BLESSINGS ON YOU! It’s been an amazing full & good day for us enjoying church , building friendships with some new international students and time with our family. I’m tired, but the the the thought of tomorrow makes me a bit more weary….or something? A tad “weepy”?

TOMORROW. That’s right. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

I’m an unusual mom (maybe older is the best word choice!). I LOVE my kids growing up, becoming new people, and knowing them better. I delight in new experiences with different friends & new school supplies! There is just something about fresh crayons, the smell of pencils, and having an “assigned” place to sit in life-at least for 9 months.

The start of school begins regularity in life, for most of us. (If you are currently single or currently without children, just file this away! ) A set schedule-a time to depart and a time to return. The parents can set schedules for school, after school activities. and sports. I’ve thoroughly LOVED  getting my first semester  organized (nearly as much as possible in our line of work) and REVELING in the feeling of “administration”. It’s not one of my spiritual gifts, so to grow in this area is groovy.  The trick for me is to realize a set schedule is a TOOL , not an IDOL.

As Elisabeth Elliot infers in KEEP A QUIET HEART (one of my life books), I need to welcome “interruptions, delays, and inconveniences” as God’s Greatest Tools for me. An air-tight schedule is not my goal. Being surprised is part of being ALIVE! I have thought and prayed hard for this year….what would I dream of happening?

Here’s my Multiple Choice Exam:

A. THAT I PRAY MORE

B. THAT I LISTEN MORE

C. THAT I OBEY GOD’S WORD.

D. ALL OF THE ABOVE

I CHOOSE D.

May all of the above be true -in me- and FLOW COMPLETELY & UNHINDERED INTO THE LIVES OF MY MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE-MY HUSBAND & MY CHILDREN.

MAY YOU ENJOY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL…FULL OF WONDER THAT GOD GAVE YOU CHILDREN AND FULL OF THANKS THAT HE LOVES YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING!

TRISTIE FISHER, AUGUST 2010

HELLO “LIVING WATER FOR A THIRSTY SOUL FRIENDS”! I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed writing this Bible study over the Book of John and have been SO BLESSED by how many of you have joined in! You wonderful women (and some men!) have studied in a variety of ways all over the world! Some chose to do it “solo” and some chose to study it as a church study!

In all, (ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!) God used it in 11 countries with over 500 visits to the site. In addition, (AT ANY GIVEN TIME), there were 35-50 people working on our study at the same time! PRAISE JESUS!

Now, we are WRAPPING UP...some friends are still in the middle of the study, some are printing it out to do in the Fall or Spring, and some are finished. KEEP ON! I wanted to end our blog and FB internet study time with some application questions and ACTION POINTS to ponder. Here are mine:

1. Because I Studied this Book, my Life is different in the following way….I PLAN TO PRAY MORE.
2. Because I Pondered (maybe Memorized) some Verses, my Life will look different in the following way…TO KNOW AND ACT ON MY KNOWLEDGE THAT ONLY JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER FOR MY THIRSTY SOUL. NOTHING ELSE WILL SATISFY!
3. My Favorite Text or Story was JOHN CHAPTER 11– THE RAISING OF LAZARUS CHANGES MY LIFE BECAUSE IF JESUS CAN DO THAT, HE CAN DO ANYTHING!
4. The Best Thing I learned about JESUS IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS.

Isn’t that GLORIOUS?

• HE GIVES ME ETERNAL LIFE THE MOMENT I BELIEVE.
• HE GIVES ME ABUNDANT LIFE WHEN I GIVE MY “LIFE CONTROL” OVER TO HIM.
• HE GIVES ME PURPOSE.
• HE FORGIVES ME WITHOUT CONDITION.
• HE GIVES ME THE GREAT COMMISSION.
• HE GIVES ME WISDOM TO UNDERSTAND WHO HE IS AND WHO I AM.
• LASTLY, HE DOESN’T LEAVE ME ALONE!

May you be blessed by this great gospel! May you not only KNOW truth but may it set you free to OBEY Him. ONLY HE GIVES ABUNDANT JOY!

