Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Can I just be honest? I'm really struggling with moving forward. In so many ways, I feel as if I've been boxed up...and, while I'm certain there's a way out of the box, I haven't found it yet.
Part of the reason is that to find the opening, I have to move somehow. And it's really, really tempting to just sit where I am and stare at the side of the box in front of me.
But that doesn't do anyone any good.
So, last night I took a deep breath and did something I've wanted to do for a long time...I applied to Rita Springer's Dive School . It's a week long intensive that focuses on releasing the creative...or, as Rita has described it when she's spoken about it on her visits to our church, she 'throws courage on women'.
Well...I'm pretty low on the courage meter right now.
And the plain fact is that I have not ever been in a position to have a true spiritual mentor. A week of sitting in a mentoring environment sounds amazing...even though I realize it is going to involve peeling and prying and breaking.
I've come 'round to see that it's time to go to a new level...forget what is behind and press on...although I'm pretty clueless as how to do that.
Maybe this is a start. Maybe the way out of the box is up.
It feels right, anyway.
ETA later that day...I got the email. I'm going to Dive in October...woot!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Miss Judy and Me
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Vacation week.
It was pure coincidence that my last, final night of working in Girls Ministry was the awards ceremony on the 6th...and we hit the road on the 8th, headed primarily to a family reunion, with the added benefit of celebrating my parents' 56th anniversary and a day at the Indiana State Fair...the first time I'd been to the fair in about 25 years. At the end of the week, My Sweet Babboo and I caught a couple of days on top of Mount Cheaha, celebrating our 34th anniversary.
Knowing that I was gonna get outta Dodge for a bit right after that last night gave me something to focus on and look forward to. I needed that trip for way more reasons than I could begin to articulate.
But I got a treat I had not planned on while I was away.
It just so happened that one of my aunts had reconnected with a lady we all went to church with when I was young...and who had been my Sunday School teacher and intermediate youth group leader back when I was in grades 4 - 6 or so.
She brought her over to Mom's just after we rolled in on the return trip from Elkhart.
In the same direct way I remembered, her first question was, 'Tell me what you're doing for the Lord!'
I discovered that I *could* talk about it without my eyes springing leaks. I told her of the transition, what I had been doing up to that very point...but that it was ended, and I'm not sure what is next.
And, true to form, she declared over me that I would continue to serve Him...that this is not the end of the line.
How incredible is God, to bring a voice from the past to encourage me for the future?
Vacation week.
It was pure coincidence that my last, final night of working in Girls Ministry was the awards ceremony on the 6th...and we hit the road on the 8th, headed primarily to a family reunion, with the added benefit of celebrating my parents' 56th anniversary and a day at the Indiana State Fair...the first time I'd been to the fair in about 25 years. At the end of the week, My Sweet Babboo and I caught a couple of days on top of Mount Cheaha, celebrating our 34th anniversary.
Knowing that I was gonna get outta Dodge for a bit right after that last night gave me something to focus on and look forward to. I needed that trip for way more reasons than I could begin to articulate.
But I got a treat I had not planned on while I was away.
It just so happened that one of my aunts had reconnected with a lady we all went to church with when I was young...and who had been my Sunday School teacher and intermediate youth group leader back when I was in grades 4 - 6 or so.
She brought her over to Mom's just after we rolled in on the return trip from Elkhart.
In the same direct way I remembered, her first question was, 'Tell me what you're doing for the Lord!'
I discovered that I *could* talk about it without my eyes springing leaks. I told her of the transition, what I had been doing up to that very point...but that it was ended, and I'm not sure what is next.
And, true to form, she declared over me that I would continue to serve Him...that this is not the end of the line.
How incredible is God, to bring a voice from the past to encourage me for the future?
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The last lesson...
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
If nothing else I taught remains, let me at least set an example of how to show honor and respect, regardless of any opinion I might hold or expectations I might've had.
