Hello everyone. I don't have a quiet time to post today because quite honestly, I haven't been doing them as I should. It's been a struggle for me ever since I became a disciple to have quiet times every morning. Even more so now in my junior year of college, it's so difficult to put my focus on God everyday when there's fifty billion different things I have on my mind to do. Yes, I realize how important it is to spend time with God. I realize that my spiritual life is supplimented by this, but what's missing is that connection with reality for me.
I think of God and he seems like some distant entity despite that I know he's omnipresent and always near, I don't comprehend it...or more like, my mind and body don't connect it as real. I suppose it'll take a lot of prayer to change that, so I ask that you do pray for me. I've asked God for some understanding before, but I think that I really don't want it because it scares the living daylights out of me.
On top of that, I'm torn on the path my life should take (career wise). I'm in art school, but I've always been more of a performer and now I'm thinking I'd rather do that instead. But I've already invested 2 years in this place. There's also the disapproval of my family too, which weighs pretty heavy on me, although I know I should just do what's best for me regardless.
So, there is much going on with your sister. Any advice or scriptures that you might have for me, please do give them. Thanks.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
NEW QT Roster starting 10/23
Thanks again to everyone who has shared their wonderful quiet times with the group. We definitely want to make sure that this web log doesn't die out over time and in an attempt to prevent that, the updated roster is below ;)
Theresa- October 23
Kayonne - October 30
Aisha- November 6
Mary- November 13
Eboni- Novemner 20
Chevonne- November 27
Denise- December 4
Dion- December 11
Olamide- December 18
If you will not be able to post when its your turn, please let me know in advance so someone else can replace you.
Have a great day!!!
-Aisha
Theresa- October 23
Kayonne - October 30
Aisha- November 6
Mary- November 13
Eboni- Novemner 20
Chevonne- November 27
Denise- December 4
Dion- December 11
Olamide- December 18
If you will not be able to post when its your turn, please let me know in advance so someone else can replace you.
Have a great day!!!
-Aisha
Monday, August 28, 2006
Be Content
Let's imagine for a moment. Your life is pretty good. You have a job, a place to live, food to eat, and clothes on your back. Your friends are in the same place in life as you, and you're all feeling good about life. Then one day, some of your friends get promoted to a better position. The next day, some of them find boyfriends. Before you now it, they're all in upper management positions, married, and able to afford just about anything they want. However, you haven't gone anywhere. You still have the same job, same home, same food, and same clothes.
So how do you feel? What's your first response? All too often it's to complain to God.
Numbers 11: 1-15
Here you can see the Israelites weren't content in all the LORD had blessed them with. They weren't grateful that they were no longer slaves, and more than that, God's chosen people to stand apart from all other peoples. No, even though they had manna from heaven coming down everyday to meet their hunger needs, they weren't satisfied. They were free, but they complained about having to live and wander in a desert. God answered their cries for deliverance, but they wanted to just march right back into their enslavement for something as insignificant as the type of food they would eat.
How many times are we the same way? We have all the things we need, our lives are a thousand times better here in America than other peoples in third world countries, we can practice our faith freely without fear of being killed, but we still find things to complain about.
And sisters, it's very possible (as Doug said yesterday) that there won't be a knight in shining armor, or a prince on a white horse to come and sweep you away into a fairytale someday. Will you still be joyful in the LORD and love him all your life if he tells you "no"?
Be SO thankful that Jesus died for us. It's only because he atoned for our sins and much like Moses, speaks on our behalf to God, that we don't feel the wrath and anger of God on us because of our complaining. Thank the LORD for Jesus, the sin filter! (Hahaha, I had to put that in.)
So I challenge you all to just be grateful for every blessing you have. And just to give you a range, the fact that you're breathing right now is a blessing. That you have eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth to experience the world God made for you. That you have family and/or friends around you. That the sun still rises everyday and sets every night. That God loves you so much more than you could ever know or imagine.
Therefore, be content.
So how do you feel? What's your first response? All too often it's to complain to God.
