Dr. Gabriel.
I have meant many people who are different than myself. We are now traveling to Seoul, Korea. It is very interesting to be on a flight where most people speak Korean and cannot understand me. I am learning that the world is a large place and is not just like the U.S. (typical American). I have been making a point of being very respectful of all the different cultural norms that I have seen. I am trying to understand the worldviews of the people I come in contact with.
I did not sleep at all last night ☺ Seoul is a crazy place. We got to see the largest church in the world with 830,000 members. We flew into S-eoul at 6 P.M. and went directly to the hotel and FOOD, which was provided by Korea Air. The hotel was really nice. We had a buffet with Lobster, sushi and all kinds of authentic K-orean foods (I have no idea what I ate, but it was good). After the dinner we took the subway for an hour ride into center city of S-eoul. We found the church and spent time there talking with a man who was preaching and praying outside. After we spoke with some more people we went into one of the 24 hour prayer/worship meetings that the church holds and spent about an hour there listening to prayer and worship in a different language. Some of my team members were bored, but I really liked observing the different ways that the people of S. K-orea pray and worship. I saw that they do not stand or kneel the way some others do and also observed the different attitudes in worship. There was an intensity/focus in this meeting that I have never seen before.
After this time we went on another adventure (as you can imagine 14 foreigners in the middle of huge city with trouble communicating). We asked around and found out the place to see was a part of S-eoul called S-ungChong. So we then tackled the feat of finding cheap transportation and after about a half hour communicated with a couple of taxi drivers and got very good rates ($2 American per person). Upon our arrival in Sung-Chong (not sure on the spelling) we walked around and encountered university party life at it’s best. We did our best to love and to avoid the places that were not safe and evil. We ended up taking a ton of pictures and then setting up on a busy corner and playing soccer with a stuffed animal that one of my friends won. It worked great. We were able to attract some people and I heard that one of my friends got to share his testimony and faith with a man.
Around 3:00 A.M. we took another cheap taxi back to the church and attended the prayer meeting for another half hour (I could feel the Lord’s presence in the room). At 3:30 the main sanctuary opened and we went to see what it looked like. It was beautiful and huge. I spent about an hour praying and sleeping there. At 4:30 we decided to make the trek back to the subway and on the way we saw about 150 people praying in a circle in the middle of a street! Wow, what a crazy night. I knew that the Lord was guiding us and I am happy to say that I know we spent our time here in S. K-orea well. Even though we are all tired it was worth it. We will be able to sleep on our upcoming 12-hour flight. I know that the spiritual and eye opening experience that we had strengthened members of my outreach team and myself for our ministry in Turkey.
Now to continue our story we arrived at the subway at 5 and found out that it didn’t open till 5:30. After transferring from one train we waited for an hour until 6:30 to start our hour-long journey. This second train was full and I have one of the funniest stories from it. I was sitting next to one of the only open seats, well a Korean man about my age sat down next to me and immediately fell asleep. He ended up sleeping on my side for most of the trip. It was hilarious because he couldn’t even open his eyes he was so tired so I just had to sit there, while he slept on me, drooled and made himself comfortable. My friends thought it was hilarious. I have many pictures and videos from this ride.
Upon our arrival back at the hotel we ate another fabulous meal on the Korean Airlines. I proceeded to enjoy the hotel and it’s luxuries (Workout room, Sauna and nice shower for the next hour.) I am excited to get on my flight to Turkey and SLEEP!
This experience was an answer to prayer for me. I had been praying for truth and a time to fill myself up before outreach. Well, even though it wouldn’t seem that staying up all night would be the best way to do that. I know that the Lord arranged for it because I was forced to focus upon him in new ways for the entire night. This helped to open up some of the boxes/lies that my worldview, beliefs, and enculturation put on the God of the Universe.
I am really excited about being able to discern some of the core values at the base of NZD people. These values are subtle, but create very large differences from the U.S. I learned about the tall poppy syndrome (most NZD people do not want to step out and lead because the culture looks down upon people who try to “stand taller than the rest”.) They interpret confident leaders to be prideful and arrogant. I know that they have these beliefs because they consider Australia their big brother due to history in their success and how they were settled in different ways and at different times. Most NZDers interpret the Australian success as proud and disrespectful.
I also learned about the core belief in family. The ownership of a home with two-four children with a successful marriage is generally deemed successful in NZD. I believe this creates the hospitality and generosity that I observed in the first days that I arrived. I noticed that the men speak to one another in mostly the same way as small town MN. That is in a direct, firm way.
