Set Apart

Start off and read Mark 6:30 - 8:1-21. Cause if you read that, this summary of sorts will make more sense.

In Mark 6:30-44 describes when Jesus fed five thousand men(even more people then that since the account doesn't include women and children, which then could possibly make it double the amount or more ) with five loaves of bread and two fish. They ate till ALL were satisfied. Afterwards there was twelve whole baskets full of broken bread and fish.

After this miracle several other events occurred, read those too (you can't get enough Bible, right?!).

So next thing you know, in Mark 8:1-21, Jesus is stuck somewhat in the same position as before, only with four thousand men (and unaccounted women and children), instead of five thousand men(and unaccounted women and children). Even though Jesus was able to provide and satisfy the hunger of five thousand men and more earlier, it didn't dawn on His disciples that He could do it again. But Jesus did do it again. The people here also were satisfied. At the end of this impromptu picnic of sorts, they gathered up what was left of the multiplied and collected seven baskets full of the remnants of the meal.

Mark 8:16-21 is my third and final description of this passage of Scripture. While in a boat Jesus' disciples realize, "Hey, we don't have any bread".
And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ear do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve". "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to Him, "Seven". And He said to them, "Do you not yet understand?". Mark 8:17-21

I love the disciples and Jesus in this. It kinda makes me chuckle when I read the events and the dialogue following them. Because here is the disciples, who have witnessed two GREAT miracles almost back to back that fulfilled a total nine thousand men and unaccounted women and childrens need for a meal, now in a boat with a merely twelve of them all worried about where their next meal will come from while sitting around with the Creator of food made Incarnate, Jesus.
Jesus points out the obvious to the oblivious disciples. It's hard to believe that they didn't see it themselves after the second go round but, Jesus provided not only enough but more than enough each time when they were in need of food. So the disciples were worrying about something they didn't need to worry about. If God was faithful then, why wouldn't He had been faithful then and now?

Think about this, twelve plus seven equals nineteen. NINETEEN baskets of food LEFTOVER.
God didn't skimp and doesn't skimp on what He blesses us with.

Posted in: Annie, Member on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at at 10:27 AM 1 comments  

I found myself washing the bathroom floor recently. Instead of using a mop, I was doing it by hand with a blue rag and a bottle of all purpose cleaner. I have to say, that I found the task, initially, quite gross. But as I was on my knees, scrubbing away at the dirt and whatnot a thought popped into my head. God talks to people in lots of different ways, and I've come to determine that He likes popping into my private conversations with myself(which really aren't THAT private since He knows them...but anyway).

This thought was,"Jesus loves the floor cleaners". As cheesy it sounds at first, let me explain somethings. Being on ones knees is now, and never has been very glamorous. Red, ruddy knees are not a very often complimented attribute. Then there is a fact of does ANYONE look at floors anyway? Seriously thinking about it, when you go to a person's house you don't automatically examine their floors to see if they are clean. It really is a seemingly pointless task.

But,God loves the humble. And,I don't know about you, but when I think of the word "humble" and it's position,it's being on you're knees. People might not see me cleaning floors, but God does. And, I figured, this is what a humble servant looks like. It's not about being in the highest place to be seen and have people take notice of your actions. Sometimes, it's you, cleaning floors in a bathroom. Or, say watching kids on Sunday mornings. What you're doing might not be glamorous, but God sees, and God cares, and with the right attitude, you could be glorifying God just as much as you could be if you were doing it around others.

Posted in: Annie, Member on Monday, March 16, 2009 at at 10:31 AM 2 comments  

Lenses. I'm used to standing behind them. I like taking pictures, and lenses are important parts of picture taking. If a lens is dirty, smudged, or broken it is difficult to take good, or even decent pictures.

As people, we are all born with busted lenses. Our view of the world is distorted. We can only see but so much through the the cracks and dusts we have received. Try as we might to wipe the dirt away ourselves or cover them, the defects are unavoidable and unremoveable. Left to our own devices, we would navigate the world as the rest of humanity, through messed up lenses.

But there is a Master Repairman. He's renown everywhere. He can fix your lenses for free, because His Son paid the ENTIRE cost for, not ONLY you but the WHOLE world, so you could get to go see Him. Knowing your great need for clear vision, the Master Repairman has given you an invitation to come into His workshop. However, this invitation is not mandatory, it's voluntary. There is few who choose to come and many who do not.

