When Life doesn't work out like you planned - Part 2

This is the 4th lesson in the On-line bible study " I Am" so you don't have to be. I am throughly enjoying my time doing it. Today I also finished my 6th or 7th Beth Moore Bible Study "Jesus the One and Only". It was great finishing it right before Christmas! We ended at his glorious Ascension!!! Here are the discussion questions for the online study:

Discussion Questions:
1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?) I guess the only thing I can think of right off the bat is raising my kids. The struggles that come that I think will never happen. We have struggled alot with our oldest and his impulse control. I'm glad for the lessons I've learned through these times though.

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain. I have reacted in may different ways through this time. Not all of them good. God has changed me through them. I'm no longer baffled I know he holds the future, no matter what it holds.

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling? There are times now I feel that. Then I have to put it in perspective and remember that I am not following man, but running hard after God. He is the only one that matters. If he is still calling me to this position then I need to ride out the rough times.

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free. Several years ago I had a real issue with someone. I gave it to God and now we are friends, not best friends, but I love this person as a sibling in Christ.

5. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself? Keeping my eyes on Christ as much as I can, and trusting Him to forgive me when I fail.

Another Great Giveaway!

I love these ladies that have little giveaway's on their blogs! It is alot of fun to enter, and to see if I win. The funnies thing though is reading other peoples comments and seeing where they are from. Check out this blog for information:

http://sharonsquietreflections.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-first-giveaway.html

Lesson 3 - 'When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned' Part 1

Discussion Questions:
1. It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you "once, twice, three times a lady." Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you 'twice a lady'? Have you been born again spiritually? This may be a private matter you'd like to discuss confidentially. If so, email me. If you have already received this gift, write a brief prayer of thanksgiving or testimony. Dear Heavenly Father, I am so unbelievably thankful for the gift of Life you have given me! Not only eternity, but the many blessings you show me each day, her on earth. With all it's sin and darkness, your Light shines through! Love, your daughter, Kim.
2. Are you three times a lady? Has God given you a stirring deep within your Spirit to be a 'deliverer'? Do you have a desire or are you already meeting a need in the life of the church, a particular ministry (such as jail ministry, food ministry, etc.) or perhaps individuals who share common issues? God has given me an overwhelming passion for our children. To raise up strong, passionate disciples of Christ from birth. I am currently the Director of Children's Ministries at our church. This job can be overwhelming at times, but God continues to show me I am right where he wants me (for now). I so desire to do His will, no matter what, and I love seeing His power in my weakness!
3. Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something
worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?
I sometimes selfishly think he is using other's in a mighty way, or am I making an impact for Him. It all stems from my selfish pride. Oh how I long for the day that that sin is wiped from the face of the earth!!!!
4. What do you consider 'worthwhile ministry'? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?
Yep, see #3.
5. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here's a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response? Knowing some of you like I already do, I can almost pick out what your gift is before you say it. I can't wait to see if I'm right! I have before, but just took this one again. It surprised me, but doesn't surprise me, does that make sense. Her are my 2 biggest gifts God is using right now: Pastor/Shepherd and Showing Mercy. I loved how it explained the assessment and how it explained the gifts. It's worth taking.

Craft Fair 2007

Today was our 4th Annual Arts and Crafts fair at Lighthouse. We hold it to support the Women's Ministries at Lighthouse. For the past 3 years I have headed up the organization of it with the help of two wonderful people, Barb Boelens and Joanie Hodson. This year I have stepped back a step and allowed Joanie to take over my baby (you may not know how hard this is for me : - ) Each year it grows a little more. We have new crafters come, but we also have some old favorites that we have begun to build relationships with. Joanie and I got to church this morning at 6:00 am and left after 3:00 pm. It is a long, but fun day! I usually spend the rest of the evening sitting in my lazy boy with my feet up. This year I think was the best so far. We had a steady stream of people all day, only little lulls. Women's Ministries at Lighthouse are such a vital part of the ministry that it is always a pleasure to be a part of helping it. I know that I would not be where I am in my spiritual life, if not for the wonderful Bible studies that I have attended.

I also couldn't resist adding a picture of my little crafter. Every once in a while Bekah will knit hats. She is making them for babies at the Family Life Center here in town, and for the homeless. Hopefully this week her mother will get on the stick and take her down to Degage to give them some hats, and the $62.00 she has collected for them. She has a wonderful heart for people!

Have a wonderful evening! Enjoy the warmth of your home as it blows and snows outside! We have a wonderfully warm fire going right now, and our family is watching "Amazing Grace".

Lesson 2 - Beautiful to God!

Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?
Yeah right! I do love though how God gives the husband that special love for his wife, no matter what. I sure got blessed there!
Do you find you engage in a lot of negative 'self-talk'? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?
I definitely have done alot of negative "self-talk", then I feel bad that I do it! ARGH!!!!!! It consumes far to much of my thought life. I tend to obsess!
What is the most radical transformation you've witnessed in an individual after they were born again? It's okay to tell about your own!
A young girl that excepted Christ in our bible study last march. She has a hunger for the things of God. She too has a problem with feeling inferior because of past issues. We loved telling her what God thinks of her!
The imagery of being a City Girl has absolutely changed the way I perceive my worth before God. Does it yours? Will you receive this truth and let it boost your righteous confidence?
I honestly never thought of it that way. I will receive this truth and remind myself of it often.

2007 Staff Retreat

Just got back from a staff retreat for Church. I was a little nervous about going up just me and the 5 Machachos (?) but it was a great time of prayer and discussion, but mostly prayer. It was great being a part of it, and getting reacquainted with Paul. I didn't take any pictures of us, because I didn't want to disturb our time, but here are a few pictures from around Cran Hill Ranch. We sat with the couches surrounding the fireplace so it was nice and toasty. I also brought my fleece blanket, that kept me warm. Bekah would really love to go here in the summer because of the horses. They have built beautiful new cabins too, so she wouldn't be staying in the old dirty ones. We got to stay in the big stone house with the wonderful fireplace. There were deer all over the place, we saw a bunch of them last night on our way to dinner. I can't say I'm well rested, but what a great time of prayer we had!

Vander Helm Christmas Tree 2007

Today we got our Christmas tree. It didn't work this weekend because Steve was hunting so we needed to go after school today. It has been a tradition since Steve and I dated that we go out and cut down our own tree. When I was growing up we never had Christmas Trees so they are very special to me. I'm sorry to all you who love your fake trees, but for me real is where it's at, even if I am slightly allergic. The kids really get into it now. For a few years I wondered if it was ever going to take with them, but now they have caught the fever and enjoy it as much as Steve and I do. My favorite tree is the Frasier Fir. Its needles are soft (unlike the blue spruce OUCH!). When I was single I used to have a different tree every year. I mean I made ornaments for the whole tree. We still have them all but now as many get put on the tree any more. For those of you that know Brandon, ask him about the year he had to help me put my tree back up after it fell over from the weight of my ornaments that year. It and I were not a pretty sight when he arrived. He was most gracious though, helped me with my tree and then we had a nice talked afterwards. Our trees always mean so much to me, they are a big part of our Christmas tradition. That makes me think of a question. What are some of your family traditions? I am very sentimental, and I like alot of traditions. On Christmas morning we always read Luke 2 before opening presents. The tree is a big deal! I buy the kids a new ornament every year. I made an advent wreath a few years ago, and through the month of December it is used in our dinner time devotions. Oh yeah, we all love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra so we listen to that quite a bit during this time of year!

Have a great night! Can't wait to see some of your responses.