November 7, 2023 • 28 mins
In our solar system, The Milky Way, there are 1000’s of star clusters. A cluster makes an impact because alone each star may not stand out but together they make a powerful light image. Clusters are powerful because there is synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts: synergistic symphony— where synergistic parts work together they accomplish more than they could ever accomplish alone.
The rare Globular star clusters are held together by mutual gravitational attraction. Interestingly, we as Christian’s have mutual gravitational attraction in our purpose and our calling. At the same time we are so very different- in cultural backgrounds, seasons of life, capacity and gifting. But as we come together and live out loving God and pointing people to Jesus TOGETHER, then we shine with synergistic parts and make an impact in a cluster.
We are delighted to welcome Jessica Gilbert, the creative mastermind behind making magic happen on our Instagram reels, to share her insights on working out of her gifting on The Called to Shine Team. Is there something God has put on your heart, that could be accomplished in a cluster? Watch for who God might bring in your life for you to each work out of your gifting, and accomplish more together than you ever would alone.
As the Christmas season draws near, before all the decorating, shopping, and school events take over, don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate and adore The Savior. This is a great time to shine in a cluster, by going through The Advent Study together with friends, family or neighbors. We'll walk through the first Christmas, in The Bible, drawing from our NBS2GO Advent Bible study, a free resource found at nbs2go.com. You can also find it on You Version: Advent: Come Let Us Adore Him.
So, come listen in and experience the joy of studying God’s Word, the power of community, and the beauty of our unique gifts. Let's shine brighter - together!
SOCIAL MEDIA: @called_toshine Instagram.
Follow us on Instagram and enjoy the community as we spur each other on through inspiration, encouragement, and equipping.
And always you can find resources to help you connect to the people around you at NBS2GO! (nbs2go.com)
— A ministry of NBS2GO: Neighbor Bible Studies to Go and Cru
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jesslyn Adams (00:02):
Hello, Jesslyn here and Pam, welcome to the
community where we explore howJesus is our light and we are
here to spur each other on tolove God and others right where
we live.
We are called to shine In oursolar system, the Milky Way,
there are thousands of starclusters.
150 of the more rare globularstar clusters have been
(00:25):
identified.
More common are the thousandsof open clusters.
A cluster makes an impactbecause alone each star may not
stand out, but together theymake a powerful light image.
Consider Pleiades, one of themost famous clusters.
You can find it as you look atOrion the hunter with the three
stars in his belt and then go upto the stars in his sword.
They point to Pleiades.
Clusters are powerful becausethere is synergy, and you can
(00:48):
even see this cluster with thenaked eye, where the whole is
greater than the sum of theindividual parts.
Syngistic symphony sin meanstogether with or united.
When synergistic parts worktogether, they accomplish more
than they could ever accomplishalone.
Pam McCune (01:04):
These rare globular star clusters.
They are held together bymutual gravitational attraction,
reminds me.
As Christians we have mutualgravitational attraction in our
purpose and calling, but at thesame time we are so very
different in cultural background, seasons of life, capacity,
giftings, as well as where weare in our faith, but drawn
(01:26):
together toward that one poolGod and our desire to walk with
him, know him and make him known.
I've experienced thispersonally in my own life and
neighborhood.
33 years ago I would getinvolved missions, kids ministry
, women's ministry, and oneother person kept being in each
opportunity that I had.
We quickly learned we had thesame heart of loving God and
(01:49):
wanting to be involved in lovingpeople and helping them love
God.
We also learned we werecompletely opposite
personalities and giftings.
She was a pioneer, taking risks,stepping out.
I am a detailed person wholikes research and follow
through, but please don't makeme be the risk taker.
Together we've tackled so manyprojects she running ahead,
(02:10):
taking the risk, and me duckingbehind, picking up all the
pieces.
We say together that we makeone complete person.
We each have a plethora ofweaknesses and both have some
strengths but, as only God cando, they complement each other.
He brought us together so oftenthat we finally realized we
work well together.
So Kim and I have hosted radiotogether for five years, wrote
(02:33):
two books and we traveled for 15years speaking and, most dear
to my heart, we built houses twodoors down from each other,
raised our kids, hostingneighborhood events, carrying
each other's hurts, joys,tackling challenges and
celebrating wins.
She can see what I can't and Iam thankful for God's scene that
(02:54):
I needed her.
You know, in the Bible there areover a hundred different verses
about one another.
Even in Hebrews 10, we asbelievers are challenged to spur
each other on to loving gooddeeds.
God knows we need each other tospur each other on and to be in
it.
Together we are better together.
Has God put something on yourheart that you see you need help
(03:14):
in accomplishing?
Or maybe it would just be moredelightful to do with someone
else Watch for who God mightbring to mind or in your path
that has the same heart andcomplementary giftings to be
together.
Today we are so excited towelcome a bright star in our
called to shine cluster TodayJessica Gilbert, who uses her
(03:35):
creative giftings makingInstagram magic happen.
Jessica and I have workedtogether intently for the last
two years when I sent thecalling to create an Instagram
account that focused on being alight to those around us with a
sensitivity to millennials andGen Z, and I knew I needed some
creative millennial juices.
I actually didn't know Jessicawell, but God put her on my
(03:57):
heart and I remember when Ifirst asked her if she would
join me on this adventure andbasically she said how did you
know I would like this?
I love things like this.
Well, I didn't know, but Goddid, and he put her on my mind.
Jessica, it is so good to haveyou with us.
Jessica Gilbert (04:14):
I'm so excited to be here and just to see the
podcast finally launching.
It's been a dream of ours for along time.
I am a West Coast girl, bornand raised in Southern
California.
I graduated from Arizona StateUniversity.
I met my mid-western husbandand moved to Texas together
about 10 years ago.
We have three kids who are four, two and one year old.
(04:37):
So I am very much in the thickof motherhood and that's really
why I love being part ofneighbor Bible studies to go and
doing what we do here withcalled to shine, that I get to
serve alongside my family rightwhere I'm at.
Jesslyn Adams (04:50):
How has working on the called to shine Instagram
played into your own strengthsand gifting?
Jessica Gilbert (04:55):
Yeah.
So I think everybody's acreative person.
I just find that my creativitydoesn't really come through
drawing or writing, but it's increating visual and video
content.
For example really enjoyedmaking a video post, something
that I experienced in myneighborhood.
It was about taking a meal to aneighbor.
You're expecting a certainreaction.
(05:16):
You put so much effort intoputting the meal together and
how much are they going to loveit and then you get there and
you get a different reactionthan when you're expecting and
even a negative reaction.
Getting this video together,getting to use my creativity,
giving people relatable content,that's just fun for me.
I love doing the Instagram.
I get to record and rerecordthings as I see fit.
Pam McCune (05:39):
I think it comes across that it's really fun.
You really shine when you'redoing it and that post that you
were talking about it keepsgetting more views.
It's had 21,000 views, Wow, andit's so creative and I can say
you really do work out of yourgiftings and it's so amazing to
what you work.
I've learned a lot from workingwith you.
I think I love that we're sodifferent but then we have so
(06:02):
much alike.
I think we're much bettertogether.
Jesslyn, can you tell us moreabout your strengths and were?
You would like someone to comealongside of you.
