I don't really know how to live life anymore.
I don't mean I want to die right now. I mean I don't understand how to live my life.
The life I have been given is extremely complicated, and if it were not for the great hope that is in Christ it would be the biggest vanity of vanities and not worth my time. Although I don't typically think aloud, I think quite a bit about different theoretical outcomes of potential futures to this life. The life which leads down to a life spent in a homosexual relationship pleads with my flesh to allow such a thing, but to my thoughts, this life would not be satisfying because it would be one where, although my flesh would be 'satisfied' to whatever extent that would actually be the case, I would then be living a life devoid of my relationship with God and the hope and joy and peace and life that is truly life that only He can give. And so, although in my actions I bounce back and forth on what may look like support for either side of that question, I would much prefer to live life in purity rather than homosexuality.
However, this and further thoughts can often be difficult to explain or even understand, and thus the reason I spend so much time thinking about hypotheticals and trying to determine what I should and should not be saying explicitly in public venues based on how it could potentially impact my other hypothetical futures and also, I don't really like having strong opinions or arguing with people, which, is an issue I think that I need to deal with at some point. Even just an argumentative tone, despite genuine desire to learn and hear out the other side of an argument, is enough to make me wrench at the thought of continuing such a discussion. However, the opinion that Christ, according to His own words, is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one come to God except by Him, is a very strong opinion to have. So, I do need to deal with this aversion, additionally in regards to my struggles and how they can be used to help others going through such things and those who although don't understand fully would like to help those who are.
Thus, I do have respect for such an article as the one linked below, and these are all thoughts I have had before. I hate loneliness and that thought had crossed my mind, and it did feel like a death sentence. And so I rejected it, but that just makes things complicated.
But complication is better than death.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Article: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/orienting-on-homosexual-orientation
17.7.14
16.7.14
Mortify the Sin Alive in You! - OS+T:M:Ch2
This again was a chapter that caught my eye when I read it at first. The chapter stresses the importance of mortification, the fact that we are either killing sin or being killed by it, and goes so far as to even call out those who claim to be Christian and yet live as carnally as any other.
Largely the chapter speaks of the continual fact that sin is alive in us while we are alive on this earth, no matter how much we seek to deny this by changing the criteria by which holiness may be evaluated, if we are true to the level and standards of what is truly holy we know that in us lies nothing good other than the Spirit who has been given us which is in constant and direct opposition to the sin in us. |And that daily mortification of sin must be our duty.
The biggest idea that struck me was that sin never stops, but desires to push forward to the largest and worst sin of its type. What may start as a quick lustful glance, if not killed, will stop at nothing until it has fulfilled the deepest and darkest deeds related to lustful living. And in so many cases we settle and compromise with sin saying that so long as it not be getting worse, it is fine as it is. That is to allow what is a small wound to stay a wound lest it grow larger. Rather than to heal and aim at what was good beforehand, we say 'well, it isn't that bad, it could be much worse, so this is fine.'
"This new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made; it thinks all is indifferently well if there be no further progress; and so far as the soul is made insensible of any sin—that is, as to such a sense as the gospel requires—so far it is hardened: but sin is still pressing forward, and that because it has no bounds but utter relinquishment of God and opposition to him; that it proceeds toward its height by degrees, making good the ground it has got by hardness, is not from its nature, but its deceitfulness." page 53
But truly, this mortification is to be painful in some senses. How can it not be? Dying, by the nature of the action is to be painful. So our only option is to set our face against that which is evil in us and fight. To choose the Spirit over the flesh and allow the battle to be fought regardless of the pain we may suffer now. The second idea that really struck me was the idea that if you are not facing opposition, is what you are doing really good? If it is not a work that is aimed at holiness, why would sin have any reason to stop you?
"Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts. He who does not kill sin in his way takes no steps toward his journey’s end. He who finds not opposition from it, and who sets not himself in every particular to its mortification, is at peace with it, not dying to it." page 55
Hmmmm.
