Monday, November 7, 2016

Not Comparing

Hi there,

In my attempt to simplify I came across this great site that has all sorts of sensible ways to simplify and minimise. I love it because it takes a really practical approach to minimalism. I'm still working on this and making some progress; perhaps not as much as I'd like but progress is still progress hey.

This blog is a little different because it talks about our propensity as human beings to compare ourselves to each other. The writer has some great tips on how not to compare.

In the Bible, Paul also encourages the Galatians to avoid comparison. It's so easy for us to compare, but when we compare we don't do ourselves any favours. Paul reminds us to focus on our own call and walk and to be satisfied with a job well done.

Galatians 6:4-5 NLT
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. [5] For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

I hope you enjoy the following read.

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/compare-less/

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Simple Prayer

Simple Prayer
Sometimes we think that we can't pray effectively or with the right words. But God encourages us to simply come to him and have a conversation with him. We don't need elaborate prayers, large words or brilliant language. Jesus encourages us to simply pray. See Matt 6 and Luke 11.

Father, you are good.
I need help.
Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
- Via Max Lucado

"If prayer depends on how I pray, I’m sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer, and if the One who hears the prayer is my Daddy, then I have hope." (Max Lucado)

Father you are good.

Spend time acknowledging who God is. His character and his majesty, his love, his grace.

Matt 6:9 Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven - what does God want done on earth? People saved and none persihing - understand that God is good and he wants the best for his people.

I need help - acknowledges that we all need God's input into our lives every single day.

We need his love

We need his grace

We need his healing - physical and emotional

We need his forgiveness

As we go about our daily lives this part of the prayer helps us to focus on our continual need for God - at home - at work - whatever we are doing we need God.

"Exactly what is it that you need forgiveness for? For being a bad person? That is too general. For losing your patience in the business meeting and calling your coworker a creep? There, you can confess that." - Lucado

Lucado again. "Confession, you see, is not a punishment for sin; it is an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted."

Paul tells us to pray unceasingly. 1 Thess.  Acknowledging our constant need of him means we are in constant connection - either in conversation or in his presence - recognising that we are always in need of his presence in our lives.

As we are living day to day, God knows what we need and what we will face each day. We need him.

"Prayer can be the internal voice that directs the external action". - Lucado

They need you
Those who don't yet know him still have need of him

To know him

To know they are loved
To know that forgiveness and grace are freely available.

When we are with others we can pray -  Father, they need you.

Timothy was exhorted to make prayers for all people every where.

Paul's letters are filled with prayers for those already saved and also for prayer for opportunities to reach those who don't yet know the grace of God.

God is a good God and he hears our prayers. Jesus said to pray in his name - and our prayers would be answered.

We come to God by his grace and love and we can be confident God hears our prayers.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Guard the heart

A short thought on guarding the heart.

Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT

We often think about guarding the heart in terms of what we key into our hearts and lives by what we read and watch. But guarding the heart is more than not letting anything unhelpful in. Of course this is imperative. Ensuring that what goes into the heart is good and right and lovely is important. But guarding the heart is also keeping a check on what is already in the heart and getting rid of anything that is not good and right and lovely.

What is in our hearts directs our life and the way we respond to the many situations and challenges we face in life. It's also important for our spiritual health.

Keeping a right heart means a right motivation and that's why it's important to keep a check on our thoughts too. What we think about will affect our thought life and our heart.

Thinking about what we think about, testing it against the Word, and getting rid of what is unhelpful (or toxic) helps us to have a positive thought life, strong healthy neural connections in our brains and helps us to guard our hearts against anything that is not good, so that what springs forth from the heart is life producing.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Be involved

Hi girls. I'm often asked by women about the best way they can help and be involved in Womens. After much thought and prayerful consideration I have come up with the three best ways everyone can help.

1. Pray - pray for the team as they prepare, for the women who come and belong to our WOW community. Pray for your friends who don't yet know the grace of God and pray they will be open to what God is wanting to do in their lives.

2. Gather - this is simply turning up each week or as often as you can. There is something very powerful about intentionally gathering together. God's work is done in community and we are strengthened by community and by gathering together regularly.

3. Become part of the welcome team which can include all or some of the following: set up each week, helping out with morning tea, welcoming the women as they arrive and helping to pack up afterwards.

Love Jill

Hope this helps.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Living Resiliently

Resilience

What is it? Resilience can be viewed in many different ways but ultimately it is the ability to thrive in life and to call on inner strengths in times of challenge to grow and change.

Lyn Worsley describes resilient responses:

- Recovery - ability to recover quickly and to bounce back to how they were before adversity.
- Sustainability - sustaining life patterns and maintaining positive relationships while simultaneously managing some kind of trauma.
- Post-traumatic growth - personal growth, new insights leading to an enhanced ability to adapt*

I am - self concept

- I am likeable
- I am caring and considerate
- I am respectful
- I am responsible
- I am positive and optimistic

I have - social resources

- People around me
- People I'm accountable to
- Role models
- People who help me

I can - self efficacy

- I can talk to others about my concerns
- I can find ways to solve problems I face
- I can control myself
- I can figure out a good time to talk or take action
- I can find someone to help*

Areas of life that help build resilience

What is going well - do more of it.

Tough stuff happens

People in the Bible who show resilience despite difficult situations

Caleb

Began in Egypt in slavery - freed from slavery during the exodus

Was chosen to go in and spy out the land - glowing report and faith on God.

Due to the behavior of others wandered 40 years in the wilderness, then fought to gain the land.

Then said - now i will take what I've been promised.

What qualities helped him in this process to be resilient - to bounce back after incredible disappointment and hardship?

Numbers 13:30 NLT
But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. "Let's go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!"

Numbers 14:6-10 NLT
Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. [7] They said to all the people of Israel, "The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! [8] And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. [9] Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" [10] But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

Faith - the Lord is with us - faith community

Joshua and Caleb were the kinds of leaders who saw that the land they explored was “exceedingly good” (v. 7, niv, niv). But the other men saw only giants and obstacles and were filled with fear. Joshua and Caleb saw the possibilities, but the others spread a bad report. Ask the Lord to help you to look up and keep your focus on him—and to not miss the beautiful things along the way*.

