THE MOST FERTILE TIME

1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
SO LOVE the picture of you with Sadie and Claire. 

I enjoyed the Rebecca Pippert clip. Her key points about how and why seeker studies work—it is the beauty of Jesus, the power of the word of God, rooted in relationship, and clothed with prayer. I liked how she stressed the power of God’s word to draw seekers in to Jesus. 

I was struck too by you saying this is a “fertile” time of year. I think so often I see this time of year as also heightening my awareness of people who are hurting, lonely—and it strikes me that that IS a soil that is ready for tending, hungry, aware of their need for something, Someone, greater.
 

1.  What stood out?  Years ago, someone was willing to put together the whole seeker study if I would come and teach.  I was stressed out at work, it was winter, and it would be 45min away at night.  I said no, and today I deeply regret having done that.
 
Laura, you go for it, girl!  We are praying for you and with you!!

I love you ladies!  Dee, this is such a refreshing and encouraging blog today!  Thank you so much for your heart for others.  I was so blessed by the photo of you and your grand daughters walking among the beautiful fall leaves, and tears fill my eyes just thinking of how sweet God is to you in spite of the deep pain you have experienced in your life. 

3. What counsel does Ephesians 5:15-17 give us and why?
We need to be alert, and be wise. We need to know God’s Word and live according to it, in the midst of a world that has disowned Him. Do not waste my time—but make the most of every opportunity, because our time here is short.
4. Read Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 A. What are we told to do in verses 1-2 and why? How could this apply to you?
Give generously to others. I also think it’s telling me not to have as my goal comfort here on this earth. Instead of trying to save up for a more “comfortable” life here, give generously to those in need, acknowledging that this is not my real Home, it’s only a tent.
B. What stops people, according to verse 4, from sowing their seed? What does this mean in regard to evangelism for you?
“He who observes the wind”—makes me think of dwelling on the “what ifs”. When we start fearing what may happen, we tend to cling to our “stuff”. I think there is a natural instinct to try to cover ourselves when we are afraid. If we are fearful of what may happen in the world, or even in our personal life, we tend to hold tightly to whatever comfort we have tried to build here. I also think this applies to sharing the Gospel. When we try to discern how useful or profitable our giving, our sharing of things, or of the Gospel may be—we can tend to discourage ourselves. Instead, I need to walk in faith, not by sight, remembering He owns all, and He protects my true Home, “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
C. What are we told to do in verse 6?
I need to not be lazy! I have the Source of Life to share! Get up in the morning and sow seed—do what I am called to do, and be faithful, diligent, hopeful. Expect the Lord to work.
 

1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
 
All of the above sounds so warm, inviting, and wonderful….a Christmas Tea. But I also know it is unlikely that I will have one. I wouldn’t know who to invite. My co-workers, believe it or not, are all believers. I’m not on a tennis team or in an exercise group. The couple of neighbors I know fairly well are also believers. The people I spend most of my time with are my husband, daughter, and aging parents. To be honest, I feel pretty useless in the kingdom of God.
 
3. What counsel does Ephesians 5:15-17 give us and why?
 
We are to be careful in how we live, not living foolishly but wisely. We are to make the most of every opportunity because we live in evil times. We are not to act thoughtlessly but with understanding as to what God wants us to do.

4. Read Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
 
A. What are we told to do in verses 1-2 and why? How could this apply to you?
 
One translations puts it this way: “Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later….” and verse 2 says to divide your investments among many places (don’t put all your eggs in one basket?) because you don’t know what future risks there will be.
Giving generously is not only money, but my time, talents/gifts, energy. Sometimes it is a listening ear, or hands that are willing to do work, like cleaning or making a meal. It is living not just for myself, but for others that will bring the greatest rewards.
 
B. What stops people, according to verse 4, from sowing their seed? What does this mean in regard to evangelism for you?
 
Waiting for everything to be “perfect”. That could mean that I’m waiting until I get my house in perfect order (which never happens), until my schedule isn’t full, These verses describe a farmer waiting for perfect weather – but he never plants, and watching every cloud – and he never harvests. It could personally mean waiting until I have myself all together, but that’s just pride because I am truthfully a mess and God will have to use me as I am, imperfections, fears, issues, anxieties, and all.
 
C. What are we told to do in verse 6?
 
Again he uses the farmer illustration: “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another, or maybe both.” I would say, “Keep moving forward”. Do your thing, and leave the results to God. Don’t wait around to see if anything “happens” or not or let that determine if you’ll try taking a next step.

3. What counsel does Ephesians 5:15-17 give us and why?
 
We we are to walk wisely and not waste time because the end is near. We should understand what it is that God advises.

So it finally happened; a “deer in the headlights” moment for me….probably because it was not led by the Holy Spirit!
 
