His Law. The Israelites, for many years, had lost God’s law and had been led by their kings into evil practices. When eight year old Josiah came to the throne, God used his innocent and uncorrupt spirit to start a revival. Josiah ordered the temple renovated and during the repairs a priest found the book of Deuteronomy, Josiah immediately put into action everything that was read to him.
And that is where Jeremiah comes in.
Jeremiah saw the changes, but he knew they were only skin deep. People had changed their behaviors, but they hadn’t changed their hearts. They were following the letter of the law, but not the spirit. It was all images without substance, and that doesn’t honor God.
The same is true today:
It is not enough to be in the right place; it is not enough to say the right words; it is never enough until we are walking with God twenty-four hours a day everywhere we go, with everything we say an expression of love and faith. ...........Eugene H. Peterson
And that only happens if we take the time to get to know Him.
Love,
Jill
A few years ago one of my best friends moved to Texas. When I went to visit her we went to a Christian bookstore and I met a man, who, in one encounter changed the course of my life.
At the time I had just finished leading a Beth Moore study at the church. Beth had just come out with a new book so when I walked in the store I was greeted by a huge Beth Moore display and I stopped to look. This man, John, who worked at the store, came over and started talking to me about Beth Moore. Although I think Beth is wonderful I had to be honest and say that I personally preferred the type of Bible study taught at Bible Study Fellowship.
Well, that did it. We were kindred sprits. He had served as a discussion leader under A. Wetherell Johnson, the founder of BSF for years. The conversation continued for hours and somehow it came out that I NEVER write in my Bible. John couldn’t believe it because he knew BSF leaders were sometimes instructed to mark passages in their Bibles. Nope, I said, even when my teaching leader told me to, I refused to mark in my Bible. He said I had a disobedient spirit. HUMPH!
What he said bugged me and when I got home I needed to prove him wrong so I decided I would write in my Bible. Of course I didn’t want to write in my “good Bible” so I went and found an Inductive Study Bible that I had bought years before after hearing Kaye Arthur, the founder of Precepts speak. I went to Precept training a few months later.
During that encounter John, recommended two books that he said had changed his life: Randy Alcorn’s Money, Possessions, and Eternity and Eugene H. Peterson’s Run with the Horses, The Quest for Life at Its Best, both of which I bought. I read Mr. Alcorn’s book and loved it, but somehow I couldn’t get into Run with the Horses. I tried a few times, but it never made any sense to me, so I kept putting it aside.
Friday after God told me it was time to run, I went and found the book.
Run with the Horses is the story of Jeremiah; a prophet in the Old Testament who was obsessed with God and His Law. The Israelites, for many years, had lost God’s law and had been led by their kings into evil practices. When eight year old Josiah came to the throne, God used his innocent and uncorrupt spirit to start a revival. Josiah ordered the temple renovated and during the repairs a priest found the book of Deuteronomy, Josiah immediately put into action everything that was read to him.
And that is where Jeremiah comes in.
Jeremiah saw the changes, but he knew they were only skin deep. People had changed their behaviors, but they hadn’t changed their hearts. They were following the letter of the law, but not the spirit. It was all images without substance, and that doesn’t honor God.
The same is true today:
It is not enough to be in the right place; it is not enough to say the right words; it is never enough until we are walking with God twenty-four hours a day everywhere we go, with everything we say an expression of love and faith. ...........Eugene H. Peterson
And that only happens if we take the time to get to know Him.
Love,
Jill
Friday, August 21, 2009
Running
Hi ladies,
Yesterday we had a women’s ministry meeting at the church. One of the ladies in the group is my friend Rovelyn and since she and I haven’t had any time together recently I was excited about seeing her. But you know how meetings are; they really aren’t for visiting, so I thought maybe I could ask her if she wanted to go for a walk after we were through.
As I was thinking about it, I realized that Rovelyn, who is in better shape than I am, would have to slow down so I could keep up with her. Like all the people I see around town lovingly walking their older dogs.
And then God spoke: “That’s what I am doing with you. We are walking slowly because that is all your comfortable with, but if you wanted we could run.”
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
I have never been a runner, but I like to watch things run, that’s probably one reason I loved huskies. They live to run and make it look so effortless. But they don’t run as well when they are weighed down with a sled.
Ladies, I am tired of pulling a sled. I want to run, fast.
If you want to run too, I encourage you to ask God what is holding you back, and resolve to obey. You might be surprised what's on it, I was.
Love,
Jill
One of our sweet zebra sisters sent me a beautiful and encouraging note this morning after reading this z-mail. I apologize if I gave the impression that I needed encouragement or that I was depressed,
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am so excited because God has loved me so much that He has slowly walked along beside me all these years, loving me, teaching me, correcting me, guiding me, going at my pace, and yesterday He said “Are you tired of walking?” Do you want to run? You can! Just give up the sins and the hindrances and let’s go.”
