Day 1:
Day 3:
Personal Response: In matters relating to God's kingdom, what are you most zealous about? What makes your heart burn?
I'm still trying to figure that out, I feel like that's been a struggle for me over the past 5 years especially. What's your answer to that question?
"They did it next to one another in a display of community that makes me freshly happy our God has not called us to serve Him alone." I don't think I could serve God alone. My flesh is too weak. I need support and encouragement and people to challenge me, to not get lazy. Ben has been so good for me, pushing me toward a genuine, honest relationship with Christ.
"When we've experienced past hardship we can easily let that precedent rule our present."
"He would have lost this [initiative] if he had been exposing half-formed ideas piecemeal to every acquaintance." Ben and I have found this to be true because then your ideas turn more into talk than passionate action.
"Sometimes God drops a dream in our hearts that we must pray over and develop, that we must cultivate by his word and direction before we share it with others."// "I can be a glutton for immediate feedback and other people's reactions." Often times I throw out an idea because I want to hear what other people think of it. If they think it's dumb or don't have much of a reaction to it, I'll often dismiss the idea. But there are a few ideas that I know that God has put into my heart, and although they might seem impractical or impossible, I know God wants me to keep praying about it, looking for the way in which I should be obeying him in the process of making that idea a reality.
"Our task is not to rebuild the physical city of God's dwelling place but to bring restoration to people's hearts through Jesus Christ who takes away our sin and shame." Knowing and understanding that, what impact does it have on me? Does it change they way I live?
"If we're not assured of God's presence we will find a thousand reasonable opportunities to turn back."
Personal Response: In what situation do you desperately need God's hand? where are you leaning on your own resources?
This transition to making medford my home. It's a weird thought, for as long as I can remember Nampa has been my home. Even though we went to Peru, that was only a temporary place. I still feel like Medford is only temporary. But I need to get to know the people here, because this is my home, I need that support. It's hard to be open with people here. It's going to take time, and I can't do it on my own. It's gotta be a God thing.
Day 2:
Personal response: What "gates" in your life need reinforcement?
Ben has recently been challenging me to look at all areas of my life to see if they are pleasing to God. It's not an easy thing to check some areas, to tighten the gate. Going from a sheltered christian atmosphere to a more secular atmosphere, it's sometimes easy to slip into doing things the world does, even if it's not "bad" it could still be displeasing to God. How am I set apart or different than those of this world?
This transition to making medford my home. It's a weird thought, for as long as I can remember Nampa has been my home. Even though we went to Peru, that was only a temporary place. I still feel like Medford is only temporary. But I need to get to know the people here, because this is my home, I need that support. It's hard to be open with people here. It's going to take time, and I can't do it on my own. It's gotta be a God thing.
Day 2:
Personal response: What "gates" in your life need reinforcement?
Ben has recently been challenging me to look at all areas of my life to see if they are pleasing to God. It's not an easy thing to check some areas, to tighten the gate. Going from a sheltered christian atmosphere to a more secular atmosphere, it's sometimes easy to slip into doing things the world does, even if it's not "bad" it could still be displeasing to God. How am I set apart or different than those of this world?
Day 3:
Personal Response: In matters relating to God's kingdom, what are you most zealous about? What makes your heart burn?
I'm still trying to figure that out, I feel like that's been a struggle for me over the past 5 years especially. What's your answer to that question?
"They did it next to one another in a display of community that makes me freshly happy our God has not called us to serve Him alone." I don't think I could serve God alone. My flesh is too weak. I need support and encouragement and people to challenge me, to not get lazy. Ben has been so good for me, pushing me toward a genuine, honest relationship with Christ.
Day 4:
"God was always Nehemiah first stop; action always followed, it never led." I think in this world, we are all about results, rather that waiting and preparing. I haven't prayed nearly as much as I should. I'll act quicker than the thought of even praying pops into my head. It's so hard to slow down in America. There's so many distractions and so many "to-do's." It's hard for me, too, because I like to get things accomplished, check things off, not spend time praying.
BUT, I have found that the more I do pray, the more I see how God is providing. I'm more aware of his gifts for me. And it helps me analyze my priorities and puts them where they should be.
