It's a rainy day today and will be for the next couple days. That means they are also sleepy days. I wanna take a nap, but I prolly won't. This way I'll sleep better tonight. I have less than a week left before arriving back on campus at Moody. I'm waiting with great anticipation at the semester ahead. It will surely be a busy one. What I'm not eager for is dealing with the confusion about my school bill... I thankfully decided to take a look at it recently and I'm glad I did. Somehow I have a remaining balance from last semester of $2,000. I sent an email to ask about this and they said it was true and that the payment plan also needed to be payed for at $35. They said the deadline for this was two days later... how often am I able to check my email while here? By the time I checked it... time was up. They said the system would knock me out of the payment plan and I'd have to pay it all up front (including the $5,200 total Fall bill). Needless to say... this is not desirable.
I'm kinda frustrated here because I'd assumed if I registered for the payment plan the money would automatically be subtracted from my account... like it should be if you say that's what you want??! I'm already registered for classes so I don't know what's going on here. They've yet to write me back about it. If I have to pay it all up front though, I would certainly have to trust God next semester and likely work myself to death. Lord... umm... I'm trying to trust Ya here.
I taught Sunday school yesterday with the last lesson on Jehovah's Witnesses. I reviewed some of the common passages the JW's twist and shared some exegetical insights. For the most part the truth was seen within a few verses from the one they were distorting. Context is still king. I love the quote: "A text without a context is a pre-text for a proof-text." I also discussed the details of how they start a conversation with you as they come door to door then gave a few approaches on how to respond and witness back to the witnesses. We had most of the high school group and all of the junior high in one room. It was a large group. Partway through I had to speed it up due to time and as I did so I realized that I had forgotten the nervousness of not having regurlarly taught this group and my excitement about the truth I was sharing matched the speed I was teaching. The youth were hooked and interested. I wasn't disoriented as the class ended and I praise God that He used me to help those kids and teens articulate God's truth. I'm continually amazed at what God does and how He does it.
I face a busy week. The packing part is not what I'm talking about. Currently I work 32 hours, have 2 meetings with friends before I leave, plan to help someone move, gotta fix this school bill thing, wanna schedule a doctor's visit, gonna visit my mom, and who knows what else in between. One of those meetings is with a former co-worker who isn't a Christian that I've been talking with for some time. Our conversations have been fruitful every time and I appreciate how I see God drawing him. Please pray for those conversations.
After the last blog entry I feel I should clarify something as I was asked to. My ex-girlffriend read my blog and felt it would be right to call me, explain a few things, and give an update. This was a call I was surprised to get but it left me with a bit of relief and also got me thinking... as I suppose it would have anyway. She called to say there was bitterness, but there isn't anymore. It had been dealt with for a couple weeks now. I didn't know that when I wrote the entry. It's interesting how God works. It turned out we were both praying about and for eachother individually for some time now. God really has been working on hearts. For this I can only praise Him more and know that He is good. I feel also that clarification is needed on my part. Some may read that entry and see it as gossip, slander, or a sob story from a victim. None of these things were my intention. The entry was simply an expression of my felt perceptions. I was being openly honest about how I felt. That's where it ends. That's it. That's all. Consider this illustration: There's a counseling meeting between two people... one says to the other "you are always angry at me." The other says, "Why would you say that? I don't feel angry at you." The counselor then says to person B, "For person A your anger toward them is real and exists for one reason or another. The solution won't come though by arguing over whether or not you are angry, but rather why they perceive you as angry and if anything they're perceiving is valid... it needs to be worked out. That needs to be dealt with and understood before reconciliation can happen." Usually by the time they've reached the counselor, whatever relationship the two had is almost completely dissolved. A perception and miscommunication or no communication can simply explode into further steps and create more and more drama.
