Loving the Church, by John Crotts, is a short read, only 135 pages, that defines the purpose of the church. Crotts starts out the book with a fictional story which piques the reader's interest. The characters of story meet in a coffee shop and begin to discuss and research the meaning of the church. Each character represents real-life people and situations of today's church body. The book then transitions into a well written biblical description of the church. Crotts explains some reasons why people leave the church and what the role of each member of the church is, as well as the role of the church body. Throughout the book, the reader will gain scripture based knowledge about the church as well as a new sense of appreciation for the Bride of Christ. The reader will also learn about the importance of his or her role in the church and why it is so important for Christians to gather together. This book is definitely a must-read for every Christian!
~Amberly Zimmerman
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Dreaming Big
I have quite a few friends who are in Bible college. I happy happy they are there but I had never considered going to Bible college myself. Not that getting a theology degree is not important, I just never pictured myself earning such a degree.
However, God's ways are NOT our ways... :) For the past year, the Lord has put it on my heart to go to Bible college. As the burden for lost souls and the ministry continue to grow in my heart, the desire to attend Bible college also continues to grow.
So, this spring I will be going to Purpose Institute! I am so excited. What makes it even better is that I am going with my Dad. We will be getting our degrees together. :)
I am still in nursing school. Hopefully in two years I will have my BSN, as well as an associates in Theology, something I would have never pictured or planned for myself.
I definitely LOVE God's ideas. They are BIGGER, BETTER, and more fulfilling.
I am just a lump of clay on the Potter's wheel, and He is fashioning me for His great pleasure~
However, God's ways are NOT our ways... :) For the past year, the Lord has put it on my heart to go to Bible college. As the burden for lost souls and the ministry continue to grow in my heart, the desire to attend Bible college also continues to grow.
So, this spring I will be going to Purpose Institute! I am so excited. What makes it even better is that I am going with my Dad. We will be getting our degrees together. :)
I am still in nursing school. Hopefully in two years I will have my BSN, as well as an associates in Theology, something I would have never pictured or planned for myself.
I definitely LOVE God's ideas. They are BIGGER, BETTER, and more fulfilling.
I am just a lump of clay on the Potter's wheel, and He is fashioning me for His great pleasure~
Monday, January 14, 2013
You Can Steal My Show...
I absolutely love music. My favorite radio station is KLOVE. Although I do like contemporary Christian music, some of the music KLOVE plays is not to my liking. The lyrics are good, but sometimes the music sounds too secular. I prefer more worshipful music and artists like Hillsong and Christ Tomlin. Recently, a new contemporary Christian song started playing on KLOVE called Steal My Show by TobyMac.
The first five times I heard the song I did not care for it. To me, it just seemed too secular, too much like a pop song. The other day that song came on and just as I was about to change it and pop in a CD, I stopped. I decided I was going to listen to Steal My Show all the way through, ignore the rhythm and pay attention to the lyrics. My viewpoint on the song changed.
The song is written from the musician's point of view. The first verse describes an excited crowd at a concert just waiting for the musician to perform. The following verses and chorus describe that although the crowd is excited to see TobyMac, or any musician, all the glory belongs to God. TobyMac's song is about making God number one in your show and not getting in His way.
Letting the lyrics sink in, I thought about what it means to be a musician/praise singer at my church. I really enjoy praise singing even though I don't have the voice of an angel. It doesn't matter what my voice sounds like because it is not about me. It is not about any of us who sing or play an instrument up front. It is about God. We need to be willing to step aside and allow God to take control. If God wants to stop the song service and speak, then so be it. If it's our turn to sing a special after the preaching but there is no preaching because God take over the service, then so be it.
Sometimes we get so caught up in what songs we sing at church more than we get caught up in His presence. "Aww man, they're singing THAT song again?! I don't feel like clapping my hands."We go to church to entertain the presence of our God, not entertain ourselves.