The faith dynamic allowed Caleb to see the situation differently. The giants were still there but his faith enabled him to focus on God's promise instead of the circumstances.

We see this again when he goes to take Hebron. This land had some of the strongest people, but drawing on faith in God and his promise he rose to the challenge.

Numbers 14:24 NLT
But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

Joshua 14:6-15 NLT
A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, "Remember what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. [7] I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, [8] but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God. [9] So that day Moses solemnly promised me, 'The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.' [10] "Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise-even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. [11] I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. [12] So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said." [13] So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land. [14] Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the LORD, the God of Israel. [15] (Previously Hebron had been called Kiriath-arba. It had been named after Arba, a great hero of the descendants of Anak.) And the land had rest from war.

Caleb had strong:

- Community - faith - eg victorian bushfire resilience
- Family
- Work - purpose

Women who delivered israelite babies in Egypt and Moses parents

Exodus 1:11-17, 19-21 NLT
So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. [12] But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became. [13] So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy. [14] They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands. [15] Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: [16] "When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live." [17] But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. [19] "The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women," the midwives replied. "They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time." [20] So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. [21] And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Exodus 2:1-9 NLT
About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. [2] The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. [3] But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. [4] The baby's sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him. [5] Soon Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. [6] When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This must be one of the Hebrew children," she said. [7] Then the baby's sister approached the princess. "Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" she asked. [8] "Yes, do!" the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby's mother. [9] "Take this baby and nurse him for me," the princess told the baby's mother. "I will pay you for your help." So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.

This is a great example of bouncing back under difficult circumstances

Again, faith in God's promise is so important.

But lets look at the things Moses' parents did.

Thinking about:

I am
I have
I can

How did they put these to work even when there was a death threat over the life of their baby.

What strengths so we see then using?

E.g. Family Education Community etc

Next week we'll look more closely at the areas of resilience.

* The Resilience Doughnut: The Secret of Strong Adults; combining strengths to thrive - Lyn Worsley, The Resilience Doughnut 2012
* As above
*Praying through the word

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

She Does

Over the last three weeks we have investigated what it means to be the change in our world.

We are part of a community, a community that loves people and cares about people.

The first week we discussed the nature of change and what that might mean for us personally and corporately.

We've also looked at what it means to love - How are we doing on 1 Cor 4 - our list on love

Love is:
Patient
Kind
Never gives up
Never loses faith
Always hopeful
Endures through every circumstance

Love is not:
Boastful
Proud

This is a great list of how love works.

How are we going on the love scales?

We asked:

What would we like to do more of, to love others more fully?

What areas of loving others do we struggle with?

Last week we discussed what it means to care - looking at the nature of caring and having a heart of compassion that seeks to live a life of kindness and humility; a care for others that prompted an action of some kind - taking a genuine interest in, being concerned for others, taking notice of...

This week we come to "She Does"

What does it mean for us to be a woman that "Does"

This implies action and taking the notion of "She loves" and "She cares" that one step further.

It implies that we are women of action, not merely giving lip service to the idea of loving others but actually showing that we love others by our actions.

This is why 1 John 3:18,19 becomes so important

Dear children, let's not just say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

The world sees that we are followers of Jesus by the way we treat each other, and the way we love each other; the world is also looking at how we treat those who are not yet followers of Jesus.

Our actions in this respect will often speak louder than words.

What are we doing, that shows others that we love them, and that we are active in loving them in a way that speaks to them about the love of God?

That's why we gave out the little green book at Love in action, It's why Love in Action is the motto that we choose to live by for Citylife Women.

I never want us to be women who are only loving others by what we say, but also by what we do.

One of the definitions of the word do - (3rd person present indicative of do)  - a verb - a "doing" word
"To be the cause of (good, harm, credit, etc.); bring about; effect  www.dictionary.com

The key thing here is that something actually happens.

When we do something - we are active - as a follower of Jesus - "She Does" means that she is active in something, she is the cause of something - hopefully good - and she brings about something.

To effect something - to make it happen.

What is it that we are making happen in our own lives?

What are we making happen corporately, as a company of women?

I'm challenged by this because I feel like we can often be a lot of talk, great ideas, and good intentions.

But change comes when we do something about the good intentions and make a difference somewhere somehow.

What good intentions do you have?

What good intentions have you actually started? Or carried through to completion?

Ecclesiastes 7:8
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.

Genesis 2:2
On the seventh day God finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.

What if God had not finished his project of creation??

2 Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9 are often used to encourage us to give.

The context is the offering for the people suffering in Jerusalem - Paul urges the Corinthians to finish what they started.

I think there is a fair amount of human nature in starting well, but struggling to finish well. Sometimes the things of life just seem to get in the way.

A couple of weeks ago we discussed in groups some of those things that hinder us or distract us from getting of with the job. We all have these things that get in the way - I certainly do.

Paul encourages the people to continue to be passionate about giving, to pick up where they had maybe slackened off and to bring to completion, that which they had started.

I'm reading a couple of books on minimalism at the moment and the writer (who has had a typical "climb the corporate ladder" kind of life and found it less than satisfactory) made the point that we so often end up doing things like a career that seem important, but we would probably do better if we did what we were passionate about. He started writing, because that is what he was passionate about.

Now, hopefully they are one and the same thing, but are we actually doing what we are passionate about.

I'm not talking about abandoning everything else - but finding what that something is and using it to build something significant. It may not be prominent - but significance does not need prominence.

Please keep this in mind - because we live in a world where we equate them as one and the same.

So here's a few thoughts:

What are you passionate about?

What projects are left hanging in the balance; or half completed; or not even started?

I want to challenge us today to think about those ideas, good intentions, projects and community action.

What next step is God asking you to take?

