That's right, I'm whining... call the whaaaaambulance...
We didn't have our regular Thursday with Alice study... I was not feeling well. So we just canceled the whole thing... boo hoo...
I said to Alice - "It's like telling a kid that they were going to go to Disneyland, but then they can't go." She laughed at me and said, "You're so silly - coming to my house is not like going to Disneyland!" I said, "To my spirit, it is!" So, my spirit will have to build up anticipation for next Thursday's Disneyland of Jesus.
Anyway, just to stay true to noting what each Thursday was all about, this Thursday was about me being achy and sore and using anointed oil on my body to help assist in my full restoration of health!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
More on Anointing Oil
On March 4th, our Thursday study included communion and blessed oil. However, Alice had referred to this several part sermon by Pastor Joseph Prince on blessed/anointing oil. I was anxious to hear more and learn all about it, particularly because my little baby son had an ongoing issue that I wanted to do more about with the holy oil.
So, yesterday Alice invited me over to her house, bless her heart, to watch this sermon. Additionally, she had a vial of oil for me already. (I think she must really love me... she does so many wonderful things for me!)
There were several scriptures that referred to the grain, wine and oil all throughout the Old Testament which were symbolic elements. However, while the grain and wine are commonly used and known in Christianity with the holy communion, the oil is often not focused on. It is equally as important to utilize.
Pastor Prince pointed out that this blessed oil is not just for healing the sick, but for every area in your life. You can anoint your house, your vehicle, your familys' pillows, etc. Anything that you want to be blessed with protection, holiness, added insight, and so on, can be anointed to God with the oil.
He made an awesome point about the bread, wine and oil: each element is heavily pressed from its original form to become these sacred elements. Jesus was also pressed incredibly - scourged, beaten, abused and crucified. When we partake of these elements we are proclaiming his death, which is the good news, until his return. It offers us health, wellness, healing and forgiveness of the body and spirit.
Evil will turn and run from us when we use these elements. Prince said "Be RADICAL with these elements." They are not superstitions, they are from God.
Interestingly enough, the world's richest product at this time is oil - it's black. God's standard of rich is oil that is pure and fresh!
At the end of this message, Pastor Prince tells his congregation to hold up the small containers of oil that they brought with them and he blesses it, making it holy. Alice had already given me oil that was blessed, but for the sake of my participating, she poured some virgin olive oil in a bottle and let me hold it up to be blessed along with Prince's congregation.
After that, I blessed little Ryan. It was a beautiful thing!
So, yesterday Alice invited me over to her house, bless her heart, to watch this sermon. Additionally, she had a vial of oil for me already. (I think she must really love me... she does so many wonderful things for me!)
There were several scriptures that referred to the grain, wine and oil all throughout the Old Testament which were symbolic elements. However, while the grain and wine are commonly used and known in Christianity with the holy communion, the oil is often not focused on. It is equally as important to utilize.
Pastor Prince pointed out that this blessed oil is not just for healing the sick, but for every area in your life. You can anoint your house, your vehicle, your familys' pillows, etc. Anything that you want to be blessed with protection, holiness, added insight, and so on, can be anointed to God with the oil.
He made an awesome point about the bread, wine and oil: each element is heavily pressed from its original form to become these sacred elements. Jesus was also pressed incredibly - scourged, beaten, abused and crucified. When we partake of these elements we are proclaiming his death, which is the good news, until his return. It offers us health, wellness, healing and forgiveness of the body and spirit.
Evil will turn and run from us when we use these elements. Prince said "Be RADICAL with these elements." They are not superstitions, they are from God.
Interestingly enough, the world's richest product at this time is oil - it's black. God's standard of rich is oil that is pure and fresh!
At the end of this message, Pastor Prince tells his congregation to hold up the small containers of oil that they brought with them and he blesses it, making it holy. Alice had already given me oil that was blessed, but for the sake of my participating, she poured some virgin olive oil in a bottle and let me hold it up to be blessed along with Prince's congregation.
After that, I blessed little Ryan. It was a beautiful thing!
Thursday, April 8 - The Cross
I've noticed that in the last couple of months everything I learn is repeated by another source - like I had mentioned in my last post, it's like God wants to make sure I got it! Well this week was no exception.
Before going to Alice's, I watched the most recent online replay of Heart of The Matter with Shawn McCraney - his message was about the Cross and what it represents. (You can watch it here.) My notes from his show are as follows:
Symbols evoke deep felt emotions in human beings - for example, when people see the peace sign, they think about peace and what that means. God made us with the ability to relate to icons and symbols.