"When a man has confirmed his imagination to such an apprehension of grace and mercy as to be able, without bitterness, to swallow and digest daily sins, that man is at the very brink of turning the grace of God into lasciviousness and being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." page 56
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." (Eph5:3)
Largely the chapter speaks of the continual fact that sin is alive in us while we are alive on this earth, no matter how much we seek to deny this by changing the criteria by which holiness may be evaluated, if we are true to the level and standards of what is truly holy we know that in us lies nothing good other than the Spirit who has been given us which is in constant and direct opposition to the sin in us. |And that daily mortification of sin must be our duty.
The biggest idea that struck me was that sin never stops, but desires to push forward to the largest and worst sin of its type. What may start as a quick lustful glance, if not killed, will stop at nothing until it has fulfilled the deepest and darkest deeds related to lustful living. And in so many cases we settle and compromise with sin saying that so long as it not be getting worse, it is fine as it is. That is to allow what is a small wound to stay a wound lest it grow larger. Rather than to heal and aim at what was good beforehand, we say 'well, it isn't that bad, it could be much worse, so this is fine.'
"This new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made; it thinks all is indifferently well if there be no further progress; and so far as the soul is made insensible of any sin—that is, as to such a sense as the gospel requires—so far it is hardened: but sin is still pressing forward, and that because it has no bounds but utter relinquishment of God and opposition to him; that it proceeds toward its height by degrees, making good the ground it has got by hardness, is not from its nature, but its deceitfulness." page 53
But truly, this mortification is to be painful in some senses. How can it not be? Dying, by the nature of the action is to be painful. So our only option is to set our face against that which is evil in us and fight. To choose the Spirit over the flesh and allow the battle to be fought regardless of the pain we may suffer now. The second idea that really struck me was the idea that if you are not facing opposition, is what you are doing really good? If it is not a work that is aimed at holiness, why would sin have any reason to stop you?
"Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts. He who does not kill sin in his way takes no steps toward his journey’s end. He who finds not opposition from it, and who sets not himself in every particular to its mortification, is at peace with it, not dying to it." page 55
Hmmmm.
"When a man has confirmed his imagination to such an apprehension of grace and mercy as to be able, without bitterness, to swallow and digest daily sins, that man is at the very brink of turning the grace of God into lasciviousness and being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." page 56
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." (Eph5:3)
14.7.14
Overcoming Sin and Temptation: John Owen - Of Mortification; Chapter 1
Hey, so, this book was recommended highly by a friend of mine and seems fitting to be read. I have briefly scanned the first 4 chapters already, but as mentioned, intend to better process as I read. The pdf is available here (click to get the pdf).
I really really liked the first chapter when I read it the first time on a walk home from a friend's house (since I never normally get time to read). haha. The first chapter, essentially is an introduction to the first treatise which finds its subject matter in 'the mortification of sin in believers' which essentially is an expansion and exposition on Romans 8:13 "if you through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live" (NKJV). In this chapter Owen expands briefly upon each phrase in the sentence and further expands in the subsequent chapters.
I think the idea that caught me the most was the expansion on the word 'if'. As he explains, 'if' normally either denotes and uncertainty, or a certainty (as ironic as that sounds). One way to read the verse would be 'you will live only if you do ____' 'you must do this, or else die'. Very much dependent upon your works. However, Owen explains based on the greater context of the whole that it really denotes a certainty that if this is done you will live, and further that: although it is our daily duty to mortify the flesh, the Spirit is there to help us and is the only true means to doing so; that the ones exhorted to do so are Christians already redeemed from sin and death by Jesus, now free from condemnation (8:1); and that through Jesus our eternal life is already given as a free gift not something to now be earned. So the condition is more along the lines of a patient who has already been in to see a doctor and has now been given medicine with the instructions "if you take this medicine, you will become healthy".
This is a certainty as we trust and live in Christ; you shall live. So follow me and take up your cross and deny yourself.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
I really really liked the first chapter when I read it the first time on a walk home from a friend's house (since I never normally get time to read). haha. The first chapter, essentially is an introduction to the first treatise which finds its subject matter in 'the mortification of sin in believers' which essentially is an expansion and exposition on Romans 8:13 "if you through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live" (NKJV). In this chapter Owen expands briefly upon each phrase in the sentence and further expands in the subsequent chapters.
