Starting a church.... My vision

If you look at my 'dreams and aspirations' folder in my photograph albums, you'll see I feel that sometime in the future, somebody will approach me to start a church with them.

Read that section on my 'album' for more information :)

I see myself being approached by somebody to assist them in starting a church. With my public speaking skills, and my networking skills, and my leadership skills, I am able to lead worship, organise and lead prayer meetings, and assist with other setup functions.

** Since I plan on doing Metro Worship Academy in 2013 and 2014.. I'm assuming that it will be after that that this occurs.. Maybe God is preparing me at Metro Church now... to be able to do this in the future...

** An important factor right now is erradicating people who hold me back or don't believe in me, or don't believe in my dreams.. erradicating them from my life all together as soon as possible..

My life must become 100% about preparation for this.

I am just writing this out - I am going to seek Gods confirmation on this.. because this is all a pretty massive statement... I am also going to have to pray that this person comes into my life if I havn't met them already.

My guess is that whoever the person is.. has notes somewhere like this about the same thing.. I'm also guessing there will be 3-4 people involved.. not just myself and this other person...

I feel like a crazy person writing this, because my whole life has been spent being told by people 'you can't do that..' In every element of life.. including church.. I'm rebuking all of those statements.. I believe I am going to do this and achieve..

I'm still going to be routed in a bigger church.. in whatever city this occurs in...

I'm assuming the main person who will be starting this church will be a pastor. Assuming it will also be a man. (I believe a man should be the head of a church, just like how men are called to be the head of a house)

1) check the legal requirements in the state and country for the minimum ammount of people required to form a church body. - build a small community with the church on Sunday mornings and afterward.

Keep based in a bigger church on Sunday nights, as the support will be most necessary, and the church will take potentially months - years to grow

2) no matter how slow the growth is - persistence and persevereance is necessary.. Michael Jordan said "I have failed many times, that is why I achieve"

Music foundations - accoustic guitarist, 2nd instrument to be implemented would be a tambarine??

in a small setting a tambarine would provide a more simple and strong rhythym basis than a percussion drum.

If a keyboardist could join this would be brilliant.

- Focus on networking to the unpovished / poverty areas.

Destitute women with children who have been abandoned

Men who are being delivered from addictions

the jobless who need prayer and confidence to recieve healing and employment

Join with a big church for things that would require help like - is there a big church that runs a homeless soup kitchen or something that we can a) build the church with people who need God the most, but we wouldn't have the facilities to facilitate the homeless etc.. the backings up of a larger church to be allies would be most important.. then we can say 'well we're partnering wtih X church to do a soup kitchen every 2nd thursday.. etc

Implementation of a bible study fortnightly, that has a social foundation to encourage people to come.

Some sort of 'training' group for youth - young people who are struggling in the street etc..

Kids who are rejected by their parents, hanging out in the streets, etc.. running a 'getting prepared for life' course.. where we teach them how to manage their finances, how to dress presentably to the world, how to write a resume and apply for a job, how to build healthy relationships and focus on healthy boundaires in relationships and the workplace...

I feel that I would want the church to have it's own original music..

I would need a strong guitarist to assist with this (if I'm not a strong guitarist by the time it happens) h

I believe by that time I will be able to read and write notations.

In the long term the music of this church will be sang in other churches (like hillsongs is accross austrlaia and america)

How to tell if God is calling you to be a church planter... ???

http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/138712-the-call-to-start-a-new-church-plant.html/

Ephesians 2:21-22 ESV / 10 helpful votes

In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The vision I'm seeing is really getting involved in people who need help.. Little old ladies that need chores or encouragement or a family, Streets that need cleaning up.. I want this to be a hands on church...

I want it to grow.. if it could grow to be the size of 2000 would be amazing.. but it will be Gods church not mine.. and whoever is going to start this church (I will merely be a support act to the main leader of the church) - they will have a vision clearer than me.. their vision will be from God...

- where you meet is NOT relevant.. besides any fees that need to be paid to the government to start up.. church is people.. it's not a building.. the church could start in a living room.. in a hotel board room.. I have no idea.. I'm guessing that whoever approaches me will have a more direct idea..

