Uniquely Made and Uniquely Placed

We have spent the last two weeks hearing great wisdom from Shelley Winkler about how we are uniquely made in the image of God to influence those around us.  We are told in the very beginning of the Bible that we are created in His image: "God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them." (Genesis 1:27 NLT)  From the first human to draw breath on this earth to you and I - God has created us all uniquely and placed us each in a space to influence those around us.

What is discipleship but living our lives in such a way that we reflect God, in whose image we were made, influencing those around us for the Kingdom?  Investing in someone - just loving them with the heart of Jesus - can be enough to inspire curiosity about the Lord in them.  By doing that we are his hands and feet, working to bring them closer to Jesus.

We have what it takes to be disciples; God ensured that we would have the tools by making us in His image.  He has imbued us with inner strength (whether we feel strong or not), emotional influence through our relationships, courage to overcome obstacles and stand fast in the face of adversity, the ability to nurture those around us and all of God's great creation, vision to see things as they could be, intuition to see beneath the surface of people and situations, a unique voice that stands out among the crowd, and the big picture view that allows us to help solve problems and recognize when things aren't as they should be.

All of these characteristics are pieces of the Father that he wanted uniquely reflected within each one of us in varying ways.  We each have our own, individual mix of these characteristics that together make up our identity.  That unique combination allows God to put us in the path of just the right people or situations to exert the needed influence to bring them closer to Him.  Does that mean that we are meant to disciple or influence everyone we encounter?  No.  Shelley also described who we are looking for - people of peace.

In Building a Discipling Culture it is described like this:
"The Person of Peace is someone God has prepared for that specific time.  It is no good trying to force open doors that God has not opened, and we must not be distracted so that we miss the doors he has opened... Our main job is to walk through life with our eyes open and our ears listening to the Spirit as he reveals to us the Person of Peace he has prepared." (Breen & Cockram Ch. 13)

We don't need to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of discipleship.  We don't have quotas, we aren't uniquely made or placed to walk alongside everyone this way.  God prepares us for the People of Peace that he puts in our path.  Are your eyes and ears open to the people God has uniquely prepared you to meet?

- Katrina K.

Made for Influence

Last week you were challenged to look for ways you saw your unique creation as a woman made in the image of God.  Are you encouraged by what you saw?  Are there areas you pray become strengthened?  We encourage you to keep searching;  look for them in your phone calls and texts, look for them in your interactions with strangers, look for them in your hopes, look for them in your fears, look for them in your parenting, in your relationships, in others, and give thanks.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

•Voice - unique as a woman and specific to you. It is a beacon of influence

•Courage - believe and act in responsibility

•Strength - Solid determination to see something, someone through

•Intuition - keen sense of discernment. You just know is your “knower”

•Emotional influence - sensitive ability to influence the heart, mind, or spirit of another

•Nurturer - care, comfort, heal, hold, lift up, and help small things/people become big

•Visionary - insight and foresight into what could be

This Week At Home . . .

1. Continue to study the women of the Bible passages from last week. 
2. Be alert this week to your consistent places you have contact with possible people of peace. 

• They like you. They are already asking for your time, asking for advice or prayer. 
• They Serve you. They ask to help you! 
• Hungry to grow in their walk. A learner, but NOT needy. 
• Listens to you. Want what you have. Willing to listen and apply what they are learning.

3.       Make a list of people of peace and pray daily for them for 30 days.

  "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."  Ephesians 2:10

In Him

 

You can see it in the glisten of a child’s innocent eye. The flicker of a candle flame.  Capture its beauty in the embrace of loved ones. In the tears of laughter. Observe its wonder in the miracle of a child being born. In the power of the sunrise and sunset. Marvel its existence in a dream. Experience its heartfelt longing for something more. Something different. Something new. 

HOPE.

And amidst its beauty and amazement hope seems so fleeting. Like grasping for that French fry that falls down the side of your seat in your car as you’re driving. Within the mundane of routines and monotony of laundry, phone calls, emails, paperwork, and even brushing your teeth, hope seems detached. Amongst the grind of fixing meals and boo boos, changing diapers, doing homework, sitting in the car line at school, and in attending lessons and sports practices hope seems aloof. And in the depths of anger, cancer, unforgiveness, crime, losing a job, addiction, rejection, and death hope seems illusory. Nonexistent. Absent. Lost. A deception of all that was desired. Dreamed about. Endeavored. Prayed for.  A rejection of all we should have. All that could be. 

HOPE.