The few who accept and enter into the workshop are greeted warmly, as if they were family. Their lenses are taken out gently, and replaced with a clean and clear lens fitted especially for them. Along with that, they are given a protective covering for their lens to protect from any damage. Before they leave, they are given a life time guarantee to return to have additional cleanings and or repairs.

With new lenses in, stepping out of the workshop,one sees everything differently. What had once been blurry is now precise and clean cut. What one thought wasn't there, now is. Those who haven't been to see the Master Repairman think those who have are ,to be perfectly honest, crazy. But to the eyes of those who have been changed, being called crazy is perfectly okay. They would rather be called that then sane, if crazy is what they are. Returning to their prior lenses would seem more backwards then anything. They cherish the lenses they were given and the Master Repairman that gave them. And nothing anyone could possibly say or do will change that. For, if you haven't figured it out already, this is a story about US.

God is the Master Repairman. He can fix,alter or change ANYTHING or ANYONE. His Son, obviously is Jesus, who payed the ultimate price(His own death) for us to come to His Father. Those of us who went to the Master Repairman's shop are those of us who are Christians. Those of us who didn't, are the non-Christians.

I've found it interesting the different points of view of the two groups. And just how differently we see the world in comparison. Often we tend to think everyone thinks the same thing we do,or something similar to it. What we need to remember is that everyone is seeing the same thing differently. It would do good to investigate and try to understand others view points so as to get a glimpse into their own lenses. Then so after doing,compare those to a Biblical standpoint and discuss the differences between the two worldviews.

Posted in: Annie, Member on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at at 12:42 AM 1 comments  

We, the Set-Apart Staff, as not only authors of this blog,but also as friends, have a lot to be thankful for during this holiday of Thanksgiving, and here are somethings, in no particular order, off the top of our head things we are thankful for:

Savannah
- I'm thankful that this is the second Thanksgiving I get to eat what everyone else is eating.
- I'm thankful for my grandparent's taking the time to drive up from FL to be with us.
- I'm thankful for getting my driver's permit.
- I'm thankful for the growth that has taken place in my relationship with the Lord.
- I'm thankful that my whole house is healthy.
- I'm thankful that our house is clean.
- I'm thankful for the Lord's loving kindness to me and my family.

I could go on and on about what I'm thankful for but these are the biggies.



Heidi
* I'm very thankful for my wonderful Savior, Jesus and His saving work in my life.

* I'm thankful for my Sister being home this week.

* I'm thankful for my family.

* I'm thankful for God's grace when I need it most, every moment of every day.

* I'm thankful that God holds tomorrow, that I don't have to worry about what I'll do after graduation, or what will happen.

* I'm thankful for good health.

* I'm thankful for amazing friends who help me see my weaknesses and encourage me.




Annie
I'm thankful that God put the idea for this blog in Heidi's mind and heart, and that she shared it with me, and both of us together, with the addition of Savannah, created this blog.
I'm thankful God can work through us through our writings.
I'm thankful for the people who read this blog.
I'm thankful that God has been SO faithful to continue to teach me new things.
I'm thankful that I've survived, and prospered in my first ever college class, with God's obvious help, because, I'm pretty sure without His assistance, I wouldn't have done it.
I'm thankful for the church family God has provided for me.
I'm thankful for all of my friends, who have,and still do, challenge me in my walk with God.
I'm thankful,and humbled by the fact,that even though I totally don't deserve it, God loves me.




Psalm 100:1-5

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!

Know the the Lord, He is God! It is he who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever; and His faithfulness to all generations.

Posted in: Annie, Heidi, Savannah, Thanksgiving on Monday, December 1, 2008 at at 9:05 AM 2 comments  

Growing up in church, there's a sameness. Singing the same songs, listening to the same announcements, hearing the same sermons, talking to the same friends afterwords. The same ol' same ol'.

But then on one of the handful of same Sundays someone will walk into church that no one would expect to be there. Now, often, no one will say it, but there will be whispers and unconscious thoughts of "Whoa...their....different..."

Usually, the difference, in our eyes is not good. Sometimes it's skirt length, sometimes it's tattoos, sometimes it's the color of the clothes they wear and sometimes it's a spiked six inch Mohawk. We act as a judge and jury in our mind toward one person over their simple appearance.

Now tell me, what would God say about this?
"Well...uh...we're supposed to love each other, no matter what but...they are like.. REALLY strange/scary/weird looking!"

You've heard of the saying, "You can't judge a book by it's cover", right? It pretty much rings true. God says, "Men look at the outward appearance,but I look at the heart".