I say all that to say I believe this is similar to what happened here. For those who read this, please don't give me more or less credit for anything, don't eisegete or read anything into what I'm saying :/
I throw my hands up in surrender.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Transparency and more
Last post I wanted to say more, but my sister had some difficulties I had to attend to and I couldn't think real well to write. I'm less than 2 weeks away from heading back up to school. I'm looking forward to it and have a lot to do when I get there. I need to square things away with my new job (that I'm confident in getting) and call the old one. I hear the old one has already gone through their turnover and is needing help again. It's good to know that's an option even though the income is small. I also tentatively need to make a doctor's appointment I should've made last semester.
I taught Sunday school beginning with the history and general information about Jehovah's Witnesses. Because it was the first Sunday resuming Sunday school, many of the youth were out and the junior high kids were sent into my room. I think they enjoyed it, however most of it was pure information which can get dry. We didn't have time to get into any of the Scripture. That will be for next week. I'm also about halfway through the Watchtower publication "What Does The Bible Really Teach?" I requested a copy from the Brooklyn headquaters because I don't have a copy at my house here in Texas. I'll also then discuss how to approach JWs and how they will approach us (from my personal experience). It will certainly be the more enjoyable and easier lesson from my standpoint. I'm going to teach the youth the first 3 rules of interpretation. These rules almost always solve interpretation problems... 1. Context, 2. Context, 3. Context. Consider yourself enlightened :)
This summer has been an interesting one for sure. This is especially true about the end of it. It feels like it's gone pretty fast though. Since I've finished the Old Testament, I've been focusing my time on preparing to teach, relaxing a bit with Jake 2.0 and Ben 10 Alien Force, and spending some time with my friends... with a little witnessing here and there. In continuing my blog trend of transparency I venture to share a few thoughts and struggles from life...
It's truly been a blessing to be there for ym friend through his breakup as he was certainly there for me. Thank the Lord for the mercy of His children. God is teaching me even as I am there for someone else. I also have been in a battle to try and help my mom. Over the years it's been more than a struggle to honor my mother and figure out what that means in my situation. My mom has been out of a steady job for a long time. Recently my work had a job fair. I told her about it that day and I'm afraid she lied to me about going. Again I spoke with managers at work who were excited to meet her. I thought she would come in yesterday and I call her to find out that she probably just woke up in the mid afternoon after staying up all night for days in a row. She got a job working at a holiday oriented store and said she wanted to work at both places. That job is obviously seasonal and won't give her what she needs, yet she can't even show up to meet with the managers and fill out an application at my work. She practically has to walk in and a make a phone call or two and she has the job. Her food stamps were recently reduced and my sister lives with her. Her only income is child support and her parents (who are about out of money) I'm thinking of my sister's well-being. As I pray for the situation, I am quickly reminded that of more importance is the eternity of my family. Jobs are temporal... souls are not. May our prayers be focused on the eternal as well as the temporal.
As I spend time with my friend, I also reflect back on my own breakup experience. It's interesting how two guys can "compare notes" in a humorous and yet enjoyable way. It's awesome to have brothers in Christ. As I reflect on the past in light of the present, I can confidently say that after over a year I thank the Lord that His grace has allowed me to continue in life and school with joy in my heart and a rest in His sovereignty that while wavering at times... has still been there. There are still unanswered questions as there always seem to be. I wonder if those were answered... would that put more confidence in my own knowledge isntead of God's control and care? Maybe that's my answer. It's been brought to my attention that even saying hello to my ex-girlfriend bothers her. I suppose this makes sense considering the reluctant responses to those greetings and the overall ignoring of my existence in person... lol. I suppose even trying to be kind is trying for too much. I knew it would be easier for me to ignore and avoid, so I wanted to go outside of my own comfort zone and practice an attitude of kindness regardless of reciprocation or mental noise. This would be the more daunting task I reasoned. So the courage brought out the good morning's, hey's, and how are you's.
