Zebra Ministries: Christian Friends

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Christian Friends

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

Good morning Zebras,

As God is moving me forward in this ministry He has taken me back to the beginning and the reason all of this was started. Today's z-mail is from February 2009.

Dear little Zebras,

I was reminded today of how important Christian fellowship is. Katherine, my daughter, was very discouraged last night because she feels she is making no progress in reaching her lost friends for Christ. God is so real to her and she can’t understand why others don’t “get it”

As I was praying for her this morning I was reminded why God had me start the Zebras. A lone Christian, like a lone zebra is an easy target.

But what does real Christian friendship look like.

Tuesday, in Bible study we discussed the story of David, Nabal and Abigail. David had protected Nabal’s flocks but when David went to ask Nabal to allow his men to participate in the feasts Nabal refused. David became angry and decided to kill Nabal and all the men in his family. Abigail, Nabal’s wife heard about David’s “evil” plan and went to meet him on the road.

I always thought that Abigail went to stop David because she loved her husband and didn’t want David to kill him, but that is not true. Abigail was sent by God to stop David from doing something that was evil. (1Samuel 25: 18-34) And David, who could have killed her or ignored her, listened and blessed Abigail for her good judgment (discernment) and for keeping him from committing bloodshed.

That to me is the picture of a Christian friend. Even though Abigail did not know David, she knew God had chosen him to be the king of Israel. She knew God had great plans for David and she did not want him to commit so grievous a sin as slaughtering Nabal and his family.

Ephesians 3:10 says “For are all God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Not many of us are called to be kings, but we are all called to do something.

Do you have friends that care enough about you that they will try and prevent you from sinning? Do they see God’s purpose for you and encourage you to continue on to reach that goal? Or do they stand by silently while you go down a path that God never intended for you to go.

To all my Zebra sisters who have corrected, chastised, encouraged and loved me; and those who have seen God’s calling on my life and have encouraged me on the journey, I am forever grateful.

Little Zebra, if you don’t have someone who loves you and can speak truth to you I encourage you to find them. That is what being a Christian Zebra is about.

Love,
Jill

If you are intereseted in starting your own local herd, contact me, it is easy and it's FREE!

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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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