I am most likely going to be one of the main financial book keepers of the church, until it expands 

Starting a church with no money

http://www.ccwtoday.org/article_view.asp?article_id=241

How to start a church

http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Local-Church

Useful links http://www.visionofthechurch.com/

https://www.startchurch.com/

- make sure your church is compliant with the law (united states)

**Start a home spiritual discussion group. The IRS requires you have three founding members who are not related by blood or marriage.**

Include a time of fellowship and getting to know people. People will continue to come if they feel welcome and cared for.

worship.com

worship.net

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• It is best to get good legal and financial advice to set you in good stead.
• Isaiah 58:6, 66:8, I Tim 2:4 Conversion of the Lost.
• Have regular prayer meetings. In Acts 6:4, Peter put prayer before ministry of the word, "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." The Bible says to pray for the following 12 things:
• I Corinthians 14:13 Christians to receive a double portion of the Holy Spirit and the gifts.
• I Timothy 2:1 Petitions and any requests.
• Matthew 9:37-38 Workers in the harvest.
• I Timothy 2:2 Presidents: Pray for: Peace, Holiness and Honesty.
• Matthew 26:41, Luke 18:1 Power to overcome temptation for all Christians.
• Ephesians 6:19, Eph 6:12 God to open the door for missionaries.
• James 1:5 Christians to receive wisdom.
• Galatians 4:19, Gal 1:2 Maturity in the Churches.
• Acts 8:15 Christians to receive the Holy Spirit and His anointing.
• James 5:15 Christians to receive Physical, Mental and Spiritual healing.
• II Thessalonians 1:11-12 Power to Glorify Jesus in Evangelistic crusades.

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Is it your idea? Is it a good idea? Or is it GOD'S IDEA!!

"

Common Sources of Improper Calling

• Unemployment NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY
• Anger or resentment at another pastor --------NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY
• Disgruntled staff     -NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY
• Easier than searching for an existing ministry position ---NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY

lol.. nothing easy about being a part of church planting.. and nothing fun about going to a church that has like.. no people hahah

• Parent or grandparent ---------NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY
• Ego --------------- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY
• It’s the "in" thing -----------------------NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DOES NOT APPLY

"

lol um.. no.

Lets investigate this.. hmmmmmmmmmm...

as I said above.. I have mentioned all the points of what I'm feeling.. what's going through my head veyr firmly (please God don't send me to Kansas.. hahah)

It's going to take prayer.

It's also going to take 'that person' approaching me.. hmmm. Preparation... Preparation is key.. what does God want me to do...

this is it

Whoever the other person is.. they are going to have to be emotionally strong.. they are going to have to be completey independant. They are going to have to have a very direct and clear vision. They are going to have to act with integrity and have an incomprehensible level of commitment - If this is a person who needs me to emotionally hold them up.. then this is not the way... Emotionally support is fine.. Emotionally hold them up is not fine.. hmmm.. I'm typing to much

"""""In marriage counseling at The Journey, I often try to talk people out of getting married. Why? It’s easier to call off an engagement than a marriage, and while it hurts in the present, it prevents a lot of pain in the future. So it is with the start of a new church. If I can talk you out of starting a church, it’s going to hurt a little now, but it’s going to save you, your family, and the people around you a lot of hurt in the future.""""""""""""

Food for meditation!!!!

Common Sources of Proper Calling

• Prayer and Bible Study—God confirms His call in our lives through prayer and Bible study. People who are called often feel that God confirms His calling ‘every time’ they pray or read the Bible.
  
  
• Surprise—Sometimes, people are surprised by the calling because the idea of ministry is so far from their own plan for their lives. This surprise leads to a 180° turn in career and life focus.

BOOOM! X 2!

Burden for the Unchurched—The proper call to start a church is always accompanied by a desire to reach the unchurched. If your desire is to change the Christians in your community, then you are most assuredly not called to start a new church. However, if you have strong passion to reach the unchurched, then you may be hearing properly from God.

BOOM!!!!

Godly Counsel—Are people around you confirming your call? They may be surprised, but in their hearts, they can confirm that God has called you to plant a church. 

**NEED TO SEEK THIS ONE.............. NEED TO GET A LOT OF PRAYER OVER THE NEXT YEAR..

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When exactly were you called? What were the circumstances around your call? And how did it match up with the sources of proper calling?

It’s a good idea to sketch out an outline of your call. Write it in ink, because once you start moving forward, you’ll want to come back to your confirmed calling over and over again.