Numbers 11: 1-15
Here you can see the Israelites weren't content in all the LORD had blessed them with. They weren't grateful that they were no longer slaves, and more than that, God's chosen people to stand apart from all other peoples. No, even though they had manna from heaven coming down everyday to meet their hunger needs, they weren't satisfied. They were free, but they complained about having to live and wander in a desert. God answered their cries for deliverance, but they wanted to just march right back into their enslavement for something as insignificant as the type of food they would eat.
How many times are we the same way? We have all the things we need, our lives are a thousand times better here in America than other peoples in third world countries, we can practice our faith freely without fear of being killed, but we still find things to complain about.
And sisters, it's very possible (as Doug said yesterday) that there won't be a knight in shining armor, or a prince on a white horse to come and sweep you away into a fairytale someday. Will you still be joyful in the LORD and love him all your life if he tells you "no"?
Be SO thankful that Jesus died for us. It's only because he atoned for our sins and much like Moses, speaks on our behalf to God, that we don't feel the wrath and anger of God on us because of our complaining. Thank the LORD for Jesus, the sin filter! (Hahaha, I had to put that in.)
So I challenge you all to just be grateful for every blessing you have. And just to give you a range, the fact that you're breathing right now is a blessing. That you have eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth to experience the world God made for you. That you have family and/or friends around you. That the sun still rises everyday and sets every night. That God loves you so much more than you could ever know or imagine.
Therefore, be content.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Growing through Temptation (Part I)
I know this is not my week to post. but if I don't post this now I may never actually do so. Sorry about my tardiness...with God's help I'm working on it.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. - Galatians 5:22-23
You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair - Martin Luther
I've been reading the "Purpose Driven Life" for a while now, and it has really been teaching me and showing me some very good things about God, and what a right relationship with Him means, and what I can do to have that right relationship grow and be more...right. My reading has, admittedly, been going in an on and off fashion primarily because I have some organisation and self control/discipline issues that I have been working on (not beating up on myself, simply stating a fact. a fact that with God's help is becoming less factual daily).
But anyway. Today's reading (Day 26) was called "Growing through Temptation". It was very helpful and I'd like to share it with y'all. I'm not very disciplined when it comes to writing (note my previous QT draft that's been sitting unfinished for weeks now), so I will very likely be posting this in an unorthodox fashion - piece by piece. Every time I sit down to write I'll post what I have even if it's not finished until I eventually do finish. That way at least something will have been posted, because otherwise what I'm learning might never see the light of day. I realise this might be frustrating...I'll try to keep it coherent - please bear with me in my weakness :). Here we go:
The author starts off by noting that:
- Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. I've not necessarily really ever thought about it that way - I usually view temptation as an opportunity to fall. But he's right...with every temptation we are in fact being given the opportunity to mould our characters to becme more like God. However, like physical and emotional maturity, spiritual maturity doesn't come over night - it comes slowly. Fruit doesn't ripen in a matter of minutes or even days. I'm a perfectionist, and oftentimes I can beat up on myself alot when my character doesn't immediately change in the ways that I want it to. When I can't just will myself to automatically have the fruits of the Spirit that the Galatians verses refer to. Impatience with myself won't produce the fruit of patience, I know that for me it only produces feelings of worthlessness. And that makes me want to stop trying. And I believe that that's the exact opposite of what it is that God wants and has planned for us. Because He Himself said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt 11:28-29). I have been approaching this all wrong (breathe in, breathe out, be free). This concept of the attaining of maturity not being an overnight process is one that has been important for me to realise.
- God develops the fruit of the Spirit by allowing us to to be tempted to express the quality that is the exact opposite of that fruit that is to be developed (God never tempts us, see James1:13). We're really given the chance to develop patience not so much on a clear strip of highway, but instead when we're stuck in a traffic jam and we're already late for work.