Jesslyn Adams (06:10):
This is funny, pam, because, as I heard you
talk about your friend Kim,there's some similarities From
different feedback and reviews.
I've been told that I'moptimistic, outgoing, and I'm
ready to take risk and try newthings.
I love pioneering new thingswith enthusiasm.
I love connecting to peopleeasily.
Where I need help is forsomeone to come alongside me and
help me to stay the course offinish what I start.
(06:32):
When Pam told me about thepodcast, we were dreaming about
it.
I mean, I've been chomping atthe bit.
I was just ready to startblazing and you, on the other
hand, were like we're going topray.
God's timing is the best timing.
There's a lot to do to getprepared.
I'm like, oh yeah, I need help.
Help me get organized thedetails and help me to persevere
when things get hard ordifficult.
Pam McCune (06:51):
At the very beginning, as we were
brainstorming and dreaming, Ilearned you didn't enjoy sitting
on things.
You enjoy bringing things tocompletion, moving on.
Jesslyn Adams (07:00):
Oh yes.
Pam McCune (07:01):
That has really been good for me.
I see how God has put ustogether.
You help me when I get stuck inthe weeds because I can get
really focused.
Jessica and Jesslyn, you bothdo this for me.
You come alongside me and youhelp me make a decision and then
you help me move on.
I like how you can see the bigpicture when I'm stuck in the
minutia.
I very much need a Jessica anda Jesslyn.
(07:23):
One thing I'm wondering,Jesslyn, were you always willing
to run out and take risk?
Jesslyn Adams (07:28):
You know, back in high school when you got
superlatives I said I was likemost outgoing and most daring.
If someone did a dare I woulddo it.
I just want to be adventurous.
I want to do many things.
As I get older I'm noticingthat decreases a little bit as I
have littles under my care.
In fact, jessica, we were atour retreat for our team last
February and it was pretty coldoutside and there was a lake in
(07:48):
a kayak.
Jessica said, hey, I want to goon this, he'll go with me.
Oh wait, I've got Jesslyn, I'lldo it.
And I said yes, ma'am, I will.
Jessica Gilbert (07:56):
We had the fun and I had fun with you.
Jesslyn Adams (07:58):
I honestly didn't know it was going to happen and
I got wet when it was 40degrees, but it was super fun
and probably one of myhighlights of that.
Jessica Gilbert (08:04):
Mine too.
Pam McCune (08:05):
OK, Jessica, tell us , what about you growing up?
Where did that creativity andall the things that make you
tick come out as a child?
Jessica Gilbert (08:13):
You know, my mom often told me wow, you're so
good at this or you're socreative.
I don't really see it as a kid.
Pam McCune (08:18):
What about music?
When did music come into yourlife?
Jessica Gilbert (08:22):
Well, that's a good question.
I got to learn piano as a kidsing it plays, that was really
fun.
And then what was reallyspecial was when I went on a
camping trip with my freshmanBible study and these guys in
the group taught me how to playthe guitar overnight.
It was cool that they took thetime to do that and from there I
(08:42):
just learned hey, I couldactually play a song.
That's fun for me.
Pam McCune (08:46):
You have so many giftings that we get to see and
that we get the benefits of.
Thank you, yes.
Jesslyn Adams (08:52):
And I love hearing all of our strengths in
the way God's wired us.
I believe Jesus saw the valuein the body of Christ, serving
together, being better together.
In Luke 10, we see Jesus sentthem out, 70 of his followers,
to the other cities andneighborhoods to get to know the
people and point them to Jesus.
He sent them out in twos, notalone, to prepare people for
Jesus' arrival in their city tobe a light.
(09:15):
I see many benefits to shiningtogether in a cluster by
partnering up with friends whoshare a similar desire for
others to know Jesus personally.
Currently, right now, I have adear friend named Carolyn who
has a deep desire for herneighbors to know Jesus.
She approached me about helpingfacilitate one of our NBS to
go's light Bible study in herneighborhood and over the couple
(09:35):
months that we've been meetingtogether I have quickly seen how
much it is a blessing to servealongside Carolyn, to have a
partner.
She is so intentional ingetting to know these women.
She has name tags ready, shehas snacks prepared, makes a
cozy little environment to sit.
She sends out weekly texts andreminders and prayer requests
and we take turns facilitatingand asking questions in the
(09:57):
Bible study.
I cannot emphasize enough howspecial it is to do with this
woman.
Carolyn is so special and kindand faithful, and she and I
bring different things to thetable in different perspectives,
and together we try andencourage others.
Jessica Gilbert (10:10):
Jesslyn that's awesome that you and Carolyn
shared those responsibilities ofleading your neighbors and
Bible study together, because Istruggle with thinking, oh,
everyone's busy doing theirthing, this is just my
responsibility, when in realityI need others to help and others
want to help.
Just a couple weeks ago I threwa fall block party for our
neighbors.
It was a big undertaking.
(10:31):
I ended up being so gratefulthat many others shared this
vision of being a light to ourneighborhood, because there's no
way I could have done it alone.
My husband helped plan it withme.
Neighbors brought food to share.
Someone brought the mostamazing fried rice.
A friend came to support me tohelp me host and hold my kids so
I could focus on havingconversations with my neighbors.
(10:52):
And then, when we were wrappingup the party and the hosting
fatigue was setting in, acommunity group from my church
came and helped tear down andclean up.
When we were at our tiredest.
They were there to help.
I was so grateful.
I could not have done it alone.
Pam McCune (11:06):
I'm curious in hosting neighborhood events, do
you have a part that you'refavorite, you really enjoy doing
?
That's a good question.
Jessica Gilbert (11:13):
I think I like having had hosted the event and
looking back on the highlight ofit During the event.
I'm not going to lie, I have torely on God, try not to get
stressed out because I'm anintrovert and I got three little
kids I'm trying to constantlykeep track of and again that
critical mind of like, oh, thiscould be better.
(11:33):
So I like having had hostedpeople and looking back on wow,
that was a really coolconversation.
I'm so thankful that God gaveme that moment to spend with
this young girl in myneighborhood, or we got to make
someone in our neighborhoodsmile today.
Those are probably my favoriteparts.
Pam McCune (11:48):
That actually makes sense to me.
I do see.
While it's going on, you'rewanting to make it better and
everything go right, and I loveit, jessica, of how your
community group saw man.
Jesslyn Adams (11:57):
She's probably going to be tired.
We should come help clean up.
Who offers to do that?
In fact, we had Halloween theother night.
A friend of mine from my Biblestudy that was coming to help us
asked would you like helpsetting up or tearing down?
I said tearing down.
I love it that your friendsoffered to help and it's such a
beautiful picture of God usingdifferent people with different
gifts coming together to shineeven brighter.
(12:18):
As we head into the Christmasholiday season, our calendars
can quickly fill with parties,school events, decorating and
shopping, but we don't want tomiss the opportunity to stop and
adore the savior that we arecelebrating.
One way I do this is bygathering with friends and
neighbors looking at the firstChristmas in the Bible of
Jesus's arrival.
In this event, doing it in acluster is key.
(12:38):
I need Carolyn and others tohelp me host and facilitate the
discussion.