Maybe there is a project he is asking you to complete; some people to meet with; something he wants you to start doing that you've been putting off.  

Maybe, there is a half completed project or intention that God is asking you to stop hanging on to.

What is your next step?

Share with someone your next step and when you plan to take it.

We can all encourage each other and help each other to be accountable.

Monday, August 8, 2016

She Cares

She loves, She cares, she does, She is the change

Care

Having a heart of kindness and compassion.

Sometimes we think of care as worry - the cares of the world. But this type of care is about a genuine desire to to see the best done

It is to take a genuine interest in something. 

1 Peter 5:2-3, 6-7 NLT
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. [3] Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

[6] So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. [7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Worries  - cares, anxieties, distractions.

I love this idea that we can give God those things that distract us.

He cares for you - God cares about us.

Matthew 6:28-33 NLT
"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, [29] yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [30] And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? [31] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matt 25
Those that cared about others were received into the kingdom

The words translated care are often more about action, about what people did.

Matt 27 - those that cared for Jesus - translated from ministered  - served, cared for the poor etc.

To care
to care for, look out for (a thing)
to seek to promote one's interests
caring or providing for

When the word care is used in the Bible the root word is often more about looking out for and taking notice of.

I think this helps us. It says that God is looking out for and taking notice of us, sustaining us, helping us etc.

So to be a woman who cares is to be one who looks out for other people, who takes notice of and a genuine interest in others.

This means that we have to put aside our own interests, cares, worries and distractions to be fully present to be mindful of others and to show genuine interest.

Proverbs 29:7 NLT
The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care at all.

The word used for care here is to consider, to think about, know about, learn about the rights of ...

To perceive, find out and discern.

The Proverbs 31 woman looks after her household

She takes a genuine interest in her family, her servants and in the wider community.

She cares about the poor, the needy.

This woman takes a genuine interest.

Luke 6:36 NLT
You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 6:35-36 NLT
"Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. [36] You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 7:11-15 NLT
Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. [12] A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. [14] Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." [15] Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Luke 10:30-37 NLT
Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. [31] "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. [32] A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. [33] "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. [34] Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. [35] The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' [36] "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. [37] The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

Luke 15:11-32 NLT
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. [13] "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. [14] About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. [15] He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. [16] The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. [17] "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' [20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. [25] "Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, [26] and he asked one of the servants what was going on. [27] 'Your brother is back,' he was told, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.' [28] "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, 'All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!' [31] "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"

Think about these three passages of Scripture.

How does Jesus show genuine care?

What do we learn about genuine interest and care for others from the two parables Jesus told?

How can you apply this to your life?

Who is God challenging you to take a genuine interest in?

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

"She Loves"

Last week we discussed what it means to be the change and how we can be change agents by speaking up and by making changes in our own lives, by overcoming the things that limit or distract us from making personal changes.

This week we are discussing "She Loves".

How can we increase our love for others?

What does the word of God tel us about how we are to love?

1 John has a great deal to say on love. It's worth a read if you want to get God's heart on love.

Here's some other verses that underscore everything we will discuss today.

Romans 12:9
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

1 John 3:18:20
Little children let us not love by word and by mouth but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before him. (RSV)
(NLT) Dear Children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Galatians 5:13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy our sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "love your neighbour as yourself."

Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us an offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to god.

Paul goes on to say in Galatians that love is a fruit of the Spirit within us. The more we allow the love of God in pour lives, and allow his Spirit to be at work in us, the more love will become an obvious fruit of our lives.

Jesus anointed by a sinful woman - Luke 7:36-48
We all owe a debt that only Jesus can forgive - in fact he has already paid for the price for it.

We are then encouraged to not have any debts except for the debt to love.

Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God's law.

WE are to love:
Each other
in the way Jesus loves us:
John 13:34-35 - "Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples"

To love others:
(even when it is not easy)
as we love ourselves.
We want to look after ourselves, therefor we choose to obey by loving those around us. 

1 Corinthians 13
Love is:
Patient
Kind
Never gives up
Never loses faith
Always hopeful
Endures through every circumstance

Love is not:
Boastful
Proud

This is a great list of how love works.

How are we going on the love scales?

If we were to measure ourselves, how would we do?

What would you like to do more of, to love others more fully?

What areas of loving others do you struggle with?

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of lover, power, and self - discipline

Hebrews 10:24
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works

Our love should prompt us to do good works. We do not receive love because of the good works, rather the good works are a natural outcome of love for God and love for others

Love does not ignore wrongs, love forgives wrongs and does not hold it against people.

Peter says love covers a multitude of sins

1 Peter 4:8
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

That does not mean sweeping it under the carpet, it means loving in a way that the wrongs of others do not change how you treat them or how you love them.

Love always wants the best so this means sometimes making hard and difficult decisions because what is best is not always easy.

For those of us who have kids - giving in sometimes seems to be the easy way for peace and quiet, but long term, it is not loving - because love also teaches discipline.

God disciplines us because he loves us, Hebrews 12:6;' we discipline our kids because we love them.

What about other people, well good boundaries help us love in a way that is best for the person.

A simple check. Is this something they could or should be doing for themselves?

If so, maybe it's time to step back a little and let them feel the consequence - this is also love.

What would you like to take away from todays discussion?
What is God speaking to you about?
How will you put that into practice in your life this week?


Monday, July 25, 2016

She is the Change

She Loves, She Cares, She Does, She is the change.

Prov 31 Woman is a great example of a woman who is being the change in here sphere of influence - we will look more at her over the coming weeks.

Was going to start with She Loves, but I think She is the change is the first message. How is she the change - She loves, She cares, She does.

What does it mean to be the change in the world?

We live in a world where there are so many things going on in the world. It's easy to focus on the negative things that are happening - the terrorism, the hatred, the sin we see.

But God calls us to see the world differently - not to ignore what is going on but to see it differently and to react differently.

Roman 4 - God is able to bring the dead to life etc. He is able to make a way where there seems no way.

