set apart life

Reflections on Life and Death

2007-12-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

One week ago, a women's drama team was practicing to present the Christmas story in a new way. Written from the perspective of Mary as an old woman reminiscing about the events surrounding the angel's visit and her trip to see Elizabeth, one of the parts was that of Mary's mother. In one of the scenes, she was struggling with the fact that her daughter may be stoned because she was pregnant out of wedlock. She found herself falling on God's grace to enable her to trust Him with her daughter no matter what.
Two days after the performance that same woman found herself in a similar situation; this time in real life. Her oldest son lay dying in a hospital and no one really knew what was wrong with him. I saw the agony on her face as I played opposite her last Friday night, and I can only imagine the agony she felt in real life. That story is still unfolding, but her son now seems to be on the long road to recovery. I don't know if she has had time yet to reflect on the similarities between her situation now and the one she played a part of only days before.

Mary was chosen by God for the incredible joy and unimaginable pain of being the mother of Jesus. When she was carrying Him did she even think about the fact that Satan wanted that baby dead; and maybe even her too? Was she frightened by the realization of the responsibility of raising the Son of God? Did she even imagine that on day she would stand on a hill and watch Him die for her? When she was watching Him die did she wish that she could take his place? I don't know, but have any of you thought about what it would take to die for someone else?
When I was praying for this family this week, a thought crossed my mind. I was begging God to spare this boy's life, but what if God had asked me to take his place? Could I do it? If I knew that I would have to die for hinm to live, would I still have prayed as passionately as I did? I honestly don't know.

I have to admit that I don't want to die any time soon. There are things I want to do, places to go, people to meet. I want to finish college, get married someday, and have a family. I love the things of this world more than the thought of being in the presence of Jesus forever. This is not where I want to be, but it's where I am. I am not ready to die, nor am I ready for the Rapture, but I want to be.
How about you? Are you ready to give up this life for the next?
Jesus came to die for us, so that we may live with Him. That is the real reason for the season. Just think about it.

Brenda

Are you Hungry??

2007-11-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

2007-11-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

Are you hungry? If you are, it’s a good thing! It shows you have a good appetite and your preparing for a wonderful filling. If you’re not, well...either you’ve just had dinner, you’ve been over indulging or something’s not working right.

Physical hunger is a natural part of who we are...and it is the gauge that reminds us to "keep eating" so that we will stay alive. But what about your Spiritual Hunger? Is that gauge working properly, or does it need to be taken to the doctor for an exam?

As I’ve been thinking about the meaning of "Thanksgiving" and "Food" (which enevitably go together as we prepare for the Holiday that is just around the corner), I decided to do a Bible word study on the topics of "Hunger, Being filled, and Thankfulness." And, as to be expected, what a rich treasure trove I discovered!

Often in my walk with God, while I am very fulfilled and satisfied, when I stop to think about it, I realize I’m still always HUNGRY!! Hungry for more time with Him, more time in His word, more of His truth. And to be honest, I’ve not always seen that as a positive feeling. What’s wrong with me? Is it that I’m not taking enough time for Him, not spending enough time memorizing and studying, not taking enough time for prayer? While I admit that these things are constant struggles for me (after all, the devil is working overtime to make sure we don’t get any more time with God than he can possibly help). As I studied, I realized with joyfulness in a new way, that the feelings of hunger and need that I often feel are good! They show that my spiritual digestive tract is functioning properly, and that I still have room to be filled. If there’s no room, there’s no filling!

As we are told in Matthew five, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." Those that have stuffed themselves with the rich delicacies of the world though, aren’t going to fare so well when it comes to God’s kingdom. In fact, God will actually send them away empty. "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." Luke 1:53 Can you imagine standing before God’s throne and being turned away empty? I imagine (with horror, I might add) God saying softly with tears in His eyes, "I’m sorry my child...you haven’t left room in your life for me...you are already full with the cheap treasures of the world ...there’s nothing I can give you!"

Thankfully, as long as we keep seeking and searching and hungering for Him...those words will never be spoken to us. We are encouraged to "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Ps 34:8. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Ps 107:9 "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want [lack] any good thing." Ps 34:10

We don’t have to have spiritual currency [good works or a perfect life] to exchange for this living food. We couldn’t afford it even if we did have the currency! Our greatest argument in favor of receiving God’s eternal food is because we are HUNGRY and we HAVE NEED to be fed! "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa 55:1 God longs to fill us! He longs to pour out spiritual blessing and plenty upon us...but He can’t do it if we have no room. As the verse goes on to lament, "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not?" You can hear Him with tears in His voice again... "My child, my child...why do you waste your time on that which will not keep you alive? Why do you waste your time on the superficial things of life that do not truly satisfy? When I own the spiritual gold on a thousand hills, and I long to make you rich with eternal treasures...why do you waste your time on things that will only make YOU fade away? Do you think I do not have enough to take care of your hunger and needs? Do you think I don’t know that of which I speak? If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Ps 50:12 My child, let go of the food of the world...while it may look good on the outside, it will only bring you sickness and disease. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Isa 55:1,2 Notice - God doesn’t promise that your body will be fat, He promises that your soul will be fat! Now that’s the fat I’d really like to be! ;-)

So, as I learned in a fresh way today...Hunger is a good thing...as long as it keeps drawing me to feed more and more upon the bread of life. In fact, as long as we live in this world, we are going to continue to hunger. However, I’m encouraged to learn that one day...we wont hunger anymore. Why? Because we will live with the bread of life! How incredible is that? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev 7:16,17

Just think...Not a Thanksgiving only one day out of the year...but a Thanksgiving every day...for the rest of our lives!

"And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence and happiness increase..." GC 678 I imagine I could also safely add..."So will our spiritual stomachs also increase." While we will no longer feel lack or hunger, there will always be room for more!!!

Now that's a true reason for THANKSGIVING!!!

Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving

2007-11-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I'm reminded of all that the King of Kings has done for each of us...and all that HE is to us. First and foremost, I'm incredibly thankful for Him choosing ME, a wretched sinner, to be His child...and for rescuing me from being eternally separated from Him. We have so much to be thankful for, it's hard to know where to begin...or where to end. His blessings are abundant and overflowing. I hope that this Thanksgiving, each of you "enter His gates with [wholehearted] thanksgiving." It is not only a command for us to be thankful unto the Lord for all that He has done and given to us, but it is how we please and bring honor and glory to our King, the One whom we serve. May we ever be mindful that HE is the reason we exist...and apart from HIM, we are nothing!

~PSALM 100~

Make a joyful shout to the LORD,

all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Happy Thankgiving,

Jena

A Message from the King

2007-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

I have called you to be set apart, just as I called those who came before you. I know this calling will sometimes come with great cost, but eternal rewards are priceless and beyond comparison. Just as I did with Queen Esther, I have given you the ability to walk in such a way so all will see you are divinely Mine. Some will admire you for your dedication to Me, and some will want you to fail rather than follow your lead. You may fall because you are not perfect, but your mistakes can be the tutors that make you wiser. I'm the only one who can perfect you, My Child.

All I ask is that you let Me set you apart so that I use you as a witness for the world to see.

Love,
Your King Who Sets You Apart

walking as disciples of Jesus

2007-08-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this passage during some quiet time this morning, and it struck me so deep. My immediate response was, "LORD, let it be thus in me!" It is my prayer this morning, that through His omnipotent grace, our precious Jesus would continue to strengthen us and enable us to walk in His Spirit, as we, His disciples, embrace the Kingdom pattern He's set before us.

"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be ashamed." ~Isaiah 50:4-7~

LORD, give us the tongue of disciples, that we may speak Truth into the lives of those around us. Open our ears, LORD, to listen as disciples and hearts of yielded obedience to walk in Your ways. Awaken our hearts every morning to greater depths of Your heart and a deeper desire to KNOW You! Let us decrease, LORD, as You increase. Pour out our lives for the sake of Your Kingdom, and the glory of Your Name! May we gladly, willingly, accept criticism, misunderstanding, humiliation, and persecution with LOVE and JOY, knowing You have given us the privilege of sharing in Your sufferings! We know we will not be ashamed, LORD. We cling to Your Word. Set our faces like flint toward Your Kingdom, and wholly CONSUME our lives with Your Love. We are wholly dependent on You, Jesus. We lean into Your sufficient Grace. We praise You, beautiful Savior! You alone are worthy of our lives. We surrender ourselves to You today, and join Jesus in saying, "Father, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" Amen.

Only by His Grace!

~Bethany~

Welcome Session 4!!!!

2007-08-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...we have just wrapped up (or rather just begun) Session 4. We had such sweet and awesome times of worship and learning. God has begun some amazing things in the heart of His people and we want to hear the stories. Please continue to check the blog as we share stories of "pioneering" with each other and encourage each other!

For His renown,
BenZ

HIS Name

2007-08-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Recently I began a study of the names of God and it has so encouraged me that I wanted to share a few with ya'll.

El Shaddai: All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer. This name is used 7 times in the Bible and all in Genesis.(Blue Letter Bible) (my commentary) He is our everything and He never holds back from us! He is ALL we need for all OUR life! How often do I find myself not believing in HIS sufficiency? I find this more and more often because I allow self to creep back in. I am NOT all sufficient, only He is and only HE can provide trud and lasting nourishment and blessing.

El Olam: The Everlasting God, The God of Eternity, The God of the Universe, The God of Ancient Days

Olam derives from the root word 'lm (which means "eternity"). Olam literally means "forever," "eternity," or "everlasting". When the two words are combined — El Olam — it can be translated as "The Eternal God." This appears 4 times in the Old testament. (Blue Letter Bible) (My commentary) He is the God of ancient Days! He was there when Israel wondered in the wilderness, He was there when Jesus died on the cross, He is for all Eternity! No one else can even compare to Him. He is the God of everything and NOTHING occurs outside of His reach.

Qanna: Jealous, Zealous

Qanna is translated as "jealous," "zealous," or "envy." The fundamental meaning relates to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel's husband; He is a jealous God, wanting all our praise for Himself and no one else. It is found six times in the Old Testement and always in reference to Israel. (Blue Letter Bible) ex. Dueteronomy 4:24 - For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God. (My commentary) He will allow me to have NO other gods. He is my lover and my husband, but I don't approach my relationship with His like I would with an earthly husband. I wouldn't allow all these things to sneak in and become a part of our relationship so why am I okay with it with my Heavenly Lover??? He is JEALOUS and He will persistently ask for me to evaluate and tear down every other God in my life.

on Son screen

2007-06-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I noticed today I had burn lines on my arms. I had been working outside and had neglected to apply any sunscreen. My t-shirt had served to keep my upper torso its pristine February hue, and dust had protected my legs, but my arms are now a delightful shade of pink. The other consequence of failing to protect myself is a slight burning which I know will pass in time.

Then, as I was trying to forget my most recent string of shortcomings, it hit me: most everyone spends lots of time reapplying Son screen. The dirt and grime build up on our lives and we don’t feel the temporary burn which saves us from total burning later on. Only after we strip away everything “protecting” us from His brilliance, being extra careful not to reapply, can our childish whiteness be richly colored through exposure to his brightness.

But leaving oneself unprotected is painful (in the short term), and slathering on more Son block is one of those unconscious habits I have yet to rid myself of. I pray daily for the strength to truly and completely change.

~£enni

This is only the beginning...

2007-06-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you, my dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, what a tremendous blessing it was to spend that time in Estes Park together! I have SOOOOO many grand memories of not only the fun times, but the quiet times, the worship times, the prayer times...the times when we poured out ourselves before our Maker. Being back at home now for over a week has seemed...well "dull" in a sort of way. I overwhelmingly miss being surrounded by such a great group of set-apart guys and girls. However, even though we don't have each other in arms reach all the time, our Savior is always right by our side. After all, He is our BEST friend and never leaves us! His lovingkindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3). I'm seeing ways that the Lord is opening doors of ministry for me at work...some of these opportunities have been there before, but I have failed to act on them. I'm still so thoroughly excited about the endless frontier that God has in store...and the abundant life that He offers, that I desparately want to share this life with others! It's the greatest adventure! It's exciting! It's thrilling! And to think that this is only the beginning...?!?! WOW!

