I started this email writing about dreams, callings, and visions. I was going to encourage you all to follow them, step out in faith and let God bless you. Well, I somehow got off track and decided to throw that out. Instead, I am going to let you ponder over some quotes from a book I am currently reading entitled Revolution in World Missions written by K.P. Yohannan, a man from India. He grew up in dirt poor poverty. His mother prayed for him to be a pastor and at a very young age (younger than 18) he was led by the Spirit and began preaching in the street. He eventually was led to America. He was astonished at Christian's spirituality in America. I strongly encourage you all to find a copy and read it. I think we, as Americans, need to be pushed a little bit more in our Christianity than what we are. This book definitely does it.
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"The battle against hunger and poverty is really a spiritual battle, not a physical or social one as secularists would have us believe."
"Americans are more than just unaware of their affluence - they almost seem to despise it."
"I compared their clothing (Americans) to that of the native missionary evangelists whom I had left only a few weeks before. Many of them walk barefoot between villages or work in flimsy sandals. Their threadbare cotton garments would not be acceptable as cleaning rags in the United States. Then I discovered most Americans have closets full of clothing they wear only occasionally - and I remembered the years I traveled and worked with only the clothes on my back. And I had lived the normal lifestyle of most village evangelists."
"Sad to say, it appeared to me that for the most part they had absorbed the same humanistic and materialistic values that dominated the secular culture."
"In 1998, personal expenditures in the U.S. averaged $19,049 per person of which $1,276 (6.7%) went for food, leaving a comfortable $17,773 for other expenses. In India, the average person had only $276 to spend, of which $134 (48.4%) went for food, leaving a scant $142 for other needs for the entire year. I had lived with this reality every day, but Americans have real trouble thinking in these terms."
"I expected to see a bold witness. God's grace obviously has been poured out on this nation and Church in a way no other people have experienced. Instead I found a Church in spiritual decline."
"The secret of following God's will, I discovered, usually is wrapped up in rejecting the good for God's best.
God did not shower such great blessing on this nation for the Christians to live in extravagance, self-indulgence and spiritual weakness."
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All in all, we need to be challenged in our faith. We do not face persecution and tribulation like our brothers and sisters in other countries. Do not become locked in a place with Christ. We should all be racing after God. Spurring one another on for love and good deeds.
"O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirst for you;
my body longs for you,
in a dray and weary land
where there is no water."
(Psalm 63)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Overcoming Our Everyday Storms
I hope everyone was able to enjoy the wonderful weather for this Memorial Day weekend! Ben and I celebrated our one year anniversary this weekend. I'm so blessed that he is in my life! God definitely has plans for the two of us together and I am looking forward to see how these plans will unfold for us in this upcoming year. I have added a few more people to my mailing list. Just a reminder, if you do not want to receive these, just send me an email and I will take you off :). I have decided I will try to send these out every other day. I do not think every day would be a realistic goal for me.
For today's encouragement I have decided to look at a very short passage/story in Luke that I bet a lot of you will be familiar with. It is the story of Jesus calming the storm.
Luke 8:22-24
"One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let's go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'"
I thought it was interesting that God waited to speak to the disciples about their faith until after he calmed the storm. Jesus could have criticized them during the storm, assuring them they would be fine, just have faith, etc. but he did not do that. Jesus knows us personally just like he knew his disciples were frightened and fearing for their lives. Because Jesus knew this about them, he decided to take care of them by calming the storm. Once he calmed the storm, it was then that he decided to speak to them about having more faith. Jesus still does that for each and everyone of us to this day. There are many situations where we are frightened, confused, scared, or whatever the emotion is, in which God decides to "calm the storm" or take the situation away from us instead of forcing us to endure through it. Jesus tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that he will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. And that when we are tempted, he will provide a way out for us so that we may be able to withstand the temptation. What I want you to remember from this passage is that God knows you personally. We are not just another grain of sand in millions of others, but rather, we are one in a million to God. We are unique to Him and he loves us and knows us inside and out. He cares for us and will not make us go through storms that he knows we cannot handle. And even if he thinks we can, and we cry out to him, telling him we are afraid, he will rebuke the wind and raging waters so that the storm will subside.
This does not mean we are to run from every storm that life hands us. It is true that we learn from the hardships and difficulties that occur. This is just life and we cannot avoid every single one. But just remember in those hard times, that many of us are facing in these days, is that God is a God of hope. He is faithful. He is trusting. He is protecting. He will never leave you alone.
May God bless you this week!
