colorful pictures and doesn't speak down to children but in a way they can understand, and importantly it's correct, it tells the truth. Sometimes when telling stories from the Bible to children we have trouble articulating the main points or feel like the edges should be softened (skip the stories of doubt & focus on love). This children's Bible does a good job of telling God's story of loving us and coming to save us, because we need saving.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A story, a story about Jesus and his crazy love for us.
If you're looking for a children's Bible try "the Jesus Storybook Bible" it has 
colorful pictures and doesn't speak down to children but in a way they can understand, and importantly it's correct, it tells the truth. Sometimes when telling stories from the Bible to children we have trouble articulating the main points or feel like the edges should be softened (skip the stories of doubt & focus on love). This children's Bible does a good job of telling God's story of loving us and coming to save us, because we need saving.
colorful pictures and doesn't speak down to children but in a way they can understand, and importantly it's correct, it tells the truth. Sometimes when telling stories from the Bible to children we have trouble articulating the main points or feel like the edges should be softened (skip the stories of doubt & focus on love). This children's Bible does a good job of telling God's story of loving us and coming to save us, because we need saving.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Better then a fairy godmother (Prayer Summit part VI)
I should be crawling into bed, or looking over the Bible study notes again, but really I just want to take a moment to remember.
Remember the room full of women who prayed together. Who wanted to give gifts to each other, who wanted to give God's gifts to each other, who wanted to give the life of God (their Father) to each other. We prayed life into families, ministries, marriages, and one another.
We had been spending the days before this listening and praying only what God wanted (led, whispered) us to pray, this time wasn't a time of pulling out a wish list and the women saying Amen to it, but rather we'd share a longing, dream, hope or sorrow and we would listen and
respond. So many blessings were spoken over people, words of life and encouragement given. At one point I thought 'Poor Aurora she only had 3 fairy godmothers, and here I am be wrapped in blessings by 34 women who are listening to the Father.'
:) :) It's good to remember.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
(summit part V) steward |ˈst(y)oōərd| noun.• a person responsible for...
Stewardship.
What have I been given to steward?
Made up of the words; stig (house) and weard (ward)
What house have I been given to look after?
Who (or whom) have I been given to look after?
Remember they are some one else'. Look after them like he would want me to.
Look after them like he designed me too.
Look after them with the heart that comes from him.
Don't give up.
Care for well.
There is such freedom in being given permission to love.
What have I been given to steward?
Made up of the words; stig (house) and weard (ward)
What house have I been given to look after?
Who (or whom) have I been given to look after?
Remember they are some one else'. Look after them like he would want me to.
Look after them like he designed me too.
Look after them with the heart that comes from him.
Don't give up.
Care for well.
There is such freedom in being given permission to love.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
"Glory" Prayer Summit part IV
| Definition | |||
| |||
| Translated Words | |||
| KJV (200) - glorious, 10; gloriously, 1; glory, 156; honour, 32; honourable, 1; NAS (202) - bosom, 1; glorious, 9; glory, 147; honor, 33; honorable, 1; honored, 1; riches, 1; soul, 2; splendid, 2; splendor, 2; wealth, 3; You have glory I've taken the gifts You've given me and twisted A month of regretting and hoping for another chance Wanting others to see You Feeling apart from others Feeling color fade Wanting to be near You Wanting to be wrapped up by You You heard my pleas You wrapped me in Your cloak of glory, of life, of color. | |||
A song, one of many
THERE IS A HOPE
by Stuart Townend and Mark Edwards
Copyright (c) 2007 Thankyou Music.
There is a hope that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for ev'ry passing day;
a glimpse of glory now revealed in meager part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiv'n;
and Christ in me, the hope of heav'n!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
to make His will my home.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,
I find the Savior there!
Through present sufferings, future's fear,
He whispers, "Courage!" in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
and every longing satisfied,
then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.
by Stuart Townend and Mark Edwards
Copyright (c) 2007 Thankyou Music.
There is a hope that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for ev'ry passing day;
a glimpse of glory now revealed in meager part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiv'n;
and Christ in me, the hope of heav'n!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
to make His will my home.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,
I find the Savior there!
Through present sufferings, future's fear,
He whispers, "Courage!" in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
and every longing satisfied,
then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.
Friday, November 18, 2011
create |krēˈāt| verb [ trans. ] bring (something) into existence : he created, God is Creator (The last Friday journel & summit part III)
Over the last month (and then some) has been a time of rediscovery, rediscovering of my calling and who I am.