Romans 4:16-17New Living Translation (NLT)
16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”[a] This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

(Even when there was no reason to hope, Abraham kept on hoping - believing he would become the Father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!")

We are a community of women, a community of faith, called to trust god in difficult times, to think differently to the world around us and to act according to God's promise and not the external circumstances.

Romans 12:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Living Sacrifice to God

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Behaviour of the world - tends to negative thinking, problems etc.

We are to see the world differently, to get God's perspective and to think differently - we are to think like God does - and to live out of the promise of God. This means making a decision that we will think about the way we think, make necessary changes and step out into what may seem an impossibility.

We are to see the possibilities that God places before us and to be the change to bring Jesus into those situations  - to love, to care, to do.

We are called to live our lives differently to others, not just living each day in a blur (although sometimes this is all we can manage!!) but to live each day with purpose and direction.

Finding God's purpose and direction for our lives leads us on a journey of change.
Change in self
seeing our world differently
changing attitudes

Then embarking on a journey of change that involves productive activity in our environment
pursuing purpose with determination
Stepping out in faith
Living with transition and uncertainty but excitement - no boring days!!

If God has called you to do it, it won't be difficult, it will be impossible (for us) - Christine Cain

But with God, all things are possible.

Definition of Change for our purposes.
Started with  dictionary.com

Change - verb (used without object), changed, changing.                  
10.  to become different:               

11.  to become altered or modified:               

12.  to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into):               

13.  to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into):

14.  to switch or to make an exchange:              

Change - noun                  
19.  the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed:               
.
20.  a transformation or modification; alteration:               

21.  a variation or deviation:               

22.  the substitution of one thing for another:               

23.  Variety or Novelty
 
24.  the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another:    

The key thing to be aware of is that change of a situation, or change of self, requires action on our part:
To change a behaviour as we grow in Character
Know what God is asking you to change
Share it with someone to be accountable
Do what you know God is asking you to do
To change a situation as we are able
Learn about the issues related to the situation
Be informed - not just Facebook informed
look for proper papers
Books
Academic writing
Trusted articles
Know what we can do
Do something
Keep learning and doing

2 really practical ways

1. Speak up
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Be active - what area of life grabs your heart, your passion, your emotion - get involved and speak up when others can't.

Proverbs 31:8-9New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.

What are you passionate about?

Say something
Ways to say something
Get yourself on the radio - Say it nicely if firmly
Think about what you want to say
learn how to say it well
Write a letter or an email - same rules apply
To the government
Your local member, council etc.
The newspaper
Start a blog

Actually there are lots of ways to say something

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - to remain silent is to be complicit

On April 9,1945, Bonhoeffer was killed at a concentration camp—just a few months after his 39th birthday. But his legacy continues. Even today, 71 years after his death, Bonhoeffer’s life is a challenge to us all to pursue justice even when it’s not popular, to care for and defend the persecuted and to relentlessly follow God’s leading
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/books/12-essential-bonhoeffer-quotes#iSwElMl5wrGWwFfV.99

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/books/12-essential-bonhoeffer-quotes#iSwElMl5wrGWwFfV.99

(Find a good example - In Acts, we see the food program for the poor - how can we extend what we are doing to help those around us live more fulfilled lives)

Where might you be able to volunteer your time? Make something

2. Get involved
There are many great causes, that's why it's important to know:
what you are passionate about
what is important to you
What time you can give to it - be realistic
Who you can partner with

God has given each one of us different gifts and talents - we can ignore them or use them - (the choice and the consequences are ours)

What limitations have you placed on yourself that have stopped you from getting involved somewhere?

What distracts you from getting involved somewhere?

Think about what is really important to you. Is this al; so important to someone else? How can we work together and help facilitate speaking up and getting involved?

Conclusion

Being the change isn't meant to be comfortable:
it is meant to be active and proactive
it is meant to make a difference.

Maybe you want to make some personal changes first
go ahead
we will work with you
coach you and encourage you to do so.

(Come see me if this is you and we will facilitate that.)

What is one thing you could do this week to get yourself started on the path of" She is the Change"?

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Family Compass

With thanks to Heritage Builders and Focus on the Family

Family compass

What does it mean to have a family compass.

A compass is useful to help guide us on our way, especially if we are entering new territory.

It is a standard of normal, healthy living against which actions, beliefs and attitudes are measured.

For us God's word is our compass. 

Joshua 1:8 NLT
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Psalm 119:105 NLT
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light to my path.

A family compass is a tool in our heritage chest that lets us draw an accurate vertical straight line of what is right.

The kids need us to take the task seriously. They need us to clearly establish “normal” in their lives. This means order and rules, of course, as discussed in chapter 7, but it also means setting standards based on God’s rules.

1. Self-worth
Within the first year of life, the fragile worth of a child can be either established or seriously damaged. Nothing supersedes the value of positive affirmation at this point.

It is a major checkpoint along the entire life of your child. Closely aligned with self-worth is personal identity.

Each child had their own personality, talents and gifts. Each has his own personal growth pattern and direction.

We must allow each child to be distinct. Learn his or her personality type, and let each child’s identity survive intact as they enter adulthood. Self-worth and identity checkpoints are vital. Keep them at the family compass.

When you were a child what did your parents do that instilled a positive godly perspective of self-image?

What are we doing to affirm the self worth of our children or those in our sphere of influence?

2. Personal Responsibility
Conscience, character and commitment work together to lead us towards responsibility.

Story:

Of the boy who upended the wheel barrow. He was required to refill it by himself. The outcome - he did it.

His dad quietly said, “He needs to learn responsibility. He needs to accomplish this job alone. He wanted to work, so let him work.”

By his actions in making his boy finish the task without help, Dad was saying, If you start a job, stay with it until it is complete. Don’t make a mess and expect someone else to clean it for you. That was another brick mortared into the wall of his son’s character.

When a child is given some responsibility around the house, it teaches him or her that there is a spot in the family where he or she fits.

Model it
As parents we must model responsibility. Don’t call in to the workplace sick if you aren’t.

