The Seven Fast

Last week we reflected a bit on the Narrow Road. I was so encouraged by “you are not alone” comments from many of you. I’m glad to know we’re in this together – as the road gets smaller and more difficult, we’ll need each other more than ever. I imagine at some parts along the journey the road will be so tiny that we’ll have to give one another piggyback rides so no one falls off the path! (I promise not to be 9 months pregnant before I jump on anyone’s back!)

I’m in the middle of a fast with some good friends who are even more committed to the Narrow Road then I will ever be. You may have heard of the fast – Seven, by Jen Hatmaker. It started out as “an experimental mutiny against excess” which eventually turned into a book. The idea is that you fast from something, something different for each month, for seven months. Her book guides you and chronicles what she did. I’ve been following along as closely as I can although making adjustments to fit our circumstances and family. Month one was to eat only seven foods...for the entire month. Think chicken, beans, spinach, peanut butter, etc. I did not do this since I’m quite pregnant and I didn’t think it would be safe. However, my family gave up eating out for the month saving over $500! That extra money was used in ways we wouldn’t have been able to give otherwise. It was hard at times – especially since we traveled for 10 days (we packed dinners for the airport, looked weird when catching up with friends at restaurants but not eating, and even had a slip up when the temptation of a Sonic burger just became too much!)

This month is to fast from clothes – this means I’ve been wearing the same seven (or so!) articles of clothes since March 1^st. There have been times where I’ve definitely NOT wanted to put on the same white t-shirt and jeans again. Today I’m wearing a dress that has seen better days – since it’s dry clean only (bad choice on my part) it’s a bit sticky and crusty. And I’m totally self-conscience of what I wear to church since I see so many people and I just KNOW they are keeping track of what I’m wearing! I’m also quite aware of how HUGE I am and I desperately want to dress up/attempt to hide this big and bloated belly. But I’m sticking to the fast because I said I would. And admittedly, I am getting something out of it. Here are my top two lessons from month two:

One of my dear friends is doing this with me (or me with her...she introduced me to it.) One of her seven clothing articles is this super cute purple-stripped sweater. I’ve probably seen her in it five times now. And every time I do, I get overjoyed! I know that she is doing this fast for the same reasons as me – to get closer to Jesus. She wants to cut out excess in her own life and live with a more eternal perspective. Her purple sweater represents that to me. It’s an outward reminder of where her heart is. It also tells me I have a friend on the narrow road.

Second lesson – God desires a fast of my heart, not my clothes. This particular fast will end on March 31^st (and a new will start on April 1!) and I’ll go about wearing my too-many-clothes-in-my-over-stuffed-closet. But where will my heart be? Isaiah 58:6-7 speaks to the kind of fast the Lord desires from us:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

It’s not about what I give up. It’s about what I do. While on the narrow road, God is asking us to:

loose the chains of injustice

untie the cords of the yoke

set the oppressed free

break every yoke

share your food with the hungry

provide the poor with shelter

clothe the naked

not turn away your own flesh and blood

I don’t think He cares what I’m wearing as long as I’m active in pursing the things above. And as I’ve learned this month, the more I pursue the things above, the less I care what I’m wearing.

If you’re looking for a good challenge in your life, look into this fast for yourself. Grab some friends and do it together. You just never know how much joy you’ll find from a purple-stripped sweater that you do not even own!

Rejoicing,

Simone

The Managed Life

After attending a conference this past weekend at our church, I’ve been intrigued by the concept of a managed life. At first glance, it sounds like something you want to attain – a managed life is a woman who has things under control. She is strategic about how she spends her time, she keeps up with her house, her work, her ministry. She serves her husband and she disciples her kids. Her friends love her and strangers admire her. She kind of has it all together...she is the CEO of her Managed Life.

As much as I strive to be this woman at times, I received a bit of freedom this weekend when Dr. Larry Crabb explained exactly why a managed life is not the goal at all. In fact, if we sense that we are living a managed life, we should take caution and do some self-evaluation.

Dr. Crabb charged those of us at the conference to live on the narrow road rather than the managed life. The narrow road, as defined by Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, leads to life and only few find it.

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This road is difficult and according to Dr. Crabb, the further down we get on the narrow road, the less people will be there.

So if this road that we are to travel is (1) narrow, (2) difficult and (3) sparsely populated, then what tools do we need on this journey to survive? I’m not immediately drawn to this way of life and curious if I’m going to be able to handle it! But just when you start to ask these questions, Jesus reminds us that it leads to life! Although a managed life is well structured and sweetly manicured, it does not lead to life. I only see it leading to organized drawers and a lengthy to-do list (because a managed life can’t afford to get behind!)