- We can't really claim to be good if we've never really been tempted to do bad (I learned this when I went to college and realised that I wasn't actually strong in certain areas, it was just that I had never really had to struggle against them before. In fact, my response to temptation showed me that I was actually quite weak in them. But I believe that in allowing me to face those temptations God allowed me to learn about myself. I then had the choice of whether or not to do something about my weaknesses). Every time we defeat a temptation we become more like Jesus, because in standing strong in the face of that temptation, we have allowed a fruit of the Spirit to be developed. Temptation in fact allows us an opportunity to grow! Isn't that so maddeningly counter intuitive?!? I love it!!! God's ways are not like man's ways for sure. This has also given me a whole new appreciation for James 1: 2-4 " Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
So temptation simply provides us with a choice, and the fortitude that we gain from making the right choice in the face of opposition moulds us to become more like our Saviour. Consider it pure joy....Amazing.
To be continued...
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. - Galatians 5:22-23
You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair - Martin Luther
I've been reading the "Purpose Driven Life" for a while now, and it has really been teaching me and showing me some very good things about God, and what a right relationship with Him means, and what I can do to have that right relationship grow and be more...right. My reading has, admittedly, been going in an on and off fashion primarily because I have some organisation and self control/discipline issues that I have been working on (not beating up on myself, simply stating a fact. a fact that with God's help is becoming less factual daily).
But anyway. Today's reading (Day 26) was called "Growing through Temptation". It was very helpful and I'd like to share it with y'all. I'm not very disciplined when it comes to writing (note my previous QT draft that's been sitting unfinished for weeks now), so I will very likely be posting this in an unorthodox fashion - piece by piece. Every time I sit down to write I'll post what I have even if it's not finished until I eventually do finish. That way at least something will have been posted, because otherwise what I'm learning might never see the light of day. I realise this might be frustrating...I'll try to keep it coherent - please bear with me in my weakness :). Here we go:
The author starts off by noting that:
- Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. I've not necessarily really ever thought about it that way - I usually view temptation as an opportunity to fall. But he's right...with every temptation we are in fact being given the opportunity to mould our characters to becme more like God. However, like physical and emotional maturity, spiritual maturity doesn't come over night - it comes slowly. Fruit doesn't ripen in a matter of minutes or even days. I'm a perfectionist, and oftentimes I can beat up on myself alot when my character doesn't immediately change in the ways that I want it to. When I can't just will myself to automatically have the fruits of the Spirit that the Galatians verses refer to. Impatience with myself won't produce the fruit of patience, I know that for me it only produces feelings of worthlessness. And that makes me want to stop trying. And I believe that that's the exact opposite of what it is that God wants and has planned for us. Because He Himself said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt 11:28-29). I have been approaching this all wrong (breathe in, breathe out, be free). This concept of the attaining of maturity not being an overnight process is one that has been important for me to realise.
- God develops the fruit of the Spirit by allowing us to to be tempted to express the quality that is the exact opposite of that fruit that is to be developed (God never tempts us, see James1:13). We're really given the chance to develop patience not so much on a clear strip of highway, but instead when we're stuck in a traffic jam and we're already late for work.
- We can't really claim to be good if we've never really been tempted to do bad (I learned this when I went to college and realised that I wasn't actually strong in certain areas, it was just that I had never really had to struggle against them before. In fact, my response to temptation showed me that I was actually quite weak in them. But I believe that in allowing me to face those temptations God allowed me to learn about myself. I then had the choice of whether or not to do something about my weaknesses). Every time we defeat a temptation we become more like Jesus, because in standing strong in the face of that temptation, we have allowed a fruit of the Spirit to be developed. Temptation in fact allows us an opportunity to grow! Isn't that so maddeningly counter intuitive?!? I love it!!! God's ways are not like man's ways for sure. This has also given me a whole new appreciation for James 1: 2-4 " Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
So temptation simply provides us with a choice, and the fortitude that we gain from making the right choice in the face of opposition moulds us to become more like our Saviour. Consider it pure joy....Amazing.
To be continued...
Monday, August 14, 2006
My Martha Syndrome
This past week has been quite stressful for me. In addition to leading the campus ministry, my job (which is usually pretty carefree) was quite tiresome, and there were some family issues that let’s just say I didn’t handle quite well because I just ignored them.
Anyhow, if you know me, then you know I sometimes suffer from Martha-syndrome. I think it is hereditary. The name of the syndrome, as you may or may not know, is coined from this amazing story in Luke 10:38-42.