Our crew neighbor Bible Studiesto Go team has created Bible
studies in over 40 languagesthat are free and accessible
online for anyone to use fortheir own personal Bible time,
one-on-one or in a group study.
You can access these on ourwebsite at mbstogocom.
(13:00):
Nbs to Go's heart is to seecommunities transform through
the power of God's word.
We have many tips and tools toencourage and equip people in
developing relationships,studying God's word and inviting
others to Bible studies.
You might be thinking why arethese any different?
The NBS to go Bible studies area very simple format, easy to
facilitate and the opportunityto marinate on one passage for
(13:23):
five days.
Each day has one to twoquestions that help you immerse
yourself in that passage.
Sometimes I get intimidated byquestions that want me to give
one right answer and Iappreciate that these questions
have all backgrounds that cananswer and take part.
Jessica Gilbert (13:36):
Okay, I just gotta say that, for someone
who's been a little worn outfrom doing some Bible studies, I
felt initially doubtful aboutthe whole reading the same
scripture over and over again,part like am I gonna get bored?
I was pleasantly surprised atthis study because it engaged me
in a different way, makingfamiliar passages come to life.
The questions are differentthan what I'm used to and I like
(13:59):
that you can go as in-depth asyou have capacity for.
Sometimes I only have fiveminutes, other times I have a
little longer and can kind ofsit in the passage more and soak
in it.
Either way, I experience closerconnection to Jesus' story
through this study.
Jesslyn Adams (14:13):
Each day I might gain something different.
I'll think, okay, I'm gonnareread this passage, I remember
what it says, but then God sayssomething different to me that
day.
I get pumped thinking about it.
Ladies, in fact, why don't wegive our listeners a taste of
our MBS2Go Advent study togetherright now Sounds good to me.
Let's do it.
The season of Advent is upon us.
Christians have observed Adventto remember Jesus' birth and
(14:36):
anticipate his return since thefourth century.
It is a season of contemplationand celebration.
Advent is a Latin word meaningcoming arrival.
This is an Advent study thatfocuses on the scriptures
directly related to Jesus'arrival.
It has four weeks of contentand if you've never led a Bible
study, nothing to fear.
Our Leaders Guide on the MBS2Gowebsite helps anyone easily
(14:58):
facilitate this Bible study.
Pam McCune (14:59):
This Advent study is a good option for people with
different backgrounds ofdenominations, different
religions, or even someone whohas no spiritual background at
all, since it isn't coming fromone denomination but directly
scripture that asks twoquestions a day for five days.
When you get together, you getto go through those 10 questions
(15:20):
and discuss what stood out toyou and what you saw.
It's always good to have anicebreaker question for everyone
to answer at the beginning, towarm up, to be in together as we
think about Christmas.
There are many differentoptions from what is your
favorite Christmas smell orcandle, or your favorite
Christmas tradition or memory.
Jesslyn Adams (15:38):
And as we look at the Advent study week, one
passage.
Right now we're going to answeryour questions from two of the
days today.
Let's start with an icebreaker,like Pam suggested, so do
either of y'all have a favoriteChristmas smell or candle?
Jessica Gilbert (15:50):
I mean, wouldn't everybody say Christmas
tree?
That's my favorite and probablyI miss it the most because we
have had a fake tree.
You know, any candle thatsmells like a Christmas tree,
I'm all about it.
Pam McCune (15:59):
I'm a cinnamon girl.
I like anything with cloves andcinnamon.
Jesslyn Adams (16:04):
I love that.
I'm like you, pam.
I love, like an apple spiceconnection.
I think I have that in some ofour plugins right now.
Why don't we get started, pam,would you mind reading aloud
Matthew 1, 18 through 25 andLuke chapter 2, 1 through 7?
.
Pam McCune (16:18):
In Matthew 1.
It says this is how the birthof Jesus came about.
His mother, mary, was pledgedto be married to Joseph, but
before they came together shewas found to be with child
through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph, her husband,was a righteous man and did not
want to expose her to publicdisgrace, he had in mind to
divorce her quietly.
But after he considered this,an angel of the Lord appeared to
(16:40):
him in a dream and said Joseph,son of David, do not be afraid
to take Mary home as your wife,because what is conceived in her
is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son.
You were to give him the nameJesus.
All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through
the prophet.
The virgin will be with childand give birth to a son, and
they will call him Emmanuel,which means God with us.
(17:04):
When Joseph woke up, he didwhat the angel of the Lord
commanded him and took Mary homeas his wife.
But he had no union with heruntil she gave birth to a son
and he gave him the name Jesus.
In Luke 2,.
In those days, caesar Augustusissued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entireRoman world.
This was the first census thattook place while Quirinius was
(17:26):
governor of Syria and everyonewent to his own town to register
.
So Joseph also went up to thetown of Nazareth in Galilee, to
Judea, to Bethlehem, the town ofDavid, because he belonged in
the house in line of David.
He went there to register withMary, who was pledged to be
married to him and was expectinga child.
When they were there, the timecame for the baby to be born and
(17:48):
she gave birth to her firstbornson.
She wrapped him in cloths andplaced him in a manger, because
there was no room for them inthe end.
Thanks, pam.
Jesslyn Adams (17:58):
All right.
So let's imagine that we're inthis passage, as crazy as it
seems.
Describe the setting, thesights, the smell and whatever
you might hear and how might youfeel in this situation.
Jessica Gilbert (18:09):
This is my favorite question.
I don't think anyone has everasked me this question when
reading a Bible passage beforethis study.
When I go back and read this,there's a few things that stand
out to me, like even just nowrealizing the angel appeared
doing them a dream Like why didthe angel phone it in?
The angel didn't just show up?
Was he afraid of freakingJoseph out?
Or he was too tired to show upin person?
(18:30):
I think that's kind ofinteresting.
Having my third child a yearago, thinking about Mary, you
know what would she feel.
Can't imagine how uncomfortableit would be to have to take a
journey on foot or donkey like90 some miles away from home in
your third trimester.
When I was pregnant, I remembersitting in a comfortable Toyota
Camry and being oh, I'm so inpain right now, complaining left
(18:53):
and right, I can't imagine her.
Or just even walking I maybewalked two miles a day and that
was really challenging.
So for her to make that journey.
I can feel the discomfort there, oh yeah.
Pam McCune (19:06):
I kind of think about my weaknesses of
overpacking.
Whenever we go to a conferenceI show up with four bags and
nobody has room in their car tobring them home.
I'm like, how do you prep tohave a baby on the road on a
donkey?
Like what would you pack to beready for that?
I can't even imagine.
But obviously God had a plan.
I love, jessica, that youpointed out about this angel
(19:27):
coming during the dream, becausewe were given a lot of details
that he was planning on adivorce.
To be betrothed meant they hadall the ceremony, all the parts,
except for sealed the deal, youknow the honeymoon part.
That hadn't happened, but stillthey had to have a formal
divorce to end it, that he caredso much that she was going to
(19:47):
become a public disgrace.
It sounds like he was anxiousand stressed about it and he did
what I do when I get stressed Itake a nap and God's like
that's fine, you can take a nap,I'm still going to intervene in
your thoughts.
And he sent Gabe to go talk tohim.
In the dream, god met him inhis coping skills of getting
away from the stress.
Jesslyn Adams (20:08):
That's so interesting.
