Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

You are here: Home / Archives for spiritual stuff

spiritual stuff

Radical Chapter 2

by 6 Comments

I really want to blog about something else on this chapter but God’s not going to let me.  I started typing out a different quote and I had that catch in my spirit and deleted it. God is so bossy!

Marla prompted participants this week:

“You and I desperately need to consider whether we have ever truly, authentically trusted in Christ for our salvation” (37). What do you make of that?

That’s a tough question to answer.  How does one really know if you are “born again”, “saved”, “one of His children”?  I think the answer is a few pages away:

“We are saved from our sins by a free gift of grace, something that only God can do in us and that we cannot manufacture ourselves.  But that gift of grace involves the gift of a new heart.  New desires.  New longings.  For the first time, we want God.” (39)

If you say you are a Christian but you don’t desperately long to know God more, to be more like him, to do more for him, to be less of yourself and more of him, I plead with you along with David to consider if you have truly, authentically trusted Christ.  Yes, you may know of Jesus but if you don’t long for him, there’s something missing.  That new creature has not replaced the old one.

You may be way, way, way far from God and doing everything that would displease him but the question is do you care?

Because a child of his would care.

He would care very deeply that he was displeasing God.  Even if you don’t know how to get out of what you are in, having that desire to be connected or reconnected with God is what’s important. If it’s the first time you feel that way, he’s calling you to accept that salvation.  If you know you’re his child, then he’s calling you out of that pit and back into his arms.

And if you just don’t care, my dear friend, and you are reading this, it’s not an accident and you are my prayer for this week.  Because he’s calling you to care.

Read more Radical Responses here

Sunday Highlights: Epic

by 1 Comment

Last week we started a new series Epic.  I didn’t do Sunday Highlights not because there wasn’t good content but because it was mainly background of the book of Esther.  If you don’t know the story of Esther, please take the time to read it.  Last week he talked up to the part of Esther being chosen as Queen in Vashti’s place.  As a theme, he talked about how God is not mentioned in book at all but how God is present and working in our lives even when it doesn’t seem like it.

This week he talked about choices we make and how we usually count the cost of opting in to something.  How much time will it take? How much money?  What consequences?  However, we should look at the cost of opting out.  What happens when we DON’T do something God has asked us to do?

Opting out always cost more than opting in to God’s plan

God would figure out a way to deliver His people whether Esther opted in or not but maybe she was chosen for such a time as this.  It was no coincidence she was there.  She could have lost her position as Queen by talking to Xerxes.  Our positions don’t matter it’s how we respond in our positions that matter.  No matter what our circumstance, our purpose is to know Him and make Him known.

We tend to look at God and see him as a personal assistant, deciding whether to opt in.  Do I need Him? Will He make me happy?  But measure the cost of not opting in to the God that holds all the galaxies together with His pinky.  Now is the time and is always the time to know Him and make Him known.

There is a cost to opt in but the cost to opt out is much greater.  Our greatest joy is found in His good pleasure.

Here is the sermon online at northrockhill.com.

Introducing blood:water belt

by 24 Comments

Some days I feel like Jekyll and Hyde.  One day I’m talking about a TV show, the next about being radical, yesterday I posted about going to a celebrity meet and greet and today I’m talking about something entirely different.  It may seem like two sides but I assure you they are of the same coin.  I’m passionate about whatever I’m into.  I’m either into it full force or I’m not.  Yes, I get on bandwagons but I enjoy them while I’m there and I really I don’t know any other way to do it.  So I have all these parts of me but all of them are me and all of them I’m passionate about but there are some that are close to my heart and some that aren’t.

This is going to be one of those close to my heart.

When I wrote that post on Tuesday about the first chapter of Radical I really had no idea what would  happen.  I definitely cringed a little hitting the Publish button hoping I wouldn’t look the fool asking someone to buy a belt for charity.  But God moved and my friend Dani “bought” the belt.  She’s donated $28 to blood:water mission!  Hooray!    That one post and one belt just helped 28 people in Africa.

They like it!

