Ch. 2: Learning From the Master

In this chapter Carol Kent tells us how to mentor other women using Jesus' example. She then made two points. (1) that there are three facts that could influenc your life and (2) seven life-changing principles that Jesus used to make a lasting difference in the lives of his disciples.
First the three fact are:
1. One person (Jesus) trained twelve human beings who went on to so influence the world that time itsel if now recorded as being before (B.C.) or after (A.D.) His existence.
2. This person worked with a staff that was totally human and not divine. A staff that was comprised of men who were illiterate, of questionable backgrounds, had fractious feelings, were at times cowards. This staff wet on to accomplish the tasks He trained them to do.
3. His leadership style was intended to be put to use by any of us.
Carol Kent then goes on to discuss more about Jesus' influence on the twelve and she asks the question: What would happen if every Christian woman would decide to make a life-changing impact on the lives of at least twelve women within her lifetime?
The seven life-changing principles in Jesus' example.
1. The principle of time alone with God. (Jesus deliberately spent time in prayer with God).
2. The principle of walking and talking. (Jesus taught not in a classroom but as they walked from place to place).
3. The principle of storytelling. (Jesus used stories/parables to teach others.)
4. The principle of asking questions. (Jesus used the power of well-placed questions.)
5. The principle of compassion. (Jesus knew that genuine compassion powerfully affects those who receive it, those who give it, and those who observe it.)
6. The principle of unconditional love. (In various ways Jesus demonstrated that we love and forgive even those caught in sin.)
7. The principle of casting vision. (Jesus demonstrated to his His followers what they were to do once he was gone.)
In the chapters that follow Carol Kent will address each of these principles. So until next week whe we address the principle of time alone with God.

Study Questions from Chapter 1: Becoming A Woman of Influence

1a. Based on Psalm 1 what are the benefits of delighting in the law of the Lord. He prospers and God watches over him.
1b. What happens to the wicked. They will not stqand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous. The way of the wicked will perish.
2. Memorize Psalm 1:1-3 and use it as a prayer.
3. My definition of spirituality is as difficult to describe as J. Oswald Sanders says it is. It is an essense of a person that reflects God's working in their life and that essense is visible to others even if they can not explain what the source is.
4a. Using the Bible concordance look up three verses each for the words "forgiveness" and "love" and then choose one verse for each and write it out.
FORGIVENESS: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28.
LOVE: But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44.
4b. Based on these two verses the virtue that I need to put to work in my life as I response to someone I am close to is Love.
5a. I think the thing that fired in Meghan hope and ultimately pointed her to Christ was that he had faith that God had a purpose for her and would provide for her. He also showed her that she had already been a source of hope for someone.
5b. I know there have been others, but today all I can think of was some of my professors in College who encouraged me to keep pursuing my career goals. In some ways their encouragement was intentional but in the spiritual challenge were unintentional.
6a. Jesus gave people a better life on earth while he was alive by healing them, forgiving them, acknowledging them, offering them hope.
6b. How he has impacted my life is a little difficult to put into words. He has given me eternal life but more importantly to me was the forgiveness and the sense that he really did make beauty out of ashes.
7a. Eight ways Jesus said his followers would be blessed:

1. Inherit the kingdom of heaven
2. Will be comforted
3. Inherit earth
4. They will be filled (not hungry)
5. Shown mercy
6. Will see God
7. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them
8. Will have great reward in heaven

7b. I have been comforted, shown mercy, and I have been filled by the Holy Spirit. This has happened in to many ways to really list here.

8. I do long for an accountability partner, also a mentor, I long for younger women that I could encourage, support, and challenge to her best. I do pray about these things regularly.

9. I will delight myself in the LORD and he will give me these things that I long for. I commit my way to the LORD and trust in him that he will do this. (Paraphrase of Psalm 37:4-5 to make them personal).

Finished another book

I have finished reading the book and although Michelle has several more cute stories about her two little dogs I really did not gain much further from what she had to say and saw the remaining lessons as variations of what she had already presented. Another reader may have gotten a different message.
The next book I think I will read and study is one by Carol Kent Becoming a Woman of Influence: Making a Lasting Impact on Others. That title seems to go well with the title of the blog. It may be about lessons covered in other books but since it has to do with the things that Jesus taught his disciples that helped them become such men of impact I am certain there is more that I can learn. What I like about this book is that it actually has a lesson plan and questions which makes it more of a Bible study. Hopefully I will be able to keep up because next week also marks the beginning of a new Bible Study.