I have also observed the pride that Kiwi’s have in their country and in their heritage in the Mauri people. I can tell that the land is based on a more spiritual belief / new age than MN. People generally seem to believe more in spirits and new age things than in MN.
I got most of these observations from five New Zealanders: James, Jake, Angelina, Andrew, and Greg.
I have also written previously about my observations of the Japanese culture and have written about the Korean experience that I had. I should be able to write many observations about the Turkish people as well.
Thanks,
Travis
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Journal 10
Dalton Livsey
Week 10
Dalton spoke about the character and nature of God.
Key Ideas:
We spoke about the life of a prophet. We spoke about different callings in how we live our lives as followers of Jesus. We focused upon the Son of God by looking at the people he was around and at Revelation.
New Ideas:
I learned about God and His awesome plans for us. I was made aware of Jesus’ character by the book of Revelation. I am now going to focus on reading this book with hope of understanding my Lord in a better way that I might glorify Him.
Confirmed Ideas:
I was reminded of God the Father’s delight in His Son. I was reminded of their relationship and of the love that they have for us that we might join in the relationship.
Concrete Application:
I plan on praying into the different points of Revelation that I feel are occurring and will be occurring in the coming years. I plan on devoting my time and energy to learning about Christ and growing in Love for Him that I would glorify the Lord of the Universe. This week was one of inspiration and Biblical truth.
Character Study
I have focused on the justice of our Lord. I learned more about it just from reading through Revelation with new understandings. It has inspired fear for the Lord in me and has also helped me to fall into a deeper relationship with Him. Our Lord is a just God and will not stand for His beloved to be in pain. I know He is coming back and will bring us back into correct relationship.
I am proud to be a follower of Him and am inspired to live a life worthy of a follower of Christ. By grace I will lay my life down for the just God that I follow.
· Romans 12
o 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
o 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Personal Response
I have been realizing the amazing grace that I have been given as a follower of Christ. The understanding of relationship with the Lord is not always easy to take and accept, but I do know that God is good and will never forsake me.
· Psalm 94:13-15
o 13 you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
o 14 For the LORD will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
o 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
· Deut. 31:6
o "Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
· Hebrews 13:4-6
o 4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."[a] 6So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"[b]
Theme Scripture Verse
Psalm 16:11 (NIV) “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
o I trust in the Lord’s goodness to me. While I walk on this path I know the Lord gives me joy and will bless me with eternal pleasures.
o Lord,
Thank you for making the path of life known to me. Please continue to guide me as I walk it. I need you to be my shepherd. I trust in you. Thank you for being gracious to me.
Amen.
Week 10
Dalton spoke about the character and nature of God.
Key Ideas:
We spoke about the life of a prophet. We spoke about different callings in how we live our lives as followers of Jesus. We focused upon the Son of God by looking at the people he was around and at Revelation.
New Ideas:
I learned about God and His awesome plans for us. I was made aware of Jesus’ character by the book of Revelation. I am now going to focus on reading this book with hope of understanding my Lord in a better way that I might glorify Him.
Confirmed Ideas:
I was reminded of God the Father’s delight in His Son. I was reminded of their relationship and of the love that they have for us that we might join in the relationship.
Concrete Application:
I plan on praying into the different points of Revelation that I feel are occurring and will be occurring in the coming years. I plan on devoting my time and energy to learning about Christ and growing in Love for Him that I would glorify the Lord of the Universe. This week was one of inspiration and Biblical truth.
Character Study
I have focused on the justice of our Lord. I learned more about it just from reading through Revelation with new understandings. It has inspired fear for the Lord in me and has also helped me to fall into a deeper relationship with Him. Our Lord is a just God and will not stand for His beloved to be in pain. I know He is coming back and will bring us back into correct relationship.
I am proud to be a follower of Him and am inspired to live a life worthy of a follower of Christ. By grace I will lay my life down for the just God that I follow.
· Romans 12
o 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
o 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Personal Response
I have been realizing the amazing grace that I have been given as a follower of Christ. The understanding of relationship with the Lord is not always easy to take and accept, but I do know that God is good and will never forsake me.
· Psalm 94:13-15
o 13 you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
o 14 For the LORD will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
o 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
· Deut. 31:6
o "Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
· Hebrews 13:4-6
o 4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."[a] 6So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"[b]
Theme Scripture Verse
Psalm 16:11 (NIV) “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
o I trust in the Lord’s goodness to me. While I walk on this path I know the Lord gives me joy and will bless me with eternal pleasures.
o Lord,
Thank you for making the path of life known to me. Please continue to guide me as I walk it. I need you to be my shepherd. I trust in you. Thank you for being gracious to me.