The cross is symbolically important to Christians. It is not a man made symbol, but the result of scriptures.
The Material Cross - As an LDS, I was taught that the cross emphasizes Christ's death and the focus was that he is living, so we didn't utilize the cross for a symbol. McCraney says that he was taught at the MTC to tell people that the cross was an instrument of torture and we wouldn't wear a gun, a knife, or any other item that could cause death. However, it is the doctrine of the cross that is meaningful, beyond its material meaning.
The Metaphorical Cross - This represents, in scripture, Christian affliction. Luke 14:27 says "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." In Romans 6:6 is says "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin..." The cross, in these scriptures, teaches us to give up our old selves, become new in Christ and follow him.
The Metonymical Cross - Metonymical means "using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated; 'to say `he spent the evening reading Shakespeare' is metonymic because it substitutes the author himself for the author's works'". The cross, in this sense, is the icon of the gospel and all that Christ represents with the entire work that he did. The cross metonymically represents the power of God. Several scriptures further illustrate:
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 - 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Galations 5:11 - 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Galations 6:12-14 - 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Ephesians 2:16 - 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Hebrews 12:2 - 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Some LDS people believe that the sacrifice Jesus made for us was in the Garden of Gethsemane, however, the following scripture clarifies:
Colossians 1:20 - 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Additionally, the ordinances/rules that were prior to Christ's sacrifice were done away with:
Colossians 2:14 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
A few hours after viewing this awesome program, I went to Alice's and what did we study? The Cross!!!
We watched a sermon from Louie Giglio about where to go when we are hurting the most. He said we would all come to a place where life hurts the most. Jesus taught "in ME you will have peace". His peace is relationship with him. In this world we will have trouble and the "good news" is that we know where peace is found. God is bigger and has a plan greater than we can imagine. He will make everything work and it's important to remember that the cross is the centerpiece of the plan of God.
In Hebrews 6:19-20 it talks about Jesus being an anchor for our souls. That anchor is the cross.
There are four things the cross tell us:
1- At the cross we see that God loves us, ESPECIALLY when we feel that God doesn't love us or when we wonder if he is really there.
2- God allows us freedom, but maintains control. The freedom was given to the people of the day to crucify Jesus, but God was still in control - the sacrifice needed to happen and he knew it.
3- God can use the worst things for eternal good. The crucifixion was a horrible event, but it was also the best, most beautiful event ever.
4- God paints on the canvas bigger than we can see or understand - our vision is just a small part of the painting. Trust him!
I am so glad this was the synchronized message! I had always thought about the significance of the cross, but had never gone into great depth as to how important it really is as an icon for Christianity. The cross is EVERYTHING to Christians - the symbol of freedom, love and hope!
Alice made me a beautiful bracelet and on it had several charms of things we have talked about in our Thursday studies - one of these charms was a cross - the first cross I have ever had! Awesome!!!!!
Before going to Alice's, I watched the most recent online replay of Heart of The Matter with Shawn McCraney - his message was about the Cross and what it represents. (You can watch it here.) My notes from his show are as follows:
Symbols evoke deep felt emotions in human beings - for example, when people see the peace sign, they think about peace and what that means. God made us with the ability to relate to icons and symbols.
The cross is symbolically important to Christians. It is not a man made symbol, but the result of scriptures.
The Material Cross - As an LDS, I was taught that the cross emphasizes Christ's death and the focus was that he is living, so we didn't utilize the cross for a symbol. McCraney says that he was taught at the MTC to tell people that the cross was an instrument of torture and we wouldn't wear a gun, a knife, or any other item that could cause death. However, it is the doctrine of the cross that is meaningful, beyond its material meaning.
The Metaphorical Cross - This represents, in scripture, Christian affliction. Luke 14:27 says "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." In Romans 6:6 is says "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin..." The cross, in these scriptures, teaches us to give up our old selves, become new in Christ and follow him.
The Metonymical Cross - Metonymical means "using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated; 'to say `he spent the evening reading Shakespeare' is metonymic because it substitutes the author himself for the author's works'". The cross, in this sense, is the icon of the gospel and all that Christ represents with the entire work that he did. The cross metonymically represents the power of God. Several scriptures further illustrate:
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 - 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Galations 5:11 - 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Galations 6:12-14 - 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Ephesians 2:16 - 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Hebrews 12:2 - 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Some LDS people believe that the sacrifice Jesus made for us was in the Garden of Gethsemane, however, the following scripture clarifies:
Colossians 1:20 - 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Additionally, the ordinances/rules that were prior to Christ's sacrifice were done away with:
Colossians 2:14 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
A few hours after viewing this awesome program, I went to Alice's and what did we study? The Cross!!!
