Are You Jumping With Me?

After "jumping in" yesterday, I fell hard today.  So, if you are "in" after reading yesterday's blog about jumping in and asking God for more of him, I'd love to share and encourage you.  Just comment here or email me and let me know.  While I'm on vacation, I'll share some snippets of my journey with you.  We'll ride this together!

Holly

Yep!  I Literally Jumped Off a Cliff!

Do you remember having big, audacious dreams as a child?  What was your biggest dream?  Was it outlandish?  Was it practical?  

Do you still have big dreams as an adult?  Some of you are saying, “Yes!”  While others of you sigh and say, “I wish!  But, life is too busy, too hard, and too complicated to dream.”  

Regardless of whether or not we are living with dreams, what would happen if we asked God for His dreams for our lives?  And, what if we sought those dreams with all of our hearts when He gave them to us?  What might happen if we were completely surrendered to the plans He has for us?  

Over the past few months,  the word “double” in the Bible has stood out to me.  And while the context is God restoring double to His children who had been taken captive, I wondered, “What if I asked God for double of Him?  Double of His presence?  Double of His wisdom?  A double portion of Him in my life?”  

As a freshman in college, one of our “orientations” was to go to a secluded area and cliff jump.  The cliffs were about 25 and 40 feet high.  One beautiful day, some of us headed out.  The area was beautiful.  Completely wooded with a stretch of a huge, deep lake below.  The cliffs were nominal, but to a girl brought up in the flatlands, they seemed like mountains.  

Upon arriving, the upperclassmen  told us all the safety procedures and immediately started jumping.  The freshman guys had to be just as brave and strong, so they all jumped right off too.  But the freshmen girls were hesitant.  They would look over the edge and talk about it.  They would start to jump and then decide not to.  Never being one for drama, I followed my heart.  I told them to move from the edge, took a few steps back, ran and jumped off the high cliff.   It was high enough for my mind to scream on the way down, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  ARE YOU CRAZY?”

I feel the same way about asking God for a double portion of Him in my life.  For months I have “kind of sort of” asked God about His dreams for me.  I’ve “kind of sort of” sought His will.   My heart wants to take the leap...  to just run and jump.  But, my mind is hesitant.  What will happen if I ask this of God?  Will something exciting happen?  Will I be painfully stretched?  Will the course of my life be radically changed? Will it hurt?

But the answer to the question is intriguing to me, “What if I asked God for a double portion of Him?”

Tonight I begin a 16 day vacation.  Tonight, I will boldly ask for double of Him.  Will you join me?   After I return in a few weeks, we can swap stories.  Are you in?  Let’s JUMP!!!

* * *  

Father,

I seek Your will tonight...  I seek Your dreams for my life...  I seek the prayers You would have me pray.  I seek more of You.  I seek a double portion of You.  Pour Yourself upon me, Lord.  I want You...  You alone...  You above all else.  

Thank you for growing me up.  Thank you for blessing.  Thank you for carrying me through the hard times.  Thank you for stretching me.  Thank you for drawing me closer.  Thank you for picking me up everytime I fall.  Thank you for never fleeing from me... for never leaving.  Thank you for every closed door and every open door.  Thank you for molding my broken self into something beautiful You can use.

I’m here.  I’m surrendered.  I’m ready for what You have next because I know we will travel together.  Show me, Father.  What are Your dreams for me?  I want them all to come true.

* * *

Oh Child,

You truly do not know what you ask of Me.  You are being bold and courageous.   Therefore, I will unfold new dreams for you.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be overwhelmed.  I go before you.  I have been making the way since I knit you together in your mother’s womb.  We will go together.  And, it will start with Me placing My dreams for you in your heart.  

I love you Daughter.  I love you with an everlasting love.  You are mine.  

Get ready.  Embrace all I pour out.  I will not leave you.  We will travel the journey together.  Here we go. (Joshua 1:9; Psalm 37:4,23;  Isaiah 45:2; Psalm 16:11, 23:2-3. 139).

Your Double Portion

Trying to Live in the Moment

Why is it so hard to be content and faithful with what is put in front of me?  To focus on the moment rather than the dwell in the past or push into future?  To be at peace with the here and now rather than wishing for what is yet to come?  

Do you ever find yourself in this place too?  Days when, like me, you allow your days to end  in frustration, exasperation and despair all because of the unknown?  But isn’t each day unknown?  Aren’t things in life continually changing?  

So right now, I choose to stop and pause in the known.  God has called me to be a wife and mom.  He has placed a call on my heart to reach out to women...  to share my messy yet beautiful life and walk through it with others.  To teach His Word.  To encourage others.  

He has blessed me with an amazing husband of 15 years and three thoughtful, silly, rambunctious children.  God alone can meet the needs of my heart.  He alone can fill the empty places deep within.  He alone is enough.

What is your known?  What are your blessings?  What can you refocus on?  

In this moment of refocus, I am content.  In this moment, I realize how blessed I am.  In this moment, I find rest for my weary heart and racing mind.  

* * *

Lord,

How do I stay in the moment?  I’m wired to multi-task...  to plan ahead...  to problem solve.  But living this way is exhausting.  My mind never pauses.  My body doesn’t rest.  

Everything which concerns me is really none of my concern.  The burdens I carry I have piled upon myself.  So, tonight, I lay it down again.  Thank you for allowing me to continually lay it down.  I’m sorry I pick it back up without even realizing it.  Without consciously seeing what I’m doing.

