Happenings

Kudos to Annika and Andrea leading the prayer talk yesterday! 10 out of 10 on the stepping up scale. Double Whoot!

So that I don’t get overwhelmed with our coolness, I thought I’d write down all the ideas we’ve had and upcoming events, etc. Consider this a one-stop-shop for Bamboozlers info! Oh, and I think it would be awesome if you all make these your own by taking charge of organizing one (and Lydia and I can’t do everything…). Let me know if there’s any of these you want to claim.

Prayer Cont’d

Soooo yes… I’m not certain what is going through my head this morning- except that I need to go for a run, and yet I find myself in my workout clothes sitting in front of the comp.. It’s a beautiful day outside too! Aww- well, it’ll happen sooner or later.
Did you all figure out a day for baking goodness?? I have a somewhat crazy week coming up, but if I can squeeze it in, I most definitely will.
I have to say that I’ve been loving our dg this year!! It has felt very REAL and I’m LOVING getting to know you girls!! I only wish we could see each other more… At least next semester hopefully I will be able to stay for the whole time…
For all you ONLINERS… I say that we should start some deep convos on this thing! I was thinking about the prayer talk we had on friday (ps- a big shout out to Annika and Andrea for doing the study!) What were the five prayers??
1. God, break me.
2. God, search me.
3. God, send me.
4. God, stretch me.
5. God, use me.
I wish I could have been there for the rest of the study… But, one thing that I was thinking about is that God promises to do all of this anyway… He desperatly wants us in relationship with Him, so to do that He searches, stretches, breaks, sends and uses whether we give Him permission or not. I was told once that you don’t have to ASK for what God has already promised us- it is more fitting when receiving a gift to RECOGNIZE it as a gift, and GIVE THANKS for it- rather than asking for it while it is being given to you. The example given was “why do you ASK God to be here, when he has PROMISED to never leave you or forsake you??!!” But, that being said- I think God cherishes it when we ask according to what He plans to do- ASKING IN HIS WILL… I don’t think God is angry or annoyed when we make a statement (recognizing) a question (asking)- but I DO think that He wants us to claim what He has already said (he IS with us) … and in this case, to claim that He has control over us, and to PRESENT a WILLING PLIABLE heart to God in TRUST that when he breaks us, HE WILL pick up the pieces!! That is FAITH in action. But, like you guys said on friday, these are really tough, HARD things to ask God to do… All of them involve SACRIFICE on our part, PAIN on our part- and often feelings of LONILESS and CONFUSION along with that. These are such HARD prayers to pray… I often find myself only half-heartedly wanting to pray them… It’s like you were saying Annika, about having to choose between comfort and sacrifice. I find myself on a daily basis being confronted with that… “Do I really need to buy this top?? But it is soo cute!!” or “Do I really need to stay up late to talk with God?- I’m soooo tired!!” or “do I really need to make-up with my sister??- I’m sooo angry with her!”… It’s interesting though, because COMFORT isn’t the enemy- God desires GOOD things for us… comfort is actually a really wonderful gift! But we tend to fall back on it wayyyy too much- Shying aways from pain is instinctual.   It seems like it is the finest of lines that only God can see… HE determines what is right for us at each time in our lives, and when sacrifice produces the most good…. I can only come back to the fact that He appreciates even a half-hearted willingness- and He can use that.. and eventually He will produce MORE genuine willingness in us. He is IN CONTROL. and HE will gently shape us- even if that means He must STRETCH, BREAK, SEARCH, SEND and USE us.

Looking Forward

Hey gang!

I’m totally looking forward to the next few weeks! This week Lydia and I will be leading again since Andrea and Annika can’t do their prayer study till next week. I was thinking of looking at the tongue. Now stick out your tongue and stare dowdwards…I said look downwards…you’re not looking!

Hehe, I’m in a silly mood. Okay, so seriously I’ve been finding a lot of verses lately that basically say: the tongue is a restless evil and no man can tame it. Lydia, does this sound good to you? This is the verse I’m thinking of using:

James 3:6-12The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? (Matt 7:18&19 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them (prophets))? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Also, I’m hoping that we can start organizing times that we can meet up throughout the week to go out sharing. I think sharing with other bamboozlers will help us get to know more about each other. Remind me about it on friday.

I’m so glad most of you came out to Impact on friday! That was fun! I hope that you can all start coming out to the party afterwards too. This week I’ll be taking some pics of people for Winter Con advertizing. It’s gonna be a hoot. If you girls want I can let you be in charge of some of the advertising.

 And before I go to class I just wanted to clarify with you all: if you ever need to talk to me you are VERY welcome to call my cell. I have it on all night next to my pillow in case you need to talk. And if I don’t answer at any time just leave me a fun message and I’ll try my best to get back to you as soon as I hear it.

 That’s all for now!

-Zoe