tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25837613142658797032024-03-05T15:59:50.663-05:00Conformed or Transformed?Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-62996453161606080732015-10-15T13:29:00.001-05:002015-10-15T13:30:37.395-05:00Fixed on Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I continue to be amazed at how God reveals himself to me. I have been studying the book of Revelation and when you look at how he addresses the seven churches, they each needed to see a different aspect of God. When God addresses them, He reminds them of the very thing they need to remember about Him. <br />
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The past few weeks have been extremely overwhelming and difficult, but I am continually amazed how God puts the right verse, the right song and the right people to encourage me. The Holy Spirit has led people to pray for me. My heart is full, being reminded of how much God values me. <br />
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God values you. He loves you so much. If you question what's going on around you, look to Scripture. Does He have a lesson for you? Is He growing you in a deeper way? Does He need you to share the hope that you have in Him with someone else? Stay strong. Stay in the Word! And most of all...keep your eyes on Jesus. The world will tell you lies and try to knock you off course. Persist in obedience and you will find blessing! <br />
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So for now...I'm keeping my eyes on Jesus and staying in His Words to me. I hope you are too!Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-1028530490292101932013-01-29T13:58:00.001-05:002013-01-29T13:58:09.790-05:00DependentI am overwhelmed with the fact that God CHOOSES to use ME. <br />
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<li>I have let Him down.</li>
<li>I have broken His heart.</li>
<li>I have turned my back on Him and done my own thing.</li>
<li>I have worried.</li>
<li>I have put other things before Him.</li>
<li>I have ignored Him.</li>
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Yet...HE LOVES ME. In spite of ME, HE LOVES ME....and WANTS a relationship with me. <br />
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I have just become the Pastor of 37 North Church in Southgate, MI. I am humbled. I am overwhelmed. I am excited. I am scared. I am blessed. I am keeping my eyes on Jesus. I can't do this on my own. I can't love God's people the way they need to be loved on my own. It's a good place to be. A child...totally dependent on the Creator and Sustainer....that's where I find myself. <br />
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Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-14139099751118497082012-12-13T08:05:00.001-05:002012-12-13T08:05:24.671-05:00Jesus Calling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe5WD-A9pGtRZAvbVzfum8oV234kwoHicBy5-T9vGDCr_T7XyiMPC1SgNkIJzvEnVYvEhvE5SDTa8YCpZKMHJciahZHBEvJOGlQNNGsSviUcWfbJGrfKiipLY9JT3gtRNCmUSrlyzj0tW/s1600/Jesus+Calling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe5WD-A9pGtRZAvbVzfum8oV234kwoHicBy5-T9vGDCr_T7XyiMPC1SgNkIJzvEnVYvEhvE5SDTa8YCpZKMHJciahZHBEvJOGlQNNGsSviUcWfbJGrfKiipLY9JT3gtRNCmUSrlyzj0tW/s1600/Jesus+Calling.jpg" /></a>Psalm 27:4 My heart says of You, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek. <br />
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This year I have been reading the daily devotional <u>Jesus Calling</u> by Sarah Young. I love the title of this book! Jesus Calls us every day to seek His face. This book is about putting yourself in Jesus' presence on a daily basis. When we do this, we experience His peace, His guidance, His comfort, His shelter, and so much more! <br />
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I have found that there are many days when I am struggling to trust God's plan and I am feeling down. These kind of days are hard to remember that God is still on the throne and that nothing is catching Him by surprise. He sees tomorrow and we have no reason to fear or worry. I find great encouragement in seeking His face, because when we seek Him, He WILL be found!<br />
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I got a new Bible and have been highlighting the verses that Sarah Young suggests we read. After almost a year of highlighting, I have a Bible full of highlighted promises and encouragement at my fingertips. <br />
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So, I continue to lead my heart in Psalm 27:4 "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-71639058666556789062012-12-11T07:20:00.004-05:002012-12-11T07:23:12.418-05:00Every decision has a consequence....good or bad.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-19914917877782855242012-11-29T10:04:00.000-05:002012-11-29T10:04:29.338-05:00Rejoicing with the angels!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night I had the awesome privilege of leading a young man to Christ. Sometimes you wonder if the teens ever really hear what you are saying. They sometimes act like they don't care and nothing matters, yet somehow it sinks in and God works! <br />
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I am praying for my young friend, as his Mother was not as thrilled for him as he was to tell her about it. I forget sometimes how hard it is for teens these days to stand up for truth. <br />
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I rejoice in God's word that He says "My salvation will last forever. My righteousness will never fail." (Isaiah 51:6b) No one can take that salvation away. I am praying for continued faith for this young man and for his Mother to be drawn to Jesus as well. <br />
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This is why I do what I do......salvation is near.......Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-88840585616769697632012-11-28T12:48:00.000-05:002012-11-28T12:48:27.966-05:00I'm BACCCCKKKK!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been an incredible journey these past couple years. I have been at my lowest and have come to know Christ in a deeper way. I am incredibly blessed to have gone through the "junk" to be where I am today.....deeper in love with my Savior and learning to keep my eyes focused on Him. This world can hand us some pretty icky stuff and the ONLY way to get through it is to realize who God is.
God has been my strength, given me a song to sing when I didn't feel like it, provided for me in ways I couldn't even fathom, healed my heart, protected me in the storm, given me victory that I couldn't have attained on my own, and been the Cornerstone of my life. He has been faithful and true. He has sustained me and given me a new sense of purpose. I could go on and on. My Redeemer Lives!
Today I just want to say....Jesus, I love you! Thank you for believing in me when I felt so alone. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for reviving me. Thank you for being my Intimate Friend, Savior, Shelter, Sustainer, Strength, Provider, Healer, Deliverer, Rescuer, Refuge, Comfortor, Transformer, and Breath of Life.
