Adrift

The analogy that comes to mind lately when I think about my life, is that I feel like I'm on a boat just adrift in the waters.  Since I am so goal-oriented, and I'm not currently working towards any particular goals, I feel like I'm floating along with no set direction.

While my areas of service and my other responsibilities in life (e.g. work) keep me going in a general direction; I don't feel as purposeful or effective as I probably could be.  I am anchored in Christ, so I know I won't be tossed and turned too much; and fortunately, my "waters" are not too turbulent.  However, I really feel like I need to catch a new vision; to dream another God-dream.  That's what I'm praying for.

Memorial Day '11

In a prayer today, at the EV Free Memorial Day picnic, it was requested that we live worthy of those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.  I solemnly say "Amen" to that.  And, more than that, may we live worthy of Christ who laid down His Life for our sins.

It was nice to have the opportunity to spend time with friends at the picnic.  There was a good quote from my friend, as we were having a conversation.  Implying that men should be the ones who initiate and pursue, she said, "I'm not the one who is missing a rib."

I also had a chance to see some old friends; and also run into some of the people who were on the Journeys of Paul tour with me.  I was sad, however, to learn that Steve Merrick was going to be leaving EV Free.   What a great loss it will be for the worship and music programs & productions at that church.  Even today's music at the picnic were mainly organized and put-together by Steve.   He had Jon Gibson as a guest musician, who I remember from my college days.   As he was playing the music, his sons James & John would join him with percussion and guitar.   Watching them, I was thinking that it must be nice to be so comfortable getting up on stage and playing music; since it was obvious with the ease that they did it, that they often played with their dad.

Overall, it was a nice day; and a good way to remember and honor those in the military, and especially the widows and orphans who have lost loved ones.

Acts 13

Paul is sent on his first missionary journey from the Church in Antioch, along with Barnabas.  And Acts 13 begins the final phase of the spread of the gospel "to the ends of the earth"  (Acts 1:8b).  Later in the chapter, Paul even quotes from Isaiah 49:6 "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.", showing that this was all part of God's Plan.

At Pisidian Antioch, Paul was invited to speak, and he went through Biblical History from Genesis to 1&2 Samuel; and tied the Promises and prophecies of the Messiah to Christ, giving the essential gospel message (crucifixion, buriel, resurrection, and witness of resurrection) and Scriptural references.  He concluded in vs 38-39 with the key message that forgiveness of sins comes through Jesus Christ; and justification is by faith not through the Law.  There was overwhelming response to his message, and when he was invited to speak again the next week, almost the whole city gathered to hear.  This resulted in persecution from the envious Jews; but also spreading of the word and believers being "filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

Elder Selection

What a privilege to have experienced the clear leading of the Holy Spirit, during the Elder Selection Committee meeting yesterday.  It is an amazing experience to see God so clearly at work.  After all the interviews, the committee was faced with the difficult decision of having to select from candidates who would all have been qualified to serve as elders.  Yet, after prayer, it just seemed clear what the decision should be; and after the votes were counted, the selections were unanimous!  That is truly the work of the Holy Spirit.  What peace and unquestioned clarity in such an important decision.   Now, that is awesome!  And that just reminded me of the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.

This experience alone makes the whole process of being part of the selection committee worth it all.   And, through it also, I was able to see what a solid and respectable leader my pastor is.   He definitely speaks with words of wisdom; and is able to build up members of his flock with encouragement.

Journeys of Paul Tour

What a privilege it was to be able to go on the Journeys of Paul tour, May 10-20.  Coming back, it's hard to put into words all that I am going through. 

It was something I had anticipated for a couple of years, and now it's over.  Being away from email, phone, and news for ten days made me feel almost like I was in a "bubble" on a retreat; and now I feel like I'm just thrust right back into real life with the many pulls on my time and attention.

But, I do want to remember some of the highlights of the tour.  I got to see many of the sites mentioned in the Bible:  Athens, Corinth, Patmos, Ephesus, Rhodes, and Crete; and I became more familiar with that Asia Minor region.  From those that I encountered in Turkey, I found that while 90% are registered Muslim, the population, being quite young, seem to be more open to Scripture and to Christianity.  I will be trying to keep in touch with one person who said she has been reading through the Bible and was in Matthew.  Our tour guide in Kusadasi (Ephesus) mentioned that he believed the same as we did and wanted to hear the message.  I pray that the Light will truly shine in that region.

I was able to get crosses both in Corinth (Greece) and Ephesus (Turkey).   And, I got to know people at my church better.  It's been fun to putting together video slideshows of the pictures.  I will be showing one in my Community Group and another one in my Sunday class.

One interesting thing I learned while on the trip is the etymology of the word "enthusiasm".   It's root is in the Greek words "En = In" "Theos=God" =>  In God.

Apostle Paul

Several paths of my life seem to be meeting at a crossroads, and many of them interestingly include the Apostle Paul.  The Bible study series in the Book of Acts is now starting chapter 13, which starts to focus on Paul's ministry.  I will be embarking on the Journeys of Paul tour with my pastor and church group.  And just this Sunday, the college pastor mentioned something that I had heard him say before; but, thought it was noteworthy to write down - everyone needs a Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy in their lives.   Paul as a mentor, Barnabas to come alongside, and Timothy to disciple.

Prayer

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."  (James 5:16b)

This Thursday is the National Day of Prayer.  It has been clearly seen in the Book of Acts that prayer is an important part of the Church.  And just today, I realized that I am personally experiencing the comfort and power of prayer.  There are some things that I have been struggling with since the year began; but today, I feel better than I have for months.  I attribute that to answered prayer.

I have a better perspective and a plan for my class, which deals with some of the pressure and criticism I sense; taken time for family and friends; addressed many of my major "To Do's"; adhered to good exercising and eating habits lately; and been keeping my mind on things above.

Sowing Seeds

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Sunday's sermon on Galatians 6 describes HOW to live the life of amazing grace; while Chp 5 defined WHAT it is.  As a summary of the series so far, in Christ, we have freedom:  1) from condemnation, guilt, and shame; 2) from fear of death; 3) to become all God designed us to be; and 4) to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.  And the deceptions that rob us of that freedom are legalism (perfection is unattainable and it denies the sufficiency of Christ's atonement) and license (it denies the seriousness of sin and offends the grace of God).

Chp 6 emphasizes the principle that "there is a direct spiritual correlation between what a person plants in this life and what is harvested in this life an in eternity".  We do reap what we sow; and a tree is recognized by its fruit.   Seeds of the flesh will rob us of inner peace and fill us with feelings of guilt and condemnation and ultimately pollutes the mind and heart; whereas seeds of the Spirit bring joy and ultimate eternal life.  And, we must not miss any windows of opportunity (vs 10) to do good in order to reap a harvest.

This is an encouragement to continue to persevere and keep serving in the areas of meaningful ministry.  It is also an affirmation of following through with being a witness, like getting together with a friend yesterday despite the hectic schedule and concerns.  It actually turned out to be a nice time and all worked out well.