Set Apart

We hope you all had a Merry and Blessed Christmas!
This month marks the six-month anniversary of our blog,isn't God good!

Posted in: Heidi, Member on Friday, December 26, 2008 at at 7:14 PM 0 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  

Relying on God is no easy task. You can't just say, "Oh today I feel like relying on God." No, it doesn't work like that. God puts circumstances into our paths to make us rely on Him. But even then it is difficult to rely on God. Why? The world puts roadblocks in our way. There are psychiatrists doctors, friends, antibiotics and drugs which make us "feel" better. But in truth they hinder us from casting ourselves into the Lord's hands.

When I was going through many health issues, I would rely on man-made stuff first, and God would be second. If I would start to feel my body reacting to something I ate, I would just open a pill bottle and put my special machine on my stomach. I wanted the pain to go away as soon as possible and these things I used, had real results.

But in doing this, I deprived my Father his favorite pastime, to listen to the pleas of his daughter rise to heaven and to answer them. And even when I prayed my mindset was not correct. 'If God doesn't touch my stomach, I can just do this and it will feel better.' I was blinded by the medicine labels, so to speak.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that God puts circumstances in our way so He can deliver us from them! But we need to rely on Him and not on worldly things.It's hard, because everywhere a Christian turns there are ads for this new medicine, success stories of the new shrink in town, or hidden messages in movies which project how drugs make you forget your troubles. It is a tough battle to rely on God when Satan has put so many other things in our way. But it is a battle worth fighting because we receive an eternal reward.

Posted in: on Monday, November 10, 2008 at at 9:29 AM 3 comments  

I wrote this with in minutes of the announcement that Obama is our next President.
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"Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America." At these words spoken last night America erupted, some people with joy and some with fear. I was sitting on the couch and reacted immediately with a prayer. "God have mercy on America!"

I sat numb as the television screen showed thousands and thousands of ecstatic Obama supporters screaming and crying with joy in their victory in Times Square. All those voices blended together pierced my heart; it sounded like a new born baby's wail. Tears ran down my face unhindered as I realized that America's next leader will allow the shameless murder of thousands and thousands of unborn children. Again the cry rose from my heart, "God, have mercy! Have mercy on all those precious babies who will be killed! Please God..."

John McCain, his wife Cindy and the Palins (I'm sure we'll see Sarah again in the future) by his side, gave a speech to disappointed supporters in Arizona.I was struck by his humility. He was so sincere and humble; urging unity and congratulating Mr.Obama graciously.

I feel a satisfaction that America has elected an African American President. Though I strongly dislike and disagree with most of Barack Obama's beliefs and policies, I realize that this election has finally bridged a great and unfair divide between races. It is an amazing day historically for America, and conservatives are needlessly stubborn if they do not realize this.

What now? Will Barack Obama be a socialist leader who attacks America's traditional values? Is he the friend of terrorists that some have made him out to be? Only time will tell.

I am so aware this is a crucial time for Christians in America. We need to pray for our country and new President. We must be sure to stand up for life as it is obvious that our new President won't.
We must place our hope and trust in Jesus. So many Americans have put all their hope and trust in a man who, just like you and me, is a sinner and will make mistakes; setting themselves up for major disappointment. America needs to realize that Mr. Obama can't bring about the most important change we need; Jesus can.

Posted in: Heidi, Member on Friday, November 7, 2008 at at 9:31 AM 1 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  

I accepted Christ into my life when I was 12 years old ( No I don't remember the exact date and time, sorry). For a year I studied my Bible earnestly wanting to know how to serve God better. It was a joy and a privilege. Then it became boring. The Bible lost it's spark. It wasn't alive to me anymore. Meeting with the Lord everyone morning was no longer a privilege. It was a chore. A boring. Boring. Boring. Chore. Prayer lost it's power too. So I feel away and sought my pleasure elsewhere. One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was up to my head in sin. I stayed that way for 3 years. Three wasted years. Little spiritual revivals would come and last a short time and then I would fall away once again.

About two months ago I became fed up. I wanted to serve my God and leave everything behind but I felt powerless to do so. Something was missing. I knew for a fact that I was a Christian. God still worked in my life when I let Him. I prayed and prayed for hours and tried to read the Bible with that same enthusiasm as I had when I was a new Christian. But it was futile. God felt distant. I felt discouraged and powerless. Powerless. That word best defined my state. Willing but powerless.

Last night I told my Mom about everything that had been going the past few months. She said she was pretty sure she knew what I was missing. The Holy Spirit. I'd gotten to know the Spirit a lot more by observing him work through other peoples lives so I instantly agreed with her. So she gave me the above message by Terry Virgo to listen to.

I listened to it and it was phenomenal. It answered all the questions I had, had about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was ready! My plan was to wait until Sunday when my brothers and sisters could lay hands on me. But God had other plans.

About the point in the message where Terry goes into to detail about speaking in tongues I grew more and more excited. At the end of the message while I was praying along with Terry, God spoke to me, probably the most clearly he has ever spoken to me. He said: "The next thing that is going to come out of your mouth will me praising me in tongues." So I stood there for a little bit. Then...I opened my mouth. What ushered forth was nothing short of heavenly. I couldn't understand a word and I didn't care. The illustration of rivers of living waters flowing from your mouth is about as close as you can get. It's just unexplainable. Praise God! It was the most amazing experience in my entire life.

After I stopped praising Him in tongues I grabbed my iPod and ran upstairs to my iPod dock prepared to sing praises to the Lord! Haha I'll never forget what the Lord said to me. He said: "No, sing your own song to me in tongues." And I did. It wasn't much of a song. More like a rap of sorts but I know it pleased Him so much to hear it!

Wow! Hallelujah! God is amazing.

Posted in: Carter on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at at 9:11 AM 2 comments