Some reminders and challenges to ya all: Love the Lord today like you've never loved Him before. Walk in His footprints. Always strive for the Promise Land. Never pitch your tent. Fall into His arms, and He will catch you!

For His glory,
Jena

The Road less Travelled

2007-06-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

As the people from session 3 begin to assimilate back into their respective corners of the world, the question may arise, "What do I do with what I've learned and been changed?" I'd like us to begin discussing what our response should be to"coming back." And how do we maintain that "portable fire?" What do you all think about this road less travelled?!!! Welcome Session 3!
For His renown,
BenZ

A Few Alumni

2007-06-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

So I forgot to put this in my last post, but here is a picture of those of us who could do a reunion. We missed all of you who could not make it, but we'll have to do another one. The next one will include our 50 new brothers and sisters - I can't wait!!

God's Work

2007-06-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

It has been awhile since I blogged on here, but I wanted to share somethings that God taught me while at the AG Conference and also during the days that I spent with some of ya'll.

During the afternoon training on Saturday I started feeling almost sick to my stomach - that feeling I get when the flesh and the spirit are warring inside of me. I didn't know what it was about, but I knew that God was wanting something from me that my flesh desperately wanted to cling to. In conversation with one of the girls I soon learned what God was asking of me and was something I didn't want to let go of easily. As many of you know, I am very passionate about my job and could not imagine doing anything else. I felt that little nudge in my heart, He was asking for me to give up my job. As with Abraham laying Isaac on the altar, He is asking for me to be willing to give up my job for Him. He was asking me to be willing to lay aside everything - all that I love beside Him, so that I will be willing to follow Him when He says go. It took me a long time, several days in fact, but through His word (Psalm 45:10-11) I received the ultimate peace and the joy that comes from falling in love with Jesus and knowing that no matter where He says go, I'll go. It is all about the open hand mentality. I don't know if He is taking me somewhere or if He is just asking me to be willing, but I am SOO excited to see what He'll do next.

Welcome S.A.L. Session 3ers!

2007-06-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

I'd like to welcome all of you from session 3! I truly think God displayed and showcased His glory in all your lives. You have been called out...be separate! I'd love for this place to continue to grow and be a forum for discussion and testimony and prayer and pretty much whatever else may be going on in your respective lives. I would not presume to be moderator, but alas, that's the way the lot has fallen on me. I will attempt to post some kind of discussion at least once a week. All I ask is that you make sure to sign your name at the end of any post or comment. We don't all know who rascaloftinyfeet is!!! So, welcome! Your first thing to do will be to email YOUR email address and name to smalfry53112@aol.com so that I can invite you to the blog! Then you will be officially part of the amazing online set apart community! Let Christ reign in Your lives!!!!!!

For His renown,
BenZ

PS. I had an amazing birthday! Thank you all so much!

HEY ALL!

2007-05-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

It has been so long since our sweet few days together in January. I cannot believe how time goes by as we walk this earth with our Lord. The Lord has brought you all to mind numerous times and I pray He is keeping you close as you lean upon Him. I pray your gaze is still set unwavering upon your Jesus and if it is not, may He woo you back into that captivating gaze of His. My love to you all. You are still being prayed for and your presence is dearly missed in our lil' town of Windsor.

As an update, we are getting ready to launch the NEW AG WEBSITE - it has been an amazing journey! Also, we are having our first Authentic Girl Conference this next weekend, followed by another Training - keep all these students in your prayers - you know what they will face and walk through. May the Lord have full access to their - and our - hearts!

A brief update on our team: Eric and Leslie will soon be welcoming a new addition to their family - Harper Grace!! She is currently in South Korea awaiting her trip home to Windsor. You'll be able to read their story online next week. Each of us girls will be leaving in June for various locations and then gather back together in the fall.

Wishing all of you an amazing summer - filled with new discoveries of His grace, opportunities to spill out joyfully for Him, and great blessings of His love!

Sending a Hug from all of us here in Windsor,

Annie

Wherever you go, there you are.

2007-04-25T07:14:00.001-07:00

My beautiful friend, Tessa, is a very talented writer. This article that she wrote (and is published in Relevant Magazine) really blessed me.

I’m not sure who said it first, but I think it is one of the most simple and yet profound quotes ever spoken. It comes off as rather obvious, perhaps meaningless. But in it lies a brilliant and beautiful truth, a truth that God quietly whispered to me just recently.

I had just begun an intense, nine-month Bible school, and just weeks into the school I became hopelessly discouraged. Not only was the workload overwhelming, but at the same time, I was walking through a very difficult personal obstacle. It consumed my thoughts, stole my joy and robbed me of any contentment I had previously had with where I was and what I was doing. My despondent state of mind resulted in my thoughts drifting off into future-land, where I pictured everything being happily ever after.

Last year I lived in Thailand for four months doing missions work, and I fell in love with the country. It felt like home to me, and over the four months I lived there, it became part of my dream to eventually move there for long-term missionary work. God had begun and has continued to give me a big passion for the country and a heart for its wonderful people. I love talking about Thailand, eating Thai food and practicing writing the Thai alphabet, not to mention, thinking about all the possibilities of my future there.

This obsession led to a distracted—a wandering imagination as I attempted to put my discouragement on hold. As I sat in class half-listening to lectures on Romans or at my desk half-heartedly working on an assignment, I began getting visions of myself packing away my room, selling my stuff and bitter-sweetly waving goodbye to all of my friends and family as I board an airplane to go back to Thailand. And then, I arrive in Thailand, and as soon as I set foot on the ground, somehow I’m free of all my problems. They just flutter over the border to Burma, and I live happily ever after as a life-long missionary, going through adventure after adventure, being in danger and living some kind of life like Paul or Hudson Taylor or Amy Carmichael.

If only that’s the way things really were.

If only my visions were reality.

I realize now, that it is not the way things are, ever have been or ever will be.

In the midst of my daydreaming, it suddenly hit me one day. God opened my eyes to something I had been too stupidly oblivious to realize. It is the reality that no matter what I do or where I go in life, “myself” is always going to be right there with me—all of the little things and all of the big things that join together to make me ME. There will always be the weaknesses, the strengths, the imperfections, unique circumstances and all the little quirks, some of which I love and some of which I hate. And for some reason, I had it in my mind that if I could just be in the place I wanted to be at the time, somewhere other than here, somewhere in the future, I’d somehow be able to take everything with me except the person whose life and character and obstacles I was currently trying to work through now, today—in the present.

But that will never be the case.

Wherever you go… there you are.

There seems to be an obsession with “the future” in our culture, specifically within the sub-cultural that Christians have created. We love to quote verses like Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (NRSV). We encourage our friends by saying things like, “I am so excited for all of the amazing plans that God has for your life! I know that He has such wonderful plans in store for your future.” It has resulted in the creation of a mindset for ourselves that is seemingly obsessed with the anticipation that somewhere down the road things will be better. We will be happier. We will be improved and perfected as people. Things will not be like they are now.

Of course, there is some truth in this thinking. Things do change, and we do grow and mature in life. We do overcome obstacles, and we do triumph over weaknesses, goals and hard times, and those are very beautiful times in our lives. Yet our total fixation on all these things to come gradually leads to a discontentment with the present—where we are, who we are, what we’re doing. It fools us into thinking that there is nothing good to be found in today. If only it were next year, we think, things would be better.

Some things will be better in the future, but there will still be circumstances.

There will still be weaknesses that I deal with and obstacles that I must overcome.

Wherever I go, I will still be there.

Wherever I go, the reality of life will still be there.

And that is why it’s dangerous for me to dwell on the future. I am cheating myself out of the reality, the beauty, of today—who I am, where I am, what I’m doing. My “future” may be wonderfully exciting, but I must remember that today I am living in the future that I dreamed about five years ago. In fact, I will always be living in what was once my “future” every day, as I am in the “present.” If this is indeed true, then, according to Jeremiah 29:11, there is hope for today, and there are good things for now.

It has been a long journey, and there is still a long journey to go. But here I am, today, overcoming, growing, hoping.

Wherever you go, there you are.

And that is not such a bad thing.

Pray for my PawPaw

2007-04-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all,

My grandpa (who I affectionately call PawPaw) has been pretty sick lately and is going into the hospital for some diagnostic testing today. Since I'm a nurse-in-the-making I am going to be frank here: He has had non-stop bloody diarrhea, he has lost a lot of weight, and he refuses to eat. He is not vomiting, which is just about the only good thing. The loose bloody stools indicate a serious problem in his lower digestive tract (from what I've learned through my studies). It could be any of a big variety of things. Anyway, please pray the medical team can figure out what's going on with him and promptly treat it.

And I'm not sure if he is a Christian believer. My Mimi (his wife) is an amazing, strong Christian as are many of my other family members; please pray that we can reflect the presence of Christ around him.

Also, he has a very stubborn personality (but ya gotta love him anyway b/c he's such a great, funny man). Pray with me that whatever the doctors/nurses say for him to do, that he will follow their directions appropriately & accordingly with his treatment plan and not be belligerent. Compliance is a big key to health & healing.

I truly believe in the power of prayer & the power of God's healing hands. Let's join together in the Kingdom and pray for my PawPaw.

Love,
Stephani

Good Friday

2007-04-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale Thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest friend,
for this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for Thee.

God's Provision

2007-03-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was so amazingly blessed today that I had to share this story with everyone. For the last few weeks the transmission on my car had been getting progressively worse, but I knew that I did not have the $1600 that it would probably cost to rebuild the transmission. Last Friday my Dad, who is a mechanic, told me that the car was no longer driveable as it was currently running. I dropped the car off on Sunday at the transmission shop that my Dad's shop does business with almost exclusively. The whole time home and all day yesterday I was praying and asking God that somehow the problem would either not be that bad or that I would be able to get a discount for the work, as has happened in the past. God did so much more than what I had imagined! I came home tonight afraid to ask my Dad the estimate for the repairs. When I asked him if it is going to cost about $1600 he said "no, they are going to do it for free." I think my jaw dropped. They did the transmission 2 1/2 years ago and though it was no longer under warranty they feel that the transmission should not have gone. As well, the owner told my dad that his shop provides them a lot of business and he really wanted to do it for free. My Dad stated that he had told them what I do for a living and how much I rely on my car and they felt that it was a really noble profession and really wanted to help me out.

I know that our Heavenly Father always takes care of His beloved children, but so often we lack the trust that He WILL supply for our needs. He delights in blessing His children! Yet, over and over again I try to put Him in a box, not believing that He cares about my EVERY need! Over and over again my King has demonstrated His power to me, but I am a very broken human being who does not seem to learned her lessons well. I'll finish this off with a few verses that express what is my heart's cry right now.

PSALM 150
Let All Things Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

Devoted to Prayer

2007-03-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.xanga.com/finishstrong/579442464/item.html

What the Lord has been teaching me lately thru a continual study in the Word on prayer.

Love in Jesus,
Bethany

this is the great adventure

2007-03-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." ~Psalm 139:1, 23-24

This has been the ongoing cry of my heart for the past month or so. I'm realizing how deeply rooted my flesh is... how adamant it is to stay... to dominate and control. But my Jesus has overcome my flesh thru His death on the cross. And He is the Victor, my Savior, and the Grace by which I stand. I'm realizing how many Amalekites are in my life, yet with that, I also have a peace that the Lord will defeat my enemies, as I press into Him, and YIELD, and live an outward life.

