Living Proof Live Pictures

Travis Cottrell has posted the Louisville LPL pictures on his blog - The TCM blog, traviscottrellministries.blogspot.com. Check it out.
Let me know if any of you are in the pictures.
I recognized my friend, Amy Allen, who is the facilitator for my Bible study home group in Anchorage. She is in a picture praying with a woman.

Living Proof Live

To the ladies that were blessed to attend the Louisville "Living Proof Live" event (and simulcast):
Please, for those of us who could not attend, post how things went. I want details, details and more details.
Thanks!
Cheri

Beth's Message #4 - Week Five, Question One

It's been a whirlwind since we left Saturday for Destin. The place where we are staying is supposed to have WiFi, but it was spotty, and basically nonexistent. So, in order to have the Internet, I have to hang out in my brother/sister in law's room to be able to hook up directly to the modem (sorry Derek and Sherri :-)
I am copy/pasting in order to get the discussion questions posted tonight.
Love you all! Will post again later!
Cheri

1. Take a look at the bottom of p.103, starting with the question, “What word in Numbers 11:4 (NIV) is used to describe their desire for meat?” Discuss a number of specific ways craving something is different from wanting it. While you’re at it, continue a discussion Melissa and I started on a walk a few nights ago. We were talking about how you can tell you’re getting out of control with something when you start trying to be secretive about it. What do you think?

Beth's Message #4 - Week Five, Question Two

Being Lazy and Pasting the Discussion Questions:

Take a look at the top of p.108 under “Personal Reflection.” I loved this line of discussion starting with this question: “Have you ever tasted or brought back fruit from a future promise that had not been fully realized?” Discuss that whole first paragraph.

Beth's Message #4 - Week Six

Hi Ladies,
I am in Destin this week and the Internet has been spotty, so I am going to be lazy and copy/paste the discussion questions. I haven't seen Beth's video yet (when I wrote this, it hadn't been posted yet), so if there is further clarification, I will include that later.

From Week Six:3. Turn to p.125 and reread (one of you aloud to the group) the excerpt Kelly included by Charles Spurgeon. What are a few things we often try to do rather than refer our doubts straight to God? Then, read John 2:1-5 and note how Mary approached the pressing problem. As you conclude today’s gathering, have a brief time of prayer, letting those that feel comfortable praying out loud simply state their need or problem to God in one statement, something like this: “Lord, there is no more _____________________.” Or, “Lord, I am ____________________________.” Then simply tell Him that you’re trusting Him to do something about it. Try to resist fretting over it this week but keep watching for Him to turn some water into wine.

Have you read The Shack??

Hey Girls,
Well, I was on vacation last week and I have fallen behind in my homework for NOGs. I am trying to catch up. However, while I was on my trip I read the book, The Shack. Have any of you read it??? How about you LifeWay bookstore girls???
I wasn't quite sure what to think about it. I found it wild and weird, yet wonderful all at the same time.
I would love to hear from you all on this one.
By the way, I am coming to the Living Proof event in Louisville on Friday. Who else will be there?? Where can I find you?
Amy

Lifeway Visit

Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with our Kentucky Siestas that work at Lifeway - Connie, Karen and Katie (along with a few of their great co-workers)! Believe it or not, yesterday was my first visit to the store. Crazy isn't it? I've lived in Louisville all of my life, but haven't shopped there. We used to have a Christian bookstore a couple of miles from my house, but it closed (leaving us Southwest Jeffersonians with no bookstore, secular or Christian; no "better" clothing store; no mall within 15 plus miles....wah! wah! wah!).
Anyway, it was so good to put a face with the names of these wonderful ladies that I have grown to know and love! And I left with 42 dollars worth of merchandise and I wanted to buy so much more! I bought the trade book "No Other Gods" suggested by Karen, and I am halfway through it - it's a good narrative that adds to the Bible study.
Southeast Christian is gearing up for Living Proof event. I would love to be here, but I will be on the white beaches of Destin (and so will Yvonne's family). I know that everyone that attends will be blessed! FYI: Southeast Christian was requesting their home group to park in three remote parking areas and shuttle over. I'm sure that leaving early for the event each day would be good advice :-)

Be Strict With Me

No other gods is very convicting. It is changing my life and making me see things more clearly. So many times my focus is off and I am distracted by so much that my mind is not upon my Lord. I want so desperately to put him first and live my life for him, knowing He is all that matters and it's really all about him and reaching others for the kingdom of Heaven.