"Nehemiah's vision wasn't shaken because he was convinced of what God had put in his heart to do." When I read this, I thought of you, mom. This is my prayer for you. That as you are in Peru, you will be strengthened as you remember and convinced of what God has called you to do. I know it's hard there for you right now, but I hope that the power of God's purpose and will for you while you are there is so strong that you will believe in it and its power will change your perspective. I know there are a lot of things that are legitimately difficult and not the best for you, but my hope is that you will be able to stand firm on the truth of Christ and your relationship with him.
This is a prayer for myself as well, being here in Medford. I know that God has me here, but I want to be convinced of that so that I won't waiver or "shake" when different circumstances come up, or when I feel like I'm missing out on things (in Nampa or Peru) or when I miss the people (family and friends). I need that assurance.
Day 5:
"The difference between building and rebuilding is rubble."
"God was always Nehemiah first stop; action always followed, it never led." I think in this world, we are all about results, rather that waiting and preparing. I haven't prayed nearly as much as I should. I'll act quicker than the thought of even praying pops into my head. It's so hard to slow down in America. There's so many distractions and so many "to-do's." It's hard for me, too, because I like to get things accomplished, check things off, not spend time praying.
BUT, I have found that the more I do pray, the more I see how God is providing. I'm more aware of his gifts for me. And it helps me analyze my priorities and puts them where they should be.
"Nehemiah's vision wasn't shaken because he was convinced of what God had put in his heart to do." When I read this, I thought of you, mom. This is my prayer for you. That as you are in Peru, you will be strengthened as you remember and convinced of what God has called you to do. I know it's hard there for you right now, but I hope that the power of God's purpose and will for you while you are there is so strong that you will believe in it and its power will change your perspective. I know there are a lot of things that are legitimately difficult and not the best for you, but my hope is that you will be able to stand firm on the truth of Christ and your relationship with him.
This is a prayer for myself as well, being here in Medford. I know that God has me here, but I want to be convinced of that so that I won't waiver or "shake" when different circumstances come up, or when I feel like I'm missing out on things (in Nampa or Peru) or when I miss the people (family and friends). I need that assurance.
Day 5:
"The difference between building and rebuilding is rubble."
"When we've experienced past hardship we can easily let that precedent rule our present."
Who are your people who God has asked you to fight for?
Carly, Mom, Dad, Troy and Kendra, Kurt, Kelly
Personal Reflection: What does this promise, given throughout the Bible, mean to you personally?
it means that I am of worth to him. He is going to protect me as I grow.
Carly, Mom, Dad, Troy and Kendra, Kurt, Kelly
Personal Reflection: What does this promise, given throughout the Bible, mean to you personally?
it means that I am of worth to him. He is going to protect me as I grow.
Day 1: "Nehemiah had been a wise caretaker of the plan God put in his heart. He had fostered and sculpted it during his FOUR months of prayer and planning." I'm still praying about what God is putting on my heart. I am challenged to pray about something for FOUR months before taking action! :)
ReplyDeleteI will pray for you about your Medford transition.
I liked the part where she mentions that, "Nehemiah didn't mention his military escort or the backing he'd received from Persia; only God's favor, God's people, and the distinction of Jerusalem. Brilliant."
Day 2
My gate that needs reinforced is definitely my negative thoughts. Ugh!
"A good leader understands that the work can't be stopped because a few oppose or refuse to be involved." A good thing to remember and yet you need the discernment to know if it is something you need to listen to or not, I guess that comes with the first four months of praying and really seeking God's will.
Day 3
Most zealous? I love seeing people hear God by using the Bible in their life.
Day 4
ReplyDeleteFunny, "God was always his first stop; action always followed, it never led."....I had a STAR by that statement! :)
Thank you for your prayer, Tara. Really.
Day 5
"The problem with rubble is that is hangs around well after the initial destruction. Though the attack on Jerusalem's walls had long since passed, the rubble was still present. But the Jews were dealing with it, and this is the good news. Similarly, it's important for us to deal with our personal rubble or we may find ourselves still climbing over it 30 years from now. How can we properly rebuild if we never address our rubble? Getting rid of rubble requires we do something." I thought this was a well written paragraph since some people think we should just leave the past in the past!
I really liked the second quote you listed as well!!
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