The major areas the Lord stuck His finger on during my time in Colorado were 1) fear and 2) obedience. He had been asking me to step... to move forward... to dive into Him. And I was holding back. I shared with the set-apart team of girls the first night during prayers that I knew there was something in my heart holding back... only I couldn't identify it. Annie looked at me with a huge grin and said, "The Lord WILL bring those things to the surface this weekend." That hindrance was fear. And the Lord removed it in Colorado, as He called me to step out in obedience. It still comes out as I keep stepping forward, but now I can identify it and cry out for His perfect Love to cast it out, and for His grace to obey.

A practical step forward was in beginning a young women's Bible Study and Discipleship in the valley I live in. The Lord had been prompting me to do so since I moved here, but I was fighting Him in fear rather than yielding and obeying. So, I came home, and I took Lisa (a new friend the Lord brought into my life here who is also sold-out and set-apart young woman) out to lunch and poured out what the Lord had been doing in my heart. It ended with, "So, I think the Lord wants to have a girl's bible study and discipleship for the girls in this valley. I'm terrified. What are your thoughts?" Lisa laughed long and hard. Turns out (this is so God!) that He's been laying the same thing on her heart for a year and a half. So we spent time in prayer and talked with the gals at our respective churches, and gave it to the Lord, saying, "Yes, Lord... lead us if this is Your desire." And He has!! The one night we both had free, was the UNANIMOUS night that worked for the young ladies. We prayed for a location in town, since both of us live off the main drag. And the Lord provided a local diner, the owners are Christians and offered it to us free of charge ('cause the close early Monday nights). The first night, we went around and asked each of the gals why they had come... it was incredible to hear them express their hearts and the Lord's leading up to this point. He's been orchestracting this study time and each person in it for months now! He has been leading the whole way, and it's been quite the adventure!! I am beyond excited to see His Spirit move and work in these young women's lives. It's powerful... and this is JUST THE BEGINNING!!

I was supposed to teach the lesson last Monday, and I had planned to teach on Loneliness (I heard this expressed from each of the girls the week before... feeling like they were the only one in their circle of influence willing to be set-apart). I had all the elements for the lesson, but it just wasn't fitting together. Sunday afternoon/evening, I wrestled with the lesson and with the Lord, 'cause I couldn't get it to gel. Monday morning, I continued working on the lesson and finally, around noon, went to my mom saying, "I don't know what I'm supposed to teach, 'cause it's not Loneliness." She reminded me when I came home from Discipleship Training, I'd mentioned how I felt like I'd never truly understood "the Basics" for myself. Like the true meaning of grace, and the regenerated life. And Historic Christianity versus Modern Christianity. She said, "Maybe you're supposed to start with the basics." I went back upstairs and pulled out session #1. As I prayed over the lesson and the Lord guided, two hours later, the lesson was completed. The Lord really just took over once I finally let it go, and expressed His heart. It was humbling.

So that's the major stuff the Lord's been doing lately. I'm also doing an ongoing study on prayer... which has been very eye-opening. I'm realizing how much depth there is to prayer, and how VITAL and significant prayer is to the Christian life. And also how little I pray compared to how much I should. It's been an exciting study, and I feel like I've just only scratched the surface. I want to go deeper... to know the raw power of prayer. I'm confident this'll come up quite often in the future. :-)

That's it for now. I am so encouraged by the updates I read from each of you. Praise God for His mighty power and the working of His Holy Spirit!! Much love in Jesus to you all. Keep pressing in! May He continute to pour out His grace on you!

Bethany

the living, active Word of God

2007-03-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on here in quite a while, mainly cause my electricity company wouldn't answer the phone and shut off the power to my house, and when they finally answered and turned it back on, it fried the motherboard in my computer. I'm on my little brother's now, but it's not quite the same.

God is so active around here lately, as He is all over the country from some things I've heard. We've had at least 8 people saved in the past 3 months, 8 BIG salvations, not that any is more important than any other or I hold any as of more value, but they are REAL salvations. Revival is breaking out and not stopping. I'm also seeing a big revolution in thought...the yielded life is being taught by many teachers in different forms lately. Piper calls it resting in Christ and of course has a beautiful, long description of it. He's written about it in His book What Christ Demands of the World. Then, the head of a big Christian school in the area recently did a sermon called The Unremarkable Gospel, where he said he had discovered lately that we have the most unremarkable part in the gospel, we just abide, that's all. Christ gets full credit for doing everything else. There are many more cases, I've heard 2 new ones this week. The Holy Spirit definately isn't limited anywhere.

In me, God has taken me back to my young days as a Christian, when I was a newborn in Christ. I've discovered I was probably in a better mindset with a better passion then then I have ever been since. I was a radical and I wanted to change things...I wrote about it in journals, wrote essays about it, talked about it to many...and then I became reasonable. To quote the movie Amazing Grace, "When you were young you asked God for advice." "Well now I've grown up...and grown foolish." I count all I've learned the past 3 years as loss compared to knowing Christ, because somewhere I started relying on my knowledge and not on His power. But I'm going back to that, and finding God still wants to grow me there. I'm learning to cast off reasonableness, and to become like a wide-eyed child who, having seen his Hero, believes He can do anything.

Which leads me to the biggest news and what I hope you'll pray for me about. Reform is in the air. God put it in my heart, and He affirmed me in it over and over. I began to talk to people about what God was doing in me, and how I felt we needed to start unifying to push for a big change in the church (as I hear is happening in several places all over the country). It started with 3 people. Then there were 5 of us. Now there are 10. Last night we met together and God used me to set before them what He would have us do, learn to abide. Wait patiently, and let Him purify us. In the Old Testament, they would put salt on the sacrifices to symbolize God's enduring covenant, because salt is not consumed by fire. When the animal was burned up, the salt remained. If we are to be salt in this world, then right now we are having all else burnt up, and are stirring each other up, encouraging one another, waiting with patience for God to move.

My church has more than 4500 members. I might get to stand before them in a few months and have a chance to proclaim to them what God has constrained me to speak. It won't be an easy message. It won't be condemning either, but many of them will probably see it that way. It's a message to wake people up, to let them know that God is not satisfied with tithes, sunday morning attendance, one day of their week, or any of what we are giving Him. God wants all of us, He wants to conquer our hearts and bring us into His Kingdom, under His sovereign rule. He will not be satisfied with anything less than holiness, and that will come about by surrender to builder of the true temple. I don't know what will happen. I've talked to my dad about much of this lately and at first he wasn't sure if the church was as bad off as I was saying it was, then two nights ago he told me he'd been reading the gospels. "Anyone who has read the Bible knows there is something wrong with us all. But one, they don't want to admit it, and two, they don't want to do what it would take to fix it." Today's gospel has no cost...Christ said it's supposed to cost our lives.

God has shown our little group of reformers outrageous amounts of favor. There have been dozen of little things that He has done just to affirm us that we are doing what He wants us to do. We're experiencing revival and regeneration inside of our group, and we're growing. We're buckling down for the long run...we know this may not be for us, for our generation, it may be for the next. It may be 20 or 40 years before we see real change. But right now, it's changing us. We know the power of the abiding life. The kingdom is coming inside of us. We're devoting ourselves to this for as long as God is with us.

Still, everyday at some point my thoughts wander back to all of you. Sometimes I'll be in a group of people and someone will ask why I'm so quiet, what am I thinking about, and all I can say is "Colorado." Those who have been to the state before usually say, "Oh, I miss the mountains. It's so beautiful." Those who know what I'm talking about laugh it off or get annoyed. My fellow reformers tell me how jealous they are and how much they want us to spend time listening to the cds.

Pray for us. Pray for me, that I will never want to take any of the glory. I'm keeping the definition of glory Eric gave us close to my heart...seeing fully. I'm not earning applause for God, I'm becoming a window for people to see Him as He is. He deserves all the credit.

Grace be with you all, you're in my prayers every night. I don't think I have a chance of making the mini-reunion at all, but I still can't wait to see you all again whenever it may be.

Let the Kingdom come!

~Josh(Fork)

Waiting on God

2007-03-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,

And the Master who gently said,

"Child, you must wait."

"Wait You say wait!" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word

"My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?

I'm needing a 'yes' a go-ahead sign,

Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"And Lord, You promised that if we believe

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I've been asking and this is my cry;

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate.

As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and tout

And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting. . . for what?"

He seemed, then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,

And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"All you seek I could give and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want – but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience that fullness of love

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;

You'd know that I live and I save . . . (for a start),

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of My comfort late into the night.

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for Thee.'

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,

But, Oh the loss! If I lost what I'm doing to you!

"So be silent, my child, and in time you will see

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me

And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late

My most precious answer of all is still, "WAIT"

Anonymous

I found this amazing poem tonight and I know it was God's voice speaking to me. We try to plan and take control of everything, but God wants us to simply WAIT!

I've been thinking . . .

2007-03-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever stopped to think what part of the body of Christ you are?

Are you a foot? That you should propel the body forward in the path the Lord lays out before you?

Are you a leg? That you would be a foundation built on God’s Truth, supporting the body's full weight (responsibility)?

Are you an arm? That your purpose includes surrounding those who are hurting with a comforting presence, or holding up those who need a lift?

Are you a hand? That you would reach out to those around you, touching hearts and lives with His Love?

Are you an ear? That you should be still and listen to the voice of the Lord, and what He would say to His people?

Are you the mouth? That you should speak the Words of God to those around you?

Are you an eye? That you would be a watchman, a gatekeeper, a guardian of Christ’s precious bride?

Are you the neck? That you are continually sitting below the Lord Jesus, your head, and turning his gaze and attention to the areas of need revealed by the Holy Spirit... being an intercessor and remembrancer of the Lord in prayer?

Are you a shoulder? That the Lord has given you the responsibility to carry the burdens of His bride?

Are you the stomach? That you would take in the food (teaching) given and digest (search) it... expelling that which is not beneficial to the body's health and strengthening the body with the nutrients?

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ~Romans 12:4-5

For the body is not one member, but many. For if the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you;" or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ~1 Corinthians 12:14-22

And a final question: Are you actively fulfilling your function for the life of the entire body?

Love you all,
Bethany

To the Glory of my King

2007-02-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. God has been doing some work in my life. First, when I was in Colorado, God convicted me that I needed to surrender hockey to Him. I had been holding onto it out of fear that if I gave it to God He would take it away. Past experience aside, I was still afraid. Well, I gave it to Him and He has totally blessed me. I have the opportunity to play in a tournament I had given up on playing in, I might be able to attend a hockey “camp” at the end of the summer, I will be playing in the co-ed league when the women’s league ends, my last place team has one more opportunity to beat the first place team in the playoffs and send them to the “loser game” (we have yet to beat them in five meetings), and He has given me more enthusiasm and joy about playing than I had before and I thought it couldn’t get any better. WOW! And I have an open hand; I am going wherever God may lead.
I am doing Beth Moore’s Bible study “Breaking Free” and I am learning a lot about how to deal with certain situations my family is facing now. I have been able to have some conversations with some of my siblings and I think we are going to start praying together. We need to, and I know God will use that for His glory. I am finding a lot of parallels in “Breaking Free” with what I have learned from Eric and Leslie – I love how God ties together the things He wants me to learn in different ways.
Speaking of the Bible study, the leaders of the music group I am touring with this summer suggested I sing in front of people more as I prepare for the tour. One week before Bible study started I was asked to co-lead the worship time that was being incorporated in the morning session. God has a great sense of humor. I am totally out of my comfort zone, but God has used me to bless others.
God also allowed me to bless the girls in my small group on Valentine’s Day, and He is continuing to work out details for the retreat with Krissy. God is sooo Good!
He has been teaching me how to let myself cry in His presence: I’ve cried more in the last eight weeks than I can remember. One night He literally knocked me to my knees, bawling, with conviction about the fact that He has an awesome plan for my life even if I can’t see it right now. It was while I was listening to one of the Ludy’s CD’s and missing everyone.
That’s it in a nutshell. It may not make much sense, but it’s getting kind of long. Email me if you want more details about anything. All I can say is that GOD is AMAZING!!