Amen.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Journal 9
Lia and Sally
Week 9
Their key teaching was on the Holy Spirit
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Qualities of personhood:
A will (1 Cor. 12:11)
Emotions (Eph. 4:30)
Knowledge (John 16:13)
Self Awareness (Acts 3:12)
Ability to Speak (Acts 3:12)
His Divinity. The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is divine (Acts 5:3,4) and therefore has all of the attributes of God.
Psalm 139:7-10
1 Cor. 2:11
Luke 1:34,35
Hebrews 9:14
Romans 1:4
John 16:13
Romans 8:2
Hebrews 10:29
2 Tim. 1:7
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Creation
Gen. 1:1-5
Gen. 1:26; 2:7 & Job 33:4 *Psalm 33:6 (breath = Spirit)
Empowering for Leadership
Othniel (Judges 3:10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), Jephthah (Judges 11:29), Samson (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14), Saul (1 Sam. 10:6), David ( 1 Sam 16:13).
Equipping for service
Exodus 35:30-36:1
Inspiring Prophesy
David (2 Sam.23:2), Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1-8), Jahaziel (2nd Chronicles 20:14, 15), Balaam (Numbers 24:1-4)
The Holy Spirit in Jesus' Life
Luke 1:35 (Birth)
Luke 3:22; John 1:32-34; 3:34; Luke 4:1 (Baptism)
Luke 4:14; 6:19 (Ministry)
Hebrews 9:14 (Death)
Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18 (Resurrection)
Acts 1:2,3
The Teachings of Jesus about the Holy Spirit
Agent of New Birth (John 3:1-8, 2-:21,22)
Comforter (John 14:16, 15:26, 16:7)
Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)
Teacher (John 14:16)
Testifier of Jesus (John 15:16)
Convicter (John 16: 8--11)
Revealer (John 16:13, 15)
Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Jesus the Baptiser
Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33
Acts 1:4,5
John 20: 21,22, John 3:5
The purpose
John 7:37-39
Acts 2:1-4
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8
Initial evidence
Acts 1:4
Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-17
Acts 19:1-7
Acts 8:14-19
Acts 9:17-19; 1 Cor. 14:18
1 Cor. 14:1-19
1 Cor. 12:7, 10
Acts 2:38
John 7:37-39
Thirst
Come
Believe
The Spirit-filled Life
Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3,5,8; 7:55,60; 11:24; 13:9-11, 52; 19:6
Eph. 5:18
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Nine separate gifts that can be divided into three natural groupings
1 Cor. 12:8-10
Gifts of Revelation, Demonstration, and Inspiration.
The Fruit of the Spirit
Galations 5
Many of these notes confirmed ideas I had about the Holy Spirit, but I learned a ton about the Spirit as a part of the Trinity. I learned that we need to Love and Honor the Spirit as our Lord deserves. The Spirit makes the Father and Son known to us, but Jesus spoke many times about honoring the Spirit individually as our Lord.
I plan on applying this to my life by worshiping the Spirit and surrendering to His will. I know that He will work good in me and when we honor the Spirit I know that my spirit will experience: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
This week I am focusing on the word freedom as my focus for God's character. I know that when we learn to submit to the Holy Spirit we learn more about our Father and about His Son in heaven. When we do that we will experience FREEDOM in our thoughts, emotions, and in everything else in life. Life to the Full.
The revelation I received this week is that I need to submit to the Spirit and surrender my will to the Holy Spirit. I also learned a lot about Him in context of the Trinity.
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 7:37-39 “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
Ihave received that Spirit.
I want to be filled with the Spirit everyday and I am so thankful that Jesus made it possible for my baptism in the Holy Spirit.
I plan to apply this to my life by continuing to honor and remember the blessing that I have been given. That I can know the thoughts that God has for me ones that I know will promote love and abundant life.
Spirit,
I want to honor you. Please take this prayer as a declaration of surrender to you and your will. Please be glorified in my life. Thank you so much for making the God's thoughts known to me. Amen.
Week 9
Their key teaching was on the Holy Spirit
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Qualities of personhood:
A will (1 Cor. 12:11)
Emotions (Eph. 4:30)
Knowledge (John 16:13)
Self Awareness (Acts 3:12)
Ability to Speak (Acts 3:12)
His Divinity. The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is divine (Acts 5:3,4) and therefore has all of the attributes of God.
Psalm 139:7-10
1 Cor. 2:11
Luke 1:34,35
Hebrews 9:14
Romans 1:4
John 16:13
Romans 8:2
Hebrews 10:29
2 Tim. 1:7
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Creation
Gen. 1:1-5
Gen. 1:26; 2:7 & Job 33:4 *Psalm 33:6 (breath = Spirit)
Empowering for Leadership
Othniel (Judges 3:10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), Jephthah (Judges 11:29), Samson (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14), Saul (1 Sam. 10:6), David ( 1 Sam 16:13).
Equipping for service
Exodus 35:30-36:1
Inspiring Prophesy
David (2 Sam.23:2), Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1-8), Jahaziel (2nd Chronicles 20:14, 15), Balaam (Numbers 24:1-4)
The Holy Spirit in Jesus' Life
Luke 1:35 (Birth)
Luke 3:22; John 1:32-34; 3:34; Luke 4:1 (Baptism)
Luke 4:14; 6:19 (Ministry)
Hebrews 9:14 (Death)
Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18 (Resurrection)
Acts 1:2,3
The Teachings of Jesus about the Holy Spirit
Agent of New Birth (John 3:1-8, 2-:21,22)
Comforter (John 14:16, 15:26, 16:7)
Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)
Teacher (John 14:16)
Testifier of Jesus (John 15:16)
Convicter (John 16: 8--11)
Revealer (John 16:13, 15)
Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Jesus the Baptiser
Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33
Acts 1:4,5
John 20: 21,22, John 3:5
The purpose
John 7:37-39
Acts 2:1-4
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8
Initial evidence
Acts 1:4
Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-17
Acts 19:1-7
Acts 8:14-19
Acts 9:17-19; 1 Cor. 14:18
1 Cor. 14:1-19
1 Cor. 12:7, 10
Acts 2:38
John 7:37-39
Thirst
Come
Believe
The Spirit-filled Life
Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3,5,8; 7:55,60; 11:24; 13:9-11, 52; 19:6
Eph. 5:18
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Nine separate gifts that can be divided into three natural groupings
1 Cor. 12:8-10
Gifts of Revelation, Demonstration, and Inspiration.
The Fruit of the Spirit
Galations 5
Many of these notes confirmed ideas I had about the Holy Spirit, but I learned a ton about the Spirit as a part of the Trinity. I learned that we need to Love and Honor the Spirit as our Lord deserves. The Spirit makes the Father and Son known to us, but Jesus spoke many times about honoring the Spirit individually as our Lord.
I plan on applying this to my life by worshiping the Spirit and surrendering to His will. I know that He will work good in me and when we honor the Spirit I know that my spirit will experience: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
This week I am focusing on the word freedom as my focus for God's character. I know that when we learn to submit to the Holy Spirit we learn more about our Father and about His Son in heaven. When we do that we will experience FREEDOM in our thoughts, emotions, and in everything else in life. Life to the Full.
The revelation I received this week is that I need to submit to the Spirit and surrender my will to the Holy Spirit. I also learned a lot about Him in context of the Trinity.
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 7:37-39 “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
Ihave received that Spirit.
I want to be filled with the Spirit everyday and I am so thankful that Jesus made it possible for my baptism in the Holy Spirit.
I plan to apply this to my life by continuing to honor and remember the blessing that I have been given. That I can know the thoughts that God has for me ones that I know will promote love and abundant life.
Spirit,
I want to honor you. Please take this prayer as a declaration of surrender to you and your will. Please be glorified in my life. Thank you so much for making the God's thoughts known to me. Amen.
Book Report 3
Travis Piepho
Love Will Find A Way by Charles Marsh
The general theme of this book is missions and complete faith in the Lord and His work for us.
The three principles that spoke to me were faith, love, and trust.
Charles Marsh had complete faith in Jesus' resurrection. He devoted his entire life to sharing that message with Muslim people. “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) His belief in this message was seen in his passionate actions that showed a reckless abandon of life as most would want.
The second theme of Love was seen in how Marsh considered it his life purpose to bring people to salvation. He wanted everyone to experience the love that he had found in Christ. The message he gave was based upon love. 1 Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
The trust was shown in Marsh's abandonment of safety for God's message. He was not worried about himself because he delighted in the Lord and trusted in his goodness. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
I can apply these principles to my life by embracing the relationship that God wants to have with me by His Spirit through His Son Jesus. I praise him and devote my life to realizing more about the Lord and in that delighting in Him the way Charles Marsh had to before he could do what he did!