One thing that became clear is that I
have decided being creative publicly isn't worth the cost. Since I stopped creativity publicly, privately creativity has been quickly drying up, so much so to the point when someone asks me to create I can't even begin to think of what I would do. A lost feeling.
This past week at the summit there was an art table, to help us express what God had impressed upon our hearts. On Monday a picture came to mind as a way to describe what we were feeling. When I shared this mental image with a lady she asked if I was artistically talented at all. Honestly with a quiet "Yes" I answered. She pointed to the art table and asked me to try and show us what I saw. There at that moment I wanted to break down in tears and say no, ask me to do anything else but not drawing. I was slightly terrified.
I imagined no one could see me, picked up some charcoal and started. After that first picture was done it took all the guts I could muster to set it down on the sharing table.
It wasn't until I was finishing up drawing number 4 that I realized I was doing it again, I was creating. After wandering in the desert at last I could smell the cool air of the forest and hear the song bird's melody.
Dear God,
You create. You created me. You made me in your image. I'm sorry I hid from You, that I let the fear rule what I would do, even how I thought. Please take these hands back. Please fill my mind with dreams again.
One thing that became clear is that I
have decided being creative publicly isn't worth the cost. Since I stopped creativity publicly, privately creativity has been quickly drying up, so much so to the point when someone asks me to create I can't even begin to think of what I would do. A lost feeling.This past week at the summit there was an art table, to help us express what God had impressed upon our hearts. On Monday a picture came to mind as a way to describe what we were feeling. When I shared this mental image with a lady she asked if I was artistically talented at all. Honestly with a quiet "Yes" I answered. She pointed to the art table and asked me to try and show us what I saw. There at that moment I wanted to break down in tears and say no, ask me to do anything else but not drawing. I was slightly terrified.
I imagined no one could see me, picked up some charcoal and started. After that first picture was done it took all the guts I could muster to set it down on the sharing table.
It wasn't until I was finishing up drawing number 4 that I realized I was doing it again, I was creating. After wandering in the desert at last I could smell the cool air of the forest and hear the song bird's melody.
Dear God,
You create. You created me. You made me in your image. I'm sorry I hid from You, that I let the fear rule what I would do, even how I thought. Please take these hands back. Please fill my mind with dreams again.
Leaf (summit part II)
We were asked on Tuesday morning to read 2nd Corinthians 3,4 & 5 (to stop when we felt stopped) to see if there was something we needed to repent of (or exchange what was good for what is better) something individuality or on behalf us corporately.
I believe it was Providential that I wrote down the wrong passages, definitely wrote 4,5 & 6. Off I went to read and was stopped at 2nd Corinthians 4:8-12 eph on 10-12
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
So many of us know the death in our lives. We carry death in our own bodies, our muscles and joints are in pain, we have emotional scares on, are pressed beyond what we thought we could handle. We get overwhelmed and stop in our tracks, death was never meant to be.
But...
It speaks of the life of Jesus that is in those who have given up saving themselves and lean on him, Jesus. It confirms the suspicion that we are dying but also reminds us that Jesus life is showing through us, in us.
Life is already there.
When we regrouped to continue praying none of the prayers (remember listening) were simalur to what I had been given. They prayed about being clay pots that God's glory shinned through, but how hard it is being clay.
I waited.
I shared with one of the leaders. She didn't correct my reading or interpretation; instead, prayed for clarity, and stewardship.
I waited. (thought: how could I show whats on my heart?)
They prayed about glory and a veil. Still there was a longing of life that seemed unobtainable.
I waited. (started work on a leaf, one side is dead the other is very much alive. The death shows off the life. The leaf took a while to think of and fashion, all the while I longed for the women to know they already have the life, the life of Jesus, that they are longing for)
Then we sat down. There was a chair in the middle for someone to sit in who wanted prayer. They explaind the prayers were going to be different then those in past years, this was a chair of life, for those seeking life in the dark areas. Those who wanted anointing. For those who wanted to set aside the satcloth and ashes and be robed in God's glory.
The leaf was set aside, they had arrived.
I believe it was Providential that I wrote down the wrong passages, definitely wrote 4,5 & 6. Off I went to read and was stopped at 2nd Corinthians 4:8-12 eph on 10-12
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
So many of us know the death in our lives. We carry death in our own bodies, our muscles and joints are in pain, we have emotional scares on, are pressed beyond what we thought we could handle. We get overwhelmed and stop in our tracks, death was never meant to be.
But...
It speaks of the life of Jesus that is in those who have given up saving themselves and lean on him, Jesus. It confirms the suspicion that we are dying but also reminds us that Jesus life is showing through us, in us.
Life is already there.