I love you each in the Name of Christ,

Tristie Fisher

BLESSINGS to you “Living Water” Friends! As I studied the 7 miracles of CHRIST, I was amazed at many things. The greatest sentence I read was that “miracles are intended to “ENGENDER BELIEF” (T. Nelson NKJB)!***Doesn’t it fit with the FACT that the word “BELIEVE” (in the Greek “pisteuo”) occurs 90 times in this Gospel?!

I. DEFINE MIRACLE -My personal definition of “miracle”  is an act Jesus Christ performed while on earth to confirm his Diety. (In the Greek, the word is translated “signs” or “semeion” or “semeia”). ****In addition, the apostles performed “signs” to attest to their divine callings (or authority) from God. If a typical definition of  a miracle is the supernatural power of God (think parting of the Red Sea or the raising of Lazarus) entering the natural world of mankind, then I am led to believe most miracles, OF THIS NATURE, have ceased.

***YET, can miracles happen today? YES. HE IS GOD UNHINDERED BY ANYTHING! Generally, I think in these cases, these are a specific work of a personal God in performing something HE has already promised in Scripture. (See Hebrews 2:4)

II. JESUS IN ACTION!

I love that in every miracle HE IS IN ACTION!

• TURNING Water to Wine
• HEALING the Official’s Son
• HEALING the Lame at Bethseda
• FEEDING the 5,000
• WALKING on Water
• HEALING the Blind Man
• RAISING Lazarus From the Dead

III. HERE ARE THE 7 MIRACLES AND THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN.

• Miracle #1 Ch.2:1-11 Turning Water to Wine-Jesus’ power over natural objects-He is Creator.
• Miracle #2 Ch.. 4:46-54 Healing the Official’s Son-Jesus’ power over death (and the fact that He healed the boy from a distance!) show He is not contained by space.
• Miracle #3 Ch.5:8 Healing the Lame Man (on the Sabbath!). I think the lessons here are:”Jesus is LORD over the Sabbath”, that He can heal, and that we are to rejoice in His healings!
• Miracle #4 Ch.6:1-15 Feeding the 5,000! The lesson here is only GOD can create. I always love to imagine the little boy who shared his lunch…he must have been proud that Master Jesus used his little gift to feed thousands!
• Miracle#5  Ch. 6:16-21 Jesus walking on the water must have shocked the disciples. Lesson here? He has complete control over nature….and consequently, my life!
• Miracle#6  Ch.9:38 A man, blind, ALL his life and Jesus gives him the glorious gift of sight. Perhaps the first face he saw was Christ’s! I love the man’s defense of Jesus and the way He worshipped Him.
• Miracle #7  Ch. 11:1-25 Raising of Lazarus. Unquestionably, my favorite miracle of all time! The final miracle proves HIS power to raise the dead and that He will raise us someday too because we “have believed in Him WHOM He has sent”!

Tristie Fisher, July 2010, “Living Water for a Thirsty Soul”

Guess what? We only have one more thing to discuss! How will we apply what we have learned? In my next post, we will discuss ideas to implement what we have studied! What do you think? Feel free to post on the discussion boards! How do we live as fountains of Living Water?!

Hey there THIRSTY SOULS! I pray you are enjoying EXPERIENCING (not just reading) the NAMES OF CHRIST with your group or on your own! I want to change and LEARN these names of the most powerful Being in the Universe who lived like a carpenter and loved like a shepherd.

• You are SMACK DAB in the middle of “Living Water for a Thirsty Soul”…way to go!! Last time I really looked , the study had made it around the world and hundreds have either read the study or are using it in their small group! NOW, that’s the COMMUNITY OF CHRIST! We will study the Seven Miracles next and then write out an application from what we have learned.

• TODAY, I have only ONE thing for you….relax, listen, and be renewed. Our good pal, Gary put my June 16 LIVE Teaching Time of the Book of John:”Living Water for a Thirsty Soul” up on my Facebook page.  (Click here to listen)  It’s 20 minutes to RAMP UP your weekend with live teaching. If that doesn’t work for you, we’ve posted it on the Grace Bible website w/ notes!  (Don’t forget to visit our Living Water Facebook page and make it a favorite!)

I love you and count it an honor to walk with you!

