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| dudes...
i'm in a good mood.
i was just thinking about all the little things I used to experience and get a kick out of when i was in Macedonia...and how they became normal, and then how i forgot about them.
like the radio station antenna 5....how their slogan was "antenna 5 radio for tunes" but when they said it, they said, "antenna pet, radio for tuna" it was freaking awesome!
and how when i wanted a taxi i would dial 9608 or any combination of 4 numbers starting with 96. And the lady would answer, "dimitar pandilov devias davet" (my address) and i would say, "doh centar makdoughnald's" (to center mcdonalds...that's how they pronounced it, so i tried to say it their way). and she would say, "chetree minutee" (4 minutes). and i would hang up and watch out the window for the taxi.
that was the bomb. | | |
| One day we can live in a nice house in Florida with our spouse, and walk around the mall. And maybe even have a nice pair of walking shoes. And at the end of the day, when we leave, we'll get a cone of frozen yogurt. And we'll just enjoy that frozen yogurt and turn to our spouse and say, "My! Isn't this frozen yogurt just the delight of my soul?"
Tonight my pastor, Bob Smart, was the instructor for our Perspectives class (we have a different person speak every week)
I just burst into tears when he told that story because that is exactly the life my grandparents live right now. And it's exactly what America thinks, and it's all a lie! We were not created to worship our comfort and security, but a Living God!
This was the point in the lecture when he was talking about finishing well [the fullfillment of the Great Commission, and the race for each of us individually]. And he said:
A Christian can only go the distance by understanding your call and knowing your heart. There are three questions to ask in order to understand these:
1. What makes you weep?
ex: poverty, orphans, people who don't understand the gospel?
(This is where you can display mercy and give grace generously)
2. What makes you angry?
(This is where you want to see justice brought about)
3. What do you love to do?
playing basketball, riding a harley, dancing, science, whatever...
(pursue your passions and love the people who are interested in the same things as you...it's about humility, serving where you are designed to serve, not about being a "hero" by giving up the things you love)
You gotta know these three things and go after them! I definitely need to journal about these questions and ask the Lord to help me figure out what they really are for me...
And my pastor believes the number one method of Satan to keep us from not finishing well, in the Western church at least, is RESIGNATION. That's when he started talking about the fatality of America's view of retirement.
As we grow older, if we aren't sure of and passionate about and striving after the cause our heart longs to fulfill, we'll get to this point where don't care about what makes us weep, what makes us angry, or what we love. We'll just resign from life...
how freaking depressing!
And even more depressing is that when i got home just now, i found out that my grandpa is in the ER for the 3rd time this week and is having kidney failure, and he doesn't know the Lord. I was just weeping for him in class, but now my heart isn't even connecting with my brain on this one. I'm just numb... I know the Lord is the one who needs to be at work here because I got nothing. I know He's up to something here.
I know one of the things that makes me weep is when people just don't understand how the gospel. I mean...how MUCH God delights in you...for no reason other than that's His character. I don't care who you are, or where you've been, or what you're thinking as you read this, He delights in you. So much that Jesus gave up the pleasures of heaven and came to this nasty place and lived among nasty, hateful, hurtful, people like me and everyone else in this world and just served and loved people to death. And he overcame sin, satan, and death itself and is living at this moment and saying to you, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Will you respond? | | |
| ok so, i'm not the smartest person in the world, but some people write in the most rediculously confusing manner. it's just unneccesary.
check out this sentance from my perspectives book...
"It is no wonder that a considerable body of literature in the field of missiology today underlies the fact that world Christianity has generally employed the various existing languages and cultures of the world-human community-more so than any other religion-and in so doing, has cast into a shadow all efforts to canonize as universal any kind of mechanically formal extension of the New Testament church-which is 'the people of God' however those individuals are organized."
-"Two Structures" by Ralph D. Winter
WHAT??!? Although this is totally out of context, the rest of the article isn't helping me out too much either. I have read this sentace about 5 times now, and I'm sure he has a great point but i have no clue what he is trying to say. This is why I'm unmotivated to learn.
Throw me a frickin' bone here people. | | |
| I have this tendancy to spend way too long planning stuff for the schools and students I'm working with…and the root of that is believing that I'm the one in control. Thinking if I say it just right, they will get it and a spiritual movement will begin.
I know that isn't true. It's you Lord who has the power to begin revival, you alone. Help me, Lord to STOP when I start getting in that mode. But, during those times, it feels impossible to stop. I feel like I'm doing a good job researching different ideas and studies and materials…I know that it's not necessary though and it's taking up so much of my time and it stresses me out later even if I do enjoy it at the time. Would you create change in me Lord. Help me to remember that nothing I do can spark spiritual revival except the power of prayer.
In Luke 4:33-36, Jesus casts out an evil spirit. One of the books I'm reading reminds me of the importance of remembering Satan and his demons are at work to destroy my life and bring Christians into serious doubt, temptation, and evil...belief that we are the ones in control. In the Lord's prayer, Jesus tells us to pray that we would be kept from temptation and delivered from evil. How often do I pray this prayer? Not often enough.
Our Father, in heaven, Holy be your name. Your kingdom will come…but I pray that your will would be done on earth now as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptaion, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
Lord, I just noticed that this prayer isn't about me, but about the Body of believers. Help me to not focus on myself so much. It's hard not to in America. Would you radically change my way of thinking and my speech and my perspective and world-view. Help me to love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength…and help me to pray for my brothers and sisters. | | |
| hello! monday, sept. 25th is my birthday. So Sunday I am having a potluck at 7pm
Also, either before (4:45)or after (9:30) I want to see Little Miss
Sunshine at the theater close to my house. If you plan on coming
to the potluck, let me know if either of those times would work better
for you!
Everyone is welcome to come (and bring friends!) if you can make it
down to Bloomington, IL! My address is 28 Fetzer Ct. #19.
If you want directions let me know!!! :)
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