Philippians 4:11-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Good morning ladies,
Someone told me Saturday that the women who suffer the least from depression are married women with children who work part time. (They are probably thin with good hair too.)
Basically those women who have it all are content and happy.
But most of us don’t have it all. I have worked full time, I have stayed home full time, I have worked part-time, and I was single for a long time and now I am married with children. In each of those phases there were times when I was happy and content and there were times when I was not.
The Bible says the true secret to contentment lies not in our circumstance but in our attitude and focus.
If we focus on the world we are content when things our going our way. But if we focus on Christ and His power we can be content in all circumstances knowing God is in control.
Right before writing this I read the prayer requests from our church. A dear friend’s brother is dying from cancer and two children lost their only parent in a car accident. Those people aren’t happy. But can they be content?
When I lost my brother I wasn’t happy or content, in fact I was done with God. I walked away from God and stayed away for years. Those were unhappy years.
This weekend I met a woman who had recently lost her sister. She was sad, she missed her sister, but she was content. She knew she would see her again someday. She knew her sister was in heaven right now with Jesus and she was happy for her. She knew, really knew, that God was in control, that heaven existed and everything would eventually be okay.
It was obvious she knew the secret.
Love,
Jill
Hi ladies,
Sorry to bother you again, but one thing that I really feel God has been challenging me on is to make sure that the scriptures I use are taking in context, so I felt I needed to clarify this morning z-mail.
That verse in Philippians was written by Paul to thank the church at Philippi for sending him finanical aid. Philippians is considered Paul’s “book of joy” which is amazing considering he wrote it from a Roman prison cell. And he really speaks to being joyful in all situations.
That is what I intended to write about, being joyful in your current circumstances, and then I read the prayer requests from the church, and my heart broke for Sue and those two girls.
Material concerns just seem to pale when compared against losing someone you love. God, how can they be content?
I felt like God said, the answer is the same put your hope in ME, but that was not the context of the verse.
Love,
Jill
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Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church
Zebra Events
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Zebra Basics:
* Accepted Christ as Savior.
* Agree the Word of God is true.
* Desire to grow in your walk
* Be transparent
* Willing to speak and hear truth.
* Agree the Word of God is true.
* Desire to grow in your walk
* Be transparent
* Willing to speak and hear truth.
Why Zebras?
In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.
1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Therefore:
Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Vision
The vision of Zebras is to unite all God's people in a single goal; to love, honor and serve Jesus Christ. To give them a sense of being part of something bigger than themselves and the strength and support to grow in their faith.
Mission
To fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Blog Archive
Pastor Endorsement
Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.
Pastor Al Marks
First Baptist Church Vallejo
I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.
Pastor Kelly Patchin
New Harbor Community Church, Benicia
Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church
Testimonies
The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.
The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.
When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.
I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.
The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.
When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.
I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.
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