You don't know WHO that person is at all by their clothes. Yes, you can tell what colors they like maybe or what band they adore, but really, all of that is superficial. To ACTUALLY get to know them you should try talking to them. Through conversation you will see glimpses of their heart and attitude. And in this way we are exemplifying one of God's characteristics,to care.

I'll be the first one to say accepting people as they are and loving them no matter what they dress like or even act like CAN be difficult, when everyone else around you isn't. I encourage you to really TRY to get to know people before you deem them off as something their possibly not. And to love them and accept them as God

Romans 15:7 "Therefore accept one another, just as Christ has also accepted us to the glory of God."

Posted in: Annie, Member on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at at 9:24 AM 3 comments  

As I was searching YouTube a few days ago I stumbled upon a song video, and below that video was a comment from someone. The song incidentally was "Jesus Loves You" by Stellar Kart. Now, normally I bypass the comments, usually because there is nothing worth reading in them most of the time but I came upon this while skimming:

"even if he is realo. (not saying he is or not)

im sure he wont want every1 to give him everything we have woked fr.... "

The second half of the comment really got to me. Right off the bat I thought,"Are you KIDDING?! He wants EVERYTHING!".

Then what Jesus' said in Matthew 6:24 came to mind:
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other;you will be devoted to one and despise the other.(NLT)

The sum of it is, all or nothing. You can't give God only certain parts of your life, while clenching on to the rest for your own use. An example of this could be music. If you did not include God in your choices in that particular area, then which Master would you be serving in that?

God wants it ALL. I'm not talking bits ,pieces, slices or squares, I'm talking ALL. Complete and total surrender of you're entire life to Him.

If you haven't made that step already,to make Christ your Master over you're entire life, I encourage you ask a pastor, a friend who you know is a strong Christian, or one of us for that matter! We would love to share our Savior's life with you and lead you to Him!
:)

Posted in: Annie, Member on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at at 12:24 PM 0 comments  

Some girls growing up hearing they look like their Mom. Well, I'm one of the few who look a little more like their Dad. Along with looking like him, to a degree, I also take after him in certain areas in my life.

My Dad is a "order person". A place for everything and everything in it's place. Alphabetizing, color-coded, sorted by size, you name it, my Dad likes it.

In this way, I am a LOT like him. I like order. When everything is EXACTLY where it's supposed to be and I am able to find things,that is my paradise. Disorganization and chaos are my battle ground.

Savannah brought up recently and, after discussing things over with the Set-Apart staff, that as nice as it is to having our own schedule, it isn't very inclusive to God working. It's easy for me to say, "Okay this person writes this day and this person writes this", but what happens if someone has a word from God two days before they are scheduled to write something? It simply isn't doing well to put off for tomorrow what you can do today!

So, we've decided, as a group, to let God do the scheduling. This isn't a easy task for me to relinquish, but I realize the God of infinite and beyond has a better grasp of time lines than I could EVER have.

Hopefully, with this change in our workings, it will decrease any stress from knowing of an impending deadline for a post, and INCREASE our rest and availability of our heart to post when something is suddenly brought on by God.

Posted in: Annie, Member on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at at 8:47 AM 4 comments  

I had a thought today. This thought took my breath away. Thinking about my life, and others in my church, some of us are a lot alike in our way of getting to our church family. Some of us came reluctantly. Most of us didn't know what we were getting into,and who we would be encountering. Wondered if these people would be weird or normal. Then walking in, looking around at the masses ,thinking, wishing ,and hoping we weren't there. Wanting to run back to where we began and not have to do this. But there we were, standing by ourselves, when all of a sudden appears a person with a warm smile, friendly handshake, eye contact and an introduction. From there starts a conversation, and from that conversation brings acquaintance, and from that acquaintance, after time comes friendship. If not already, a sister or brother-in-Christ.

If you have never been in the position of being "new" at a church, I'll tell you from my personal experience it's quite frightening. Imagine being in a room where you literally know no one, and being with groups of individuals who have been friends with each other from the beginning of time. It makes you feel SO small and out of place, but when someone takes notice and actually says "Hi" it makes a difference,
believe it or not.

That one person by extending their hand is doing a lot more than greeting. They are exhibiting love and kindness in acknowledging the other individuals existence and wanting to get to know them.

There is a saying that goes,"You may be the only 'Jesus' they see". Little things we do and say often times go further than we know. So next time you see someone you kinda know or don't know, go up and talk to them!