The particularly meaningful story in this book to me was the story about Marsh trusting enough in the Lord to brave the weather and travel miles to preach the Gospel to people who might have killed him.
Love Will Find A Way by Charles Marsh
The general theme of this book is missions and complete faith in the Lord and His work for us.
The three principles that spoke to me were faith, love, and trust.
Charles Marsh had complete faith in Jesus' resurrection. He devoted his entire life to sharing that message with Muslim people. “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) His belief in this message was seen in his passionate actions that showed a reckless abandon of life as most would want.
The second theme of Love was seen in how Marsh considered it his life purpose to bring people to salvation. He wanted everyone to experience the love that he had found in Christ. The message he gave was based upon love. 1 Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
The trust was shown in Marsh's abandonment of safety for God's message. He was not worried about himself because he delighted in the Lord and trusted in his goodness. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
I can apply these principles to my life by embracing the relationship that God wants to have with me by His Spirit through His Son Jesus. I praise him and devote my life to realizing more about the Lord and in that delighting in Him the way Charles Marsh had to before he could do what he did!
The particularly meaningful story in this book to me was the story about Marsh trusting enough in the Lord to brave the weather and travel miles to preach the Gospel to people who might have killed him.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Journal 8
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Eric, Matt and Emmy
Week 8
Their key theme was the importance of giving the Gospel to the nations.
KEY IDEAS:
Culture and worldview need to be understood in our different pursuits of bringing the Gospel to the world.
Three principle things
· A reflection on God's promises and nature
§ building our understanding of what it means to know God
· A commitment to intentionally overflow God's blessing, and influence other peoples.
§ Intention to overflow one foot in front of other
· From evangelism to world evangelism
§ effective communication depends on shared meaning. That is: agreement over interpretation.
We also received a workbook called my neighbors are weird and I have learned some practical tips to overcoming cultural differences and being sensitive to differences.
PERSONAL RESPONSE:
I found Monday's teaching really interesting and I immediately compared it to the different people I have meant over here in NZ. My friends from New Zealand do not like to stand out and lead a group and I realize that is because of their different beliefs and enculturation. I also noticed differences in my friends from Switzerland, Indonesia, India, Holland and Japan. My friend from India has different ways of respecting our leadership than my friends from the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. He has a really hard time speaking up in lecture because his culture deems that as disrespectful to the leader.
KEY IDEAS:
Tuesday we learned more about culture and missions more from a Biblical standpoint.
Biblical Principles
· 1 John 4:8
· Romans 5:8
· John 3:16
· Genesis 12:1-3
· Psalm 72:19
· Habakkuk 2:14
· Matthew 6:10
· We prayed for our team that is heading to Africa and then we learned about culture and spent time learning about the respective places that our teams are heading too.
PERSONAL RESPONSE:
I started to study the T-urkish language and spent time studying different beliefs that most T-urkish people hold. My team watched a video about missionaries who had worked in T-urkey previously. The man from W-E-C, had lived in T-urkey for 7 ½ years. He told us many things about being respectful and polite in T-urkish Culture.
The above reflections upon the first two days showed concrete application, personal response and the ideas that I felt were confirmed, new and important to me as a missionary.
This week for my character study I focused upon God as a Father. I had revelation of my dad picking me up when I was little and “making everything better” and then I realized that God wants to hold me in His arms as well, as my dad. It blew my mind and the love that I feel poured into my heart has created a new desire to love others and grasp my inheritance as a son of God through Jesus. I am much more aware of Scripture now and I feel like the Trinity has truly come alive for me.
I think that this revelation into God’s character is the most important thing I have learned during my D-T-S and I am excited to use this to inspire a life of devotion to my Lord.
Theme Scripture Verse:
Matthew 24:14 “And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
· This Scripture verse opened my eyes to the urgency of spreading the Gospel to the “nations” or people who are different than myself. I feel a new calling on my life, as I want God to come back and want the end to come.
· I will try and understand culture and put myself in positions to learn and be open to different peoples and nations.
· Lord,
o Please help me to become a wholly devoted vessel for you. Jesus please keep in your grace. Father teach me. And Spirit please make the Son and Father known to me. That I would follow their wishes. Amen
Monday, August 17, 2009
Book Report 2
Travis Piepho
“Rees Howells: Intercessor” by Norman Grubb
The general theme of this book focused upon Mr. Howells and how he lived his life as a living sacrifice for Christ and the influence he had as he sacrificed. Howells was an intercessor so the book was explaining his experiences of stepping between God and the people as a bridge for God’s work. The theme of the book was one of trust in God and His goodness. It was a theme that led Mr. Howells to an extreme life and onto a road that no one could follow without divine help.