This is really important. Our children will model what they see us do and how they see is behave.

How well are wet modelling responsibility?

Teach it.
Tell your child why it is important to take responsibility seriously.

Discuss the consequences of laziness. Instill an appreciation for the work ethic.

Give it.
The best way for a child to learn the discipline of responsibility is to be placed in a responsible position. Chores, caring for pets, and completing paper routes are just

What age appropriate roles or chores can we involve our children in?

A note about delayed Gratification

Self-gratification is not helpful for children long term

A child must learn early to replace the “normal”of instant gratification with the “healthy”of delayed gratification.

E.g studies on delayed gratification.

And as author M. Scott Peck put it, parents have much to do with how well children learn the skill:

For children to develop the capacity to delay gratification, it is necessary for them to have self-disciplined role models, a sense of self-worth, and a degree of trust in the safety of their existence. These “possessions”are ideally acquired through the self-discipline and consistent, genuine caring of their parents; they are the most precious gifts of themselves that mothers and fathers can bequeath.1

3. Spiritual Exploration
Every child will begin to probe for answers to spiritual questions at some stage.

When a child begins to wonder about his spiritual being, he is giving you a natural opportunity to discuss standards, for he is considering his Creator to whom he is accountable.

As parents, we must respond as our child’s spiritual awareness and freely and honestly answer the questions they ask. 

“God has set eternity in the hearts of men” Ecclesiastes 3:11

We are Spiritual beings. Embrace tbe teaching moments.

"With their innocence, children can sense spiritual realities early, and they will ask about them. We must be prepared, both to influence their eternal destiny and to help them see that standards come from God."

We can help our children understand bu using an age appropriate example.

E.g a compass and a magnet. A compass is affected by the magnet but if the compass moved away from the magnet the effect is lessened. This is true with God. If we move away from him we allow him to have less influence in our lives.

4. Sexuality
Human sexuality must be both affirmed and channeled. The home is the most effective and appropriate place for this.

Our role as parents is to be models of a healthy sexual life in the context of lifelong commitment.

Human sexuality is both wonderful and dangerous. Let’s be sure to help our kids understand both aspects.

Both boys and girls will seek their identities partly through their sexuality.

Be ready to help your children accept their developing body and new emotions.

Don’t ignore or become casual about your children’s sexuality. Help them through the times of struggle, and coach them on appropriate behavior.

Teach him or her how to say no when tempted. Let your child know the painful consequences of giving away what belongs only to his future spouse.

A point on family roles
Both parents fulfil important roles in the family. Both fatherhood and motherhood have their own set of demands.

We have a responsibility to fulfil our roles and teach children how to grow into their ow role as adults (and hopefully parents).

What Is Normal?
Establishing  a plumb line depends on the reliability of the family compass.

Having the family compass—the Bible—in our heritage chest will create an accurate and normal standard.

The family compass gives wholeness to life and is a stabilizing influence to a growing child. Anything contrary to the “normal” (Scripture) is abnormal, and should be identified and recognized as such.

Let’s give our children that reliable standard.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Building a Positive Heritage

Family Traditions/Fragrance  (Much of this comes from Heritage Builders  - Focus on the Family Australia)

What is the AROMA of your home?

When we smell an aroma it is usually associated worth some kind of memory positive or negative. What was the aroma of your home as a child? Was it a positive one?

As adults weer have a chance to build a positive legacy and leave our children with a positive memory of a home filled with a good AROMA.

A - Affection
R - Respect
O - Order
M- Merriment
A - Affirmation

Affection
Power of touch

How do we nuture and admonish our children

Nuture
Listenning, positive touch, affectionate names etc

Admonish
Gently helping them to  see blind spots, one on one etc.

Children need to know they are accepted  and loved.

Respect
Respect and worth for the individual

1 Peter 2:17
Honour all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.

Respect can be both entitled and earned.

Entitled - commanded by position
Parents, government positions, spiritually

Note - If we hold a position of entitled resoect this entitled respect should not be misused but taken seriously and with the intent to build a positive outcome.

E.g. command to honour parents, respect those in authority.

Eph 6:2 Honour your father and mother..

Romans 13:1 Submit to those in authority

Earned respect
Comes from what we do.
Our labour, services to others, performance in the family unit.

As patents we can foster respect in our children.

Spiritually  - true value
Emotionally  - sense of security
Socially - a foundation for treating others fairly

Order
Rules - boundaries - consequences - positive and negative

As parents we establish clear boundaries

Write them down and communicate them
Stick to them

Keep the list short and cover the important stuff

Be consistent

Roles
Every member has a role to play
Ensure that tbe roles are clear. Clear roles ate good training grounds

Rights
Each person in the family including children have a right to:
Be listened to
Voice their opinion
Express concern over how they are treated

This is done in a way that values others

Merriment
Establishing fun in the home

Joy and laughter being a family together

Prov 17:22
A merry heart does good like a medicine...

Exercise - butchers paper
5 creative fun ways to spend time as a family

Affirmation
Helping the child build self worth

Prov 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life

Encouragement  - to keep moving forward - not give up - learn lessons from difficulties

Keys to affirming
Declare the child's identity and place in your heart

Be enthusiastic rather than apathetic

Be engaged in their accomplishments and activities

Family traditions - more on developing these at the workshop

Tradition
Handing down stories, beliefs, customs

Establishes a sense of identity

Ritual

Ceremonial observance  - support the goals of tradition and not the other way around.

Traditions should be reshaped, reformed and refreshed to stay culturally relevant

Purpose - a strong sense of identity in the home

Traditions - a means to an end - reinforce truth - help our kids to love God

Some ideas
The Art of Tradition
Events
Birthdays
Dinners etc
Christmas and Easter

Stories
Photos and family treasures etc
Recalling past places

Basically story telling

E.g. stories handed down from one generation to the next.

My mum is particularly good at this.