Today I sing only Your praises!!Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-52283636882639581402010-11-09T09:54:00.000-05:002010-11-09T09:54:43.623-05:00To all of you who feel like giving up<object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/_jeOguqNIAo/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jeOguqNIAo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jeOguqNIAo?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-91829067224124857262010-10-24T17:16:00.004-05:002010-10-24T17:24:25.156-05:00A post from a friendThe following is a post from my former Pastor and friend. It touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you and pray it speaks to you as well.<br /><br />I went to my cousin's memorial service this week. You would've loved Ed, he was a great pastor and a fun guy. I find myself sitting next to some of you in the stadium of questions. You know the place - it's the crowded arena that holds all of us who have had an experience that doesn't seem to fit in the game of life.<br /><br />I hugged Ed's wife, who now is without a husband, a father for their kids, a pastor, and even a church. I stood in the stadium next to her and felt a fraction of her pain. We cried. I walked and talked with my other cousin who is now without his younger brother and himself racked with pain from cancer - we talked about God, about questions, about hanging on.<br /><br />The stadium is often quite full. As I work my way out of the stadium I'm looking back making some observations. <br /><br />1. The stadium of questions rarely has answers. I went in with a list of things that didn't make sense to me. I went in with a bunch of suggestions for God on how he could have handled this one differently. I went in thinking I should be exempt from having to be there again. I went in knowing I wasn't alone - but feeling like I was. Being answerless makes what I feel bigger than what I know.<br /><br />2. The stadium is often the birth place of anger. It is amazing to me how close we are to an angry response. Please know that God can handle our anger, but in most cases it's a huge waste of our energy. We get angry over what we can't change and don't like. The danger is that anger not given to God grows into a poison that infects all of our life and is usually expressed on innocent bystanders.<br /><br />3. The stadium of questions is where I am most selfish. I couldn't count how many people were there. When I'm in the arena I'm not usually aware of anyone else. I see people, but I don't notice souls if I'm not careful. My questions become my identity and the absence of answers is my evil twin. We're not good for each other.<br /><br />4. The stadium of questions some how grows me. After I sit in my chair for a while and search for illusive answers I eventually notice that Someone is sitting close to me. At some point He asks if I am ready to leave. "But I don't have an answer yet," I reply refusing to get up. "You know, you can leave without one, don't you?" He kindly asks. "But if I have questions doesn't that mean I am weak and have no faith?" "No," He didn't hesitate to answer. "Are you willing to keep walking without an answer? Are you bold enough to let My Father have the answers and not share them with you? Are you able to have faith and questions at the same time?" He asked the series of rapid fire questions not waiting for my response. "Yah, I think I am." I finally said. "I'd love to have a person like that walk with me," He smiled. We stood together. I don't have answers - I have a Friend. <br /><br />Leaving the Arena Again,<br />Pastor DavePastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-92105070481878892872010-08-13T07:21:00.000-05:002010-08-13T07:21:47.684-05:00NEVER EVER GIVE UP IN LIFE<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/EDgVske63cY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EDgVske63cY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EDgVske63cY?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-39152560032097312582010-05-07T07:07:00.002-05:002010-05-07T07:09:20.209-05:00A short 2 minute sermon!<object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/WUQYJ77qa50/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WUQYJ77qa50&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WUQYJ77qa50&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-19941148417648972062010-04-26T13:05:00.002-05:002010-04-26T13:08:57.540-05:00GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREATI have found myself saying "That's just not fair!" this week. I have experienced frustrating situations that I would allow to consume me. I have let my mind wander and have experience a cluster of destructive emotions. I had valid reasons to be angry; valid reasons to fight; valid reasons to quit. So, if that is the case, why would I say "it's not fair" and out of the same mouth "God is up to something great"?<br /><br />Perspective. It comes down to perspective. In all of our situations, whether or not we can see it, God is up to something great! Through our situations, we may find ourselves saying:<br />• How could God let this happen?<br />• This isn't fair!<br />• If God cares about me, why is he allowing ____________ to happen?<br /><br />Our life is a short little speck in light of eternity. God has seen all of the past thousands of years and he already sees the next thousand years. He knows everything we have ever done and will ever do. He knows what will happen to us...the good, the bad and the ugly! <br /><br />We all have lived enough life that at this point you can probably say that you could write and even direct the movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". We have each experienced those times in our life when everything seems to be going our way. <br />• every time you go to park your car, there is a front row spot just for you<br />• finances are good<br />• friendships are good<br />• you're healthy<br />• your family is healthy and getting along<br /><br />It's a great time! But life isn't always what we would term "good". We live in a fallen world. From the beginning when Eve took the fruit and gave it to her husband, sin entered into the world. From that point on, God said we would have to work for our food. We would have troubles and life would be hard. Sometimes life is bad.<br />• facing relationship strains<br />• financial hardships<br />• maybe you were laid off from your job for a time<br />• maybe a car accident or other difficult times<br />• life just seems stressful<br />And then there are times that life gets down right ugly. <br />• health issues - cancer or some other debilitating disease<br />• bankruptcy<br />• divorce<br />• friendships are in turmoil<br />• at every turn it seems everything is going wrong<br /><br />But in all our situations, God is up to something great! Stick with me for a few minutes. I know, you are thinking, What? Did she take a happy pill or something? How can she say God is up to something great? She has NO idea what I am facing right now. Life is ugly and unfair and I don't know how God can let this happen to me. Like I said...stick with me for a few minutes and let's take a look at someone in the Bible that had every reason to say "Life's not fair!"<br /><br />We are going to take a look at the life of Joseph. Genesis 37 We won't be reading all the chapters, but I'm going to give you the cliff notes version of the story and we'll highlight some verses along the way.