*** I apologize again for the lateness of these posts! I promise to get everyone updated on where I'm at right now Which is the South of Spain…but we'll get to that 🙂
11/20/2012
Déjà Vu. That’s what it feels like I’ve been experiencing during these first two months back out in the nations as a squad leader. It feels like one of those times where you haven’t seen a friend in a while, and while the names and faces are familiar…everything else has changed. In Malaysia, I had the opportunity to work with YWAM in Penang during the first week, the same ministry that I spend a month working with last April during my race. It was incredible to see how much God had blessed the ministry and how it has expanded from a homeless drop-in center to the drop-in center, an art gallery, and a coffee shop! God is definitely on the move in the Malaysia. During this past month in Australia, I was able to spend the first week with C.O.C Darwin. Again it was great to see Pastor Merv Westbrook and some of the same staff that I’d spent a month with last year! It’s been amazing to come back to these familiar places and have an opportunity to not only participate in ministry, but also encourage a new generation of World Racers (K Squad) to bring the Kingdom of God wherever they go!
***Blog nuggets!***
So I’ve come to realize that while full-length blogs are nice, God often puts little “nuggets” of wisdom/insight on my heart. Therefore, I’ve decided to start sharing them as they come….
Grace is developed through living in community. I’m realizing more and more that if you want to be challenged to grow in grace, dive into community! The more diverse the community, the BETTER. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes of how the Church is a “body” with each person representing different body parts. When we enter into diverse community, we are challenged to grow in grace and learn to live with others who have different perspectives, gifts and experiences.
TIMING is so important, yet often overlooked. Especially regarding tough conversations. The right word at the wrong time can become the wrong word. I’ve realized that I often pray for wisdom/discernment, but fail to pray further for the right timing.
Intimacy precedes fruitfulness. I’ve been reading a great book recently called “Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship” by Jack Frost and this is one of the core principles. I think that this principle is true not only in our earthly relationships, but also in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. As ministers of the gospel, the “Great Commandment” must always come before the “Great Commission”. I’m continuously being challenged to seek intimacy with the Father and allow everything else to flow from that place!
Intimacy is linked to time. Along with intimacy preceding fruitfulness, God has been revealing to me the link between intimacy and time. The more time that we spend with the Father, the deeper the intimacy. Our generation in many ways lacks patience, and it is a key to developing intimate relationships both in relationships and in our walk with God. satan tries to steal our time and we must fight to steward it!
