Zebra Ministries: Unto Us

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Unto Us

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

For unto us a Child is born…

Good morning Zebras,

I have a few friends who are very particular about words. They think how you say something is almost as important as what you say. Or maybe I should say they think how you say something reflects how you really think.

For example if you refer to the Holy Spirit as an “it” do you really believe he is an “it” or do you know He is a person with characteristics and attributes and have just gotten into the habit of referring to Him as an “it.”

Now for a lady whose favorite descriptive word is “thing,” that has been a challenge. But I have found that becoming aware of the words I use has made me look more closely at what I believe to be true.

A few weeks ago at Awana one of the clubbers was sharing with me their excitement about Christmas. Joyfully they told me “It is almost Jesus’ birthday!” And for the first time in my life I realized that it was not doctrinally accurate.

Jesus, like God is eternal. He was here from the beginning. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus does not have a birthday because He has always existed. He just revealed Himself to us in human form at Christmas.

Now, you may ask “Why does that matter. Aren’t you just splitting hairs?” Maybe, but to be honest, I don’t think so. I think my surprise at realizing it wasn’t really Jesus’ birthday may just be another indication that we’ve accidentally shrunk God.

Today starts the Advent season and Monday I got the best gift from a friend. It is a box of Christmas ornaments each one inscribed with an attribute of God and a supporting scripture. The accompanying instructions say: “Each night of the advent, choose one of the ornaments to add to your tree. Before you hang it on a limb, talk about the ways God displays that quality. Look up Bible verses and talk about them. Then pray together, praising God for that aspect of His character."

Personally, I can’t think of any better thing to do this Christmas than increase my knowledge of God. Because after this little revelation I know it is still needed.

I pray that you too have a wonderful Christmas season pondering on the mystery and majesty of God because it may not officially be Jesus’ birthday but “He is definitely the reason for the season!”

Love,
Jill

Attributes Ornaments

Faithful: 1 Corinthians 1:9
Righteous: 1 John 2:1
Holy: 1 Peter 1:15
Forgiving: Psalm 86:5
Loving: Romans 8:35-39
Merciful: Titus 3:5
All-Knowing (Omniscient) John 16:30
All-Present (Omnipresent) Psalm 139:7-12
All-Powerful (Omnipotent) Matthew 28:18
Eternal: Genesis 21:33
Full of Truth: John 14:6
Full of Wisdom: Isaiah 11:2
Compassionate: Mark 1:41
Just: Acts 17:31
Long-Suffering: 1 Timothy 1:16
Kind: Ephesians 2:7
Gentle: Matthew 21:5
Immutable (Unchanging): Hebrews 13:8
Creative: Genesis 1:26
Infinite: 1 Kings 8:27
Sovereign (Supreme Ruler): Jude 4
Unity: Deuteronomy 6:4
Full of Goodness: John 10:11
Trustworthy: Psalm 19:7
Generous: 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

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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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