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i'M not married but found this bit interesting anyway...

"First, the timing of your call may not match exactly with the timing of your spouse’s call. Your call may come before your spouse’s. You must be patient and allow God to speak to your spouse in His own timing. Often, a spouse’s call may come days, weeks, or even months after the call of the church starter. Your role during this period is to be patient and gentle and avoid pushiness. Just as God called you together in marriage, He’ll call you together to start a church. If you move forward in your calling without your spouse, you are not only acting outside of God’s will for your marriage, but you are putting your future church in jeopardy."

as I've written out this stuff. I've pointed out it won'tbe me starting the church.. it will be me supporting somebody else starting a church, but I'll be a foudning member.. 

"this person" who will approach me.. perhaps they havn't been called to do this yet.. OR perhaps they have been but they have not met me yet.. who knows..

****

3. My Call to a Place

The third call is the call to a place—a city, town, community, or area where God wants you to start a church. Often, this call to a specific place is part of the original calling. At times, it comes later. There is generally a correlation between who you are and the place where God calls you to plant. While a few exceptional people are called to cross-cultural ministries, most of us are called to places that match our personality or life experiences. Ron Sylvia, a church planting coach in Florida, has said, “God prepares you for a place, and God prepares a place for you.”

********

Woah.. this advice really speaks to me.. but I don't know what place it would be.. I don't know hwho will approach me. I don't even have the 'when' but it can't be this year or next. both years are kind of blocked off.. I don't know

"3. Is there an area where you told God, “This is the last place in the world I would ever want to live?” That might be the place where He is calling you to start a church. Remember Jonah."

I don't want to read that! (not Kansas.. no seriously.. not Kansas!)

5. Contemplate this passage: “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.”—Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)

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• Jason Woodman, Renee le Geois and Anthony RawstaChild Smith like this.
• 

  Eddie Starr Have you ever considered, IDK, networking with others, around the world, to form a "grass roots church," where the members work with one another, towards making helping each other?

  February 25 at 1:24pm · Like · 2
• 

  Sky Simone what is a 'grass roots church'?

  February 25 at 1:28pm · Like
• 

  Eddie Starr Something that's "starting from the ground up," or "back to basics." Sort of like "grass roots activists," who don't have big business (or church, in this case) funding, who rely on things like fundraising, or such, to make something happen. IDK if it'...See More

  February 25 at 1:36pm · Like · 1
• 

  Sky Simone I'm not talking about a cyber church though.. I'm talking about a physical full on church. See my notes.. not much funding required to start with.. just needs to comply with US laws.. - also needs God to make a way.. lols

  February 25 at 1:38pm · Like
• 

  Eddie Starr I'm probably not explaining it well. I wasn't thinking "cyber," not sure if any would care for that. I mean that, for example, my friends, who have theirs, which is small, maybe 25 members (tho a lot of it is family), interacting with others, sharing i...See More

  February 25 at 1:43pm · Like
• 

  Sky Simone "has God called you to start a church" http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/138712-the-call-to-start-a-new-church-plant.html/ "it’s important to remember that successful church starts begin with a personal calling rather than a personal choice."

  

  The 4 Calls of a Church Planter

  www.churchleaders.com

  A clear calling is the most important ingredient in any new church.

  February 25 at 2:37pm · Like · Remove Preview
• 

  Sky Simone "When you know that God wants you to do something, then you can act boldly and decisively."

  February 25 at 2:38pm · Like
• 

  Sky Simone THIS IS SO BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  February 25 at 11:04pm · Like
• 

  Sky Simone Common Sources of Proper Calling
  Prayer and Bible Study—God confirms His call in our lives through prayer and Bible study. People who are called often feel that God confirms His calling ‘every time’ they pray or read the Bible.
  
  Surprise—Sometimes, peo...See More

  February 25 at 11:11pm · Like
• 

  Sky Simone basketball courts

  March 1 at 8:52pm · Like

Online Spiritual Tests

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=3

Spiritual Gifts Test Results

The Results Are In!

Scroll down to see what your top score(s)(out of 24 possible points) are!Let us know what your top 3 gifts are and then click on the Definition link to learn more!

Note* Prophecy, Healing, Miracles, Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues are not included in the Spiritual Gift Discovery Survey because their presence in the life of a believer tends to be self-evident.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT YOUR RESULTS!