It's going to happen soon or later, to everyone...you don't understand, you may not agree, and it hurts.
If the heart of the ministry is not after God's own, you may have to make a decision about where you really should be serving.
But if it has been demonstrated over and over again that the heart of the ministry runs hard after God, and you find yourself crosswise somehow, then you have to make a decision about how you're going to deal with it.
Fast and pray. Seek His heart. But do not offer up opinion or dissent or accusation.
It is a serious thing to touch the Lord's anointed.
So.
If I can model obedience, if someone can see that it is possible to stay in line even then, then...perhaps that is the last and most important lesson.
Seasons change. Transition happens. I don't know what He's doing, but I trust Him.
That is not a lesson that can be taught from the classroom..it's got to be demonstrated.
After the posters are down and the curriculum is boxed up and the pictures are all given away...the last lesson continues...
If nothing else I taught remains, let me at least set an example of how to show honor and respect, regardless of any opinion I might hold or expectations I might've had.
It's going to happen soon or later, to everyone...you don't understand, you may not agree, and it hurts.
If the heart of the ministry is not after God's own, you may have to make a decision about where you really should be serving.
But if it has been demonstrated over and over again that the heart of the ministry runs hard after God, and you find yourself crosswise somehow, then you have to make a decision about how you're going to deal with it.
Fast and pray. Seek His heart. But do not offer up opinion or dissent or accusation.
It is a serious thing to touch the Lord's anointed.
So.
If I can model obedience, if someone can see that it is possible to stay in line even then, then...perhaps that is the last and most important lesson.
Seasons change. Transition happens. I don't know what He's doing, but I trust Him.
That is not a lesson that can be taught from the classroom..it's got to be demonstrated.
After the posters are down and the curriculum is boxed up and the pictures are all given away...the last lesson continues...
Friday, August 1, 2014
Ephesians Part 4 5:15 - 6:24
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Paul is continuing his instruction on 'walking worthy of the calling' (4:1), now focusing on human interactions...honoring God in all relationships. He gives instruction on how
-- Believers should relate to each other (5:15 - 21)
-- Wives should relate to their husbands (5:22 - 24, 33b)
-- Husbands should relate to their wives (5:25 - 33a)
-- Children should relate to their parents (6:1 - 3)
-- Fathers (parents) should relate to their children (6:4)
-- Bondservants should relate to their masters (6: 5 - 8)
-- Masters should relate to their servants (6:9)
On the whole, the concept is to respect, honor, esteem, be self sacrificing, regardless of the relationship; remembering that how we treat others is a representation of Christ himself...both of how He would treat others, and how we would serve Him. Folks get hung up on the language and the roles, but Paul is not writing law, here, he's entreating folks to be Christlike and we would do well to remember that Christ gave up everything on our behalf...how should we insist on our own rights here?
But Paul is not finished...there is one other aspect in which we walk worthy of the calling, and that is as a soldier in battle.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (6:10)
Paul reminds his readers of something else that we all do well to remember...our enemy is not a person. We do not fight people...but the spirits that control them, or the spirits that tempt each of us.
Take up the armor of God, Paul writes, listing it as:
The Belt of Truth...holds everything together
Breastplate of righteousness...pure actions guarding a pure heart
Gospel of Peace ...guides your steps
Shield of Faith...protects from the arrows of the enemy; a weapon that can only be effective from a distance
Helmet of Salvation...protects from a fatal blow
Sword of the Spirit, the word of God...our weapon, which is effective in close quarters
Prayer is the ongoing preparation and readiness.
Do this, Paul says, and you will be able to stand your ground.
Now Paul has told them all that he felt on his heart to tell them. He assured them they were co-heirs with Israel, instructed them on living as believers ought to live, and gave them encouragement for battles that were coming. Now, he bids them farewell, asking them to pray for him, that he will declare the word of God boldly; he is sending the letter to them via Tychicus, who will tell them more about what is going on with Paul when he sees them.