Luke 10: 38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Jesus tells Martha something so profound in vs 41. He says “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” I think the one thing that Martha needed, Jesus himself, was standing right in front of her, but she let the worries of this world keep her from focusing on him.
I, like Martha, always have to be doing something. I don't think that’s the problem at all. I think we should keep ourselves busy as we strive to make each day count for Christ, because as the saying goes, an idle man is the devil's workshop. The problem, however, is that what has suffered as a result of having that disposition is my relationship with God. Rushed prayers, unfinished books, and unfinished Bible studies begin to surface and in the end I'm left with lackluster quiet times and even more stress. Impatience and just flat ungodliness comes out in my relationship with people and I miss what’s most important- Christ! The question I had to ask myself was- Am I really going after what is needed? Or am I concentrating so much on things that can be taken away like Martha did?
This weekend, a sister shared something with me that really renewed my mind and is the tool I will use to fight my Martha syndrome. It's a basic thing, but something that I take for granted so often- Prayer. Deep, meaningful, soul-searching, honest-to-goodness prayer.
The example she gave was Jesus. Jesus lived a very demanding life. His average day could consist of something like Luke 8: 22-56, where in one day he calms a storm, heals a demon possessed man, raises a girl from the dead and heals a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. That sounds pretty demanding to me. Yet, he handled that day and many other days peacefully and with such poise. The only time we ever see Jesus in anguish, sweating drops of blood, and overwhelmed is before he went to the cross and that was in his PRAYER.
With my Martha syndrome, I've been stressing over life and not focusing enough on my prayer. Jesus fought in his prayers! He fought in his spirituality- we see it in his early morning getaways to pray, in fasting for 40 days and being tempted. He fought using prayer and the word of God and this enabled him to live a life of peace in the midst of the busy lifestyle that he lived. Sometimes I fight the wrong battle. What I've learned is that in order for me to live a life of peace like Jesus did, I have to fight in my prayers. As I learn to fight Satan in my prayers, I think I'll be cured of my Martha syndrome. And if the Son sets me free, well, I'm free indeed :)( John 8:36).
Additional Scriptures worth noting:
Isaiah 28: 11-13
Very well then with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”- but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do and Do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there- so that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured.
- Let's not fall into the trap of “do and do” and miss experiencing that intimacy with our relationship with God
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
- God promises peace to those who trust him, so why worry and add more stress?
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
-As we go after seeking God first, the peace will inevitably come.
Can you tell I like Isaiah? Anyways, last but not least
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
-Aisha
Anyhow, if you know me, then you know I sometimes suffer from Martha-syndrome. I think it is hereditary. The name of the syndrome, as you may or may not know, is coined from this amazing story in Luke 10:38-42.
Luke 10: 38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Jesus tells Martha something so profound in vs 41. He says “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” I think the one thing that Martha needed, Jesus himself, was standing right in front of her, but she let the worries of this world keep her from focusing on him.
I, like Martha, always have to be doing something. I don't think that’s the problem at all. I think we should keep ourselves busy as we strive to make each day count for Christ, because as the saying goes, an idle man is the devil's workshop. The problem, however, is that what has suffered as a result of having that disposition is my relationship with God. Rushed prayers, unfinished books, and unfinished Bible studies begin to surface and in the end I'm left with lackluster quiet times and even more stress. Impatience and just flat ungodliness comes out in my relationship with people and I miss what’s most important- Christ! The question I had to ask myself was- Am I really going after what is needed? Or am I concentrating so much on things that can be taken away like Martha did?
This weekend, a sister shared something with me that really renewed my mind and is the tool I will use to fight my Martha syndrome. It's a basic thing, but something that I take for granted so often- Prayer. Deep, meaningful, soul-searching, honest-to-goodness prayer.
The example she gave was Jesus. Jesus lived a very demanding life. His average day could consist of something like Luke 8: 22-56, where in one day he calms a storm, heals a demon possessed man, raises a girl from the dead and heals a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. That sounds pretty demanding to me. Yet, he handled that day and many other days peacefully and with such poise. The only time we ever see Jesus in anguish, sweating drops of blood, and overwhelmed is before he went to the cross and that was in his PRAYER.