<br /><br />Joseph was the son of Jacob. Joseph had 10 older brothers and they weren't such good boys:<br />• murderers<br />• affair with father's concubines<br />• sex with his daughter in law....thought it was a prostitute<br /><br />Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. He loved him the best. He gave him a coat of many colors to show his love for him. It was no secret that he was the favorite. Joseph didn't do himself any favors either. He tattled to his father that his brothers were doing a poor job in the fields and he had a dream that his brothers would bow down to him and he went out to the fields to tell his brothers about this dream. True, but that probably didn't go over real well with the brothers who already hated him. <br /><br />It got to the point that the brothers wanted to kill Joseph. They plotted and planned and then his brother Reuben had the idea of throwing him into a pit and he would die of thirst and exposure. It seemed more palatable to them instead of outright murder. <br /><br />But then, the Midianite traders were going by and they decided that they could make some money off him, so they pulled him out of the pit and sold him for 20 shekels of silver. <br /><br />Continuing with the story, we see the Midianites sold him as a slave to Potiphar, one of the Pharoh's highest ranking officials. <br /><br />Joseph went from being the favored son to being a slave. He faced rejection, hate, neglect and probably felt completely alone.<br /><br />Then we see my favorite verse in this whole story: Genesis 39:5 "the Lord was with Joseph" God was intimately aware of Joseph's circumstances, feelings, and future. Joseph's life was not catching God by surprise. I am sure God's heart broke watching Joseph go through the troubles he was facing, but God was up to something great! The Lord was with Joseph. <br /><br />Let's keep on with the story. It gets worse. Joseph is a slave in Potiphar's house. He's a good looking dude and Potiphar's wife begins to lust after him and propositions him. In Genesis 39:8-9, we see Joseph refusing. She doesn't like his answer, so what does she do? She falsely accuses him of having an affair with her and Potiphar threw Joseph into prison for it. so, Joseph does the right thing and it seems to put him in a worse position. <br /><br />So, let's review so far:<br />• hated by his brothers<br />• loved as the favorite by his father<br />• sold as a slave for $<br />• sold again as a slave <br />• makes wise, good choices and is thrown into prison for false accusations<br /><br />THE BIG QUESTION:<br />• "Why am I going through all this?" <br />• "Lord, how do you want to use this ugliness to move me ahead for your purposes?" <br />We don't have time for the first "it's not fair" approach! Sometimes we can't see the reason for a situation, but all the while God has a plan that we can't yet see. <br /><br />Tony Evan's shares a great example of this from his family life: Their car was falling apart and needed to be replaced. Family gave the very last of their finances to the church on Sunday, not even knowing how they were going to put food on the table. Later that week, as they were traveling down the highway, their car caught on fire. Car repairs were the last thing he could afford to pay for right now. He had it towed to the shop to get an estimate, but when he got there, they had the car totally torn apart and were fixing it. He knew he had a $200 deductible on his insurance and he had no idea how he would pay for it. The shop said the insurance company said to go ahead and do the work. Upon checking his insurance papers, he found he had no deductible only if it was a fire. So all the work that needed to be repaired was now done for free. <br /><br />At the time of the fire, it looked like an impossible situation. He was frustrated and discouraged and yet all the while God was coming to the rescue behind the scenes. They had no idea how GREAT the final outcome was going to be. God was diligently working. <br /><br />You see, just because we can't SEE what God is doing, doesn't mean that He isn't working. God is up to something great!<br /><br />So how did Joseph respond to all of his circumstances? <br />He may have prayed something like this: "Lord, if you have to allow what is going on in my life to bring about even greater things, then that's ok. I am willing to trust you completely and put my life in your hands, since I know you are up to something great!"<br /><br />Joseph served diligently. His actions revealed his heart. While in prison, he interpreted two different dreams. One of them was that the guy was going to get out of prison. He asked that man, who would become a cupbearer to plea for him to Pharoah. Genesis 40:14-15 " But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharoah and get me out of this prison. For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in the dungeon." Get this....the man forgot. <br /><br />Years pass! Joseph is still in prison for a crime that he didn't commit. Yet, remember the verse "the Lord was with Joseph." God was up to something great!<br /><br />Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams and he was scared and needed an interpretation. It was at this point that the cupbearer said "OH YA!!! Um, ya, there's this guy in prison named Joseph and he interpreted a dream for me and maybe you should bring him in."<br /><br />Genesis 41:34-36 we see that Egypt is going to experience a famine and Joseph would save Egypt through the instructions in that dream of how to prepare for the famine.<br />Pharaoh was impressed and we see in Vs. 39-40 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." <br /><br />Joseph is promoted. Only the king would be greater than him. He went from a prison cell to the second in the kingdom. From prison to Vice President of the USA. <br /><br />So, the famine is playing out as Joseph said. His brothers are still back in Canaan starving from the famine. Egypt had grain, so they left to go buy grain from Egypt. Little did they know that they would be buying from their very own brother, Joseph. At first, Joseph didn't reveal who he was. He wanted to test to see if they had changed. He wanted to see what kind of men they really were. <br /><br />James 1: 2-4 says to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." <br /><br />He grows our character and makes us stronger people to do the work that God calls us to do. It's in those hard times that God is creating you into the person he wants you to be to do the work that he has planned for you to do. God has to test us to see if we have changed. Are we the strong people that we need to be to do the next task God has for us? <br /><br />Joseph sees that the hearts of his brothers have changed. Genesis 45:4-7 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But god sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." <br /><br />Look at the words that come out of Joseph's mouth. He doesn't cast blame on them. He doesn't say "I can't believe you did that to me." He doesn't call them a jerk. Look at what he says: Joseph said "God sent me". Even though it happened by being sold into slavery. You thought you were getting rid of me, but God was orchestrating a plan, using the bad and ugly events of my life to fulfill HIS purpose for this time. He prepared me in advance for this time in history. You see, Genesis 50:20 says You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. There's some comfort in that, isn't there? There's comfort in knowing that God is accomplishing a bigger work and He intends to use US! He has chosen YOU for the task. <br /><br />Perspective! Joseph chose to look at it through the lenses of God's glory being revealed vs. a "that's not fair" approach<br /><br />Have you ever seen REAL pizza made? Not the kind of pizza where everything comes pretty much pre-made. I mean...REAL pizza. The kind of pizza place that serves homemade dough. They take that dough and kneed it and punch it and roll it around. The pound on that dough and then they twirl it and make it ready for baking. Why do they work it so hard? Because that dough has to be able to hold "the works" on top of it without falling apart and splitting out. <br /><br />We are like that pizza dough and God is the person working the dough. He has some good stuff that he wants to lay on you, but he can't give it to you until you are strong enough to hold all that stuff. God has good things in store for you. The process seems brutal at times, but when we finally see God's plan revealed, it's worth it! Oh, it's so worth it!!! We have to trust that. <br /><br />Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.