So, I've always been pretty skeptical of couponing. Fifty cents off of peanut butter? One dollar off detergent? It seems like a trivial amount, doesn't it? So maybe you buy three things on your shopping trip that have coupons and you save a whopping two dollars... oh how wrong I was.
Thanks to some great advice from an awesome friend from church, I learned what this couponing business is all about. I clipped, sorted, and organized my coupons, toting them along to Harris Teeter today for my first attempt at being a savvy shopper. It took me an hour in the grocery store, but at the end of my little adventure, I saved $47.60 (40% total savings)!!!
I was absolutely shocked (and so was the man in line behind me). And now, I'm a believer! Couponing works. Not only did I save a TON of money, but I was also able to purchase many things that I would have gone without because I could get them for a great deal. It took planning, organization, and more thinking than I'm used to doing in a grocery store, but it was well worth it!
Here are the tips that were given to me by my friend. She also pointed me to The Intentional Home, a great blog with tons of resources about couponing and other domestic endeavors (she also offers local classes on couponing that I'd LOVE to check out if anyone is interested). Try these tips out and let me know how it goes!
1.) Get the Sunday paper.
[I bought the News and Observer] -There are tons of coupons in the middle of the Sunday paper. Cut them out!
2.) Look for other coupons.
You know that annoying paper thing that comes to your mailbox every week? I always thought it was junk mail, so I trashed it without looking. Wrong. It's not junk mail. It's a coupon treasure trove. Look through it! You'll start to see coupons other places as well... keep an eye out and you'll accumulate quite a few!
3.) Only cut the coupons that you actually need.
Less paper to deal with, less temptation to buy things "just because I can save money".
4.) Sort and organize the coupons.
You don't want to be "that girl" in the grocery store who has coupons trailing behind her shopping cart. The more you organize on the front end, the easier it is to find what you are looking for in the store.
5.) Check out Southern Savers.
They have great tips, specials, and information about the weekly specials and applicable coupons for each major grocery store, drug store, and big box store (like Wal-Mart). They also have links to websites with printable coupons so you can find even more than you collected from your Sunday paper!
6.) Pick a grocery store to focus on.
I like Harris Teeter because they DOUBLE your manufacturer's coupons (up to face value of $0.99) every day! Here is their coupon policy. They also offer e-Vic discounts and e-coupons that you load straight onto your Vic card. [Story: I bought yogurt today. It was originally $2.00. I had a $1.00 manufacturer's coupon in addition to a $0.50 e-coupon from e-Vic... so I paid $0.50 for my four-pack of yogurt. And we're talking fancy-shmancy-not-store-brand yogurt!].
Pay attention to the weekly specials (I found their website super helpful!). This week happens to be a big "buy one get one free" week, so those things were already half off ("buy one get one" at Harris Teeter is the equivalent of "one for half price"!). Then, I used a coupon on top of that price. Or, if something was on sale for "2 for $5.00" and I had a $1.00 coupon, that means I payed $2.00 for each item! Especially for your coupons that are less than $0.99, you can really save a good bit of money because they double (So, if you have a $.75 coupon, you are actually going to save $1.25!)! I didn't buy much that wasn't on a special of some sort or that I didn't have a coupon for, and if I did, it was one of my items deemed "necessity". I was also willing to try new brands in order to get the best deal.
7. Get a plan of attack!
Do your research ahead of time. Know what is on special, what coupons you have, and what you need to buy. Make a game plan!
I'm a coupon convert.
Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes work. Yes, you have to be super organized. Yes, it's easier if you are Type A. Yes, I was the girl with the stack of coupons at the check out.
But, I saved 40% off my grocery bill on my first try. That's a big deal! And, it was a fun challenge. It was a game to see how much I could save versus how much I spent. And I like to shop. Ok, that's an understatement. I LOVE to shop. It's a gift. And, I love to save money. (Who doesn't!?!)
Three great things: fun, shopping, and saving money. That's a win, win, win in my book.
Happy shopping!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Job Offer
"There are certain phrases I'd like to see permanently banned from our Christian vocabulary. The one that sets me off the most is full-time ministry. I know what it's supposed to mean, but I vehemently disagree with its implications. To say that someone is called to full-time ministry suggests that others are permitted to do part-time ministry. But Jesus didn't die on a part-time cross. He doesn't love us with a part-time love. He doesn't cover us with a part-time pardon for sins. There's no such thing as a part-time Christian, and there's no such thin as a part-time ministry. The day you gave your life to Christ, you signed a full-time ministry employee agreement... you're a full-time employee of the kingdom of God."
--Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still, pp. 50-51
You have a job offer on the table. Did you know that?
God is calling you in to full-time ministry right now. No matter where you are in your life, you walk into a mission field each day. Whether you are in school, in a career, a stay-at-home Mom, or in another stage in life, God is calling you to live for him each day and actively work to advance his kingdom. Don't wait! Don't waste valuable years of your Christian life waiting for the chance "to go into the mission field". You are already there! Don't get me wrong here, I fully believe that overseas missions are vital and that God is calling us to go to the ends of the Earth proclaiming his name. My point here is that you shouldn't wait until that day comes and you board the airplane to fly to another country. There are people who desperately need to hear about Jesus' love at work, in school, in your neighborhood, at the grocery store, and everywhere you might go. Nothing is accidental. God puts people in our lives for a reason. You have a unique opportunity to reach people in the specific places God has placed you. Do not compartmentalize your life into "God's" and "mine". Everything you have belongs to God: your time, your resources, your talents, your life. Don't waste the opportunities God has given you that are right in front of your face!
What are you waiting for? You have a job to do! Get out there and do work!
--Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still, pp. 50-51
You have a job offer on the table. Did you know that?
God is calling you in to full-time ministry right now. No matter where you are in your life, you walk into a mission field each day. Whether you are in school, in a career, a stay-at-home Mom, or in another stage in life, God is calling you to live for him each day and actively work to advance his kingdom. Don't wait! Don't waste valuable years of your Christian life waiting for the chance "to go into the mission field". You are already there! Don't get me wrong here, I fully believe that overseas missions are vital and that God is calling us to go to the ends of the Earth proclaiming his name. My point here is that you shouldn't wait until that day comes and you board the airplane to fly to another country. There are people who desperately need to hear about Jesus' love at work, in school, in your neighborhood, at the grocery store, and everywhere you might go. Nothing is accidental. God puts people in our lives for a reason. You have a unique opportunity to reach people in the specific places God has placed you. Do not compartmentalize your life into "God's" and "mine". Everything you have belongs to God: your time, your resources, your talents, your life. Don't waste the opportunities God has given you that are right in front of your face!
What are you waiting for? You have a job to do! Get out there and do work!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Tonight I had my music on shuffle as I was working on lesson plans when Nichole Nordeman's "Legacy" (Woven and Spun, 2002) came on. It's been years since I have heard this song, but the lyrics really struck me. She sings about her desire to make a mark on the world, not by winning awards or gaining status, but by living a life completely sold out for Jesus. I love the line from the song that says, "I want to leave an offering / A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically / And leave that kind of legacy". Take a few minutes to read through the lyrics and think about this:
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Here is the music video so you can listen along as you read the lyrics.
"Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
the temporary trappings of this world
Chorus:
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy
Chorus
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one
Chorus
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Here is the music video so you can listen along as you read the lyrics.
"Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
the temporary trappings of this world
Chorus:
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy
Chorus
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one
Chorus
Monday, January 17, 2011
Like Free Stuff?
Each month Christian Audio gives away a free audiobook download. That's right, completely free!
This month's book is Jerry Bridges' The Pursuit of Holiness:
"From the Back Cover: What does holiness look like? For starters, it doesn't look anything like perfection. And it doesn't necessarily look like victory. Mostly, it consists of effort, prayer, grace, and obedience. "Scripture speaks of both a holiness we have in Christ before God, and a holiness we are to strive after," writes the author. We can ignore neither Christ's role nor our own if we are to successfully pursue holiness. It is as simple as refusing to smudge the truth on a tax return or as complicated as forgiving the person who has most viciously hurt us. Jerry takes holiness out of the realm of the impossible and brings it into the real world of our daily lives and decisions."
(From Amazon.com's listing of the book).
From the website you can download the audiobook onto your computer and either listen to it there or transfer it onto your mp3 player or a CD.
Click here to download your free book! And remember to check back each month to get your new (free!) audiobook.
Happy listening!
This month's book is Jerry Bridges' The Pursuit of Holiness:
"From the Back Cover: What does holiness look like? For starters, it doesn't look anything like perfection. And it doesn't necessarily look like victory. Mostly, it consists of effort, prayer, grace, and obedience. "Scripture speaks of both a holiness we have in Christ before God, and a holiness we are to strive after," writes the author. We can ignore neither Christ's role nor our own if we are to successfully pursue holiness. It is as simple as refusing to smudge the truth on a tax return or as complicated as forgiving the person who has most viciously hurt us. Jerry takes holiness out of the realm of the impossible and brings it into the real world of our daily lives and decisions."