For Him alone,
Brenda

Enunciating my Lessons

2007-02-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

So, Ben is encouraging each of us to share our stories about how we have been implementing what God has taught us. For me, I have had some hard lessons to learn recently. God called me to completely and totally surrender everything to Him and trust Him regarding all that he wanted to do in my life. He started working on those things in Windsor in regards to my trusting people (especially guys) and continued to do so as I found new freedom two weeks later. However, most recently I have really struggled with taking back the pen from God as I tried to accomplish things and have not rested in His strength in awhile. Most recently, with my brother's accident, I have struggled with trying to control and accomplish everything, me trying to lift Sam's spirits, me trying to do everything. In true honesty I have seen that in this storm I have not been resting in God's strength, but rather in my own strength trying to make things happen. I have sadly pitched my tent recently and allowed attacks from the enemy to keep me paralyzed in one spot. I know I need to make the final step of going to my old church, but instead of going in obedience, I argued with God all last night and then went to my home church instead. I have once again fallen on my face before God, broken because I have failed in doing things in my strength. I thank God for using the events in my life to force me to pull up the stakes and once again start moving into the endless frontier.

So that is where I'm at right now. I can't wait to hear everyone else's stories!

What's up kiddos!

2007-02-25T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hey guys...I have been so out of the blogging world. I am like constantly doing stuff...I often feel like I am more busy now than during the Christmas season when I was convinced that life couldn't get busier! Well it has! But...I wanted everyone to share what has been happening in your (respective) lives. (Please don't share about what's going on in other's lives as they are the ones who are supposed to share it!) Enunciate (a great word Eric uses ALL the time) the steps you have taken to apply what God taught you.

I'll go first, I told my session that God was calling me to be a voice of reform to the western church. Since I was a worship leader at a church I had an immediate platform. Thus, I have sought to unashamedly proclaim God's truth and life changing power to my congregation. There's been some neat responses. However, God clearly challenged me to take it to a new platform. I realized that I had been faithful with the church he's given me, but possibly he wanted to give me a larger voice (insert panic here). As I talked with the pastor, we decided that our church had grown rather comfortable and needed to "send out" one of our own to begin implementing our desire to be (as he coined it) a dangerous church. We decided I should move on from my position there so I could pursue these things God has given me. Therefore, I am starting a bible study/pioneer group. Also, God is opening some incredible doors with my music and I am so excited to get into churches/retreats/concerts and be able to proclaim the gospel in its fullness to the Church. I could go on into all the nitty gritty details (of which I am unsure of many). But one thing I do...forgetting what is behind....and pressing forward to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me! So that's what is going on for me...how about ya'll (to translate for anyone north of like missouri: you all). Let's celebrate God's empowering grace in our lives!

For His Renown
BenZ

"Choose your King" . . . Embrace the Cross

2007-02-25T18:39:00.000-08:00

My mom reminded me of this part of Eric's story (I had forgotten all about it)... so I looked it up today. It's taken from "God's Gift to Women" (pgs. 86-91). It's from a time when Eric was invited to street evangelize on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during a Mardi Gras celebration with a group of committed believers.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downtown New Orleans was overwhelmingly congested on this particular night. Drunken partiers filled the streets. We were forced to park the van several miles away and make the long trek to Bourbon Street on foot. I found myself walking a safe distance from this embarrassing group of Christians. Here we were, ten idiots carrying Bibles, tracts, and pieces of lumber, being gawked at by the smirking onlookers.

Run, Eric! Save your image!! Protect your dignity! Secure your reputation as a "normal" human being! My Self was howling to get its power back. It wanted the throne of my life, to regain control over my inner command center. Trust me, Eric! I am your only hope! Only I can save you from this looming humiliation.

I was deeply troubled as I realized my shame for Christ and His people. These teammates of mine were the "weird" people that Tom, the well-meaning Christian youth worker, had warned me about. These were Christian that had passed the point of reasonableness in their commitment to their King. They would willingly risk their image, their dignity, and their reputations as "normal" human beings. Even as my Self passionately argued for me to keep my distance, my King wooed me to follow their example. a sacred threshold of fire was set before me, with the words "Choose your King" etched on the doorpost. I knew I had to make a choice. It was a moment of decision.

When we finally arrived at Bourbon Street, my heart was pounding and my face as red with embarrassment. Three of the guys on my team began to construct the pieces of lumber into a cross. A human sea of chaos and drunkenness swirled around us. I couldn't recall a time when I had been so uncomfortable. All I wanted to do was go home, back to my warm, familiar bed. The huge cross was nearing completion as my teammates struggled to fit the top beam into its place. "Eric," one of them called our above the deafening roar, "could you give us a hand?"

What else could I do buy help them? I awkwardly walked their way, still trying to pretend I wasn't really with this odd group of Christian, that I was just a stranger off the street, being polite. Cautiously, I reached up and placed my hand on the top beam, sliding it into place. All the strength seemed to drain from my body.

Everyone's looking at you, Eric! my Self cried out. I quickly backed away into the human pandemonium, distancing myself from the enormous wooden structure that screamed for mocking attention. My heart raced. I had actually touched the cross in public--right in the middle of Bourbon Street during the wildest party of the year.

I can't believe you did that! my Self protested. I had touched the fire, and it had burned.

Our team decided to split up and merge with the mob so that they could begin sharing the message of Christ. I remained frozen in place as the multitudes pushed, danced, and brawled all around me. I felt like a pebble of sand on a frantic anthill. I was about eight feet away from the cross now. I glanced toward it and instantly found myself mesmerized by what was taking place at the foot of those two pieces of symbolic lumber. The young man holding up the cross was being mocked, spat upon, and shoved. Yet he stood there courageously, seemingly undaunted by the public scorn.

My King was beckoning me to cross the sacred threshold. All I could see was scorching fire, but I heard His powerful Voice beckoning me to surrender to His rule and cross the line of obedience.

"Eric," said the Voice, "choose your king."

In the midst of the tumult, another voice called out to me. "Hey, Ludy!" the young man holding the cross shouted excitedly. "Do you want to hold the cross?"

The sacred threshold standing before me was clear and unmistakable, and it was still flaming with searing fire. These are the moments that make or break us. Trials that test our allegiance can build the stuff of great manhood.

"Eric, choose your king." The inward Voice was strong and insistent.

"Okay!" I finally shouted back to the young man. My trembling legs could hardly carry me the eight long feet to my destination.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the splintery cross from the brave young man, wrapping my arms around the base to stabilize it. The moment I embraced the rough wood, I found something that I had never before that moment even known existed. I had crossed that fiery line of decision and in so doing I had unearthed something hidden from my understanding up until that moment. I discovered the secret of manhood. I found the empowerment of my King, I realized the matchless joy of giving up everything for Him.

Electrifying fulfillment and unshakable confidence washed over me as I stood with my arm wrapped tightly around the cross in the midst of a mob that detested it and everything it stood for.

I stood there for three straight hours, being mocked, spat upon, cussed at, and shoved... and I wished it would never end. I smiled so big and for so long that night that my face hurt for days afterward. Before I had taken hold of that cross, I was just a normal, everyday guy wandering the streets of New Orleans. But once I put my arm around it, there were no longer any misconceptions about my loyalty. I stood in the middle of an ocean of people mocking the symbol of Christ and declared to them all, "I'm with Him!"

It was the first time that I had tasted the intimate companionship of my King. It was my very first encounter with the God who will never leave me or forsake me. It was my first experience with the sheer and transcendent pleasure that courses through your being when you are completely freed from the rule of Self and public opinion and only care what your King thinks. In the midst of a seeming hell, I found heaven on earth. I found the secret that makes men great.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I'm sure Eric would tell us this isn't a one-time decision. I've already crossed a couple of similar thresholds, and I'm a brand new "pioneer." Those decisions come throughout our walk with the Lord, new sacred, burning thresholds the Lord asks us to cross... opportunities to embrace the cross and step out of the natural into the supernatural.

Lord, give us Your Grace to yield and to obediently step thru each threshold that we encounter. May the voice of our flesh fade till it no longer rings in our heart, but Your Holy Voice ALONE resonates in our souls! Draw us daily further after You... create in us hearts WHOLLY ABANDONED to You!!! Let it be, Jesus, for YOUR Glory!!

In Jesus,
Bethany

Just some thoughts...

2007-02-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

So....I should be studying for the 3 big tests I have coming up this week but I wanted to share this with you all so I'm taking a break from studying and investing some time with the Lord and with all of my set-apart brothers and sisters!!! These are some verses that have made me really think and pray over the past couple weeks so I hope you can be pulled a little tighter into the arms of our heavenly father through them just like I was.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands" Psalm 138:8
This verse I read a couple days ago when I was feeling particularly tired in the morning (I think Thursday) and it was so perfect. Annie had actually read this exact verse to me in Colorado when she prayed with me about God directing my life when I went home to PA. Annie told me that God WILL NOT forsake the work of His own hands that He has started in each of us. And not only will He not forsake the work but He will PERFECT it! Its so wonderful to know that God's plan for our lives is not just half figured out, or that it has holes to be filled in later or that it is only a good plan....but God's plan is COMPLETE, it is made with His own hands, and it is PERFECT!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galations 6:9-10
It is easy for me to gravitate towards the feeling that God only truly uses his people in 3rd world countries where everyone is poor, sick, and orphaned. It is easy for me to feel like everyone in my town knows about God (I live in the middle of Amish country...where knowing about God and the Bible is as common as knowing about movies and town gossip) I know God has asked me and all of you to live extraordinary lives in His name. I don't know if it is because of how I was raised or the mentality of my church, but to me I automatically feel like I must become a missionary to live an extraoridinary life. But, God treasures his people wherever they are. God loves His church...His church in Africa, His church in Europe, His church in Pennsylvania. God wants to use us to do good unto His people right here around us for as long as we are here. This verse left me feeling like I need to take the effort to find where there is need within my own church! We must look outward! And looking outward doesn't mean thousands of miles away. It means my family, it means my brothers and sisters in Christ at my home church, it means anyone I meet.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this verse was when we might confront someone who wants to water down the Word of God. Let this be an encouragement for you to stand firm with the conviction that God has placed on your heart for the His truth to be spoken without being watered down by humans. The other thing this verse made me think of is all the time we spend on vain things. EVERYTHING we do here on Earth that is not for the Lord's glory and for His kingdom is done in vain because it will not last. Why would we want to do anything when its actually a waste of our time and energy? I wouldn't make my bed when I know I was going to bed in 5 minutes, but yet we spend so much time setting up our lives here on Earth so they are comfortable but in a blink of an eye we will be leaving it all behind!

Thank-You

2007-02-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to say thank-you to all of you in my set-apart family. Your prayers, your e-mails asking for updates, and your e-mailed hugs have been a wonderful encouragement to me.

My brother is healing and will continue to do so, very slowly. I have been thinking a lot about what God is teaching me through this new crisis in my life. For my family, it is uniting us in a way that I have not seen in a long time. We are working together and supporting each other. In the last few years we have let our busyness pull us away from each other, but in a crisis it has caused us to unite together again. We faced a minor crisis last June, but nothing like this. For me personally it has made me reconnect with my family, something I had needed to do, but had been putting off.

On a personal note, I have seen the incredible demonstration of what the church truly should be. My church pastors have been quick to offer support, my parents (and brother's) church has been amazing as well. They stepped up and have helped my mom with arranging to care for the kids, two people came and shoveled our sidewalks after the storm we had, and many have visited my brother. My one cousin, who we rarely see, stopped by our house and offered to plow our driveway.