The three principles that spoke to me were: Trust, faith, and relationship.
The principle of trust was seen in Rees Howells undying belief in God’s goodness (Rom 12:2), in his trust in God’s ability to provide (John 3:16) and in his belief that God was always going to show up (John 17:26). He trusted in God’s ability to give him Spirit of willingness in the hard times, and there were many hard times (Rom. 8:26).
The principle of faith is seen in Howells constant communication with the Lord. Rom. 8:26, he believed that the Spirit would help him to intercede as he prayed to God. He believed in “fasting for the bridegroom” and praying that he would be able to intercede and help people (Matt. 9:14-17). Howells whole-heartedly believed that as he petitioned God in Jesus’ name that he would be able to do all things through faith (Hebrews 11).
The last principle of relationship can be seen when Rees Howells didn’t wear a cap when culture said that people who didn’t wear a cap were not honorable. Relationship is seen when Rees Howells gave up his newborn son so that he could do missions. Relationship is seen in how Rees Howells lived, ate and sometimes looked like those he knew God wanted Him to pray for. Relationship was seen in Rees risky business dealings with buying property. The sign that this relationship was real is that God did work all of them for the good. Hebrews 11 was lived out and Howells was in constant union with our Lord.
To apply these principles to my life I will try to live somewhat like Rees Howells in being righteous so that God can give me my own unique calling. I will try to keep God’s greatest commandments of loving the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself so that I can be in constant relationship with my Lord. I can pray and trust in Him at all times and live a life according to that. Intercessor helped to inspire me to become all that I can as a man of God.
I am excited to continue to learn to live that way I have been called to live. I think the testimony that most inspired me to be a man after God’s heart. Was when Rees Howells gave his one and only son away to his brother, at birth, so that he could fulfill his calling to go to Africa. In giving his son to a trustworthy and good family he was still having to give up everything that he wanted in life so that he could always do God’s unique work in His life.
It is crazy how this man lived. I would strongly suggest reading it.
“Rees Howells: Intercessor” by Norman Grubb
The general theme of this book focused upon Mr. Howells and how he lived his life as a living sacrifice for Christ and the influence he had as he sacrificed. Howells was an intercessor so the book was explaining his experiences of stepping between God and the people as a bridge for God’s work. The theme of the book was one of trust in God and His goodness. It was a theme that led Mr. Howells to an extreme life and onto a road that no one could follow without divine help.
The three principles that spoke to me were: Trust, faith, and relationship.
The principle of trust was seen in Rees Howells undying belief in God’s goodness (Rom 12:2), in his trust in God’s ability to provide (John 3:16) and in his belief that God was always going to show up (John 17:26). He trusted in God’s ability to give him Spirit of willingness in the hard times, and there were many hard times (Rom. 8:26).
The principle of faith is seen in Howells constant communication with the Lord. Rom. 8:26, he believed that the Spirit would help him to intercede as he prayed to God. He believed in “fasting for the bridegroom” and praying that he would be able to intercede and help people (Matt. 9:14-17). Howells whole-heartedly believed that as he petitioned God in Jesus’ name that he would be able to do all things through faith (Hebrews 11).
The last principle of relationship can be seen when Rees Howells didn’t wear a cap when culture said that people who didn’t wear a cap were not honorable. Relationship is seen when Rees Howells gave up his newborn son so that he could do missions. Relationship is seen in how Rees Howells lived, ate and sometimes looked like those he knew God wanted Him to pray for. Relationship was seen in Rees risky business dealings with buying property. The sign that this relationship was real is that God did work all of them for the good. Hebrews 11 was lived out and Howells was in constant union with our Lord.
To apply these principles to my life I will try to live somewhat like Rees Howells in being righteous so that God can give me my own unique calling. I will try to keep God’s greatest commandments of loving the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself so that I can be in constant relationship with my Lord. I can pray and trust in Him at all times and live a life according to that. Intercessor helped to inspire me to become all that I can as a man of God.
I am excited to continue to learn to live that way I have been called to live. I think the testimony that most inspired me to be a man after God’s heart. Was when Rees Howells gave his one and only son away to his brother, at birth, so that he could fulfill his calling to go to Africa. In giving his son to a trustworthy and good family he was still having to give up everything that he wanted in life so that he could always do God’s unique work in His life.