I think the idea that caught me the most was the expansion on the word 'if'. As he explains, 'if' normally either denotes and uncertainty, or a certainty (as ironic as that sounds). One way to read the verse would be 'you will live only if you do ____' 'you must do this, or else die'. Very much dependent upon your works. However, Owen explains based on the greater context of the whole that it really denotes a certainty that if this is done you will live, and further that: although it is our daily duty to mortify the flesh, the Spirit is there to help us and is the only true means to doing so; that the ones exhorted to do so are Christians already redeemed from sin and death by Jesus, now free from condemnation (8:1); and that through Jesus our eternal life is already given as a free gift not something to now be earned. So the condition is more along the lines of a patient who has already been in to see a doctor and has now been given medicine with the instructions "if you take this medicine, you will become healthy".
This is a certainty as we trust and live in Christ; you shall live. So follow me and take up your cross and deny yourself.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Let's Start a Book Club?
Hey guys!
One thing that I have been really learning this summer is the importance of properly processing material in order to more properly apply new information. Whether this be something theoretical that I learn in class, or something very practical to work or life, if I don't take the time and process it so I understand it, it won't translate to practice.
So, I am attempting in any readings I have or choose to have, which I am prioritizing based on value given and need for specific instruction in my life, to spend time and read deeply rather than a shallow reading for the sake of it, followed by a more in depth analysis and thinking through the issues, and depending on the length of the book, potentially a quick read through again.
As part of this, I will likely be posting my thoughts on chapters of the books I read to better process and also share insights with you. xP Also, if you've ever read the book, or if there are free copies I can get you, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on it too!
I hope you like books. haha
Ttyl.
D.Fa
One thing that I have been really learning this summer is the importance of properly processing material in order to more properly apply new information. Whether this be something theoretical that I learn in class, or something very practical to work or life, if I don't take the time and process it so I understand it, it won't translate to practice.
So, I am attempting in any readings I have or choose to have, which I am prioritizing based on value given and need for specific instruction in my life, to spend time and read deeply rather than a shallow reading for the sake of it, followed by a more in depth analysis and thinking through the issues, and depending on the length of the book, potentially a quick read through again.
As part of this, I will likely be posting my thoughts on chapters of the books I read to better process and also share insights with you. xP Also, if you've ever read the book, or if there are free copies I can get you, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on it too!
I hope you like books. haha
Ttyl.
D.Fa
10.7.14
Openness
Knowing God.
What does that mean and how do we do it?
Essentially that is what a book I am reading right now is trying to explain. The first couple chapters were an introduction into the study of God (theology) and really the immensely (if not infinitely) greater value of knowing God compared to knowing about God.
Hmmmm.
This is even an interesting point in a verse I have been reading lately Romans 1:18-23ish. Ultimately it explains how although people know about God, we have, and still do, transfer our praise from Him to meaningless things. Verse 19 and 21 speak very clearly about this "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them ... For although they knew [about] God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him". And the warning Jesus gives in Matthew 7:21-23 of those who on the last day will say 'Lord, Lord' even having done many things in His name, but will be sent off with the words, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'.
To know God.
And that should be our motive in theology (Bible study, seminary, etc.) as well as reading on the topic. "If we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake, it is bound to go bad on us. It will make us proud and conceited. The very greatness of the subject matter will intoxicate us, and we shall come to think of ourselves as a cut above other Christians because of our interest in it and grasp of it; and we shall look down on those whose theological ideas seem to us crude and inadequate and dismiss them as very poor specimens" (pg 21). And as much as I am still young in my faith, I do see this in my life sometimes. I have been blessed with so many opportunities to learn and study the word and a fairly good general knowledge of many verses. But it does become an issue of pride sometimes.
The bigger thing though is to realize that this isn't the highest thing. God's word is great, but He Himself is so much more and this is one way that He speaks to us and reveals Himself to us.
The third chapter was about being known by God and sundry examples to illustrate what knowing a living and great person is like. The biggest idea that stuck out to me came partially through the following passage on knowing people:
"In the case of human beings, te position is further complicated by the fact that ... people keep secrets. They do not show everybody all that is in their hearts. ... You may spend months and years doing things in company with another person and still have to say at the end of that time, "I don't really know him at all." We recognize degrees in our knowledge of our fellow men. We know them, we say, well, not very well, just to shake hands with, intimately, or perhaps inside out, according to how much, or how little, they have opened up to us.