The most amazing thing yet to happen was that a number of people from our old church, the one who essentially shunned us, have called having heard about it and offering support and prayer. Some have even visited my brother. I think that this situation is also God opening the path for me to make my final visit to that church for the closure I need. That visit will happen this Sunday.

I have been finding a lot of strength in the Psalms and Psalm 31 - where it talks about God being our refuge have been particularly meaningful.

Thanks again for your support and continued prayers. I love all of you so much!

~ Abby

encouragement

2007-02-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

You guys are a constant encouragement to me. I recently spent some time with some girls from my church whose hearts reminded me a lot of you girls. It was like a fresh breath of heavenly air, of home. I hope I can make it to the mini-reunion.

If you have time, I wrote something on faith on my blog that God put strong on my heart. Just let me know what you think.

My prayers are with every one of you, making them joyful!

~Josh(Fork)

Abby's brother

2007-02-13T15:50:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that all of you received the email that Abby sent to us about her brother being in a car accident, and I just wanted to pray for him "out loud"... So Lord, I pray for Abby's brother...that your protection would be over and in him right now as he's in ICU...that You would consume his body with Your healing power...I pray peace over him and his family right now and that they would put their TOTAL trust in You through this hard time...Lord I pray that they all will grow closer to You, and closer together as a family through this situation...I pray that everything in his whole body that was affected by this accident will heal back to normal quickly, painlessly and completely Lord!...I pray all this in your AWESOME name Lord Jesus, AMEN!

Declare His Works

2007-02-13T10:11:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

Read Psalm 107 sometime soon if you need to meditate on His goodness, attentive care, and power to His children. Four times in this Psalm, the author repeats,

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness,

and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

My prayer today is that the Lord would FILL me with these praises for all that He has done and is doing now today in my life! And I so happen to have something to praise Him for and declare with you, my friends...

Recently I have had a need and have been asking the Lord to provide for the specific amount...

I received two letters yesterday. Out of the letters fell ‘gifts’ that totaled the exact amount I have been praying for. With tears I knelt to give thanks for His love and faithfulness – I AM IN HIS SIGHT! Then in reading the letters, I found that one of the gifts was made out to me, but not to be spent FOR me. A dear sister in the Lord gave a gift for me to use for any needs that have arisen in our home due to a new roommate moving in.

In this the Lord said, "I AM your Provider for all things and I can meet this need fully, and so I show you, my child. But, in showing you I desire to also show you that you cannot hold tightly to my gifts but must surrender them back to me. Continue to trust and lean upon me, for I will supply."

We must not walk according to our own sight, for we see dimly and only a small portion. May we trust and thus walk according to the lead of our Jesus, who sees ALL things and perfects His work in us accordingly.

He is good. I love Him. I declare that He is matchless!

Dear friends, as you also taste of His goodness today, declare it to one another. Let us see not only His faithfulness to US, but to one another.

"...declare HIS works with rejoicing!" Psalm 107:22

HIS and yours,

Annie

Colossians 2:6-8

2007-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, my beloved brothers & sisters!

I wanted to send out a bit of encouragement & Scripture for y’all to meditate on as y’all go about your ways this week. We need to remember that our lives are not our own, but God’s…and we should strive to bring Him glory through our daily routines rather than walk through our normal tasks focused on what WE need/want to and what WE need/want to get done, etc. Our God, who breathed the sparkling heavens, delights in having intimacy with us! Isn’t that amazing that the holy uncreated One desires us? Let’s persevere to serve Him and walk freely according to His purposes for our lives.

Colossians 2:6-8 says,

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (NIV).

God’s power extends over EVERYthing! Our own ways are empty (and end up falling apart) without Him. Let’s seek His fullness each moment of each day & not fall captive to the ways of this world. Christ is our foundation; we need to strive to grow in Him and construct our lives around Him…instead of constructing Him around our busy lives.

‘Til kingdom come,
Stephani

God's Calling to Missions

2007-02-05T17:03:00.000-08:00

"The calling is not authoritative the way the Scriptures are. Your calling is never beyond question. You can’t claim it to others the way you quote scripture to them.
Nevertheless our calling can be profoundly and durably sure in our own heart. It is the work of God to bring our heart to a point of conviction that, all things considered—including Scripture—this path is the path of obedience. The conviction is not infallible. But when it is of God, it brings peace."

As we seek God's purposes for our lives...

The above portion in quotations is from a Piper "Taste and See" article. It was encouraging to my heart and if you want to check out the whole article (click below) which includes ten ways the Lord awakens a calling in the believer's life.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2004/1271_Is_God_Calling_You_to_Give_Your_Life_for_His_Sake_and_the_Gospel_in_Missions/

Praying for you all as you seek God's highest and best...and joining you in the pursuit!

Annie

Laminin, Chris Tomlin and a Cripple from Paris

2007-02-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

Behold...laminin! :) Notice it's exquisit shape and seemly design...for design indeed it is. OK, explanation required...I have not lost it...this is one of the most amazing things I've learned in a long time (meaning since Set-apart life which has been a long time). Laminin is a thing (highly scientific explanation) in our body. Without laminin our cells couldn't stick together...literally we would fall apart. It keeps our skin elastic, it keeps our muscles...well muscles. In short, this simple protein, that is shaped like a cross, holds us together. AKA...the cross holds us together. God designed our bodies to be held together by this cell that is reminiscent of the cross! Wow!

Well...that concludes diagram A. The second diagram is as follows:

This is Chris Tomlin raising his hand, supposedly in praise. The picture to the right is representative of the trifecta that went on tour about a week ago called the "How Great is Our God Tour." I attended the concert in Colorado Springs and Louie Giglio (see picture 2b in Diagram B) enlightened me to laminin...thus my discourse on the fabulous aspects of laminin. It was a great night of worship and I was really blessed by these humble worship leaders.

Now on to Diagram C:

It will be represented by a harp...because the aforemention (look at the title) cripple from paris was also a friend of mine who was a missionary in Paris who played the harp for rich people and was making an impact in a very affluent area of the world. We shall call her Anne Marie. About a year ago she was hit by a checkoslovakian renegade in Paris. It crushed her leg and forced her return to the states for surgeries and the like. She had come very close to losing her leg. But over the course of this year the surgeries have enabled her to walk without crutches...but she still walked with tremendous pain and some parts of her leg were completely numb.

Now for the climax, after Louie expounded Laminin to our minds, Chris Tomlin led an amazing service of worship. At the end Anne Marie was sitting down in tears. We asked what was wrong..................drumroll.................................................................................She said, "Nothings wrong, I can feel no pain and I can actually FEEL my leg for the first time in a year!!!"

We were like, "Woah! Praise God!"

In conclusion...we are held together by the cross (aka Laminin), if the "How Great is Our God Tour" comes near you GO (period), and Anne Marie is healed because of the powerful act of praising God...which only comes by the Spirit.

For His renown,

BenZ

Making Snail time...

2007-01-31T18:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning as I was out walking, I happened upon a beautiful snail slowly slithering across my path! He was such a pretty site that I decided to run back to the apartment and get my camera. But I needn't have rushed. He was in no big hurry. :-)

Afterwards I was thinking about how we are like "snails." I know that is a funny comparison, but just think of it! God has incredible treasures in His Word, in the Paradise that He is preparing for us, and most importantly...IN HIS LOVE!!! Yet, we are just taking our time waddling along in no big hurry to get there. We get distracted with this, or we have to do that! Always something important that gets in our way and keeps us from moving forward. We are just like snails!! The incredible thing is that He has given us FEET to RUN...FEET to MOVE FORWARD!! But, we don't use them most of the time. We'd rather take our time. We'd rather slither along!!!

If we only know what glory awaits us, if we only knew what heaps of joy He longs to pour upon our souls!

So many times I've been a snail...putting off advancement, but just enjoying a life of ease. Yet when I finally do get to the treasures He's had waiting for me, when I finally do fall into His arms of Love, I'm aghast that it took me soo long! Do I see impatience or anger upon His face?? No...He simply holds me close and whispers, "Welcome my child! I'm sooooo glad you came! Here, take my robe...and my ring. I have a banquet table waiting...and I made it just for YOU!!"

"Oh Lord, why did I take soooo long??!"

New Pioneers

2007-01-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spitit., teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
~Matthew 28:18-20

Several of us have mentioned the difference between us and others now. When we tell people about what we have found, we usually get either a "Huh?" response, a "That's nice," response, a "That's pretty cool," response, and eventually a "leave me alone" response. Thursday I took two of my three younger disciples in my youth group (I didn't know at the time, but the other was in the hospital, he's fine now). As I went through session one with them, they both listened intently, but there was no immediate reaction. I took one home and was driving home the other, whose name is Drew. I started talking to him about the things in scripture and ended up sitting in his driveway for an hour as we talked about all the things that were going on. I started to see in him a new reaction: I saw in him what we felt in Windsor. I could only describe it as the birth of a new pioneer.

Saturday God worked on my heart like crazy. He changed my dreams, who I wanted to be. I always wanted to be a hero, someone who was noticed. Now, I want to be nothing but a mapmaker, a pioneer. The name Sojourner that he gave me several years ago began to take meaning, and I understood why. I was born and designed to be a pioneer. My passion isn't to be out where I'm noticed any more. Now I want to be where if any see me it is only you other pioneers as we explore. I don't want to sit comfortably anywhere, I want to be on the frontier, always going deeper with God. I'm slowly becoming more and more introvertive, which is a huge deal for me. I still love to speak about God, but I'm loving alone time with Him more and more. It gets better everyday, and that makes no sense to my flesh. God's love confounds it to no end.

Saturday night (actually Sunday morning at 1-4 AM) I saw the next pioneer's birth. Jake, a friend that graduated with me and works with me. He told me that he truly wanted to live a good life, but no matter how hard he tried, he failed and he didn't know what to do. I was so amazed, all I could say was, "You see the problem of the law now, and God is giving you the solution tonight." I told him all God put on my heart and at 4:45 we prayed together and departed. The next morning he left me a message saying that when he woke up, the flesh told him it was just a last night thing and it wouldn't last (I had warned him about it) and then he said he prayed and thought of all we had talked of the night before and found himself just caught up into God again. This was the second pioneer.

I know now that not all will be pioneers. There will be less leaders than followers. But God has set apart many to lead the way into Canaan. God, if we are spying it out for others, let us be like Joshua and Caleb, and proclaim only victory to the rest of the church.

Yesterday after my college small group Kelly, the lead singer of the youth band, told me he wanted to talk to me. They had gone to a park the day before to feed and clothe the homeless there, and a man had been there who wanted no food and took only a coat, saying, "The Lord is providing all for me." He was a little short black man and when he saw Kelly he froze and shouted, "O brother you've got Him all over you, the Spirit's all over you! Do you know who you are?" "My name's Kelly." "NO! NO! You don't know who you are? You are a worshipper of God! A worshipper of God!" The man proceeded to tell Kelly all that Kelly had been praying about lately and what had been on his mind, stepping back every few seconds to shout a few words in tongues or pray for a spirit of wisdom that he may tell "This young servant what you want him to hear Lord!" What he told him made him sound so much like an old testament prophet or John the Baptist. He told Kelly that God was going to grant his prayers soon and give him a ministry, and to call him when it started and he would tell him more. One of the sceptical people nearby said something and the man turned and called him by name and told him a childhood memory of his that no one else would know. "You've got to believe brother, don't miss out! Don't miss out!"

After that I began to tell Kelly what I felt God was leading me to tell him, and in a little while I was talking to the third pioneer.