The difference between the managed life and the narrow road comes down to this: dependence. A woman who lives a managed life is dependent on her schedule and her comfort zone. She doesn’t venture out much of what she can control. Her dependence is in her own ability to master her destiny and the lives she’s responsible for. But it’s the woman who travels the narrow road that is dependent on Jesus. This woman surrenders her desire for control and admits that her efforts are in vain. She is authentic. She is teachable, she is humble, and she’s aware of her inabilities. The woman who travels the narrow road is sometimes misunderstood and not in the popular crowd but she is living the abundant life. She is not deceived by the enticements of the world that only lead to destruction. She laughs at herself when she tries to accomplish a managed life once again but is quick to return to the narrow road – because abundant life will always fulfill her soul.

At times I feel like I’m hunting for the narrow road and find myself on the highway by accident. But, as Dr. Crabb put it, your thirst for God will sustain you on the narrow road. If I’m not thirsting for Jesus and completely dependent on Him to get me through each day, then I know I’ve wondered off and it’s time to get back on the path – no matter how small it is becoming. 

I've got my walking shoes on!

Simone

Spring Book Club!

Resolutions are tough, no doubt.  The initial will for most to succeed is usually met with the reality of failure.  How then can one actually achieve a resolution? Welcome, The Resolution for Women.

This is the feature book for the Women’s Ministry spring book club.  It was written in partnership with “Courageous,” the now famous movie that prompted men to take a stand for their God-given roles in life.  And so this book addresses the same charge for the opposite sex.  However, it’s not a boring list of rules and regulations.   The author is on the journey with us, and beautifully mixes real life stories, Scripture and practical-yet-profound ideas on how we can embrace biblical womanhood with passion and conviction.  Whether you play the role of helpmate, mother, co-worker, friend, college student, citizen, or whatever you embody, the goal is to be in relationship with God and glorify Him through our lives on earth.  

Being resolute, while exciting and challenging, comes with one tiny catch: being content.  The author notes that, “Contentment keeps your mind clear. Peaceful. Settled. Undisturbed.  Happy to be here, and when God determines, happy to be there.” My initial thought was, “Wow. Sounds great, but it’s not likely to happen.” Life is so busy and crazy, and I often find myself wanting to be there instead of here, pining over silly issues and being a little baffled at the way life turned out.  Let me back up: I have a beautiful life and nothing to complain about.  But in all honesty, I struggle at times with being content.  Do you?

Come join us as we have an open discussion on the topics of defining yourself, your value and honoring God in your current life role. We’ll screen the movie, “Courageous” beforehand, and then meet to discuss the book’s three-part theme, “This is Who I Am,” “This is What I Have,” and “This is What Matters to Me.” Yes, we’ll even sign these resolutions with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

As the author puts it, let’s start a “resolution revolution” together.  The living Word of God plus a resolute heart is where all the fun is anyway.  (Stay tuned for details on the Women's Ministry website.)

See you in April! 

Lisa Schluchter

Mary's Thoughts on Events...

Why do we schedule all these events?  

I guess I've been around long enough to recognize a trend in attitudes toward meetings and conferences and seminars.  It's much more difficult to motivate women to take part in church events today than it was ten or fifteen years ago.  Our lives are so busy; we fill every minute with activity and so attending any extra meetings just doesn't fit into our schedules.   I've seen attendance go down in women's events in our church and across the country.  Leaders in other churches tell me they've given up--it's just too hard to get women together.  Even well-known speakers and musicians don't attract the crowds they used to.

Well, I certainly understand busy lives and I know that things change and change can be good.  We don't just keep doing what we've been doing just because it's what we've always done.  It's healthy to continually examine what we do and see if it's time to try other avenues.  But even with all that, there is very good and biblical reasons why we need to make time for these extracurricular events.

Hebrews 10:24 and 25:  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I guess the early church had some of the same challenges!  Getting together is one of the basic needs in the body of Christ.  That is the way we "stir up one another to love and good works."  We need time together--time when we share and love and talk and fellowship.  I need other women around me who will encourage me; who will role model for me what it means to love like Jesus loves and to challenge me to do the good works that God put me here to do.  (Ephesians 2:10)  We all do.