I was finishing listening to a panel discussion of how we, as Christians, might want to “entertain” this political season, as we, different as we are, might want to engage in civil discourse about the election, and was, shall I say, “pumped up” about the ideas presented. I stopped a woman in my hall to let her know to check it out on my FB page; she might be interested. Sometimes I forget I am in the NE now and not still living in the Bible Belt! Not everyone is Christian or goes to church here. I tell her a little bit about the post, and then asked her if she went to church (I can’t remember if I said do you go to church or do you believe in God, or are you  a Christian?). She said she used to go to church (Catholic), but, “you know my youngest son is gay” (I did not know that), so “I can’t possibly go there anymore.” I didn’t really know what to say (deer part), so I stumbled over the next few sentences…I said something about religion vs knowing Jesus, who is love. She agreed with me.  I think I recovered, but here we go again….did I leave her to believe that I think it’s okay to be gay? Is that being true to myself and my God? I didn’t feel very good after the conversation. It’s funny. Several people I know that have children who say they are transgender/gay don’t seem to think you can love your children and not agree with them on the issue; that you have a choice.  I don’t think I will ever acknowledge that my kid thinks he is gay, but I do love him very much. Anyway, I don’t think all was lost in the conversation, but I’m not sure I felt too good afterwards. Better the Holy Spirit lead me instead of me leading me!!
 
 

8. Prepare your one minute testimony and share it here (and I WELCOME criticism!!)
I loved that Shirley mentioned her grandmother. My Mimi had such an incredible impact in my life–she taught me unconditional love, and the power of prayer. And John 3:16 was actually the first verse I ever memorized–but here’s a funny story why…I grew up Catholic and my grandmother gave me my own holy water vase stuck on a plaque that hung by the door of my bedroom…imprinted on the plaque were the words of John 3:16, and I read it every night as I lay in bed. 
 
Now, on to my testimony!
I don’t remember a time of ever not believing in Jesus, His power, and His love for me. He made Himself known to me at a very young age. Yet, it wasn’t until my college years that I really began to grasp that my ‘goodness’ was not earning me any ‘points’ towards salvation.  I realized God does not use a points system, only grace saves, and  I began to see the wretched ugliness of my pride. He broke me, and began to re-make me. He gave me a hunger for His Word, eyes to see others without the lens of judgment, and He continues to work in me, graciously refining my messy heart. I am still the 5 year old girl who talked to Him every night in my bed, but with the awareness of my deep need of His cleansing and the price He paid, for me, my love for Him, my desire to be near Him, continues to grow.
 

8.  I know I have already shared my testimony on this blog at least once (possibly twice) so, like Laura said, sorry if this is a repeat for you! I was raised in a Christian home, attending church basically every time the door was open.  As others have mentioned, I don’t recall a time I didn’t know about or believe in Jesus.  However, when I was 5 I kept asking my mom to read to me from our Children’s Bible, the story of the creation and fall of man.  When she got to the part about Adam and Eve sinning I would say, “Why didn’t they die???  God said, “In the day you eat of it, you will surely die.”  My mom would say something to this effect, “Well, they did die, they died on the inside, their souls died.” (Spirits, really, but close mom!)  “and their bodies began to die.”  This seemed like such a severe punishment to me, for first time violators (I was very into second chances!) so I would then say, “But why didn’t God give them a second chance!!!!????” (I was pretty distressed about this!)  To which mom replied, “Well, He did give them a second chance, really the only chance, the same one for all of us.  God knew we would all disobey Him (sin) so He sent His son, Jesus, to take our punishment for us.  If we accept Jesus’s death on the cross as the payment for our sin, and ask Him to forgive us, come into us, and be our Lord, then we will have eternal life and spend eternity with Him in heaven when our bodies die.”  I pondered this for a while and then one Sunday, at church, during the “invitation hymn” I went up and told the pastor that I wanted to ask Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins.  He prayed with me and I believe that was when I truly became a Christian.  Later, as a 14 year-old, through reading the book Joni, I came to understand that God didn’t just want to save me from the punishment of sin, but wanted a relationship with me!!   The God of the universe wanted to get to know me and for me to get to know Him.  So, it was then that I began to read His Word daily and have a deeper prayer life with Him.  So, so much has happened since then. It seems that there are always layers being peeled back and my understanding of Who He is grows deeper with the passing of time and I think we will never tire of getting to know Him more and more for all of eternity.  

 Testimony – I grew up in a very unhealthy home, the fourth of four girls.  I was 8 before I realized they were half sisters to me.  When I was 9, they were all court removed from our home.  I became very depressed, and blamed myself for all the problems.  I had been taken to church as a child, and knew that God was holy and I was not.  I could tell you that Jesus died for my sins, but it didn’t make sense.  I tried to make deals with God, asking for His help to get through the day.  After 2 years of that, as a young teen, I got down on my knees and surrendered.  I told God I was done trying to make deals.  If He wanted me, He could have all of me.  Since that day His death for me makes sense, I’ve known that I belong to Him and will be with Him in heaven.  He has brought emotional healing to my life, and filled me with a peace that others comment on.  Have you ever wanted to know if something in your life could be changed?