Holy Week Experience

I took my first class for my Masters in Ministry. This course brought such healing to me but the post course assignment seemed overwhelming to host a 4 session meeting about the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.

After praying and discussing with Bobbye the course assignment, I decided to have a Holy Week Experience. Personally, I really appreciated the revival weeks that were held at Point Loma Nazarene University when I attend as a nursing major from 1982-1986. Bobbye was raised Baptist and had revival weeks in her church also.  Hosting a 4 session Lenten Week would be out of the box for the attendees. It would emphasis by example the need to sacrifice our own routines in order to set time aside to honor the Lord by attending an atypical-service four nights in a row.

 As a group, we would share the journey to Easter together as we prepare our hearts for repentance, revival and renewal by focusing on Jesus’ last week of life on earth.These objectives were accomplished by creating an atmosphere for worship, confession, meditation and reflection through teaching, resources and activities like foot washing. This week was definitely out of the norm for me. My heart and mind was prepared to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, I prayed that the women would follow my example to experience a deeper relationship with Christ and an appreciation for His ultimate example to us.

Three weeks prior to Holy Week, I announced the Master of Ministry assignment. I asked if they would prayerfully consider attending as many nights as possible, gave them a brief description of the week and then said that I would need an honest evaluation from each of them each night.

As the date came closer, I created an Eventbrite Email inviting the women to attend. I did not want to give specific details as the purpose of the week was to experience Holy Week more than to academically study the scriptures.

Stepping out was the challenge to my faith as well as my position ministry But the outcome was wonderful. We ended with three baptisms and one baby dedication.  Here is a picture Tres made for me:

The Listening Ear of a friend

Oh, how I did not want to get out of bed this morning but I could not sleep last night either. I had spoken on the phone to different friends within an hour a part but I was caught off guard by the direction of each call. It is amazing how each person’s gifts and talents are different which even affects a phone conversation.

The first call was from a friend whom we spend minimal time together. Every 6 months or so, we reconnect. Our lives change but how we communicate does not. Her primary gift is listening and my primary desire is to share the spiritual insights I have been learning. I am thankful that she is willing to listen!

The other friend is new and fresh. She has a similar platform as me and a more similar personality to me. When speaking to her, I found myself more emotional and less careful. The topics were more emotional and mental than spiritual.

After considering both conversations, I went to bed sad. Sometimes it takes hearing yourself  speak out loud that we discover just where we are spiritually, emotionally and mentally. It is by God’s grace that we get out of bed every morning, shielded by the blatant loudest of our inadequacies, insecurities and out right sinfulness. We fall short of our own dreams, desires and goals. We all struggle.

But when it comes right down to it: We really do need nice, kind, understanding and loving people in our lives. It is in those relationships that we are able to discover the deeper intent of our hearts and ability to explore options to change, grow and learn to be different.

Writing about the upcoming friendship conference has forced me to evaluate my present friendships and my personal goals of being a better friend.

At times, we all hurt…become angry…are frustrated and even confused. But most times, it is the listening ear of a friend that helps us to become better instead of bitter and faithful instead of fearful. I appreciate the gifts and talents of my friends. I pray that for those of you reading this, our paths might cross and we can learn to listen, give and encourage each other.

I would ask that you would considering praying for the upcoming Power of Friendship Conference on Saturday, March 9. I know from the past, many women will have trouble getting out of bed that day even though they have not been able to sleep all night. I want them to find comfort, peace, kindness and warmth that day. Even if it is one day that they can lift up their eyes and find the Lord in others, I pray it brings health, healing and a renewed sense of joy to their souls.

Frequently I tell myself, “You are not alone.” And today, I want to say, “Neither are my friends for I will be here for them, no matter what time (day or night) to listen, laugh and encourage us both to keep going because God always has a plan and He alone is truly faithful.!”

For more information, http://thepoweroffriendshipconference.com

To register today, http://friendshipconference.eventbrite.com

Tonilee Adamson

Friendship

God wants to have a deep personal intimate relationship with you. Yes, you! His desire is to fill you from the inside out so your presence may overflow to impact the world around you.

We will not change by filling our lives with Christian things but we will change if we cling to the Lord through His word and deeply desire that life, peace and joy He promised You!

Even though this same message has been preached throughout the generations, we need to hear it again and again and sometimes we actually need to feel it.