"Thus, the quality and extent of our knowledge of other people depends more on them than on us. Our knowing them is more directly the result of their allowing us to know them than of our attemptinv to get to know them."
Knowing a person is based largely on how much they allow you to know.
I know this well from my own amount of openness that I can control and looking back at who would consider to know me well or not; how I have or haven't let people know me. But I had never thought of how this is also applicable to God.
Now, this is only applicable one way to God, for as it is written "God knows your hearts" (Luke16:15) and knows everything about you (see Psalm139 especially v.1-4). But the other way is God revealing Himself to men. Which He thankfully is very much in the habit of doing. For thousands of years He spoke to His people and prophets and the biggest thing by far in His revealing of Himself to us was sending Jesus to earth an to the cross. (See Hebrews1:1-3) No longer did God just speak through His prophets, but humbled Himself to be found in human form and share everything with us. He came was tempted and tried and showed His character and wisdom and power to all. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John14:9).
So although knowing God relies fully on how much He reveals, He has actually gone to every measure to show Himself through creation, through His prophets, and even came to live among us, even now by the Holy Spirit in us who we can walk with each day as we get to know Him more.
But what is knowing God and how?
-To be continued-
Jokes. Lol. Just cliffhanged you.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
7.7.14
John 17:15-16
Yo, today I was going to be going to a Chinese school and helping out with promoting the Vacation Bible School (VBS) that will happen at the end of August at OCBC, but right after my first alarm went off (let's just say I snooze a lot) my boss called and wanted me to work for a few hours. 'Produce emergency'. lol. I am not very productive in the first few hours after I wake up, so work is kinda slow then. haha Ended my shift with packaging cookies. (y)
After work I went home and didn't do all that much while I had lunch, answered some emails, whatever. My brother came home and we went to play tennis, but the courts were locked. After I went to school for the prayer meeting which was sweet.
Anyways, the main point of this post is this continuing struggle with the concept presented in John 17:15-16 where Jesus is praying for his disciples then and to come praying that they not be taken out of the world, but be protected from the evil one and he continues to say that they do not belong to the world. All of this which as been boiled down to "Christians should be in the world, but not of the world". How do you do that?
I come back to this question a lot more when I consider one of my friends. He definitely has a heart for God, and discipleship, and missions, and sharing Jesus with those who normally people don't, but he also ends up in many situations where I begin casting judgement on him.
Now, the issue is where is the balance, to being in the world, but not of it? How can you participate in the world's events while at the same time not agreeing with worldliness? Because there are two ways to do this wrong: to take yourself out of the world, and to be so much in the world that you start to belong to it. The examples that come to mind are that of a monk, secluded and separating himself from the world as much as possible so he can better know and understand the greatness of God and fellowship with him; and maybe 'Christian hipster culture' that almost waters down the gospel to fit in.
Because I see the benefits of both, but to both extremes you lose out on what God was saying. We are to be in the world: there is no other way to share with others and witness what God has done. We are to not be of this world: to be consecrated wholly to God and to stand out in a crowd because of God in our lives helping us to reject sinful or destructive actions / habits.
So, I think I may be too quick to judge my friend based on the outward appearance, but I pray that his heart is in the right place and that I'd be able to encourage and support him through these things rather than sitting and judging him as he attempts to reach others with the good news that Christ died for them.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
After work I went home and didn't do all that much while I had lunch, answered some emails, whatever. My brother came home and we went to play tennis, but the courts were locked. After I went to school for the prayer meeting which was sweet.
Anyways, the main point of this post is this continuing struggle with the concept presented in John 17:15-16 where Jesus is praying for his disciples then and to come praying that they not be taken out of the world, but be protected from the evil one and he continues to say that they do not belong to the world. All of this which as been boiled down to "Christians should be in the world, but not of the world". How do you do that?
I come back to this question a lot more when I consider one of my friends. He definitely has a heart for God, and discipleship, and missions, and sharing Jesus with those who normally people don't, but he also ends up in many situations where I begin casting judgement on him.
