Dear Friends,
We will be off of the blog from March 1-31st for the Winter "Media Minimization and Love for Jesus Maximization" Challenge! For more information on the Challenge, you can read below - We hope you will join us in seeking the Lord this month!
If you want more information on anything, feel free to visit the website at www.lovingthelordministries.org, or contact the LTLM office at info@lovingthelordministries.org!
May the Lord richly bless you as you seek Him - He is amazing!
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
With love in Him,
Amy
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Loving the Lord Videocast #3 - Mastering Media for the Glory of God
Dear Friends,
I pray that you have had an amazing month with Jesus!
We are really looking forward to the launch of the Winter "Media Minimization and Love for Jesus Maximization" Challenge beginning this Tuesday, March 1st! We have been so excited to hear from so many of you who are taking this challenge and seeking to deepen your walk with Jesus! We would love to have more of you join us! For more information on the Winter Challenge, you can visit the blog or website.
In light of the Winter Challenge, we wanted to get this videocast to you early so you can watch it before you go off the internet for a month! The theme of this videocast goes along with this month's challenge - "Mastering Media for the Glory of God." I pray that you will be encouraged to allow the Lord to help you master media as a tool to know Him, share Him, and see the amazing things He does vs. allowing media to master you and pull you away from the most important thing in the world - your relationship with Jesus!
Remember, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
Have a wonderful month seeking our amazing Savior!
Looking forward to knowing more of Jesus with you this month,
Amy
Friday, February 25, 2011
Special ideas of how to use your time during the Winter Challenge
As you set this time aside to seek Jesus, here are some ideas to help you in deepening your relationship with Him!
Ideas: (You can find more ideas in the post below or under the “Encouragement” section of the website!)
- Spend time with the Lord (See the website under then encouragement section for ideas on devotions)
- Journal – write down what the Lord is doing in your heart, Who you are finding Him to be, insights from His Word, prayers to Him, etc.
- Read books that will encourage you in Jesus (see mini list of resources)*
- Fellowship – pursue relationships that encourage you in Jesus by phone calls, get-togethers, or even organizing a get-together of a few girls to encourage each other in Jesus!
- Ministry - invest your time in things that will last forever! While this is good, we encourage you to focus most of your energy this month on deepening your relationship with Jesus. (See ministry ideas below)*
- Memorize a passage of Scripture. This would be a great thing to do with your accountability partner!
- Study Bible – really take time to dig into it and see what the Lord is saying to you!
- and so much more!
*Resources: His Chosen Bride by Jennifer Lamp, Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally, Consider the Lilies by Teresa Nuckols, The Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, Biographies of men and women who walked with God… and so many more! Again, choose ones that will help you in your walk with Jesus!
*Ministry ideas: (You can find a longer list under the “Encouragement” section of the website!)
- Help more around your home (your #1 mission field) and really take time to enjoy and encourage your family in Jesus.
- Write letters to encourage missionaries, friends, younger girls, etc. in loving and serving Jesus!
- Pray for people across the world.
- Start discipling a younger girl you know.
- Write an article or testimony from your life to encourage others in living for the Lord. (We would love to see some of these to possibly post on the blog!)
- Ask the Lord to show you ways to serve Him.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions - Media Challenge
The main things are:
1. Stay completely off the internet and TV.
2. Pour your time into deepening your walk with and love for Jesus.
Listening to Music and Audio books:
These are fine, as long as they will really help you deepen your love for Jesus!
School or home business emailing:
We understand that some of you are in college or have a business from home that requires email. If you strictly stick to just what you NEED to do for these, along with the Winter Challenge rules, you are alright.
We do encourage you to pursue as much time as possible deepening your relationship with the Lord.
Is it okay if I use some of my email time to print off encouraging articles or do you think it would be better if I just cut of all "browsing?"
No, all browsing does need to be cut for the Challenge - but, maybe you could print things off ahead of time or go for good books!
Can I visit the LTLM blog?
We will not be posting on the blog for the month of March and the challenge requires that you are FULLY off of the internet. We are even planning to have the March videocast up on February 28th so you can watch it before you go off!
Can I type letters or journal on the computer?