I just got off the phone with another guy at my church. He wants me to come talk to him at 2 today. He just told Kelly that he's been struggling with the Word, and doesn't know what to do. Kelly told him to call me and ask me to show him what I had learned about the Word. Just listening to him over the phone...I think this could be number four. Pray about it. My youth pastor told me he wanted me to teach all Eric taught us, and not to advertise it, but to pray and let God send me who all he wanted in the class. I never thought it would come like this, but he's sending them to me. Life has never been so adventurous and amazing! God is so good!

I'm working on a blog for all the pioneers we've found. This one is ours for our special fellowship, but I'm making The Fellowship of the Burning Heart as a place where all can be encouraged and blessed. I don't want to lose the intimacy we have with each other here, but I want these others to experience this divine fellowship.

Pray for me, that God would continue to give me the words I need to speak, and that I would stay off the throne and be only a megaphone. I love you guys. Grace keep you all.

~Josh (Fork)

International Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Israel

2007-01-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces." For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, "May peace be within you." For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. -Psalm 122:6-9

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; but you will be called, "My delight is in her," and your land, "Married"; for the Lord delights in you, and to Him your land will be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. ... And they will call them, "The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord"; and you will be called, "Sought out, a city not forsaken." -Isaiah 62:1-7, 12

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" -Isaiah 43:1

You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to be gracious to her, for the appointed time has come. Surely Your servants find pleasure in her stones and feel pity for her dust. So the nations will fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth your glory. For the Lord has built up Zion; He has appeared in His glory. He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer. -Psalm 102:13-17

"At that time," declares the Lord, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people." Thus says the Lord, "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness--Israel, when it went to find its rest." The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!" -Jeremiah 31:1-4a

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord," for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." -Jeremiah 31:31-34

Freedom!

2007-01-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

I was just browsing through various songs on I-Tunes when I found this song. It spoke to me in a huge way because these are the words God spoke to me this past week. I found freedom in a very big area because God finally got a hold of my heart and showed me He wanted to heal me. I encourage you to read the folllowing lyrics and accept the freedom that God freely offers us. He sent HIS son to die for ME!! He sent JESUS to die for YOU!!! There is no sin too great that OUR SAVIOR'S blood cannot atone for. I for a long time was a prisoner where the door was wide open and I had a key to the chains, but I didn't walk out. I have begun the long journey of healing and I know without a doubt that my SAVIOR has atoned for my every sin. I freely receive this freedom!

I encourage you to read the folllowing lyrics and accept the freedom that God freely offers us.

She Must and Shall Go Free
words by william gadsby, music by derek webb & sandra mccracken
mercy speaks by Jesus’ blood

hear and sing, ye sons of God

justice satisfied indeed

Christ has full atonement made
Jesus’ blood speaks loud and sweet

here all Deity can meet

and, without a jarring voice

welcome Zion to rejoice

“all her debts were cast on me,

and she must and shall go free”

peace of conscience, peace with God

we obtain through Jesus’ blood

Jesus’ blood speaks solid rest

we believe, and we are blest

should the law against her roar

Jesus’ blood still speaks with power

“all her debts were cast on me,

and she must and shall go free”
chorus

Praying for Each Other

2007-01-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging much, I was unable to sign into my account but Ben helped me out and know here I am to blog endlessly! I was hoping that we could all reiterate some of the things that God put on our heart that we shared on the last evening in CO. I have been trying to pray for you all and in what area of life God has asked you to be taking steps of obedience, but my memory is starting to fail me. I think it would be a good reminder of we can be specifically lifting our brothers and sisters up in prayer.

As far as mine, I really felt like God was calling me to surrender grad school to Him. And, by Him asking that of me, He is basically asking me to surrender all of my future plans, all of my comfort and securities. The vastness of this burden on my heart is incredible but as I have been praying about God's leading in this area the only thing I have heard is "ABIDE." So, as of right now, only all of you and Nick know about this schooling decision. I have been anxious to confront my parents (the scariest and 1st step) but God has been making me wait. I'm not sure why I am waiting, but I am. I know that God has the most beautiful, perfectly laid out plan for how this will all unfold so for now I am determined not to make this an Ishmael (as I have done with just about everything in my life thus far!) and just abide in Him. My journey in this area since being home has been beautiful, frustrating, tensile-strength building, and humbling all at the same time. I cherish your prayers lifted to our Heavenly Father on my behalf, and I will update you if any major steps are taken!

I love you all and miss you!

p.s. if any of the "first sessioners" want to inform us all of something that God put on your heart as an outcome of your time in CO, we would love to hear about it and be praying for you also (since we are all part of the family!!)

The rumblings of greater things to come...

2007-01-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful last couple weeks it has been as I've been able to take more time for reflection and study in God's Word. Maybe it has to do with the fact I don't have a job and I can actually take more then the usual allotment of time from my daily schedule...or maybe it has to do with the fact that the Lord is simply drawing me closer to Himself in answer to my prayers of longing!

Yesterday, as I've been continuing to review the "Set-Apart Life" series of Bible studies, I was on the section called "Consecration." It talked about the 10 commandments in more depth...it was sooo beautiful and thrilling. (Well, yes, it was scary and convicting too! But as you see yourself more in your true light and inadequacies, you also see God more in His true glory!!!)

"And all the people saw the thundersings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, speak thou with us, and we will hear, but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not." Exodus 20:20

This afternoon, while I was sitting here at my desk, the doors and windows started shaking. While I have felt tremors here and there, it was the most noticeable earthquake I've felt since I've been here in Southern California. (I know it was an earthquake, because not long after, I looked it up on the web, and the epicenter was only like 20 miles from here!) Kinda sent shivers up my back. But what is that compared to the shaking of God on Mt Sinai, and the shaking He is longing to do in our hearts? His desire is not to consume us, but to consume sin...so that nothing will come between us and Him.

Following is a letter from our King in the paraphrased words of one of his humble servants. I thought it was convicting, yet beautiful, so wanted to share it here.

"I am holy, dear one. I am a consuming fire of righteous perfection, and anything unlike me, anything that bears even the slightest traces of the flesh will turn to ash in my presence. If I but hear its rustlings in thy being, you can not partake of me. If I but smell the lingering aroma of worldliness on thy garments, you can have no part in me. If there be even the subtle stain of sin's imperfection upon thine hands, then you will die in my presence. I am holy. And I will always be holy, for a thousand forevers, I will still be holy.

But because I love thee, I have made a way for thee. It is a way into my holy presence. Through the thunderings and lightnings of my righteousness, I have invited thee. Through the waters of baptism, the cleansing of my blood, and the veil of my flesh, into my most holy dwelling. For only clean hands and a pure heart will secure you in my presence.

But first, dear one, it is necessary that I acquaint you with this fiery chamber of my love. To enter here, thou must be clean. Thou must be purged of all sin. The flesh about thy heart must be removed as a covenant symbol of our marriage. Thou must leave thy people. Thou must leave thy comforts of home, leave thy every possession behind, and even thy own name must be abandoned if thou are to partake of my life.

To enter this fiery chamber, thou must allow me to possess thy life and burn away all that which separates you from me. Thou must allow me to refine you like the gold's of Ophir, that you may enter in with me and be my spotless bride. To eat of my flesh and drink of my blood in such a holy communion, is the most sacred of all sacred activities in all this Cretion of mine. For me to be in thee, and for thee to be in me, this is a mystery hidden for ages and generations, but only now revealed to those of my most sacred fellowship. But to be my own, purchased of my blood, and bearing my very name, this is the most supreme and sacred delight.

I love you dear one, and that is why I must prove you with fire. But do not be afraid, just yield yourself to me. I will only purge away that which would keep you from me. I will make you clean, and you will be my bride, my spotless bride."

This is the way I feel (or the theology of transformation)

2007-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you guys but as I've shared with people what I learned and what I see God leading me towards I end up feeling like I look like...well...this. They raise an eyebrow once I'm done "spealing" (a highly scientific word which means: to regurgitate information on some unwittting victim who happens to be in proximity to your voice). They give me quisical look (this look is perfected by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice). But I can see that I do indeed look different than I did 3 months ago. That means forward progress...I am so grateful that God is doing that. But how to spur others on towards this same abandon is troubling to me. I realize it isn't me...but I still cannot stand the thought of my brothers and sisters camping in the wilderness. You know what I mean...I guess it comes back once more to this..........................................................

Speak for the Ears of our Master

2007-01-24T08:36:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

(I was encouraged, Ben, by your setiments regarding sharing these "truths" with those in your life. Continue to be obedient and the passionate person of truth that you are - how you please your Heavenly Father!)

In heading home for Christmas I enthusiastically began to spout off all that the Lord was at work to do in my heart and my life out here in CO. To my dismay, many had no grasp of what I was saying and smiled that smile that says, "Wow, ok, Annie. That's nice. Good for you."

A couple things I learned through this:

ONE ~ God uses the foolish and weak things for HIS purposes, so that the boasting will only be in HIS might. Even if I struggle to articulate the glorious truth or work, I yeild (as you said, Ben) to the Greater Voice at work which ALONE will pierce hearts and claim souls. And what a work of humily to yeild to HIM in our weakness and have faith in His promise...as we speak no matter the cost.

TWO ~ There are times when the things I wanted to share would only bring confusion or not be prompted by the Lord; so He led me to "ponder these things in my heart" as Mary did. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Praise be to God who will lead and direct His children in the ways they should go!

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom..." I Cor. 2:7

"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Matt. 10:20

His and yours,

Annie

Set Yourselves

2007-01-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

I was so thrilled to see this blog site get set up for the refreshment of each other and to read all of your contributions! Oh, how you are all missed in lil' Windsor! I feel as though there was a big family get-together and now comes the 'let down' after everyone left at once. :-) But, great is our God who ALONE does wondrous things and has yet still more for each of us in Christ Jesus. Being on staff made for alot to be busy with, but I wanted you to know how you all and each inspired me and encouraged me in the 'pressing on still more'. All of your hugs, 'thank yous', encouragement, and conversations were of great refreshment to not only myself, but each of us on the team. Thank you. It's certainly our joy and delight to have our homes FILLED with set-apart brothers and sisters where Christ can reign, grow, and refresh us all.

The Lord had me in II Chronicles throughout both sessions and meditating on it since. I wanted to pass on the joyous words of our God, that He may encourage your souls as you press on in victory!

Portions are taken from chapter 20 - (You can go there to read the context)

As Jehoshaphat came upon the army of the Ammonites...

"He set himself to seek the Lord...and gathered the people to ask help of the Lord."

- They then went on in the following verses to declare WHO their God was, WHAT He had done for them in the past, their inadequacy to come against an enemy or even know what to do...then they said -

"...But our eyes are upon THEE."

"...Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: SET YOURSELVES, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you...for the Lord will be with you......Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established..."

"...he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that they should praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army; for His mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against (the enemy)."

- Victory had been declared by the word of the Lord, but it wasn't until the people went forward, facing the enemy, with praise on their lips and in faith, that the Lord showed the destruction of the opposition. We must walk in the certainty of our Lord's word and face the battle in praise at HIS certain victory on our behalf.

"...And when (after the battle and victory) his people came to take away the spoil, they found...in abundance both riches and precious jewels...more than they could carry away, for it was so much...for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies!"

- The reward of God for His people who set themselves still - in peace as they fight - knowing and believing in the faithfulness of their God who fights is of greater value than can be counted. As we go forth in praise every day and in the assurance of Who our God is, we will discover and be given more beautiful treasures in Christ than we could ever fully know!

It is the greatest joy to be in the battle with such set-apart brothers and sisters. You are loved and you are being cheered on! Keep the blog notes going and continue to testify of the work of our Lord.

Your sister and co-laborer,

Annie

Hosea 6:1,3

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up...Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; His going forth is sure as the dawnl He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."