YOU MAY LOSE THEM IF YOU NAVIGATE FROM THIS PAGE!

Definition          Administration/Ruling - 13 Definition          Discernment - 11 Definition          Evangelism - 17 Definition          Exhortation - 17 Definition          Faith - 15 Definition          Giving - 11 Definition          Helps/Serving/Ministering - 10 Definition          Knowledge - 11 Definition          Mercy - 18 Definition          Pastor/Teacher - 12 Definition          Teaching - 13 Definition          Wisdom - 15 

     Spiritual Gift FAQs and Definitions

     Let us know what your top 3 gifts are!

TOP ORDER

Mercy - 18

Evangelism - 17

Exhortation - 17

Mercy 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to minister to and have compassion for those who are suffering or afflicted.See Romans 12:8, Luke 10:30-37

Evangelism 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables particular Christians to share the Gospel to unbelievers and burdens Christians about soul-winning. All Christians are called to witness for Christ whether they have this gift or not.See Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Exhortation This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to deliver challenging and encouraging words.

I think this is so much more accurate and clear than the one that I did when I was 20/21.. 

back then I think discernment and wisdom were my highest.. lol. looks like I've lost both but Mercy, Evangelism and Exhortation are awesome trade offs!

Some Helpful Joel Osteen Sermons

Joel Osteen

Stay in the Game..

(as Nathan always says to me.. "the only way you will lose, is if you give up")

Job 'stayed in the game' (even though he prayed for death)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7QOxaKsT1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErogfvzueF8

Knowing What To Ignore (Joel Osteen)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZvGnDAT1Ug

Joel Osteen - Signs of Gods Favour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YzTZBg60Rc

"Let Go, Let God" - (Joel Osteen Podcast Archive)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgeXe-NvP0 

Joel Osteen - Stay Filled With Hope, Your Time Is Coming (2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epl9fXDYAJs

Joel Osteen - Improving Your Relationships

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZxTKqhLLe4&playnext=1&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876&feature=results_video

Joel Osteen - Stop Listening to the Accusing Voices

Joel Osteen - Listen to Gods Warning Escape from the Trap of the Devil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8rblaySYf4&playnext=1&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876&feature=results_video 

Joel Osteen Your Life is Divinely Orchestrated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOMIRt_N1N4&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOz5k_y5Was&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876

Joel Osteen - Having A Successfull Marriage Relationship

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB8rZdUy2CE&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876

Joel Osteen - It is Easy to Break Addiction and Form Good Habits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU-0XPHOIkE&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876

Joel Osteen Rule Over Your Feelings

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye-s9BSNz6Y&list=PL6B681BCDFE32B876

Joel Osteen - How to Enter in to Your Promise Land

  

Joel Osteen on Self control Discipline and Ruling over your feelings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-8fLeYFbw0

Make right choices in difficult times is when we pass the test and develop character...

God will only promote us as high as our character will take us.

Joel Osteen #552 Thank God in Advance 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWgIsTcoH84

Experiencing the Power of the Holy Spirit - Notes

I'm listening to a sermon series by Jason Hamlin

"Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit"

It's a 6 cd series, and I'm just going to write basic notes that help me retain what he's talking about, and maybe share it with anyone who may find it helpful.

I've been coming up against some 'arguementative christians' lately. Christians who want to claim that I'm reading the bible wrong, or christians that just 'want to fight' - My first thoughts when I meet these people are 'Wow. Do you want us all to look crazy?' and B) 'A house divided cannot stand..' - I think many overlook that scripture.

So Jason begins by talking about churches fighting, and how none of the churches in his local of Tulsa Oklahoma can agree on anything.. He talks about people trying to discourage others and so fourth.. He talks about christians making excuses when somebody isn't healed saying 'maybe God inflicted the disease' and then he pointed out that people (who are evil) would never give a child a disease to teach them a lesson so why would God...

He also talks about churches who try to lie and say that the spiritual giftings were only applicable thousands of years ago, and targets those people.

He talks about everyone having the 'annointing' when they're saved, but not everyone catching onto it.. How some people get overwhelmed by circumstance because they aren't 'tuning in' to the Holy Spirits promptings.