I never thought I'd be likethat, pam.
It's neat to see the Lord workthrough that.
Jessica, I can relate to beingin the car, having a ton of
contractions and complainingthat I was in a car.
It's better than what she had.
It's just nuts to think I'drather not have my baby in my
hometown or my house or myhospital with all the
conveniences that we have.
Lord, have mercy Also to be inJoseph's shoes and have an angel
(20:31):
of the Lord visit you and tellyou that Mary is pregnant by the
Holy Spirit.
Wow, I'd feel shocked, scared,maybe excited too.
Let's move on to day four.
Question what hope does thispassage offer, and what hope
does this passage give youspecifically?
Jessica Gilbert (20:46):
When I consider how uncomfortable Mary was.
It kind of makes me think ofhow that's just like trusting
God.
In our daily lives Today we gothrough things that make us
groan and complain and questionlike why is this so hard right
now?
But we put our hope in thecoming of Christ into our daily
lives and when he'll ultimatelycome back.
(21:06):
Think about all the disgustingsmells that Jesus was born into
and how he deserves so muchbetter.
But that that's a God I can putmy hope and trust in, a God who
is an above the suffering thateven the lowest of lows would
have experienced.
And for me personally, I justthink of how I need that hope,
even in the daily things thatmake me groan and complain.
(21:28):
My sweet son just needing to beheld all the time, his whole 25
pound self plus.
At the same time I got a twoyear old.
That's like Mom take me pottyand try to like carry both of
them and it's like why?
What is going on right now?
Having hope that God is goingto get me through anything, all
these things are temporary andhe offers relief.
(21:48):
That's something that gives mehope.
Pam McCune (21:51):
I relate to that.
God would have his son,Having Jesus come, that was in a
manger and a stable with theanimals around, and choosing to
see it as good that God met Maryand Joseph in the midst of it
(22:11):
to give them a blessing ofgetting to raise Jesus and have
this child that had beenwatching for for hundreds of
years.
That had been the silent yearsof when will the Messiah come.
And here they both got the newsthat they were going to be a
part of it and that when Josephwoke up from his dream he didn't
make a pro con list, he didn'tanalyze while I obey or not obey
(22:31):
.
It sounds like he woke up andhe went and took Mary home as
his wife.
That gives me hope for me whenthe hard things come, to say you
know what?
God has a plan and he can getme through it and I can choose
to be hopeful and joyful and tosee what's going to come out of
it.
Mary and Joseph did, and theygot to raise God's son and see
(22:52):
the glory of God, the salvationin her the world.
Jesslyn Adams (22:55):
I love those thoughts.
I'm thinking too, no matter thedifficult circumstance that I'm
in, what y'all talked about,whether littles or whatever
stage of life family member notdoing well physically, no matter
what prophecy was fulfilled andwe have a manual God with us,
like we have, jesus with usevery day in relationship with
him.
That gives me immense hope thatI don't have to be fearful or
(23:18):
scared because he's right therewith me.
This was just a simple taste ofthe admin study, just a couple
days.
I love it when we do thistogether.
We read, he speaks and we aretransformed.
When we study the Bibletogether, god promises to reveal
himself, to teach us how toobey him and to show us how to
love one another.
And when we are changed tobecome more like Jesus, our
(23:39):
family, workplaces andcommunities will be eternally
impacted.
And when we do it together, ina cluster, it takes all the
responsibility off one personand lets you work out of your
strengths and we can shine evenbrighter.
Pam McCune (23:52):
I don't know if you have had an opportunity to do
the Advent study on you version.
We have all four weeks on theyou version plan.
You go to Advent come, let usadore him.
It has 20 days.
You can do that in the fourweeks of five days each week or
you could just go 20 days and doit personally, but it's also
set up that you can do it withfriends.
(24:13):
When you go to the plan and yousay start plan, it will ask you
the question do it by yourselfor to do it with a group?
And if you're doing it with agroup, the next thing it'll give
you a link so that you can sendit out to anyone you want to
invite to do it with you.
One of the things I like aboutthe you version is that it will
actually read the verses to meeach day If I click audio or
(24:35):
it'll show it to me and I canread it right there and it has
the two questions.
And then afterwards I can goand there's a place where it
says talk about it and you canshare your thoughts and your
friends, your family, yourneighbors if you want to do it
online together can share theirthoughts as well, Jessica,
you've done different studies inyour neighborhood.
How did you invite others to doa study with you?
Jessica Gilbert (24:55):
Yeah.
So at that block party that wejust had, we had a contact sheet
and asked people to indicate ifthey were interested in doing a
neighborhood Bible study.
A couple of ladies said yes,and I'm thinking about inviting
them to try this Advent study.
One thing about them is thattheir first language is
Vietnamese.
I'd love for them to get to seethe questions in both languages
, is that?
Pam McCune (25:15):
an option.
It's a great option and that'swhat I love about so many
languages that we've alreadytranslated for the Advent study
is that each person can read it,because they're free and
they're easy to download so theycan look at it on their
computer, on their phone, or youcould print it out and then
they're looking at the samequestions in Vietnamese as you
(25:36):
are in English.
I've done it in other countries.
One time in Turkey, a group ofus were together and we were
looking in five differentlanguages at the same time.
It was phenomenal.
It was a beautiful picture ofthe world coming together.
Jesslyn Adams (25:49):
Wow.
Recently my home church.
We had some pastors from Ugandacome and I'm thinking, oh my
goodness, we have connectionsthere.
I can resource them with theseBible studies.
It's not just what we can dowith others, but we can share
these resources for other peopleto use.
What I love about it is I havepeople come into these Bible
studies that have said this isthe first time I think I'm
(26:11):
really studying the Bible, likeme and God sitting down.
They're seeing God speak tothem and they are eager to speak
up.
And I love these questionsbecause they're open-ended.
The people are sharing personalthings, the group's really
connecting and they're invitingtheir friends.
It's just a privilege.
I feel like we just provided aspace and God's the one doing
(26:32):
the work.
Pam McCune (26:32):
That's incredible, jesslyn, jessica, any highlights
that you have.
Jessica Gilbert (26:36):
I've led a study with elementary and high
school aged girls and thequestions are simply put enough
that a younger audience could dothem.
I've really enjoyed that.
One of the studies the questionwas draw out what you are
envisioning as you read thispassage, and they got into it
and they actually remembered theverse.
That was super cool.
(26:56):
They walked away rememberingwhat it was we learned because
they were drawing at the sametime.
Pam McCune (27:01):
And Jessica, what a joy it is to shine with you in a
cluster as the three of us getto carry this baton together to
present to people called toshine Instagram and called to
shine podcast.
What a treat to have you on theprogram today.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
If you had one last word ofadvice about shining in a
(27:21):
cluster, what would you say?
Jessica Gilbert (27:23):
I would say don't be afraid to ask, Don't be
afraid to invite somebody tocome alongside you and reach out
.
They can just be in it with youand ask you to process with
them.
That's the biggest thing.
I would encourage people.
Pam McCune (27:36):
Jessica, thank you so much for joining us.
We love having you.
Thanks for having me.
I love being on.
Jesslyn Adams (27:42):
Remember, you can find the Advent Study at
mbs2gocom, along with many otherfree studies in many languages.