The dictionary defines it as the “state which promotes the desire of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life or in the world at large.” No wonder we feel deceived, rejected, bitter, heartbroken, despair, and lost. Hoping in the outcome of events and circumstances leaves the results up to us. Places the burden upon our performance, accomplishment, motivation, wisdom, preparedness, strength, endurance, ingenuity, resourcefulness…OURSELVES. Not much to hope for there considering we are imperfect and broken. I recall Paul’s statement to the Romans “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 And on a more personal note, I witness among people I dearly love the unresolved and unexpressed grief over the death of a child affecting generations beyond his years, the sin of addiction, the unforgiveness of love unattained, and the bitter bleeding hearts locked in pride and buried in shame unwilling to see and unwilling to change. Hope unimagined. A myth. Nonexistent.

That is if I hope in myself. My actions. My words. My behavior. My feelings. Or hope in their actions. Their words. Their behavior. Their feelings. If I rely on my desire, I see no hope. If I trust in my circumstance or situation I discover hope lost. A heart broken over what could be. A deep sadness over the perceived victory of evil. But if I am honest with myself I am really feeling frustrated, discouraged, rejected, irritated and abandoned by hope. Hope displaced.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

 HOPE given. 

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25 

HOPE found. 

“In his name [Jesus] the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:22 

HOPE placed.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” Ephesians 1:18

HOPE revealed. 

“…we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10

HOPE explained.

“…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time…” Titus 1:2

HOPE discovered. Beyond ourselves. Hands open to the living God, who is the Savior of ALL people, releasing hope in our circumstance and events to the One who is all powerful and has authority over all of heaven and earth. To the One who came crashing into this world, leaving His throne in heaven to become a vulnerable baby to lead us back to our true Father. To a life lived fully. To the One who loved us so much He could not forget us nor forsake us and never will. To the One who laid down His life on His own accord to save us. To the One who promises eternal life with Him through Jesus Christ.  To the praise and glory of our God and Father.

HOPE attained. 

You can see HIM in the glisten of a child’s innocent eye. The flicker of a candle flame.  Capture HIS beauty in the embrace of loved ones. In the tears of laughter. Observe HIS wonder in the miracle of a child being born. In the power of the sunrise and sunset. Marvel HIS existence in a dream. Experience HIS heartfelt longing for something more. Something different. Something new. 

By Tami Ingalls

Holy Bible, New International Version

Prayer: Let’s keep each other warm!

Let’s look at some realities for all of us ladies that attend “Mother’s Together.”  There is snow, ice, and freezing cold wind outside!  That’s pretty much ALL we have in common.  Within every walk of life, there are ups and downs, peaks and valleys, and then there are the moments where everything seems to just be mundane, going through the motions. 

Writing about prayer is an honor, and every time I sit down to begin, I have to really wonder what you need to hear.  What you need to hear today, in this moment, in your moment.  Speaking to people who are suffering loss, tragedy, and illness, or celebrating new life, promotions at jobs, and a new house.  Those who have lived in their “new” house for years now, wait for their husbands to come home from their next shift, whether it is in flight for days, weeks, months, years, or hours.  I met a woman a few months ago, who has four children all under the age of four.  Her husband is away at war, fighting for our freedom.  He’s been away for years…and each time she visits, they have a new bundle of joy to welcome into the world.  ☺  How bittersweet that must be for her.  To finally be embraced by the love of her life, then to fly home with doctor visits by herself…to the birth and then the care taking of all four children who long for their daddy.  I pray for her a lot.  I have to be honest when I say that I cannot remember her name, but God does.  There are people all around us who need our prayers.  We can relate, because we need them as well.  How can we pray, unless we know what to pray?  The bible says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  Hosea 4:6  

My blog this week holds more questions than answers.  Where are you in your life?  What do you need?  Who can you ask for prayer, and share joys and sorrows with?  Jesus knows what to pray, yes.  It says in Romans 8:34 “…Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also praying for us…” I think that it’s awesome to know that he is praying.  I also think it’s awesome to know that we need each other.  Matthew 18:20, “ Where two or three people meet together in my name, I am there with them.”

When you search the word “Pray” at biblegateway.com, it comes up with 424 results.  I believe that means it’s important, don’t you?  Our prayers are important, but let us take a moment to listen to this scripture that hits home for us in Psalm 35:13, “But when they were sick, I put on black clothes. I made myself low by going without food. My prayers for them weren’t always answered.”

Our prayers aren’t always answered.  But that doesn’t mean we just quit.  Take a moment to sit still and think of moments in your life where there was definitely an answer to prayer.  Write it down, and share it with your table.  Let’s do this together…we need encouragement right now.  It’s cold outside!  

- Jennifer G.