Tristie

HELLO FRIENDS!

I’m praying you are enjoying being SATURATED by His Word! In regard to the Seven “I AM’s” (or Names) of Jesus Christ, there are a few critical things to observe. This is, perhaps, the most powerful part of the book. WHY? Because HE identifies Himself through HIS own words.

1. I was astounded as I looked at the book again and noticed the words “I AM”. Remember, the cultural non-believing Jewish community did not even speak the sacred name of GOD (Yahweh). YET, Jesus proclaims it boldly! HE IS BRAVE ABOUT HIS IDENTITY!

2.Interesting observation for me: 2 of the 7 “I AM’s” are in direct relation to His identity as a shepherd. HE is the “DOOR” and He is the “GOOD SHEPHERD” of the sheep.

3.I was surprised that all the names of Christ (again the “I AM’S) are located between Chapters 6 and 15.

4.Finally, as you read this list, THINK DEEPLY (some call this study technique “interpreting” a bible verse) what you think it means.

• WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE IS “MY BREAD OF LIFE”? IS HE MY TRUE NOURISHMENT OR DO I CLING TO THINGS OTHER THAN JESUS?
• WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE IS THE “WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT THROUGH ME.” DOES THIS MEAN HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN?
• LASTLY, PERHAP MY FAVORITE VERSE IS JOHN 11:25 . Why? BECAUSE I BELIEVE JESUS DEFEATED DEATH AND MY SIN NATURE AT THE CROSS! DO YOU BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE THIS SECURITY?

HERE ARE THE SEVEN ”I AM’S” of Jesus Christ:

1. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.” (John 6:35, 41, 46, and 51)

2. “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” (John 8:12)

3. “I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP” (John 10:7,9)

4. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.” (John 10:11,14)

5. “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.” (John 11:25)

6.”I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.” (John 14:6)

7. “I AM THE TRUE VINE.” (John 15:1, 5)

Blessings in HIM,

Tristie Fisher, 2010

“Living Water for a Thirsty Soul”

Hello “LIVING WATER FOR A THIRSTY  SOUL” Bible Study Friends!

By now, I’ll bet you’ve printed out your study (available here or on our Facebook page) and begun to read the Book of John. Many gals have started answering some of the questions. TODAY, I thought I would share a but with you about “CHAPTER TITLES”.

CHAPTER TITLES are helpful because they help you understand the flow of the book and even begin to memorize it as you study.

Here are a few of mine…I need them to be easy to remember as I seek to learn the book!

• *Chapter 1-”The LOGOS (Greek for WORD) and the Lamb”
• *Chapter 2-”The Wine is the First Sign”
• *Chapter 3-”Nick @ Night”
• *Chapter 4- “Woman’s Lib!”
• *Chapter 5-”Opposition Begins”
• *Chapter 6- “Jesus Feed and Frees”
• *Chapter 7-”Believe & Watch LIVING WATER Flow”  (Verses 7:37-39 are key verses)
• *Chapter 8-”The People Defy Jesus”
• *Chapter 9-”Blind Man Healed”
• *Chapter 10-”Jesus=Shepherd”
• *Chapter 11-”The Lives(s) of Lazarus!”

How’s that for a start for you? Just Read the chapter .Write down the things that stand out to you. Now, give it a title! Anything to help you remember that particular chapter!

BLESSINGS, PEACE, and JOY!

Tristie

HELLO “LIVING WATER” FRIENDS! ARE YOU READY TO DIVE IN?

If you’ve printed off your study from the FB site “Living Water for a Thirsty Soul” or at www.tristiefisher.com (click “here”), then you have already looked through the questions and read my note to you at the beginning.

**Isn’t it wonderful to think that one of our first assignments is just to READ THE WORD? SATURATE YOUR MIND WITH TRUTH.

*I thought as you begin to read through John, you might enjoy a little extra information to go along with your reading.

*Any time you read a book of the Bible (whether Epistle or Gospel) you want to know some info about the background or overview of the book. I think it adds COLOR to the text and new understanding of the intended purpose!

