Deuteronomy 11:26-28
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse- the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
John 15:10
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
Good morning ladies,
Today in the Getchell household we are going to have the tenth (at least) reading of the Law.
The kids have gotten a little too lacadasical about the rules around here. And I am no longer happy. So today while they are at school I am going to rewrite the rules and when they get home I am going to sit them down and read them to them.
Then, because they are teenagers who need to learn the consequences of their decisions they can choose to obey or not. If they obey they will continue to receive the blessings which come from living in this house. If not they are on their own.
Now obviously I love them and I won’t kick them out, they are only fourteen and sixteen, but I can quit doing anything for them. I can quit cooking and cleaning and driving them around. I can quit paying for their gas and giving them money for fun activities. I can take away their phones, their gaming consoles and their computers. And if I really want to get my point across I can take away their privilege to use the main part of the house and restrict them to their rooms.
But because they are good kids who desire to please me, I don’t think it will come to that. But it could.
Like any good parent, our Our Heavenly Father has given us rules to follow as well; He even wrote them down in a book we call the Bible.
And then He gave us freewill to choose.
If we choose to obey, God says there is no end to the blessings that He has for us including giving us the power to obey, but if we don’t, well, He could always leave us on our own.
Love,
Jill
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church
Zebra Events
Contact information
Pages
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
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.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment