Footnotes and Witness

I am so grateful that my friend Carol came and shared her experience of being asked to give her testimony at a church event. Then she blesses us with that witness testimony! #donthangup

Carol gives us a really good example of how to highlight God's involvement in our lives over decades, like Ruth. Whether it is a moment or a season, God works with and through us. It is an act of worship to write it down and share it with others. Thanks Carol!

Links and Resources:
Carol's church: https://www.tapestryoakland.org/team
Legacy questions for family: https://www.storii.com/  (this site has questions that can be answered in ways that they are saved and able to be shared)
https://www.today.com/life/relationships/questions-to-ask-your-mom-rcna76980 (questions for mom but links at the end for other relationships)
https://www.wellandgood.com/questions-to-ask-parents/
My website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

10 minute testimony- common pitfalls and missteps

1- glorifying your sin

Do you long for your life before walking with Jesus? This can highlight an unrepentant heart. We want to focus on the Savior not the Sin! Pray for your heart to see what you have gained in your faith, not what you “gave up”. 

2- assigning credit where it doesn’t belong

We don’t accomplish any heart changes without Jesus. Our power lies with Him. Give Him the credit. 

3- don’t wait for the perfect ending to tell your story

An honest and vulnerable story has more impact than a picture perfect ending that has been manufactured. 

What to do now? Take the answers to your questions, put them together. Say it out loud and time it. You might need to write in “breathe” “pause here” to work out the timing. Pray about where God wants you to take your story. You might need to share it with family or friends. Maybe this would be a good time to approach your small group leader and ask if testimonies can be something y’all do together. Volunteer to go first! 

If you need help or don't know where to go next, contact me!
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/contact 

Outline for writing your 10 minute testimony; start by answering these questions:

1. When did you decide to follow God and give your heart to Jesus?
2. When did God meet you in a low or dark place in your life? (5 Remembrance Stones)
3. What has the last year of your spiritual life looked like?
   How do you feel about it? How do you think God feels about it?

Reflections on the process:

• How have you felt throughout this process?

my testimony = _________________

• What characteristic of God has been at the forefront of your mind thru this process?

my testimony = God’s ____________________

• What false beliefs are you carrying around about yourself? Your experiences? God? 

Perspective changes questions:

• How did I feel during that experience?
• What was my sin in it?
• Did it have any impact on my faith?
• Did it change what I believe about God?

After reflecting, go through your 10 minute testimony question and answers. Would you change anything?

What’s next?

Pray about your story and what God would have you do with it.
Share with someone that cares about you and is also a believer.
Ask your faith community if testimony sharing is something you can do.
Tell your story!

Word of caution: if your story has details of someone else, be kind. If at all possible, check with that person before sharing their details with others. Next week we will talk more about how to handle this situation and others. 

Scripture References:

John 14:8-10

Psalm 13

My website: You can contact me with how this process has been, prayer needs, how to get connected in a local community, whatever! Go to the "contact" page and send me an email.
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

From last week to think about starting your testimony:

• Declare your faith
• Confessions made or need to be made
• Where God has worked in your life
• Times you have been humbled and/or changed

10 Minute Testimonies help you stay focused and start working on giving up control of your story. We want to be heard and understood but we can't control how our lives are observed by others. Tell your story in light of the gospel saving grace given to you and let God be in charge of the rest.

Write the questions down, type them, or use a voice recording app. It doesn't have to be perfect! Don't worry about spelling, grammar, using big words or protecting yourself with half-truths. Think about a burger. Meat, cheese and bun. All the other details don't always have room in a short story. We want to learn to pull out the main point. 

Step 1: Declaration 

• When did you decide to follow God and give your heart to Jesus?

Step 2: Confessions and Remembrance Stones

• Did God meet you in a low or dark place in your life?
• Where have you seen God at work in your life? 
• List 5 quick things that you can remember

Step 3: The Last Year

• What has the last year looked like for your spiritual life? 
• What would you say about it? 
• How do you think God feels about it?

This is not to give guilt or shame but to have the gift of exposure of where you are spiritually. It is a relationship check! How is my relationship with God doing?

Tips!

• Think about the burger! Tell the meat of the story
• You can write chronologically or in order of importance. You matter how it comes out, it is your story! Only you can tell it. 
• You can use a scripture or song that has been meaningful to you to help connect the story or just get started.
• Remember the goal: Who is Jesus? What did He do? How has your life changed because of that relationship?

Link to the blog with a more detailed outline:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/messages/writing-your-10-min-witness-testimony
Scripture Reference: Joshua 4: 19-24

What have our bible testimonies shown us about finding Jesus in our own story?

•  Rahab
  •  Declare Your Faith 
•  Jonah
  • Confess your disobedience- God is patient
• Ruth
  • God is always at work-look for His involvement 
• Moses
  • Be humbled enough to change

Scripture References:
 Rehab's declaration: Joshua 2

Mentioned in the episode:
Celebrate Recovery - https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
articles on sovereignty ( these are just some that I pulled from both main schools of thought for a general idea of the issue. Always seek out your own trusted spiritual leaders on these issues)
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-god-sovereign-over-my-free-will
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/divine-sovereignty-human-freedom/
https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/free-will-and-predestination-christian-concepts
https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/calvinism#
https://cyclopedia.lcms.org/display.asp?t1=a&word=ARMINIANISM

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Sometimes we feel like our story isn't good enough. Sometimes it feels like we don't want to share our mistakes and pain. Let's take a close look at the beginning of Moses' witness testimony, his story. It didn't start out like it ended. There were mistakes and pain and yet God chose Moses anyway. 

Scripture References:
Exodus chapters 3 & 4
Blessing: Numbers 6:24-26

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Ruth is a short book and a big story. It has, from time to time, been shortchanged. I want to present you with Ruth's testimony. This is a perfect example of just telling your story, simply. It doesn't have to have all the right lingo or be a statement of praise. Sometimes we think if we can't write lyrics or poetry, we can't praise God. God lives in our day to day lives, right along side of us. That is worth talking about in itself.  That is praise! 

Take the time to read this short book and get familiar with the scriptures. Look for the character of God. Look for the reflection of the gospel. This story is so much more than "how to get a man"!

My Website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Jonah and the Whale! Do you know the story or the scriptures?

Jonah's witness testimony is important because it isn't complete. Our stories, our witness sometimes don't have a happy ending. Sometimes our witness doesn't have a resolution. They still have value and they still can point to the ever present patience and love of Jesus Christ.

Scripture References:
First mention of Jonah: 2 Kings 14:25
Book of Jonah: 

• Chapter 1- the event
• Chapter 2- the prayer
• Chapter 3- the obedience 
• Chapter 4- the anger

Key Word Scripture Search Sites:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/
https://www.biblegateway.com/

Bible Atlas:
https://www.amazon.com/Crossway-Bible-Atlas-John-Currid/dp/1433501929

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Did you know you can message me directly?! I would love to hear questions or feedback from any of these shows. Follow the link to the website! 

Rahab! What a great lady. She was an adulteress traitor who God turned into a beautiful bride. 

Scripture References:
Joshua Chap 2 & 6
Rahab's confession: Joshua 2:9-13
NT Matthew 1:5
        Hebrews 11:31
       James 2:25

Plot: Hebrew spies in Jericho are hidden by the harlot Rahab and given safety. Rahab asked for mercy. 
Setting: Jericho over the Jordan River
Character: Rahab

References:
watercolor prints: https://lindsayschott.com/store
my website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Welcome to a bonus episode!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

What is the context? Jesus is having a chat with Nicodemus the pharisee. Jesus is exploring being born-again in the spirit. Nicodemus has come to Jesus in earnest but Jesus keeps saying things incomprehensible. The reality of this well read and educated scholar is being challenged. Reading ALL of John 3 can really help get the sense of the conversation that this statement is said in. 

This is one of the most popular evangelical verses, why?

• succinct explanation of the gospel
• easy to memorize
• has a reputation so it is recognizable 

What are some of the challenges?

• challenges the narrative of hell being the most important reason to follow Jesus
• deals with the trinity- which is challenges our reality
• "giving up a son" can be views with so many different lenses

We may know this verse, but when is the last time you really sat with it? Meditated its meaning? Thought about the weight of what it is actually saying?
We would do well to give it a second or maybe a first look. Spend some time with and ask God to bring it into our lives everyday.

https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/