This lesson taught in TobyMac's song can also apply to our personal lives. Let God be in control of your show. Step aside and stop trying to figure out life's map. Let God lead you to where He wants you and just enjoy your walk with Him. After all, we were made for His pleasure, not our own, so He deserves to be number one in our lives. “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev. 4:11 NLT)
The first five times I heard the song I did not care for it. To me, it just seemed too secular, too much like a pop song. The other day that song came on and just as I was about to change it and pop in a CD, I stopped. I decided I was going to listen to Steal My Show all the way through, ignore the rhythm and pay attention to the lyrics. My viewpoint on the song changed.
The song is written from the musician's point of view. The first verse describes an excited crowd at a concert just waiting for the musician to perform. The following verses and chorus describe that although the crowd is excited to see TobyMac, or any musician, all the glory belongs to God. TobyMac's song is about making God number one in your show and not getting in His way.
Letting the lyrics sink in, I thought about what it means to be a musician/praise singer at my church. I really enjoy praise singing even though I don't have the voice of an angel. It doesn't matter what my voice sounds like because it is not about me. It is not about any of us who sing or play an instrument up front. It is about God. We need to be willing to step aside and allow God to take control. If God wants to stop the song service and speak, then so be it. If it's our turn to sing a special after the preaching but there is no preaching because God take over the service, then so be it.
Sometimes we get so caught up in what songs we sing at church more than we get caught up in His presence. "Aww man, they're singing THAT song again?! I don't feel like clapping my hands."We go to church to entertain the presence of our God, not entertain ourselves.
This lesson taught in TobyMac's song can also apply to our personal lives. Let God be in control of your show. Step aside and stop trying to figure out life's map. Let God lead you to where He wants you and just enjoy your walk with Him. After all, we were made for His pleasure, not our own, so He deserves to be number one in our lives. “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev. 4:11 NLT)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Something New...
A lot of people like to make resolutions for a new year. I am not big on making resolutions but I do like to reflect on the previous year and make life changes for the new year. Life changes could be praying more, spending more time with family, taking better care of my body, etc.
This year, I decided I wanted to do new things. I have never blogged before, so this is all new to me. Another new thing I am doing this year is writing book reviews. I signed up at www.crossfocusereview.com to read Christian books and write reviews on them. I am really excited to try this. The book I am currently reading is called Loving the Church by John Crotts. So far so good. I will be posting my review soon.
The most major new thing I will be doing this year is traveling overseas. I have been out of the country a few times before, visiting family in Mexico. However, I have never been to any other country. On August 5th, 2013, I will be traveling to Lome, Togo! I am so excited. I am counting down the days--205 to be exact! ;-) I will be there for 10 days assisting missionary Jaydie Johnson in any way I can.
It has always been my dream to go on a missions trip but for years I was afraid to go. I was afraid because I knew the trips were expensive and I did not trust I could come up with the funds in time. However, I am trusting God with Togo. He has called me to West Africa, so I believe He will make a way.
205 days will go by fast!
Always,
Amberly
This year, I decided I wanted to do new things. I have never blogged before, so this is all new to me. Another new thing I am doing this year is writing book reviews. I signed up at www.crossfocusereview.com to read Christian books and write reviews on them. I am really excited to try this. The book I am currently reading is called Loving the Church by John Crotts. So far so good. I will be posting my review soon.
The most major new thing I will be doing this year is traveling overseas. I have been out of the country a few times before, visiting family in Mexico. However, I have never been to any other country. On August 5th, 2013, I will be traveling to Lome, Togo! I am so excited. I am counting down the days--205 to be exact! ;-) I will be there for 10 days assisting missionary Jaydie Johnson in any way I can.
It has always been my dream to go on a missions trip but for years I was afraid to go. I was afraid because I knew the trips were expensive and I did not trust I could come up with the funds in time. However, I am trusting God with Togo. He has called me to West Africa, so I believe He will make a way.
205 days will go by fast!
Always,
Amberly
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