Jun 4, 2010
Earlier in the year, we went camping with the School of Discipleship people, and a few families. God used that to grow me in a way I never knew camping would be used for. Here’s what I said in my second newsletter about it:
So God is continuing to mold me and the people in my class, and even the leaders here so much, even in just these past few months. He has brought me, personally, through so much, that only a year ago, I would have not even thought possible. I have been taught, and am continuing to learn the value of being still and quiet before the Lord. Which may sound simple in some respects, but for me, it was really hard to learn that lesson. One of the things that I find the most uncomfortable is silence. I never really saw the importance of it. I would always have music going on in the background, or I would be fidgeting a lot because it is so hard to sit still. But a few weekends ago, over Halloween, the School of Discipleship went on a camping trip.
During that time, we were given multiple hours to spend alone with God, and spend time basking in His glory and His creation. While I was out there in the forest (I hadn’t been in a forest since I was back home in PA) I began to evaluate my motives. I asked myself multiple questions, and arrived at the same conclusion with God’s help. Not only did I need to spend more time in His presence, but I needed to say no to my flesh and its wanting noise and movement, and let all of my attention go to God, and God alone.
This is only one of the many things that God is showing me in my life right now. But it is possibly one of the most important ones. I say that because, in the silence, it is possible to really hear God speak. To really hear His guidance in my life. Silence truly is golden. Thanks again! And remember always… God is good!
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Jun 3, 2010
In class we are going through a unit on grace using various testimonies, all while going through the two books, “Grace Awakening” by Charles Swindoll, and “What’s so Amazing about Grace” by Phillip Yancey.
God’s been teaching me a lot about His grace and forgiveness. Before I go into what I’ve been learning about grace and forgiveness, I’ll share a few quotes from Phillip Yancey that really stood out to me.
“The past must be remembered before it can be overcome.” (Phillip Yancey pg. 129)
“’Forgiveness is not just an occasional act: it is a permanent attitude,’ said Martin Luther King Jr.” (Phillip Yancey pg. 137)
“Without forgiveness we cannot free ourselves from the grip of the past.” (Phillip Yancey pg. 120)
“Forgiveness is not the same as pardon…you may forgive one who wronged you and still insist on a just punishment for that wrong. If you can bring yourself to the point of forgiveness…you will release its healing power both in you and in the person who wronged you.” (pg. 103 Phillip Yancey)
In my past, I’ve had a few people that have made my life kinda difficult. No matter how difficult that may be however, I had always forgiven them. I had the mind set, “love the sinner, hate the sin”, which is good, but I missed something in that lesson. I left out the part where I let that person know that I have indeed forgiven them. Not that I’ve pardoned their wrong-doing, but that I am not going to hold it against them ever. Who am I that I wouldn’t forgive someone, after God has forgiven me of so much?
That being said, God has grown me tremendously in my heart to forgive people. I’m happy to say that I’m at the point where I want to hug all those that have hurt me, and tell them, “It’s okay. I forgive you, and love you, and so does God.” And boy is that a liberating feeling to not be chained to the past any longer! Praise God! His grace is sufficient!
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Jun 3, 2010
We got the opportunity as the School of Discipleship to volunteer at an event called TwentyTen. At the event we had a variety of roles. We worked at the booths handing out our free book “Revolution in World Missions” and shared with people about our Bridge of Hope ministry and our National Missionaries.
Bethany and I got the chance to work at the sound booth so that we could video crowd shots and the speakers at the event. We also go to meet the sound engineers for the various bands that were playing. Those guys are pretty nifty.
We also got the opportunity to hear Uncle KP speak, now that was amazing. If only you could have heard him engage the crowd and share with them about the chance they would have to change the world for eternity by becoming more aware of what is happening outside America.
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Jun 2, 2010
So, we have reached one of the busy seasons in the Volunteer Department. There are a lot of events coming up, which means a lot of orders need to be made, volunteers need to be organized, and details need to be finalized.
To be honest, if we weren’t depending on the Lord in each and every decision that has to be made, nothing would get done, things would fall between the cracks, and the events wouldn’t bear lasting fruit.
I know for me personally, if I don’t depend on the Lord in these situations, I end up freaking out. Thankfully, I have the Lord, His many promises, and all the other people in Gospel For Asia that are encouraging, a great help, and are willing to stop and listen. Praise God for providing!
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Jun 2, 2010
You know how some people say “you’ll either do it my way, or it’s the highway”. Well with God, it’s not quite that drastic for those who are believers, but there are certainly different things that seem similar to that.
In class, we just finished a booklet called “The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way” by K.P. Yohannan, and that certainly was a tad convicting.
A basic summary of the booklet is, through our relationship with God, and waiting on Him for wisdom and guidance in ministry, there will be lasting fruit that follows. Doesn’t that sound great?! I sure think so, but then I looked more into it, and tried applying it to my life, and boy is that hard!
Sometimes doing things in the Lord’s way means NOT doing what I think seems like the best plan of action, things that aren’t logical to me. God will take me out of my comfort zone, and direct me to do something that I never would have thought would be beneficial to anything.
However, this can also be taken in many ways. I could go to the extreme of waiting on the Lord, but not listening when He tells me to do something. I’m not saying it’s bad to wait on the Lord, but when He tells you to do something, do it! I can easily fall into the trap of waiting longer than needed because I’m afraid of what He’s telling me to do, using the excuse that I’m trying to make sure this really is what Gods wants.
There are also times when I start off right, waiting on the Lord, and doing what He tells me to do. But somewhere down the road, I start building habits. Habits are great to have, especially like reading your Bible and praying everyday. For me, I struggle with not making those habits into just going through the motions. Going through the motions of serving others, of the various tasks I have, of going through everyday life.
Just going through the motions is like being on autopilot. The things I accomplish are all in my own work, not the Lord’s. I end up not depending on the Lord for wisdom and guidance and just complete the tasks before me because I know how to. But that leads to fruit that doesn’t last.
That being said, I need to make sure I keep a balance. It’s good to build habits, and it’s good to wait on the Lord, just like it’s good to be involved with ministry. But the most important things are my motives, and getting to know the Lord more intimately and fully. Putting this first and foremost in my life will automatically overflow into ministry. But the difference is, the ministry I’m involved with will be fruitful, beneficial, and even draw me closer to the Lord.
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