The Day is drawing near--we're closer to the Day of rapture than we ever have been, and the closer we draw to it, the more we need each other.  We cannot love or encourage or challenge each other if we live in isolation, and although our electronic means of communicating have their place, they cannot take the place of face-to-face, community events that bring us together.  The writer to the Hebrews says we are not to neglect meeting together.

Lately I've been thinking that maybe we just should forget our get-togethers and take the women's ministry to some other level.  But after meditating again on these two verses, I am convinced that would not be the right thing to do.  We are not to neglect meeting together and we need each other.  

I encourage all of us to re-think this trend.  We want to make effective and needed changes in our ministry, that's for sure, and Simone and I are truly committed to helping the women of our church have a world view and become even more involved in the lives of other women, in our city and across the globe.  But that cannot replace our meeting together.  We need each other.  So, we'll continue to provide those opportunities, and pray that all the women of the church will reconsider their priorities and gather with us, because we need you as much as you 

need to be with us.

Yours, 

Mary Whelchel

Director of Women's Ministry

No Such Thing As a Free Lunch

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch, but for sure there is such a thing as a free breakfast!  It is sponsored by the Sisters in Christ TMC Community and well take place on Sunday, January 29th, at 8:15 in Room 303.  This will replace our normal teaching session for that day.  The purpose for this special breakfast is to have time for more fellowship and to cast a "new and improved" vision for our community of sisters.  Every woman currently a part of our Sisters class is invited, as well as any other women in our congregation who are not currently connected with a TMC Community.

We're going to serve a delicious hot breakfast, and then talk about what we can do to make our class even more effective at teaching the Word, providing a safe and supportive place for women of all ages and stages in life, and reaching out in service projects to the needs of women and children in our city.

You are invited to join us.  If you have any questions, contact Mary Whelchel at mary.whelchel@moodychurch.org.

A New Prayer Life for 2012!

I'm always very excited about a new year. And this year is no different! There is something very refreshing and exhilarating to me about a new start, new beginnings, and new resolutions! I cannot think of a better excuse to sit down and think about the year ahead and set some goals than a new year! 

This year I narrowed all my resolutions into one... A new prayer life. It all started when I began studying the book of Acts by Tim Keller with a small group of girls. I've been floored by the first Christians and their commitment to prayer. Couple the study of Acts with the book the staff of TMC is reading, A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson, and God is getting my attention. Carson does a great job in his book of listing practical reasons of why we do and do not pray. He also takes us through the prayers of Paul and gives some practical examples of how to pray. Keller's commentary on prayer is more about what prayer is and why the early church was so committed to it. 

There is no way I could sum up all that I've been learning through these books and my own prayer journey in this one entry, but I will sum up two of the main points that have convinced me that my ONE goal and focus of 2012 should be on prayer.

Two reasons why we should pray:

Acts 4:23-31 – We meet with God and it changes our perspective.

This prayer is from a group of believers who are praising God after the release of Peter and John from prison. The environment in Jerusalem is hostile and Christians are facing persecution in every direction. Peter and John were sent to prison in the first place b/c both the Pharisees and Sadducess were feeling threatened by the speed of the Gospel in Jerusalem. When released, the believers with Peter and John pray a prayer to God that literally shakes the room (v.31)! And they were all "filled with the Holy Spirit  and spoke the word of God boldly." I'm not sure about you, but I can't recall a time I prayed and had a similar result. Here is Tim Keller's response to why this prayer was so remarkable:

"First, there is a connection of their heart weakness with the attributes of God. There is a great deal of time spent reflecting on and praising God for his greatness and power. They especially concentrate on his “Sovereignty” and control of all things (v.24) In other words, they do not simply ask for boldness (v.29), but they actually heal themselves of their fear by mediating on the attribute of God most antithetical to their fear. It means we are not just to ask God to take away our worry, but we should meditate and “pray in” his wisdom. We should not just ask God for more confidence, but we should “pray in” his grace and love. We should just not ask God for more self-control, but we should “pray in” his holiness. We are to heal hearts by praying his specific attributes into ourselves.

Second, there is a connection of their ministry situation with promises and statements in the Scripture. They go to Psalm 2 and remember David’s words that the world leaders will be hostile to the Messiah. The then think of what Herod and Pilate did and what the disciples themselves are facing now at the hands of civil rulers. But then, in v28, they realize that “they did what your power and will had decided beforehand would happen.” This realization is an enormous source of power. The connection of their current situation with the Bible and with the sovereignty of God shows them that murder of Jesus did not display human power but divine power. Through their process of prayer, they realize that the same court that killed Jesus has now released them, because everything is totally under God’s control. They have nothing to worry about – whether they are killed or protected. Either way, God is going to love and honor and use them, and they are going to triumph with him. You can see as they pray, the boldness and power grow!