It is for this reason Daily Disciples Ministries and their Partners KPraise San Diego’s Christian Radio Station are hosting a One Day Women’s Event called the Power of Friendship on Saturday, March 9 2013 on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University.

You need to come and experience the presence of love, caring, giving and to sense God’s peace by basking in the comfort of likeminded friendly women. Every part of the day is designed to encourage you and uplift you as the day is intentionally designed to empower you to develop a friendship with God, a friendship with yourself and then be a friend to others.

All day, there is music and power-filled speakers. We are giving away an iPad 2 and many gift baskets! Lunch is included. Parking is free and the campus beautiful. We want you there. We do this for You!

Come with a friend, to make new friends!
Register today at http://www.thepoweroffriendshipconference.com

It’s our 8th Annual Women’s Conference and you will not be disappointed.
See you there!
Bobbye and Tonilee

HOPE…I Believe

Hope

 

Hope is such a marvelous thing. 
It bends, It twists,
it sometimes hides, 
but rarely does it break… 
It sustains us when nothing else can….
It gives us reason to 
continue and courage 
to move ahead when 
we tell our selves 
we’d rather give in.
Hope puts a smile on our face
when the heart cannot manage,..

Hope puts our feet on the path
when our eyes cannot see it. 
Hope moves us to act
when our souls are confused of the direction…
Hope is a wonderful thing something
to be cherished natural and
something that will refresh us in return.
And it can be found in each of us
and it can bring light in to the darkest
of places never lose
hope.

Power of Friendship Conference

The Power of Friendship Conference is our 8th Annual Women’s Event held on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University. Bring a friend and meet many new friends. It is an all day event with lunch included, amazing music, uplifting speakers and a wonderful retreat environment. Join us on Saturday, March 9 2013. For more information, please go to  www.thepoweroffriendshipconference.com.  We will see you there!

And it was very good…

It is January 1, 2013 today. Deep within my spirit, I knew for the past few weeks that I would read Genesis 1 on this day. I found myself procrastinating because I take on that haughty attitude of asking myself, “Why do I have to read Genesis 1 again on January 1?” For the past 20+ years I have read Genesis 1 on January 1 and for a person who does not have traits of OCD, the thought of doing something ritualistically seems like a very good reason to NOT do it again. However, I knew I would read Genesis 1 because I also sensed the Lord prompting me to read it.

So the question became, “How can I read Genesis 1 in a different light or with a different twist?” There is a shelf in my bedroom which holds most of the Bibles I have read throughout the years.  Some of them are reading plan Bibles but all of them represent a different version, color, font size, commentary and thickness. A friend of mine asked to me during one of the Bible study classes if I change Bibles according to my outfit? The question caught me off guard but I thought it was a clever question considering how often I do try to match my belt with my shoes. If you have as many Bibles as belts, why not match them in a women’s Bible study group? No, this is not my intention in when teaching the Bible but I did appreciate her keen observation of my Bible preference for that week.

Any way, staring up at the Bibles on the shelf, I thought about my Joel Osteen devotional of the day. He actually wrote about Joyce and Dave Meyer and how they began their ministry. I have a purple Bible that is in the Amplified version from a Joyce Meyer conference. I pulled that one down and opened to Genesis 1.

WOW! God is so good… His mercy is new every morning and somehow, Genesis 1 becomes new every year. This is what I learned this time this year:

Genesis 1:4 “And God saw that the light was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it.”

Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that He had made and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant). And He approved it completely.”

God creates light and approved it but by the time He is done creating it all of creation, He approved it completely. I immediately thought of God telling us that He is faithful to complete what He has started in  us, His new creation in Christ. We are workmen called to be approved and faithful servants but He is God promising us that the work He is doing in our lives will be “good” or suitable and pleasant for His purposes.

Time to stop fighting the struggles, doubts and the things that cause us to be double minded and to start trusting Him. Time to rest in His sovereignty and praise the work of His hands, which includes us! He is a loving God who we can depend upon. It’s time for our lives to start reflecting His peace and yield to transformation through His love.

As He said, “it was very good.”

Kind Hearts are the Gardens…

It would be a great New Year’s Resolution to strive to be kind throughout 2013. I think that all of us think we are primarily kind but sometimes the interpretation of our words or gestures give the opposite impression. I also know that stress and anger challenge our ability to maintain self control which leads to unkind thoughts and eventually words.