In my mind as I thought about this I was immediately reminded of Proverbs 25:21-22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you." Little did I know this was exactly what was being felt. This feeling is not an intentional one on the part of the person who causes it, rather it's a natural result of showing the attitude toward someone they would not expect from you... the fact that it's the exact opposite of what they expect is what bothers them. The verse also says the Lord will reward you for doing so. For a time I was affirmed in my head that I was on the right path... my motives were pure in showing kindness and the Word of God was playing out as it says it would, right? Then we have this idea of honoring the wishes of the person whom you broke up with...
If she desires no communication, am I to honor that? What about this verse? I learned in Hermeneutics that Proverbs are general truths that don't direct every single individual circumstance in life. As I look again at this proverb, I think twice. Does it apply? Am I in the wrong here? Still not sure. It's interesting to sit back outside myself and watch all this take place. Is this what it all really looks like?
Honest thoughts:
Is it really ever possible to have a vibrant friendship with someone you once intimately shared life with? Who really is who's enemy and why? How and why can some hold bitterness so strong for so long? Why do I have to hear about these things from 3rd parties? Oh yeah, I don't need to worry about these things anymore. I'm free of obligation, right? I can operate in daily life, but I'm afraid I won't be able to shake this lack of clear reconciliation and presence of clear bitterness. Therefore I continue to do the only thing I can do... pray and ignore the clock.
"leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." Matthew 5:24
I taught Sunday school beginning with the history and general information about Jehovah's Witnesses. Because it was the first Sunday resuming Sunday school, many of the youth were out and the junior high kids were sent into my room. I think they enjoyed it, however most of it was pure information which can get dry. We didn't have time to get into any of the Scripture. That will be for next week. I'm also about halfway through the Watchtower publication "What Does The Bible Really Teach?" I requested a copy from the Brooklyn headquaters because I don't have a copy at my house here in Texas. I'll also then discuss how to approach JWs and how they will approach us (from my personal experience). It will certainly be the more enjoyable and easier lesson from my standpoint. I'm going to teach the youth the first 3 rules of interpretation. These rules almost always solve interpretation problems... 1. Context, 2. Context, 3. Context. Consider yourself enlightened :)
This summer has been an interesting one for sure. This is especially true about the end of it. It feels like it's gone pretty fast though. Since I've finished the Old Testament, I've been focusing my time on preparing to teach, relaxing a bit with Jake 2.0 and Ben 10 Alien Force, and spending some time with my friends... with a little witnessing here and there. In continuing my blog trend of transparency I venture to share a few thoughts and struggles from life...
It's truly been a blessing to be there for ym friend through his breakup as he was certainly there for me. Thank the Lord for the mercy of His children. God is teaching me even as I am there for someone else. I also have been in a battle to try and help my mom. Over the years it's been more than a struggle to honor my mother and figure out what that means in my situation. My mom has been out of a steady job for a long time. Recently my work had a job fair. I told her about it that day and I'm afraid she lied to me about going. Again I spoke with managers at work who were excited to meet her. I thought she would come in yesterday and I call her to find out that she probably just woke up in the mid afternoon after staying up all night for days in a row. She got a job working at a holiday oriented store and said she wanted to work at both places. That job is obviously seasonal and won't give her what she needs, yet she can't even show up to meet with the managers and fill out an application at my work. She practically has to walk in and a make a phone call or two and she has the job. Her food stamps were recently reduced and my sister lives with her. Her only income is child support and her parents (who are about out of money) I'm thinking of my sister's well-being. As I pray for the situation, I am quickly reminded that of more importance is the eternity of my family. Jobs are temporal... souls are not. May our prayers be focused on the eternal as well as the temporal.
