(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 13, The Heart of a Warrior, of The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)
Are you a Warrior? According to Wikipedia, the word "Warrior" is defined as follows: A warrior is a person experienced in or capable of engaging in combat or warfare. Are you a Warrior? If you are, you need a battle plan.
Brief re-cap of The Heart of a Warrior
In this chapter, our Dream Coach introduces us to our many different Giants that we face today. The most popular, Unbelief. He also explains to us the reason for our Giants. On page 143, Bruce Wilkinson writes "Giants are the primary opportunity to make God's power and goodness known to a doubting world. And when He chooses to defeat a Giant through a miracle-that is, an event that cannot be explained in any way other than "God did that!"-He receives all the glory." Our Dream Coach reminds us that a risk of faith will take us towards our dreams and most importantly the biggest Giant we will ever face is Unbelief. He then tells of a time he made a list of over twenty five miracles in the Bible to help him conquer his Giant of Unbelief. He encourages us to pick up our stones and to be Warriors.
I want to share with you the one thing that impacted me the most in this chapter. Yes, the entire chapter was incredible and did wonders to help equip me for my battles. However, there is one part of this chapter that I feel like God keeps bringing to my attention and I'd like to share it with you.
"Then I suggested we stop thinking about the Giant and start listing aloud the miracles of the Bible. By the time we had named twenty-five, our Giant had shrunk dramatically and our faith had grown greatly." - Bruce Wilkinson page 144-145
So, let's do it. Let's make a list. A list of miracles throughout the Bible. Let's conquer our Giants through believing instead of letting our Giant of Unbelief trample upon us. In no particular order, I'll start the list.
1. Creation. God created us! (Genesis 1)
2. Parting of the Red sea. (Exodus 14)
3. Jesus healing a child with Epilepsy. (Matthew 17:14-18)
4. Jesus feeding 5,000 (Mark 6:30-44)
5. Miracles of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings; 2 Kings)
6. Jesus heals a man who was born blind (John 9:1-16)
7. God speaking through a burning bush to Moses (Exodus 3:1-21)
8. Jesus heals a man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-45)
9. The birth of Jesus Christ. (Luke 2: 1-20)
10. The death of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 27:50-53)
11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 28:1-10)
12. Ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12)
13. Joshua and his battle of Jericho (Joshua 2; 5:13-15; 6:1-27)
14. Jonah and the whale (Jonah)
15. Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14)
16. The great miracle fish catch (Luke 5)
17. Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
18. Jesus heals a bleeding woman (Mark 5:21)
19. Jesus heals a paralyzed man (Matthew 9)
20. The Flood (Genesis 6-9)
These are all miracles in the Bible and there are so many more. If God can do all of these things on this list, I believe He can help us defeat our Giants today! Our God is so awesome and so strong. Stronger than any Giant we shall ever meet.
This list, it's our battle plan. We need to make our list as long as possible. The longer our list, the stronger our battle plan. When we feel like our Giants are towering above us and we can't find our stones, we need to read this list and even pick up our Bibles and read the scriptures in the Bible. God is with us today as He was with Moses back in the day. We have the same power over our Giants today as David did way back when. When we feel like autism is swallowing us up whole, we need to remember Jonah and the whale. We need to remember that God is with us and is helping us every step of the way. Yes, we are Warriors. No doubt about it. Now we have our battle plan so let's go take down some Giants of Autism!
Bible Verses
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold with you my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said "Be of good cheer, daughter, your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:22
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Invitation
(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 12, A Surprising Invitation, of The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)
In Chapter 12 of the Dream Giver, Ordinary has made it through the Wasteland, wakes up near a stream and is invited to enter into a new place by his Dream Giver know as the Sanctuary. Sanctuary can mean different things. According to Merriam-Webster it can be the most sacred part of a religious building, dedicated to worship. It can also mean a place of protection and refuge (think of animal sanctuaries where endangered and injured animals can live in a protected environment). In Ordinary's journey this is the place where God cleanses him and renews him and surrounds him with His presence. This is also the place where the Dream Giver asks Ordinary to surrender his dream.
God invites us into His Sanctuary when we need extra rest and comfort. Sometimes we just need to slow down so that we can hear from God. On page 129, our Dream Coach, Bruce Wilkinson tells us, "Sanctuary is a special time in your life. And it will change you. But sometimes we don't heed God's invitation to rest-and He has to press it upon us." There have been many times when I have refused to slow down until I was so physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted that I had no choice. It's as if I think that by constantly striving I am working towards my Big Dream in a more effective manner. It's so easy for things to get out of balance. Sometimes I definitely need a "time out" to regroup and come back stronger.
In the light of His presence we can sometimes see our own sin clearer and are lovingly convicted of how we need to change. On page 130, our Dream Coach tells us this cleansing is necessary for us to become closer to God. He encourages us to "Allow God's light to enter those dark areas of your life. It's a wonderful and humbling experience. Ask for and accept His love, forgiveness and healing." (Bruce Wilkinson, p. 130) Just as we so long to bring healing to our children, our Heavenly Father seeks to first heal our broken hearts. There have been moments, deep in prayer, where I felt the love and presence of God. Often after I have struggled with something on my own and grow weary, I realize that I need to seek refuge in God. I find the comfort, healing love and restoration that I so desperately need when I seek Him with my whole heart.
