Our church has just gone through the r12 study.  I almost can't believe how this has impacted my life!  I've realized how sorely I've misjudged God.  I've never had a really close relationship with Him, though I always considered myself a Christian and was saved by believing on Him.  I read my Bible... sometimes... but it wasn't fun, and what I did was because I was "supposed to."  Now I almost can't stop reading my Bible!  I still don't have a consistent prayer schedule, because I don't want one because it doesn't work for me, and discourages me from spending time with God.  I'm not a scheduled/organized person, so I like to do things during random moments of the day.  I find it a lot easier to talk to God now that my picture of Him has been somewhat corrected.  I know I'll never be able to comprehend His love for me, but I can grasp just a tiny portion of it, and that helps me a lot.  I feel like God is my friend, now, like I can talk to Him and He won't turn away or tune me out, like people so often do to me.

You can't believe how this has influenced my daily life!  I have so much more joy and God seems ever present.  He comes to my mind more often and I find myself wanting to bring Him into conversations more, which almost seems odd, considering that before this study I was uncomfortable whenever He surfaced in a conversation.  It's so amazing!  The best part is that I don't struggle with the Nihilism that I've struggled with for years.  I'm the third of four girls, and a boy way behind us, so I often feel lost and unloved by my family and everyone else, so this immense love is a completely new feeling, because I've never been anyone special to anyone before.  I was just another person and another name.  Now I'm beginning to learn that God is all I need, as we sing all the time.  Even though I would tell God that He was all I wanted or needed, because I didn't have a close relationship with Him, I wouldn't feel that way, and it mattered immensely what other people thought.  God is so awesome!

The fourth section in your book really brought to light how blessed I really am to already share authentic community.  My only real friend outside God and my family is a girl my age with pretty much the same beliefs (except I'm Calvinist and she's not), so we share practically everything with each other.  This is such a blessing, and to think we never recognized it in the 9 nears we've been friends!

I found your radio program on KJIL, our Christian radio station, and it encourages me very much to live for God, hearing you each night I'm free or remember to listen.  Also, thank you for the mp3 downloads!  I'm so thankful to know what my spiritual gift is!  I'd always thought I didn't have a gift, because there wasn't anything I could really do very well.  But I find the most joy in serving others and finding things they need and providing them.  Every last description of service fitted exactly!  Along with half of giving, and mercy...

But thank you so much!  If I had the money, I would send a contribution to Living on the Edge, but I'm rather a financial wreck (guess I'm too generous!).  You're so open and honest, sharing even the stories one wouldn't normally tell to anyone except one's closest friends.  I really like that.  It helps your message really get across. (Another thumbs up for your Scottish background!)

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you work for Him!

During the discussion of the 2nd video in the R12 series, our group got stuck on the "are you all in" question.  Several were debating making that committment, knowing they were "just going to fail again".  But the truth of Hebrews 12:1-2 was brought out at that point...Our choice to surrender it all to God & allow Him to be Lord of all is the STARTING point of our "race", it isn't the finish line; it isn't something we do once we think we are capable enough, have all our ducks in a row, or muster up enough strength/courage.  It is a step of faith, acknowledging & believing that Jesus truly is the "perfecter of our faith"--by making this step of faith & saying "I'm all in" we are trusting Him to help us along the way as daily we continue to surrender all of our lives to Him.  We don't have to make our faith perfect before surrendering to Him.

 I loved the way question #6 of session 2 in the study guide is worded:  It asks "are you WILLING to surrender"; nothing more than willingness is asked of us.  This study is such a timely blessing in my life & I pray in the life of each of our group members too!  Thanks Chip & the whole R12 team!

Wanted to let your ministry know that I have taken the challenge and Started a R12 Men's small group.  

It starts tonight and I'm really excited to see how God impacts the men of this group through this study. 

 I knew God was calling me to surrender everything and i thought I was doing a great job of that until after hearing the r12 series today.  I have been walking and trusting God for a long time and he has been good and is always good when I look back thru the years raising my son as a single parent.

I recently resigned from my job on May 15th this past year  I did  not have another job lined up, but I knew God had been leading me to take a risk and step out in faith knowing he was there and to totally trust him  even though I didn't have another job. I have been praying daily about this for over the past few months before taking that step and felt peace when I did it.

