Tuesday, February 9, 2010
relocate
Please visit my other two blogs. This blog is now outdated and I'm attempting to eliminate it. www.nationministrie.blogspot.com and www.beautyinbusiness.blogspot.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
It Takes A Child
This book is dedicated to all the adults in the world who need to be reminded of the influence of children.
Preface
Children have had a tremendous impact on the world. Throughout history, children have accomplished incredible feats. In my own neighborhood, children are at work.
My neighbors were not saved as far as I could tell. Two sets of neighbors looked like they were regularly involved with drug use. One of the men served a jail sentence.
Things didn’t look too good. A few years ago my roomate and I invited some of the kids into the house as we looked over a fundraising catalog from their school. One of my friends, Jim, was over.
Now, you have to know, there’s no other way to look at Jim than to say Jim is an evangelist. He asked if the children knew the Lord Jesus. Between him, my roommate and me, we led the children to the Lord.
A little while later, the children from these two households started lining up for the church bus on Sunday mornings. It was absolutely beautiful to see them going to church together. This went on for quite some time.
Just two weeks ago I saw the parents from one of these households up and ready to go to church. My husband and I noticed because we were headed to church.
It really does take a child.
...the beginning of a book dedicated to the children who've made history.
Preface
Children have had a tremendous impact on the world. Throughout history, children have accomplished incredible feats. In my own neighborhood, children are at work.
My neighbors were not saved as far as I could tell. Two sets of neighbors looked like they were regularly involved with drug use. One of the men served a jail sentence.
Things didn’t look too good. A few years ago my roomate and I invited some of the kids into the house as we looked over a fundraising catalog from their school. One of my friends, Jim, was over.
Now, you have to know, there’s no other way to look at Jim than to say Jim is an evangelist. He asked if the children knew the Lord Jesus. Between him, my roommate and me, we led the children to the Lord.
A little while later, the children from these two households started lining up for the church bus on Sunday mornings. It was absolutely beautiful to see them going to church together. This went on for quite some time.
Just two weeks ago I saw the parents from one of these households up and ready to go to church. My husband and I noticed because we were headed to church.
It really does take a child.
...the beginning of a book dedicated to the children who've made history.
Spiritual Abuse Interview
If you would like to participate in a book I will be writing on various forms of abuse, you are welcome to. You may use a pen name, or a real name.
This particular form of abuse is Spiritual Abuse. What have you experienced?
This portion in the book is not made to condemn those who have abused, rather to let the church see. We are all human and we make mistakes. However, we need to learn, and not hurt our own sheep and lambs. Isn't this right?
Have you ever experienced Spiritual Abuse?
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen p.20
“Spiritual abuse is the mistreatment of a person who is in need of help, support or greater spiritual empowerment, with the result of weakening, undermining or decreasing that person’s spiritual empowerment.”
1- Who was abusive? Father, mother, brother, friend, church, pastor, counselor-examples
2- In brief, can you describe a scenario?
3- Did this/these things happen often or repeatedly?
4- Was your walk with God or view of the Lord and Who He is affected? How?
5. Today, do you think the abusive person/people have changed for the better? Do you feel you can rely on or trust in this person/people?
This particular form of abuse is Spiritual Abuse. What have you experienced?
This portion in the book is not made to condemn those who have abused, rather to let the church see. We are all human and we make mistakes. However, we need to learn, and not hurt our own sheep and lambs. Isn't this right?
Have you ever experienced Spiritual Abuse?
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen p.20
“Spiritual abuse is the mistreatment of a person who is in need of help, support or greater spiritual empowerment, with the result of weakening, undermining or decreasing that person’s spiritual empowerment.”
1- Who was abusive? Father, mother, brother, friend, church, pastor, counselor-examples
2- In brief, can you describe a scenario?
3- Did this/these things happen often or repeatedly?
4- Was your walk with God or view of the Lord and Who He is affected? How?
5. Today, do you think the abusive person/people have changed for the better? Do you feel you can rely on or trust in this person/people?
The Pharoahs
Exodus 8:20 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and confront Pharoah as he goes to the water and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”
People in the USA are often bound up with weights of finances, hectic schedules, and a lack of energy. They start out with education that places them in debt. They work full time and overtime. They started out with energy, but end up with schedules that are overbooked. People are often spread insanely thin.
Jehovah, our Provider, wants to free His people from the Pharoah of heavy bondages, so that we may be free to worship. Worry, stress, and shame are all Pharoahs many battle each and every day.
How many times when you are in worship, do you find your mind wandering to what is going on after the service? How many times do you find yourself thinking about things that you need to do or people you need to call? How many times do you find yourself getting distracted from true worship?
The Pharoahs in life are stubborn. They do not bend or give up.
Exodus 8:19 (NIV) The magicians said to Pharoah, ‘This is the finger of God.’ But Pharoah’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said.
Even though many, even those who are yet unsaved, may realize that God’s work is evident, Pharoah will not bend. Pharoah is one stubborn character. So the question comes up, what is your Pharoah?
What will not bend in your life to give God His rightful position? What is so stubborn that it steals all your energy and joy?
Even serving too much can be a Pharoah. God may have called you to teach Sunday School, but not to teach that other Wednesday night class. He may have called you to write music, but not to be the worship leader.
