Our Chapter Friday meeting today contained quite a few nuggets to remember (or catch-up on if you missed it). Our guest speaker, Sean Dunn, was full of memorable quotes (thanks to the amazing Rocky, Sean’s talk is already available under Resources–click HERE):
- You can’t be both Kingdom advancing and self-protecting.
- This life is too short to be wasted and eternity is too long to be ignored.
- Obedience is better than complacency.
- Anything worth doing will take longer than you would like and require more determination than you anticipate, but if you are faithful with the little and stay focused on the next steps, God will see you through to the end.
If you want to check out some Groundwire videos that are reaching the Millennial generation, click HERE.
Finally, the incredible Groundwire chat dialogue between Naomi and Bev is under my signature below–it is AMAZING.
Our brudder Mike Stallard shared about the journey that has led to his new book Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work. It is a game changer for the business channel of cultural influence. Although written in secular language, it is grounded in Biblical principles. In conjunction with the book, Mike has developed a “100 Ways to Connect” E-Book to help people understand practical way to impact their work culture, and he is working on a companion piece specifically aimed at Christians in the workplace.
Mike has recently been featured in a Forbes piece and the book was just reviewed by the FT.
Click HERE for Forbes
Click HERE for FT
For a piece Mike recently wrote for The High Calling, click HERE:
In friendship
Paul Michalski
Saturday, September 06, 2014 1:31:47 PM (9/6/2014 7:31:47 PM – GMT)
Welcome to UKGroundwire, BevM will be right with you.
BevM:
Hello Naomi
Naomi:
Hi
BevM:
How are you?
Naomi:
Not so goos
Naomi:
Good
BevM:
what’s wrong ?
Naomi:
I’m just struggling at the moment
BevM:
What are you struggling with, Naomi ?
Naomi:
Not to self harm
BevM:
That is never a good thing. I’m glad you chose to come here an chat with me.
BevM:
Have you self harmed in the past ?
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
in what way, if I may ask ?
Naomi:
I cut
BevM:
Do you ever pray about your struggles, Naomi ?
Naomi:
No. I lost faith in may
BevM:
What happened in May that you lost your faith ?
Naomi:
I tried to kill myself. Someone who I thought I could trust and was a Christian turned round and said all the bad things happening because of the attempt was brought on by myself because I was attention seeking
BevM:
I am ashamed of that person. A true Christ-follower should never say such a thing. They were very wrong.
Naomi:
It hurt a lot
BevM:
I’m sure it did. Hurtful words cut the heart.
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
Naomi, God’s Word (the Holy Bible) says “those who fail to find me, harm themselves” (Proverbs 8:36). Would you agree with me, that when we find God He heals our brokenness (?)
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
He says He is always near. Just a prayer away !
Naomi:
I feel too broken though
BevM:
Jesus loves you, and He proved this by dying with His life for you.
BevM:
Naomi, I know what it feels like to be broken, and I am here to tell you, Jesus is more than ready to heal your hurts and give you such peace and purpose
BevM:
that you would never want to harm yourself again because
BevM:
He is for you ! He will never leave or forsake you!
BevM:
People will let us down, but God never does. He is our faithful Friend
Naomi:
I’m scared of myself. I want it to stop
BevM:
May I pray for you ?
Naomi:
Yes please
BevM:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and mercy,
BevM:
thank You for sending Jesus to this earth to show us the way to God and forgiveness, for peace and joy. I pray now for Naomi,
BevM:
that You will give her a fresh revelation of Your great love for her,
BevM:
and open the eyes of her understanding, to look to You, Lord Jesus for what she needs right this moment.
BevM:
In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.
Naomi:
Amen
BevM:
‘The Lord is near to those of a broken heart” Psalm 34:18 “He healeth the broken in heart” Psalm 147:3
BevM:
Naomi, the words of Psalms are so good, spoken of those who were broken and discouraged, wounded and faithless. But they discovered God IS
BevM:
faithful and true. They all end with the joy they found and you can have it too !
Naomi:
I want it. I don’t like feeling like this
BevM:
It starts with your willingness to put your faith and trust in Jesus to heal you and give all your pain to Him.
Naomi:
It’s a lot to heal
BevM:
Not for God
Naomi:
He won’t leave me?
BevM:
He will never leave you, once you have given your life to Him.
The Psalmist sang, “For You will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psalm 18:28). Or, in other words, “the LORD will give me a revelation of His love in my darkness.”