Is God nudging you to step outand go through it with friends,
your own family and kiddos, oryour neighbors, coworkers?
It is a great way to set yourheart on the reason for the
season and to do it with afriend in a cluster who shines
with you.
We have so much more to exploretogether.
(28:03):
So be sure to subscribe to ourpodcast and if today is inspired
or encouraged you, you can helpothers find us by taking a
moment to give us a review onyour favorite podcast streaming
site.
Pam McCune (28:14):
And as our thanks for joining us here, we invite
you to follow us on Instagram atcalled to shine.
As part of our called to shineInstagram community, you will
get encouragement and ideas tohelp you connect to the people
around you.
Jesslyn Adams (28:28):
And, as always, you can find resources to help
you shine the light of Jesus atmbs2gocom neighbor Bible studies
to go.
In our next episode we look athow to light up with gratitude
in this season of thankfulness.
Pam McCune (28:40):
Thanks for joining us today.
We are called to shine.
Hello, Jesslyn here and Pam, welcome to the
community where we explore howJesus is our light and we are
here to spur each other on tolove God and others right where
we live.
We are called to shine In oursolar system, the Milky Way,
there are thousands of starclusters.
150 of the more rare globularstar clusters have been
(00:25):
identified.
More common are the thousandsof open clusters.
A cluster makes an impactbecause alone each star may not
stand out, but together theymake a powerful light image.
Consider Pleiades, one of themost famous clusters.
You can find it as you look atOrion the hunter with the three
stars in his belt and then go upto the stars in his sword.
They point to Pleiades.
Clusters are powerful becausethere is synergy, and you can
(00:48):
even see this cluster with thenaked eye, where the whole is
greater than the sum of theindividual parts.
Syngistic symphony sin meanstogether with or united.
When synergistic parts worktogether, they accomplish more
than they could ever accomplishalone.
Pam McCune (01:04):
These rare globular star clusters.
They are held together bymutual gravitational attraction,
reminds me.
As Christians we have mutualgravitational attraction in our
purpose and calling, but at thesame time we are so very
different in cultural background, seasons of life, capacity,
giftings, as well as where weare in our faith, but drawn
(01:26):
together toward that one poolGod and our desire to walk with
him, know him and make him known.
I've experienced thispersonally in my own life and
neighborhood.
33 years ago I would getinvolved missions, kids ministry
, women's ministry, and oneother person kept being in each
opportunity that I had.
We quickly learned we had thesame heart of loving God and
(01:49):
wanting to be involved in lovingpeople and helping them love
God.
We also learned we werecompletely opposite
personalities and giftings.
She was a pioneer, taking risks,stepping out.
I am a detailed person wholikes research and follow
through, but please don't makeme be the risk taker.
Together we've tackled so manyprojects she running ahead,
(02:10):
taking the risk, and me duckingbehind, picking up all the
pieces.
We say together that we makeone complete person.
We each have a plethora ofweaknesses and both have some
strengths but, as only God cando, they complement each other.
He brought us together so oftenthat we finally realized we
work well together.
So Kim and I have hosted radiotogether for five years, wrote
(02:33):
two books and we traveled for 15years speaking and, most dear
to my heart, we built houses twodoors down from each other,
raised our kids, hostingneighborhood events, carrying
each other's hurts, joys,tackling challenges and
celebrating wins.
She can see what I can't and Iam thankful for God's scene that
(02:54):
I needed her.
You know, in the Bible there areover a hundred different verses
about one another.
Even in Hebrews 10, we asbelievers are challenged to spur
each other on to loving gooddeeds.
God knows we need each other tospur each other on and to be in
it.
Together we are better together.
Has God put something on yourheart that you see you need help
(03:14):
in accomplishing?
Or maybe it would just be moredelightful to do with someone
else Watch for who God mightbring to mind or in your path
that has the same heart andcomplementary giftings to be
together.
Today we are so excited towelcome a bright star in our
called to shine cluster TodayJessica Gilbert, who uses her
(03:35):
creative giftings makingInstagram magic happen.
Jessica and I have workedtogether intently for the last
two years when I sent thecalling to create an Instagram
account that focused on being alight to those around us with a
sensitivity to millennials andGen Z, and I knew I needed some
creative millennial juices.
I actually didn't know Jessicawell, but God put her on my
(03:57):
heart and I remember when Ifirst asked her if she would
join me on this adventure andbasically she said how did you
know I would like this?
I love things like this.
Well, I didn't know, but Goddid, and he put her on my mind.
Jessica, it is so good to haveyou with us.
Jessica Gilbert (04:14):
I'm so excited to be here and just to see the
podcast finally launching.
It's been a dream of ours for along time.
I am a West Coast girl, bornand raised in Southern
California.
I graduated from Arizona StateUniversity.
I met my mid-western husbandand moved to Texas together
about 10 years ago.
We have three kids who are four, two and one year old.
(04:37):
So I am very much in the thickof motherhood and that's really
why I love being part ofneighbor Bible studies to go and
doing what we do here withcalled to shine, that I get to
serve alongside my family rightwhere I'm at.
Jesslyn Adams (04:50):
How has working on the called to shine Instagram
played into your own strengthsand gifting?
Jessica Gilbert (04:55):
Yeah.
So I think everybody's acreative person.
I just find that my creativitydoesn't really come through
drawing or writing, but it's increating visual and video
content.
For example really enjoyedmaking a video post, something
that I experienced in myneighborhood.
It was about taking a meal to aneighbor.
You're expecting a certainreaction.
(05:16):
You put so much effort intoputting the meal together and
how much are they going to loveit and then you get there and
you get a different reactionthan when you're expecting and
even a negative reaction.
Getting this video together,getting to use my creativity,
giving people relatable content,that's just fun for me.
I love doing the Instagram.
I get to record and rerecordthings as I see fit.
Pam McCune (05:39):
I think it comes across that it's really fun.
You really shine when you'redoing it and that post that you
were talking about it keepsgetting more views.
It's had 21,000 views, Wow, andit's so creative and I can say
you really do work out of yourgiftings and it's so amazing to
what you work.
I've learned a lot from workingwith you.
I think I love that we're sodifferent but then we have so
(06:02):
much alike.
I think we're much bettertogether.
Jesslyn, can you tell us moreabout your strengths and were?
You would like someone to comealongside of you.
Jesslyn Adams (06:10):
This is funny, pam, because, as I heard you
talk about your friend Kim,there's some similarities From
different feedback and reviews.
I've been told that I'moptimistic, outgoing, and I'm
ready to take risk and try newthings.
I love pioneering new thingswith enthusiasm.
I love connecting to peopleeasily.
Where I need help is forsomeone to come alongside me and
help me to stay the course offinish what I start.
(06:32):
When Pam told me about thepodcast, we were dreaming about
it.
I mean, I've been chomping atthe bit.
I was just ready to startblazing and you, on the other
hand, were like we're going topray.
God's timing is the best timing.
There's a lot to do to getprepared.
I'm like, oh yeah, I need help.
Help me get organized thedetails and help me to persevere
when things get hard ordifficult.
Pam McCune (06:51):
At the very beginning, as we were
brainstorming and dreaming, Ilearned you didn't enjoy sitting
on things.
You enjoy bringing things tocompletion, moving on.