Pioneers... for HIS Kingdom

2007-01-21T19:26:00.000-08:00

"I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone."
-Isaiah 42:16, NASB

"Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising."
-Isaiah 60:1-3, NASB

Isaiah 61 - Beauty for Ashes

2007-01-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

Beauty for Ashes, garments of praise for my heaviness - take my heart of stone and make it Yours! I delight myself in the Richest of fare, trading all that I have for all that is better. You are so much better!
-"Beauty for Ashes," Shane&Shane

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

...to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:1,3,10

Love y'all!
-Steph

Unity in Christ

2007-01-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a passage I read the other day that I think perfectly describes us. It is when Jesus is praying for us (can you believe it?!)
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone (the disciples), but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."
John 17: 20-23

Melody's Memories of her Set-Apart Team...

2007-01-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

Been enjoying the posts and sharing! Even recognized a couple people from the first session pictures. I think Brenda and I were both in the AG Reunion group, and maybe one or two others. Anyway, isn't it incredible what God has been doing in our lives? I just praise Him!

Although I have my own blogspot and have already posted numerous comments and pictures there, I thought I'd also post a few of my favorite pics and comments on this site as well!

Wasn't it a blessing to be invited into Eric and Leslie's lives and those of their team, and see authentic Christianity in action? The "warm glow" to their home in the picture above reminded me of what our lives are to be...literally glowing with God's love and beauty.

Of course, each of our teams were unique and different, but I believe God put us each together for a purpose. I am thankful for each of my team members!

Here, Eric was telling us stories about Ashley! (Or was it the other way around!) Needless to say, they both exude a very unique and set-apart personality and life. No wonder they are cousins!

Now, for a special memory I have from the weekend for each of my teammates:

Sarah (Here with Leslie) had a sweetness and earnestness for seeking God's will. And I believe she found more of that this weekend! When questioning her about her life and relationship with Nick and how God was leading, she replied that they were seeking God's will and didn't want to do anything that would make others stumble. Now days, who thinks of that perspective on life, especially when you are madly in love??! What a blessing to be touched by Sarah's life.

Nick - (In Middle, with Sarah to right. By the way, Nick and Sarah are engaged to be married next summer!) The thing that sticks out to me about Nick was his determination to be used by God and to grow. Especially the last night, as we prayed all night over Jess, I'm sure he was getting worn out and tired as he helped keep her from hurting herself. He had no complaints though, just whispered "Tensile strength!" :-)

Levi (On the left showing something in the Bible) - was the first gentleman we girls met at the airport. He probably felt oddly alone and strange, until Fork joined his side. I spent most of the sessions sitting beside Levi, and while He didn't say a lot, what He did say contained a lot! Thanks Levi for being willing to step out of your comfort zone and join the "Set-Apart Life."

Carlianne - (To left of Hudson) This gal has been a friend of the Ludy's for a number of years, yet she had a hunger and thirst for not just a deepened friendship, but a deepened relationship with the God that they serve, thus she too stepped out to come apart and grow. Carlianne sang a beautiful song of praise during one of our worship sessions, and I know her life will continue to be a praise and honor to God as she seeks Him first.

BenZ - (To the right of Hudson) was not afraid to be honest or show his love, praise and adoration of our King. It was inspiring to see a young man determined to "Follow Christ whatever the cost." I also appreciated his sensitivity and courtesies to all of us in the group, from opening doors, pulling out chairs for the ladies, leading a beautiful praise service, and giving words of encouragement when needed. I know God has incredible plans in store for Ben.

Cindy - (to the Right of Jess) This beautiful girl happened to be one of my roommates, and the whole weekend I could see God's love radiating through her life and care. Her life exuded a sweet childlike innocence, and she was the open to the spirit of God's working on her life, even if it meant stepping out of her comfort zone. Thanks Cindy for being a part of our group, for pointing us to Psalms 91 in the hour of distress, and for being so loving and giving! May your life continue to shine for Him.

Josh Forkner - (The animated character at the left) This guy had a priceless personality all his own. But it touched me how he allowed God to take all, and sought to fully YIELD to Him. (If there are no "Yield" signs left in Windsor, it's because Josh took them!) :-) I especially appreciated him reaching out during one of our prayer sessions to offer support. I know that God is going to continue to do incredible things with a Josh that is "yielded."

Sarah Regina - (To right of Bri) This girl also was a special addition to the team. She radiated a picture of beautiful femininity and mystique, and when she spoke up during our sessions had some profound insights to share that made things more real. Thanks Sarah for your blatant honest, sharing, and beautiful smile. I personally, am more of a tom-boy type girl, but I could learn a lot from you! :-)

Braxton - A one-of-a-kind Warrior Poet! Braxton didn't have a whole lot to say during the weekend, but by his own admission realized his need of God's words in his mouth instead of his own. You should have heard him pray!! This man was transformed during our retreat, and in the process touched a lot of our lives. Thanks Braxton for being willing to be silent that a greater voice might speak.

Michelle - Was another one of my roommates. And her sweet smile gives a glimpse into her character. She struggled with stomach problems a lot of the time, but endured patiently and often without complaint. During this weekend she too made some radical decisions about her schooling and life that will have long-lasting impact. Michelle, I know that God will honor your stand for Him. Stay strong!

Melissa - This is the first girl I met in the airport in Denver. I had been sitting down and she circled around, as if "looooking for someone." Then she just stopped and parked mid-way btw the North and South side of the fountains and watched. I watched too! "Hmmm....I wonder if she's part of the Set-Apart Group. She looks like one of us!" After a bit, I got up the courage to go and ask, and sure enough, she was waiting for the same people I was! :-) Melissa is from the cold land of North Dakota, but you could tell she had a very warm heart, and it was awesome to have her a part of our group!

Michael - This man took a risk to come from the warm coastlines of Florida to the bitter winter cold of Colorado. Yet, I think he will never regret stepping out in faith. Though his knees and heart may tremle, his faith is strong, and God did some incredible things in this man's heart and life. Thanks Michael for being a part of our team, for your quiet humble witness, for your prayers, and for your steps of faith. You are a special "Warrior Poet" and we will always remember you.

Beth - (To right, of course!) Bethany was a beautiful picture of servant hearted eagerness to simply rest and sit at the feet of her Lord. I can't wait to see how God works in this young girl's life, and I'm thankful that God brought her into my life. She's already been a huge inspiration! I'll never forget sitting on the hard floor sharing a blanket as we looked for God's promises and prayed for Jess, along with our team, all through the night. What blessing Beth, to have you in our lives. Thanks for what you've already shared on this blog!

Lauren - (To the right) This girl I really identified with as we are both Nurses, and yet both have a passion for knowing God even more. Lauren has a special sense of humor, as well as a knack for reaching out to others and seeing need. I could see God in her heart and life, and I also look forward to continuing to stay in touch with Lauren and seeing how God leads. Thanks Lauren for being part of our team. You are a true Authentic Beauty!

Me - (I'm to the left of Lauren and I go by Melody or Mel) I've been to a couple of Eric and Leslie's retreats so far, but none have impacted me as much as this one did! Wow!!! Don't even know how to describe what it meant to me. Yes, I did take a lot of pictures, but besides many wonderful memories and new friends, I've tasted a piece of what promised land living is all about. And this, I pray, I never let go!

Thanks Eric and Leslie and Hudson, Annie, Kendra, Ashley, Bri, Jess and David, for stepping out and being willing to share the authentic "Set-Apart Life." It has profoundly forever impacted our lives!

Just a couple more pictures and I'll be done!

Here, Lauren and BenZ prepare to step our of their comfort zone...out of the warmth, into the cold. The world lays before them, and before each of us. We have no idea what lies blanketed beneath the snow, or what adventures lie around the bend, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is that we are following our creator, and He is leading us to the promised land. So step forward friends, keep walking...leave the warmth behind and press forward to the endless frontier that He is calling you to!

As you will notice, once BenZ stepped out, his footprints did not resemble the normal footprints we usually see. :-) And so, it will be for all of us that seek to truly follow God. As long as we are walking this different path, our tracks will not be like the rest of the world. And they aren't suppose to be. We walk to the beat of a different drummer, and His name is Jesus Christ. Let us not be ashamed, but press forward saying, "Whatever it takes Lord, keep me tender toward you..." (Steve Green song)

Thanks again to everyone that has been a part of this great Adventure.

- Melody -

www.echohislove.com

To see a more complete album of our time together, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94932435@N00/sets/604907/

stories

2007-01-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

I'm loving the emails. I just read Sarah's story and I was like Wow! Then I read Melody's blog and was Wow!ed again. I was like, what else God!

Then I looked at Mel's pictures. Now I'm crying again. I thought the crying was over. God had other plans.

This crying thing is a big deal to me. I've never been a cryer. There are times I've really wanted to, times emotion is pent up and if I could just get it out I would feel better. So it's a testament to the glory of God and deep workings of His power in my heart, and it's a testament to all of you, and what amazing Brothers and Sisters you are.

May our hearts never cease to burn!

Grace and peace from our God and Father!

~Josh (Fork)

thoughts of encouragement

2007-01-18T11:10:00.000-08:00

I was reading "The Path of Loneliness" by Elisabeth Elliot in November, and these are some thoughts that jumped out at me at the time. And looking back, I am in awe at the preparation and tilling God was doing in my heart. I pray they encourage you as well... in light of the new perspective we all share! I will send out an email soon, I hope... once the words finally return.

"Get to know yourself so well that you cannot contemplate yourself without flinching; then there will be room for hope. Only in the sure knowledge that you are obliged to do the impossible, and that you can only do the impossible in HIM who strengthens you, are you ready for a task which can be performed only through the cross." -M. Maritain

"There is no hope for any of us until we confess our helplessness. Then we are in a position to receive grace. There we have the conditions: grace--first, last, and always. So long as we see ourselves as competent, we do not qualify. Jesus vividly depicted the obligation as beyond us." -Elisabeth Elliot

"The disciple should not be surprised, if as he travels the road with Christ, some of the old gang begins to thin out. He may feel lonely at first, but then he sees that there are many Companions of the Way, whom he never would have met on the lower road." -Elisabeth Elliot

"When we think of being lonely, we usually mean that there are no people around; no one with us, no one to talk to. Or else we find that the people around us are 'not on our wavelength'--they don't understand us and that can be worse than no company at all. So loneliness in my experience is not relieved by just anyone's company. It needs to be someone special, someone who understand me, someone who can listen and be there when I need them. It was that last part that forced me to confront the depths of my own loneliness... Christ calls me out of my natural self-centeredness by listening to my cries and then showing me the bigger picture. The better I come to know HIM, the more I decome interested in what HE is interested in--the more I live and breathe for HIS Kingdom to come, for the things to be done on earth as they are in heaven." -Bonnie (an example in E. Elliot's book)

"With what misgivings we turn over our lives to God, imagining somehow that we are about to lose everything that matters. Our hesitancy is like that of a tiny shell on the seashore afraid to give up the teaspoonful of water it holds lest there not be enough in the ocean to fill it again. Lose your life, said Jesus, and you will find it. Give it up, and I will give you all. Can the shell imagine the depth and plentitude of the ocean? Can you and I fathom the riches, the fullness, of God's love?" -Elisabeth Elliot

"If His Lordship is really established over me, it makes no difference whether I live or die. I am expendable. The knowledge is freedom. I have no care for anything; for all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer have been joyfully placed at HIS disposal. He can do anything He pleases." -Elisabeth Elliot

"For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, and is we die, we die for the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." -Romans 14:7-8

"Glory in HIS HOLY NAME; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually." -Psalm 105:3-4

"So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord." -Hosea 6:3a

Jesus, fill these your empty vessels. We're WHOLLY Thine.
Beth

Greetings!