Creeds - family or otherwise

Seasonal traditions planner
Note: Our Christmas tradition in our family and why it came about















Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Challenged

Hi. I'm sharing a quote from the book I'm reading. This is a seriously challenging read because it addresses the massive consumerist nature of our western culture and how easily we are sucked in to it. As I try to live as a follower of Jesus this book has highlighted those areas in my life that are not in aright rhythm and it challenges me to the core. Liz did tell me it would challenge whoever read it and she was totally right.

Here is the quote from
"7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker

- "My communion with God suffers not for lack of desire but time. And let’s be honest: I say I don’t have time, yet I found thirty -five minutes for Facebook and an hour for my shows. I found half an hour for YouTube videos on how to fix little black girls’ hair (my Ethiopian children are on deck, and I can’t have them looking nappy ). I found fifteen minutes for the radio and twenty-four minutes for a missed 30 Rock episode. So when I say I don’t have time, I’m a gigantic liar." Start reading this book for free: http://amzn.to/1UUiG1H

We have time for what we value. I say I value my time with God but so often it's overtaken by tv, Facebook and social media and solitaire games on my phone. I could justify it because almost every day I spend time with God. I really do. But if I'm honest, the quality of my time is seriously affected by the distractions around me. Any one else with me on this?

If I'm serious about simplifying to make room for relationships, I'm going to have to address the social media issue and the games issue and make solid changes to restore a proper rhythm to my day.

Monday, May 9, 2016

What Does God Require? Read on and find out.

Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly With God
 
What kind of community on mission do we want to build? What attributes do we want to develop that will signify to people who we are when they think of us?

Jesus said that they will know us by our love for one another. True love - desiring the best for each other - may involve several things at different times e.g. taking care of others or confronting harmful behaviours etc. But we are to love each other, and to work on our personal Discipleship  2 Peter 1

Growing in Faith [3] By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. [5] In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But those who fail to develop in this way are short-sighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. [10] So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. [11] Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

And we are to treat others and to love among others in a way that honours God. What does God have to say?
 
Micah 6:6-8 NLT
What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? [7] Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? [8] No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

He has shown you...

It's not difficult. God has shown the way. The context is God speaking to his people about all that he had done for them. The prophet goes on to ask "what does God want". There are lots of practices the people had, some even that God had instituted but the people had lost track of what they were all about. The people were trying to earn God's notice by winning browning points but God says that is not what he wants.  He wants justice,  Mercy and humility.

Isaiah 58:1-12 NLT
"Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don't be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! [2] Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. [3] 'We have fasted before you!' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don't even notice it!' "I will tell you why!" I respond. "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. [4] What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarrelling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. [5] You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? [6] "No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. [7] Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. [8] "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. [9] Then when you call, the LORD will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. "Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! [10] Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. [11] The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. [12] Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
 
True fasting is what God wants, a heart that is right before him. It's sharing our belongings especially our food, treating people the right way,  not oppressing them, removing burdens and the chains that bind them etc.

Micah 6:6-8 NLT
What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? [7] Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? [8] No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

1. Do Justly 

Justice is about behaviour. Are we behaving in a way that treats others fairly, and with justice? This is about the way we live. Are we treating people in a proper and fitting way, with the right processes in place to ensure they are treated fairly. This includes ensuring that people are treated not just fairly in a legal sense but that we treat people according to what is right.

We have a whole fair trade commission and department in Australia to ensure people behave fairly in workplaces, in transactions,  tenancies etc. Which shows how we naturally do not live that way. God calls us to deal fairly with people.

In my dealings with others, am I treating them rightly and fairly?
 
What changes might I make?
 
2. Love Mercy

Mercy is an attitude of the heart that leads to acting in a way that treats people in a way that is best for them. Love Mercy -  in the way God loves,  we are to love; in other words, mercy without strings attached. Mercy when people don't necessarily deserve it. It's not just how we treat people, but with what motivation to we approach them.
 
Mercy is loving kindness and goodness towards others  and living faithfully. Are we treating people as they deserve or are we willing to show mercy in the same way God has shown mercy to us? God does not count our wrongs against us but chooses mercy. God forgives us and we are to have the same attitude. God forgives and does not hold our sin against us. 

Psalm 103:1-5, 11-13, 17 NLT
Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. [3] He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. [4] He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. [5] He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's!

[11] For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. [12] He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. [13] The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

[17] But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children

1 Peter 4:7-9 NLT
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. [8] Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
 
What attitudes towards others do we struggle with?

What will you do to address the attitudes? What attitude does God want?
 
3. Walk humbly with God
 
Are we living in relationship with God? It literally means to go alongside, a way of life, that lives in humility in relationship with God and to act submissively (a choice we make) and modestly. God desires relationship with us. 
Romans 8:15-17 NLT
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Yes,  things like obedience are important, Jesus said that obedience to him are important and show we truly love him,  but it is from a place of relationship with him,  not from a place of condemnation or duty.
John 14:21, 23-24 NLT
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." [23] Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. [24] Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

Jesus was clear about obedience and Relationship. Relationship, love for God, and obedience go hand in hand. Jesus spent three years building relationship,  but the was also a loving expectation of obedience that would flow from relationship. When we choose to walk humbly in relationship with God, we choose to live in obedience to him too.  God is a loving father who draws us into his family and says walk with me, in relationship.
 
How's your relationship with god?
 
So
Justice - Our behaviour towards others
Mercy - the attitude of our hearts
Walk Humbly - Relationship with God.

What will define our community?

Friday, April 22, 2016

Body Soul Spirit - the Body

God knows us and created us

Exalting Christ in all aspects of life

Philippians 1:20-22 NIV
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. [21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. [22] If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 NIV
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,

Psalm 139:13-18 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! [18] Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand---when I awake, I am still with you.

Relationship with God brings life

Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. [8] This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

How we manage our soul and spirit affects our physical health too. They are all connected.

Proverbs 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Here we see how managing feelings can bring life or death to our bodies just as the words we speak bring life or death.