Jesslyn Adams (07:00):
Oh yes.
Pam McCune (07:01):
That has really been good for me.
I see how God has put ustogether.
You help me when I get stuck inthe weeds because I can get
really focused.
Jessica and Jesslyn, you bothdo this for me.
You come alongside me and youhelp me make a decision and then
you help me move on.
I like how you can see the bigpicture when I'm stuck in the
minutia.
I very much need a Jessica anda Jesslyn.
(07:23):
One thing I'm wondering,Jesslyn, were you always willing
to run out and take risk?
Jesslyn Adams (07:28):
You know, back in high school when you got
superlatives I said I was likemost outgoing and most daring.
If someone did a dare I woulddo it.
I just want to be adventurous.
I want to do many things.
As I get older I'm noticingthat decreases a little bit as I
have littles under my care.
In fact, jessica, we were atour retreat for our team last
February and it was pretty coldoutside and there was a lake in
(07:48):
a kayak.
Jessica said, hey, I want to goon this, he'll go with me.
Oh wait, I've got Jesslyn, I'lldo it.
And I said yes, ma'am, I will.
Jessica Gilbert (07:56):
We had the fun and I had fun with you.
Jesslyn Adams (07:58):
I honestly didn't know it was going to happen and
I got wet when it was 40degrees, but it was super fun
and probably one of myhighlights of that.
Jessica Gilbert (08:04):
Mine too.
Pam McCune (08:05):
OK, Jessica, tell us , what about you growing up?
Where did that creativity andall the things that make you
tick come out as a child?
Jessica Gilbert (08:13):
You know, my mom often told me wow, you're so
good at this or you're socreative.
I don't really see it as a kid.
Pam McCune (08:18):
What about music?
When did music come into yourlife?
Jessica Gilbert (08:22):
Well, that's a good question.
I got to learn piano as a kidsing it plays, that was really
fun.
And then what was reallyspecial was when I went on a
camping trip with my freshmanBible study and these guys in
the group taught me how to playthe guitar overnight.
It was cool that they took thetime to do that and from there I
(08:42):
just learned hey, I couldactually play a song.
That's fun for me.
Pam McCune (08:46):
You have so many giftings that we get to see and
that we get the benefits of.
Thank you, yes.
Jesslyn Adams (08:52):
And I love hearing all of our strengths in
the way God's wired us.
I believe Jesus saw the valuein the body of Christ, serving
together, being better together.
In Luke 10, we see Jesus sentthem out, 70 of his followers,
to the other cities andneighborhoods to get to know the
people and point them to Jesus.
He sent them out in twos, notalone, to prepare people for
Jesus' arrival in their city tobe a light.
(09:15):
I see many benefits to shiningtogether in a cluster by
partnering up with friends whoshare a similar desire for
others to know Jesus personally.
Currently, right now, I have adear friend named Carolyn who
has a deep desire for herneighbors to know Jesus.
She approached me about helpingfacilitate one of our NBS to
go's light Bible study in herneighborhood and over the couple
(09:35):
months that we've been meetingtogether I have quickly seen how
much it is a blessing to servealongside Carolyn, to have a
partner.
She is so intentional ingetting to know these women.
She has name tags ready, shehas snacks prepared, makes a
cozy little environment to sit.
She sends out weekly texts andreminders and prayer requests
and we take turns facilitatingand asking questions in the
(09:57):
Bible study.
I cannot emphasize enough howspecial it is to do with this
woman.
Carolyn is so special and kindand faithful, and she and I
bring different things to thetable in different perspectives,
and together we try andencourage others.
Jessica Gilbert (10:10):
Jesslyn that's awesome that you and Carolyn
shared those responsibilities ofleading your neighbors and
Bible study together, because Istruggle with thinking, oh,
everyone's busy doing theirthing, this is just my
responsibility, when in realityI need others to help and others
want to help.
Just a couple weeks ago I threwa fall block party for our
neighbors.
It was a big undertaking.
(10:31):
I ended up being so gratefulthat many others shared this
vision of being a light to ourneighborhood, because there's no
way I could have done it alone.
My husband helped plan it withme.
Neighbors brought food to share.
Someone brought the mostamazing fried rice.
A friend came to support me tohelp me host and hold my kids so
I could focus on havingconversations with my neighbors.
(10:52):
And then, when we were wrappingup the party and the hosting
fatigue was setting in, acommunity group from my church
came and helped tear down andclean up.
When we were at our tiredest.
They were there to help.
I was so grateful.
I could not have done it alone.
Pam McCune (11:06):
I'm curious in hosting neighborhood events, do
you have a part that you'refavorite, you really enjoy doing
?
That's a good question.
Jessica Gilbert (11:13):
I think I like having had hosted the event and
looking back on the highlight ofit During the event.
I'm not going to lie, I have torely on God, try not to get
stressed out because I'm anintrovert and I got three little
kids I'm trying to constantlykeep track of and again that
critical mind of like, oh, thiscould be better.
(11:33):
So I like having had hostedpeople and looking back on wow,
that was a really coolconversation.
I'm so thankful that God gaveme that moment to spend with
this young girl in myneighborhood, or we got to make
someone in our neighborhoodsmile today.
Those are probably my favoriteparts.
Pam McCune (11:48):
That actually makes sense to me.
I do see.
While it's going on, you'rewanting to make it better and
everything go right, and I loveit, jessica, of how your
community group saw man.
Jesslyn Adams (11:57):
She's probably going to be tired.
We should come help clean up.
Who offers to do that?
In fact, we had Halloween theother night.
A friend of mine from my Biblestudy that was coming to help us
asked would you like helpsetting up or tearing down?
I said tearing down.
I love it that your friendsoffered to help and it's such a
beautiful picture of God usingdifferent people with different
gifts coming together to shineeven brighter.
(12:18):
As we head into the Christmasholiday season, our calendars
can quickly fill with parties,school events, decorating and
shopping, but we don't want tomiss the opportunity to stop and
adore the savior that we arecelebrating.
One way I do this is bygathering with friends and
neighbors looking at the firstChristmas in the Bible of
Jesus's arrival.
In this event, doing it in acluster is key.
(12:38):
I need Carolyn and others tohelp me host and facilitate the
discussion.
Our crew neighbor Bible Studiesto Go team has created Bible
studies in over 40 languagesthat are free and accessible
online for anyone to use fortheir own personal Bible time,
one-on-one or in a group study.
You can access these on ourwebsite at mbstogocom.
(13:00):
Nbs to Go's heart is to seecommunities transform through
the power of God's word.
We have many tips and tools toencourage and equip people in
developing relationships,studying God's word and inviting
others to Bible studies.
You might be thinking why arethese any different?
The NBS to go Bible studies area very simple format, easy to
facilitate and the opportunityto marinate on one passage for
(13:23):
five days.
Each day has one to twoquestions that help you immerse
yourself in that passage.
Sometimes I get intimidated byquestions that want me to give
one right answer and Iappreciate that these questions
have all backgrounds that cananswer and take part.
Jessica Gilbert (13:36):
Okay, I just gotta say that, for someone
who's been a little worn outfrom doing some Bible studies, I
felt initially doubtful aboutthe whole reading the same
scripture over and over again,part like am I gonna get bored?