The next point he makes is the 'guidance' the Holy Spirit gives people.. He talks about The Holy Spirit guiding people out of bad business deals before they occur... and then he goes on to address dating..

He said when he saw the woman he married for the first time the 'annointing' made him instantly recognise that that was the woman he was going to marry. He said that the devil will send people accross your path that 'appear' like the one, and try to convince us, but when you're tuned into the Holy Spirit you will recognised the annointing words.

The Holy Spirit will lead you in all things. People, relationships, finance, destiny, workplace The Holy Spirit will lead you in all things..

Some people sit around praying about who they should help.. But as a christian it is our OBLIGATION to feed the poor.. It is not our obligation to evaluate their situation etc.. It's not our responsibility to say 'oh maybe they'll spend it on alcohol' etc...

Many people pray for somebody who may not get healed before them and so they stop praying for healing for people.  You get tired of giving and not seeing anything so you stop giving, and most people don't try fasting.

When you spend time with the Holy Spirit He will prompt you to pray for particular people etc.

The Holy Spirit is as much God as Jesus Christ is and people need to be utilizing him more.

We need to expect and listen to the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us loudly to each detail.

Ask the Holy Spirit what is wrong with you.

He will respond to that right away, and He's going to tell you, you need to make it past that point before the Holy Spirit will tell you other things. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

Jesus was teaching the spiritually dead, so He had to speak in parables. The Holy Spirit can give you revelation inside your human spirit.

Pray about Bible school

Pray about marriage

Pray about your calling

Pray about what job you are supposed to do

The passage about 'wide is the road that leads to destruction and many find it. Narrow is the road that leads to eternal life and few find it" (matthew) Most people believe that is a salvation scripture. Jason Hamlin says this is not a salvation scripture, it is a destiny scripture. (Matthew) The wide path is the flesh. The narrow path is the cross. There is a road the Holy SPirit wants to get you on to inrease the annointing on your life on a daily basis'

God is moving in arabic nations, but it's hard for God to find people that are willing to go all out for him for those kinds of miracles to occur.

"THE LOVE WALK"

when people speak hate against you, and you still just feel love for them and pray for them.

You feel no annoyance, no bitterness, no hatred or anger, that is when you're in line with walking in Gods love, and that is when God will use you.

END OF CD 1

***************************************************************************************

CD 2 

An arabic woman who had fed Jason a year earlier was in ICU flatlining.. He prayed for her over and over. She died in front of him. He was full of questions to God. (just like when my mother died cept that wasn't in front of me)

- Jason began a personal question hunt for God. He has seen hundreds of miracles both through his own hands and others. He told God he wanted to go higher, he wanted to see cripples healed, he wanted to see the deaf hear and the blind see. He wanted to raise the dead.

God wants to empower the body for the work of the ministry.

The Holy Spirits role is to guide us into truth.

Jason talks about how he learned not all christians are nice, and he naively shared his vision with other people, only to have them speak doubt, negativity, and so fourth into his life. He discovered that there are many unbelieving believers.. He had other 'Christians" trying to tear apart his vision...

"to those that want to decieve you" - Jason would question 'why would a fellow believer want to decieve me?'

'The annointing teaches you concerning all things.. That same annointing is true and is not a lie and just as it has taught you you will abide in Him" - Jason says in this scripture John is reffering to people including other christians that may lead you astray.

If you're born again you have that annointing on the inside of you that will guide you and will not lie.

When people come and try to give false hope, lead you astray, and lie.. Gods 'red light' should flash.

We need teachers and there will always be teachers but the annointing should guide you away from deception.

WHen you pray for somebody and they die it's easy to second guess if you are called to ministry, or Gods will for them to be healed.. That's why it's important to stay focused on God

Some people make excuses.. and say "I'll pray about if I should help the poor guy or not" Jason believes if you are questioning *if* you should help the poor, the unsaved, etc, then he would really question your salvation.

**I know so many people would be enraged with this preaching but I think it's awesome!

"when you start making right choices, wrong people will leave your life"

Jason quotes John Bevere saying that when God grows you it's slow growth.. It's not rapid..He said if he'd had his way he would have been in ministry 5 years earlier but had to just obey God little step by little step.. til he got there..

The Holy Spirit works on you slowly and PREPARES YOU = and it's the people closest to you on your right and your left (in the church) and 'parking lot prophetics' who will try to get you off the path of doing Gods will for your life!