You offer me rest.  You have spoken over me time and again.  You have been so good and gracious.  Forgive me for my wandering heart.  Forgive me for looking beyond what You have placed before me.  Thank you for realigning me  once again.  It is in You I place my trust.  It is in You I place my hope.  It is in You I place my dreams.  

* * *

My Child,

Listen to My voice more than the thoughts spinning in your mind.  My Word gives clarity.  My presence always brings peace.  Dwell in Me.  Look for the treasures.  Be grateful for what You are given today.  Do not fret over what may be coming tomorrow.  I will give you the wisdom you need to carry you through every tomorrow.  I will meet every need you will encounter in your future.  I will bring about justice where it is due.  

You truly have no reason to worry about tomorrow.  I am your God.  I am your Father.  I am the Author of your every tomorrow.  I am already there.  I am also here.  I will not fail you.  

Be present with me.  Do you hear Me?  I’m calling.  I’m leading.  Be faithful with what I put in front of you and do not worry about anything else.  Seek Me.  I hold you in My hand.  You are safe.  You are protected.  Rest, Child.  Rest. (Deut. 31:8; Psalm 11:7, 32:7, 119:57-58, 139:5; Philippians 4:7, 19; John 6:44; Matthew 6:25-34;  1 Thessalonians 5:18; Jeremiah 18:6; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:5, 3:17)

Your I AM

Summer Women's Bible Studies and Groups

Missing Pieces, Real Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense Video study by Jennifer Rothschild

Does God care? Is He fair? Is He even there? Although you may know all the right answers, they don't always feel right. Explore these and other questions in this realistic look at the messy, mysterious uncertainties of faith. God's ways don't always make sense, but He is trustworthy. Come close to Him. Trust Him more than your feelings. God will reveal Himself and fill in your missing pieces.

Date and Time:  Thursday mornings 9-11 a.m. beginning June 6 and ending July 25

Location:  Room 218

For the Kids:  Not offered for summer session

Book Cost: $15

Fee:  Waived for summer

Personal Study Commitment:  20-25 minutes per day, 5 days per week

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, 'Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn't just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It's a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.' Do you ever sense that there's far more to prayer, and to God's vision for your life, than what you're experiencing? It's time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker---a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart's deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

Date and Time:  Wednesdays 9-9:30 a.m. beginning June 5 and ending July 31

Location:  Live On-Line Class (you will need web cam capabilities)

Book Cost:  $10

Personal Study Commitment:  30 minutes per week

NOTE:  Space is limited!

Always True: God’s Promises When Life is Hard by James MacDonald

This study leads individuals and churches to understand the nature of God's promises, which are always true whether in good times or trials in the believer's life. During an extended season of personal crises in his life James discovered that God's promises are always true and that we can trust God to be faithful to His word no matter what we face. These universal promises are based on biblical truths and principles that will provide hope to all believers who face hardship.

Date and Time:  Wednesday evenings 6-8 p.m. beginning June 5 and ending July 17 (no meeting July 3)

Location:  Room 218

For the Kids:  Not available

Book Cost: $12

Fee:  Waived for summer

Personal Study Commitment:  20-25 minutes per day, 5 days per week

Class Fee

The class fee is waived for the summer session.    

Study Books  

Your materials may be purchased in the FCC Library/Bookstore.  Prices are listed in this brochure.  Please purchase your book one week in advance for guaranteed book availability!  Note:  You do not have to purchase your book at FCC.

Other  

Registration forms are available at the Connection Center or in the church office.

The class leader will contact you via email or phone 5-7 days prior to your class start date.

Financial assistance is available.   Call or e-mail Holly Gillespie with your request (858-5000 or hgillespie@fccn.org)

Waiting...

The Gillespie family has been walking through a season of unknowns and instability.  We have had more questions than answers in every area of our lives.  The best word to describe the past few months is “waiting.”  And, if you know me, “waiting” is not my strong suit.

Yet, in my impatient weakness, God is good to me.  One day as I was feeling overwhelmed and hitting a “breaking point,” God led me to an email from Jennifer Rothschild Ministries.  There I read the story of a child anxiously awaiting the arrival of a special letter in the mail.  Every day she waited with great anticipation.  But, each day the mailbox was empty.  She would return to the house and sadly report, “It didn’t come today.”  However, the child did not lose heart because she knew the letter was coming from far away.  And, she knew it would be wonderful because it was from her grandmother who loved her had sent it.

Do you have unanswered questions in your life?  God has all of our answers.  He is sending them.  We must keep looking with great anticipation because He is sending us something wonderful from far away.  It will come...  just keep watching.

* * *

Lord,

Waiting is not a strong point for me.  I struggle.  And, I realize You are teaching me about waiting through opportunities to wait.  I want to see them as opportunities rather than, “I’ve been forgotten” or “I’m not so important.”  When I focus on the wait, I miss the dreams You have for me.  So, today, I recommit to the dreams.  I refocus my eyes.  May You be enough.  And, may I see You in every “wait” in my life.

* * *

My Child,

I see your weary heart.  I sent you the story of the little girl to remind you of My love for you.  

I do have something wonderful to give you...  it is the plan for your life.  It will continue to unfold.  It will come to pass in due time.  And, it will continue to be wonderful because your Father who loves you beyond measure is sending it.  Take heart!  I have overcome, Child. (John 16:33, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 14:2, 145:8)

The One Who Answers