HERE A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE BOOK AND THE APOSTLE:

• *The Fourth Gospel-The Book of John
• *The Author-John
• The Date-Between A.D. 85-90
• The Audience that John is writing to-Gentiles
• The Reason he wrote the book-to answer the question all people have had since the beginning of time-“Who is Jesus Christ?“
• *He is also known as one of the “Sons of Thunder” Jesus refers to. (In another chapter, their mother asks that her sons be foremost in Jesus’ kingdom.)
• *The Apostle John also wrote I John, II John, III John, and Revelation.
• *Nearly all commentators agree that the Book of John is the best book to describe who Jesus says He is.
• *It is exceedingly evangelistic.
• *According to tradition, John did not die a martyr’s death, but was banished to the Isle of Patmos after being boiled in oil! He died years later of a “natural” death.
• *The Book of John is 21 chapters.

* Hope that little overview gives you a taste for what you are starting to read in the Book of John. I plan on writing  a commentary for the first few chapters in my next post.

GETTING STARTED

1. *May I suggest that you begin reading  John chapter 1 and read through to John chapter 4? Grab a pen and paper, have your Bible Study with you and simply jot things down that are interesting to you.
2. *Questions I ask might be “Why did Jesus do that? or “What does this verse really mean?”
3. *I love to write down verses that ENCOURAGE ME to “KEEP ON KEEPING ON”! I write down these verses (that reorient my mind to what is true) and post them around my house — even in my car! It truly is “Living Water” and “The Bread of Life” for me.

I KNOW IT CAN BE FOR YOU,TOO.

May the LORD bless your time with Him,

Tristie

Do you need refreshment, substance, freedom, and life-change? Then, this study about the Book of John is for you! If you’re like me, I need time in the Word with the LIVING WATER, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, to be refreshed!

• REFRESHMENT…This book is full of living water and living God. Whether it’s the 7 “I Am” NAMES OF JESUS, 7 signs of His power, or understanding YOUR identity….every word of it is water to a thirsty soul. Do you need this?

• SUBSTANCE…For me, this study covers the most powerful Gospel written. In every chapter, there is fresh knowledge-gems of truth that GOD wants to give you! The study is structured with solid questions reflecting on your observations of the text. As you meditate on the words of Christ, you will be changed.

• FREEDOM…I wrote this study with many audiences in mind. I wanted you to be able to complete as much or as little…according to your “STAGE OF LIFE”. Some of us are retired, college students, traveling gals, or new mothers. SET YOUR PACE AND DO IT YOUR WAY! Whether you complete all the questions or read through the book a few times, this study  WILL be a blessing you because HIs Words LIVE and meet your deepest THIRST!

• LIFE-CHANGE …There is absolutely no way to read of Christ as “The GOOD Shepherd” or you as “HIS OWN” and not be changed. Even reading through the chapters, my heart is quickened, my thirst satisfied, and my hunger abated. MY NEEDS CAN BE MET. My prayer for you is that you would sense the FULLNESS, too!

JOIN the many women in “cyperspace” who are involved in this study! The Book of John, written by the Beloved Disciple is one to know for a lifetime. Many of you have requested a “mini-commentary” every few weeks…I will gladly share with you what I am learning!

Blessings on you and click here to experience “LIVING WATER FOR THE THIRSTY SOUL”, Tristie Fisher

Hello FRIENDS! I had a delightful weekend-worshiping with friends and having the JOY of teaching Colossians 1:15-22 and Colossians 3:12-17. My dear friend, Kelly shared Colossians 3:1-4! It was an AMAZING conference called “MASTERPIECE 2010″ at Grace Bible Church in College Station, TX. with 600 gals, hosted by 2 godly women-Donna and Ashley!

The powerful music, beautiful lyrical dance, glorious art work, and inspiring coffeehouse added to the work God did. For many, a favorite part were the OPPORTUNITIES we have to contribute to the needs of the WORLD…India, Haiti, Uganda to name a few. Isn’t it overwhelming to SEE GOD change our focus from ourselves to others?

Many of you reading this blog are those very special 600 women. I LOVED being with you & studying His Word together. If you are like me, you have looked over your notes, experienced “MASTERPIECE 2010″, and are coming down to this week’s schedule. Let’s POWER UP and remember what we know is TRUE….fact over feelings! Shall we “exfoliate that smack and moisturize with living water”?