Ch. 22: The Importance of Lingering

In this chapter Michelle focuses on taking time to linger in relationships. She first relates this to how her two dogs don't want quick pats or belly rubs but they want the person they have approached to spend some time and keep giving them the affection they want until the dog gets tired or satisfied regardless if the person wants to spend that much time with them. She then shares how she rushed through a trip in which she tried to work while also spending time with her friends. At the end of the visit she felt that she had not really connected with either her job or her friends. She then equates this to how God wants us to open ourselves up to his love and then spend enough time with him so that our souls are satisfied. He wants us to linger with him in the sense of a relationship. I know that I don't do that often enough. There are far to many times when I rush through my quiet time and Bible study and don't just set and enjoy the moments with God. I often don't even give him time to answer before I off on to another task.

Ch. 21 - The Big Picture

In this chapter which is very short (only reason I got it read this week) talks about how we are all part of one body. Humans in general and Christians in particular. Michelle then again uses her two little dogs to explain that even though they are not much in the retrieving or running categories they are what they were designed to be cute and cuddly. In talking about a knee injury she talked about how when a part of the body other parts help that injured part. In this train of thought she equate the way the body diverts blood away from other parts of the body to the injured part. She stated that it would be wonderful if human beings would rush to the aid of others who are injured in that manner. Instead "humans have the reputation for killing their wounded instead of nurturing them back to health."
She ends the chapter with the statement that even though we are different "ther is no excuse for not loving and respecting one another." She also makes the statement that the fact that animals often get it better than we humans do as being a sign of God's sense of humor.

One of my assignments yesterday in The Daily Writer

One of the assignments for The Daily Writer yesterday was to rewrite "The Night Before Christmas" in contemporary terms. So here is my rendition.

The Night Before Christmas

as rewritten by Sharon Abbott Cowan

Was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

Nothing was moving, not even a mouse.

On the mantle hun a sway and fairy lights strung with care,

In hopes that Santa Claus would soon be there.

The children were all tucked in their beds,

With visions of Wiis and Ipods dancing in their heads.

Ma in her Victoria Secret and I in my old flannels

Has just settled in to watch the Pay for View Channels.

When out on the lawn there came such a clatter,

I jumped out of bed to see what was the matter.

"What the h_ _l was that?", I cried.

I rushed to the window and peered outside,

The street lights on the crest of the snow

Gave an eeriy light to the scene below.

When, what to my amazed eys should appear,

But a sleigh and eight reindeer.

The little old driver was so lively and quick,

I knew in an instance that it was St. Nick.

Quick as a wind the reindeer came,

And he whistled and shouted, and called tem by name;

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen,

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen

To the top of the porch, to the top of the roof

Hurry up, hurry up and shake a hoof.

So up to the house-top the reindeer flew,

With that sleigh full of stuff and Santa Claus too.

And in less than a wink, I heard on the roof.

The prancing and dancing of each tiny hoof.

As I shook my head and was turning around,

Down the chimney Santa Claus came with a bound.

He was dressed all in red, from his head to his boot

And his clothes were all soiled with ashes and soot;

A bundle of electronic gadgets, he had on his back,

And he looked like a hobo just opening his pack.

His eyes they did sparkle and his dimples were merry

His cheeks were so rosy, looked like he'd been in the sherry.

His little red mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as snow.

The end of his pipe he held in his teeth,

And the smoke circled his head like a wreath.

He had a round little face and a fat belly

That shook when he laughed like a bowl of jelly.

He was chubby and plumb, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink from his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon let me know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work

Placing gifts round the tree, and then turned with a jerk

And touching the side of his nose,

He gave a quick nod and up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh and to his deer gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like a missile;

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.

Ch. 20: The Beauty of Being Different

In this chapter Michelle discusses the difference between men and women by sharing how her male and female Shih Tzus are different. She is able to see genealized male and female behaviors in her puppies. The female being prim, proper, and fussy; and the male, protective, adventurous, and eager to embrace new experiences. She states that instead of working so hard at being the same things would be better for us personally if we would just accept and embrace our differences as God intended. I know for me personally I have always embraced the fact that men and women were different and I am very happy "I'm a girl". I love clothes, jewelry, shoes, and girly things. I not much on shopping but can occassionally embrace the experience. One of the things that I dislike about the fact that I have gained so much weight is that I can't always find the cute stylish clothes that I like, and I struggle finding shoes that I consider cute and stylish that are also comfortable.