I was pleasantly surprised atthis study because it engaged me
in a different way, makingfamiliar passages come to life.
The questions are differentthan what I'm used to and I like
(13:59):
that you can go as in-depth asyou have capacity for.
Sometimes I only have fiveminutes, other times I have a
little longer and can kind ofsit in the passage more and soak
in it.
Either way, I experience closerconnection to Jesus' story
through this study.
Jesslyn Adams (14:13):
Each day I might gain something different.
I'll think, okay, I'm gonnareread this passage, I remember
what it says, but then God sayssomething different to me that
day.
I get pumped thinking about it.
Ladies, in fact, why don't wegive our listeners a taste of
our MBS2Go Advent study togetherright now Sounds good to me.
Let's do it.
The season of Advent is upon us.
Christians have observed Adventto remember Jesus' birth and
(14:36):
anticipate his return since thefourth century.
It is a season of contemplationand celebration.
Advent is a Latin word meaningcoming arrival.
This is an Advent study thatfocuses on the scriptures
directly related to Jesus'arrival.
It has four weeks of contentand if you've never led a Bible
study, nothing to fear.
Our Leaders Guide on the MBS2Gowebsite helps anyone easily
(14:58):
facilitate this Bible study.
Pam McCune (14:59):
This Advent study is a good option for people with
different backgrounds ofdenominations, different
religions, or even someone whohas no spiritual background at
all, since it isn't coming fromone denomination but directly
scripture that asks twoquestions a day for five days.
When you get together, you getto go through those 10 questions
(15:20):
and discuss what stood out toyou and what you saw.
It's always good to have anicebreaker question for everyone
to answer at the beginning, towarm up, to be in together as we
think about Christmas.
There are many differentoptions from what is your
favorite Christmas smell orcandle, or your favorite
Christmas tradition or memory.
Jesslyn Adams (15:38):
And as we look at the Advent study week, one
passage.
Right now we're going to answeryour questions from two of the
days today.
Let's start with an icebreaker,like Pam suggested, so do
either of y'all have a favoriteChristmas smell or candle?
Jessica Gilbert (15:50):
I mean, wouldn't everybody say Christmas
tree?
That's my favorite and probablyI miss it the most because we
have had a fake tree.
You know, any candle thatsmells like a Christmas tree,
I'm all about it.
Pam McCune (15:59):
I'm a cinnamon girl.
I like anything with cloves andcinnamon.
Jesslyn Adams (16:04):
I love that.
I'm like you, pam.
I love, like an apple spiceconnection.
I think I have that in some ofour plugins right now.
Why don't we get started, pam,would you mind reading aloud
Matthew 1, 18 through 25 andLuke chapter 2, 1 through 7?
.
Pam McCune (16:18):
In Matthew 1.
It says this is how the birthof Jesus came about.
His mother, mary, was pledgedto be married to Joseph, but
before they came together shewas found to be with child
through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph, her husband,was a righteous man and did not
want to expose her to publicdisgrace, he had in mind to
divorce her quietly.
But after he considered this,an angel of the Lord appeared to
(16:40):
him in a dream and said Joseph,son of David, do not be afraid
to take Mary home as your wife,because what is conceived in her
is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son.
You were to give him the nameJesus.
All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through
the prophet.
The virgin will be with childand give birth to a son, and
they will call him Emmanuel,which means God with us.
(17:04):
When Joseph woke up, he didwhat the angel of the Lord
commanded him and took Mary homeas his wife.
But he had no union with heruntil she gave birth to a son
and he gave him the name Jesus.
In Luke 2,.
In those days, caesar Augustusissued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entireRoman world.
This was the first census thattook place while Quirinius was
(17:26):
governor of Syria and everyonewent to his own town to register
.
So Joseph also went up to thetown of Nazareth in Galilee, to
Judea, to Bethlehem, the town ofDavid, because he belonged in
the house in line of David.
He went there to register withMary, who was pledged to be
married to him and was expectinga child.
When they were there, the timecame for the baby to be born and
(17:48):
she gave birth to her firstbornson.
She wrapped him in cloths andplaced him in a manger, because
there was no room for them inthe end.
Thanks, pam.
Jesslyn Adams (17:58):
All right.
So let's imagine that we're inthis passage, as crazy as it
seems.
Describe the setting, thesights, the smell and whatever
you might hear and how might youfeel in this situation.
Jessica Gilbert (18:09):
This is my favorite question.
I don't think anyone has everasked me this question when
reading a Bible passage beforethis study.
When I go back and read this,there's a few things that stand
out to me, like even just nowrealizing the angel appeared
doing them a dream Like why didthe angel phone it in?
The angel didn't just show up?
Was he afraid of freakingJoseph out?
Or he was too tired to show upin person?
(18:30):
I think that's kind ofinteresting.
Having my third child a yearago, thinking about Mary, you
know what would she feel.
Can't imagine how uncomfortableit would be to have to take a
journey on foot or donkey like90 some miles away from home in
your third trimester.
When I was pregnant, I remembersitting in a comfortable Toyota
Camry and being oh, I'm so inpain right now, complaining left
(18:53):
and right, I can't imagine her.
Or just even walking I maybewalked two miles a day and that
was really challenging.
So for her to make that journey.
I can feel the discomfort there, oh yeah.
Pam McCune (19:06):
I kind of think about my weaknesses of
overpacking.
Whenever we go to a conferenceI show up with four bags and
nobody has room in their car tobring them home.
I'm like, how do you prep tohave a baby on the road on a
donkey?
Like what would you pack to beready for that?
I can't even imagine.
But obviously God had a plan.
I love, jessica, that youpointed out about this angel
(19:27):
coming during the dream, becausewe were given a lot of details
that he was planning on adivorce.
To be betrothed meant they hadall the ceremony, all the parts,
except for sealed the deal, youknow the honeymoon part.
That hadn't happened, but stillthey had to have a formal
divorce to end it, that he caredso much that she was going to
(19:47):
become a public disgrace.
It sounds like he was anxiousand stressed about it and he did
what I do when I get stressed Itake a nap and God's like
that's fine, you can take a nap,I'm still going to intervene in
your thoughts.
And he sent Gabe to go talk tohim.
In the dream, god met him inhis coping skills of getting
away from the stress.
Jesslyn Adams (20:08):
That's so interesting.
I never thought I'd be likethat, pam.
It's neat to see the Lord workthrough that.
Jessica, I can relate to beingin the car, having a ton of
contractions and complainingthat I was in a car.
It's better than what she had.
It's just nuts to think I'drather not have my baby in my
hometown or my house or myhospital with all the
conveniences that we have.
Lord, have mercy Also to be inJoseph's shoes and have an angel
(20:31):
of the Lord visit you and tellyou that Mary is pregnant by the
Holy Spirit.
Wow, I'd feel shocked, scared,maybe excited too.
Let's move on to day four.
Question what hope does thispassage offer, and what hope
does this passage give youspecifically?
Jessica Gilbert (20:46):
When I consider how uncomfortable Mary was.
It kind of makes me think ofhow that's just like trusting
God.
In our daily lives Today we gothrough things that make us
groan and complain and questionlike why is this so hard right
now?
But we put our hope in thecoming of Christ into our daily
lives and when he'll ultimatelycome back.