He shared that when a little girl asked him to pray for her because she was deaf in one ear.. his instant reaction or thought process was 'well you know what happened or didn't happen when you prayed for that lady' and he felt discouraged, but he prayed for the little girl and she was healed. Her hearing came back.

Lions are Empowered by The Lioness - My Notes - Lioness Arising - Lisa Bevere

Lisa starts the CD talking about her fascination with Lions and the documentaries about them.

One day she felt a revelation that the Lions are empowered by the Lioness.

She goes on to quote 'It is NOT good for man to be alone' - This biblical passage refers directly to marriage, after Adam had the closest union than any other human EVER (besides Jesus) in that he was the ONLY man to exist at the time.. yet God said 'it is NOT good for man to be alone'

- It's interesting because this ties in with another book that I'm reading 'Get Married' by Candace Waters that talks about the fact that the author believes (and I agree) that we are ALL CALLED to be married.. we are all CALLED to marriage - unless we are specifically called not to. - The book points out that the Bible begins with marriage (Adam and Eve) it ends with marriage (Christ and the Church) and Jesus first miracle was at a wedding also! (Water into Wine!) - None of these are irrelevant factors, none of these should be overlooked!

Furthermore is the fact that as a child I remember hear-in that marriage is the basic foundation of all christian families.. Therefore one of the devils most powerful tools is to destroy the christian family unit. How can he do that? Well by destroying marriage of course.. and according to Candace Waters book, when Christians downplay the importance of marriage, when they downplay the call or desire to be married, when they say things like 'marriage isn't everything' or 'being married isn't that great' they are assisting the devil at TEARING DOWN the sanctity of marriage! We must speak of marriage in the most uplifting of ways, for it is something God has called us ALL to do.. It's NOT merely 'one of many paths you can take' it is THE path we are to take, unless God has spoken to us specifically about being celebrate for ministry for life..

- I feel Lisa Beveres CD 'Lioness Arising' completely backs up this theory and principle.

A man is empowered by a woman. There are elements of a man - his courage, his destiny, his strength, that only comes out when he is empowered by a woman who believes in Him.

Women need to be whole as Proverbs 31 guides us, so that we may lead christian men into their destiny's!

Numbers 23 - They rise up like a lioness

"God is going to give rise to women who have the power of the lioness" - Lisa Bevere

"God will give us the vision.. and make it about us"

Follow God like sheep,

but deal with injustice like lions.

God talks about protecting us with Eagles wings

He talks about His meekness as a lamb,

but He talks about His judgement as a lion!

God will out-pour His Spirit.. and we must unleash what we have for God and from God to the world..