2007-01-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm Stephani & I'm a "first sessioner." Haha...the whole "second sessioner - first sessioner" thing cracks me up! Anyway, I live in a suberb just north of Dallas, TX. I'm not from here; I'm from a smaller city in Southeast TX, near the Gulf of Mexico & the TX/Louisiana border. But, I love living in the big metroplex. :D

Ok I'm going to post some pictures. I'm not going to take credit for most of them, because my camera broke on the 2nd night. I'm also posting some pictures from Jon & Kristen, which I saved from their postings on Facebook.

Enjoying the snow!

Taking a walk in the cool mountain air during a session break

Jamie, Jon, David B., and the back of Brandon's head...playing a crazy game of Dutch Blitz

Jon, Brenda & me in-between sessions

Jon, Brenda, & Me

Kristen, Jesse, Jess, David B., Tim, & Karyn

Some of the girls in the nice walkway Marky (Eric's brother) shoveled for us...the shortcut from the girls' house to the Ludy's!

Kristen (from Iowa) and me (a Texan) playing in the snow...then I got cold.

Bear Rock! L to R: Jesse, Jamie, Jen, Katie (I think), Annie, Brenda

More Bear Rock! L to R: David Runkles, Abby, Me (mid-sentence), Jesse

Karyn, Jon, Katie, & Brenda eating ice cream at the guys' house in Ft. Collins

Me, Jen, & Jamie having tasty pancakes at the girls' house

Kendra, B, & Ashley hanging out before a morning session w/ Eric

Me, Kristen, & B ...it looks like he's thinking, "Who are these strange people and why are they bothering me while I'm eating?" haha

Our beloved sister Jess (and of course we love Annie too!)...the roses were from all the guys to show Christ's love for Jess...it's a really long, amazing story :)

David & John Runkles (Leslie's awesome brothers) played guitar & piano as they led some worship on the last night

Eric, David R., & John R. preparing for worship

Eric, Hudson
Stephani, Jon, Ashley, Caroline, Leslie, Kristen, Katie
Jamie, Jesse, Brandon, David B., Karyn, Abby, Jess, Tim
Jen, Bri, Kendra, Brenda, Annie, David A.

May God bless you & keep you! I love y'all!
-Stephani

BenZ Pix

2007-01-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

Here are my pictures...if you want me to email you one let me know!

First meetings and getting to know one another. MMMM....Panera Bread.

Food...very good. Our beloved Ashley.
Braxton deep in thought
The Fork...deep in thought..."Is the 'hokey-pokey' really what it's all about?" Now there's an endless frontier.
Roomate...room.
The "Bigger Bed."
Opening Session...what an endless frontier.

Michelle and Michael...ha that rhymes!

There's a Georgian in the snow...save us all. Walking up to the girls house...in the snow!
The dudes at the bachelor pad. (aka...photo op for "Sod Pottage")
The Georgian...shovelling snow...or at least attempting to.
In order of appearance...The BenZ...Crowther...Lauren...and Eric is in the shadows.
Ahhh... Starbucks.
Mel at the Bear Rock Cafe.
Is Ashley pondering the vast realms of Chicken noodle Soup...oh...there's Carlianne!
WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I miss David!
At the Guys house for a night of worship.
Melissa...with Lauren.

That's cute!
Ummm....need I explain?
The clocks. And Josh looks really freaky in this picture!
Whose legs?
Haha...I get it...cause dolphins taste a whole lot better than their counterpart's tuna...haha!

My notes, Bible, water, and beef jerky.
Whose legs?
Lauren looks totally intrigued and interested here. Way to go Lauren!
Cheese! Ummm...warrior to the right...poet to the left.
Awww...it's Annie!
Levi and David.
The curls can be very distracting but the Bible is the focus here.
Beth and Carlianne...two sisters in Christ.
The "bald spot."
Lunch on Saturday.

Sarah and Lauren...sorry I took the picture too soon. You still look great though.
Snarfing Kix! Oh my goodness...THAT was funny!
The fork and the BenZ.
Get that creepy look off your face.
Sarah midsentence at dinner on Saturday.
Josh trying the breathing technique.
Car...admiring Josh's trying the breathing technique.
Lauren sleeping through Josh's trying the breathing technique.
Ben bored out of his wits while Josh is trying the breathing technique. (that flash was bright!)

Sarah playing with her iPod while Josh tries the breathing technique.

Crowther looking rather Crowtherish.
Lunch on bye-bye day!
Annie!!!!!!!!
Whose feet?

Eric talking about prayer and meditation while "B" plays with his toys! Leslie's "concert"

Special guest appearance by Eric Ludy!

I will always miss the time we spent together! Glory to god for my newfound friends!
BenZ

the picture

2007-01-16T20:56:00.000-08:00

I know we all have it...but I want the world to see.

I miss

2007-01-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

I miss...You all...because you are apart of me because we are the body of Christ.

I miss Braxton trying to find his cell phone/alarm clock every morning.

I miss the Melodious Echo's picture taking.

I miss Bethany's timing for the right scripture passage.

I miss Levi's wisdom and humility.

I miss Sarah's (R) story of Snarfing...I laugh every time I think of it.

I miss Michelle's quiet humility that speaks of the Glory of God...and her Tinsel Strength

I miss Michael's prayers.

I miss Melissa's JOY that shines brightly...and "doncha kno."

I miss Lauren's merciful spirit...and for a new word...Narf.

I miss Crowther's hugs at night...and His laugh.

I miss "Future Miss Crowther's" perseverance and her foot-washing.

I miss Carlianne's frozen hair...and her huge heart of gold.

I miss Cindy greeting us every morning with, "There's our Warrior-Poets."

I miss the deep well of the "Fork"...the curls...the winter coat escapade...the shared tear.

I miss Ben...not because I am Ben but because the Ben I knew dissappeared somewhere...I don't think I'll ever see him again.

I miss you all...and I know that we will see each other again for we are apart of the "Fellowship of the Burning Heart."

The BenZ

two days...

2007-01-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

Two days left before Denver...I'm outrageously excited. Keep praying strong!

Any last minute comments on excitement and anticipation?

Can't wait to see everyone at the airport!

~Josh

The New Men in Christ (Thoughts by CS Lewis)

2006-12-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a portion of "Mere Christianity" that I thought would be very appropriate for our venture. Let's keep in mind as we prepare for this weekend that who we have been transformed into and how we've been set apart. Let's begin a concentrated effort to pray and lift up our time together that God would change our stony hearts! "Mere Christianity (Book IV)"

"The thing has happened: the new step has been taken and is being taken. Already the new men are dotted here and there all over the earth. Some...are still hardly recognizable: but others can be recognized. Every now and then one meets them. Their voices and faces are different from ours; stronger, quieter, happier, more radiant. They begin where most of us leave off. They are, I sat, recognizable; but you must know what to look for. They will not be very like the idea of "religious people" which you have formed from your general reading. They do not draw attention to themselves. You tendt to tink that you are being kind to them when they are really being kind to you. They love you more than other men do, but they need you less. (We must get over wanting to be needed; in some goodish people, especially women, that is the hardest of all temptations to resist.) They will usually seem to have a lot of time: you will wonder where it comes from. When you have recognized one of them, you will recognize the next one much more easily. And I strongly suspect (but how should I know?) that they recognize one another immediately and infallibly, across every barrier of colour, sex, class, age, and even of creeds. In that way, to become holy is rather like joining a secret society. To put it at the very lowest, it must be great fun."

Father, would you stir up in our hearts the desire to see you more fully. May this description be true of us. God help us to love others more than everyone else does, help us to need the approval of others less, help us to be kind to those who are unkind to us. And help us set aside our self-righteousness and take on Christ-righteousness which is the holiness YOU long for. Break these hardened hearts and make them flesh!

For His renown,
BenZ

Description of God

2006-12-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading The Confessions of St. Augustine and it has the most beautiful description of God that I think I have ever read (besides Psalm 145). Just wanted to share.

For who is Lord but the Lord?
Who is God except our God?
The highest.
The most good.
The most mighty.
The most omnipotent.
The most merciful, yet most just.
The most hidden, yet most present.
The most beautiful, yet strongest.

The stationary, yet incomprehensible constant.You cannot change, yet You change everything. You are never new, yet never old. You make all things new, yet conquer the proud with old age before they know of it's approach. You are ever working, yet ever at rest. You are still gathering, yet You lack nothing. You are still supporting, fillling, and overspreading; still creating, nourishing, and maturing; still seeking, although You have all things. You love without yearning, are jealous without bitterness; share our regret without self-reproach; express anger without losing serenity. When all others fail to finish what they propose, Your purpose remains unchanged. You receive what You found, yet had never lost. You are never in need yet rejoice in what You gain. You never covet yet exact excessive payments, so that You may owe. Yet who has anything that is not already Yours? You pay debts when You owe nothing, but in remitting debts You lose nothing.

Looking forward to Colorado! Oh yeah, I'm Lauren (AcresofHope).

Prayer Requests

2006-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Do anyone have any prayer requests or specific prayer needs we could lift up for each other? If so, post comments with those things so we can be interceding for each other.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." -Colossians 4:2

For the Glory of His Name,
Bethany

Elvis Impersonators...you sicken me deceitful ones

2006-11-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

So I've often wondered what makes people dress up in awhite sequined suit with oversized belt buckles with gems on it and bug-eye glasses that could cover half the state of Arkansas, with their shirt unbuttoned to reveal a muscular hairy chest and wear their blakc hair greased to the max with the one little curly cue coming down in just the perfect place. Then to top it all off they snarl their lip. Blows my mind why thousands of people dedicate their lives to imitating a dead guy! I mean why in the world would any one want to spend their lives studying every detail of a historical icon, and mirroring their lives after his. Just crazy!

But...ooooh...then it strikes me...Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. NIV I have to look and go, why am I not as concerned about being a Jesus impersonator as some people are about some Rock Icon! I want to live a life of love. Just like Jesus did, not begrudging grumbling, "Oh I've gotta be loving cus Jesus was, humph!!!" But rather, "Joy of all joys my Savior purchased me and I am dealry loved to be a loving person as an overflow of joy!" John Piper says love is the "overflow of God's joy in us that meets the needs of others." I want...no I need and must...imitate God and be a person of sacrifice. As we prepare our hearts for the "set apart weekend" I want us to be the kind of people that spend their time studying this person so we can walk with just the same strut he walked with, so we can"dress" (in righteousness) the same way our Icon did. So we can be like Him in His sacrifice and death, and call death gain. When you read this ask God to set your heart ablaze with a passion to become just like Him! "Take my hand/take my wholelife too/cause I can't help/falling in love/with You." Elvis 'Can't Help Falling.'

BenZ

giving thanks

2006-11-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thess. 5:16-18

I know, personally, I need God's continual grace in the area of gratitude. I'm not, by nature, a very grateful person. But in light of ALL that Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross--ALL my gain from HIS loss--I have SO much to be thankful for!

So... in light of the holiday... what are you thankful for!?

I'm grateful for God's faithfulness, in spite of this stubborn heart of mine!
I'm grateful for His neverending, all-sufficient grace that covers my constant weaknesses and failures.
I'm grateful for the Holy Spirit, who inhabits me and accomplishes in and thru me all that I cannot.

Of course, I could go on - but it's your turn. :-)

Seriously, in light of Jesus, EVERY DAY should be Thanksgiving Day!

For His PRAISE,
Bethany

more getting to know yous

2006-11-21T19:18:00.000-08:00

So what's everybody's favorite bands? books? speakers? Favorite anythings that have helped you on your Christian walk?

Set apart Life

2006-11-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

Our humble King is exalted...we have caught a glimpse of His grandeur...He has touched our hearts with a burning desire for more than this world has to offer...we have been set ablaze by a passion for His renown...He desires to see us live wholeheartedly for His fame...we are the "set apart life."