With my Martha syndrome, I've been stressing over life and not focusing enough on my prayer. Jesus fought in his prayers! He fought in his spirituality- we see it in his early morning getaways to pray, in fasting for 40 days and being tempted. He fought using prayer and the word of God and this enabled him to live a life of peace in the midst of the busy lifestyle that he lived. Sometimes I fight the wrong battle. What I've learned is that in order for me to live a life of peace like Jesus did, I have to fight in my prayers. As I learn to fight Satan in my prayers, I think I'll be cured of my Martha syndrome. And if the Son sets me free, well, I'm free indeed :)( John 8:36).
Additional Scriptures worth noting:
Isaiah 28: 11-13
Very well then with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”- but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do and Do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there- so that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured.
- Let's not fall into the trap of “do and do” and miss experiencing that intimacy with our relationship with God
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
- God promises peace to those who trust him, so why worry and add more stress?
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
-As we go after seeking God first, the peace will inevitably come.
Can you tell I like Isaiah? Anyways, last but not least
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
-Aisha
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
New Quiet Time Roster
First off, I would like to thank you all for participating in this. I've learned so much already! I think there are many more sisters who would be interested in joining the blog, so spread the word and encourage the sisters you know to send me an e-mail at aisha.lem@gmail.com to join. Hey, the more the merrier :) I also want to encourage everyone to set their blog account to receive updates at your e-mail address. It lets me know when there is a new post so that I can keep track of what's going on.
Below is the new roster:
Kayonne - August 7
Aisha- August 14
Mary- August 21
Theresa- August 28
Eboni- September 4
Chevonne- September 11
Denise- September 18
Dion- September 25
Olamide- October 2
Have a great day!
Below is the new roster:
Kayonne - August 7
Aisha- August 14
Mary- August 21
Theresa- August 28
Eboni- September 4
Chevonne- September 11
Denise- September 18
Dion- September 25
Olamide- October 2
Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Changing the World
Wooooow. Beachstock was AMAZING! I think we all learned a lot from the lessons and just interacting and growing in relationships with each other. One thing that inspired me to really push forward in my art (films/animation) is what Dinesh and Caroline George both touched on: we are the ones who can change this world. So thinking about that, I looked through my helpful book, "God's Promises: for every day" and found a section on what we could do to influence our world.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
We are the hope for the world! We are responsible for what we see wrong. We have to pray and have faith in God's power to change it through us. I've struggled with being afraid of saying I'm a Christian sometimes, but this scripture tells me that by doing that, I'm denying someone the light of hope and just leaving them blind. And just like people put their trophies in a glass case or hang up their diplomas and awards, we should be the same way about living our lives for Jesus. Whenever I do something for God, I can always imagine the smile on his face as he looks at me. Just knowing he's happy about what I've done pushes me on to keep walking this path. In short, we should stand apart from the world. We should look, feel, sound, maybe even smell different than the world. Adonai li, lo ira. Mah ya'aseh li adam? The Lord is with me, I'm not afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:5-9)
Other scriptures to read:
Daniel 12:3
Mark 16:15-20
Acts 1:8
Luke 4:18
God will gives us the strength and courage if we ask for it, and he'll show us the right path to follow, so have no fear and go make a difference in someone's life!
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
We are the hope for the world! We are responsible for what we see wrong. We have to pray and have faith in God's power to change it through us. I've struggled with being afraid of saying I'm a Christian sometimes, but this scripture tells me that by doing that, I'm denying someone the light of hope and just leaving them blind. And just like people put their trophies in a glass case or hang up their diplomas and awards, we should be the same way about living our lives for Jesus. Whenever I do something for God, I can always imagine the smile on his face as he looks at me. Just knowing he's happy about what I've done pushes me on to keep walking this path. In short, we should stand apart from the world. We should look, feel, sound, maybe even smell different than the world. Adonai li, lo ira. Mah ya'aseh li adam? The Lord is with me, I'm not afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:5-9)
Other scriptures to read:
Daniel 12:3
Mark 16:15-20
Acts 1:8
Luke 4:18
God will gives us the strength and courage if we ask for it, and he'll show us the right path to follow, so have no fear and go make a difference in someone's life!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
From Water to Wine
I'm actually stealing Mary K's Quiet Time hehe...she shared John 2:1-11 with me yesterday and I had some thoughts about it and decided to study it a little further and that's what I'm reading this morning.
