Our new Bible study will be Stepping Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore. Here is key insight into how we selected Stepping Up as our next study - finances. Those DVDs are expensive! To the tune of about $150. That is "beyond the budget" for a budgetless small group. But God! He had a way!
This is the study description from www.lifeway.com.
Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent - Member Book by Beth Moore provides a personal study experience five days a week plus viewer guides for the group video sessions of this in-depth women's Bible study of Psalms 120-134. Traveling pilgrims sang these psalms both on the way to the great festivals of the LORD and as key elements of the worship at those festivals. Just as a song or poem can express feelings of fear, doubt, hope, and joy, these 15 psalms model how we can voice our own petitions and praises to our God, who is always available and ready to hear us.
Explore the major feasts of Israel and journey with Beth through this 7-session study. Themes of unity, joy, gratitude, redemption, repentance, the power of blessings, facing ridicule, and more are explored in detail. Modern-day believers in Jesus Christ can learn much from these treasured Psalms in their journey toward greater intimacy with God.
Five or so years ago, I saw the Stepping Up study guide on the library shelf, checked it out and recorded my answers on notebook paper. Those sheets are in the POD, by the way. I hope to unpack them before August, but back to my story. I never viewed the DVDs. Just last summer a friend of mine lead this study in another friend's house. I was not able to meet with them, but we worked it out that I could watch the DVDs. Well, I only was able to watch the first session. I was disappointed. It did not work out because it was not God's timing. I see that now.
When I approached my fellow seekers about doing another study, they said they were willing, so I presented Stepping Up because I knew where I could secure the DVDs. I also knew the workbooks were still available since I just happen to see them on the shelf at LifeWay when I bought the Revelation studies. (Yea. Right. Just happened to see them. A.K.A. God.) The study was originally released in November of 2007.
With their yeses in hand, I placed a call to my friend who lead the Stepping Up study and asked about borrowing the DVDs. She said it would not be a problem. So, we are set for the new study to begin on Sunday, August 19.
Join us!!! Children are welcome. My husband oversees them. This last study we had children playing in the hall, in our room, in the pool, and even in the lobby. One gentleman dropped in to see us and brought a friend. "See," he said, "when they are out in the hall (meaning the children) that means they are in here doing a Bible study." We got a reputation! A rep for doing a Bible study. What a way to be known!!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Reveling In Revelation
It has been more than the alotted eleven weeks, but we have finished the Beth Moore lecture series on the Book of Revelation. It was a mind opener and head shaker. On many occasions I looked into the mirror clad walls to see my fellow sojourners nodding their heads at the new insights she was giving us on this illusive book. At those moments we forgot how cold we were.
Another occasion that warmed our hearts was a visit by a lady named Karen from Brisbane, Australia. My husband meet her and her family by the hotel pool. He learned they were Christians. He brought her to the exercise room while we were watching the DVD. We talked with her for awhile completely enjoying her accent. She said she liked ours, too! We discovered she was the leader of the Ladies Ministries at her church of approximately 150 members. We took the opportunity to pray for her - for her refreshing while she vacationed in the U.S. and for her work when she returned home. She blessed us with her request that our Bible study grow in numbers.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of Paul in the book of Acts when he was encouraged by the visit of other believers. See Acts 28:15. What a delight to see God at work on an international scale from our little room in Tennessee.
When we closed our session very late that night, one of the attendees requested a new meeting place for our next study. (Yes, we are going to do it again.) I am hoping, praying, believing our next location will our new home, our new ministry headquarters. You may remember from my last post that I asked for prayer for a house for my family - to believe for what seemed impossible.
In James 5:16 we learn that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. I am aware of about a dozen ladies praying. Now our request for a home has gone beyond our own desires. It has been expanded to include a home with meeting room space! If you pray, let me know.
Another occasion that warmed our hearts was a visit by a lady named Karen from Brisbane, Australia. My husband meet her and her family by the hotel pool. He learned they were Christians. He brought her to the exercise room while we were watching the DVD. We talked with her for awhile completely enjoying her accent. She said she liked ours, too! We discovered she was the leader of the Ladies Ministries at her church of approximately 150 members. We took the opportunity to pray for her - for her refreshing while she vacationed in the U.S. and for her work when she returned home. She blessed us with her request that our Bible study grow in numbers.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of Paul in the book of Acts when he was encouraged by the visit of other believers. See Acts 28:15. What a delight to see God at work on an international scale from our little room in Tennessee.