Identity: Made for Influence

Scripture this Week: Genesis 1:27

God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them. - NLT

We have a unique identity as women. We were created differently than men. We were created differently for divine purpose. Both men and women represent who God in character and nature. We are going to take notice this week how, as women, we are uniquely designed in the likeness of our Creator and Father God. Just like when a daughter looks and acts just like her mother or father. We see, feel, think, and respond like God our Father. Through the unique design of being a woman we have specific and special ways of influencing those around us. Whether you are aware or not. Whether you want to be or not, you are influential. It is critical that we are aware of the unique design and therefore the source of our influence on those around us. Our influence, when connected in a relationship with Jesus, who was the exact representation of God in human form, becomes a life orienting, life giving and life changing force in the world.  Our understanding and ownership of our unique likeness to God is essential.

This is a week of observing and reflecting on how you were created as a woman in God’s own image, meaning His character and nature.

•Voice - unique as a woman and specific to you. It is a beacon of influence

•Courage - believe and act in responsibility

•Strength - Solid determination to see something, someone through

•Intuition - keen sense of discernment. You just know is your “knower”

•Emotional influence - sensitive ability to influence the heart, mind, or spirit of another

•Nurturer - care, comfort, heal, hold, lift up, and help small things/people become big

•Visionary - insight and foresight into what could be

Pray for God to open your heart and mind to notice when you are acting out the above traits of God. Keep a list this week of examples of situations or conversations.

Prayerfully thank God for your unique design.

The Journey to Advent

I have a little sign above my kitchen sink that reads, "Enjoy the Journey".  I forget it's there, honestly, but every once in a while it catches my eye or imagination and I'm reminded of what it means to enjoy (take pleasure in something) life.  This journey in life, in Mothers Together, in parenthood, in marriage, in relationships, in hoping for something better or different can seem long but it's in the journey where God raises up in us an unshakeable faith and strength built for eternity.  There's a part of us that is just directly wired to desire eternity and complete perfection; wrongs made right, and we get anxious on our journeys for God to move in our world instead of us in His.  That's really what Advent is all about, isn't it?  God's people waited for their Messiah. We wait for His return.  Celebrating Advent is supposed to be a way of life, but instead of lighting candles it's lived out in our hearts, minds, words, and actions. It's in the wait, in these journeys God has prepared for us, where we get the honor and privilege of faith and hope.  Faith in a God who is who He says He is and hope in a Savior who does what He says He can do.

Enjoy these Bible verses with me this week and consider where you are in your own journey.  Is your waiting filled with an expectant hope and joy?  I pray it is and continues to only be more-so in the days ahead.

(Micah was a prophet in Judah during a war-stricken time nearly 700 years before Jesus' arrival.) Micah 7:7- "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."

Psalm 39:7- “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you."

Lamentations 3:25-"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."

How beautiful are these words in Isaiah 30:18- "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Heavenly Father, I look forward to waiting on you in 2014!

Merry Christmas, MT
Jena M.

Hospitality - Welcome to my Home

​The idea of entertaining people in my home has greatly intimidated me in the past.  Even though I enjoyed it when it happened, it wasn’t something I volunteered to do often.  Our family hosted an annual Halloween party for a few years and occasionally my husband and I invited a couple over for dinner and board games, but the work that went into preparing took days!!  So, when the idea of an “open door” policy was introduced to me initially, it created a lot of anxiety in me.  Not only do I fight with comparison of my home, furniture, and decor, but even more that our real life won’t measure up, that our family, friends, and neighbors would find me somehow lacking as a wife, mother and homemaker.  

​Ironically, about this same time I found myself invited into a discipling relationship, invited into someone elses life, and this “open door” policy was not only modeled well, but this was the main tool used to point me towards Jesus and His Word.  Each time she hosted me, whether at her place of employment, a coffee shop, or her home she exuded hospitality and servanthood.  I found this relationship and everything it ignited in me so captivating that our surroundings always reflected the light shining from it.  Months went by which included numerous visits to her home and I experienced grand tablescapes and candles to laundry piled in the hallway and pitching in to do the dishes.  The biggest transition took place, we become family.  

​We recently moved, and now one of the things we look forward to the most is not entertaining our family, friends and neighbors, but hosting them in our home with an “open door” policy. This is NOT because the new house is bigger or better or newer, because it’s not!  It’s because now we see our home as an opportunity to provide a safe, loving, and nurturing place to grow friendships and build the family God makes.

​So, please, consider this your invitation!  We can sit back, put our feet up on an unpacked box, and over a cup of coffee share what God’s doing in our lives.

- Nanette H.