John 2:1-11 Jesus Changes Water to Wine
This was the start of Jesus' ministry. The miracle took place in Cana in Galilee. Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jersusalem, most of his ministry took place in Galilee. So the setting is that they are at a wedding that everyone was invited to, so I'm assuming they were good friends with the people getting married. The party goes on and they run out of wine. Mary summons Jesus and when he is good and ready he turns the water there into wine and the banquet continues. This was the first miracle and disciples put their faith in him.
Well, I thought more about the concept of changing water to wine and a couple things jumped out at me. I asked myself what would I rather have at my wedding-water or wine? Seems like a no-brainer! The only thing that would hinder me from choosing wine is the cost. Although the wine tastes so much better...it's so much more expensive. I can get water for free! (if I want that Fiji water I might have to shell out a buck or two..but anyways..) In terms of being a Christian I thought- there is a cost to count when becoming a Christian- for me it is persecution, heartbreak (in the world I could care less if people around me were saved, but now man, my heart just aches sometimes!), tears, pain, etc BUT being a Christian to me is just like that wine. It's so much sweeter! I wouldn't give up wine for water anyday, even if I could get it everywhere for free! I feel that way about my relationship w/ God! I don't want to settle for what the world has to offer no matter what the cost because it's worth it!
The second thing I thought about was the fact that what Jesus did for me on the cross was like changing water to wine. If I were to do a taste test of water and wine, it would be easy to distinguish the two. I could smell them and know the difference. I could see them and know the difference. I could taste them and definitely know they were different. God took me, the bland, ordinary water and turned me into wine. He took a timid, people pleassing, insecure, heart-broken me and gave me a spirit of power, love and self-discipline! And the difference is tangible. I see the difference in my life. Not only that, other people see the difference and it's not because of anything that I did, but because of the gift he gave me, which brings me to the last thing that stood out to me.
The only way that the water became wine was through the power of Jesus Christ. The water didn't sit and ferment or something. Someone didn't pour some Kool-Aid mix in the joint. It was Jesus' power that transformed it. I'm realizing that I am no different from the murderer, prostitute, or homosexual offender by nature. The only thing that seperates me is the gift of God that I have accepted. Not the fact that I repented of my sins, not the fact that I share the gospel, but the grace of God that enables me to do those things through the power of the cross. That humbles me.
Jesus turned my water into wine and he did it in his time. Today I'm thinking of all the situations in my life that are like water that I want to be wine. My Mom becoming a Christian, getting married...someday, being in the ministry.. .These are some of my dreams that can seem so unattainable sometimes, but I look at the water to wine story and think man, God CAN make those things happen, but he will do it in his time and just like the story, he could very well be saving the best for last.
Love,
Aisha
John 2:1-11 Jesus Changes Water to Wine
This was the start of Jesus' ministry. The miracle took place in Cana in Galilee. Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jersusalem, most of his ministry took place in Galilee. So the setting is that they are at a wedding that everyone was invited to, so I'm assuming they were good friends with the people getting married. The party goes on and they run out of wine. Mary summons Jesus and when he is good and ready he turns the water there into wine and the banquet continues. This was the first miracle and disciples put their faith in him.
Well, I thought more about the concept of changing water to wine and a couple things jumped out at me. I asked myself what would I rather have at my wedding-water or wine? Seems like a no-brainer! The only thing that would hinder me from choosing wine is the cost. Although the wine tastes so much better...it's so much more expensive. I can get water for free! (if I want that Fiji water I might have to shell out a buck or two..but anyways..) In terms of being a Christian I thought- there is a cost to count when becoming a Christian- for me it is persecution, heartbreak (in the world I could care less if people around me were saved, but now man, my heart just aches sometimes!), tears, pain, etc BUT being a Christian to me is just like that wine. It's so much sweeter! I wouldn't give up wine for water anyday, even if I could get it everywhere for free! I feel that way about my relationship w/ God! I don't want to settle for what the world has to offer no matter what the cost because it's worth it!