Naomi:
Okay. I feel safer now, less alone
BevM:
Naomi, Jesus invites you to open your life/heart to Him. He will not force His way in. You can pray today to receive His salvation,
BevM:
and be granted eternal life and peace and joy for this life.
Naomi:
Okay
Naomi:
Thank you
BevM:
Are you in a quiet place with no distractions, so that I may lead you in prayer to be saved ?
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
wonderful. I will give you a line at a time, and you say ‘ok’ when you have prayed it out loud, as the Bible says to do. (I prayed such a prayer many years ago at age 17)
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am broken and hurting, in need of Your love a mercy.
Naomi:
Ok
BevM:
I believe that You died on the cross for my sins, and I thank you.
Naomi:
Ok
BevM:
I want to give you my life and my brokenness, and find my hope and purpose in You, Lord.
Naomi:
Ok
BevM:
I want to turn from my doubts and fears, have hope again and follow You as my Lord and Savior
Naomi:
Ok
BevM:
I ask You to come into my heart and life, make me new and give me eternal life.
Naomi:
Ok
BevM:
I trust You now as my Savior, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Naomi:
Amen
BevM:
!!!
BevM:
Naomi, did Jesus save you ?
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
Amen!!! His Word on it
Naomi:
Can I tell you something now?
BevM:
This is your ‘spiritual’ birthday today. He has brought your spirit to life.
BevM:
yes
Naomi:
I came on here as a last resort. I have 168 tablets I was going to take to end my life. Now I’m going to flush them down the toilet
BevM:
oh Naomi. I have tears of joy in my eyes. God is with us right now !
BevM:
I would love to wait while you go do just that ! LOL
Naomi:
Okay. Brb
Naomi:
Done
BevM:
PRAISE THE LORD !!!!!!!!!!
Naomi:
BevM:
Naomi, would you be willing to swap e/m addys with me? I want to stay in touch with you. You are now my sister in Christ
BevM:
Removed email for safety/privacy
BevM:
I don’t want to lose you
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
I’m in the USA btw
Naomi:
Removed email for her safety/privacy
Naomi:
I’m in the uk!
BevM:
Thank you. We have coaches there !
BevM:
In fact, please jot down: mattr@groundwire.net
Naomi:
What is coaches?
BevM:
He knows where all the best churches are and can help you with resources there for whatever you need.
BevM:
We volunteer here at www.groundwire.net <http://www.groundwire.net> and are like a coach for people
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
maybe there’s a better word for it in the UK, I will have to ask Matt
Naomi:
Okay I’m glad I spoke to you
BevM:
Naomi, may I ask your age ?
BevM:
(me too!)
Naomi:
18
BevM:
Bless your heart
BevM:
Do you have a Bible, Naomi ?
Naomi:
Somewhere I think
BevM:
Oh that’s good. Otherwise, Matt can send you a free one. Are you on a mobile?
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
ok, I will email you some things so we won’t get cut off.
Naomi:
Okay thank you
BevM:
God is so good, to think that we have ‘met’ like this, and you have just been born again .
Naomi:
Yes. It’s strange but good
BevM:
Very joyful for you. I want to share some verses for you now, Naomi:
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
“There is rejoicing in the presence of teh angels of God over one sinner who repents” Luke 15:10
BevM:
the*
BevM:
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation He hath covered me with the robe of (His) righteousness” Isaiah 61:10
BevM:
“for He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” 2Corinthians 5:21
BevM:
Naomi, the moment you were saved, the Bible says the Holy Spirit of God came to live with you. He will be your comfort and peace, and give you wisdom and understanding when you read your Bible now. OH the things God will show you !
Naomi:
it’s weird to think I won’t cut again. It’s been in my life for so long
BevM:
You have found the Lord now !!!
BevM:
You will not want to harm yourself, b/c the Bible says your body is the temple of God (the Holy Spirit).
BevM:
You are not alone any more !
Naomi:
I cut since I was 12
BevM:
I’m so sorry. There are many who come here with this habit, the Bible calls it a ‘stronghold’. But you have let go today !
BevM:
Can you also get rid of any tool that you cut with ?
Naomi:
I’m so attached to them. That’s the really hard thing to do
BevM:
You can do all things through Christ Who gives you strength! Philippians 4:13
BevM:
That is a good verse to memorize
BevM:
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me”
Naomi:
Okay I only have 1 blade
BevM:
Jesus will give you strength to get rid of it for good.
BevM:
Everything Jesus tells us to do is for our benefit and blessing.
Naomi:
Now?
BevM:
sure just like the pills
Naomi:
Should I flush it or throw it in a bin?