It is crazy how this man lived. I would strongly suggest reading it.
Journal 7
Kawika and Natalie
Week 7
Kawika talked about our role in bringing God’s Kingdom to our world.
Theme Verses: Rom. 1:16, Eph. 3:19
Key ideas, confirmed ideas, new ideas and concrete application
As I listened to Kawika’s Lectures on Monday I was reminded of my short and long term life vision that is to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
Monday Lecture:
• Sozo (Greek word for Salvation)
o Salvation (Romans 10:9, Luke 19:10)
o Healing (Matthew 9:22)
o Deliverance (Luke 8:36)
Four Key Things (kingdom keys):
• God is good; Devil is bad
• Nothing is impossible
• Jesus has one complete victory
• I am significant
o Cost determines value
Foundational Teaching
• Seek his Kingdom and righteousness first
• Gospel of Kingdom
o Gospel = Good news
o Kingdom = Domain of King
• Good news for God’s people
Purpose
• Have Dominion
o Gen. 1:26-28
• Be Blessed
o Gal. 3:8
• Be Fruitful
• Multiply
Christianity is the art of receiving God’s love.
You becoming great, wise, powerful and blessed is a good thing, but you need character (example: Solomon, David etc…)
Tuesday morning we prayed for the Chile and Argentina Outreach team. I know that this team will be a very productive and energetic team, I am excited about the work they are doing for God’s kingdom.
Tuesday Lecture
• Kingdom principles have been given to everyone or Kingdom Keys.
o God does not have favorites
o Life and life abundant
o Forceful men lay hold of it
o Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and strength/mind.
o Love your neighbor as yourself
• We are disciples of Jesus. Study His life so that we can live that way through Him.
o It’s a journey
o Build a relationship
o Sought God’s Kingdom
• We were created to Worship
o What or who will you worship?
o Focus on worship
• Romans 12
• Listen well
• Focus
o On what God has done
o What He is doing
o What He said He was going to do
The rest of Tuesday we spent in Queenstown doing a form of evangelism called a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt starts with prayer and then we write down different locations, appearances, sounds, and names … We went into Queenstown with the goal of finding the details that we wrote down and then telling strangers what we were doing and asking if we could pray for them. I found that it was easy to relate to people because many people want to be involved in a game. I was able to pray for some people and bought fudge for a person.
I went to Queenstown later and found out that I had made the person’s day when I bought fudge for them. I also found out that I man we had prayed for was healing quickly and I think that it was unexpected healing.
After the treasure hunt we returned to our base and spent the night in lecture and in preparation for the coming day.
Wednesday morning I woke up to snow!! We drove to the Remarkable Mountains (MORDOR) and skied all day. It was really fun and I meant up with my Japanese friend. He had accepted my invitation and drove the 7 hours to Queenstown so that we could spend time together. I was really excited that he came down to be with us. After skiing on Wednesday. We invited him for dinner at our base and then went to Queenstown with him and spent time with him looking at the city, finding a place for him to stay and eating nachos.
Thursday morning we had a quick prayer time followed by lecture.
Thursday Lecture
• Encourage One Another
• Expect Greatness
o Psalm 139:17
• Prophecy
o 2nd Cor. 3:5
o Principles
• Love
• Honor
• Receiving Prophetic Words
o Put value to it
• Write it down
• Accept it through prayer
• Study it
• 5 fold ministry
o Apostles
o Pastors
o Evangelists
o Teachers
o Prophets
• Need all five to be fully equipped
• Example of how 5 fold works
• Pastor – sees the people
• Teacher – truth, studies the situation so to understand why, how and when it happened so it doesn’t again. The word is most important.
• Evangelist – starts to preach, uses the situation to bring people the Gospel.
• Prophet – gives a proclamation of truth. Appoints leaders
• Apostle – Brings the kingdom of God, supernatural healing, revival. (Paul)
• Recognizing Jesus and Revival
o Trust
o Discern between religion and revival
o Persecution
• Sonship
After our morning lecture my friend came to our afternoon meal. I had spoken with the camp manager and asked if he could stay at the camp so Kaz and I went to the camp offices to get him a cabin for three days. After that he went with me to Queenstown again and we walked around and spent time talking about our homes and lives for about 3 hours. We headed back to the base and I helped him to move into his cabin. I spent Thursday night in another lecture, but Kelly Clark gave this one. She gave her testimony and spoke about the following.
• Identity in Christ
• Goal setting
• Minister and live in a place driven by love
After Kelly Clark gave her testimony we were given prophetic words and we worshipped.