He blesses them with love and peace and faith, these folks who have been dear to him.
It's not a bad way to end the class at all.
Paul is continuing his instruction on 'walking worthy of the calling' (4:1), now focusing on human interactions...honoring God in all relationships. He gives instruction on how
-- Believers should relate to each other (5:15 - 21)
-- Wives should relate to their husbands (5:22 - 24, 33b)
-- Husbands should relate to their wives (5:25 - 33a)
-- Children should relate to their parents (6:1 - 3)
-- Fathers (parents) should relate to their children (6:4)
-- Bondservants should relate to their masters (6: 5 - 8)
-- Masters should relate to their servants (6:9)
On the whole, the concept is to respect, honor, esteem, be self sacrificing, regardless of the relationship; remembering that how we treat others is a representation of Christ himself...both of how He would treat others, and how we would serve Him. Folks get hung up on the language and the roles, but Paul is not writing law, here, he's entreating folks to be Christlike and we would do well to remember that Christ gave up everything on our behalf...how should we insist on our own rights here?
But Paul is not finished...there is one other aspect in which we walk worthy of the calling, and that is as a soldier in battle.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (6:10)
Paul reminds his readers of something else that we all do well to remember...our enemy is not a person. We do not fight people...but the spirits that control them, or the spirits that tempt each of us.
Take up the armor of God, Paul writes, listing it as:
The Belt of Truth...holds everything together
Breastplate of righteousness...pure actions guarding a pure heart
Gospel of Peace ...guides your steps
Shield of Faith...protects from the arrows of the enemy; a weapon that can only be effective from a distance
Helmet of Salvation...protects from a fatal blow
Sword of the Spirit, the word of God...our weapon, which is effective in close quarters
Prayer is the ongoing preparation and readiness.
Do this, Paul says, and you will be able to stand your ground.
Now Paul has told them all that he felt on his heart to tell them. He assured them they were co-heirs with Israel, instructed them on living as believers ought to live, and gave them encouragement for battles that were coming. Now, he bids them farewell, asking them to pray for him, that he will declare the word of God boldly; he is sending the letter to them via Tychicus, who will tell them more about what is going on with Paul when he sees them.
He blesses them with love and peace and faith, these folks who have been dear to him.
It's not a bad way to end the class at all.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Ephesians, Part 3 4:1 - 5:14 - Walk Worthy
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Now that Paul has established that the Gentile believers are included in God's promises, he begins his instructions as to the responsibilities of being in the family. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, he writes in 4:1, then goes on to explain what that entails...
Walk in unity and peace - 4:1-7:
One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all and in all.
One, one, one, one...all, all, all, all.
No room here for division, 'us and them', 'we and you'. It's all 'us', it's all 'we'.
Walk in works of ministry - 4:8-16:
We tend to think that the gifts God gave are apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, teaching, pastoring...and there are places where some are mentioned as gifts of the Spirit. But the gifts of grace mentioned in this passage are not abilities, they are people.
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
And these people are given to the body of Christ to equip the saints...the individuals in the body...for works of the ministry. And, as the body functions and each person performs his/her ministry, the body as a whole matures, we all move towards unity.
Not because the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are doing the work of the ministry, but because each individual is doing the work of the ministry.
Take a selah moment and reflect on that just a bit. There's responsibility there.
Walk in transformation - 4:17- 31:
Paul reminds these folks -- and us-- of what it was like to live without Christ, and what changes take place as we follow Christ and grow in grace. Old stuff is put away, put off, laid down; renewal and transformation take root and grow. Habits change, reactions become godly responses, slander becomes instruction, wrath and malice become kindness and forgiveness.
Walk in love - 5: 1 -6:
Love of God, first, following Christ's example of obedience, and love for each other, behaving as saints; crude and impure behavior not only dishonors God but it is an offense to the body.