The second thing I thought about was the fact that what Jesus did for me on the cross was like changing water to wine. If I were to do a taste test of water and wine, it would be easy to distinguish the two. I could smell them and know the difference. I could see them and know the difference. I could taste them and definitely know they were different. God took me, the bland, ordinary water and turned me into wine. He took a timid, people pleassing, insecure, heart-broken me and gave me a spirit of power, love and self-discipline! And the difference is tangible. I see the difference in my life. Not only that, other people see the difference and it's not because of anything that I did, but because of the gift he gave me, which brings me to the last thing that stood out to me.
The only way that the water became wine was through the power of Jesus Christ. The water didn't sit and ferment or something. Someone didn't pour some Kool-Aid mix in the joint. It was Jesus' power that transformed it. I'm realizing that I am no different from the murderer, prostitute, or homosexual offender by nature. The only thing that seperates me is the gift of God that I have accepted. Not the fact that I repented of my sins, not the fact that I share the gospel, but the grace of God that enables me to do those things through the power of the cross. That humbles me.
Jesus turned my water into wine and he did it in his time. Today I'm thinking of all the situations in my life that are like water that I want to be wine. My Mom becoming a Christian, getting married...someday, being in the ministry.. .These are some of my dreams that can seem so unattainable sometimes, but I look at the water to wine story and think man, God CAN make those things happen, but he will do it in his time and just like the story, he could very well be saving the best for last.
Love,
Aisha
Quiet Time Roster
Hey Ladies,
I'm glad to see that so far there are several people that want to join! I'm trying to invite as many people on here as possible as hopefully this will take off and be istrumental in helping us learn more about God and his word.
The plan, like it was stated in the e-mail, is to have one person post their Quiet Time to the site every week. It would be ideal if we started on a Monday, with someone posting what they are learning that weekend or the Monday morning. Then, during the week, we would all post our thoughts or comments, if any.
There are five of us registered right now and hopefully more people will join. I have created a roster that starts last Monday through the month of June. Since we have some people now, we can go ahead and get this thing moving. As more people join, we can add them to the roster. Depending on how many people eventually join, the schedule could be changed to having posts made twice a week instead of weekly. For now, the schedule is as follows:
June 26-> Chevonne
July 3-> Denise
July 10-> Dion
July 17-> Chelsea
July 24-> Sara
July 31-> Olamide
* This coming Monday many of us will be at Beachstock, so I moved that date to the 30th, which is a Tuesday
I will be posting my QT shortly....
I'm glad to see that so far there are several people that want to join! I'm trying to invite as many people on here as possible as hopefully this will take off and be istrumental in helping us learn more about God and his word.
The plan, like it was stated in the e-mail, is to have one person post their Quiet Time to the site every week. It would be ideal if we started on a Monday, with someone posting what they are learning that weekend or the Monday morning. Then, during the week, we would all post our thoughts or comments, if any.
There are five of us registered right now and hopefully more people will join. I have created a roster that starts last Monday through the month of June. Since we have some people now, we can go ahead and get this thing moving. As more people join, we can add them to the roster. Depending on how many people eventually join, the schedule could be changed to having posts made twice a week instead of weekly. For now, the schedule is as follows:
June 26-> Chevonne
July 3-> Denise
July 10-> Dion
July 17-> Chelsea
July 24-> Sara
July 31-> Olamide
* This coming Monday many of us will be at Beachstock, so I moved that date to the 30th, which is a Tuesday
I will be posting my QT shortly....
Monday, May 22, 2006
Welcome Everyone
Hey everybody!
I'm glad you all decided to join. Feel free to play around with things and familiarize yourselves with the site. I look forward to posting the QT roster soon and sharing our thoughts. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Aisha
I'm glad you all decided to join. Feel free to play around with things and familiarize yourselves with the site. I look forward to posting the QT roster soon and sharing our thoughts. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Aisha
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