<br />If we were to look at the verses before Jer. 29:11, we see that Israel is in captivity in Babylon because they had rebelled against God. They were being disciplined. They were hopeless and discouraged and living in a pagan, evil, idolatrous place. And smack dab in the middle of all that is Jer. 29:11 offering hope and a future.<br /><br />You see, God has a plan for you. Even if you have missed it or ignored it for years. How do we hold on to that hope? The first step to hope is:<br /><br />1. STEP UP IN FAITH <br /> Have you ever booked a flight? What do you do when you book a flight? <br />1. Identify the destination of the flight.<br />2. Pick a time to fly that works for me.<br />3. Affordable price.<br />After that you just show up and fly, right?<br />Have any of you ever:<br />1. Asked the pilot to explain how the plane works?<br />2. Ask the pilot what the equipment does and how they plan to use it?<br />3. Checked the route to make sure you are flying only directly to the destination?<br />4. Argued with the price after you already made your reservation and paid for it?<br /><br />No, we don't do that. We book the flight and trust the pilot to get us to our destination. How much more do we need to trust God? He is our pilot and we have placed our life in His hands. We need to stop questioning the route he is taking. Have faith. What is faith? Believing in what we can't see. Have faith that God is at work and has a plan for you. Have faith that God has a hope and a future for your life. <br /><br />How's your faith? <br /><br />2. RUN AWAY FROM SIN<br />Hebrews 12:1 says Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. That first word you see there "therefore" means something came before it. It means, in light of what you just read, this is what you should do. What came before Hebrews 12:1? It's the great faith hall of fame. It tells of all those who had faith and in God's plan and their actions showed their faith but didn't see what had been promised to them. Hebrews 11:39-40 says 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. <br /><br />So, in light of this, we get to Hebrews 12:1 and SINCE we have such a great heritage of those going before us that had faith, we must throw off all that hinders. Let me stop right there. What hinders your hope? Is there anything in your life that hinders your faith in God's plan? Throw it off! And the sin, that easily entangles. Throw it off too! <br /><br />It's so easy to get tangled up in sin when life isn't going the way we had pictured our life to be. It's easy to get angry, to give up, to throw our fist up at God in anger. It's easy to run to those things that look like they will satisfy us, but in the end, they just dig our hole even deeper. <br /><br />Satan sure works hard at making sin look attractive, doesn't he? Oh, I can do ________ and it won't hurt me. No, maybe it won't, but next step down the road, WILL. Don't even play with sin! Run from sin! It starts in our minds. Do you ever let your mind wander and think that it's not hurting anyone? Those initial thoughts, left unattended to, turn into bigger thoughts and eventually down a path of sin. Those things that hinder: start in our mind, distracting us from the good that God has for us.<br /><br /> Don't believe the lies! Go back to step one. Step up your faith that God has a plan and don't take your eyes off that. Don't believe the lies that the enemy tries to distract you with. Don't just walk away. RUN!!! <br /><br />3. WALK IN GOD'S PRESENCE<br />If we look at Jeremiah 29 again, where God promised hope. He didn't just promise the hope and let them sit back and do nothing. He told them exactly what to do.<br /><br />Jeremiah 29:5-7 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." <br /><br />God told them exactly what to do. Don't just sit back and wait for God. Maximize your potential! How do we do that? How do we maximize our potential?<br />• learn from your mistakes<br />• remember God is working behind the scenes....trust Him! Step up in faith!<br />• run away from sin<br />• be confident that God will accomplish the work he has begun in you. Philippians 1:6 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.<br /><br />Walking in God's presence means we seek him! Active looking for God in our lives and situations.Jeremiah 29:12-14 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."<br /><br />I think many times we misuse this verse. We seek solutions from God and we use this verse to say "Call on God and He promises to answer your prayer and fix all your problems if you pray with all your heart." That's not what these verses say. It says "When you seek ME, you will find ME, when you seek ME with all your heart. I will be found you." It doesn't say seek solutions. It says...seek HIM and you will find HIM and let me tell you, HE is far better than anything you are asking for, I guarantee it!<br /><br />Do you notice all the key words are action words? God is up to something good, but we have a part to play in receiving it! We need to:<br />1. Step up in faith<br />2. Run away from sin<br />3. Walk in God's presencePastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-25566755453543280722010-03-29T14:03:00.002-05:002010-03-29T14:29:01.585-05:00Where did Easter come from?A friend asked me the origin of the term "Easter" this week. I looked it up on Christiananswers.net (http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html) and here's what I found:<br /><br />Where did “Easter” get its name? Where did the concept of an Easter egg and bunny originate?<br /><br /><br /> The name “Easter” has its roots in ancient polytheistic religions (paganism). On this, all scholars agree. This name is never used in the original Scriptures, nor is it ever associated biblically with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For these reasons, we prefer to use the term “Resurrection Sunday” rather than “Easter” when referring to the annual Christian remembrance of Christ's resurrection.<br /><br />Ancient origin<br />Most reference books say that the name “Easter” derived from the Eastre, the Teutonic goddess of Spring. Although this relationship exists, in reality, the origin of the name and the goddess are far more ancient - going all the way back to the Tower of Babel. The origin begins not long after the biblical Flood.<br /><br /> The Flood was a divine judgment sent on mankind after evil had become all pervasive and all people everywhere were totally unresponsive to God. The Bible says that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5, NKJV). It is not difficult to imagine that life must have been almost unbearable at this time in history. God gave humankind a second chance by preserving the righteous man Noah and his family (a total of 8 people).