Zebra Ministries: Had Enough

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Had Enough

1Kings 19

This is a great story; you need to read it for yourself. http://www.biblegate.com/

Good morning ladies,

I just LOVE how God works.

I had again decided not to send you an e-mail. The truth is I am fighting a case of the blues and I just didn’t have the desire to sit and write a z-mail. I had planned to write Dear ladies, Taking the day off. Love, Jill. But that seemed stupid so I decided not to write anything and turned the computer off and went to do my quiet time.

This summer I will have the privilege of teaching the high school girls at West Coast Honor Camp and I received the curriculum yesterday. It is titled Men and Women of God. The first lesson deals with the importance of looking at the people in the Bible, even though they were flawed and imperfect, as examples for our own life. I couldn’t agree more. People like Paul, David and Daniel inspire us, but lessons can be learned from everyone in the Bible.

Today My Utmost for His Highest references a famous story of depression in the Old Testament. Elijah had just done amazing things, he had seen the power of God displayed in a mighty way and then Jezebel sent him a letter saying she was going to kill him and Elijah got frightened and ran.

After running for a day Elijah was so depressed that he sat down under a tree and prayed to die. He tells God that this is all too much for him, that he has had enough and then he went to sleep.

It always surprises me that God did not get angry with Elijah, He didn’t grab him by the shoulders and tell him to “buck-up” or “get over it." Instead He sent an angel to minister to Elijah and then He came Himself.

He asked Elijah why he was there, He listened to his reply and told Elijah to stand on the mountain “for the LORD was about to pass by.” Afterwards God spoke to Elijah again and repeated His question. This time after Elijah answered, God gave him some directions to follow and Elijah obeyed. Obedience appears to have ended Elijah’s depression.

I don’t like being depressed. It feels like a sin. But it isn’t. It’s just a feeling.

It is what I do with it that makes it a sin.

If I allow my moods to dictate my life and keep me from doing the work God has called me to do, then it is a sin.

But if I am honest before God, allow Him to minister to me and obey what He tells me to do, then it is just another opportunity for growth.

Love,
Jill

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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.

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.

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

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "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. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

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.

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