The time is nearing for me to return to school and I am definitely eager to return. I made a call to let the manager of Moody Radio know I was still interested in the position I spoke with him about before leaving. He was glad to hear from me. I'm confident I'll have at least that job when I return. Prayer is continuing that it will bring more hours than one day a week. By God's grace, I pray for three 8 hour shifts. This would adequately and confidently help me pay for school, allowing me to rely less on my father and/or working on breaks. It would provide a campus job on which I could study as well. This is an ideal situation.
I haven't picked up my Greek textbook in about 2 weeks. I keep getting stuck on grammar concepts that require memorizing charts to be able to understand. Sunday night I taught out of Genesis 19 for the Sunday night service held at the Pastor's home. I was unbelievably nervous and my body language showed it. Feedback said I didn't seem nervous. I only wiped the sweat once :). I need to get a few more thoughts, but currently I was told my ending was abrupt and more application would be good. I wasn't used to the sit-down somewhat small group environment. Looking back from a positive perspective... I think I did alright. I begin teaching the youth about Jehovah's Witnesses in 2 weeks. May the Lord give confidence and show the same compassion on me as He did with Lot in his moment of hesitation.
I'm close to finishing the Moody Handbook of Preaching I bought before leaving the campus. I will say I'm a little disappointed with the book so far. It's been lighter in practical advice and meat than I expected. Some of the views on the incorporation of film, theater, and similar contemporary elements in the worship service have opposed my own yet with unchallenging or at least unconvincing arguments. I say this while admitting the chapters are short and I know they can't cover everything or make the sole goal providing a case or arguing a point. The book isn't finished though. If nothing else comes up, I should finish it today. then I won't need to lug it back through the airport and reduce the weight of my luggage. Can you believe they're now charging for check-in bags?!?! I'm so annoyed I might sprout wings and fly to Chicago!
My witnessing with nick from church is continuing to go well. I'll have to back off on providing constructive criticism for a bit. I think he more expects to learn as he goes. This may be a case where I provide the feedback only when he asks... on style and technique that is. I went ahead and bought him a few items from Livingwaters.com to encourage his evangelism and provide a few more tools. The Lord has been continuing to convict me on my LACK of generosity. The majority of my adult life has been rather individualistic and self-seeking in the name of efficiency. I realize this the more introspective my mind thinks. My savings is such a huge concern and spending is always tight. Near the beginning of the summer though I had lunch with a gentleman at my church who challenged me in a discussion about the homeless and how we are to treat them. As he spoke, the Lord impressed upon me that I need to remember the fact that (in general) I can't take it with me when I die. Since that time, God has given me the courage to buy others food instead of them paying for me as so often has been the case. It's sad that someone has to buy you food just for some time of fellowship. I can't even believe I allowed my ex-girlfriend to do this as often as she did. The Lord has even moved me to make a substantial donation/purchase to a ministry I am grateful to. These I can do in total faith and the credit goes to God. Sanctification is a beautiful and exciting thing.
On a similar note, I'm borrowing the audio book of His Needs, Her Needs by (last name) Harley. It provides some very practical advice and real-life scenerios that are eye-opening. The major principle of the book seems to be summed up in the commands the Bible gives for husbands and wives to love eachother and put eachother before self. All of this and the thoughts on generosity have begun to impact how I consider others and I'm beginning to get a better grasp on putting others first.... what that really looks like in real life. I'm also able to look back on my past in all kinds of relationships and see where it went wrong. Now I can understand why.
My best friend whom I love as the brother in Christ he is, has run into some serious struggles recently. I only hope I can be there for him through this all as he has been there for and tolerated me so often. My earnest prayers go up on his behalf. May God continue to provide wisdom that comes from the direction of the Spirit and not from me.
Prayer requests:
-Wisdom in comforting and growing with my friend
-Confidence in teaching soon
-Devotional priorities and reading would continue to grow (it's getting better)
-Frugality on needless food spending (gotta eat more canned ravioli and Ramen instead!)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I'm Tired.
Well I can say for the first time that I'm no longer neutral about whether Id rather be home working or in Chicago at school. I miss school. I miss my Moody buddies. I'm ready to go back... with over a month still to go. This job is wearing me out physically. Part of me is considering doing primarily Deli when I return in the future. Since the remodel, the Deli is less taxing work than Produce. All these late days and 4am/5am shifts aren't friendly with me it's seeming. More importantly, I'm just not sure I can cut it anymore. The amount of work and the demands on time are rather difficult. I'm getting sluggish and awkwardly clumsy with my work. Not a day seems to go by where I don't have a package of berries or grape tomatoes bust open, boxes fall over on the floor, I cut myself, hit my head on something, or bruise myself. I enjoy the challenge the days bring, but there's a point I'm thinking when enjoyment ends. Am I cut out for too much more of this kind of work? I'm glad the Lord wouldn't have me do this for a living for the rest of my life. Today I worked 6am-noon and got a lot done... but now my back doesn't like me.