Hearing from God requires time with Him. It also requires seeking after peace.
I Peter 3:10-11 For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”
Questions to Ask Myself
Am I growing in the Lord?
Do I have peace in your life regarding ministry endeavors?
Do my family members witness my joy and peace?
Do I have peace regarding being in the job God has me in for now?
Destiny Raines 2007
People in the USA are often bound up with weights of finances, hectic schedules, and a lack of energy. They start out with education that places them in debt. They work full time and overtime. They started out with energy, but end up with schedules that are overbooked. People are often spread insanely thin.
Jehovah, our Provider, wants to free His people from the Pharoah of heavy bondages, so that we may be free to worship. Worry, stress, and shame are all Pharoahs many battle each and every day.
How many times when you are in worship, do you find your mind wandering to what is going on after the service? How many times do you find yourself thinking about things that you need to do or people you need to call? How many times do you find yourself getting distracted from true worship?
The Pharoahs in life are stubborn. They do not bend or give up.
Exodus 8:19 (NIV) The magicians said to Pharoah, ‘This is the finger of God.’ But Pharoah’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said.
Even though many, even those who are yet unsaved, may realize that God’s work is evident, Pharoah will not bend. Pharoah is one stubborn character. So the question comes up, what is your Pharoah?
What will not bend in your life to give God His rightful position? What is so stubborn that it steals all your energy and joy?
Even serving too much can be a Pharoah. God may have called you to teach Sunday School, but not to teach that other Wednesday night class. He may have called you to write music, but not to be the worship leader.
Hearing from God requires time with Him. It also requires seeking after peace.
I Peter 3:10-11 For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”
Questions to Ask Myself
Am I growing in the Lord?
Do I have peace in your life regarding ministry endeavors?
Do my family members witness my joy and peace?
Do I have peace regarding being in the job God has me in for now?
Destiny Raines 2007
Topic: Rebellious Children
Dealing with rebellious children is always challenging. So many parents are terrible to themselves, blaming themselves for things they have no control over. I’m not saying parents should not be careful; I’m simply painting a scenario.
Many, many years ago, an angel named Lucifer decided he wasn’t satisfied with living in the goodness of God. All he had known was the presence of God, but that wasn’t enough for him. He decided he wanted to be like God. (See Isaiah 14:12-15) He took a third of the angels with him.
I figure God’s presence is the absolute best thing that could happen to anyone, including an angel. If angels can rebel after living in a perfect environment, how much more can children rebel in this fallen world? Parents can do everything in a motive of love and their children may still rebel.
My conclusion is this: If you have three children, it’s likely at least one will challenge you, even if he/she is an angel. If Satan could take one third of the angels after living in such a beautiful place, how much more can he deceive our children?
We can trust the Lord and lean on Him for the welfare and ultimate salvation of our children. "Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13 (American Standard Version)
Written by Destiny Raines in 2007
Many, many years ago, an angel named Lucifer decided he wasn’t satisfied with living in the goodness of God. All he had known was the presence of God, but that wasn’t enough for him. He decided he wanted to be like God. (See Isaiah 14:12-15) He took a third of the angels with him.
I figure God’s presence is the absolute best thing that could happen to anyone, including an angel. If angels can rebel after living in a perfect environment, how much more can children rebel in this fallen world? Parents can do everything in a motive of love and their children may still rebel.
My conclusion is this: If you have three children, it’s likely at least one will challenge you, even if he/she is an angel. If Satan could take one third of the angels after living in such a beautiful place, how much more can he deceive our children?
We can trust the Lord and lean on Him for the welfare and ultimate salvation of our children. "Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13 (American Standard Version)
Written by Destiny Raines in 2007
Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Here is one free option for doing a Spiritual Gifts Assessment:
http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/download.htm
http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/download.htm
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Spiritual Gifts
My home church is having everyone do a spiritual gifts assessment called FINDING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS, Wagner-Modified Houts Questionnaire. It would be beneficial, I believe, for every believer to take this. Why?
If you are a thumb, you don't want to be doing footwork.
My Dominant Giftings are:
1- Exhortation "the special ability that God gives... to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.
2- Prophecy "the ability that God gives... to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance."
3- Wisdom "the... ability that God gives... to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ."
My Subordinate Giftings are:
1- Hospitality "the... ability that God gives... to provide an open house and a warm welcome to those in need of food and lodging."
2- Intercession "the... ability that God gives... to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers, to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian."
3- Missionary and Giving (tied)
"the... ability... God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness."
"the... ability that God gives... to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture."
Guess what my lowest score was in? The gift of Celibacy. Yeah, go figure.
What are your giftings? I'd like to hear.
If you are a thumb, you don't want to be doing footwork.
My Dominant Giftings are:
1- Exhortation "the special ability that God gives... to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.
2- Prophecy "the ability that God gives... to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance."
3- Wisdom "the... ability that God gives... to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ."
My Subordinate Giftings are:
1- Hospitality "the... ability that God gives... to provide an open house and a warm welcome to those in need of food and lodging."
2- Intercession "the... ability that God gives... to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers, to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian."
3- Missionary and Giving (tied)
"the... ability... God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness."
"the... ability that God gives... to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture."
Guess what my lowest score was in? The gift of Celibacy. Yeah, go figure.
What are your giftings? I'd like to hear.
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