We watched a sermon from Louie Giglio about where to go when we are hurting the most. He said we would all come to a place where life hurts the most. Jesus taught "in ME you will have peace". His peace is relationship with him. In this world we will have trouble and the "good news" is that we know where peace is found. God is bigger and has a plan greater than we can imagine. He will make everything work and it's important to remember that the cross is the centerpiece of the plan of God.
In Hebrews 6:19-20 it talks about Jesus being an anchor for our souls. That anchor is the cross.
There are four things the cross tell us:
1- At the cross we see that God loves us, ESPECIALLY when we feel that God doesn't love us or when we wonder if he is really there.
2- God allows us freedom, but maintains control. The freedom was given to the people of the day to crucify Jesus, but God was still in control - the sacrifice needed to happen and he knew it.
3- God can use the worst things for eternal good. The crucifixion was a horrible event, but it was also the best, most beautiful event ever.
4- God paints on the canvas bigger than we can see or understand - our vision is just a small part of the painting. Trust him!
I am so glad this was the synchronized message! I had always thought about the significance of the cross, but had never gone into great depth as to how important it really is as an icon for Christianity. The cross is EVERYTHING to Christians - the symbol of freedom, love and hope!
Alice made me a beautiful bracelet and on it had several charms of things we have talked about in our Thursday studies - one of these charms was a cross - the first cross I have ever had! Awesome!!!!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
More on Authority to Act in Jesus' Name!
So back in February, we had discussed the power to act in God's name. Alice had shown us via Biblical examples that anyone can tap into God's power - including women!!! This was such an awesome realization, especially coming from the LDS perspective.
Well, today at church, being Easter Sunday, this was the topic of our sermon. (I find it funny how God has re-affirmed many of the things I've been learning through various different sources lately!) Everyone received a little scroll which read (with inserts for our own names):
This was just so cool to have re-affirmed from the recent studies with Alice. It also made me really, really want to be baptized BY ALICE... I have asked her, but she was going to think on it. Perhaps when she heard this sermon, she was able to come up with an answer???? :)
Well, today at church, being Easter Sunday, this was the topic of our sermon. (I find it funny how God has re-affirmed many of the things I've been learning through various different sources lately!) Everyone received a little scroll which read (with inserts for our own names):
I, Jesus Christ, give complete and utter authority to Ari-Amber for the purpose of carrying out my will. Ari-Amber shall be recognized as an envoy on assignment by all who encounter her. All resources of heaven are at Ari-Amber's disposal. Any decisions made by my ambassador shall be seen and understood as though they were my own. Any resistance or interference against my attache will be viewed as an obstruction against the throne of heaven. Let it be known that reciprocity will be swift against any force that attempts to interfere, tamper, and/or obstruct the mission of my personal emissary. Whatever is permitted by Ari-Amber shall be permitted and whatever is denied shall be denied. It shall be recognized that NO authority in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is greater than mine. Mine is the ultimate authority. I give this authority to my ambassador.
Supreme Ruler of the Universe, Jesus ChristThe pastor continued on to say that the authority of God, much like a suit, must be put on, tailored to us, worn well, and passed on to others. In other words, we must handle it well in how we utilize it for the good of God in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch.
This was just so cool to have re-affirmed from the recent studies with Alice. It also made me really, really want to be baptized BY ALICE... I have asked her, but she was going to think on it. Perhaps when she heard this sermon, she was able to come up with an answer???? :)
Thursday April 1 - The Last Days - No April Fool's Joke
After a yummy hot dog dinner, Alice, Shelley and I sat down to continue our studies on the last days. We watched a you tube video that had a narration read from Ezekiel with corresponding pictures from our time. It's amazing how close to "the end" we really are. We also watched a pastor from Texas give a sermon on the end times. There is so much to it!!! It can be overwhelming, but the important part for me is being taken up before all the "bad stuff" happens - I'll be having a seven year feast in heaven while all the nasty things are taking place on earth. I do think it is important to know what's going to happen anyway because it gives people motivation to accept Christ!!! He he!
We also watched part of a documentary on the shroud of Torin - a piece of material that scientists are trying to prove is the linen that Christ was wrapped in after his death. So far, with what we watched, it appears to be of a man who was both scourged and crucified. We never got to the end to see if they could, in fact, prove that is was dated back to the time of Christ's death.