When we regrouped to continue praying none of the prayers (remember listening) were simalur to what I had been given. They prayed about being clay pots that God's glory shinned through, but how hard it is being clay.
I waited.
I shared with one of the leaders. She didn't correct my reading or interpretation; instead, prayed for clarity, and stewardship.
I waited. (thought: how could I show whats on my heart?)
They prayed about glory and a veil. Still there was a longing of life that seemed unobtainable.
I waited. (started work on a leaf, one side is dead the other is very much alive. The death shows off the life. The leaf took a while to think of and fashion, all the while I longed for the women to know they already have the life, the life of Jesus, that they are longing for)
Then we sat down. There was a chair in the middle for someone to sit in who wanted prayer. They explaind the prayers were going to be different then those in past years, this was a chair of life, for those seeking life in the dark areas. Those who wanted anointing. For those who wanted to set aside the satcloth and ashes and be robed in God's glory.
The leaf was set aside, they had arrived.
Breath...
Inhale words from God
Exhale speech to those around.
This last week I attended for the first time the NW Women in Ministry Prayer Summit. They have been happening for the last 20ish years. Not everyone there is in fulltime paid ministry but everyone there is committed to pouring all there life out to God as a living sacrifice.
We gathered in a beautiful prayer room, it had stations and an art table, there was a circle of 35 chairs.
it was explained that we must listen well, listen to what God was saying and listen to what the other women were praying. Asked God what he wanted you to say (offer) then listen to those around you to wait for the opportune moment to share, you might have to wait days to share.
The offerings of prayer might be; prayers how we normally think of them (talking pleading recognizing, claiming) talking with God, it might be a passage of scripture, a song, a work of art, a picture (or a scene) you see in your mind.
We would break for meals and rest time then regroup to continue praying, we might share what we heard from the last prayer time to help know where to start.
The women who lead us were very kind. I think of how sometimes when you are in the woods and listening hard for something, maybe a bird, and if you are still and set aside all the other noises (trees, bugs, water, your own panting) you can hear it you can follow it, that is some of what comes to mind when I think of them. Their eyes didn't see your face but into your soul and beyond it into the spiritual world surrounding it.
I think this is the end of the introduction, make sure to read the post that will follow.
Exhale speech to those around.
This last week I attended for the first time the NW Women in Ministry Prayer Summit. They have been happening for the last 20ish years. Not everyone there is in fulltime paid ministry but everyone there is committed to pouring all there life out to God as a living sacrifice.
We gathered in a beautiful prayer room, it had stations and an art table, there was a circle of 35 chairs.
it was explained that we must listen well, listen to what God was saying and listen to what the other women were praying. Asked God what he wanted you to say (offer) then listen to those around you to wait for the opportune moment to share, you might have to wait days to share.
The offerings of prayer might be; prayers how we normally think of them (talking pleading recognizing, claiming) talking with God, it might be a passage of scripture, a song, a work of art, a picture (or a scene) you see in your mind.
We would break for meals and rest time then regroup to continue praying, we might share what we heard from the last prayer time to help know where to start.
The women who lead us were very kind. I think of how sometimes when you are in the woods and listening hard for something, maybe a bird, and if you are still and set aside all the other noises (trees, bugs, water, your own panting) you can hear it you can follow it, that is some of what comes to mind when I think of them. Their eyes didn't see your face but into your soul and beyond it into the spiritual world surrounding it.
I think this is the end of the introduction, make sure to read the post that will follow.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Have you ever hidden candy in your light up princess boots?
Dad recently restocked the candy jar on my desk....
(thank you Dad) I always wonder who eats the candy, during the week kids don't really come into the office and they defiantly don't come in on Sundays, yet without fail the candy jar runs out of candy.
..... tonight I made a new friend Mia, her older sister was setled into a small group with other kids her own age but Mia was 5 1/2, too young for any of the groups which means she was in my group. A group of 2. As we wandered the halls hand in hand checking on kids and pretending we were invisible we became friends. As we passed the office I remembered there was candy in the candy jar.... we snuck in and out of the office I was so very thankful for my dad and his foresight. Downstairs we found Anthony, another 5 year-old. He is a rather shy little man but his smile is one of the best, so no matter how shy he's being you have to try to trick a smile out of him. We did what all 5 year-olds love to do, we ran. Back and forth on one leg then another, this time skipping this time with our eyes closed, just running, just being 5, just enjoying the thrill of being fast. Afterwards we manged to get Anthony some candy.
There is no great ending to this story. it was just about candy and being with kids and the joys of candy, and really about joy that taste like candy.
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