Third, therefore, we see that there is no request for protection! They do not ask that their lives and families and wealth be protected. (not that these requests aren’t improper, they just weren’t primary.) They make two requests – they ask for boldness (v.38) to articulate the gospel message and they ask for God to continue to show evidence that their message is his word (v.39) So all they ask is for is to continue their ministry. They ask not for miracles of vengeance on the rulers, but for continued miracles of mercy, people healed and converted."

Acts 13:1-3 – We meet with God and He reveals Himself.

This second reason as to why we should pray didn't catch me at first. I had to read this text several times before I noticed what I see to be a key element in a deep prayer life. Saul (Paul) and Barnabas are with the Antioch Church and praying and fasting...something they do regularly. As a result of this time before God, they hear the Holy Spirit say, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." This calling from the Spirit led to the first missionary journey and marks the beginning of Paul's evangelistic efforts. Again, Keller says it best:

"Luke indicates that the Antioch church did not come to the concept of strategic missions as a result of their seeking it directly. Verse 2 says, “while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting”. The most natural reading of these words is that they were not in a special season of prayer, not like they were specifically and deliberately planning for missions. Rather they were going about their routine work of worship and seeking God’s presence. Note who was praying -- verse 1 refers to the whole church along with the leaders, so it is possible that this prayer time was not just for the 5 prophet/teachers noted in verse 2.

What do we learn from this? Surely we cannot infer from this that special seasons of prayer or deliberate planning is wrong! Rather, what we learn is that what would seem like “special” prayer for us was clearly “routine” for this church. Periods of intense worship, fasting, and seeking God’s presence were normal for them. And it shows us that this time is the kind of church that God reveals himself to."

So when I see two examples of prayer (and Lord knows there a hundreds more!) in Scripture with such incredible power behind them, it gets my attention. My focus in 2012 is to meet with God for a changed perspective -- a perspective set on His sovereignty and other divine attributes. And to be in a place where He can reveal Himself to me. That's it. And it would be super cool if I did experience a room shaking from time to time!

Praying for you!

Simone

A Precious Christmas

We had a ball at the Women's Ministry, A Precious Christmas, Brunch this past Saturday. And when a say "ball", I mean I bawled at times as well as thoroughly enjoyed myself! The program was packed with celebration of God's redemptive work! We heard from two women who had tough stories to listen to, but the power of God's grace was so clearly evident in their lives, you couldn't help but applaud and cheer in your heart!

The incredibly talented Butler Family led us in worship and even a little entertainment! In case you missed it, I learned that you either have to sing to marry a Butler Boy or you have to, at the very least, act like it!

And our dear Mary reminded us of how our sweet Jesus entered the world through a chain of messy circumstances and events in order to save us and reconcile us back to God. Again, I bawled at the profound truth that our Savior was born in a gross, smelly, and dirty manager -- so that women like you and me could relate to Him. One of the testimonies, Amanda, shared that she escaped a horrific life as a sex slave to a man in Chicago by running away when she had the chance. She had nowhere to go because she has been held hostage by this man (and raped almost every day for over a year), so when she finally did escape, she fled to a park and hid in the bushes overnight. Later in the program, Mary showed a picture of what some believe Jesus' first crib could have looked like (pictured above.) I couldn't help but draw the two stories together -- Amanda slept on the dirty, cold ground when God began to rescue her from her captives and Jesus knew what that felt like from day one when he first slept in a dirty, cold feeding trough. 

We also heard from the leadership team of Rose of Sharon, our partner ministry from New Life Covenant Church. And because of the unbelievable generosity of TMC women, that team left with enough gifts for the women they serve in west side Chicago to last many months!  And you raised $700 to go toward As Our Own through the Precious To Him fund. We are half way to our goal of $5,000 by September 2012! Thank you to those who participated in this giving!

The emphasis on how we are "Precious to Him" was once again evident in this program. I hope you don't grow tired of hearing it because we are just getting started in unpacking this message! Not only are we precious to God, but hurting and hopeless women throughout Chicago and beyond are precious to Him as well...and they need us. TMC Women's Ministry is committed to serving and supporting these women in whatever ways God leads us. Thank you for jumping on board!

Merry Christmas!
Simone