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Design: April Harrison
Editors: Zane Creamer
April Harrison
Monthly Contributors:
Becky Smith
Martha Hedge
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Greetings!
Welcome to Way of Life Coaching, LLC e-Newsletter!
My topsy turvy tomato plant doesn't look so good now. Summer blight. But I notice it is still producing fruit: A tomato  plant that is dying and yet still producing. I stared at the plump fruit, both fascinated and comforted by the image. I could relate to the brown wilted leaves and tired looking stalk. My body is falling a part - how 'bout yours? My mind is going. I wish the only thing I lost were my keys. A single story house is very appealing at this point. At least I only have to zoom to 200% on my computer. And the hair well, if there were a way to style without ever taking a brush to it, I might be able to salvage a few falling strands. Yes, I'm getting older. Not to get too personal, but so are you. And some day, both of us are going to die. We are going to take a breath and that will be the very last breath we breathe of this good ole earth's air. How do we respond when life hints of our mortality?As Martha Hedge said one time "Growing old isn't for wimps." But I was brought back to beautiful simple message through my browning, wilted tomato plant: Even in my 'blighting' state with ails and ills, no matter, God can bear fruit in my life. He can do that in you too! Even if by worldly standards I'm looking wrinkly and unappealing, by God's standard, that does not matter. He's not looking at the leaves - He's looking for the fruit! I pray that the understanding gleaned from these next few newsletters will bring a smile to your face and a twinkle to your eyes - the best kind of face-lift!
Make sure to check out the TAKE NOTE section for information on our upcoming Come and See Tea on October 23rd, 2010!
A reminder of the simple structure follows: WOL Community - Quick Snips: Review of the Promised Land Living Curriculum for graduates, but applicable to anyone Image Bearers - Inductive Exercises: 12 month study of 1 Corinthians 15 - Fifteen minutes to build that faith muscle! Free To Good Home - No Strings! Free resources & tips for families Food for Thought - Bible Enrichment: Steak-sized thoughts for hearty appetites! Take Note - Up & Coming: Resources, materials, products, services, events Remember - A quick opt out at the bottom of the screen ensures you will not receive future editions if you decide this is no longer a helpful tool to you. Cheryl Scanlan for the Way of Life Coaching, LLC Team We are cheering you on towards your finish line! |
| Way of Life Community | | For almost two years, the Israelites wandered. The soles of their shoes were preserved. Their families protected. God's presence made known to them through miracle after miracle. It was a vibrant and nurturing time: A time to break free emotionally from the bondage of Egyptian dependency for survival. God was turning up the heat so to speak, depleting them of natural resources, challenging their natural ability to sustain so that they would become fully dependent on Him.
At one point, they rounded the bend of miracles into a time of ascent for Moses. The base of Mt. Sinai sets the stage for exposing the heart of His chosen people. The silence and wait  result in all sorts of mischief. The Israelites falter. They question. And while Moses clings to the cleft, no longer within shouting distance, they defy the God who's hand saved them, by building with hands that couldn't save themselves much less their children - a puny, pitiful statue. They have a party, worshiping a dead statue.
We worship a living God. But we forget. We have decay and death reminders around us all the time. The message is one of certain separation - from all that we love and enjoy. When sin entered the world, death entered as well. Death - the ultimate form of separation. Death - the ultimate expression of the enemy. It is not God's way. It is the consequence of sin.
We worship a living God. We need reminding. A God that is more powerful than even death: A God that overcame death with life so that we would not be held eternal prisoner to its grip. In reading the Exodus account, one of the things that
stood out to me was how a Holy, perfect, righteous God went to such great lengths to be connected to His people. The warnings, the signs, the wonders, the no holds barred protection against the enemy - He wanted relationship with them. He wants relationship with us! But in this world where we are constantly reminded of imminent separation from people we love, we sometimes build our own golden calves of distance in relationships, apathy towards God, anesthetizing pain in our
lives - all things that lead to independence and ultimately, death. God forgive us for forgetting!
We've talked about the gap - the silence between what we know and what we don't know.
How will we live in that gap?
Are you in a time of wait and wonder?
How would you describe it?
What does it look like to remain dependent during this time?
In a spiritual sense, what does a sober life look like?
What does it look like when you act independently?
Or in a spiritual sense live a life of drunkenness and excess? (eat drink and be merry)?
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| Image Bearers | | A STUDY OF 1 CORINTHIANS 15
Step 1: Pray that God would open your eyes to what He wants you to know and understand.
Step 2: Read 1 Corinthians 15:26-32
26The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30Why are we also in danger every hour? 31I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.
Step 3: Answer questions based on the text.
Read vs. 26
What is the last enemy?
What will happen to it?
Read vs 27-28
Mark references to God in purple and the Son in red & their pronouns and read the cross-references:
Psalm 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord:"Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."
Psalm 8:6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet
2 Timothy 1:10 our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
Who has God made all things subject to?
What is Christ's position & authority?
What did Christ do with death?
What has He brought instead? (2 Tim 1:10)
God empowers Christ to accomplish His purposes. Christ is equal to the Father, but chooses of His own accord to submit to His Father so that He might receive glory.
Take it a step further.
Read Ephesians 2:4-7.