<br /><br />After the Flood, Noah had a talented, but evil, great-grandson named Nimrod (Genesis 10:6-10) who rebelled greatly against God. The Bible says that he was “a mighty one”[1] Jewish tradition indicates that Nimrod was a tyrant "who made all of the people rebellious against God."[2] It is evident from history that Nimrod was not only a political leader, but also the lead priest of a form of occultic worship.[3] <br /><br />King Nimrod, Queen Semiramis (Easter), and Tammuz (the “reincarnated” Nimrod)<br />Nimrod built and organized major cities. The Bible notes that these included Babel, Asshur, Nineveh and Calah (Genesis 10:10-12). If you know anything about ancient history, the mention of these places may send shivers up your spine. For these were cities of great, almost unimaginable practices and perversion. <br />When Nimrod eventually died, the Babylonian mystery religion in which he figured prominently continued on. His wife Queen Semiramis saw to that. Once he was dead, she deified him as the Sun-god. In various cultures he later became known as Baal, the Great Life Giver, the god of fire, Baalim, Bel, Molech, etc. <br /><br />“Later, when this adulterous and idolatrous woman gave birth to an illegitimate son, she claimed that this son, Tammuz by name, was Nimrod reborn.”[4] Semiramis “claimed that her son was supernaturally conceived [no human father] and that he was the promised seed, the 'savior'” - promised by God in Genesis 3:15. “However, not only was the child worshipped, but the woman, the MOTHER, was also worshipped as much (or more) than the son!”[5] Nimrod deified as the god of the sun and father of creation. Semiramis became the goddess of the moon, fertility, etc. <br /><br />"In the old fables of the Mystery cults, their 'savior' Tammuz, was worshipped with various rites at the Spring season. According to the legends, after he was slain [killed by a wild boar], he went into the underworld. But through the weeping of his mother… he mystically revived in the springing forth of the vegetation - in Spring! Each year a spring festival dramatically represented this supposed 'resurrection' from the underworld.[6] <br /><br />Thus, a terrible false religion developed with its sun and moon worship, priests, astrology, demonic worship, worship of stars associated with their gods, idolatry, mysterious rites, human sacrifice, and more. Frankly, the practices which went on were so horrible that it is not fitting for me to speak of them here. <br /><br /> It was at Nimrod's city of Babel that a towering structure was first built in defiance of God as part of their Satanic religion. Archaeological evidence indicates that this was a spectacular pyramid-shaped structure (ziggurat). The Bible tells us that at this time there was only one language in the world and that most of the world's population centered in this area and participated in this religion. It was evident to God that all mankind would soon degenerate into a level of evil that would parallel that of the pre-Flood world. For humanity's sake, something had to be done to slow and frustrate this organization of an evil one world, tyrannical government.<br /><br />God confused their language, so that they could not understand each other (Genesis 11:7). (This is the ultimate source of the world's many languages.) As a result, many people moved away from the area in groups according to their particular new language. Most, if not all, of these people carried their evil Sun-God-based religion with them. They continued to worship the stars and practice all the other ungodly rituals of their religion. Some also continued to build pyramids reminiscent of the Tower of Babel as part of this mystery religion. Today, we can still find remnants of these throughout the world (e.g., Iraq, South America, Central America, Egypt, Burma). <br /><br />Babel was the origin of an idolatrous system that swept the world. The Bible says of her, “Babylon… the nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged” (Jeremiah 51:7). The Bible often speaks of the Satanic religions which came from her. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus "witnessed the Mystery religion and its rites in numerous countries and mentions how Babylon was the primeval source from which ALL systems of idolatry flowed.[7] Austen Layard said “that we have the united testimony of sacred and profane history that idolatry originated in the area of Babylonia - the most ancient of religious systems.”[8] <br /><br />Basically, almost every vile, profane and idolatrous practice you can think of originated at Babel with Queen Semiramis, the Mother Goddess and Nimrod. As the people scattered from Babel with their different languages, they, of course, used different names for Nimrod (Tammuz) and Semiramis. Some called the Mother Goddess “ISHTAR” (originally pronounced “Easter”).[9] In other lands, she was called Eostre, Astarte, Ostera, and Eastre. Other names for Semiramis, the Mother Goddess include: Wife of Baal, Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth, and Queen of Heaven.[10] The Mother goddess was frequently worshipped as the goddess of fertility - and as a sort of Mother Nature and goddess of Spring and sexual love and birth. She was also worshipped as a mediator between god and man. Sexual orgies and temple prostitutes were often used in her worship and in attempting to gain her favor. <br /><br />The Easter Rabbit or Hare<br />The rabbit is well known as a sexual symbol of fertility. In various parts of the world, religions which developed from Babel also associate the rabbit with periodicity, both human and lunar (Egypt, China, etc.). As you may remember, the Mother Goddess Semiramis (Easter) is associated with the Moon. In other words, the Easter bunny symbolizes the Mother Goddess. Annual Spring time fertility rituals are associated worship of the Mother Goddess and Tammuz, the reincarnation of her husband Nimrod.<br /><br />The Easter Egg<br />Most children and families who color or hide Easter eggs as part of their Resurrection Sunday tradition have no knowledge of the origin of these traditions. Easter egg activities have become a part of Western culture. Many would be surprised and even dismayed to learn where the traditions originated.<br /><br />“The egg was a sacred symbol among the Babylonians. They believed an old fable about an egg of wondrous size which was supposed to have fallen from heaven into the Euphrates River. From this marvelous egg - according to the ancient story - the Goddess Astarte (Easter) [Semiramis], was hatched. And so the egg came to symbolize the Goddess Easter.”[11]<br /><br />The idea of a mystic egg spread from Babylon to many parts of the world.[12] In Rome, the mystic egg preceded processions in honor of the Mother Goddess Roman. The egg was part of the sacred ceremonies of the Mysteries of Bacchus. The Druids used the egg as their sacred emblem. In Northern Europe, China and Japan the eggs were colored for their sacred festivals.[13]<br /><br />The egg was also a symbol of fertility; Semiramis (Easter) was the goddess of Fertility. The Easter egg is a symbol of the pagan Mother Goddess, and it even bears one of her names.<br /><br />Summary and Conclusion<br />“Easter” is simply one of the names of a woman who mightily deceived the world and whose religion has caused untold suffering and misery.