Walk in light - 5: 7 - 14
Walking in the light brings about what is good, right and true; it enables us to discern what is pleasing to God. Light exposes deeds of darkness, which forces a decision point. One cannot continue in darkness of ignorance once something has been brought to light.
Do we wake and rise from the darkness into the light...or pull the covers over our head and roll away from that light?
Will we choose to walk worthy of the calling?
Now that Paul has established that the Gentile believers are included in God's promises, he begins his instructions as to the responsibilities of being in the family. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, he writes in 4:1, then goes on to explain what that entails...
Walk in unity and peace - 4:1-7:
One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all and in all.
One, one, one, one...all, all, all, all.
No room here for division, 'us and them', 'we and you'. It's all 'us', it's all 'we'.
Walk in works of ministry - 4:8-16:
We tend to think that the gifts God gave are apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, teaching, pastoring...and there are places where some are mentioned as gifts of the Spirit. But the gifts of grace mentioned in this passage are not abilities, they are people.
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
And these people are given to the body of Christ to equip the saints...the individuals in the body...for works of the ministry. And, as the body functions and each person performs his/her ministry, the body as a whole matures, we all move towards unity.
Not because the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are doing the work of the ministry, but because each individual is doing the work of the ministry.
Take a selah moment and reflect on that just a bit. There's responsibility there.
Walk in transformation - 4:17- 31:
Paul reminds these folks -- and us-- of what it was like to live without Christ, and what changes take place as we follow Christ and grow in grace. Old stuff is put away, put off, laid down; renewal and transformation take root and grow. Habits change, reactions become godly responses, slander becomes instruction, wrath and malice become kindness and forgiveness.
Walk in love - 5: 1 -6:
Love of God, first, following Christ's example of obedience, and love for each other, behaving as saints; crude and impure behavior not only dishonors God but it is an offense to the body.
Walk in light - 5: 7 - 14
Walking in the light brings about what is good, right and true; it enables us to discern what is pleasing to God. Light exposes deeds of darkness, which forces a decision point. One cannot continue in darkness of ignorance once something has been brought to light.
Do we wake and rise from the darkness into the light...or pull the covers over our head and roll away from that light?
Will we choose to walk worthy of the calling?
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Ephesians Part 2, 2:11 - 3:21
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Having introduced the concept of a revealed mystery, Paul expounds on it, with some urgency.
In fact, he claims it is his special calling... (all scriptures today from the ESV)
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (3:8 - 10).
And look at his summation of that mystery:
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (3:6)
Paul has reminded them of what their life was like before they believed in Christ, in chapter 2:11 - 12, using words like 'separated' and 'alienated' and 'strangers', 'having no hope', before introducing the glorious grace word, 'But'.
'But now in Christ Jesus,' Paul says, things have changed. Jesus
1) has made both (Israel and Gentiles) one
2) has broken down the wall of hostility
3) has created in himself one new man instead of two
3) has made peace
4) has reconciled us both to God
5) has preached peace to those near and to those far
6) has granted access in one Spirit to the Father
7) is building all into one dwelling place for God
(2:13 - 22)
His prayer for the Gentiles is that they may be strengthened with his power through the Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts, that they would be rooted and grounded in love, and that they
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (3: 18 - 19)
Now, in teaching this to my girls, I emphasized to them the fact that we are included, in Christ, into the very family line of God, sharing in the inheritance, part of his kingdom.
But as I'm writing this out here, it has occurred to me that we, historically, have not walked in the unity that Paul so fervently preached. One group or the other has found reason to believe the other was excluded. And we have not seen the fulfillment of Paul's prayer, because we have not embraced the unity.
What do you suppose would happen if all the people of God grasped Paul's revelation?
History would change at that point.
Look again at 3:10... so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Maybe, just maybe, one of the expressed purposes of the church is to walk in exactly that unity...
Having introduced the concept of a revealed mystery, Paul expounds on it, with some urgency.
