A few weeks ago I had watched the final episode of Oprah. I hadn't really watched her show in years but I thought it would be cool to watch the final one. If you watched it, you know she talked about a circle of influence and how we all have one and maybe ours isn't a stage and an audience like hers but that we can all make a difference where we are.
More recently, I started thinking about this as I heard that the new Miss USA used to live in Manalapan. I started thinking about whether or not she was a believer and if maybe someone from our church family could have been someone in her circle of influence while living amongst us. What if we had worked with her, lived in her neighborhood, went to the same grocery store, worked out at same gym, etc.? What if we had been given the opportunity to plant a seed in her life or water a seed that had already been planted? What if she had given her life to the Lord (not saying that she hasn't as I have no idea)? Her circle of influence is now HUGE.
Another thought that hit me as I was thinking about this is the saying about Six Degrees of Separation. Could this be true and if so, is our life making an impact for God's kingdom much further than we could ever imagine? My parents are in full-time ministry in Princeton and have been for almost 35 years. They work with mostly international students that have come to Princeton for a graduate program at Princeton University or other schools in the area. These students were basically a nobody studying here but many were shown the love of Christ and many have given their lives to the Lord. Many have returned to their own countries (some to take leadership roles in their own country) and now the circle of influence is getting bigger.
Right now, my parents have taken probably their first ever trip to the Far East to visit former students that they had met while they were studying here in Princeton. They are visiting countries like Taiwan, Japan & China. Some of these countries where it is very difficult for missionaries to go but they heard about Jesus here in the US. I think that is amazing!
My question is are we making a difference in the lives of those around us? Are we showing people the love of God? We have no idea how this could impact their lives or the lives of many that we may never met.
On another note, I have recently started the "No Other Gods" bible study with the women of Tuesday Morning Bible Study. It has really been convicting me to look at my own life and see if the God that I worship is really, truly the God that I am serving. I have found areas of my own life that I really need to examine and work on because they have become my god. I know that God has something special in store for all of us ladies that are on this journey together. I can't believe that I am already on to the second week of homework.....I wanted to make sure that first I would get through the homework in the time allotted but I really wanted to take my time as well to let the words really sink in. I can't wait to hear what God has been speaking to each of the ladies about during this study.
So, I have two words for all of you - MAKE ROOM!!!!!! For God that is! I know that I need to do that for myself. I understand that life can get crazy and out of control especially with babies and toddlers but we have got to make room for God in our lives and we need to set our hearts and minds on him instead of the many things of this world that tend to distract us.
Be encouraged!
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)/MOMSnext @ MWC
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Men Want Respect
Do you agree or disagree?
If you were in church today, you know that Pastor Ken preached a message on "Men Want Respect". The message was taken from two passages in the scripture, Eph. 5:33 and 1 Peter 3:1-2.
Ephesian 5:33 - However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
As the service was over, I ran in to a friend who asked a question about what is the definition of respect. I took it upon myself to look it up this evening and have included some definitions of respect from an online dictionary below:
Respect:
If you were in church today, you know that Pastor Ken preached a message on "Men Want Respect". The message was taken from two passages in the scripture, Eph. 5:33 and 1 Peter 3:1-2.
Ephesian 5:33 - However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
As the service was over, I ran in to a friend who asked a question about what is the definition of respect. I took it upon myself to look it up this evening and have included some definitions of respect from an online dictionary below:
Respect:
- esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability
- deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment
- the condition of being esteemed or honored
- favor or partiality.
- to show regard or consideration for
So ladies, the question I have for you is does respect have to be earned or should we respect the men in our lives no matter what? Biblically, there is no question that we must respect men (especially our husbands) no matter what. I realize that for some this can be easier said than done. However, if we do not than we are being disobedient to what the Bible says.
Some of you attended the marriage seminar at church recently or have read the book "Love and Respect". Are you applying these principles to your daily walk with God and in relationships with all men in your life?
Some of the ways that Pastor Ken mentioned that we can show men respect are as follows:
1. Tell them you respect them and why
2. Ask for their opinions
3. Honor and support them publicly, disagree privately
4. Thank them for working to support the family
5. If married, let them lead
6. Don't nag
7. Listen
8. Cheer their successes and good decisions
9. Minimize their bad decisions
10. Do activities together
11. If married, be physically intimate
12. If you want a solution, let a man fix the problem
13. Respect God
The one thing that I would add to this is pray for the men in your life (especially your husband). This is very important. It is not enough to love them and respect them but pray for them!