[14] She was clearly an enemy of Christianity, and her son Tammuz was an anti-Christ, a false messiah that ultimately deceived millions. <br /><br /><br />If you are Christian, it is not difficult to discern the bizarre deception and confusion that Satan has successfully orchestrated. For example, notice the embarrassing irony in these traditions which are practiced innocently by most people. They are repeated year after year, because they have become traditional and their origin is unknown to many. <br /><br />■On the day commemorating Christ's resurrection, Americans roll decorated eggs on the White House lawn and pretend the Easter rabbit hid them. The same ritual is practiced at some Christian churches.<br />■“In Lancashire [England] on Easter eve boys and men have been in the habit of touring the towns and villages as 'Pace-eggers' begging for eggs before performing the 'Pace-Egging' or Pasch (i.e., Easter) play.”[15]<br />■In Greece each person in a group bangs his red EASTER EGG [not knowing that it is symbol of the Goddess] against the eggs of all the others present in turn, saying 'Christ is risen,' and receives the reply 'He is risen indeed.'"[16]<br />The seductive symbols of ancient ungodly religions inspired by Satan have been incorporated into people's everyday lives, even to this day - continuing to obscure the truth of God . <br />One might wonder if there is a better way for Christians to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection, the most important of all Christian holy days. In retrospect, it seems obvious that it would have been a better witness to the world if Christians had not attempted to “Christianize” pagan celebrations - adopting the name “Easter” (Ishtar/Semiramis) in remembrance of Christ. Jesus has been obscured by painted eggs and bunnies. Attention has been shifted away from spiritual truth and toward materialism (clothing, products and candies with the wrong symbolism). Stores merchandise the name of Easter (not “Resurrection Sunday”) and sell goods that have nothing to do with Christ's death and resurrection. Christians naively use symbols and practices that unknowingly perpetuate ancient anti-Christ traditions - symbolic customs followed by the same religious cults that inspired the destruction of great numbers of Christians and Jews. Is the Devil laughing at us?<br /><br />Many church bodies recognize the problem and make every effort to keep the focus of Resurrection Sunday totally on Jesus Christ and the Good News that He brought.Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-73764641874382347132010-03-15T13:22:00.003-05:002010-03-15T14:07:04.894-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6BYR6D7JQEi-or0xdBU1gPJU39DTers4CVB2vAXKKPyXO2AZVtX4lyGQSmQM8fxPQy2Rp4zvSKlL2xQGiAR2pWUU6dl5BMjiWqFH0MIAe5aeDkkdokdO68B77F_Y_UHQuA7hz2qwbiHV/s1600-h/Fresh+Start+logo.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6BYR6D7JQEi-or0xdBU1gPJU39DTers4CVB2vAXKKPyXO2AZVtX4lyGQSmQM8fxPQy2Rp4zvSKlL2xQGiAR2pWUU6dl5BMjiWqFH0MIAe5aeDkkdokdO68B77F_Y_UHQuA7hz2qwbiHV/s200/Fresh+Start+logo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448936493055807298" /></a><br />It has been a long while since I have posted. So what have I been doing? Church. Fresh Start Community Church is a new church in Interlochen, Michigan, just outside of Traverse City. It has been an amazing journey!<br /><br />We started services in December and held our official launch on March 7th. It has been a whirlwind of a trip but I am so excited to see what God has in store for this new church. <br /><br />We held a carnival on Saturday, March 6th and we had over 400 people in attendance. It was well received and we pray to see some of those people walk through our church doors in the coming weeks. <br /><br />Thank You, Lord for allowing me to be a part of this awesome opportunity that is so much bigger than I am. You know the plans you have for Interlochen. Plans to prosper and not to harm. Plans to give a hope and a future. Guide us and direct us in Your way. I want to see YOU!!!<br /><br />Fresh Start meets on Sunday mornings at 11am in the Interlochen Library's Fellowship Hall.Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-45184884930097335362009-10-23T11:45:00.003-05:002009-10-23T11:51:36.883-05:00Complete faithI want to share a quote from a friend that she posted on her facebook this week. It has totally encouraged me in my faith.<br /><br />"To know that God watches my back is so wonderful. I say I trust Him to take care of me only to find that when it comes down to the wire, He outlasts my faith. Just when I wonder how I am going to make things work, He reminds me that it is His timing, not mine and comes through the Victor at the final bell. I am humbled."<br /><br />I am in the process of starting a church in Interlochen, Michigan. It's an exciting time, but we have not been able to get into a building. There is NO question in my mind that this is what we are supposed to do, but why hasn't God opened up the doors to the right place for us? We have one option, but I am just not at peace about that quite yet. <br /><br />God's timing is NEVER late. I trust in that and reading her quote reminded me once again, that He WILL come through and I just need to keep my eyes on the Savior and not look in any other direction. There is a reason for the delay and I have faith that we will open our doors on the perfect date that HE sets. <br /><br />So, Thanks Sheryl for the reminder of God's faithfulness. I keep trusting...Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-37991653717448045832009-05-04T08:57:00.002-05:002009-05-04T09:06:30.374-05:00I WILL NOT BE SHAKENPsalm 62:5-8 says Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people;pour out your hearts to him,for God is our refuge. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BByh0ZoNniI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BByh0ZoNniI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />My soul finds rest in You<br />My fortress and my rock<br />My hope for life my hiding place<br />My refuge and my God<br /><br />In You I've found my home<br />My shelter from the storm<br />And I'll pour out my heart to You<br />And lean upon Your throne<br /><br />I will put my trust in You<br />I will put my hope there, too<br />I will stand upon Your word<br />And I will not be shaken<br /><br />I will let my praises show<br />Holding on to what I know<br />Because I know You're always there<br />And I will not be shaken<br />I will not be shaken<br />(Repeat)<br /><br />I will not be moved<br />I'm leaning on the throne<br />Because You died for me<br />And called me to Your own<br />And even when the strongest winds begin to blow<br /><br />I will stand my ground<br />I will not be moved<br />I will not be shaken<br /><br />My soul finds rest in You<br />My fortress and my rock<br />My hope for life my hiding place<br />My refuge and my God<br /><br />I will put my trust in You<br />I will put my hope there, too<br />I will stand upon Your word<br />And I will not be shaken<br /><br />I will let my praises show<br />Holding on to what I know<br />Because I know You're always there<br />And I will not be shaken<br /><br />I will put my trust in You<br />I will put my hope there, too<br />I will stand upon Your word<br />And I will not be shaken<br /><br />I will let my praises show<br />Holding on to what I know<br />Because I know You're always there<br />And I will not be shaken<br />I will not be shakenPastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-47395896783220783522009-04-02T13:10:00.003-05:002009-04-02T13:19:26.842-05:00A little humor about criticism....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh69tOUHTsekk7yxbzvPrnG5778G8zkhS8WElX8Mnz8ESZZJOymBdpWYmI4JZ9ZvfTk6Tv-Sbj3NY2Tj-WETPw_0830QUu-VOATLro1Qpe3IuDdzu6ITd4S8y36eUpXQ4Nr5_-qhAhKHUv/s1600-h/Criticism.