Cleanse.Fill.Pour.: Ode to Expectations...

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Ode to Expectations...

I get myself into trouble every holiday with my expectations….expectations of myself and others. Whether it’s trying to have a Martha Stewart look, Norman Rockwell setting or Leave it to Beaver image….if I’m not careful, very careful I can get myself in a lot of trouble. It might be an unfinished side-dish, dry turkey… a sideways look from a cranky Aunt or a snarky comment round the table. You name it, it can be big or small but simply put; life is not Norman Rockwell or Christian Leave it to Beaver.

As I have been preparing for Thanksgiving I’ve been thinking a lot about my “expectations issue” and seeing how connected it is with my perceived value and finding approval- When even part of my worth and approval is based on my performance and the performance of others AND/OR their reaction to my performance . Uggg. No wonder I get myself into trouble!

SO, as I’ve been praying about this, the Lord has landed me in Romans Chapter 8….in a vital truth for the believer in Christ, an expectation that is FULLY met in Christ. Nothing (not even holiday mental meltdowns) can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. These are the verses I’m writing down on my 3x5 card for Thanksgiving, verses that I desperately need to be convinced of. Here are my added thoughts…

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life (including not having dinner done on time for all the waiting guests),nor angels, nor principalities, (including that crabby person who has issues) nor things present, nor things to come, (including past hurts that surface, unfinished family drama or even any present drama) nor powers, nor height, nor depth, (including the really great times and the really hard times, emotional highs and lows…and other people, especially others!), nor any other created thing (including all the holiday traditions that go well and go south and all the in-between stuff. Including being lonely in a crowded room or isolated from a conversation…all of it) NOTHING, not one thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

That is something to be truly thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving….may He give us eyes to see where our true expectation is met, in Him!!

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Purpose of Cleanse.Fill.Pour.

Cleanse.Fill.Pour. is a women's ministry specifically designed to encourage women. Our desire is to see you grow in discipleship...to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself (herself) from these things, he (she) will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work."

Our prayer is that this would be used as a small tool to encourage women to be useful "vessels" for the Lord to use... in their marriage, with their kids, in teacher appointments, in the workplace, in their churches and all throughout their sphere of influence, that they would be Cleansed. Filled. and Poured out to others.

Statement of Faith of Cleanse.Fill.Pour.

1.We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2.We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1 and John 1)

3.We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.(all of the Gospels)

4.We believe that Salvation is by grace and faith alone in the finished work of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that Jesus Christ is the Only Way to have a right relationship with God. (John 14:6)

5.We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.(Ephesians 1:13-14)

6.We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.(Romans 8)

7.We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.(all of the Gospels)

8. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ. (1 Corinthians 12)

Curriculum Available with Online Study Tools

"From out to IN" Our Position in Christ now available! This is my first book based on the book of Ephesians but starting "In the beginning..."

"In Christ...walking by grace and faith" an in-depth study on the book of Ephesians. This 15-week study looks closely at the idea of walking by the same grace and faith that we are saved with! What does it mean to BE and then to DO? We are called to BE who we are in Christ and out of that we DO, not vise versa!

"Free Indeed" a in-depth look at the book of Galatians. A 12-week study closely looking at what was truly accomplished at the Cross of Christ. What does that mean for us? What is the source of our growth now? Freedom, what is it!?

"The Relationship"

For more information or to get materials...email cleansefillpour@aol.com