‘I AM’ Study: not like I planned (2)

 

reading is here

Discussion Questions:

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?) that usually has to do with my career plans…

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain. just keep moving and seek God’s direction & wise counsel.  not upset — anxious sometimes, often impatient, but learning to handle things better.

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?  not really, though i wasn’t too thrilled with stepping down from youth ministry when i did… no, didn’t question either, though i didn’t really understand at the time.

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans? no, though i admit to feeling hurt at the time.

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.  no.  the weirdest thing about my first niece’s passing — one would think that would totally rock my foundations — i just knew that i knew God was with me and would see me through.  i was definitely sad that she was no longer with us, but if anything, it made my faith stronger.  definitely gave me a greater appreciation for being alive and it totally got rid of any suicidal tendencies i’d had…

5. Based on Moses’ response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself? actually already do handle things better — it’s nice to know that God’s in control in the sense that things won’t get too whacked out if i stick with Him.  it’s really not worth stressing out over and deciding to make the most out of everything & finding the silver lining in even the crappy situations does wonders for one’s outlook and stress levels.

I AM study: Beautiful to God

彼は主の前に若枝のように芽生え、砂漠の地から出る根のように育った。彼は、私たちが見とれるような姿もなく、輝きもなく、私たちが慕うような見ばえもない。彼はさげすまれ、人々からのけ者にされ、悲しみのひとで病を知っていた。人が顔をそむけるほどさげすまれ、私たちも彼を尊ばなかった。イザヤ53•2～3

主は、ご自分の民を愛し、救いをもって貧しい者を飾られる。詩篇149•4

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 (NASB)

lesson 2 

Discussion Questions:

What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?

“pffff, ya gotta be kidding…what are you on???”

:::1/25/2009 –  gotta love God’s sense of humor.  one of my friends came up to me after service and told me i looked gorgeous today (no make-up, nothing special — i was on worship team today, so i DID have a skirt & sweater  instead of the usual t-shirt, shorts & slippers, but still…).  so ironic because i think SHE is one of the prettiest girls there… =)  and i didn’t give her the retort listed above.  heh.:::

Do you find you engage in a lot of negative ‘self-talk’? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?

not so much anymore.  i’d say it’s gone from a pretty consistent 90%+ down to 10%  yay, Jesus! =)  i still have days when those numbers go up…

What is the most radical transformation you’ve witnessed in an individual after they were born again? It’s okay to tell about your own!

i’ve been lucky to see a number of lives radically changed. former co-workers, youth, friends in japan including a few who i’d thought would have been least likely to be open to it.

The imagery of being a City Girl has absolutely changed the way I perceive my worth before God. Does it yours? Will you receive this truth and let it boost your righteous confidence?

“Practically speaking, we are still ‘esteeming Him not’ today by continuing the beating that He has already taken. Some examples of how we do this are: Negative self-talk when we look in the mirror or step on the scale, mentally abusing our own intelligence, nurturing toxic relationships, and engaging in self-destructive behavior are but a few. Remember, thinking lowly of ones self is still thinking of oneself more than God. Reverse pride is still pride and the most dangerous form of idolatry… If you do not esteem yourself, you are not esteeming Him.” 

it has… still working on some of those things listed above…

sisters…

I’ll be going through an online bible study I found through the Empowering Christian Women website.  It’s called “I AM…so you don’t have to be,” by Lisa McKay.  Her blog is at: http://www.thepreachers-wife.blogspot.com/   I’ll be posting my discussion question answers here on Wednesdays.  I figured I’ll be more likely to stick to it (and it would be neat if a bunch of us were to go through this together), so I’m issuing an invitation to join me. =)   My church currently doesn’t have a small group system set up & I miss being a part of one.  My schedule hasn’t really been conducive to participating anyway, so something small like an online group sounds like a cool idea.  See you again tomorrow?