There have been days though when I wonder if God was there and I was walking in his path doing the right thing by leaving my job.   I would ask God during devotions or just driving down the road when I begin to doubt, am I in your perfect will and path you want me to move in.   I would ask him to put a car with texas license plate in my path and when one would cross my path shortly or sometime later in the day.  I asked him to forgive me for doubting and that I totally wanted to trust him without asking him for that confirmation. I know totally surrendering God will hasn't always been easy as I felt I was always in control of certain areas in my life or I would depend on the world and my job as security especially with finances and failed to really trust God for that and I know that is a test I have failed many times, yet I know he has never left me.

God has been putting Texas in my path since 2008 and I went there for a month and came back.  I wasn't sure this is what the Lord wanted and since last July again he has been putting Texas in my path or people some how and/or connected to that state.  After listening to the series on line today something just hit me and it was like I woke up and begin to question am I surrendering everything to God and trusting him throughly for all things especially finances and if he is calling me to relocate. 

 I work a business from my home as an independent distributor for Reliv International a food science company based out of St. Louis that is based around a nutritional supplement that is changing peoples lives because of God.  God blessed my life with this product for the past  years.  I have put it aside at times and focused on needing a job and an income and not how can I help and make a difference for others with my business God has blessed in my life and sharing this with many more than I had because it is not about me. 

Today listening to the r series it opened my eyes and heart much more than it has been and if God is calling me to relocate and surrender things I haven't I am all in because all I have is God's and all I ever will be is because of God not me.  Because he can do more than I could ever imagine not only thru me but refining me into the person he created me to be.  Serving him and his kingdom.

What a blessing this website is to all who have been blessed to hear chip I have been following his sermons online since 2000.  He has made a difference in many lives because of what the holy spirit has done thru him.  I have used a book of his for a long time when mentoring young women who's lives have been touched and changed because of God using this book that takes them to ephesians.

God bless you Chip!

anonymous....

     I was recently invited to be part of a small group that was taking this journey through the r12 bible study. I was very excited about the study because I had heard Chip Ingram speak about it on our local affiliate of Moody Broadcasting which is WMBW out of Chattanooga, TN. I had also visited the "Living on the Edge" website but did not want to go at it alone. This was just the beginning of answered prayers!

     I have longed for authentic community for such a long time. Although I have an active christian life in which I do serve in our church, I didn't realize the importance of building relationships that would last outside of church. I'll have to admit I am guilty of putting on my spiritual face on Sunday moringings at times but I hope to be more authentic with my fellow brothers and sisters in christ  from this point on. I am learning what it truly means to love in an authentic way that brings Glory to God. He is teaching me what love His way looks like! I have had a distorted view of love just from not turning to God's word and instead looking to the world's view of love and relationships. I am so thankful God loves me enough to open my eyes and allow me to see through His.

     Our story began about eight weeks ago as our group met in one member's house on Monday nights. Little did any of us know how God would work in our lives and our hearts when we started this study. We shared our concerns and our burdens and prayed for one another. As the weeks passsed we saw many prayers answered and witnessed the grace of God in a mighty way. We had a member who found a job after being out of work for quite a while. We also had another member's brother to be diagnosed and treated for a lung infection in which he had become very ill. He is doing much better now. Yet we had another member whose son walked away from an accident without any major injuries to speak of. We rejoiced with one member after some property sold and the deal was final. As for me, I did not know I would be diagnosed with cancer!

     I had a spot removed from my leg and was surprised to learn it was Melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer that can be dangerous because it spreads just as silently as some other types of cancer can. My husband and I were first told I had stage 4 Melanoma which means it has spread. I questioned my doctor as she gave us the news but she was persistent with her findings. She wouldn't let me leave until I had an appointment with a surgeon/oncologist scheduled. After her surgery coordinator scheduled the appoitment we left the office in separate vehicles. As I drove home I thought of how hard it was going to be to tell my family. However I felt a gentle tug in my spirit to not tell them until I had gone to the surgeon who I had an appointment with five days away. My husband at first thought I was wrong because he said we needed family and prayer right now. I knew he was right in his way of thinking but I reminded him our children had testing at school all this week and they didn't need the extra stress. That seemed to ease his mind a bit and he told me he would honor my request to keep quite. I wanted things to go on as usual so I encouraged him to go back to work.

     Finding myself at home alone I had my moments of upset. I didn't question God! I knew I wasn't above and beyond any illness that anyone else could find themselves dealing with. I was sad for my children mostly. It was Wednesday, a churh night for us, and I knew I needed to share with a trusted soul my circumstance. When the time came for church I went down the hall and toward the choir room and spotted one of my sisters in christ who was also part of our bible study. I motioned for her to come to me and then I spotted another member of our group and motioned her to me as well. We entered into an empty Sunday School room and I shared the news with them. We prayed together and then they listened while I babbled about my fears and concerns for my family. They listened patiently and then they both encouraged me to not borrow trouble and to wait until after my appointment with my surgeon to tell my children. My previous feeling to not tell them at this time was confirmed.