In fact, he claims it is his special calling... (all scriptures today from the ESV)
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (3:8 - 10).
And look at his summation of that mystery:
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (3:6)
Paul has reminded them of what their life was like before they believed in Christ, in chapter 2:11 - 12, using words like 'separated' and 'alienated' and 'strangers', 'having no hope', before introducing the glorious grace word, 'But'.
'But now in Christ Jesus,' Paul says, things have changed. Jesus
1) has made both (Israel and Gentiles) one
2) has broken down the wall of hostility
3) has created in himself one new man instead of two
3) has made peace
4) has reconciled us both to God
5) has preached peace to those near and to those far
6) has granted access in one Spirit to the Father
7) is building all into one dwelling place for God
(2:13 - 22)
His prayer for the Gentiles is that they may be strengthened with his power through the Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts, that they would be rooted and grounded in love, and that they
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (3: 18 - 19)
Now, in teaching this to my girls, I emphasized to them the fact that we are included, in Christ, into the very family line of God, sharing in the inheritance, part of his kingdom.
But as I'm writing this out here, it has occurred to me that we, historically, have not walked in the unity that Paul so fervently preached. One group or the other has found reason to believe the other was excluded. And we have not seen the fulfillment of Paul's prayer, because we have not embraced the unity.
What do you suppose would happen if all the people of God grasped Paul's revelation?
History would change at that point.
Look again at 3:10... so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Maybe, just maybe, one of the expressed purposes of the church is to walk in exactly that unity...
Friday, July 18, 2014
Just the Facts, Ma'am
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
And, in a very late meeting after all activities on our last night, they also learned what is coming in the future for Girls Ministry at church. Now that the girls have heard, and I have emailed their parents, I thought I would explain what the shifting transition that has been so much in the forefront of my prayer and seeking time has been.
We have had a reorganization of sorts that began last year with the shift of 6th graders from the Children's Ministry to the Youth Ministry; early this year, Girls Ministry came under the umbrella of our Women's Ministry, where it truly belongs.
As part of the shift, there has been a decision to revise and relaunch our ministry program to girls. The new program will kick off after our Girls Ministry Advancement on Aug. 6, and there will be details about the exciting things they will be doing at that service.
However, this program will only go through 5th grade, and at this time there are no plans to continue a girls ministry-type program for girls in grades 6 and up; they are encouraged to attend and become fully involved in our youth ministry program.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to hang out with the young ladies in the Friends and Girls Only clubs; they have truly blessed me and kept me on my toes. They will forever be part of my heart and in my prayers.
Just returned from a great week at State Girls Camp; the seven girls
who went conquered their fear and rode the zip line across the lake, knocked
pool balls into the carpet ball pit, discovered that 'blob' can be a
verb, shot out of the end of the Wet Willy slide, paddleboated, made
new friends, learned that 'za' is a word in Scrabble, and heard some
powerful teaching on their identity in Christ from some amazing ladies.
And, in a very late meeting after all activities on our last night, they also learned what is coming in the future for Girls Ministry at church. Now that the girls have heard, and I have emailed their parents, I thought I would explain what the shifting transition that has been so much in the forefront of my prayer and seeking time has been.
We have had a reorganization of sorts that began last year with the shift of 6th graders from the Children's Ministry to the Youth Ministry; early this year, Girls Ministry came under the umbrella of our Women's Ministry, where it truly belongs.
As part of the shift, there has been a decision to revise and relaunch our ministry program to girls. The new program will kick off after our Girls Ministry Advancement on Aug. 6, and there will be details about the exciting things they will be doing at that service.
However, this program will only go through 5th grade, and at this time there are no plans to continue a girls ministry-type program for girls in grades 6 and up; they are encouraged to attend and become fully involved in our youth ministry program.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to hang out with the young ladies in the Friends and Girls Only clubs; they have truly blessed me and kept me on my toes. They will forever be part of my heart and in my prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)