When we closed our session very late that night, one of the attendees requested a new meeting place for our next study. (Yes, we are going to do it again.) I am hoping, praying, believing our next location will our new home, our new ministry headquarters. You may remember from my last post that I asked for prayer for a house for my family - to believe for what seemed impossible.
In James 5:16 we learn that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. I am aware of about a dozen ladies praying. Now our request for a home has gone beyond our own desires. It has been expanded to include a home with meeting room space! If you pray, let me know.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Believing For The Impossible
Yesterday's post was about which end of the plow we were on. Woody was plowing while I was being plowed. Today, I want to tell you about Growing Pains and Moviemaking. Well, not quite, but that's the title of Chapter 9 in Preparing for Rain. To me it means moving into another level of ministry. I'll let Mr. Catt start with his story.
"The move into our new facilities was a crucial step into seizing opportunities that God sends our way. They provide us with more space to accommodate people, thus expanding our influence and our effectiveness in ministry. We had prepared our fields for rain, we were now ready for God to send showers ... and He has! During recent years we have seen God move in our midst in unbelievable ways. One of those was the launching of Sherwood Pictures and our first film (p. 126)."
"When the vision was cast for shooting our first movie, Flywheel, some members were skeptical, but most were excited. They were ready to believe God for another amazing and unique opportunity to touch the world from Albany, Georgia. Sherwood had been molded into a swift, seaworthy sailing vessel, and ships aren't made for port, but for sailing. We spent many years sailing before the idea of making movies ever surfaced. The congregation had been taught how to dream big dreams, think outside the box and believe God for the impossible ... and we had seen God come through time and time again (p.126-127)."
It's Deborah again. I wrote a mission statement for our family many years ago. I wish I had it. It is in the POD in a file cabinet somewhere downtown Nashville. I think it was pretty good. It was similar to "touching the world from Albany, Georgia." It was what my family would focus on to reach others for Christ. It had to do with music, but that is all I remember.
I bring this up because my family is feeling growing pains. A vision was cast. Faith was put to foot, and we moved to Nashville. Here we have learned to depend on God in ways we never thought possible. We have seen God move in our midst. We are looking for the rain clouds. Remember the prophet Elijah after his victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. He had proclaimed there would not be any rain for several years. Then, after the defeat of that evil, there was the sound of a heavy rain. Elijah prayed and began looking for rain clouds. That is faith!!!
I feel our time of famine is at its end. We can look for rain clouds. Just like Sherwood's new facility "being a crucial step to seizing the opportunities God" sent their way, a house would be that for us. I am asking you to join us in prayer on the matter. We have placed a picture of a house on our wall. We have prayed and taped scripture verses, prayers, quotes, artwork, etc. around it. We are believing God for the impossible.
Will you?
Catt's Chapter 10 is entitled Connect With The Right People. I am thinking part of that chapter for us could be written right here. Right here at this point in the story. Who will be praying?
"The move into our new facilities was a crucial step into seizing opportunities that God sends our way. They provide us with more space to accommodate people, thus expanding our influence and our effectiveness in ministry. We had prepared our fields for rain, we were now ready for God to send showers ... and He has! During recent years we have seen God move in our midst in unbelievable ways. One of those was the launching of Sherwood Pictures and our first film (p. 126)."
"When the vision was cast for shooting our first movie, Flywheel, some members were skeptical, but most were excited. They were ready to believe God for another amazing and unique opportunity to touch the world from Albany, Georgia. Sherwood had been molded into a swift, seaworthy sailing vessel, and ships aren't made for port, but for sailing. We spent many years sailing before the idea of making movies ever surfaced. The congregation had been taught how to dream big dreams, think outside the box and believe God for the impossible ... and we had seen God come through time and time again (p.126-127)."
It's Deborah again. I wrote a mission statement for our family many years ago. I wish I had it. It is in the POD in a file cabinet somewhere downtown Nashville. I think it was pretty good. It was similar to "touching the world from Albany, Georgia." It was what my family would focus on to reach others for Christ. It had to do with music, but that is all I remember.