     It was the prayers of those ladies and my faith that got me through the next five days. I busied myself with task I knew I could accomplish before my doctor's visit. When the day arrived I found myself nervous and anxious. I didn't know what to expect. I was traveling down a path that I would not choose for myself and there was no way out. There was no place to hide. I suppose I could have cancelled my appointment and went on as if nothing had happened but that would be me with a mask and I wouldn't  have experieced authentic community.  I felt that probably my life would be lived somewhat in a fish bowl which is not a comfortable place for me.

     My husband and I arrived at the doctor's office and I signed in and then sat down beside my husband. We were not alone. There were others in the waiting room. Some were older but some were younger. I couldn't help but to wonder what there story was. We were called back after what seemed  like forever and I was as tense as a person could be. We didn't have a long wait after the nurse put us in a room. The doctor was pleasant and had excellent bedside manners. He took one look at us and then decided to do what he normally does at the end of a visit. He counceled us regarding my pathology report. He made us aware I had not been staged yet. He went on to explain that is something that is done later in the process after some test to see if and where the melanoma had spread. We were back to square one but this time that met good news for us.

     I went through some test and one by one they came back negative! I did have to have surgery and I am now recovering at home, slowly ,but that's okay. A couple of ladies in my group sat with my husband while I was in surgery and they also brought meals to my house. They were truly living out authentic community. They were meeting my real need in a real and practical way. What a blessing they were to us!

     As we wrapped up our study and met for the last time we talked about those answered prayers and how God had demonstrated his amazing grace in each circumstance. We also talked about how our hearts had changed and we didn't want to let the desire fad into our busyness. I know my heart has changed and some of the ladies also shared how their hearts had changed through this study and God's word. I think for me it is in found in John 13:34-35 which says: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

     On behalf of the ladies in our Burning Bush Baptist Church group I would like to say thank you to Chip Ingram for your time and energy and prayer you put into this study. May God Bless You and Your Ministry!!

Kim W.

I uess this is really difficult for me to write because I thought I was ok but deep down I knew I wasn't. I have for years and as a child grew up acknowledging God but my relationship although I wanted on was dismal if any. I always loved the Lord and had scriptures and study notes and even taught classes which I love and hope was a gift from God. But, my life was not victorious. I still smoke which drives me crazy I can't stand it. Friday nights I drink hang out me and my husband and I go to church with the kids Sunday and even my home group on Tuesdays but I miss the good purpose life of God. I want my family to know that God is involved in our life it is his life that he has planned for us that if we obey will bring his glory and a peace in our life that passes all understanding. Right now I am in the middle of transitioning from my position in SC and I am really seeking God about what I should do. The one thing I know is his will is the committment that my husband and I have to each other after making terrible mistakes and motherhood to my four children one which we had early in life who is now 23 yrs old. I am all in it's all or nothing at this point. 

Good morning. It's a beautful day with just enough rain to cool the air and wet the ground We thank God for His wonderful works and all that He is. I'm so blessed to be here today. God found it fit for me to wake up and send me on my way. I thank God for giving me a good night's rest and for protecting my family while we  slept. The things He do are amazing! When you're down and out without a care in the world, He'll be around to help you, you just have to call on His name and He'll be there. God is good. God is great. God is everything that anyone can have. It does not matter what the problem may be, Jesus promised He'll take care of you. I have to shout how good He's been to me I've got a life story that'll make the best movie of the week. Been lied to, been abused, been mistreated, been scron and worned out, but as long as I've got King Jesus I don't need nobody else. When I think of all the bad things that has happened in my life I go back to Calvery. The way He was misused and abused and talked about and mistreated, my past is nothing compare to what He went through. So I stop and I thank God for His sacifrice and I ask for stength and forgivenness. He's an all powererd God and I love Him and I love Him. He's the miracle worker waiting for your prayers to be answered. Go to Him. Call on Him. Give Him what He deserves, our praises, our devotion to Him, and our love. Don't let another day go by. Start today, open your Bibles and get to know the Real Deal. Thank you and God bless.

                                                                La Tricia Brooks

I started r12 as a fairly "new" Christian, and wanting to learn  more and more.  I had always had a sense of need and want to be 100% devoted to God, but something always held me back, until I started r12.

In the early goings on the book, Chip describes surrendering to God like giving Him a blank check with your entire life on it.  When I took the steps that Chip suggested, I felt chills down my entire body and couldn't stop weeping.   I felt an overjoyed sense of belonging and peace come over me!