Be Strict With Me
By: Michelle Adams

Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O Lord; and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Not too long ago I was listening to a teaching CD by Beth Moore and I heard her tell how she began in her early thirties asking God to be strict with her. The Lord spoke to my heart that I too needed to pray that prayer. I didn’t want to; the thought of asking Him to be strict with me was frightening. Needless to say I haven’t been praying for that.

Last night I picked up my Bible and read Psalms 24-28 and when I came to this verse I was convicted. The Lord reminded of the night He had told me to ask Him to be strict with me. Again I honestly don’t want to do that I know I should because that would be obedience but it scares me.

I within myself am the most undisciplined person I know. My house is a wreck of clutter and nothing is ever in the right place. Most of the time I can’t even find what I am looking for. I have never followed a schedule. I have never been a morning person and for a long time now God has dealt with me to get up early and spend time with Him before starting my day. I have yet to accomplish that.

This morning I overslept so I woke up in a bad mood. This is a regular occurrence at my house. I rush to get ready for work and I rush out the door. While I’m driving to work I am putting in my earrings and applying lipstick so I am distracted. Usually after I sit down at my desk and am still for a moment I feel conviction because I haven’t spoken to my Heavenly Father yet.

Today as I was getting ready the Lord said, “if only you would obey my voice I would cause you to have victory.” I knew what He meant. God kept telling me, “if you do it my way, pray what I tell you to pray, obey my voice; discipline yourself I will work out all the rest.” I thought Lord I come home in the evenings and I spend time with you, some days I don’t turn my TV on at all. I pray and I study your word from the time I get home until the time I go to bed. This was no excuse and no great accomplishment. In fact the Lord let me know the reason I do that is because I have starved myself all day. It’s time for balance, it’s time to take up my cross daily and not nightly.

I have come to the conclusion that it’s time to walk in obedience and have whole-hearted dedication. I need to make up my mind that I will do things His way and not my own. I can’t make up for my morning neglect in the evenings. Yes, this was hard to swallow and yes it will be difficult to get in the habit of getting up earlier and having that time in the morning but for me that’s what God is calling me to. I am humbled by this truth but it’s time to confront it and make the necessary changes.

Father please forgive me for my disobedience for trying to do things my own way. I’m asking you now to please be strict with me. Examine me, search me, and try my intentions, my motives and the very intent of my heart. I want to do things your way and allow you to teach me to walk uprightly before you. Help me to step out and pray as you lead even when I am afraid. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

True Forgiveness

True Forgiveness
By: Michelle Adams

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I think we sometimes forget how much God loves us and how faithful He is to us. We all mess up and make mistakes but when we do we can confess our sins and be restored to right standing with God.
I would never condone sin and I don't believe in intentional, willful, repeated sin. That's not what I'm talking about here. We all have sinned the verses before and after this one tells us this is true.
What I think we often do is fall under guilt and condemnation. We find it impossible to forgive ourselves and we doubt that God will forgive us. This scripture tells us this is not true, if we confess He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.
I have made some big mistakes in my life and I have sinned against God. I have fallen under guilt and condemnation. I did not apply the scripture to the reality of my life. I kept thinking about what I had done wrong. I did not really believe God had forgiven me and cleansed me of unrighteousness. There are some sins I have confessed over and over and over again. Why is that necessary if I confessed and received forgiveness? That's the trouble we don't receive our forgiveness.
Here's what God has taught me, it's really very simple. I did some crazy things growing up, and I did not always obey or honor my parents. I am reminded of an incident in my childhood as I meditate on this scripture.
I was nine years old, my mother made me take a bath and get dressed on a Saturday afternoon because our pastor and his wife were coming for dinner. Across the road from our house was a pond the city had just filled in to build the new water plant. My parents told me repeatedly not to go over there I would sink in the mud.
My parents became occupied with their company and I was outside playing. I went across the road and walked a short distance then I begin to sink in the mud. I couldn't get out, I was stuck and I just kept sinking. I was in mud up to my waist when one of the kids I was playing with ran to get my dad.
Dad came running to rescue me and with him was my mother, the pastor and his wife. There was no getting out of this one. Daddy grabbed me by my arms and pulled me up out of the mud. I had done wrong, I had sinned by being disobedient but my dad loved me so much he came and got me.
This was a big deal at the time, my mother was hysterical standing there watching this. I remember feeling relieved when I saw my dad. I knew that despite what I had done daddy would help me. My parents already knew what I had done, they saw me sinking. They never justified my actions, but they forgave me and pulled me out of circumstances I brought on myself.
If my earthly parents love me that much, how much more does my Heavenly Father love me? Once my dad pulled me out of that mud, he took me back home but I couldn't enter the house with the mud still on me. I had to stop outside on the porch and take off my muddy clothes before going in. I was embarrassed and afraid of what they might do to me once I did enter. Isn't that how we think? God may have delivered me but I'm sure to suffer for this. You will reap what you sow there's no doubt about that. However, once you rid yourself of sin through confession to Christ you are cleansed of unrighteousness and restored to right standing with your Heavenly Father. You are free from the bondage of sin. Beloved when you confessed you took your muddy clothes off at the door of repentance you are now clean.
Believe God is faithful and just to forgive you. Believe that you are cleansed from all unrighteousness. You are now in right standing with your Heavenly Father. Don't allow the enemy to lie to you. God loves you and He doesn't want you to feel guilty for the rest of your life.
Do you think I find it necessary to apologize to my parents and seek their forgiveness all these years later? No, absolutely not. In fact I have only asked their forgiveness one time. The day it happened, I made things right. I confessed my disobedience, I apologized for the grief I had caused them and we moved forward....God has also moved forward. Whatever you have already confessed is already forgiven. Stand on that, know that is true and you simply keep running this race to the finish line.