I was super tired and felt like a zombie because the previous night there was family drama. However, I am just so thankful that I have the opportunity to meet with these beautiful ladies and grow in Jesus' love! Even though I was a zombie, it was so nice to be there. I'm so, so blessed!
We also watched part of a documentary on the shroud of Torin - a piece of material that scientists are trying to prove is the linen that Christ was wrapped in after his death. So far, with what we watched, it appears to be of a man who was both scourged and crucified. We never got to the end to see if they could, in fact, prove that is was dated back to the time of Christ's death.
I was super tired and felt like a zombie because the previous night there was family drama. However, I am just so thankful that I have the opportunity to meet with these beautiful ladies and grow in Jesus' love! Even though I was a zombie, it was so nice to be there. I'm so, so blessed!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25 - The End Times
We met at Shelley's house this time and she made a delicious lasagna! Yummy! But first, the food for our spirits!
Alice wanted to focus on the 2nd coming and the time line around that taking place. There are a lot of things we understand, vaguely understand, and don't understand at all. She wanted us to pick some things about the end times and 2nd coming and we would collectively dive in!
She first showed us a quick clip called Are You Ready? Click here to see! It was a short illustration of how the Rapture might occur... kinda cool actually. I used to worry about whether I would be burned to a crisp when Jesus returned, mostly because of the legalistic way I was raised. I had a lot of toxic shame (not healthy guilt) about all of my sins and didn't think I would ever be good enough to "make it". Alice pointed out that we had all accepted Jesus as our Savior. In that regard, we'll be in good hands when the worst of the end is taking place.
In 1 Peter 4:7 it talks about being watchful and aware that the end is near, though, thus being a good call to understand what will happen during these times.
Anyway, Alice pointed out that Matthew 24:36 says that no one will know the day or the hour when Jesus will come again. She thought it interesting that it didn't mention a year - she did a little math. Ezekiel talks about the Jews being restored to Israel as part of the last day prophecies. In 1948, Israel was restored. Matthew 24:34 indicates that in the same generation that Israel is restored, Jesus would return. So, just for fun, Alice determined what an approximate "generation" would be. She determined, based on the genealogy of Christ given in Matthew, that a generation is about 70 years. She looked at the time that had passed from Abraham to Jesus - 2018 years. From Jesus to Israel becoming a nation - 2018 years. The year that took place was 1948 and adding a "generation" to it of 70 years - the year 2018. Just a fun thought. Not doctrinal, but definitely interesting.
In any case, we know based on all of the "events" that are to take place in the "last days", the end is certainly near. The eschatology - the study of end times - is a subject large enough to study for days, weeks, months, even years!!! We pretty much barely touched the vast variety of topics that can be discussed regarding the end time events... more to come!!!
In the meantime, I had an "aha" moment - or what Alice called a "Golden Nugget".
I had been continuing to contemplate the concept of the Trinity - I really was doing well with accepting that belief, but then I listened to an interview with Shawn McCraney and it became even more clear to me.
He referred to our bodies as three in one because we have a body, a soul (our mind, emotions, and will) and our spirit which enters fully when we are re-born in Christ. Three different elements, one being. Makes sense... well, it makes sense about God too!!! Love it!!!
Alice wanted to focus on the 2nd coming and the time line around that taking place. There are a lot of things we understand, vaguely understand, and don't understand at all. She wanted us to pick some things about the end times and 2nd coming and we would collectively dive in!
She first showed us a quick clip called Are You Ready? Click here to see! It was a short illustration of how the Rapture might occur... kinda cool actually. I used to worry about whether I would be burned to a crisp when Jesus returned, mostly because of the legalistic way I was raised. I had a lot of toxic shame (not healthy guilt) about all of my sins and didn't think I would ever be good enough to "make it". Alice pointed out that we had all accepted Jesus as our Savior. In that regard, we'll be in good hands when the worst of the end is taking place.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (New International Version)
16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
In 1 Peter 4:7 it talks about being watchful and aware that the end is near, though, thus being a good call to understand what will happen during these times.
Anyway, Alice pointed out that Matthew 24:36 says that no one will know the day or the hour when Jesus will come again. She thought it interesting that it didn't mention a year - she did a little math. Ezekiel talks about the Jews being restored to Israel as part of the last day prophecies. In 1948, Israel was restored. Matthew 24:34 indicates that in the same generation that Israel is restored, Jesus would return. So, just for fun, Alice determined what an approximate "generation" would be. She determined, based on the genealogy of Christ given in Matthew, that a generation is about 70 years. She looked at the time that had passed from Abraham to Jesus - 2018 years. From Jesus to Israel becoming a nation - 2018 years. The year that took place was 1948 and adding a "generation" to it of 70 years - the year 2018. Just a fun thought. Not doctrinal, but definitely interesting.