Now, the issue is where is the balance, to being in the world, but not of it? How can you participate in the world's events while at the same time not agreeing with worldliness? Because there are two ways to do this wrong: to take yourself out of the world, and to be so much in the world that you start to belong to it. The examples that come to mind are that of a monk, secluded and separating himself from the world as much as possible so he can better know and understand the greatness of God and fellowship with him; and maybe 'Christian hipster culture' that almost waters down the gospel to fit in.
Because I see the benefits of both, but to both extremes you lose out on what God was saying. We are to be in the world: there is no other way to share with others and witness what God has done. We are to not be of this world: to be consecrated wholly to God and to stand out in a crowd because of God in our lives helping us to reject sinful or destructive actions / habits.
So, I think I may be too quick to judge my friend based on the outward appearance, but I pray that his heart is in the right place and that I'd be able to encourage and support him through these things rather than sitting and judging him as he attempts to reach others with the good news that Christ died for them.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
5.7.14
3 Things
Hey,
I'm really not being productive with much these days. Today I snoozed 5 times until I had to go to work without breakfast or a shower or anything.... haha. Needless to say I was kinda braindead at work. haha.
This afternoon was fun though. I got to skype with my buddy BL who, oddly enough, I think is one of my better friends, but I'm pretty sure we haven't spent more than like 10 minutes in a row together in the last 3 years and even then I barely knew him. haha. We pretty much just played hotseat for two hours. lol. Basically asking each other questions back and forth about any and everything. I'm pretty excited for him because he's going to be going to East Asia for about a year starting in August. xP
Later I got to play softball again. xP. This week we actually had like 20 people there. I only got to bat 3 times during the game. I think I should not be on 2nd base. I did very poorly with those grounders. > . > After the game we had Bible time from Philipians2:1-10 and then we played a mini game for fun by splitting into two groups. A couple of the OCBC youth and a couple girls that maybe were just at the park ended up playing part of that mini game. xP It was lots of fun and GC is also pretty good despite not having played in a very long time. xP
I should sleep. xP. I've got worship team practice at 11. Preparing for worship team was good as always. Singing songs of worship is always a great way for me to connect with God.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
PS. Maybe I will be going somewhere for a VBS after all! =D Maybe.
I'm really not being productive with much these days. Today I snoozed 5 times until I had to go to work without breakfast or a shower or anything.... haha. Needless to say I was kinda braindead at work. haha.
This afternoon was fun though. I got to skype with my buddy BL who, oddly enough, I think is one of my better friends, but I'm pretty sure we haven't spent more than like 10 minutes in a row together in the last 3 years and even then I barely knew him. haha. We pretty much just played hotseat for two hours. lol. Basically asking each other questions back and forth about any and everything. I'm pretty excited for him because he's going to be going to East Asia for about a year starting in August. xP
Later I got to play softball again. xP. This week we actually had like 20 people there. I only got to bat 3 times during the game. I think I should not be on 2nd base. I did very poorly with those grounders. > . > After the game we had Bible time from Philipians2:1-10 and then we played a mini game for fun by splitting into two groups. A couple of the OCBC youth and a couple girls that maybe were just at the park ended up playing part of that mini game. xP It was lots of fun and GC is also pretty good despite not having played in a very long time. xP
I should sleep. xP. I've got worship team practice at 11. Preparing for worship team was good as always. Singing songs of worship is always a great way for me to connect with God.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
PS. Maybe I will be going somewhere for a VBS after all! =D Maybe.
1.7.14
Thunder and Lightning High Above
I don't know if it's just me or not, but my favourite part of going to watch fireworks isn't the fire (the lights and sight), but feeling the sound burst and boom when it hits your body with the heavy bass resonating in your abdoman.
To feel that might and power.
While watching the fireworks and crowds today (it's Canada Day btw) the thought crossed my mind of how much more worthy of worship and so much more mighty and powerful is God.
We (the general average person in Ottawa) come to Parliament Hill twice a year: Canada Day and Winterlude. Both times, with numerous friends and tens of thousands of strangers, we all come just to see and feel the resounding majesty of sundry explosions high over the river.
But then it's gone.
The crowds go back to their golden calves and worship what else they will. The one singular united crowd worshiping in awe of sparkling pyrotechnics becomes once again the disjointed and distant tens of thousands of individuals each seeking their own paths to success and fulfillment.