As I spend time with my friend, I also reflect back on my own breakup experience. It's interesting how two guys can "compare notes" in a humorous and yet enjoyable way. It's awesome to have brothers in Christ. As I reflect on the past in light of the present, I can confidently say that after over a year I thank the Lord that His grace has allowed me to continue in life and school with joy in my heart and a rest in His sovereignty that while wavering at times... has still been there. There are still unanswered questions as there always seem to be. I wonder if those were answered... would that put more confidence in my own knowledge isntead of God's control and care? Maybe that's my answer. It's been brought to my attention that even saying hello to my ex-girlfriend bothers her. I suppose this makes sense considering the reluctant responses to those greetings and the overall ignoring of my existence in person... lol. I suppose even trying to be kind is trying for too much. I knew it would be easier for me to ignore and avoid, so I wanted to go outside of my own comfort zone and practice an attitude of kindness regardless of reciprocation or mental noise. This would be the more daunting task I reasoned. So the courage brought out the good morning's, hey's, and how are you's.
In my mind as I thought about this I was immediately reminded of Proverbs 25:21-22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you." Little did I know this was exactly what was being felt. This feeling is not an intentional one on the part of the person who causes it, rather it's a natural result of showing the attitude toward someone they would not expect from you... the fact that it's the exact opposite of what they expect is what bothers them. The verse also says the Lord will reward you for doing so. For a time I was affirmed in my head that I was on the right path... my motives were pure in showing kindness and the Word of God was playing out as it says it would, right? Then we have this idea of honoring the wishes of the person whom you broke up with...
If she desires no communication, am I to honor that? What about this verse? I learned in Hermeneutics that Proverbs are general truths that don't direct every single individual circumstance in life. As I look again at this proverb, I think twice. Does it apply? Am I in the wrong here? Still not sure. It's interesting to sit back outside myself and watch all this take place. Is this what it all really looks like?
Honest thoughts:
Is it really ever possible to have a vibrant friendship with someone you once intimately shared life with? Who really is who's enemy and why? How and why can some hold bitterness so strong for so long? Why do I have to hear about these things from 3rd parties? Oh yeah, I don't need to worry about these things anymore. I'm free of obligation, right? I can operate in daily life, but I'm afraid I won't be able to shake this lack of clear reconciliation and presence of clear bitterness. Therefore I continue to do the only thing I can do... pray and ignore the clock.
"leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." Matthew 5:24
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Updates and Jehovah's (False) Witnesses
I have about 2 and a half weeks left until school resumes. I can thankfully say I've finished reading the Old Testament over the summer!!! It's been a busy summer. I get to teach the youth this Sunday about Jehovah's Witnesses. Here are my notes...
Jehovah’s Witnesses Week 1
Using Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
-What do you remember from last time? What is the crowning heresy of the JW’s?
-Pg.48 summary points and…
-They will never salute the flag, will never recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and will never serve in the army. They don’t celebrate Christmas because they deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ. They don’t celebrate Easter because they deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They believe Jesus died on a stake… not a cross.
-pg.49-59 (C.T. Russell and Judge Rutherford)
-pg.50-51: the Finished Mystery and Russell’s divorce
-pg.54-55: Russell doesn’t know Greek
-pg.57: The Bible is not enough
-Excerpt from pg.68-69
-Discuss how they “study” the Bible vs an exegetical commentary
-No Bibles at Jonestown and Catholics murdering early translators
-Early in ministry, Russell said Christ would return in the flesh in the year 1874.
-(False prophecy) He changed his calculations to the year 1914.
-(False Prophecy) Russell then redefined the 2nd Coming to mean that Jesus returned in 1914 as an invisible spirit to help set up the organization.
-pg.104: Awake magazine mission statement changed?
-Russell died on Oct. 31st, 1916 (Halloween night)
-In 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over the organization.
-To increase membership, he said that only 144,000 people would be able to enter heaven.
-In 1935 it went over 144,000.
-Rutherford saved the day with a new revelation that said all the people who joined before 1935 would go to heaven and everyone who joined after 1935, would stay on earth to live in a “new paradise.”
-He said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return in the flesh between 1925 and 1929.
-He built a large mansion in San Deigo, California for them to live when they returned.
- (False prophecy) Rutherford lived in the mansion himself until he died in 1942.
-In 1942, Nathan H. Knorr
-In 1966, he said Armageddon and the end of the age would occur in 1975.