And for the first time I really believed Him.
Yesterday we had a women’s ministry meeting at the church. One of the ladies in the group is my friend Rovelyn and since she and I haven’t had any time together recently I was excited about seeing her. But you know how meetings are; they really aren’t for visiting, so I thought maybe I could ask her if she wanted to go for a walk after we were through.
As I was thinking about it, I realized that Rovelyn, who is in better shape than I am, would have to slow down so I could keep up with her. Like all the people I see around town lovingly walking their older dogs.
And then God spoke: “That’s what I am doing with you. We are walking slowly because that is all your comfortable with, but if you wanted we could run.”
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
I have never been a runner, but I like to watch things run, that’s probably one reason I loved huskies. They live to run and make it look so effortless. But they don’t run as well when they are weighed down with a sled.
Ladies, I am tired of pulling a sled. I want to run, fast.
If you want to run too, I encourage you to ask God what is holding you back, and resolve to obey. You might be surprised what's on it, I was.
Love,
Jill
One of our sweet zebra sisters sent me a beautiful and encouraging note this morning after reading this z-mail. I apologize if I gave the impression that I needed encouragement or that I was depressed,
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am so excited because God has loved me so much that He has slowly walked along beside me all these years, loving me, teaching me, correcting me, guiding me, going at my pace, and yesterday He said “Are you tired of walking?” Do you want to run? You can! Just give up the sins and the hindrances and let’s go.”
And for the first time I really believed Him.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hope
Good morning Zebras,
Many things in my life are changing right now and today I was feeling unsettled because of it, so I looked up “hope” in my concordance and spent time reading about hope, especially in David’s Psalms. My favorite was Psalm 25: 1-3
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
David, as we all know had enemies, and when I read his Psalms I often skip over those lines thanking God that no one is currently trying to kill me. I may have people who dislike me, but I don’t think I have any enemies.
This morning God showed me that I do. My enemies are not people; they are fear and worry, doubt and discouragement. They are the mind games that Satan plays with me to keep me from being all that God wants me to be.
Ephesians 6:2 says:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Satan loves for us to forget this, but God’s word tells us that this is what we are fighting against. If you are feeling unsettled today or worried or depressed, OPEN the Bible. The best way to combat the lies of Satan is with the truth of God.
Love,
Jill
Many things in my life are changing right now and today I was feeling unsettled because of it, so I looked up “hope” in my concordance and spent time reading about hope, especially in David’s Psalms. My favorite was Psalm 25: 1-3
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
David, as we all know had enemies, and when I read his Psalms I often skip over those lines thanking God that no one is currently trying to kill me. I may have people who dislike me, but I don’t think I have any enemies.
This morning God showed me that I do. My enemies are not people; they are fear and worry, doubt and discouragement. They are the mind games that Satan plays with me to keep me from being all that God wants me to be.
Ephesians 6:2 says:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Satan loves for us to forget this, but God’s word tells us that this is what we are fighting against. If you are feeling unsettled today or worried or depressed, OPEN the Bible. The best way to combat the lies of Satan is with the truth of God.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Trapped
Hi ladies,
I was in the shower praying about what to write to you today. When I got out shower I noticed that Joshua was not sitting on the floor waiting for me. Since he is always there, I knew something must be wrong, and I started calling his name. No answer.
Because this has happened before, I knew what was wrong. He had followed me into a room, monetarily gotten distracted and had gotten trapped when I left the room and shut the door. And I was right. He and Abigail both were trapped in Nick’s room.
Dear Lord, let me be like Joshua, let me follow You so closely that when I am not there You notice immediately and come and get me. Do not let any sin grow up in me that would separate me from You. Do not let my heart harden to Your correction, but let me be quick to turn and repent. Let my ears always be turned to hear Your voice and let my eyes always be fixed upon You.
Ladies, I love God, I try to follow Him as closely as I can, but sometimes I get distracted. And before you know it I am trapped.
I love the fact that God always comes looking for me.
Jill
I was in the shower praying about what to write to you today. When I got out shower I noticed that Joshua was not sitting on the floor waiting for me. Since he is always there, I knew something must be wrong, and I started calling his name. No answer.
Because this has happened before, I knew what was wrong. He had followed me into a room, monetarily gotten distracted and had gotten trapped when I left the room and shut the door. And I was right. He and Abigail both were trapped in Nick’s room.
Dear Lord, let me be like Joshua, let me follow You so closely that when I am not there You notice immediately and come and get me. Do not let any sin grow up in me that would separate me from You. Do not let my heart harden to Your correction, but let me be quick to turn and repent. Let my ears always be turned to hear Your voice and let my eyes always be fixed upon You.
Ladies, I love God, I try to follow Him as closely as I can, but sometimes I get distracted. And before you know it I am trapped.
I love the fact that God always comes looking for me.
Jill
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