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are faithful and just to forgive me when I confess my sin. Thank you for cleansing me from all unrighteousness. Help me to keep this word fresh in my heart so that I won't become my own worst enemy living with haunting thoughts of past sins. Teach me to believe you and take you at your word for it is impossible for you to lie.
Top of Form

An interesting exercise

Hey Ladies!

I wanted to add one discussion point to Beth's wonderful questions. I found it really helpful last night while I was doing the last lesson in Session 4 to meditate on Colossians 3:1-17 and write down three things that really struck me. I thought it would be neat, in addition to Beth's question, if we could all share our three things. I am interested to see what particularly spoke to each of you in this passage.

Prayer Request

Hi everyone!

First, I wanted to let you know that Mary Burnett went to be with Jesus last week. Katie had posted July 5th asking us to pray for Mary and her family who are friends of Katie's parents. The Courier Journal and WAVE news had covered a graduation ceremony for Mary's daughters held at the hospital (they will graduate officially next year).

Please pray for Mary's husband Doug, and her daughters, Ashley and Brittany during this time of loss. Rejoice for Mary - she finished before us and therefore "got there first"!

On another minuscule note, I need prayer regarding my gastrointestinal system. I'm not going to go into yucky detail, but I have had problems since I had my gallbladder removed January, 2007. I am going to make a doctor's appointment today to see my internist. This problem is not life threatening by no means, just annoying.

Praying for you all! If you have specific prayer requests, either put them on the blog or email if you wish.

God Bless!

Cheri

Beth's Message # 3: True, but not the Truth

Beth has posted our discussion questions for sessions three and four.
(I guess the wellness tip this week was "quit giving mixed messages to your hair, you hair-etic!" :-)

I also decided to post the questions in the opposite order, so that the first appears newest on the blog page and the last is oldest. I hope that this is better in terms of chronological order.

NOG - p. 62
"Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the truth!"
Has Satan ever told you something true, but it wasn't the truth?

Beth's Message # 3: Holding On to the Edge of the Envelope

NOG - p. 66.
King Hezekiah and the attack on his faith.

Streams in the Desert - p. 168.
“Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.”
What envelope have you been most prone to hold the edge of?

Beth's Message # 3: People - Gods

NOG - p. 76.
"Because relationships are so necessary - as I believe God created them to be - the line can get awful fuzzy between codependent and healthy, deep friendships."

Philippians 1:9-10
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ" (NKJV)
How can these two Scriptures become a huge help to us in finding the balance between loving people and idolizing them?

Beth writes:
"We shared some examples from our personal lives of idolatrous relationships that, with God’s intervention, actually transitioned into healthy relationships. These transitions are often rare because the relationship was fed by the idolatry and often can’t exist without it."
Have any of you experienced one of those wonderful occasions when a relationship endured that positive transition? If so, share it!

Beth's Message # 3: Leah and Rachel Madness

NOG - pg. 87.
"Ponder Leah's desperation and write how this translates in your own life. (For example, when have you - or are you now - acting out of this kind of desperation?)"

What are a few costs of desperation that you yourself have paid? And what is the solution?

Beth's Message # 3: True, but not the Truth

Beth has posted our discussion questions for sessions three and four.
(I guess the theme this week was "Quit giving mixed messages to your hair, you hair-etic!" :-)
NOG - p. 62.
"Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the truth."

Has Satan ever told you something true, but it wasn't the truth?