Well, apparently God had something a little bigger planned than 28 people because Tuesday night after Dani bought the belt, my passionate/addictive/entrepreneurial mind kicked into high gear and I could not quit thinking about it.  I sent her an email the next morning and said, what if we made this like the Sisterhood for the Traveling Pants but for the belt and everyone donated to blood:water mission in order to take their turn with it?  What if everyone took their picture with it and we posted it? What if we had a map? What if we made a goal to have 28 people do it?  What if we had a journal to pass along with the belt? The questions wouldn’t stop and the cool thing is, we were on the exact same page.  She couldn’t stop thinking about it Tuesday night.  And then I told Scott about it and he was like “do it and that’s a direct order.”  And no, I’m not really joking. hahahaha  Seriously.  Not joking.

Dani came to pick the belt up Wednesday night and we started making plans.  By now, as you can imagine, I can whip up a blog quick-fast-in-a-hurry and I have one put together for this. (Yes, I realize I was scaling back but maybe because I needed time for this?) We’ve named the belt and site blood:water belt (Scott wants you to know he came up with that name) and will create a Sisterhood of the Traveling Belt.  Each person that joins will “buy” the belt by donating, have the belt shipped to them for wear and pictures (can’t wait to see other people in it!) before sending it on.

I don’t know how long this will last.  I don’t know if it’s just teaching us two belt-lovin’ gals a little lesson but we have to give it a shot.  I have to do something more and if selling the belt to one person was a little step, this might be the next 2 or 3.  I’m serious about being Radical.  I’m serious about helping the poor.  I’m serious about making a difference.  If it comes through a belt, then so be it.  All I know is 56 lives (yes, I donated and joined too 🙂 will be changed because of just the two of us and I’m ready to see how many more.

I think she is too.

If you think you could be a part of it or know someone who would (probably someone who used to send you a chain letter HA), would you consider joining the Sisterhood of the Traveling Belt or sharing about bloodwaterbelt.org?

It’s an awfully cute belt!!

 

Opposing Burning Demonstration

by 8 Comments

The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, plans to mark the anniversary of al Qaeda’s September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by burning copies of the Muslim holy book. The church insists the event is "neither an act of love nor of hate," but a warning against what it calls the threats posed by Islam.

At the gym this morning I watched as CNN interviewed the pastor of the church in Florida about the upcoming burning demonstration.  I was going to blow this off as another misguided attempt by Christians to get their point across but by the end of it I was in tears on the treadmill. 

The first question posed to him was doesn’t the Bible ask you to turn the other cheek?  Isn’t this act of hate doing the opposite of what Christ asked for?  He said it was not an act of hate.  They welcome Muslims to America.  They don’t oppose the Mosque.  In fact, they believe moderate Muslims should agree with them.  Plus, Jesus got angry too.  He overturned tables and called Peter the devil.

And that’s when I knew I had to say something.  Jesus was righteously angry at HIS PEOPLE.  People that called themselves followers but weren’t acting a thing like that.  The only thing Christ ever offered to unbelievers was love, hope, salvation, healing and a second chance.

And why would moderate Muslims go along side this?  They admitted it would be offensive and that he was offended when the flag or Bible was burned.  I’m sorry, I don’t care what you stand for, moderate or radical, if you burn the Bible, I can’t support you.  Why would they do the same? 

If that weren’t enough, he said he was aware of the warning from military and US officials that this could cause imminent danger to troops in Afghanistan.  His response?  Yes, but we’re set on what we’re doing, but we’re praying about it.

So here’s my thing.  I pray too.  I pray to the same God he does and He wouldn’t tell us different things.  Maybe I’m wrong, call me out, but let’s at least get on our knees and pray.  I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here and saying this shouldn’t happen. If you hear the same thing, email them and let them know, as a Christian, you oppose this demonstration.

Fear

by 11 Comments

I wrote this back in June.  Nearly two months I’ve held on to this and I think it’s finally the right time to publish it.  I’ve been running into the topic of fear so much lately.  In blog posts, books, sermons and just life.  I want to share this in hopes that we all continue to conquer our fears…

Today was a victory.  I did something today that I have feared for nearly one year.  One year of fear-drenched, nervous thoughts that kept me at bay from God’s request.

This is a long one…click through for more.

[Read more…] about Fear

Sunday Highlights: FAQ

by Leave a Comment

Today’s Frequently Asked Question was: What is the will of God?

Romans 12:1-2

Before you can know God’s will you have to say yes to Jesus.  Your choices don’t matter until you give Him Lordship.  Once He is Lord, we are to be a living sacrifice.