As a believer in Christ, where are you seated?
Read Ephesians 1:20-21.
What is a believer's position & authority?
Read vs 29
This verse has brought much controversy & has been taken out of context & misinterpreted by Christians as well as non-Christians. Mormons have baptized millions of dead people by proxy so that they might be saved. They have compiled massive documents of family trees that can be traced back to long before the time of Christ! Once researches come up with names, hundreds of volunteers perform proxy baptismal rights.
Scripture cannot contradict Scripture. We know:
1) The act of baptism does not save a person. (Ephesians 1:13; 2:8-9)
2) There is only one death, then comes judgment. There are no second chances. (Hebrews 9:27)
Also, remember to look at this verse in context with the letter Paul is writing to the Corinthians. Remember one of the issues Paul is addressing in this letter is the false teaching concerning the resurrection.
In light of other Scripture, do you think baptizing a dead unsaved person can bring them salvation?
What point do you think Paul was trying to make in this statement?
Read vs 30-32
What is Paul's boast?
Based on the context, what do you think motivates him?
Do you think Paul is literally referring to wild beasts? (Romans 8:36; 2 Corinthians 16:8-9)
What does Paul says people's attitude would be if the dead are not raised?
Note: Verse 32 quotes a passage from Isaiah 22:13.
The Israelites, suffering in the midst of an Assyrian siege figured they had nothing to lose, since they were facing utter destruction, so why not party. So Paul is saying if there is no
resurrection, we might as well live life to the full now, because this is all there is. Likely, you know people today with that sort of attitude.
Step 4: Ask yourself these questions:
If Christ has abolished death as God says He has, what does that mean to you?
God will be victorious over the last enemy - how do you want to live this life knowing you are on the winning team?
Where do your priorities reflect this life in Christ? Spend some time praising God for the work He has done in you and through you.
Where do your priorities need adjusting? Be honest before God. Ask Him how to recalibrate so your life reflects the inherent, ultimate victory that is yours in Christ.
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| Free To Good Home | | Living independently and setting up a household can sometimes be a bit intimidating, especially when you are unprepared. Knowing some basic medical tips can help smooth that transition. Here are a few tips you can share with your children before they leave home.
Create a medical folder that contains: Know how to: - schedule a doctor's appointment
- renew a prescription (both on phone & online)
- use a pharmacy
- the difference between aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- the difference between decongestants and antihistamines
- how to read an OTC label
- when to use heat or ice
Easiest way to stay well? Keep hands away from eyes and nose. Wash often.
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| Food For Thought | | Sovereign Means Bigger
"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...." (Phil 2:11-12 NKJV)
Bowing before God is the future for all. Our Sovereign God is one of great mercy. He gives us the opportunity to choose to be subject to Him and experience His presence. Or, if we do not make that choice freely, we will be subjected to Him, resulting in great sorrow.
Being truly subject to God is a life-long process beginning with the new-birth. For years I have sought for Jesus to be Lord in my life in an authentic and practical way. That is biblical-but
on Monday morning or Thursday evening, how does that work? I had an experience today that might illustrate what I mean.
We've been personally involved in helping a man get on his feet and find direction in his life. One of my heart desires is to help people help themselves. But, (and this is where I have to be
watchful), he was getting comfortable with our help and not acting very motivated to move forward.
I did the appropriate thing and sat down for a little talk, making sure the goals were understood and that they weren't our ideas but truly his. When I walked away I was still agitated. After all, couldn't he see what a great opportunity we were giving? I could name people who would love to have this kind of help. Do you hear a problem?
It took a while for me to sort though what was happening. I started by praying about the man, then I asked the Lord what He did when we don't appreciate all He gives us. It was about half prayer and half complaining. I was still angry. There was a silence that I've become familiar with when He's waiting on me to get still and listen.
Then a humbling thought occurred - wasn't I doing the same thing as the man we were trying to help? Wasn't I holding onto my anger instead of going to my Father who was waiting to give me what I needed? Wasn't the man's changing God's responsibility, not mine? I could feel His disappointment as strongly as my own had been. The anger drained and I confessed the sin of trying to control the outcome.
Jesus is Lord by divine right. He holds the keys to death, hell and the grave. He is absolute Sovereign and all things are subject to Him. But on Monday morning or Thursday evening or
any other time, the reality of that becomes alive in our lives when we see, experientially, that He is bigger than whatever our struggle is.
2010 © Martha Hedge
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| Take Note |
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Come and See Tea!
Come and See what Promised Land Living is all about.
Hear  testimonies from those who have journeyed from desert-like thinking to living in a restful stance in Christ. Receive teaching directly from the curriculum.
Learn about some key differences between coaching and counseling.
See if Promised Land Living is a best next step in your own walk with Jesus.
Join us for Tea, home made goodies and a time of praise of His goodness in the lives of His followers.
See the FLYER for more information on the tea. October 23rd, 9:30 am, Crossroads Fellowship Church RSVP ASAP for this special one time a year event: Jen Day by email at jenday357@aol.com or mobile 919-264-3440
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Click HERE to learn more about Promise Land Living group coaching. Registration for the PLL class of 2011 will begin soon.
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Sincerely,
Cheryl Scanlan, Founder
Way of Life Coaching, LLC
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