He uses this time to flood us with His love so that we are able to trust Him with every thing we hold dear. This is when we must believe that God truly knows what is best for us above and beyond all that we can see and understand. I very much relate to our Dream Coach's assertion that surrender is not a one-time deal (p. 132). I have found God pressing on my heart, little by little to surrender more and more of myself to him. First it was the music I listen to, my choice of TV programs, eventually progressing to not just trusting Him with but completely giving Him my Big Dream.
Bruce Wilkinson reminds us on page 135 that "Just ahead is the Valley of the Giants, and God is preparing you to succeed there. If you don't trust Him with your Dream now, you'll probably fall to Unbelief when you face the Giants." He also cautions us against making an idol out of our Dream by making it a higher priority than God. Not surrendering our dream can lead to this. It is interesting that our Dream Coach tells us that we can still pursue our Big Dream without taking care of business in the Sanctuary but our success will not be fulfilling. God's vision is so much bigger than ours could ever be that the only way to the perfect and complete fulfillment of our Big Dream is by allowing Him to own and then give it back to us.
These times in Sanctuary are a precious gift. It is true that reaching an important milestone or an amazing opportunity can really energize and motivate me. Even greater is time spent in the company of my Creator, where I can turn for the love, mercy, correction and healing that will make me into a better Dreamer. This is the ultimate safe place I can run to and the only place where I can find true and lasting peace.
Bible Verses:
Psalm 23: 1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Matthew 11: 28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 7: 37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. "
Isaiah 55: 8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
John 15: 4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
In Chapter 12 of the Dream Giver, Ordinary has made it through the Wasteland, wakes up near a stream and is invited to enter into a new place by his Dream Giver know as the Sanctuary. Sanctuary can mean different things. According to Merriam-Webster it can be the most sacred part of a religious building, dedicated to worship. It can also mean a place of protection and refuge (think of animal sanctuaries where endangered and injured animals can live in a protected environment). In Ordinary's journey this is the place where God cleanses him and renews him and surrounds him with His presence. This is also the place where the Dream Giver asks Ordinary to surrender his dream.
God invites us into His Sanctuary when we need extra rest and comfort. Sometimes we just need to slow down so that we can hear from God. On page 129, our Dream Coach, Bruce Wilkinson tells us, "Sanctuary is a special time in your life. And it will change you. But sometimes we don't heed God's invitation to rest-and He has to press it upon us." There have been many times when I have refused to slow down until I was so physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted that I had no choice. It's as if I think that by constantly striving I am working towards my Big Dream in a more effective manner. It's so easy for things to get out of balance. Sometimes I definitely need a "time out" to regroup and come back stronger.
In the light of His presence we can sometimes see our own sin clearer and are lovingly convicted of how we need to change. On page 130, our Dream Coach tells us this cleansing is necessary for us to become closer to God. He encourages us to "Allow God's light to enter those dark areas of your life. It's a wonderful and humbling experience. Ask for and accept His love, forgiveness and healing." (Bruce Wilkinson, p. 130) Just as we so long to bring healing to our children, our Heavenly Father seeks to first heal our broken hearts. There have been moments, deep in prayer, where I felt the love and presence of God. Often after I have struggled with something on my own and grow weary, I realize that I need to seek refuge in God. I find the comfort, healing love and restoration that I so desperately need when I seek Him with my whole heart.
He uses this time to flood us with His love so that we are able to trust Him with every thing we hold dear. This is when we must believe that God truly knows what is best for us above and beyond all that we can see and understand. I very much relate to our Dream Coach's assertion that surrender is not a one-time deal (p. 132). I have found God pressing on my heart, little by little to surrender more and more of myself to him. First it was the music I listen to, my choice of TV programs, eventually progressing to not just trusting Him with but completely giving Him my Big Dream.
Bruce Wilkinson reminds us on page 135 that "Just ahead is the Valley of the Giants, and God is preparing you to succeed there. If you don't trust Him with your Dream now, you'll probably fall to Unbelief when you face the Giants." He also cautions us against making an idol out of our Dream by making it a higher priority than God. Not surrendering our dream can lead to this. It is interesting that our Dream Coach tells us that we can still pursue our Big Dream without taking care of business in the Sanctuary but our success will not be fulfilling. God's vision is so much bigger than ours could ever be that the only way to the perfect and complete fulfillment of our Big Dream is by allowing Him to own and then give it back to us.
These times in Sanctuary are a precious gift. It is true that reaching an important milestone or an amazing opportunity can really energize and motivate me. Even greater is time spent in the company of my Creator, where I can turn for the love, mercy, correction and healing that will make me into a better Dreamer. This is the ultimate safe place I can run to and the only place where I can find true and lasting peace.
Bible Verses:
Psalm 23: 1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Matthew 11: 28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 7: 37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. "
Isaiah 55: 8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
John 15: 4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
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