"Do not awaken Love" - Song of Solomon Pt2

So continuing on from yesterdays post, when I googled the meaning of this chapter, quite a lot of websites about it came up. Another website I thought I'd share was this one titled "Wooing, Waiting, and Winning' http://www.4-14.org.uk/wooing-waiting-and-winning-song-of-songs-2b I really loved the following excerpt from the page.. It talks about the importants of a woman being under the submission of her man. It states that the references to 'in his shade' refer to both being under the submission, but being sheltered by his protection and his provision of the woman. I think that in modern society even some christians are losing site of this. It's always the mans job to lead, provide, and be the spiritual guider. What does this mean for you? It essentially means a lot of things! Remembering that women are called to respect their man, this means you must choose a man who is easy to respect. A woman can respect a man when he is more wise, more caring, more spiritually connected, and able to lead and obey God in this department. The excerpt I wanted to share is this. "2:3-5: Now the Shulammite speaks at length. We could call this section “What women want”, and the biblical version is much better than the Hollywood one. “I delight to sit in his shade”. Girls, do you like to do that? Perhaps you’ve got a real battle here, because you don’t really like being in the shade sometimes, you want to be in charge – and this is all part of the problem going back to the fall. But God has designed women to sit in the shade – not in the sense that men dominate, but in the sense that her man is to protect her from the harsh desert sun. He provides for her (“He has taken me to the banquet hall”), loves her (v4), he strengthens her (v5), he gives her support and care (v6). That’s what women want! At least, that’s what godly women want, isn’t it? Protection, provision, love, support, care. So if you’re looking for a girlfriend, that’s what you should be looking to offer. If you’re looking for a boyfriend, you should be looking for someone to give you that." I was given a 45 hour sermon series titled 'Dating, Relationships, and Marriage' at the end of 2011. I'm not sure who the pastor who created the audio recording was, but he had a thick Boston accent and kept referring to 'divorce' as 'divaaarce'. He had a lot to say on matters, and a lot of it didn't resonate with me at all.. However something that definately did stand out is that women should marry a man who is more 'sorted' than she is, who is more intelligent, more hard working, more together.. because if a woman ends up with a man who isn't as smart, isn't as focused, isn't as intelligent, isn't as connected to God, then how can she submit to him without arguing? How can she genuinely show respect? Many men would read this and think 'Any woman saying that thinks she's too good, and I shouldn't bother' but as women we must remember that the right man, and a man worth respecting, is a man who would read such things and reach a revelation of who men are called to be under God, and think to himself 'I'm going to do my best to be THAT man because THAT is the woman that I was the respect of'. Too many christians are telling empowered women to lower their standards. They should be telling the men to step up to the plate. Women have their role in this too. Many women have attempted to emasculate men both in and out of the church, and this is also unacceptable behaviour that creates negativity and disharmony for everyone. From the same website as above, is the following. "2:14-15: Solomon explains what he wants from this next date. He wants to see her face, he wants to hear her voice. Men, take note! We’re to be trees so that our girl can sit in our shade (2:3), but we’re not to dominate. We must delight to hear her, not the sound of our own voice. We’re not to oppress. If when you’re together, it’s only you speaking all the time, and you’re not interested in what she’s got to say, there’s something wrong with your relationship. But he wants more: “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” What on earth does that mean? He’s asking her to deal with the little problems that could come and spoil their relationship and their love. It is the little things often, isn’t it? " This study of Song of Songs has a different interpretation of the 'Do Not Awaken Love' verse. It merely suggests that this scripture is about abstaining from sexual immorality.. A different interpretation to the one in the previous post about waiting on Gods best. "2:6-7: Perhaps for the first time, Solomon embraces her (“His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.”) Her knees go weak, her heart starts beating, and she’s got to pull herself back down to earth! Be careful, she says to herself, “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” Be careful of touch. Don’t go too far. Take your time, she says." Another useful blog located here http://seyisblog.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/wait-for-love.html has their own opinions on the scripture. She addresses that the scripture is about sexual purity but then goes on to say "a closer reading of the references show the statement can be interpreted as an even more holistic charge to approach every aspect of love with patience. " and then she goes on to say "“a reminder to all those desiring a love like the one she and the [Lover] had to wait [diligently] for God to bring it in their lives.”" "By waiting for love, the Beloved and the Lover are not only able to overcome doubts about the relationship, but also see it reach a new height. And so she urges the Daughters of Jerusalem to wait for love!" She goes on to say that women often struggle with rushing love, or attempting to. They get into relationships with the wrong men who are not willing to commit on the same level that they are, that a womans expression of her need for love is greater than a mans, and this causes her to sometimes quickly enter into something that should not be. Hearts, dreams, bodies, being given to undeserving men. When we rush love we end up with consequences that God was trying to protect us from in the first place.

"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires"