(From Amazon.com's listing of the book).
From the website you can download the audiobook onto your computer and either listen to it there or transfer it onto your mp3 player or a CD.
Click here to download your free book! And remember to check back each month to get your new (free!) audiobook.
Happy listening!
God's Plan for Your Life and Figuring Out Your "Calling"
Today, I want to talk about Pastor JD's "Ask Anything Friday" video from January 14, 2011 called "How do I know God's Will?" If you haven't seen it yet, go watch the video and then come back and keep reading.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
It can be really overwhelming to try to figure out God's will. We all do that don't we? We try to figure out what God is thinking, where He might have us go, what He might have us do. We ask God what his plans for our lives are and then when we don't get a step-by-step itinerary: we start to get anxious; we start to ask questions; we start to take things in to our own hands... You can fill in the second half of that sentence however you want to, but isn't that the truth? When we don't hear an immediate word from God as to the next move we should make and when we don't get that "feeling", we start to worry.
We all desire to live within God's will, but how do we know what God's will is for our lives? Pastor JD gives some really good advice. It's simple, yes, but simple is just the kind of advice we need in this situation because it is so easy to over-think this issue. Here are my notes from his video:
When figuring out what God wants you to do...
Step 1: Look to the Scriptures. Is there a verse on this issue?
Step 2: Look to your own reason (which should be saturated with Scripture)
Step 3: Look to the church. Ask Christian friends if they see things about you, the situation, and Scripture that you are missing.
Step 4: Look to the Holy Spirit for direction. Which doors are open? Which doors are closed?
I think this is great advice. I want to speak to Step 2 for a second because I want to emphasize the "saturated with Scripture" component. This is absolutely crucial! If you are not actively seeking God and handing over the reins to each and every area of your life, then there is a good chance that "your flesh" (aka - your desires, your wants, your selfish heart) is going to take over. That will most assuredly lead to decisions that are out of line with God's purposes. Without the presence of God, your heart craves sin and the things of this world (see my post here for more discussion about this).
Here is my "to do list" that will keep you close to God as you actively pursue his will for your life:
- Saturate yourself with the Scripture. Read God's Word daily.
- Bathe your heart in prayer. Paul says to "pray without ceasing".
- Remind yourself of the Gospel every single day. Drive it down deep in your heart and let it take root!
- Have a trusted Christian friend act as an accountability partner and meet often.
- Live in community with others. Get in a small group!
- Attend church regularly. Reflect on and apply the teachings. And don't just attend, be active in your church and its mission.
- Serve in the community. This not only brings glory to God and advances His Kingdom, but it also redirects our hearts dramatically away from selfishness and places the focus on others.
Pastor JD speaks to the word "calling" as it is used today: a "reasonable analysis of your gifts and the opportunity and how best to use those gifts for the purposes of the Kingdom" (video). Here are the three things he says you need to consider when you figure out what God's "calling" for your life is:
1. What you are passionate about. This is what you really just love to do.
2. What you are good at. This is not the same as what you are passionate about! Look to other people to affirm that you are in fact skilled at this passion.
3. What there is market for. Look to what the church affirms, what they see as valuable and start to practice your passions and skills in ministry opportunities.
It boils down to this... Know what you are good at, what there is an opportunity for, and go after it! (Charles Spurgeon)
Rest in the fact that God has an amazing plan for your life. He knows each and every step you will take before you take it. He has made you special and unique. You have a purpose ordained by the Most High God, the creator of the universe, who loves you like a treasured child. Trust him with everything you have, with everything he has given you, with every part of your life. God's love for you is as vast as an ocean and his plan for your life is more wonderful than you could ever imagine or dream.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
"Almost" Isn't Good Enough
Tonight at The Summit Church, Pastor Raudel gave an awesome sermon chock-full of fuego latino while Pastor JD was away with family mourning the loss of his Grandmother and celebrating her life. I want to have a little think-out-loud time with you all as I reflect on Pastor Raudel's thought-provoking message. However, I first want to tell you that if you haven't tried the Brier Creek PM campus, you should. It's amazing. I can't always attend the Saturday night service because of scheduling, but I never leave without truly encountering God, without feeling overwhelmed by His grace and his amazing love for me. Also, it's kind of awesome that my stuff and I occupied three whole seats... you just can't do that on a Sunday morning! And as a side note, I think it is a good possibility that Pastor Raudel could give Pastor JD a run for his money in a "who spits more while preaching?" contest!