In any case, we know based on all of the "events" that are to take place in the "last days", the end is certainly near. The eschatology - the study of end times - is a subject large enough to study for days, weeks, months, even years!!! We pretty much barely touched the vast variety of topics that can be discussed regarding the end time events... more to come!!!
In the meantime, I had an "aha" moment - or what Alice called a "Golden Nugget".
I had been continuing to contemplate the concept of the Trinity - I really was doing well with accepting that belief, but then I listened to an interview with Shawn McCraney and it became even more clear to me.
He referred to our bodies as three in one because we have a body, a soul (our mind, emotions, and will) and our spirit which enters fully when we are re-born in Christ. Three different elements, one being. Makes sense... well, it makes sense about God too!!! Love it!!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18 - Our Worth in Christ
So, I had offered to have this Thursday meeting at my house to give Alice a break! I was pretty excited, but nervous, because it had been a long time since I gave any kind of "lesson" to others. Since I feel pretty childlike in the knowledge of the Bible outside of Mormonism, I was worried that I might get it wrong.
I had been struggling with issues of self worth. I am not happy with my current weight, my hair is thinning out to the point of looking bald to me, and I'm so tired most of the time that my motivation is nil. I had also heard a lot of people close to me be very hard on themselves about their image or their abilities. So, I knew exactly what I had to do for our study.
Alice, Shelley, and her daughter, Kati, were in attendance. I started out the lesson with a song that I had written when I was 15 called "I Am Who I Am". It talks about not fitting in with what the "world" sees as beautiful, but trying to be ok with who I am anyway. I explained to them that I had started going to youth dances and was incredibly discouraged because I never got asked to dance. I did not fit the mold of what was acceptable, even at a church function. After singing the song, I had everyone write down everything that bothers them about themselves, including both outward and inward characteristics.
While they were doing that, I showed them a clip about the transformation of a regular looking person who was prepped for a commercial billboard, and when all was said and done, with make-up, lighting, computer generated changes, that person was completely different looking. The world's view of what is beautiful is often based on what is not even real!
I gave everyone a Styrofoam cup that had their name on it. I also gave them a sharp pointed stick. I told them that for everything they had written down on their paper, they were to pierce the cup. They even said out loud some of the things they had written down while they were piercing the cup. I asked them what would happen if you tried to fill the cup with liquid and they all knew that now that there were holes in the cup, it could not hold anything. I then passed out another cup, which I had colored yellow on the outside, and on the inside was a picture of Jesus. I told them that Jesus asked to have the "cup" of wrath, suffering and death removed from him, but submitted to the will of the Father on our behalf for our benefit. When we chose to believe that Jesus saved us from everything that brings us down, we took His name upon us. I had them put that cup inside of the one they had just punctured. I then shared with them that John 4:14 says that whoever drinks of the water Jesus offers, they will never be thirsty again, and Jesus will be a fountain of water eternally. With Him, our cup can hold water. With Him, all of those puncture wounds go away. In Him, we are beautiful.
1 Peter 3:3- 4 Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty
of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
We don't have to worry about the "world's" standard of beauty - we are beautiful in Christ.
I shared that when I was around 10 or 11, I had been taught in swimming lessons that when you go out swimming in nature's waters, you should have a buddy and a buddy stick. Should you get into a risky situation with the water, your buddy should use the stick to pull you back out and into safety. My friend and I were swimming in a creek and I fell into swift waters. She pulled me back out and into safety because we had a buddy stick. I was so relieved and glad to have made it through what was a very scary situation!
Christ offers us a buddy stick when we are in turbulent waters that threaten to drown us. However, something I recently learned, is that WE have to grab the stick - we have to make the choice to be rescued by Him.
When we do make that choice, we can realize more clearly God's love for us. I recited John 3:16 with my name inserted in it: God so loved Ari-Amber that He gave His only begotten Son that if I believe in Him, I will not perish, but have everlasting life! Ephesians 2: 8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. A gift! What an awesome gift!
I told the story found in Luke 15 about the prodigal son. I reminded these beautiful ladies that there is NOTHING that we can do that will stop God from loving us and opening His arms to us ALWAYS. The gift did not stipulate anything other than faith - it didn't say we had to not sin - good thing, cuz we all do!