I bring this up because my family is feeling growing pains. A vision was cast. Faith was put to foot, and we moved to Nashville. Here we have learned to depend on God in ways we never thought possible. We have seen God move in our midst. We are looking for the rain clouds. Remember the prophet Elijah after his victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. He had proclaimed there would not be any rain for several years. Then, after the defeat of that evil, there was the sound of a heavy rain. Elijah prayed and began looking for rain clouds. That is faith!!!
I feel our time of famine is at its end. We can look for rain clouds. Just like Sherwood's new facility "being a crucial step to seizing the opportunities God" sent their way, a house would be that for us. I am asking you to join us in prayer on the matter. We have placed a picture of a house on our wall. We have prayed and taped scripture verses, prayers, quotes, artwork, etc. around it. We are believing God for the impossible.
Will you?
Catt's Chapter 10 is entitled Connect With The Right People. I am thinking part of that chapter for us could be written right here. Right here at this point in the story. Who will be praying?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Plowing and Being Plowed
From the introduction of Preparing for Rain by Michael Catt ...
"In the movie Facing the Giants, Grant Taylor, a discouraged football coach at Shiloh Christian Academy, gets an unexpected spiritual lesson from Mr. Bridges, a prayer warrior. When the coach tells Mr. Bridges "I just don't see God at work here," the prayer warrior responds with a story:
"Grant, I heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain. Both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it. Which one do you think God trusted to send the rain?"
"Well, the one who prepared his fields for it."
"Which one are you? God will send rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it."
Are we at C Square Ministries, Inc. ready for rain? Have we plowed our fields to be ready for a downpour?
Approximately five years ago at our very first public ministry event - a Grace Life Conference we sponsored - a prophecy was spoken over this ministry. As the rain poured outside, and I mean, poured outside, I felt the Holy Spirit say he was going to do the same thing for us. He was going to abundantly pour out his favor, drench us in it.
In the ensuing five years, we have seen some rain. We have seen drought. We have seen provision. We have felt heartache. We have watched the hand of God move on our behalf. We have made mistakes. We have received forgiveness. No downpours. Are our fields ready?
You have read about our work in the hotel in our Christmas letter (scroll down to February to read it). Do you want to know where my husband excels? It is here. Meeting new people. Loving new people. Gently comforting them to see God at work in their life. He is amazing. One day as I sat by the pool, I realized we had impacted a small group from our house but God brought us here so He could bring us so many more. Each day, each week, each month, each year, more and more people. Woody has the heart of God for them. He amazes me. He has a realness with them that leaves me in awe.
He reminds me of the first evangelist in the Bible - Philip. That is Woody's given name. He was named after his mother, Phyllis. There is also the apostle, Philip. Whether the deacon, apostle or his mother, they all have given him a deep spiritual heritage that oozes out of him. Look at Acts 8:4-8. You could rename it Woody in Studio Plus. It is what he has been doing in his own unique and wonderful style.
As for me the most recent things are that I was asked to read some scripture at our church's Ladies Spring Fling back in May. I was part of a team of five reaffirming "Who I Am In Christ." I was honored to participate. In the same month, I was also asked to be on the Intercessory Prayer Team for my daughter's home school cooperative, New Life Academy. We have been attending there four years. I count it a privilege to serve.
In "Preparing for Rain," Catt says, "The prayer ministry is the heartbeat of who we are as a church. If it weren't for the prayer ministry, the rest of this book would be little more than flesh-peddling and bragging about who we are. Because of the prayer ministry, Sherwood is a testimony of what God can do. The secret to touching the world is to know the secret of touching the heart of God. When we fail to pray, we disappoint Christ, defeat ourselves and delight the devil. No Christ-honoring church or ministry ever rises above the level of praying done for it. (p.58)."
I am looking forward to learning. Learning how to pray for a ministry. Learning to touch the heart of God and hear him speak in a new context. Yes, a new context. I have for three years now been in what I believe was a season of discipline. My own personal field has been plowed. God has overturned rocks of pride, financial independence and self-righteousness. It is humbling the day it dawns on you that your family has had to endure a financial famine because of your sins. I understand David now in 2 Samuel 24 when he counted his troops and sinned against God, and he said that he would rather fall in the hands of a merciful God than man. It was a matter of my heart. No man knew. Man would have judged me harshly. God, however, knew and was gracious. I understand because even in discipline I have seen the mercy of God.