I was also able to give a guy at work a copy of Living By The Book. He's a believer that goes to a Pentecostal and yet "Holy Laughter Movement" church. I've visited his church before incidentally. I will be praying that God uses that book to impact the way he interprets and studies the Bible. It's my tactful way of throwing some biblical material his way without challenging everything his church is teaching. He said he was thankful the Lord must have put it on my heart to buy him that book and that he received that and it made his day. The Lord certainly did put it on my heart... may He now continue to provide financially even though I'm spending money on things like this.
Nick (from church) and I found out last night that the best time to go preaching to the kids at the skate park is 8:30pm. it seems every time we go there the kids are either leaving, there isn't enough of them, or in the case of last night... the cops were there. Well... now we know. We ended up staying late at Capp Smith Park preaching until about 10pm. Nick had a little audience growing there. Two Hispanic women and 2 teens. As the teens left one of them told me "you're doing a good job." It's amazing to think what kind of impact this park ministry will have in regard to the growth of believers and the reaching of the lost when all we're doing is practicing really. God wasn't kidding when He said His Word wouldn't return void. I haven't been downtown for quite some time. In fact, I think it's only been once since I've been back.
Johnny and I have been hanging out Sundays and we're trying to plan a more focused set of spiritual activities for growth and so that we can put God first together. We've decided to study certain theological topics or questions we have and we're trying to organize a CSM reunion where I can teach on some of these we'll study together. Currently... interest in this event is limited to just us 2. We'll see what happens.
I'm here at TCC to start writing up my sermon notes for the Sunday night service coming up. My passage is Genesis 19:15-22:
15When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city."
16But he hesitated. So the men (A)seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for (B)the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.
17When they had brought them outside, one said, "(C)Escape for your life! (D)Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the (E)valley; escape to (F)the mountains, or you will be swept away."
18But Lot said to them, "Oh no, my lords!
19"Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die;
20now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved."
21He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.
22"Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the town was called [a](G)Zoar.
Please pray for dilgence and perseverance as I work on these notes, practice, and continue to think and pray over this sermon.
I was also able to give a guy at work a copy of Living By The Book. He's a believer that goes to a Pentecostal and yet "Holy Laughter Movement" church. I've visited his church before incidentally. I will be praying that God uses that book to impact the way he interprets and studies the Bible. It's my tactful way of throwing some biblical material his way without challenging everything his church is teaching. He said he was thankful the Lord must have put it on my heart to buy him that book and that he received that and it made his day. The Lord certainly did put it on my heart... may He now continue to provide financially even though I'm spending money on things like this.
Nick (from church) and I found out last night that the best time to go preaching to the kids at the skate park is 8:30pm. it seems every time we go there the kids are either leaving, there isn't enough of them, or in the case of last night... the cops were there. Well... now we know. We ended up staying late at Capp Smith Park preaching until about 10pm. Nick had a little audience growing there. Two Hispanic women and 2 teens. As the teens left one of them told me "you're doing a good job." It's amazing to think what kind of impact this park ministry will have in regard to the growth of believers and the reaching of the lost when all we're doing is practicing really. God wasn't kidding when He said His Word wouldn't return void. I haven't been downtown for quite some time. In fact, I think it's only been once since I've been back.
Johnny and I have been hanging out Sundays and we're trying to plan a more focused set of spiritual activities for growth and so that we can put God first together. We've decided to study certain theological topics or questions we have and we're trying to organize a CSM reunion where I can teach on some of these we'll study together. Currently... interest in this event is limited to just us 2. We'll see what happens.
I'm here at TCC to start writing up my sermon notes for the Sunday night service coming up. My passage is Genesis 19:15-22:
15When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city."
16But he hesitated. So the men (A)seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for (B)the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.
17When they had brought them outside, one said, "(C)Escape for your life! (D)Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the (E)valley; escape to (F)the mountains, or you will be swept away."
18But Lot said to them, "Oh no, my lords!
19"Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die;
20now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved."
21He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.
22"Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the town was called [a](G)Zoar.
Please pray for dilgence and perseverance as I work on these notes, practice, and continue to think and pray over this sermon.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Preaching, Teaching, hardly sleeping.
I just heard a story about a guy who was asked for a gospel tract on the sidewalk and when giving them to those who asked... a police officer told him to leave immediately. When asked for his badge number, the officer angrily said it and proceeded to cite the guy with the tracts for trespassing. As they walked, he asked the officer about his first amendment right. To which, the officer said the right doesn't include that particular strip of public property. He threatened the guy with a $700 fine if he found another tract on the ground and took his driver's license number and personal information. As a friendly nudge, I remind you of something someone told me about awhile back that was rather thought provoking. How's the world treatin ya? As you think of an answer... consider the verse that says, "everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Summer is still busy. I've had a short break because of a boundary I've reached in my study of Greek. I need to do some written exercises that I'm trying to get worksheets for. I'm finding the textbook my school uses (Croy) is not the best for self-study. It kinda just lists the information and says do it... giving exercises. It's brief too. I've enjoyed studying through Bill Mounce's material on Teknia.com and have tried to use it alongside the book I'll use for class. My reading of the Old Testament is going well... I think. I started Job this morning. I'm also almost done with Psalms thanks to my friend's audio Bible CDs.