HERE is a 30 second “HOW TO WALK WITH GOD”…call it a “YOUTUBE” version!

1. READ THE BIBLE..pick a book that you can read over the next 30 days..maybe Philippians, Colossians, or (my fave Gospel) the Book of John. Grab some paper and write down your thoughts and points of action. Ask yourself…”What am I learning about Jesus here? What are the key words? What are the direct commands?” (This is that mini-observation lesson we talked about!) GET A PAL TO DO THIS WITH YOU!

2. PRAY. Remember prayer is just talking with God...get in a routine of talking with Him while you drive,work out, cook, clean, study, get ready to go on a date, etc. He is WAITING to hear you and wants to answer. Maybe get a group together to lift up each other’s personal needs!

3.FIND A CHURCH..one that teach Jesus is who He says He is and the Bible is true..all of it. You will be blessed by the fellowship and friendships!

4.READ CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHIES...I mentioned how MUCH these changed my life…my eyes were lifted to the world and how I could be a part of something way bigger than me! My personal faves are James Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward and Adonirum Judson. Let them impact your FUTURE! (YWAM website is great!)

HOW’S THAT FOR A START? As we talked about last weekend, God knew you before time began and has a PLAN for you (Jer. 29:11). His plan includes rich blessing, fulfillment, and joy!

Love you, DEAR sisters!

Tristie Fisher

www.grace-bible.org or www.tristiefisher.com

“Hey, what do you do to your skin? You look only 40!”

(I always feel good about that because I am only 41!)

Through the years of gleaning “beauty wisdom” from magazines to professionals themselves, here’s a quick run-down on how to make your own  Facial Mask . These masks can exfoliate, moisturize, rejuvenate your marriage, solve your job- crisis problem,  and well…clean your face.  See what you think!

My Cheap Favorite…. The White Sugar Mask
I read in a magazine about a stressed-out photographer and “model prep” gal who had no materials in which to exfoliate “their girls’ faces” .
The “prep gal” reached over and grabbed white sugar packets off the breakfast trays. It did the trick…not only do “they work the best because of their cone-shaped molecular structure”. When she said that, I was sold…especially by her scientific words. I know good beauty/science intelligence when I hear it!

The Oatmeal Mask
I do this one, also. This is designed for that “tired” skin that just needs to be reminded “Hey, you are important too!” .On a clean face, combine oatmeal and water into paste and slap it on your visage. Let it dry and voila! You have French skin devoid of all flaws!  Moisturize quickly or you will smell like breakfast, according to my daughter.

The Chocolate Mask
Seriously?! YES! This is my favorite (and other gals I know!) . Now, the trick here is you have to BUY it…but $1.50….dreamy!.  You slice open the packet and smell 3 Musketeers!  On a clean face, smear that goodness all over your face…but don’t eat it….it’s made for your pores, not your taste buds. I don’t think I can try to make it because to be honest, I just don’t like that cocoa   “semi-sweet “ bitterness smell. Go ahead-buy the real one. I promise your children will kiss you good-night happily!

The Yogurt Mask
This is real deal….everyone in the Beauty Industry seems to talk about it and recommend it . BUT, I will tell while I am a big fan of eating plain yogurt for good intestinal activity… it hurt!  I delicately applied the yogurt and it stung and turned my face beet red. Maybe it was just me , but I did not look younger or like a supermodel at the end of that experience… but, who knows? Maybe it’s just good for your gut.

Last , The Classic “Clay” Mask
This is the one we all grew up with…fun gal pal parties with green clay faces, hair piled high in towels, and paintin’ our toes..teehee!
I loved these! My sister and I loved to do these kind of masks, but I think that they were the only ones available. Now, you can get Pumpkin seed, Aloe Vera, and Papaya.  Pretty soon, maybe they will make some for women with  attitude problems, disobedient children, and  P.M.S. ! Brilliant!

Have a great week….enjoy the FACT that Jesus loves you just the way are….in your own skin!

Tristie Fisher, Grace Bible Church, 2010