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" Hebrews 13:2

Posted in: Annie, Member on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at at 12:57 PM 0 comments  

Whilst on my vacation to Massachusetts I went to Prayer Meeting at the A's church. The sermonette preached before the adults and the teens split up was on 1 Peter 1:18---2:2. While the speaker was reading these verses out loud,this verse stood out to me:

1 Peter 1:22
"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love for the brethren,love one another fervently with a pure heart," (NKJV)

Then hearing it repeated again,the word fervently. Love one another FERVENTLY. The dictionary definition of fervent is:
1.Having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.
2.Hot; burning; glowing.

In loving each other we're not called to be lukewarm, half-way or cold. We're to love each other with hot, burning, glowing love. The same love we've been shown by God. If we do not love one another,how can the world see us as set apart?

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Another thing that dawned upon me while in Massachusetts came when we went to the beach.

Driving through a neighborhood near the beach, I noticed all the gorgeous houses next to the amazing view of the sea. Those highly valued houses have people living in them. People who possibly look at the gorgeous view of the blue sea as something that came together by chance. People whose greatest boast is in their house by the sea.

All too soon though,if ever a hurricane or a tornado to come along, goodbye life, goodbye house, goodbye pride. Where would they find hope? Where would they find peace? Where would they turn to find answers?

Oh, how incredibly different would they be!

Posted in: Annie, guest on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at at 3:18 PM 0 comments  

I'm a details person. Having observed one person enough for an extended amount of time, I am prone to find a tendency or a habit in them, that would otherwise be bypassed by others. (Often times this is seen as a bit stalkerish, but I promise I'm not, LOL) Such as how they stand, what words they say regularly, who they hang out with or what kind of shoes they wear. Along with physical habits, there are spiritual habits to take notice of.

When an obvious pattern of sin becomes prevalent in peoples lives,often I wonder how they themselves go along in life and not notice such a big, yellow "sin ahead" caution sign each time around. I think,"Oh, how stupid of them, they should have seen that coming....again. I mean,come on,it's RIGHT in front of their face!". But then after reading Adam's post on The Sinfulness Of Sin and talking about the topic with him for a bit, something he said in our conversation went off in my head like a bright exclamation point.

"They can't see their sin because they are blinded by it."

Having thought about it,it makes SO much sense! If we are blinded by darkness,how can we see the light? If we cannot even see the light in comparison to the dark, how can we know the difference between the two?

John 3:19
This is the verdict:Light has come into the world,but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that in it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God.(NIV)

Recurring sin darkens our view. Satan can put scales on our eyes after some time and make us unable to discern at all. These scales once implemented,do not come off easily. Pleading family and friends won't take them off, getting caught won't take them off, neither will punishment. No, the only One who holds the power to undo what the Master of Darkness has devised is the far greater Master of Light,our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who died and rose again so that there would be freedom from our sin!

Romans 8:1-4 says,
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us,who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)

If you find yourself,or a friend struggling with a pattern of sin,remember, there is NO sin that binds you that God cannot break.
God holds the power. Pray and ask Him to conquer that area in your life.

I'll leave you with this verse,
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he had committed sins, he will be forgiven.(ESV)

Posted in: Adam, Annie, guest, Member on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at at 12:01 PM 0 comments  

There is a lot of songs about life. Rap songs about thug life,country songs about "down home" life,pop and rock songs about the party life and many,many more genres and sub genres that all envelop the same theme of living. However,I came upon this song called "The Beautiful Letdown" by Switchfoot as of late and have found it's message the opposite of what most songs preach. Obviously this is a Christian band,but I was startled at the fact that what they were saying,was so incredibly true. Before I can continue,here are the lyrics:

Beautiful Letdown (by Switchfoot)

It was a beautiful let down
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone,unknown and hurt
It was a beautiful let down
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do

In a world full of bitter pain and bitter doubt
I was tryin' so hard to fit in, fit in,
Until I found out
That I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong
I don't belong

It was a beautiful let down
When you found me here
Yeah for once in a rare blue moon I see everything clear
I'll be a beautiful let down
That's what I'll forever be
And though it may cost my soul
I'll sing for free
We're still chasin' our tails and the risin' sun
And our dark water planet's
Still spinning in a race
Where no one wins and no one's one

See I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong
I don't belong
I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I don't belong here( I don't belong)
I'm gonna set sight and set sail for the kingdom come
Kingdom come
Your kingdom come

Won't you let me down yeah
Let my foolish pride
Forever let me down

Easy living,your not much like your name
Easy dying,hey you look just about the same
Won't you please take me off your list
Easy living,please come on and let me down

We are a beautiful let down,
Painfully uncool,
The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures and the fools
Oh what a beautiful let down
Are we salt in the wound
And let us sing one true tune

I don't belong here(I don't belong)
No,I don't belong here(I don't belong)
I don't belong here(I don't belong)
Feels like I don't belong here
I don't belong here(I don't belong here)
Feels like I don't belong here
No,I don't belong here
Would you let me down
Come on and let me down
You always let me down
Feels like I'm let down
Come on and let me down
Cuz I don't belong here
Please
Won't you let me down?