-Ashley-
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
For today's encouragement I have decided to look at a very short passage/story in Luke that I bet a lot of you will be familiar with. It is the story of Jesus calming the storm.
Luke 8:22-24
"One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let's go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'"
I thought it was interesting that God waited to speak to the disciples about their faith until after he calmed the storm. Jesus could have criticized them during the storm, assuring them they would be fine, just have faith, etc. but he did not do that. Jesus knows us personally just like he knew his disciples were frightened and fearing for their lives. Because Jesus knew this about them, he decided to take care of them by calming the storm. Once he calmed the storm, it was then that he decided to speak to them about having more faith. Jesus still does that for each and everyone of us to this day. There are many situations where we are frightened, confused, scared, or whatever the emotion is, in which God decides to "calm the storm" or take the situation away from us instead of forcing us to endure through it. Jesus tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that he will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. And that when we are tempted, he will provide a way out for us so that we may be able to withstand the temptation. What I want you to remember from this passage is that God knows you personally. We are not just another grain of sand in millions of others, but rather, we are one in a million to God. We are unique to Him and he loves us and knows us inside and out. He cares for us and will not make us go through storms that he knows we cannot handle. And even if he thinks we can, and we cry out to him, telling him we are afraid, he will rebuke the wind and raging waters so that the storm will subside.
This does not mean we are to run from every storm that life hands us. It is true that we learn from the hardships and difficulties that occur. This is just life and we cannot avoid every single one. But just remember in those hard times, that many of us are facing in these days, is that God is a God of hope. He is faithful. He is trusting. He is protecting. He will never leave you alone.
May God bless you this week!
-Ashley-
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Daily Verse Inspiration
Last night I came up with the idea to send out daily verse inspirations. If you'd like them to be sent to you, let me know and I will be more than glad to add you to my list. I decided to do it for the core group of people who is starting a new church in Oconomowoc, WI. I wanted to do something that could encourage us all as times get tough. Here is my first daily verse.
Hello everyone,
I realize that not all of you are on board with the church plant but I added some who may appreciate receiving this anyway. I have decided that I am going to try to send out a daily verse as a way to encourage as all. I know that the days ahead of us in this church plant will be stressful and chaotic. Hopefully this will be able to serve us all throughout these times. If you would prefer not to receive this, you can simply reply and let me know. I will not be offended :)
For this morning I would like to ponder the following short passage in Luke:
"Then he (Jesus) turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little'" Luke 7:44-47
I cannot help but think about how I would welcome Jesus into my household/life. Sometimes God can come and speak to us at inconvenient times. It may be during a busy work day, while you are finishing a household project, or perhaps while you are sleeping. My husband was speaking with me earlier telling me that sometimes I want to do everything on my terms. I realized while I was laying in bed that it was true. Not too long after that, God gave me the idea of sending out this daily encouragement. I thought about getting up and doing it right then in the middle of the night. I began to pray asking God if it was truly necessary to do it at such an odd time. Then God told me, why does it always have to be on your time? That is when I submitted and opened to the above passage. You see, my situation mirrors this slightly. I could have acted like Simon. I could have let Jesus in grudgingly, but ignored him, mistreated him, and not loved him. (Or essentially said okay God, but I am going to sleep and will do it in the morning anyway). God tells us that he will come like a thief in the night. Perhaps that has more meanings that what we think. God can come and speak to us "like a thief in the night" or like a "thief in the middle of our busy work day". Are you going to view God as a thief? Someone who steals your precious time away from you? Or are you going to let him in with weeping, kissing, and rejoicing, pouring your valuable perfume over his feet in a sign of reverence? Have your heart open like this woman had her heart open to Jesus. Be willing to receive him whenever and wherever he comes to speak and be with you. God is not your slave. He does not have to speak to you only on your time. I'd suggest that whenever He has something to say, that you put down whatever it is you are doing to be with him.
Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, praise his name! Proclaim his salvation day after day!
God Bless and have a wonderful day!