I've been spending some time bi-weekly going to witnessing with a guy form church. He open-air preached for the first time the other day at the park. I'm confident the Lord is going to use his passion. He borrowed the first season of Way of The Master from me and watched it all in less than a week. It's also been cool to have theological discussions with him and hear of his witnessing encounter stories. I'm also spending some time studying Genesis 19:15-22. I plan to teach/preach on this passage soon for the Sunday night service at church. I'm still struggling with the tension in the passage. What were Lot's motives? Is Lot really the terrible rotten guy most commentators make him out to be? I'm searching the context for answers. The regular youth teacher has also asked me to teach the youth Sunday school on the topic of Jehovah's Witnesses and how to reach them. This is an interesting and unexpected request. My first reaction was nervousness. I know it's doable and the material is not difficult. Some of it I could do with my eyes closed. The problem is confidence. I seem to always struggle with confidence. These will be the first opportunities I've had to teach in my home church. It's not a big church, but that doesn't change the big anxiety for me. People give me looks when I say this... knowing that I can preach on a street corner to nonbelievers, yet struggle in a room of believers.
Nonbelievers don't normally correct you on the finer points of interpretation and theology. This is not to say my church is like that, but that doesn't change my often-unwarranted fears and timidity. I have no idea of the expectations of my hearers. One guy told me I look smarter (just because I've come home from a few months of Bible college). Dr. Litfin was right when he said people would do thigns like call on us to pray more just because we're going to Moody. The introvert in me cringes and the extrovert in me produces a caffienated thrill.
I've been working odd hours. This week it's all 4am-10am... with a couple days where I work at night at another store. My free time is spent trying to read and study while often nodding off or blowing too much time watching crime investigation shows. My last day of work is August 21st and I return to the campus Saturday, August 23rd.
Prayer requests:
-My devotional life needs to be a bit more devotional (thoughtful, prayerful, quiet, focused)
-Anxiety/confidence to teach and preach
-diligence and wisdom in time allocation (the power to say no to some things)
-The Spirit's guidance as I (kinda) disciple someone in evangelism
-Vonett needs a job (a penpal in Jamaica)
Summer is still busy. I've had a short break because of a boundary I've reached in my study of Greek. I need to do some written exercises that I'm trying to get worksheets for. I'm finding the textbook my school uses (Croy) is not the best for self-study. It kinda just lists the information and says do it... giving exercises. It's brief too. I've enjoyed studying through Bill Mounce's material on Teknia.com and have tried to use it alongside the book I'll use for class. My reading of the Old Testament is going well... I think. I started Job this morning. I'm also almost done with Psalms thanks to my friend's audio Bible CDs.
I've been spending some time bi-weekly going to witnessing with a guy form church. He open-air preached for the first time the other day at the park. I'm confident the Lord is going to use his passion. He borrowed the first season of Way of The Master from me and watched it all in less than a week. It's also been cool to have theological discussions with him and hear of his witnessing encounter stories. I'm also spending some time studying Genesis 19:15-22. I plan to teach/preach on this passage soon for the Sunday night service at church. I'm still struggling with the tension in the passage. What were Lot's motives? Is Lot really the terrible rotten guy most commentators make him out to be? I'm searching the context for answers. The regular youth teacher has also asked me to teach the youth Sunday school on the topic of Jehovah's Witnesses and how to reach them. This is an interesting and unexpected request. My first reaction was nervousness. I know it's doable and the material is not difficult. Some of it I could do with my eyes closed. The problem is confidence. I seem to always struggle with confidence. These will be the first opportunities I've had to teach in my home church. It's not a big church, but that doesn't change the big anxiety for me. People give me looks when I say this... knowing that I can preach on a street corner to nonbelievers, yet struggle in a room of believers.
Nonbelievers don't normally correct you on the finer points of interpretation and theology. This is not to say my church is like that, but that doesn't change my often-unwarranted fears and timidity. I have no idea of the expectations of my hearers. One guy told me I look smarter (just because I've come home from a few months of Bible college). Dr. Litfin was right when he said people would do thigns like call on us to pray more just because we're going to Moody. The introvert in me cringes and the extrovert in me produces a caffienated thrill.
I've been working odd hours. This week it's all 4am-10am... with a couple days where I work at night at another store. My free time is spent trying to read and study while often nodding off or blowing too much time watching crime investigation shows. My last day of work is August 21st and I return to the campus Saturday, August 23rd.
Prayer requests:
-My devotional life needs to be a bit more devotional (thoughtful, prayerful, quiet, focused)
-Anxiety/confidence to teach and preach
-diligence and wisdom in time allocation (the power to say no to some things)
-The Spirit's guidance as I (kinda) disciple someone in evangelism
-Vonett needs a job (a penpal in Jamaica)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)