How we see life affects the body

Matthew 6:22 NIV
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Jesus was very keen on healing the physical body. There are many scriptures where he heals in some way.

Romans 8:9-11 NIV
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. [25] Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. [26] Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. [27] No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Like most things in life it takes discipline to keep the body under control and is all connected to soul and spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:42 NIV
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

Proverbs 22:15 NLT
A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

Food

1 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT
They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. [4] Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. [5] For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

This is not an excuse to continuously eat unhealthy food. The food mentioned here was not highly processed etc. It would have been fresh and unprocessed. However, when you are eating with others, especially when you receive food from others as a gift or in good will, receive it and eat it with thanks.

There are many places where we can find information on healthy eating. In general, food grown locally without pesticides and eaten fresh and unprocessed is ideal. This is not always possible but I encourage us to consider ways we can make small shifts in our thinking and behaviors towards healthy eating.

Here's some ideas:
Find a local farmer's market or community garden

Grow your own herbs and vegetables

Shop at the local fruit market and source local ingredients

Get together with other people and swap, buy collaboratively, and share.

Make time to cook fresh food and find easy things to do to start

Eating out - look for the healthier menu choices and try to avoid fast food.

Eat regular meals - you'll tend to crave carbs late in the day if you don't eat regularly.

Start small - you are more likely to maintain habits when you achievable goals

Enjoy the journey.

Body Soul Spirit - Nuturing the soul

The state of our mind and our thinking is crucial to our overall health. Toxic thoughts can be damaging to our lives and to our brain.

The goods news is that it's possible to actively and proactively deal with the toxic thinking and to develop good healthy thinking. This is not an overnight fix. It takes time, practice and persistence. But stick with it and you will see positive results.

Doing A Brain Sweep

Doing a “Brain sweep” to deal with the toxic processes we’ve developed takes time but is worth it.

We acknowledge it, quit it, and deal with it.

Ps 119:30

I have chosen to be faithful I have determined to live by your laws

The process involves acknowledging the thoughts, understanding where they come from, repenting – changing - stopping the thought patterns

Repentance is doing a U-turn. It’s choosing to stop thinking that way and to think differently.

Then forgiveness – asking and receiving forgiveness, and most importantly, where others are involved – forgiving others.

It takes 21 days to work this process to completion in your brain.

Dr Leaf says in her book “Who Switched off my Brain” that we must spend at least seven minutes a day (or at least seven repetitions of deliberate deep thought), speaking God’s truth, in prayer, and worship.

The first 4 days are the hardest as you are changing the old and laying down the new. If you persist, and work the process through you will find that you are thinking differently.

This is not about a positive thinking mantra – it is about effecting lasting and positive change in our thought patterns, our emotions, our choices and our behaviours.

There is a challenge- we have to be willing to do what it takes and not give up.

So what is the process?

Gather

This is the first part – acknowledging and becoming aware of our thoughts.

Gather the information, what thoughts are coming up? How long have they been there etc., what are your senses telling you, what emotions are you feeling?

As you gather, you become aware of your thoughts and bring them into your consciousness.

For example:

Those things you were told about yourself – what was said? Who said it? How do you feel? What are your senses telling you?

When we are aware, we can begin to work on the thoughts and start to change them.

Reflect

Think deeply about the thoughts and prayerfully. Analyse the thought. This is where begin to develop wisdom and insight.

Prov 23:23

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline and discernment.

Psalm 139:23

Search me, God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Ask questions: What type of thoughts are they? Do they line up with God’s word? What does God’s word say? What do I need to stop doing, or thinking? Who do I need to forgive?

Deep thinking is where the changes in the brain begin to happen. The thought is mouldable at this stage. This is where we bring the thought into captivity.

We can choose to accept or reject the thought. We make a conscious decision to accept the thought if it is good and to reject it if it is not.

We tear down strongholds and then change the thought through repentance and forgiveness.

What changes need to happen?

E.g if we are holding unforgiveness we choose to let go of it and to forgive.

If words spoken over us have been a problem, we choose to let go of them and seek God’s truth about who we are.

E.g Ps 139 Fearfully and wonderfully made

Eph 2:10

We are God’s masterpiece etc.

Journal

Write it down – journal be creative – mind map etc. example of matacog

Writing it down helps us to consolidate what we are doing.

This is really an extension of the reflect stage but it helps us to see clearly where the issues and patterns are.

It helps us see clearly the words spoken over us, the things we believe either right or wrong etc.

What patterns do you see? What images etc. come up? Are their words that are repeated, thoughts that group together?

Revisit

Revisiting is more deep reflection.

What are we learning in this process of reflecting and journalling?

What do we need to change or to add?

As we revisit, our brain is in an active dynamic state.

We can do something positive with the thoughts that are dominating our conscious mind.

Again we choose to keep or reject a thought. We rethink our reactions to information, evaluate the thought.

We then build a new thought based on the truth and on God’s word.

By doing this we re-transcribe our thoughts in to a healthy strong part of our brain and memory.

We do this with God’s grace. He is at work in us to complete what he has started.

Phil 2:13

For God is at work in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

WE do not do this alone. We have the Holy Spirit to help us.

The Bible has the answer for us.

e.g Worry

We can actively choose to reject worry and to accept what God’s word says.

God cares for me and he is in control.

Matthew 6:25-33

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Phil 4:13

I can do all things through Christ

4:19

God will provide all I need

AS we choose to accept the truth, our brain steps in and builds new circuitry.

This is where the repetition comes in.  As we repeat, as we think regularly and deliberately about what God’s word says and the positive reframing we have made, we continue the process of laying down new circuits and consolidating pathways in our brain.

We actually renew our minds.

Be deliberate. Every day, work on the thought. Concentrate on the truth of God’s word and the new thought and memory. Choose to reject the toxic and accept the good.

Quote Scripture, pray, (Pray for those you have chosen to forgive), worship God.

This builds new memory, effecting new and lasting changes and producing strong healthy structures in our brains (and breaks down the old which disappears).