-Ashley-
Hello everyone,
I realize that not all of you are on board with the church plant but I added some who may appreciate receiving this anyway. I have decided that I am going to try to send out a daily verse as a way to encourage as all. I know that the days ahead of us in this church plant will be stressful and chaotic. Hopefully this will be able to serve us all throughout these times. If you would prefer not to receive this, you can simply reply and let me know. I will not be offended :)
For this morning I would like to ponder the following short passage in Luke:
"Then he (Jesus) turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little'" Luke 7:44-47
I cannot help but think about how I would welcome Jesus into my household/life. Sometimes God can come and speak to us at inconvenient times. It may be during a busy work day, while you are finishing a household project, or perhaps while you are sleeping. My husband was speaking with me earlier telling me that sometimes I want to do everything on my terms. I realized while I was laying in bed that it was true. Not too long after that, God gave me the idea of sending out this daily encouragement. I thought about getting up and doing it right then in the middle of the night. I began to pray asking God if it was truly necessary to do it at such an odd time. Then God told me, why does it always have to be on your time? That is when I submitted and opened to the above passage. You see, my situation mirrors this slightly. I could have acted like Simon. I could have let Jesus in grudgingly, but ignored him, mistreated him, and not loved him. (Or essentially said okay God, but I am going to sleep and will do it in the morning anyway). God tells us that he will come like a thief in the night. Perhaps that has more meanings that what we think. God can come and speak to us "like a thief in the night" or like a "thief in the middle of our busy work day". Are you going to view God as a thief? Someone who steals your precious time away from you? Or are you going to let him in with weeping, kissing, and rejoicing, pouring your valuable perfume over his feet in a sign of reverence? Have your heart open like this woman had her heart open to Jesus. Be willing to receive him whenever and wherever he comes to speak and be with you. God is not your slave. He does not have to speak to you only on your time. I'd suggest that whenever He has something to say, that you put down whatever it is you are doing to be with him.
Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, praise his name! Proclaim his salvation day after day!
God Bless and have a wonderful day!
-Ashley-
Monday, May 18, 2009
You wouldn't ignore a friend would you?
How do I make a relationship with God personal? There are so many late, tired, grumpy nights where I feel angry that I have to take time to read God's word. I ask myself, why is it important, what will it accomplish, how can God possibly speak to me? Often during these times I'm looking at the relationship half-way. I am of course the one wanting something from the relationship. I forget the many times where God has met me when I have not been giving my all. There are little things that I do to make myself read the bible sometimes (and it isn't always a challenge - just most of the time as a tired, go go go go college student who reads text books all the time). Tonight, I am thinking of God as a friend who needs me. I would set down anything just in order to spend time with a friend in need. It might be weird to think of it in this aspect, but it is true. God needs us. He wants us. He loves us. If this was not true, he would not have poured so much of his love, energy, and creativity into us. So tonight, my friend, my God, just needs some time with his good friend, me. You know, we haven't hung out in awhile. I know he has been missing me. It would be rude if I were to just ignore Him.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Denominations and Meaningless Talk
When people learn that my husband and I are starting a new church, the first thing they ask me is, "What kind of church are you starting?" They expect me to ramble off one of the many denominations of Christians that exist. Denominations are important in the sense that people do have preferences for certain styles of music, preaching, etc. But why is that THE first question that people ask? I doubt that they even would understand what kind of church we were establishing simply by listing off a certain denomination. Jesus prays in John 17:20 "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" Jesus is saying here that he desires Christians to come together in one body, one group, one family. So while Hope Springs may be affiliated with the Assemblies of God, the important aspect of our church is that we are calling God's children together under one family. This involves ALL believers in ALL denominations. Paul also asks Christ followers to "agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10) People ask, "why are there so many churches in one community". Well, as I stated before, different preferences. One thing that Hope Springs is taking into account is that we are not against the other churches in Oconomowoc, but rather we are working with them to benefit God's kingdom. The devil can sometimes use these divisions (denominations) to divide us. We become nitpicky about certain things that are trivial. Christ also warns us against such meaningless talk that does not glorify Him. Paul even encourages men to give up myths and genealogies that "promote controversies rather than God's work - which is by faith" (I Timothy 1:4) What controversies or meaningless talk is in our faiths today? How is this affecting those around you? Are those who do not know Jesus getting a wrong picture about what is truly important? (The greatest commandment - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. - Mark 12:29)
I encourage you to take the time to evaluate your life. What 'meaningless' things are there that may block yourself from God or from showing God's light to others?
And remember, our church is a church dedicated to living Christ's example, to giving to others, to showing love, for giving people a place to find comfort, to finding Christ in a non-judgmental place, to building communities, and to teaching.
THAT is the kind of church Hope Springs is.
I Cor. 9:11
- If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
I encourage you to take the time to evaluate your life. What 'meaningless' things are there that may block yourself from God or from showing God's light to others?
And remember, our church is a church dedicated to living Christ's example, to giving to others, to showing love, for giving people a place to find comfort, to finding Christ in a non-judgmental place, to building communities, and to teaching.
THAT is the kind of church Hope Springs is.
I Cor. 9:11
- If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
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