I played them a song I had found called "If You Could See What I See" sung by Maribeth Johnson. The lyrics are as follows:
I then explained to them that we needed to replace the negative things that we think or say to ourselves with positive. I gave them note cards and a note holder and asked them to make positive affirmations out of the things they had previously written down as negative.
We then had yummy chicken tostadas and Spanish rice! Yum!
I love Thursdays!
I had been struggling with issues of self worth. I am not happy with my current weight, my hair is thinning out to the point of looking bald to me, and I'm so tired most of the time that my motivation is nil. I had also heard a lot of people close to me be very hard on themselves about their image or their abilities. So, I knew exactly what I had to do for our study.
Alice, Shelley, and her daughter, Kati, were in attendance. I started out the lesson with a song that I had written when I was 15 called "I Am Who I Am". It talks about not fitting in with what the "world" sees as beautiful, but trying to be ok with who I am anyway. I explained to them that I had started going to youth dances and was incredibly discouraged because I never got asked to dance. I did not fit the mold of what was acceptable, even at a church function. After singing the song, I had everyone write down everything that bothers them about themselves, including both outward and inward characteristics.
While they were doing that, I showed them a clip about the transformation of a regular looking person who was prepped for a commercial billboard, and when all was said and done, with make-up, lighting, computer generated changes, that person was completely different looking. The world's view of what is beautiful is often based on what is not even real!
I gave everyone a Styrofoam cup that had their name on it. I also gave them a sharp pointed stick. I told them that for everything they had written down on their paper, they were to pierce the cup. They even said out loud some of the things they had written down while they were piercing the cup. I asked them what would happen if you tried to fill the cup with liquid and they all knew that now that there were holes in the cup, it could not hold anything. I then passed out another cup, which I had colored yellow on the outside, and on the inside was a picture of Jesus. I told them that Jesus asked to have the "cup" of wrath, suffering and death removed from him, but submitted to the will of the Father on our behalf for our benefit. When we chose to believe that Jesus saved us from everything that brings us down, we took His name upon us. I had them put that cup inside of the one they had just punctured. I then shared with them that John 4:14 says that whoever drinks of the water Jesus offers, they will never be thirsty again, and Jesus will be a fountain of water eternally. With Him, our cup can hold water. With Him, all of those puncture wounds go away. In Him, we are beautiful.
1 Peter 3:3- 4 Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty
of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
We don't have to worry about the "world's" standard of beauty - we are beautiful in Christ.
I shared that when I was around 10 or 11, I had been taught in swimming lessons that when you go out swimming in nature's waters, you should have a buddy and a buddy stick. Should you get into a risky situation with the water, your buddy should use the stick to pull you back out and into safety. My friend and I were swimming in a creek and I fell into swift waters. She pulled me back out and into safety because we had a buddy stick. I was so relieved and glad to have made it through what was a very scary situation!
Christ offers us a buddy stick when we are in turbulent waters that threaten to drown us. However, something I recently learned, is that WE have to grab the stick - we have to make the choice to be rescued by Him.
When we do make that choice, we can realize more clearly God's love for us. I recited John 3:16 with my name inserted in it: God so loved Ari-Amber that He gave His only begotten Son that if I believe in Him, I will not perish, but have everlasting life! Ephesians 2: 8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. A gift! What an awesome gift!
I told the story found in Luke 15 about the prodigal son. I reminded these beautiful ladies that there is NOTHING that we can do that will stop God from loving us and opening His arms to us ALWAYS. The gift did not stipulate anything other than faith - it didn't say we had to not sin - good thing, cuz we all do!
I played them a song I had found called "If You Could See What I See" sung by Maribeth Johnson. The lyrics are as follows:
If I could see what You seeThis song can also be heard here: If You Could See What I See
When You look at me
I would begin to understand
Who I really am
I would know how deep
Your love is for me
If I could see what You see
If I could see what You see
When You look at me
I would begin to realize
Why You had to die
I would know what You gave
To take my sins away
If I could see what You see
I would see a wonderful
And beautiful creation
In Your eyes I’m nothing less
Than an image of You
If I could see what You see
When You look at me
I would begin to know Your heart
And who You really are
I would fall to my knees
And thank You endlessly
If I could see what You see
If I could see what You see
I then explained to them that we needed to replace the negative things that we think or say to ourselves with positive. I gave them note cards and a note holder and asked them to make positive affirmations out of the things they had previously written down as negative.
We then had yummy chicken tostadas and Spanish rice! Yum!
I love Thursdays!
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