(21:06):
Think about all the disgustingsmells that Jesus was born into
and how he deserves so muchbetter.
But that that's a God I can putmy hope and trust in, a God who
is an above the suffering thateven the lowest of lows would
have experienced.
And for me personally, I justthink of how I need that hope,
even in the daily things thatmake me groan and complain.
(21:28):
My sweet son just needing to beheld all the time, his whole 25
pound self plus.
At the same time I got a twoyear old.
That's like Mom take me pottyand try to like carry both of
them and it's like why?
What is going on right now?
Having hope that God is goingto get me through anything, all
these things are temporary andhe offers relief.
(21:48):
That's something that gives mehope.
Pam McCune (21:51):
I relate to that.
God would have his son,Having Jesus come, that was in a
manger and a stable with theanimals around, and choosing to
see it as good that God met Maryand Joseph in the midst of it
(22:11):
to give them a blessing ofgetting to raise Jesus and have
this child that had beenwatching for for hundreds of
years.
That had been the silent yearsof when will the Messiah come.
And here they both got the newsthat they were going to be a
part of it and that when Josephwoke up from his dream he didn't
make a pro con list, he didn'tanalyze while I obey or not obey
(22:31):
.
It sounds like he woke up andhe went and took Mary home as
his wife.
That gives me hope for me whenthe hard things come, to say you
know what?
God has a plan and he can getme through it and I can choose
to be hopeful and joyful and tosee what's going to come out of
it.
Mary and Joseph did, and theygot to raise God's son and see
(22:52):
the glory of God, the salvationin her the world.
Jesslyn Adams (22:55):
I love those thoughts.
I'm thinking too, no matter thedifficult circumstance that I'm
in, what y'all talked about,whether littles or whatever
stage of life family member notdoing well physically, no matter
what prophecy was fulfilled andwe have a manual God with us,
like we have, jesus with usevery day in relationship with
him.
That gives me immense hope thatI don't have to be fearful or
(23:18):
scared because he's right therewith me.
This was just a simple taste ofthe admin study, just a couple
days.
I love it when we do thistogether.
We read, he speaks and we aretransformed.
When we study the Bibletogether, god promises to reveal
himself, to teach us how toobey him and to show us how to
love one another.
And when we are changed tobecome more like Jesus, our
(23:39):
family, workplaces andcommunities will be eternally
impacted.
And when we do it together, ina cluster, it takes all the
responsibility off one personand lets you work out of your
strengths and we can shine evenbrighter.
Pam McCune (23:52):
I don't know if you have had an opportunity to do
the Advent study on you version.
We have all four weeks on theyou version plan.
You go to Advent come, let usadore him.
It has 20 days.
You can do that in the fourweeks of five days each week or
you could just go 20 days and doit personally, but it's also
set up that you can do it withfriends.
(24:13):
When you go to the plan and yousay start plan, it will ask you
the question do it by yourselfor to do it with a group?
And if you're doing it with agroup, the next thing it'll give
you a link so that you can sendit out to anyone you want to
invite to do it with you.
One of the things I like aboutthe you version is that it will
actually read the verses to meeach day If I click audio or
(24:35):
it'll show it to me and I canread it right there and it has
the two questions.
And then afterwards I can goand there's a place where it
says talk about it and you canshare your thoughts and your
friends, your family, yourneighbors if you want to do it
online together can share theirthoughts as well, Jessica,
you've done different studies inyour neighborhood.
How did you invite others to doa study with you?
Jessica Gilbert (24:55):
Yeah.
So at that block party that wejust had, we had a contact sheet
and asked people to indicate ifthey were interested in doing a
neighborhood Bible study.
A couple of ladies said yes,and I'm thinking about inviting
them to try this Advent study.
One thing about them is thattheir first language is
Vietnamese.
I'd love for them to get to seethe questions in both languages
, is that?
Pam McCune (25:15):
an option.
It's a great option and that'swhat I love about so many
languages that we've alreadytranslated for the Advent study
is that each person can read it,because they're free and
they're easy to download so theycan look at it on their
computer, on their phone, or youcould print it out and then
they're looking at the samequestions in Vietnamese as you
(25:36):
are in English.
I've done it in other countries.
One time in Turkey, a group ofus were together and we were
looking in five differentlanguages at the same time.
It was phenomenal.
It was a beautiful picture ofthe world coming together.
Jesslyn Adams (25:49):
Wow.
Recently my home church.
We had some pastors from Ugandacome and I'm thinking, oh my
goodness, we have connectionsthere.
I can resource them with theseBible studies.
It's not just what we can dowith others, but we can share
these resources for other peopleto use.
What I love about it is I havepeople come into these Bible
studies that have said this isthe first time I think I'm
(26:11):
really studying the Bible, likeme and God sitting down.
They're seeing God speak tothem and they are eager to speak
up.
And I love these questionsbecause they're open-ended.
The people are sharing personalthings, the group's really
connecting and they're invitingtheir friends.
It's just a privilege.
I feel like we just provided aspace and God's the one doing
(26:32):
the work.
Pam McCune (26:32):
That's incredible, jesslyn, jessica, any highlights
that you have.
Jessica Gilbert (26:36):
I've led a study with elementary and high
school aged girls and thequestions are simply put enough
that a younger audience could dothem.
I've really enjoyed that.
One of the studies the questionwas draw out what you are
envisioning as you read thispassage, and they got into it
and they actually remembered theverse.
That was super cool.
(26:56):
They walked away rememberingwhat it was we learned because
they were drawing at the sametime.
Pam McCune (27:01):
And Jessica, what a joy it is to shine with you in a
cluster as the three of us getto carry this baton together to
present to people called toshine Instagram and called to
shine podcast.
What a treat to have you on theprogram today.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
If you had one last word ofadvice about shining in a
(27:21):
cluster, what would you say?
Jessica Gilbert (27:23):
I would say don't be afraid to ask, Don't be
afraid to invite somebody tocome alongside you and reach out
.
They can just be in it with youand ask you to process with
them.
That's the biggest thing.
I would encourage people.
Pam McCune (27:36):
Jessica, thank you so much for joining us.
We love having you.
Thanks for having me.
I love being on.
Jesslyn Adams (27:42):
Remember, you can find the Advent Study at
mbs2gocom, along with many otherfree studies in many languages.
Is God nudging you to step outand go through it with friends,
your own family and kiddos, oryour neighbors, coworkers?
It is a great way to set yourheart on the reason for the
season and to do it with afriend in a cluster who shines
with you.
We have so much more to exploretogether.
(28:03):
So be sure to subscribe to ourpodcast and if today is inspired
or encouraged you, you can helpothers find us by taking a
moment to give us a review onyour favorite podcast streaming
site.
Pam McCune (28:14):
And as our thanks for joining us here, we invite
you to follow us on Instagram atcalled to shine.
As part of our called to shineInstagram community, you will
get encouragement and ideas tohelp you connect to the people
around you.
Jesslyn Adams (28:28):
And, as always, you can find resources to help
you shine the light of Jesus atmbs2gocom neighbor Bible studies
to go.
In our next episode we look athow to light up with gratitude
in this season of thankfulness.
Pam McCune (28:40):
Thanks for joining us today.
We are called to shine.
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