This marked the first time I'd ever given myself to God like that, and it felt wonderful.  I've read over half of r12 since then and it's really helped to show me how to truly follow our awesome God.

 I usually work from my home office on Tuesday and therefore have no need to "put on my work face." As a matter of fact, on this particular day I didn't even take the luxury of showering before planting at my desk for what I was sure was going to be another 12 to 14 hours on the computer.

  What I hadn't planned on that day was God using me without warning. (I rarely answer the door or face the world without at least washing my face!)   It was about 6 hours after I first started bang away at the keyboard that I heard a loud boom, boom, boom on my sliding glass door (directly in view of my desk.)

There was no ignoring my unexpected visitor! It was my landlord, Richard!   After a few minutes of chit-chat he proceeded to ask me numerous questions about the church I attend - Venture Christian, the Morman faith, the Jehovah Witness and finally about my personal testimony.  

After 30 minutes or so he asked me "Why I believe." Considering the fact we just finished week 2 at church of exactly Why I Believe...I thought...lol...this is so GOD! Here I was - no shower, not even brushed hair, no makeup..nothing! I was standing outside on my patio in direct "SONlight" sharing my faith!!!

I thought it curious that during the conversation with Richard...my upstairs neighbors had come outside and were talking overhead on thier balcony. I could hear thier every word and they could hear mine.  As the Spirit moved I heard myself speaking Chip Ingram's teaching from the previous 2 Sundays. As Richard interjected numerous questions along the way...I finally stopped talking...looked at him and asked him if he was "seeking?" He said, "what do you mean?" I said, "Are you seeking the Lord? The Father of Creation?"

To my surprise and delight he responded, "I guess I am."   Richard (an ex-sherrif) had been suffering from a long-time case of unforgiveness towards a relative who had clearly devastated another family member he deeply loved. Richard was harboring the unforgiveness for so long (He had been telling me about this for nearly 5 years now) that I told him I could see it eating away at his soul. Richard agreed and told me he didn't know how to let go of it and asked me for the answer. TaDa! Jesus....  

I explained there is only 1 answer - accepting Jesus as his Saviour and giving it over to Him to handle. Richard asked me, "How do I do that?"  "Well, are you sure you are ready to do that? I mean...are you sure you ready to surrender your life and ask Jesus to take over control of your heart and life?" I asked. "YES. I'm ready to!" he replied.  

As I lead Richard in the sinner's prayer and lifted up a prayer for him to surrender, my upstairs neighbors began sweeping their balcony and depositing their "dirt" on my head!! Oh, did I say ---- I live in Santa Cruz! Go figure! Go God! Praise God!   Thank you Chip - I now have a sober self-assessment! It's not about me but all about HIM!

Monica

I was saved back in 2006 and since then I've had the desire to get into God's Word and listen in to KFAX Mon-Fri.  That is where I first heard of Pastor Chip and his ministry. I fell in love in how Pastor Chip delivers God's Word.  When Pastor Chip went through the r12 series I felt that Romans 12 has been my personal testimony since the beginning of my personal walk with Christ.  I bought the study and video and even started a class on r12.  Not only I have matured and gain wisdom through r12 but I have been blessed to pass it on to others.

Before August 9, 2006 I was such bitter, angry person.  I would have fits of rage and not remember what I did the next day.  One night I woke up in jail not knowing how I got there.  I was on Meth for about 3 years and 2 of the years my wife and family did not even know.  My drug use, smoking, and drinking got very heavy.  Strange those weren't even my biggest addiction, gambling was.  But the evening of Aug. 9, 2006 I was going to try to end my life for the 4th time.

For some reason I looked up in the sky and said, "God IF your there, please help me, change me, I don't want to hurt anyone and myself anymore."  I was crying, but when I said that prayer, I immediately stopped crying and I felt like God was telling me in my heart, "Arnaldo, I've always been here, now that you know, keep me first in your life."

I didn't know what that meant but when I went inside the house, my wife saw a different person.

Days after this event I suddenly didn't have the desire to smoke, drink, curse, get angry, gamble, and do drugs.  Aug. 17, 2009, 8 days God cleaned me up from all these addictions.  I really didn't know what was going on but I knew God had something to do with it.  I started to go back to the Catholic church but I wasn't getting fed, I knew there was something more, so I started to get curious with other religion, like JW, Mormon, Budaism, New Age, etc.

It was when I started to read the Bible, I started to get answers.  God's Word jumped out of the pages and into my heart.

For His Service,
Arnaldo