The title of the sermon was "Casi Cielo", yes like the Starbucks coffee. Translated into English, Casi Cielo means "Almost Heaven", and this served as an appropriate theme for the message. Pastor Raudel used 2 Peter 3 as his main text in which Peter is talking about living our days on earth with an eternal mindset. He said we get so stuck on thinking about "the things of this world" that we forget about Heaven. Pastor Raudel said "why would you get attached to something that is going to burn up anyway? It is not worth it to live for false saviors of this earth that will perish anyway" (2 Peter 3:7, Matthew 24:35). We all reject God daily, but God is infinitely patient, lavishing grace upon us (2 Peter 3:9). Live each day mindfully, remembering the sacrifice of Christ and God's unfailing love.
What consumes your thoughts? When our daily meditation centers on "me" we have lost our eternal perspective. We have to die daily to ourselves. We must ask the Holy Spirit to align our daily activities with God's purpose. Who is the captain of your ship? You or God? We are to be living life on mission for Christ because that is what we were created for... that is the best life we can live!
I'm reminded of the Switchfoot song, "Meant to Live." The song says, "We were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?" Is this true? Have we lost ourselves in "the things of this world" when in fact we have a much bigger, much grander purpose? Does your life center around Jesus or around yourself? Are you dedicating your life to the advancement of His Kingdom or your own? I hope you find this question as challenging as I do.
We often think about judgment day and wonder "will I be ready?" (2 Peter 3:10). But Pastor Raudel reminded us that we must remember that those who have not heard the gospel will also be held accountable. This isn't all about us! Live each day mindful of that fact and live on mission for God! Is your mindset on "the things of this world"or on the salvation of the world?
Don't almost love God. Don't almost love the world. Because almost isn't good enough.
Somewhere during the sermon, my mind took a right turn and began to apply this idea of "almost" to lukewarm Christians. Revelation 3:15-16 says "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you our of my mouth." You don't want to stand before Jesus and hear him say "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).
Don't almost get into Heaven.
Think about that. I want to challenge you: do you really know Jesus or just know about Jesus? Are you living a half-way Christian life in name only? Does your life reflect the things you say you believe? Can someone look at your life and know that you are a Christian?
I want to end with the following passage from Matthew 25, not as a scare tactic, but because I believe it really drives home this point. I urge you to consider Jesus' words and pray about how your life might be centered around His mission for the world.
Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Want to hear this or any other Summit sermon? Click here for the online sermon media. You can listen online, watch the video, or download it to your computer or mp3 player.
The title of the sermon was "Casi Cielo", yes like the Starbucks coffee. Translated into English, Casi Cielo means "Almost Heaven", and this served as an appropriate theme for the message. Pastor Raudel used 2 Peter 3 as his main text in which Peter is talking about living our days on earth with an eternal mindset. He said we get so stuck on thinking about "the things of this world" that we forget about Heaven. Pastor Raudel said "why would you get attached to something that is going to burn up anyway? It is not worth it to live for false saviors of this earth that will perish anyway" (2 Peter 3:7, Matthew 24:35). We all reject God daily, but God is infinitely patient, lavishing grace upon us (2 Peter 3:9). Live each day mindfully, remembering the sacrifice of Christ and God's unfailing love.
What consumes your thoughts? When our daily meditation centers on "me" we have lost our eternal perspective. We have to die daily to ourselves. We must ask the Holy Spirit to align our daily activities with God's purpose. Who is the captain of your ship? You or God? We are to be living life on mission for Christ because that is what we were created for... that is the best life we can live!
I'm reminded of the Switchfoot song, "Meant to Live." The song says, "We were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?" Is this true? Have we lost ourselves in "the things of this world" when in fact we have a much bigger, much grander purpose? Does your life center around Jesus or around yourself? Are you dedicating your life to the advancement of His Kingdom or your own? I hope you find this question as challenging as I do.
We often think about judgment day and wonder "will I be ready?" (2 Peter 3:10). But Pastor Raudel reminded us that we must remember that those who have not heard the gospel will also be held accountable. This isn't all about us! Live each day mindful of that fact and live on mission for God! Is your mindset on "the things of this world"or on the salvation of the world?
Don't almost love God. Don't almost love the world. Because almost isn't good enough.
