Zebra Ministries: Full of Truth

Monday, April 9, 2012

Full of Truth

John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Good afternoon Zebras,

Yesterday when I put a bowl of jelly beans under the “Christmas tree,” my husband finally asked when I was planning on taking it down. Now some of you may remember that I put the tree up the first of December and each day during advent I was supposed to pull out an ornament which had an attitude of God written on it and hang it on the tree. But of course, I didn’t want to stop there. I wanted to share with all of you everything I was learning so God’s attributes became of the focus of the December z-mails.

But December is long gone and I still have four ornaments to go and out of respect to my husband who for some crazy reason does not want a Christmas tree in the house year round, I am going to try and finish this up over the next two weeks.

So, today’s attribute is “full of truth.”

I actually pulled this ornament about two weeks ago and I have been thinking about it ever since. Of course the obvious topic would be the truth of Christ as revealed in Scripture. That no one comes to the Father except through Jesus and that the only source of truth in this topsy-turvy world is the revealed Word of God.

But that isn’t what I have been thinking about. What I have been thinking about is whether or not people really want truth.

For example, if someone asks you how their hair looks after a haircut, if you are like me, you have to stop and think for a moment. Do they want the truth? Or do they want me to tell them it looks great even if there’s a mile-high cowlick on the back of their head? Chances are that part of them just wants to hear it looks great.

Except it doesn’t look great, it looks weird and deep down inside they know it.

So why do they want me to lie to them? Because they want to be reassured that it isn’t as bad as they think it is. They know they look like a squirrel, but they are hoping no one else will notice. It is like the “Emperors’ New Clothes,” as long as no one says anything they’ll never find out they’re naked.

But small, white lies to save others’ feelings may be fine when it comes to things that don’t matter, but it is life-affectingly-important when it comes to God’s Word. That is probably why the Bible commands us to tell the TRUTH in love, because it’s truth that will set men free.

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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