-(False prophecy) Fast Facts on False Teachings: “In 1976 and 77 over a million JW left the Watchtower deeply disillusioned with the organization that claimed to be the voice of God on earth, but had proven again and again to be a false prophet.”
-Knorr died in 1977.
-Biblical test for foretelling prophets? Deut. 18:20-22
-Now the leadership is a group called the “Governing Body” presided over by the president
-Read pg. 67 *highlighted*
-In 2001, only one-sixth of total membership was in the U.S.
-Titles:
-Heavenly/Spiritual/Anointed class (only ones who can partake of annual communion and includes those born in 1914)
-Publishers (1200 yearly hours in “studying” or witnessing with others)
-Pioneers (next step up)
-Congregation (a group of witnesses meeting)
-Kingdom hall (not a church – they will correct you)
-Weekly meetings (5 expected of them):
-Public Talk (Sunday service-singing, discussion of watchtower material)
-Watchtower study (immediate follow-up Q&A)
-Theocratic Ministry School (evangelism training – Thursday nights)
-Service meeting (follows ministry training)
-Book Study (not sure what “book” means)
-New World Translation
-It was completed in 1961. There have been 4 revisions… last in 1984.
-Describe… purple cover one is better (“God is giving us new revelation all the time”)
-Disfellowshipping/Excommunication
-Read pg.67 (bottom)-68
-story of the guy on sixscreensofthewatchtower.com
-his daughter refused to see him
-In Christianity the goal is what? Restoration, not guilt
-Scripture Distortions
-Col. 1:15? (“firstborn of all creation”)
-Preeminence… Christ is superior to all of creation (compare Jeremiah 31:9)
-v.16 = He is Creator (also John 1:3), v.17 = He is Sustainer (Hebrews 1:3)
-1 Cor. 11:3?, prayer of John 17? John 5:19? (see… Jesus and God are not the same)
-John 5:23 = They’re worthy of the same honor
-What is the doctrine of the Trinity? 3 distinct persons, one SUBSTANCE
-Father wills, Son carries out, Spirit provides the power
-Heb. 1:5-6? (they translate it “obeisance” respect?)
-Heb. 1:8 = The Father calls Christ God
-Hebrews 1 teaches the supremecy and sufficiency of Christ
-Rev. 7:4? (The 144,000) -duh
-Lev. 17:10? (No blood transfusions?)
-John 1:1 (the infamous “a god” translation)
-Word order is different in Greek: “and God was the Word (the subject).” We know that "the Word" is the subject because it has the definite article, and we translate it accordingly: "and the Word was God." The word order tells us that Jesus Christ has all the divine attributes that the Father has; lack of the article tells us that Jesus Christ is not the Father. As Martin Luther said, the lack of the article is against Sabellianism; the word order is against Arianism.
-To state this another way, look at how the different Greek constructions would be rendered:
"and the Word was the God" (i.e., the Father; Sabellianism).
"and the Word was a god"
(Arianism), "and the Word was God" (Orthodoxy). (Bill Mounce, teknia.com)
-Any comments from Matthew on this verse?
Jehovah’s Witnesses Week 1
Using Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
-What do you remember from last time? What is the crowning heresy of the JW’s?
-Pg.48 summary points and…
-They will never salute the flag, will never recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and will never serve in the army. They don’t celebrate Christmas because they deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ. They don’t celebrate Easter because they deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They believe Jesus died on a stake… not a cross.
-pg.49-59 (C.T. Russell and Judge Rutherford)
-pg.50-51: the Finished Mystery and Russell’s divorce
-pg.54-55: Russell doesn’t know Greek
-pg.57: The Bible is not enough
-Excerpt from pg.68-69
-Discuss how they “study” the Bible vs an exegetical commentary
-No Bibles at Jonestown and Catholics murdering early translators
-Early in ministry, Russell said Christ would return in the flesh in the year 1874.
-(False prophecy) He changed his calculations to the year 1914.