God puts guard rails in our life to keep us “on the road”:

  1. Providential Will of God – God gives us freedom in many things but sometimes God says, nope, you’re doing it!  (Jonah)
  2. Moral Will – Us doing what God outlines in Scripture.  These things are not natural and culture usually promotes against His word.  God says do not conform.
  3. Personal, specific will – If you are following #1 and 2, 3 usually comes easier.  You must be surrendered before you ask…should I marry him?  should I take this job?

Ways to know his personal specific will:

  1. Make sure it doesn’t conflict with God’s word.
  2. Pray
  3. Look for open and closed doors
  4. Consult other people that have God’s best interest
  5. Must have peace

You can check out http://northrockhill.com/messages/ for the full message online.

In light of upcoming job changes, I REALLY needed that list.  I was on the right track but just a great reminder.

Sunday Highlights: Outlaws: Do Not Covet

by Leave a Comment

Definition of coveting: “over-desire” of things we don’t have.  Categories of coveting:

  1. Neighbor’s life
  2. Relationship
  3. Possessions

Many people see “no’s” in the Ten Commandments but there is beauty on the other side such as truth, generosity, rest, trust and honor.  The other side of coveting is to “be content”.

Coveting is misplaced desire.

Our purpose is only in Jesus.  First commandment is to love God.  Result is the 10th – we’re content.

Treasure Jesus.  When we covet we say “I deserve” “You’re not fair’” “You owe me”.

Phil 4:11 contentment must be learned.

Secret is I can do it through Christ.  We need Him alone.  He is sufficient.  When will He be enough?

When is coveting too much?

  • Me-focused
  • We exalt ourselves, not humble ourselves
  • Stimulates evil, not good
  • Doesn’t bring God glory

What are we pursuing that will be in the trash can soon?  What do I want and why? Does God want it? 

This one pricked me in the area of possessions and specifically our home.  I always feels like the next picture, chair, wall color, lamp will make it just right.

What is the one thing/person you’re longing for that is keeping you from experiencing God?

When will Jesus be enough?

Sunday Highlights: Outlaws

by Leave a Comment

Sorry I missed 2 weeks of this Ten Commandments series.  It’s certainly not because it’s not good.  Because in reality, it’s kind of kicking my butt.  A reminder today we got of the purpose of the Ten Commandments is one I want to emphasize and that is, these were written and apply to God’s people.  They are not for unbelievers to follow so they can become a child of God. Rather, they are how God’s child should act so that an unbeliever knows that they are a child of God.  And in turn, that they also know what God looks like.

So today is Exodus 20:16 what you would know as Thou shalt not lie.

He shared a Top 10 list of lies people tell including some funny ones like “I’m walking out the door right now”, “It hurts me more than it hurts you” “You look great in that”.  And some serious ones “I’ll be praying for you”, “I love you” “I do”.

Four reasons why we lie

  1. Pure corruption – get what I want, however I want
  2. Malice – trying to hurt someone
  3. Fear – children do this a lot for fear of punishment.  Could be fear of losing marriage, job or friendship
  4. Boasting – expand the truth to make you look good

9th commandment is not only about lying.  It’s more broad…do not use words that are damaging or disloyal to someone

Ways we are disloyal or damaging

  1. Lying
  2. Breaking your word
  3. Verbal assassination

Light reveals and darkness conceals.  Truth is light and it reveals.  Lies conceal.  The name Satan means deceiver.  He is the Father of Lies.  We choose darkness so we can hide.  But God calls us to His character.  He is light.  If our word is not trustworthy, consistent, people won’t ever know who God is.

Be honest with yourself.  The battle begins inside.  We lie because we believe the lie that life will be better if we do it.  Satan has deceived us.  Lying only makes life harder and more complicated.

Luke 6:45.  Your words reveal your heart.  Our hearts our corrupt.  We must draw close to God.

Challenge: Measure your words as if God were with you because He is.  We would talk a lot less and listen a lot more.  Ask God to reveal your struggles you may not even see yet.

I’m not a habitual, corrupt liar as is spoken of in reason #1 or lie just to hurt someone in #2 or even boasting in #3 above.  But if there is one area listed I struggle with time to time is lying for fear of someone being upset at me or confrontation.  It’s so enlightening for me to see that even these “white lies” have a root of fear.   Which, if you know me, fear has always been such a struggle.   Even when I think I have it trumped, it still shows up!   I’m still praying 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given me a spirit of fear!”

Hear the full sermon at NorthRockHill.com