For some of you ladies hurting out there and not feeling loved especially from the men in your life or maybe they have betrayed you in some way, I am sure that it will be difficult to show them respect but I am praying for you! We cannot change our husbands, only God can! However, we can change ourselves and be obedient to what God is telling us and I would encourage you ladies to evaluate your own life as hard as it may be. God will give you the strength!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Doers, Not Hearers Only
MOPS Retreat - Friday, 6/3/11
"Doers, Not Hearers Only"
My prayer is that you come away from this weekend forever changed. It is great to have a retreat and we are glad to be here but if we leave here the same as when we arrived, then we might as well go home right now. The Lord wants to meet each one of us but we have to come to meet him. He is waiting on us!
The verses that God gave me for tonight but really for the whole weekend is James 1:21-25 and speaks to being a doer, not a hearer only. The scripture talks about looking at ourselves in the mirror and walking away and forgetting what we look like. The question is, whose reflection do you see in the mirror? Better yet, whose reflection do people see when they look at you.
I heard a message recently called "Living Inside Out". The question is, are we truly living inside out. Think of a shirt inside out, you see the tag. You see the manufacturer's name. You see if it is 60% polyester or 100% pure. You see the seams. When people look at us do they see our natural resemblance or our spiritual resemblance.
My prayer is that you fall more and more in love with Jesus each day! My prayer is that people will see Jesus in you and that you are living inside out. My prayer is that you be a doer of his Word, not just a hearer!
"Doers, Not Hearers Only"
My prayer is that you come away from this weekend forever changed. It is great to have a retreat and we are glad to be here but if we leave here the same as when we arrived, then we might as well go home right now. The Lord wants to meet each one of us but we have to come to meet him. He is waiting on us!
The verses that God gave me for tonight but really for the whole weekend is James 1:21-25 and speaks to being a doer, not a hearer only. The scripture talks about looking at ourselves in the mirror and walking away and forgetting what we look like. The question is, whose reflection do you see in the mirror? Better yet, whose reflection do people see when they look at you.
I heard a message recently called "Living Inside Out". The question is, are we truly living inside out. Think of a shirt inside out, you see the tag. You see the manufacturer's name. You see if it is 60% polyester or 100% pure. You see the seams. When people look at us do they see our natural resemblance or our spiritual resemblance.
My prayer is that you fall more and more in love with Jesus each day! My prayer is that people will see Jesus in you and that you are living inside out. My prayer is that you be a doer of his Word, not just a hearer!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Our Retreat
Thank you ladies for an awesome time this past weekend! It was great to learn about God together, chat, hang out at the beach or walk the boardwalk and LAUGH!!!!!! I was truly blessed to be a part of such an awesome group of women! Thanks also to Pastor Grace for all of her wonderful cooking....I had fun learning how to make empanadas.....the secret is out now!
One of the songs that God had put on my heart for this weekend was a favorite of Pastor Joe McCain and it is called "Falling in Love with Jesus". My hope and prayer is that each woman fell more in love with Jesus this weekend!
One of the songs that God had put on my heart for this weekend was a favorite of Pastor Joe McCain and it is called "Falling in Love with Jesus". My hope and prayer is that each woman fell more in love with Jesus this weekend!
More thoughts to come later! Feel free to comment what this weekend meant to you.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Beautiful Day
This morning as I drove to a client site in Princeton, I felt a strong urge to not worry about my radio that was not playing music for some reason and just enjoy the quiet. It is very rare that I take that time in the car to just be quiet...that solitutude time! It is hard to find quiet time with three kids so I took advantage of this time. As I drove, I began to look around and really notice my surroundings and even though there was a lot of traffic that isn't what I was noticing. I was looking up in the sky and saw that the sky was a beautiful blue and I couldn't see a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful morning and a big change from last evening's storm clouds! I had to take some time to just breathe it all in and stand in awe of God's creation! He is so awesome and is a great painter and artist! If I had the radio on, I don't think I would have taken the time to really soak in his presence. The other day, I was at Women's Bible Study at church and we watched a video called "Measureless Love" by Beth Moore. She spoke about the fullness of God spoke about in Eph. 3. Beth mentioned that the annointing is the measure and the overflowing of the fullness of God. How many times have tears come to our eyes and we don't even know why we are crying? I really believe it is like the measuring cup that Beth spoke about that has been filled by the presence of God and now it was overflowing as I drove! I am so looking forward to going away with a bunch of mommy friends this weekend for our MOPS Retreat....Ocean Grove hear we come! I am looking forward to being in God's creation and soaking in his presence and partaking in the fullness of God! Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking care of all three kids! I am truly blessed beyond words!!!!!
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