This is fine. It is internet/email that we are requiring you to stay off. But, we again challenge you to spend as much time on things that will deepen your love for Jesus vs. being busy with lots of other things. The goal is to minimize the media and maximize time with Jesus!
1. Stay completely off the internet and TV.
2. Pour your time into deepening your walk with and love for Jesus.
Listening to Music and Audio books:
These are fine, as long as they will really help you deepen your love for Jesus!
School or home business emailing:
We understand that some of you are in college or have a business from home that requires email. If you strictly stick to just what you NEED to do for these, along with the Winter Challenge rules, you are alright.
We do encourage you to pursue as much time as possible deepening your relationship with the Lord.
Is it okay if I use some of my email time to print off encouraging articles or do you think it would be better if I just cut of all "browsing?"
No, all browsing does need to be cut for the Challenge - but, maybe you could print things off ahead of time or go for good books!
Can I visit the LTLM blog?
We will not be posting on the blog for the month of March and the challenge requires that you are FULLY off of the internet. We are even planning to have the March videocast up on February 28th so you can watch it before you go off!
Can I type letters or journal on the computer?
This is fine. It is internet/email that we are requiring you to stay off. But, we again challenge you to spend as much time on things that will deepen your love for Jesus vs. being busy with lots of other things. The goal is to minimize the media and maximize time with Jesus!
Growing in Loving the Lord
Here are some practical ways to grow in loving the Lord:
~Make Him and loving Him your #1 priority and focus – in every area of life! Start your day with Him and keep Him as most important in all details of your day. Something that has really helped me is the moment that I wake up (or am coming into consciousness) to turn my heart to the Lord and tell Him good morning and that I love Him. Then I roll out of bed and land on my knees. It starts your day out right and sets a good patter for the rest of the day!
~Daily spend time with Him. Remember that your walk with the Lord is a relationship! It takes time and energy to deepen a relationship. Your personal time with the Lord is a critical key to growing in your relationship with the Lord. Remember that He is real and is right there with you when you are having your personal time with Him! If you have not been faithful in your personal time with the Lord, you can start today! The Lord is waiting for you with open arms.
~Read the Bible daily. It is your spiritual food and without it your spiritual life will begin to starve! Through the Bible you come to know the Lord better and know how He wants you to live. It is the Lord’s letter to you. Read it carefully, He has lots to show you! It has the answer to every question and is the final authority for our lives.
~Prayer is so important. It is so vital that your talk with someone that you want to get to know better! Share your heart with the Lord, praise Him for Who He is, confess and ask forgiveness for anything that He show you in your life that is not pleasing to Him, ask for His help to obey, and listen to what He wants to say to you. Seek to really come into His presence with your heart prepared to meet with Him.
~Walk with Him throughout the day. Remember that the Lord is always with you and that walking with Him does not just end when you leave your quiet time! Walk through your days with the Lord. You can always talk with Him.
~Carefully choose things that will help you in your walk with the Lord and not pull you down. What you watch, listen to, enjoy, etc. will make up who you are and directly impact your relationship with the Lord. Don’t take your choices lightly! What I always like to ask myself about things I am considering watching, reading, listening to, enjoying, etc. is, “Will this draw me closer to the Lord or distract/pull me away from Him?” If it does not seem definitely one way or the other, it usually means that is would be a good idea to pass on it. (Those things only waste time and really can be a distraction from what is good.) It is good to hold things up to the light of God’s Word and see if they match up with what He says is right. (For example, try Phil. 4:8-9.) We really should just fill our lives with what the Lord says is right.
~Time. You can use your time in ways that will either encourage you in the Lord, waste your time, or do damage. Your time is so valuable and the way that you use it shapes your life. Spend it on the Lord, what He says is right, and what will last for eternity.
~Friends. The friends that you have will drastically impact who you are and become. Choose them so carefully! Allow the Lord to be your best friend and choose friends who will encourage you in the Lord (instead of encouraging you towards TV, makeup, nail, wrong, attitudes, boys, etc.).
~Fellowship. It is so important that we spend time with people who are seeking for the Lord and will help us on in our walk with the Lord! If you do not have regular contact with other like-minded girls, you might want to think about starting a Bible study.* This can give you encouragement in seeking the Lord as you have fellowship with other girls who are desiring to follow Him.