Repetition is important. The more repetition, the stronger the new pathway will be. ( At least seven times a day for 21 days.)

Reach

This is the faith aspect.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?  Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Faith without works is dead.  James says that not doing what you know is like looking in a mirror and forgetting

James 1:22-25

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Jesus said that the wise man built his house on the rock – this is the person who hears God’s and puts it into practice.

Matt 7:24

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

It comes after all the others because it requires us to have transcribed thoughts built on a solid foundation of truth, so that our actions line up with belief.

This is where we actually start doing what we have made a decision to do.

We regularly bring the “good” transcribed thought into consciousness and repeat it. We forgive those who have hurt us.

Our Actions and beliefs match up.

Ps 119:5

O that my actions would consistently reflect your principles

Conclusion and Challenge

God is calling us to be transformed, to take our thoughts captive, and to focus on what is good and right and lovely.

We do this by being aware of our thoughts. Choosing to accept or reject them. (Taking them captive)

We then build a new thought based on the truth and on God’s word.

We spend time each day, regularly revisiting the thought and continuing to spend deliberate and intensive time thinking on and reflecting on the truth, repeating God’s word, singing, praying.

The question is: Will you join me in this journey?

Are you prepared to deal with the toxic memories, words thoughts emotions, and be free from them forever?

Body Soul Spirit - Nuturing the spirit

Last week we looked briefly at reasons to be healthy,  reasons to look after our health in an holistic way.

We also touched briefly on emotional health (boundaries) and we will discuss this more fully next week.

Today we will look at spiritual health.

What does it take to remain spiritually healthy?

And how do we nuture our spirit?

1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Spiritual health is related to the state of our relationship with God

The first step towards true spiritual health is a renewed spirit.

In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus asking him about his miracles.

John 3:3 Jesus answered
Unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

John 1:11-14
These words are powerful. They teach us that Jesus is The Word made flesh

John 1:10-14 NLT
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. [12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [14] So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

Jesus wants to come into our lives.

Romans 8:9-17 NLT
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [15] So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

In Romans 8:11

The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies

Romans 8:14-17.

The Spirit of God brings life to our spirit, assures us of our place in God's family and speaks to God interceding for us when we don't know what to pray

We are to nuture our spirit by allowing God's Spirit to bring life. John says that Jesus is the Word,  that Jesus lives in us by the Spirit

How do we nuture our spirits? What are we doing to build our spiritual health and our relationship with God ?

What is the  state of our relationship with God?

Colossians 2:7-10 NLT
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. [8] Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. [9] For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. [10] So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

There are two key ways we build our spiritual relationship

The first is continuing to gather for worship, coming together to find God together and for spiritual encouragement that builds us up. In worship we are drawing close to God, dwelling in his presence.

Jesus said that where two or three are gathered he is there in the midst. To build that relationship there are 3 key areas.

Prayer, presence and the Word.

Let's start with the Word

1. The Word
Immersing ourselves in God's word

In Joshua God instructs him to be strong and courageous

Joshua 1:6-9
Strong and courageous meditating on it day and night.

Joshua 1:6-9 NLT
"Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. [7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. [8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Strength and courage for life comes from living in the word of God.

To prosper in life, we are to meditate on the word of God because the word of God brings life and direction.

Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. [21] Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, [22] for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. [23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Just in case you thought this an Old Testament thing. Paul encourages his readers to let the message about the Messiah dwell richly in their lives. 

Colossians 3:15-16 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. [12] You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. [13] For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. [14] Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Prayer and time in God's presence are essential to relationship and to spiritual health. There is no getting away from the fact that time spent in God's presence is the single most important factor in Spiritual health.

2. Presence
In his presence we hear his heart for us, for his people and for the world. Time in his presence build us up and brings strength and renewal.

Isaiah 40:30

Those who wait on the Lord ...

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 91
He who dwells in the presence of the most high will find rest...

Psalm 91:1-2 NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Take time to be in God's presence. Spend time with him, not talking, but just in his presence, maybe praying in the Spirit or maybe in silence.

The psalms are filled with prayers of people worshipping God, glorifying God, seeking God.

But God also speaks to them and simply says

'Be Still and know that I am God.'

Stillness in God's presence may not be physically still, but it is a posture before God, stilling our hearts before him.

Brother Lawrence - practising the presence of God. It takes time and practice to stay connected into God's presence

3. Prayer
Prayer and presence are clearly related

Prayer brings us into God's presence

Isaiah 55
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near

Isaiah 55:1-3, 6 NLT
"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk- it's all free! [2] Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. [3] "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

[6] Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

The call is to come into God's presence, to seek him in prayer and to listen for his voice.

When we take time to listen we hear the voice of God.

In Kings we read of Elijah.  He's hiding away, totally exhausted and God comes to him. God seeks him out. He speaks to him and is not the great loud voice but the still small voice that whispers to our hearts through the tumult of life around us.

The Bible talks of the earthquake, the whirlwind and fire. God's voice comes to us through these things, not in these things, but when we are in the midst of the these things, if we will take time to spend with him, regardless of the tumult of our own lives, he will speak with us.

God seeks you out too,  he wants you to ask him in and he comes to you.

Rev 3:20

Behold I stand at the door and knock.

Revelation 3:15-22 NLT
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! [16] But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! [17] You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. [18] So I advise you to buy gold from me-gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. [19] I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. [20] "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. [21] Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. [22] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."

This was written to Christians.  Context - they thought they had it,  but they were luke warm, not committed to God's word but living a compromised life. Jesus says open every part of your heart to me. In prayer we can open our hearts to God and let him come in.

Some practical tips.

SOAP for reading the Word

S - Scripture - write down the reference

O - Observation - what are the key points- who is it written to - what is the context and what is God saying in these verses - what did it mean to the people of the time.

A - application - how does this apply to me - what is God saying to me through these verses

P - Prayer - ask God to help you to put it into practice in your life

Finding God's presence - finding a place to get away with God,  and joining together to find encouragement from one another and God's presence corporately.