BevM:
Is there a bin outside? (I’m not sure if it’s small enough to flush)
Naomi:
Yes
BevM:
Throw it where you will *not* want to retrieve it
Naomi:
Okay. I will throw it outside. Brb
BevM:
ok
Naomi:
Done
BevM:
PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!
BevM:
Naomi, I’m very proud of you !
BevM:
I know that wasn’t easy.
Naomi:
It’s really scary
BevM:
But, you have made another good choice today and God will bless you for it !
BevM:
I know, but it’s ok to feel uncomfortable for awhile, until you discover you have more positive ways to deal with emotional pain.
Naomi:
Yes
Naomi:
How does god heal?
BevM:
You have Jesus. You have prayer. You have His peace. You have His promises and His Word.
BevM:
God heals by first giving you salvation, forgiveness of sins. Next, He invites you to come into His presence every day, where He can walk beside you
Naomi:
So I won’t need to talk about it?
BevM:
and guide you, He will speak to you, spirit to spirit.
BevM:
You can talk to Jesus in prayer about anything, and your faith will grow strong as you read the Bible – it is living and relevant for us today
Naomi:
I don’t want to talk about my past
BevM:
By His stripes (death on the cross) we ARE healed, we need to receive that truth in our thinking each day. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, (Naomi) is a new creation; old things are passed away, behold all things have become new” II Corinthians 5:17
Naomi:
Okay that’s goos
BevM:
Can you see if you can find your Bible ?
Naomi:
Okay
Naomi:
I can’t find it but I know there is a big one downstairs
BevM:
Ok, keep looking and if you cannot find one, Matt R will send you one, free for the asking. I wanted to suggest you write today’s date in your Bible, the day of your salvation
BevM:
Naomi, have you ever gone to church growing up ?
Naomi:
Oh okay. I don’t know where mines gone. I think it’s lost behind my bed. I use to but it was a home church and there was no one my age and it’s not around anymore
BevM:
I see. Well,
BevM:
I can ask Matt about a good one near you. I would need to know the area where you live. He knows all the good churches there.
Naomi:
Ah! Okay. I live in a place called Removed for privacy/safety
BevM:
ok, is it a huge city ?
Naomi:
No just a town
BevM:
great I’ll see what I can find out from him and will follow up with you on email. I also want to e/m you some fun things and
BevM:
things to listen to as you begin a new relationship with Jesus
Naomi:
Okay thank you
BevM:
A good church with those your age will be SO encouraging for you, Naomi.
BevM:
You’re welcome.
BevM:
I want to keep in touch with you, I have you on my prayer list.
Naomi:
Yes it would. I don’t think many people my age go to church
Naomi:
Thank you
BevM:
That may be true, but let’s pray about that too You can find one you like and invite a friend, that’s how it grows
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
Naomi:
Thank you
BevM:
When you find your Bible or get another, begin reading the book of John. It
BevM:
is very easy to understand and all about Jesus.
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
Let me pray for you now and if you want to chat more we can
Naomi:
Okay
BevM:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for Naomi, and for connecting us together on Groundwire. I ask Lord, that she will trust You in her new faith,
BevM:
and keep her strong, as she has let go of the things of this life that would ruin her — pills and blade. Father,
BevM:
I thank You that she is now Your child, and my sister in Christ Jesus,
BevM:
adopted into Your family forever. Thank You for sending Jesus our Savior,
BevM:
and the gift of salvation that He offered us. Praise Your Holy Name!
BevM:
Help us each day to focus on You Lord, and lean on You for help and guidance. In Jesus’ Name,
BevM:
Amen.
Naomi:
Amen
BevM:
This is a wonderful day !
BevM:
Naomi, would you like to pray in your own words before we sign off ?
BevM:
whatever is on your heart to say to Jesus..
Naomi:
Okay but it might be bad
BevM:
no way !
BevM:
your prayers are God’s delight !
Naomi:
Okay
Naomi:
Dear lord, thank you for guiding me here today, to meet you and to feel your love. Thank you that I am saved from the bad things that were in my life
Naomi:
I pray for help in the future, that you guide me and heal me and that I will never feel alone again. Amen
BevM:
Amen
BevM:
I’m so joyful for you, Naomi. I send you a big e-hug
Naomi:
Thank you! I’ve needed a hug for a while now
BevM:
You are always welcome here, ok? And to email me any time. I will encourage and pray for you, and hope to keep in touch.
Naomi:
Thank you
BevM:
You’re welcome. Bye for now.
Naomi:
Bye
BevM:
(watch for email)
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