~Ministry. It is so important that once you find true satisfaction in the Lord, you pass it on to others. There are so many opportunities to share the Lord and serve Him! Some things that you can do include: Serve at home, encourage siblings, younger children, friends, etc. in the Lord (share about what the Lord has been doing in your heart, memorize Bible verses together, study the Bible together, etc.), help out at church, and start a discipleship group/Bible study for younger girls.*
*Due to the need for material for Bible studies and discipleship groups for girls, we videotaped 2 of our past conferences and put them on DVDs and VHSs with companion handbooks. People have used them for girls’ (or mother/daughter) Bible studies and other girls your ages have used them to start discipleship groups for younger girls. If you are interested in using them, you can find out more about them on our website at www.lovingthelordministries.org!
~Get a vision from the Lord for your life! When your focus is on Him alone, you will not have other things clouding your vision to see clearly what the Lord has for you. Don’t waste your life with a clouded vision. God has great things in store for you! If you will seek Him and live to love Him with all of your heart, He will give you a vision for your life that is beyond your wildest dreams right now.
~Allow Him to work in your life and make Himself real to you. Never stop the Lord from working in you! It may not always be the most comfortable, but it is always for your best! Seek to know the Lord in deeper ways each day through your personal time with Him, reading your Bible and other books that will help you grow in the Lord, etc.).
~Accountability. I would so strongly encourage you to find someone to hold you accountable for seeking and loving the Lord! It will help you stay on track more than you could ever imagine!
The more that you come to know the Lord, the more you will see how wonderful He is. As a result, you will more naturally tend to love Him. Remember that loving the Lord and knowing Him is the greatest thing in the world and the only place that you will find true fulfillment! He loves you so incredibly much! Seek to love Him with all of your heart –You will never regret it!
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” ~ Philippians 1:6
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Announcing the 2011 Winter Media Minimization Challenge!
Here is a video announcing the 2011 Winter Media Minimization Challenge! More information coming next week! We would love to have you join us as we minimize our media for the purpose of maximizing our love for Jesus!
Details for the Winter Challenge 2011 – Media Minimization and love for Jesus Maximization:
In seeking to know and love Jesus more, a huge thing for our generation is to discipline our time spent on media – specifically the computer, internet, and TV - seeing that it can really rob valuable time that could be spent deepening our love for Jesus and truly living for Him!
It is something that needs to be mastered for God’s glory and our good!
So this challenge is for the month of March 2011 to focus on minimizing the time we invest in media and using the time instead on things that will help maximize our love for Jesus!
It is going to be AMAZING and I know the Lord is going to move in powerful ways! This is not going to be super easy – but, it is going to be GOOD for you and so worth it!
I am challenging you to do this - I am doing this with you and am really excited about it! I really believe God is going to do phenomenal things!
Here are the details:
Dates: March 1-31st, 2011
Who: Young Women ages 11-31 (ANYONE can take this challenge – these are the ones to whom we are offering the reward!)
Rules:
Stay off:
Internet, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, all social media, TV, Movies, Video/Computer games, YouTube, GodTube, etc. (This includes ALL OF THESE THINGS on your computer, TV, phone, ipod, etc.)
Computer details - You are allowed:
- Up to 15 min. a day of personal email time, 6 days a week, for a total of 1 ½ hours of EMAIL ONLY time each week.
- 5 min a day, 6 days a week for emergency internet time (i.e. getting directions, ordering), for a total of 30 min. a week.
- Sunday – Stay off the computer completely.
Do:
- Watch the “Winter Media Challenge” Video on our videocast page.
- Talk with your parents about taking this challenge. Ask for their support and prayer.
- Print off the Winter Challenge chart from the website – www.lovingthelordministries.org. (Post about the Winter Challenge on your blog or Facebook and encourage your friends join you in this, too! You can provide a link to the video and information as you let them know that you will be off for the month of March.)
- Find an accountability partner to connect with by phone once a week to make sure you are both on track, to share what the Lord is doing in your hearts, and to pray together.