So I was having a chat to a friend. She has many visions in her life that are as big as the ones that I have. She is very connected to God, and I think maybe she is overlooked by some. I was crying about everything that was overwhelming me in life.. Each area of life is overwhelming right now.. There seems to be 48 hours of things to achieve in every 24 hour period. She had to go to her next class but told me to just open the bible on the first page it fell on, and read and pray and listen for God, and allow God to speak to me. Well, I was hoping for something in depth and philosophical but the Bible fell open on chapter 1 of Song of Songs aka Song of Solomon. For anyone who knows the content of Song of Songs, you'd know it's the sort of book that's most likely (in my opinion) going to leave a single person frustrated. My instant reaction was that I wanted to read something else. As somebody who is about to finish her 13th month single, reading Song of Solomon is definitely not what I want to be doing. I'm a wedding photographer which means that other peoples 'love' is in my face all the time. I don't want to read about it in the Bible! A kid who can't have a slice of cake doesn't want to look at pictures of cake! I've always avoided the book of Song of Songs for this reason.. When I have been in relationships, they certainly haven't ever felt the sort of connectivity that is described in Song of Songs.. I was raised by a single mother who was more than a little cynical about love, and the trust-ability of others.. I was definitely not encouraged to read this part of the Bible. Despite my desire against reading it, I figured I would read it since my friend did say to just read from where the page fell open. In the book 'Beloved' is the female, and 'Lover' is the male.. She says 'my lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi" - According to http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/growing/songofsongs.html A Jewish scholar named Rashni believed that the henna flowers refer to the metaphor of absolution and forgiveness. Henna helped protect the vulnerable crops in Israel amongst other countries. The use of the term in context of the 'beloved' from this interpretation would be to explain one who provides shelter and protection. The page didn't really have contextual explanations as to where this comes from, however the NIV study bible notes write 'Henna, a shrub of Palestine (perhaps the cypress) with tightly clustered, aromatic blossoms. En Gedi. An oasis watered by a spring, located on the west side of the Dead Sea. David sought refuge there from King Saul (1sa24.1) Then the Lover goes on to say 'Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.' The beloved goes on to say 'Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men' 'I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste' I reflected on this momentarily. Then I continued to read.. I reflected upon the significance of how much passion is in those sentences. They aren't said lightly, and they aren't lightly worded sentences. Then I came across 'do not awaken love before it so desires' So what does this mean? I googled it and found this website. http://pastorsusan.net/2009/06/08/dont-awaken-love-before-it-so-desires/ The site goes to say "First off, what is God talking about when he says do not arouse or awaken love? How does this happen? I mean seriously we’ve all been told that we “fall” in love. But the only way to fall off a cliff is to walk along the edges. So to fall in love means we are walking along the edges of it. When the Lord tells us not to awaken love until it so desires, it means we aren’t supposed to walk along the cliff until the time is right. When is that time and how we do we know that it’s that time?" The website goes on to say that the rate of divorce for people who get married before the age of 25 is 36% - 25-30 is 16% and 30+ is only 8% The website states that people who live at home with their parents are not truely their own person yet. They're not able to function without the influence of their parents. This is interesting becaues at 17, I lived at home, and my best friend used to tell me all the time that I couldn't really be my own person truely while I lived at home. I would argue the point with him all the time!> The website goes on to say that when we move forward without God, the following occurs.. "When we do that love awakens as immature and ill-prepared to handle the ups and downs of life. Love can’t sustain itself. Think of an orchid, there is a way to flick the petals where they open pre-maturely, it’s beautiful but it also withers sooner than it would have if it had opened during a natural progression of time. Just as that orchid can’t be closed again, love can’t be put back to sleep once it’s aroused. God is crying out to his daughters in these passages that we need to wait for correct timing. Everything done in order and timing thrives. Love birthed in correct timing is lasting. God isn’t being a party pooper, instead he is saving you a hurt, pain and a broken heart. Take heed to what he is saying and let him guide you through the process of love." It's interesting becaues For the last few months since I think before Christmas I was reading a book called 'Choosing Gods Best' - I bought it last year after a breakup, but have been culling books I don't read so decided to read it.. It's a doctrinally good book about types of guys to avoid, and situations to avoid and so fourth, but a recent trip to the bible bookstore found me in the relationship book section again, to purchase the book 'God is a matchmaker' I have read many parts of this book so far and all argue the same thing.. That God 'tells you' who you will marry.. Now I've heard pastors speak out against this in sermons, and I've also heard people in church say it happened to them.. Does this mean we don't date? Or does this mean we wait til God 'tells us' to date? Are we waiting for a conviction? Or are we waiting for a burning bush? Well I've had some people at church recently tell e to 'proceed' with life unless God tells me not to... In my current situation.. (single for 13 months) I've reached an odd road point. Single, not dating, but feeling a definate warning not to look right now. I feel God is telling me not to look at any dating websites or log into the dating websites that I'm a member of. I'm used to checking my profiles or inboxes every day.. but I feel God has been extremely specific in this instance.. The interesting factor is I'm completely single! Normally I would keep trying to get to know guys that may potentially be interesting, until I reach a point where I'm exclusive with a guy, but this time I am single completely and feeling like God is telling me 100% that I'm not to log into my dating profiles. Is this linked to the scripture I just stumbled accross? I'm not sure.. but I'm going to pray with more proclaming focus. A family who loves the Lord is much stronger than a single person loving the Lord.