What stood out most about this is song is the chorus. The repetitiveness of "I don't belong here". As Christian,that statement should be SO prevalent in our lives. We really don't belong.

John 15:19 says,If you belong to the world,it would love you as its own. As it is,you do not belong to the world,but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.(NIV) I think a lot of the times we forget this. We are in this world but not of it. If that is the case,we should be acting differently to the aspect of life and living it.

"What does this mean,exactly?",you're probably thinking. Since we know and believe life is more than just living and dying,we should be making an effort to further the kingdom we belong to. Along with furthering it,to represent it as citizens while here on earth to the best of our abilities with God's help.

I challenge you,this week to reevaluate the way you are living,whether it be godly or worldly.
If it be the latter, fear not, God is merciful.
Change is a gradual process,not an immediate arrival.
Start somewhere, anywhere.
Maybe be more diligent to read the Bible, pray every day or examine the worldly things you are letting yourself in take.
Build from there.
As Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is a Christian's walk with God.
So set forth this week to grow closer to the Savior.

Posted in: Annie on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at at 10:46 AM 1 comments  

There is a saying,"Disappointments are God's appointments". However,rarely do we see these "appointments" as Divine. Rather, we see them as pesky roadblocks to our plans for our life. When we become disappointed often times we look to God, and ask "What the heck are you thinking about up there? I am CERTAIN this activity/event or occasion would be a GREAT opportunity to..(start listing off the different points to make the particular function a good one to attend in your eyes) Therefore, with my evidence (and your lack thereof),making ME right,and You, wrong". Oh, can you see the pride coming out of your nose? Who are we to tell the God of the Universe He is wrong? The perfect One who laid the master plan of your life, even before you were born,that He made some kind of mistake in His working?

In Jeremiah 29:11 it reads,'"For I know the plans I have for you",says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope(NLT). With that verse, we learn that obviously God wants the best for us. He doesn't want the worse or the horridest or the meanest. He wants THE best. Most of the time our best doesn't match God's best. We can see a situation one way, and He sees it a completely different way.

An example of this in my own life has become quite prevalent. I spent a good chunk of my "childhood" in a church I loved with people I loved, who I thought I would NEVER EVER leave. Soon,those hopes of mine came crashing down, when my Dad felt God's call to be somewhere else. I went, but oh I went kicking and screaming. This move wasn't MY plan, and I disliked it a GREAT deal, so much,in fact I vocalized it quite openly to my parents. I would rather have been with my friends that I had known since forever and the adults that had been in my life since before I could remember than having to attend a new church and begin all over again with gaining friends there. Finally we found a church we liked. Settled down, two or three years later,a day or so after a week long camp in Florida with other teens, comes that same news. I had REALLY thought God has us where He wanted us at the time. I had JUST started making friends, and there He goes pulling the rug out from under me again. Then we came to this really weird church , it was called Kingsway Community Church. They didn't have their own building, they met in a school.The people there raised their hands in worship and the guy who preached, named Aaron, had the richest, thickest voice I have ever heard. And oh, did I mention they silly stringed a newly engaged couple? After getting past all the familiar territory of being new, I came to love the church God finally brought us to.

Now looking back at my disappointments, they were not disappointments at all, they really were God's appointments. Nothing that occurred to me in past, would I have chosen for myself. Only God had the power and knowledge to guide me where I needed to be and know where I needed to go. Had I stayed where I wanted, I probably wouldn't be typing this, or even THINKING about typing something like this. It is ALL God's doing and none of mine that I sit here and hope this typing of my words makes sense to you and that it somehow shows you something you never knew.

With that,God bless you! I hope you exit out or walk away with a better understanding of disappointment,and how we should react at those times to it. Ifs you have any questions,comments,queries or concerns,feel free to put em' in the comment box. We loves feedback, it helps us get to know our readers.
:)

Posted in: Annie, Member on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at at 6:42 PM 4 comments