- Spend 15 min. (or MORE) of personal time with the Lord each day of the challenge, for a total of 1 hour and 45 min. a week for a minimum – you can spend as much time with Him as you want!
- Spend your other time on things that will help you in loving the Lord and living for and serving Him. (We will have this suggestions/recommendations posted on the blog – check them out, they will be a great help in maximizing this time for deepening your walk with the Lord!)
Send in your chart:
Once you have completed the Challenge on March 31st, send the chart to the address on the chart by April 7th and we will mail your reward to you.
Rewards:
- Best of all, a closer relationship with Jesus!
- An exclusive LTLM designed t-shirt
Let us know that you are taking the challenge:
Email us at info@lovingthelordministries.org and let us know that you are taking the Challenge with us!
Questions:
If you have questions or a special situation that comes up, you can email us!
The Lord bless you as you focus on Him this month, friends! He has amazing things in store! I am eagerly anticipating it.
Remember that, like Hebrews 11:6 says, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Have a great month minimizing media and maximizing your love for Jesus!
Details for the Winter Challenge 2011 – Media Minimization and love for Jesus Maximization:
In seeking to know and love Jesus more, a huge thing for our generation is to discipline our time spent on media – specifically the computer, internet, and TV - seeing that it can really rob valuable time that could be spent deepening our love for Jesus and truly living for Him!
It is something that needs to be mastered for God’s glory and our good!
So this challenge is for the month of March 2011 to focus on minimizing the time we invest in media and using the time instead on things that will help maximize our love for Jesus!
It is going to be AMAZING and I know the Lord is going to move in powerful ways! This is not going to be super easy – but, it is going to be GOOD for you and so worth it!
I am challenging you to do this - I am doing this with you and am really excited about it! I really believe God is going to do phenomenal things!
Here are the details:
Dates: March 1-31st, 2011
Who: Young Women ages 11-31 (ANYONE can take this challenge – these are the ones to whom we are offering the reward!)
Rules:
Stay off:
Internet, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, all social media, TV, Movies, Video/Computer games, YouTube, GodTube, etc. (This includes ALL OF THESE THINGS on your computer, TV, phone, ipod, etc.)
Computer details - You are allowed:
- Up to 15 min. a day of personal email time, 6 days a week, for a total of 1 ½ hours of EMAIL ONLY time each week.
- 5 min a day, 6 days a week for emergency internet time (i.e. getting directions, ordering), for a total of 30 min. a week.
- Sunday – Stay off the computer completely.
Do:
- Watch the “Winter Media Challenge” Video on our videocast page.
- Talk with your parents about taking this challenge. Ask for their support and prayer.
- Print off the Winter Challenge chart from the website – www.lovingthelordministries.org. (Post about the Winter Challenge on your blog or Facebook and encourage your friends join you in this, too! You can provide a link to the video and information as you let them know that you will be off for the month of March.)
- Find an accountability partner to connect with by phone once a week to make sure you are both on track, to share what the Lord is doing in your hearts, and to pray together.
- Spend 15 min. (or MORE) of personal time with the Lord each day of the challenge, for a total of 1 hour and 45 min. a week for a minimum – you can spend as much time with Him as you want!
- Spend your other time on things that will help you in loving the Lord and living for and serving Him. (We will have this suggestions/recommendations posted on the blog – check them out, they will be a great help in maximizing this time for deepening your walk with the Lord!)
Send in your chart:
Once you have completed the Challenge on March 31st, send the chart to the address on the chart by April 7th and we will mail your reward to you.
Rewards:
- Best of all, a closer relationship with Jesus!
- An exclusive LTLM designed t-shirt
Let us know that you are taking the challenge:
Email us at info@lovingthelordministries.org and let us know that you are taking the Challenge with us!
Questions:
If you have questions or a special situation that comes up, you can email us!
The Lord bless you as you focus on Him this month, friends! He has amazing things in store! I am eagerly anticipating it.
Remember that, like Hebrews 11:6 says, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Have a great month minimizing media and maximizing your love for Jesus!
2011 Family Summit - "Christ-Centered Life Purpose" - July 15-17th
We are thrilled to announce that this coming summer on July 15-17th, 2011 we will be hosting another Family Summit, with the theme of "Christ-Centered Life Purpose."