-(False Prophecy) Russell then redefined the 2nd Coming to mean that Jesus returned in 1914 as an invisible spirit to help set up the organization.
-pg.104: Awake magazine mission statement changed?
-Russell died on Oct. 31st, 1916 (Halloween night)
-In 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over the organization.
-To increase membership, he said that only 144,000 people would be able to enter heaven.
-In 1935 it went over 144,000.
-Rutherford saved the day with a new revelation that said all the people who joined before 1935 would go to heaven and everyone who joined after 1935, would stay on earth to live in a “new paradise.”
-He said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return in the flesh between 1925 and 1929.
-He built a large mansion in San Deigo, California for them to live when they returned.
- (False prophecy) Rutherford lived in the mansion himself until he died in 1942.
-In 1942, Nathan H. Knorr
-In 1966, he said Armageddon and the end of the age would occur in 1975.
-(False prophecy) Fast Facts on False Teachings: “In 1976 and 77 over a million JW left the Watchtower deeply disillusioned with the organization that claimed to be the voice of God on earth, but had proven again and again to be a false prophet.”
-Knorr died in 1977.
-Biblical test for foretelling prophets? Deut. 18:20-22
-Now the leadership is a group called the “Governing Body” presided over by the president
-Read pg. 67 *highlighted*
-In 2001, only one-sixth of total membership was in the U.S.
-Titles:
-Heavenly/Spiritual/Anointed class (only ones who can partake of annual communion and includes those born in 1914)
-Publishers (1200 yearly hours in “studying” or witnessing with others)
-Pioneers (next step up)
-Congregation (a group of witnesses meeting)
-Kingdom hall (not a church – they will correct you)
-Weekly meetings (5 expected of them):
-Public Talk (Sunday service-singing, discussion of watchtower material)
-Watchtower study (immediate follow-up Q&A)
-Theocratic Ministry School (evangelism training – Thursday nights)
-Service meeting (follows ministry training)
-Book Study (not sure what “book” means)
-New World Translation
-It was completed in 1961. There have been 4 revisions… last in 1984.
-Describe… purple cover one is better (“God is giving us new revelation all the time”)
-Disfellowshipping/Excommunication
-Read pg.67 (bottom)-68
-story of the guy on sixscreensofthewatchtower.com
-his daughter refused to see him
-In Christianity the goal is what? Restoration, not guilt
-Scripture Distortions
-Col. 1:15? (“firstborn of all creation”)
-Preeminence… Christ is superior to all of creation (compare Jeremiah 31:9)
-v.16 = He is Creator (also John 1:3), v.17 = He is Sustainer (Hebrews 1:3)
-1 Cor. 11:3?, prayer of John 17? John 5:19? (see… Jesus and God are not the same)
-John 5:23 = They’re worthy of the same honor
-What is the doctrine of the Trinity? 3 distinct persons, one SUBSTANCE
-Father wills, Son carries out, Spirit provides the power
-Heb. 1:5-6? (they translate it “obeisance” respect?)
-Heb. 1:8 = The Father calls Christ God
-Hebrews 1 teaches the supremecy and sufficiency of Christ
-Rev. 7:4? (The 144,000) -duh
-Lev. 17:10? (No blood transfusions?)
-John 1:1 (the infamous “a god” translation)
-Word order is different in Greek: “and God was the Word (the subject).” We know that "the Word" is the subject because it has the definite article, and we translate it accordingly: "and the Word was God." The word order tells us that Jesus Christ has all the divine attributes that the Father has; lack of the article tells us that Jesus Christ is not the Father. As Martin Luther said, the lack of the article is against Sabellianism; the word order is against Arianism.
-To state this another way, look at how the different Greek constructions would be rendered:
"and the Word was the God" (i.e., the Father; Sabellianism).
"and the Word was a god"
(Arianism), "and the Word was God" (Orthodoxy). (Bill Mounce, teknia.com)
-Any comments from Matthew on this verse?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
One Month Left
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!)
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 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.
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