Kind actions are as important as kind words. I am sure we have all heard the saying, “If you do not have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all.” Sometimes that is the kindest we can be and I would guess that holding our tongues would be considered as a kind action.

Unkind circumstances can create unkind people. Many of us have been dealt with unfair, not right, unkind circumstances. It is at those times that we need the most empowering to be kind. Why? Because  ultimately every word will be judged and every hidden deed be accounted before God. He is watching, listening and waiting for us to ask Him to help us. We cannot do it through the flesh and really get credit for it.

Lord, convict me when I need to ask forgiveness. Remind me that You are with me through every good and bad day. Teach me to practice Kindness by addressing the unkind areas of my heart today.

Kind hearts are the gardens; kind thoughts are the roots; kind words are the flowers; kind deeds are the fruits.

 

Innocent in the claims of being Guilty

Blogging is like prayer journaling. I tend to only write when struggling to push off that dark cloud of depression lurking over me. This morning, I found myself reading through some of the Psalms like 55-58. David expresses that people were against him and he was alone. He continued to say “I will put my trust in You.” In Psalm 56, he even said, “What can man do to me?” 

The words and actions of man are more tangible and physical than the awesome awareness and presence of God. Hurting People hurt people. And that hurt is manifested through actions like jealousy, gossip, anger and the list goes on. Because we are also flesh and blood, it is difficult to discern if the hurting person who is successfully hurting you has any validity. I frequently wonder “if I deserve this?” How are we to really know that we are innocent?

Reading the Psalms this morning, I saw how David confidently proclaimed to the Lord that he was innocent. The litmus test of truth must be in the ability to represent yourself before the Lord. When we come to the Lord in prayer and your spirit understands that you are exposing your heart before a Holy, Blameless and All Powerful God, our tendency would be to confess sins. However, if instead we honestly can say before God, “I have not sinned and I am innocent in this matter,” then our inner soul needs to confidently stand tall knowing that God knows and you can trust Him regardless of the words, actions and emotions of man.

By coming to God, either way–guilty or innocent, we will change. In the guilt of wrong behavior, confessing sin gets us back on track and the Lord will lead us also. It is wonderful to know that the answer consistently lies in returning to the Lord. He alone can be trusted and only He can truly pierce your heart to bring about change for the better. When it is all said and done, it only matters what God thinks about us any way. We stand before Him alone some day and I am thankful that He is a God of love and forgiveness who helps the innocent as well as the guilty.

 

Promise of a Future Hope

Picture taken by Sherry at the Daily Disciples Retreat in Costa Mesa.

Frustration

How does frustration find a foothold in our circumstance and then somehow take total control of our thoughts? The trip to Santa Barbara was wonderful and very productive. (I think I like Santa Barbara so much because it reminds me of my mother-in-law, Barbara Adamson, who is  a saint by my definition!) However, traveling home, I became tired which led to becoming tearful which led to frustration. Thoughts like “things are not going fast enough or smooth enough or organized enough or right enough” seemed to bombarded  my mind. I have clearly bought in to the marketing schemes of “bigger, brighter, newer, shinier, faster, better, new and improved” mentality.

Then there are the competing thoughts of, “One day at a time…life is a journey, enjoy the process…let go and let God…” You can almost feel the need for self control in just comparing the two lists of words.

Kathy Ireland, the supermodel from the 80s and now the woman who runs the 1.5 billion dollar Kathy Ireland empire said on Friday night, “Imagination without implementation equals hallucination.” She was very real, transparent and humble in her approach. She talked about everything from  her first job of selling newspapers at 11 to sleeping in airports and filing for bankruptcy in the past. She is an amazing woman.

My take home message from her speech was “pursue your passion” because it will give you the drive to keep going when things are not easy. She said that she learned to value criticism as gifts in ugly packages because they made her better and stronger and smarter! Her words were wise and her words provided a balance between the bigger and brighter to one day at a time.

I guess I need to remember that frustration is also an emotion. It can control if I let it but it does not have the final word. Frustration can also be a type of hallucination as it has no power without the implementation of the mindset of fear, failure and defeat. Words can be a funny thing…the choice is up to us in deciding which words we want to live by.