Preparing For Rain has been soaking in my brain for about a month now. It has been a perfect book to help me see a bigger picture with the ministry. Remember when I asked you, the reader (If there are any out there.), for suggestions on books to help with the progress of the ministry. God guided me to this one at just the right time. I guess He reads blogs. (Hee! Hee!) That pretty much wraps up what I gleaned from Chapters 1-8. I have one more parallel to draw with Chapter 9. We will work on that one tomorrow. Thank you for reading on!
"In the movie Facing the Giants, Grant Taylor, a discouraged football coach at Shiloh Christian Academy, gets an unexpected spiritual lesson from Mr. Bridges, a prayer warrior. When the coach tells Mr. Bridges "I just don't see God at work here," the prayer warrior responds with a story:
"Grant, I heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain. Both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it. Which one do you think God trusted to send the rain?"
"Well, the one who prepared his fields for it."
"Which one are you? God will send rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it."
Are we at C Square Ministries, Inc. ready for rain? Have we plowed our fields to be ready for a downpour?
Approximately five years ago at our very first public ministry event - a Grace Life Conference we sponsored - a prophecy was spoken over this ministry. As the rain poured outside, and I mean, poured outside, I felt the Holy Spirit say he was going to do the same thing for us. He was going to abundantly pour out his favor, drench us in it.
In the ensuing five years, we have seen some rain. We have seen drought. We have seen provision. We have felt heartache. We have watched the hand of God move on our behalf. We have made mistakes. We have received forgiveness. No downpours. Are our fields ready?
You have read about our work in the hotel in our Christmas letter (scroll down to February to read it). Do you want to know where my husband excels? It is here. Meeting new people. Loving new people. Gently comforting them to see God at work in their life. He is amazing. One day as I sat by the pool, I realized we had impacted a small group from our house but God brought us here so He could bring us so many more. Each day, each week, each month, each year, more and more people. Woody has the heart of God for them. He amazes me. He has a realness with them that leaves me in awe.
He reminds me of the first evangelist in the Bible - Philip. That is Woody's given name. He was named after his mother, Phyllis. There is also the apostle, Philip. Whether the deacon, apostle or his mother, they all have given him a deep spiritual heritage that oozes out of him. Look at Acts 8:4-8. You could rename it Woody in Studio Plus. It is what he has been doing in his own unique and wonderful style.
As for me the most recent things are that I was asked to read some scripture at our church's Ladies Spring Fling back in May. I was part of a team of five reaffirming "Who I Am In Christ." I was honored to participate. In the same month, I was also asked to be on the Intercessory Prayer Team for my daughter's home school cooperative, New Life Academy. We have been attending there four years. I count it a privilege to serve.
In "Preparing for Rain," Catt says, "The prayer ministry is the heartbeat of who we are as a church. If it weren't for the prayer ministry, the rest of this book would be little more than flesh-peddling and bragging about who we are. Because of the prayer ministry, Sherwood is a testimony of what God can do. The secret to touching the world is to know the secret of touching the heart of God. When we fail to pray, we disappoint Christ, defeat ourselves and delight the devil. No Christ-honoring church or ministry ever rises above the level of praying done for it. (p.58)."
I am looking forward to learning. Learning how to pray for a ministry. Learning to touch the heart of God and hear him speak in a new context. Yes, a new context. I have for three years now been in what I believe was a season of discipline. My own personal field has been plowed. God has overturned rocks of pride, financial independence and self-righteousness. It is humbling the day it dawns on you that your family has had to endure a financial famine because of your sins. I understand David now in 2 Samuel 24 when he counted his troops and sinned against God, and he said that he would rather fall in the hands of a merciful God than man. It was a matter of my heart. No man knew. Man would have judged me harshly. God, however, knew and was gracious. I understand because even in discipline I have seen the mercy of God.
Preparing For Rain has been soaking in my brain for about a month now. It has been a perfect book to help me see a bigger picture with the ministry. Remember when I asked you, the reader (If there are any out there.), for suggestions on books to help with the progress of the ministry. God guided me to this one at just the right time. I guess He reads blogs. (Hee! Hee!) That pretty much wraps up what I gleaned from Chapters 1-8. I have one more parallel to draw with Chapter 9. We will work on that one tomorrow. Thank you for reading on!
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