Somewhere during the sermon, my mind took a right turn and began to apply this idea of "almost" to lukewarm Christians. Revelation 3:15-16 says "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you our of my mouth." You don't want to stand before Jesus and hear him say "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).
Don't almost get into Heaven.
Think about that. I want to challenge you: do you really know Jesus or just know about Jesus? Are you living a half-way Christian life in name only? Does your life reflect the things you say you believe? Can someone look at your life and know that you are a Christian?
I want to end with the following passage from Matthew 25, not as a scare tactic, but because I believe it really drives home this point. I urge you to consider Jesus' words and pray about how your life might be centered around His mission for the world.
Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Want to hear this or any other Summit sermon? Click here for the online sermon media. You can listen online, watch the video, or download it to your computer or mp3 player.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Audacious Faith
I am currently reading Steven Furtick's book, Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. I read a lot and I can honestly tell you that this is one of the best books I have read in a long time! If you don't own the book yet, stop reading and go order it now. I promise it will be the best $9.77 you have spent today! The book is all about having audacious faith, "faith that opens your eyes to see the potential to serve a God who is already at work on your behalf" (Furtick 61). Pastor Furtick says that "this kind of faith doesn't just change you, it also enables you to be a part of changing the world" (33).
Here are a few of my favorite quotes (so far):
"But when you really understand God's work in you, your natural desire will be to surrender your life to him. To obey him unconditionally. That posture of surrender will result in radical steps of faith -- and a confidence that flows from a heart that's fully devoted to God's plans. And in that place, past the edge of your comfort and convenience, God can raise your life to new heights." (p. 80)
"Before God can do an impossible work in your world, you need to let him do a deep work in your heart." (p. 80)
"Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you're a connector to the current of the power of Christ. You are a servant of the Most High God." (p. 54)
"But audacious vision never cowers in the darkness. The darker it gets, the brighter our faith can shine. Audacious faith takes Jesus at his word. We are the light of the world: we cannot be hidden -- and we have no reason to hide (Matthew 5:14)" (p. 30).
"It's also about becoming intimately acquainted with who Jesus is. It's about mining the depths of who you are in him. And out of that revelation, you will fulfill the purpose that he put you on earth to fulfill" (26).
"If you're not daring to believe God for the impossible, you're sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life... if the vision for your life isn't intimidating to you, there's a good chance it's insulting to God" (p. 7)
Seriously, go buy this book. And if you're in the Charlotte area, go check out Pastor Furtick's church, Elevation.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes (so far):
"But when you really understand God's work in you, your natural desire will be to surrender your life to him. To obey him unconditionally. That posture of surrender will result in radical steps of faith -- and a confidence that flows from a heart that's fully devoted to God's plans. And in that place, past the edge of your comfort and convenience, God can raise your life to new heights." (p. 80)
"Before God can do an impossible work in your world, you need to let him do a deep work in your heart." (p. 80)
"Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you're a connector to the current of the power of Christ. You are a servant of the Most High God." (p. 54)
"But audacious vision never cowers in the darkness. The darker it gets, the brighter our faith can shine. Audacious faith takes Jesus at his word. We are the light of the world: we cannot be hidden -- and we have no reason to hide (Matthew 5:14)" (p. 30).
"It's also about becoming intimately acquainted with who Jesus is. It's about mining the depths of who you are in him. And out of that revelation, you will fulfill the purpose that he put you on earth to fulfill" (26).
"If you're not daring to believe God for the impossible, you're sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life... if the vision for your life isn't intimidating to you, there's a good chance it's insulting to God" (p. 7)
Seriously, go buy this book. And if you're in the Charlotte area, go check out Pastor Furtick's church, Elevation.
Prayer for the Nations
Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (NIV)
If you are looking for a really great prayer resource, Operation World provides tons of information of how you can pray for the nations. It can be overwhelming to wrap your head around praying for specific nations, but Operation World has specific prayer points, videos, and all kinds of tools to guide you. You can even sign up here to become a part of the 60 Day Prayer Experience and receive daily emails that focus on a specific country. For example, this is what you will see for Day 1. I highly recommend Operation World!
If you are looking for a really great prayer resource, Operation World provides tons of information of how you can pray for the nations. It can be overwhelming to wrap your head around praying for specific nations, but Operation World has specific prayer points, videos, and all kinds of tools to guide you. You can even sign up here to become a part of the 60 Day Prayer Experience and receive daily emails that focus on a specific country. For example, this is what you will see for Day 1. I highly recommend Operation World!
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