Zebra Ministries: June 2013

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Stiches

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Good morning Zebras,

Thank you to all who prayed for me while I was away at camp. It is hard to explain how well it went, but it went really well. God’s presence guided me from the time I stepped into camp until I left and it was an amazing experience of walking in the spirit.

Hopefully today’s z-mail will give you a taste of how God guided the week.

On Thursday Nick, my son, and I were walking along the edge of the lake. We were discussing how much fun we were having and we came to a point where a very small fence blocked our path and the only way to continue was to wade into the lake.

Nick, who was already wet, saw some friends standing on the beach on the other side of the fence so he continued on wading into the water. I decided not to get my shoes wet so I turned and walked up the steps into Reflection Circle.

As I was nearing the top I caught my shoe on the last step and fell cutting open my knee. As I lay there on the ground, four junior high boys offered to help me up. And as I limped down to the medical station someone saw me and radioed ahead to make sure a nurse was there. Penii Jo gave me clean socks and Nurse Julie drove me to Redding for stiches, overall it was a great experience.

The next morning, as I was praying and preparing for Bible Hour I asked God to show me how He wanted me to use my fall and today’s verse came to mind. If I had walked into the water with Nick I would not have fallen, and if Nick had come with me he would have caught me when I stumbled. Either way if I had been with Nick I would not have fallen.

Which was a great lesson for our last day.

Camp is a wonderful experience but sometimes it is not easy to walk out what God told you on the mountain when you get home. Writing it down and telling someone else will help. God did not mean for His people to walk alone and just like zebras we are stronger when we are together. And if we do stumble and fall there will be someone there to help us up.

Thank you West Coast Honor Camp for letting me come and thanks to all of you for praying, it couldn’t have been done it without you.

Love,

Jill

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Count the Cost

John 14:1 (NIV84)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Good morning Zebras,

I promised my son something without really thinking it through. I didn’t realize how difficult or expensive it was going to be and although I can do it, I’m fighting a very human urge to wiggle out of it. I know he would understand, but that really isn’t the point. The point is I promised it and IF I can deliver I need to.

To highlight the importance of keeping my promise, I had someone renege on something they were going to do for me. It might have been a misunderstanding, but I think they just decided they had promised me more than they were willing to deliver. And although I was upset, it was hard not to see myself in the situation.

And I thought: I sure am glad God isn’t like us. I sure am glad He isn’t sitting up in heaven debating with Himself if He should actually fulfill His promises. Or changing His mind and not doing it at all.

Jesus tells a parable recorded in Luke where He warns the disciples about counting the cost of following Him. Most commentaries say the point of this parable is that we need to examine ourselves closely to see if we are willing to pay the price of being a disciple. Are we willing to die to self and live only for Jesus?

Which is a good thought, but that isn’t how it worked for me. God didn’t show me in advance everything I was going to have to give up to follow Him. If He had I might have backed out. Instead He just said follow me-and the path unfolded. There was no way I could have counted the cost, because I didn’t know what the cost was.

However I recently read one commentary that says the parable is not referring us but to God. It is God who had to count the cost of finishing the work of salvation. He counted the cost of giving His Son from the very beginning and He was willing to pay it.

I like that interpretation because only God can really sit and assess what it is going to take to accomplish a task and have the power to follow through.

If I logically look at something and decide I have enough strength and resources to accomplish it, then I am a fool. I know how quickly my best resolve gives way to failure. It works much better if I focus on God, trusting He has the strength and resources to finish the work He has started in me. As Paul says I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Personally, I find it that very reassuring.

Love,

Jill

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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