It has been our desire to be able to encourage whole families in seeking the Lord, serving Him, and gaining a vision for living for Him together. That is the purpose of this Summit. We were overwhelmed by the response from last year's summit and our desire is to build upon what the Lord is doing in this year's summit by helping families gain vision for and live out their God-given life purpose.
LTLM and the Vest family are so grateful to have Dewey Novotny joining us as our main speaker for this year's Family Summit! Dewey, creator of the Life Purpose Planning Program, is an encourager, writer, and international speaker that is passionate to see others discover, define, develop and deploy their life calling and purpose. He looks forward to helping families and individuals discover their life purpose at the Summit!
The Summit will include; powerful messages and testimonies, an (optional) special program for children during the sessions, time for vision casting as couples, breakout sessions for the young people, fun family activities, campfires, amazing fellowship, delicious food, and more!
The Family Summit will be held at the beautiful facility of Camp Lebanon in Upsala, Minnesota. Camp Lebanon is a special haven to pull away and experience the presence of God, the beauty of His creation, and a refreshing atmosphere. For more information you can visit their website!
We are so excited for what the Lord has in store and would love to have you join us!
For more information and to download a registration form, you can visit our website and look under the "Events" section at www.lovingthelordministries.org! We encourage you to register early, as space is limited!
We encourage you to register early, as space is limited! We are so excited for what the Lord has in store and would love to have your family join us!
May the Lord bless you as you seek to raise your families for His glory!
It has been our desire to be able to encourage whole families in seeking the Lord, serving Him, and gaining a vision for living for Him together. That is the purpose of this Summit. We were overwhelmed by the response from last year's summit and our desire is to build upon what the Lord is doing in this year's summit by helping families gain vision for and live out their God-given life purpose.
LTLM and the Vest family are so grateful to have Dewey Novotny joining us as our main speaker for this year's Family Summit! Dewey, creator of the Life Purpose Planning Program, is an encourager, writer, and international speaker that is passionate to see others discover, define, develop and deploy their life calling and purpose. He looks forward to helping families and individuals discover their life purpose at the Summit!
The Summit will include; powerful messages and testimonies, an (optional) special program for children during the sessions, time for vision casting as couples, breakout sessions for the young people, fun family activities, campfires, amazing fellowship, delicious food, and more!
The Family Summit will be held at the beautiful facility of Camp Lebanon in Upsala, Minnesota. Camp Lebanon is a special haven to pull away and experience the presence of God, the beauty of His creation, and a refreshing atmosphere. For more information you can visit their website!
We are so excited for what the Lord has in store and would love to have you join us!
For more information and to download a registration form, you can visit our website and look under the "Events" section at www.lovingthelordministries.org! We encourage you to register early, as space is limited!
We encourage you to register early, as space is limited! We are so excited for what the Lord has in store and would love to have your family join us!
May the Lord bless you as you seek to raise your families for His glory!
"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
~ Psalm 37:3-5
Friday, February 4, 2011
"Loving the Lord" Videocast #2 - A Relationship of Love with Jesus
Dear Friends,
I am so grateful for the privilege of walking in the love of our Jesus and loving Him together!
In this video I take you out for cocoa and we talk heart-to-heart about this topic! Oh sisters! When you are truly walking in this relationship of love with Jesus, it transforms your life!!! I encourage you to watch this video with an open heart and act on what the Lord shows you. He is waiting to meet with you and show you His love in a real way. As you know His love and love Him in return, you will never be the same!
Special note: This videocast is longer. Future videos will usually be much shorter.
We would love if you would write and share your testimonies of knowing the love of Jesus and loving Him in return by emailing us at info@lovingthelordministries.org!
Remember, " Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Loving our amazing Jesus with you,
Amy
P.S. We apologize for the delay in getting this videocast out to you!
P.P.S. Stay tuned next week for a special mini-video announcing an exciting upcoming opportunity for you!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February Videocast Coming Soon!
The February Videocast is currently being completed and should be up soon! We apologize for the delay!
I Know Whom I Have Believed
"...I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." ~ 2 Timothy 1:12
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