Oh, that we would all turn aside as quickly from these other vices and things that, although less majestic, last slightly longer, and promise more, still fall far short of true satisfaction; these things which distort small beauties into idols which draw our gaze from the true beauty of grace in the cross!
Myself included.
May I see again and again the far greater majesty of God's grace and abundant eternal life purchased through Jesus' sacrifice and completed through the Spirit's work to daily mortify the body.
May we come to worship in Spirit and truth.
D.Fa
To Lead is to Serve
Yo,
One thing I was thinking about a lot today while I was at work (my third shift. xP 3 more this week. I got to meet, or I guess re-meet, one of the new produce guys who used to work pushing carts) was this idea of leadership as a supportive role. One thing I have mentioned many times before was the thought that I'm really not a leader, but prefer the behind the scenes supportive roles. This summer I was challenged as to how my roles, which I though of so little as being part of 'leadership' were actually very much beneficial to the guys I was leading and that qualities such as empathy, delegation, overseeing, shepherding, encouragement, time management, organization, team planning, mentoring, and others, although not the typical image of leadership where the most important guy just kinda does what he thinks is best and everyone follows in his wake, are all great characteristics of leaders.
So, in my next year where I have been given (and have accepted humbly) the role of key student leader at Carleton P2C-S, which although I foresaw me eventually getting into this position, I never thought I would be qualified. My image of a leader was not the idea I would in any way want: the center of attention, making huge decisions for the group, and essentially being the one driving the ministry with others just following what I say. However, seeing the position as one in which I am to serve all the others and really oversee the ministry so that it can really be owned by each of the students involved; that is something I am so excited about!
This summer I have a number of things to prepare for and pray for so that I can be sure we have really put our best effort into the work at hand and not just naively praying without doing anything: I want to put that faith into action and do all we can!
The main point of the second thought is this: I am not a lone leader doing things by myself for myself; I am a dispensable temporary leader whose main role is to encourage and equip others to the ministry that God is calling them to and to build up future leaders. My role is to serve the others and make God (in our lives as well as in our focuses) increase as we decrease and allow Him to be the true leader. Is our mission one of men or of God? Are we continuing by the flesh where we had started and had been called by the Spirit? If that were the case we would fail miserably and be utterly foolish. May God continue to be the focus and true leader of our ministry!
Word.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
One thing I was thinking about a lot today while I was at work (my third shift. xP 3 more this week. I got to meet, or I guess re-meet, one of the new produce guys who used to work pushing carts) was this idea of leadership as a supportive role. One thing I have mentioned many times before was the thought that I'm really not a leader, but prefer the behind the scenes supportive roles. This summer I was challenged as to how my roles, which I though of so little as being part of 'leadership' were actually very much beneficial to the guys I was leading and that qualities such as empathy, delegation, overseeing, shepherding, encouragement, time management, organization, team planning, mentoring, and others, although not the typical image of leadership where the most important guy just kinda does what he thinks is best and everyone follows in his wake, are all great characteristics of leaders.
So, in my next year where I have been given (and have accepted humbly) the role of key student leader at Carleton P2C-S, which although I foresaw me eventually getting into this position, I never thought I would be qualified. My image of a leader was not the idea I would in any way want: the center of attention, making huge decisions for the group, and essentially being the one driving the ministry with others just following what I say. However, seeing the position as one in which I am to serve all the others and really oversee the ministry so that it can really be owned by each of the students involved; that is something I am so excited about!
This summer I have a number of things to prepare for and pray for so that I can be sure we have really put our best effort into the work at hand and not just naively praying without doing anything: I want to put that faith into action and do all we can!
The main point of the second thought is this: I am not a lone leader doing things by myself for myself; I am a dispensable temporary leader whose main role is to encourage and equip others to the ministry that God is calling them to and to build up future leaders. My role is to serve the others and make God (in our lives as well as in our focuses) increase as we decrease and allow Him to be the true leader. Is our mission one of men or of God? Are we continuing by the flesh where we had started and had been called by the Spirit? If that were the case we would fail miserably and be utterly foolish. May God continue to be the focus and true leader of our ministry!
Word.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
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