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh69tOUHTsekk7yxbzvPrnG5778G8zkhS8WElX8Mnz8ESZZJOymBdpWYmI4JZ9ZvfTk6Tv-Sbj3NY2Tj-WETPw_0830QUu-VOATLro1Qpe3IuDdzu6ITd4S8y36eUpXQ4Nr5_-qhAhKHUv/s400/Criticism.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320160361909529554" /></a>Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-6019773945362705812009-04-02T07:24:00.002-05:002009-04-02T07:28:20.915-05:00Prayer for the Church<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFAVRhuDoOz9fwLoTBS76JgZ6svF_xJCM_635KBhjZXbV9v03W4rNO-ohp4_eJmJbOnIAHhc0wt3W8D2QUfWFHT6bEvLCe5qzkjwWsRY9-UiP26sOk_mAzbmz3oJMGt67IhKyArTY0xvJ/s1600-h/praying_hands_bible.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFAVRhuDoOz9fwLoTBS76JgZ6svF_xJCM_635KBhjZXbV9v03W4rNO-ohp4_eJmJbOnIAHhc0wt3W8D2QUfWFHT6bEvLCe5qzkjwWsRY9-UiP26sOk_mAzbmz3oJMGt67IhKyArTY0xvJ/s200/praying_hands_bible.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320069878790620802" /></a><br />Our merciful Father, may Thy church be stripped of all that weakens and be clothed with all that strengthens. Cleanse us from a worldly mind-a mind that reaches eagerly for the things that perish and discerns but dimly, the values that are deathless- and purge from our souls the pettiness that quarrels over trifles, the pride that makes an idol out of titles and offices, the narrowness that has no understanding eye for churches and nations and races other than our own. Drive from our hearts the complacency, the prayerlessness, the heedlessness that form always so deadly a drag on our discipleship and witness.<br /><br />We ask, amid the difficulties and vexations of these times, for a holy and heartening remembrance of the pioneers who have blazed the long trails by which the gospel has been carried to strange lands and distant peoples. May the mantle of their dauntless courage and their passionate love for the souls of men fall upon us.<br /><br />Revive Thy church everywhere. Give us reality to our worship. Grant soundness to our teaching. Kindle brotherly love into a glowing ardor. Turn our formal attachments into fiery committments. Push back our horizons and bestow upon us the truly seeing eye. May we be baptized by Thy Holy Spirit into feeling a oneness with all sorts and conditions of people. And thus may we enter into partnership with Thee in making known to all people in all places the message and power of Thy saving mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br /><br />-From Paul Reese: Portrait of a PreacherPastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-68532115550761344142009-03-30T18:26:00.003-05:002009-03-30T18:36:32.154-05:00Olivia's hospital visitIt's been a while since my last post. It seems life has been pretty crazy. Olivia was in the hospital for a few days with a kidney infection. Brian was out of town and some friends of ours were out of town and we were watching their 3 girls. I wasn't sure how I was going to take her in to the hospital at 9pm and manage to get kids off to school and such in the morning. I am so blessed to have good neighbors. Andrew was ok to spend the night here and "hold the fort down" and my neighbor took the girls and my brother was able to take the big kids to the highschool. A big hearty THANK YOU to all who helped make things easier. I couldn't have done it without you. Olivia has been on antibiotics since the visit and is doing well. It took us a week to get back in the groove of things, but praise God she is back on her feet!<br /><br />How quickly we can take our physical health for granted. I have a friend who has to go to the hospital all the time for her three children. She is a single Mom. I can't imagine all the time and money in trips to the children's hospital in Grand Rapids. She is a strong woman! I don't know how she does it, except in the strength of the Lord. I often forget to see how I can help her. I often forget how stressful that must be for her. I often forget how her heart must hurt for her children. <br /><br />Have you forgotten? Have you taken your health for granted? I want to continually spend time in prayer...thanking God for our health and praying for those who need health. Who needs your prayers or encouragement today?Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-52813265196885360782009-03-11T10:19:00.000-05:002009-03-11T10:21:01.541-05:00Slivers part 2Last night I finally took that sliver out of my foot. Because it was so small, I had to dig a bit to get it out and now today, my foot really hurts. It hurts worse than when I had the sliver in there. Every step I feel the cut. <br /><br />I thought about that for a bit, as it pertains to my post from yesterday. When we confess our sin and finally get it out of our lives, the pain of the consequences of our sin linger. Sometimes the consequences of our sin are worse than the pain of having the sin in our life. <br /><br />The good news is...that pain may feel worse at first, but it goes away and you become stronger and wiser for having gone through that process. <br /><br />Key for today: Cut out the slivers in your life and rejoice in God's grace and healing power in your life.Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-65442533515688375542009-03-10T13:12:00.001-05:002009-03-10T13:50:20.261-05:00SliversSomehow when I was in the basement yesterday, I got a sliver from the floor in my foot. I didn't notice it much, but every once in a while I got a little poke in the bottom of my foot that kinda bothered me. It wasn't that big of a deal, so I left it. I figured it would work its way out since it was such a small sliver. It wasn't worth all the digging and cutting.<br /><br />Last night every time I took a step it really kinda bothered me, but today, it's almost as if I've gotten used to the occassional little pick I get. It's not like I am running a marathon that I need to keep my feet in good condition. So...the sliver is still there.<br /><br />In Hebrews 12:1 it says "Therefore, since we surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." The phrase that stands out to me is "sin that so easily entangles". Why and how does sin easily entangle us? It's like that little sliver. We convince ourselves that it's really not a big deal. It's just a little thing and isn't really bothersome, so we leave it. I'm talking about those things we might categorize as "little sins" (which, be reminded that sin is sin...it's not big or little, it's sin). Things such as: bad thoughts; gossip; not sharing our time, talent or money with God; watching a t.v. program that we know we really shouldn't; a little "white lie"; prayerlessness; overeating....You get the idea! <br /><br />We tell ourselves that our particular sin is just a little thing, maybe hardly even a sin, and we let it go. We let it continue to be a part of our lives. But what happens when you don't remove those "slivers"? They tend to fester, get bigger and infection starts to set in. Now the sin is easily entangling us. <br /><br />We are in a race. Little slivers will become bothersome and cause us to lose the race marked out for us, because our focus is off Jesus and on those things that have entangled us. Verse 2 of Hebrews 12 says that we need to "Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." What does it mean to lose the race? We face the Lord's discipline, we may cause other's to sin with us, we end up deeper and deeper in sin, we may even get to the point where we just give up and walk away from the race. How incredibly sad, because it began so small and could have been easily removed. <br /><br />So I am off to remove my sliver...both the real sliver in my foot and a sliver I've been justifying for a while. How about you? Got any slivers?Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-19569314803628480742009-02-12T08:51:00.004-05:002009-02-12T08:57:58.597-05:00ABC's of a Great Marriage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnw69VNHb-cp9mlaMSWecsvjft_bpIiaf6kIAbpmhk7I74dt6N6q37h9VnxVl3CN-9vJU_d_FwMJ_dmVceCybIlaoZv8GQk7uFTNnZaGHcKXJQVDKxVoZLesE8HP9w3H-tkExtWRKc_Hd/s1600-h/love.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnw69VNHb-cp9mlaMSWecsvjft_bpIiaf6kIAbpmhk7I74dt6N6q37h9VnxVl3CN-9vJU_d_FwMJ_dmVceCybIlaoZv8GQk7uFTNnZaGHcKXJQVDKxVoZLesE8HP9w3H-tkExtWRKc_Hd/s200/love.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301909395276295602" /></a><br />My friend, Mark Wilson and his wife put this list together. With Valentine's Day approaching, it's a great time to spend some extra time on our marriages. Great list, Mark! You can visit more of Mark's thoughts <a href="http://www.revitalizeyourchurch.blogspot.com">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><br />A - Accept your partner as he/she is - no strings attached.<br />B - Be attentive, thoughtful and considerate.<br />C - Commit yourself and your marriage to God.<br />D - Date each other regularly and often.<br />E - Endure the difficult times with a good spirit.<br />F - Forgive any grievances you may have against each other.<br />G - Give affection generously.<br />H - Have fun together. Make wonderful memories!<br />I - Involve your partner totally in your life. Don't shut him/her out.<br />J - Journey through life together, looking forward to what's around the bend.<br />K - Keep the lines of communication open. Always be honest.<br />L - Listen, really listen to your partner.<br />M - Make love often.<br />N - Never gripe about your mate to others.<br />O - Openly praise your mate.<br />P - Pray together. The couple that prays together, stays together.<br />Q - Quit doing stupid things that annoy your partner.<br />R - Remember to put the lid on the toothpaste tube.<br />S - Start something new. Don't let your love grow stale.<br />T - Take time to tune in to each other.<br />U - Understand that there is ebb and flow in every relationship.<br />V - V.I.P.! Treat your partner like the most important person in the world.<br />W - Write love notes.<br />X - 'Xpress affection and tenderness every day.<br />Y - Your spouse is God's gift to you. Be thankful!<br />Z - Zoom! Your marriage will zoom into high gear when you give it your best.Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-17657631882324160772009-02-12T08:40:00.004-05:002009-02-12T08:48:52.225-05:00God's Positive Answers to LifeYou say: "It's impossible"<br /> God says: <strong>All things are possible</strong> (Luke 18:27)<br /> <br />You say: "I'm too tired"<br /> God says: <strong>I will give you rest</strong> (Matthew 11:28-30)<br /> <br />You say: "Nobody really loves me"<br /> God says: <strong>I love you</strong> (John 3:1 6 & John3:34 )<br /> <br />You say: "I can't go on"<br /> God says: <strong>My grace is sufficient</strong> (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)<br /> <br />You say: "I can't figure things out"<br /> God says: <strong><strong><strong>I will direct your steps</strong></strong></strong> (Proverbs 3:5- 6) <br /> <br />You say: "I can't do it"<br /> God says: <strong>You can do all things</strong> (Philippians 4:13)<br /> <br />You say: "I'm not able"<br /> God says: <strong>I am able</strong> (II Corinthians 9:8)<br /> <br />You say: "It's not worth it"<br /> God says: <strong>It will be worth it</strong> (Roman 8:28 )<br /> <br />You say: "I can't forgive myself"<br /> God says: <strong>I Forgive you</strong> (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)<br /> <br />You say: "I can't manage"<br /> God says: <strong>I will supply all your needs</strong> (Philippians 4:19)<br /> <br />You say: "I'm afraid"<br /> God says: <strong>I have not given you a spirit of fear</strong> (II Timothy 1:7)<br /> <br />You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"<br /> God says: <strong>Cast all your cares on ME</strong> (I Peter 5:7)<br /> <br />You say: "I'm not smart enough"<br /> God says: <strong>I give you wisdom</strong> (I Corinthians 1:30)<br /> <br />You say: "I feel all alone"<br /> God says: <strong>I will never leave you or forsake you</strong> (Hebrews 13:5)Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-36607896760579770252009-02-11T14:11:00.000-05:002009-02-11T14:12:21.400-05:00Worship and PrayerPrayer can no more be divorced from worship than life can be divorced from breathing. If we follow his impulse, the Holy Spirit will always lead us to pray. When we allow Him to work freely, he will always bring the Church to extensive praying. Conversely, when the Spirit is absent, we will find excuses not to pray. We may say, "God understands. He knows I love him. But I’m tired…I’m so busy…It’s just not convenient now." When the Spirit is absent, our excuses always seem right, but in the presence of the Spirit our excuses fade away. <br /><br />R.T. KendallPastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-7176517526894432142009-02-03T13:18:00.003-05:002009-02-03T13:53:58.074-05:00The IRSIsn't it interesting:<br />If you put the words "The" and "IRS" together you get...THEIRS<br /><br />and....<br /><br />If Fex Ex and UPS were to merge, they would be "FED UP" and then we could FED UP our payments to the IRS.Pastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583761314265879703.post-35349136313457485982009-01-31T11:18:00.003-05:002009-01-31T11:25:39.545-05:00While I'm WaitingThere are so many areas of my life that I have been bringing before the Lord. I am staying focused and worshipping and serving Him while I wait. Listen to the words of this song....<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb7TSGptd3Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb7TSGptd3Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>While I'm Waiting<br />John Waller<br />The Blessing<br /><br />I’m waiting.<br />I’m waiting on You, Lord<br />And I am hopeful<br />I’m waiting on You, Lord<br />Though it is painful<br />But patiently, I will wait<br /><br />I will move ahead, bold and confident<br />Taking every step in obedience<br /><br />While I’m waiting<br />I will serve You<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will worship<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will not faint<br />I’ll be running the race<br />Even while I wait<br /><br />I’m waiting<br />I’m waiting on You, Lord<br />And I am peaceful<br />I’m waiting on You, Lord<br />Though it’s not easy, no<br />But faithfully, I will wait<br />Yes, I will wait<br /><br />And I will move ahead, bold and confident<br />Taking every step in obedience<br /><br />While I’m waiting<br />I will serve You<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will worship<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will not faint<br />I’ll be running the race<br />Even while I wait<br /><br /><br />I will move ahead, bold and confident<br />I'll be taking every step in obedience, yea<br /><br />While I’m waiting<br />I will serve You<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will worship<br />While I’m waiting<br />I will not faint<br /><br />I will serve You while I’m waiting<br />I will worship while I’m waiting<br />I will serve You while I’m waiting<br />I will worship while I’m waiting<br />I will serve You while I’m waiting<br />I will worship while I’m waiting<br />I will serve You while I’m waiting<br />I will worship while I’m waiting on You, LordPastor Joy Zieglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221259139738568118noreply@blogger.com1