Zebra Ministries: Tsunami

Monday, July 22, 2013

Tsunami

Mark 13:32-33 (NIV84)

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come…

Good morning Zebras,

Last night we watched the movie Impossible. It is about the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed an estimated 150,000 people. It was a rather intense and depressing movie and not really what I would call entertainment but I can’t stop thinking about it.

This morning during my quiet time I came across today’s verses. It is amazing how many times Jesus warned people to be ready for His second coming. He said it would come on a day when no one expected, when people were marrying and giving in marriage, when everything seemed to be very normal. And that reminded me of the movie. Everyone was laughing and having a great time, swimming and drinking by the pool but then the wave hit and things were never the same.

In the movie it seemed like the wave just appeared, but I did some research.

There was a lag of several hours between the earthquake and the impact of the tsunami but because there were no tsunami warning systems in the Indian Ocean to detect tsunamis or to warn the general populace living near the ocean, most of the victims were taken by surprise.

But there were other signs. Right before a tsunami the ocean recedes quickly. It sort of “sucks out” before it crashes back in and that can give you about five minutes to get to high ground. This one was no exception. One man saved his entire village, 1,500 people, because he had seen the National Geographical special Killer Wave and sounded the alarm. Plus many survivors reported seeing animals fleeing to high ground before the wave hit and some followed suit.

But others, ignorant of what all this meant, went to the beach to investigate what was happening. They were front and center when the first wave hit. There was no time to run for high ground once they saw the wave. And I can’t help thinking that is the average American Christian, shell picking with the tsunami on the way.

Jesus has warned us over and over again that He is coming again. Some of His last words, recorded in Revelation, include warnings to the church.

He told them to “wake up”, repent and find their first love, quit tolerating wrong teaching, quit doing deeds without the Spirit, and stop being lukewarm but we seem to be ignoring Him. We seem to be going on our merry little way totally oblivious of the tsunami that is coming. And we are going to suffer the consequences.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us. Forgive us for not taking You seriously enough, for not putting You first in our life, for not trusting the promise of Your Word that You will give us all things if we will only seek You first. Forgive us for the idols we have allowed in our lives and for getting distracted by the things of the world. Help us this day Lord to live for You and You alone letting the chips fall where they may because we know that living a life that is honoring to You is the most important task You have given us to do.

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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