God’s character word this week was giver. I was able to experience His joy and was able to give my friend His truth throughout the week. He was a giver and answered my prayers all week. He gave me wisdom in how I witnessed. He gave us snow. He gave healing. He gave truth. He gave rest. He took care of me in His gifts.
I responded to these gifts by overflowing with gratitude and a spirit of worship for my Lord.
The theme Scripture verses:
• Rom. 1:16
o I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
• Eph. 3:19
o And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Personal Application
• I will say the Gospel in it’s entirety and not be scared of the consequences. I have been given a gift of Christ’s blood and will seek the Kingdom of God that I would learn about the fullness of God.
Lord,
Please help me to persevere and not except any lies about your kingdom. Jesus by your blood please protect me from the evil one and help me to interpret your Dad’s words in a true way that will bring me and others closer to You. I love you Lord.
Amen.
Week 7
Kawika talked about our role in bringing God’s Kingdom to our world.
Theme Verses: Rom. 1:16, Eph. 3:19
Key ideas, confirmed ideas, new ideas and concrete application
As I listened to Kawika’s Lectures on Monday I was reminded of my short and long term life vision that is to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
Monday Lecture:
• Sozo (Greek word for Salvation)
o Salvation (Romans 10:9, Luke 19:10)
o Healing (Matthew 9:22)
o Deliverance (Luke 8:36)
Four Key Things (kingdom keys):
• God is good; Devil is bad
• Nothing is impossible
• Jesus has one complete victory
• I am significant
o Cost determines value
Foundational Teaching
• Seek his Kingdom and righteousness first
• Gospel of Kingdom
o Gospel = Good news
o Kingdom = Domain of King
• Good news for God’s people
Purpose
• Have Dominion
o Gen. 1:26-28
• Be Blessed
o Gal. 3:8
• Be Fruitful
• Multiply
Christianity is the art of receiving God’s love.
You becoming great, wise, powerful and blessed is a good thing, but you need character (example: Solomon, David etc…)
Tuesday morning we prayed for the Chile and Argentina Outreach team. I know that this team will be a very productive and energetic team, I am excited about the work they are doing for God’s kingdom.
Tuesday Lecture
• Kingdom principles have been given to everyone or Kingdom Keys.
o God does not have favorites
o Life and life abundant
o Forceful men lay hold of it
o Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and strength/mind.
o Love your neighbor as yourself
• We are disciples of Jesus. Study His life so that we can live that way through Him.
o It’s a journey
o Build a relationship
o Sought God’s Kingdom
• We were created to Worship
o What or who will you worship?
o Focus on worship
• Romans 12
• Listen well
• Focus
o On what God has done
o What He is doing
o What He said He was going to do
The rest of Tuesday we spent in Queenstown doing a form of evangelism called a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt starts with prayer and then we write down different locations, appearances, sounds, and names … We went into Queenstown with the goal of finding the details that we wrote down and then telling strangers what we were doing and asking if we could pray for them. I found that it was easy to relate to people because many people want to be involved in a game. I was able to pray for some people and bought fudge for a person.
I went to Queenstown later and found out that I had made the person’s day when I bought fudge for them. I also found out that I man we had prayed for was healing quickly and I think that it was unexpected healing.
After the treasure hunt we returned to our base and spent the night in lecture and in preparation for the coming day.
Wednesday morning I woke up to snow!! We drove to the Remarkable Mountains (MORDOR) and skied all day. It was really fun and I meant up with my Japanese friend. He had accepted my invitation and drove the 7 hours to Queenstown so that we could spend time together. I was really excited that he came down to be with us. After skiing on Wednesday. We invited him for dinner at our base and then went to Queenstown with him and spent time with him looking at the city, finding a place for him to stay and eating nachos.
Thursday morning we had a quick prayer time followed by lecture.
Thursday Lecture
• Encourage One Another
• Expect Greatness
o Psalm 139:17
• Prophecy
o 2nd Cor. 3:5
o Principles
• Love
• Honor
• Receiving Prophetic Words
o Put value to it
• Write it down
• Accept it through prayer
• Study it
• 5 fold ministry
o Apostles
o Pastors
o Evangelists
o Teachers
o Prophets
• Need all five to be fully equipped
• Example of how 5 fold works
• Pastor – sees the people
• Teacher – truth, studies the situation so to understand why, how and when it happened so it doesn’t again. The word is most important.
• Evangelist – starts to preach, uses the situation to bring people the Gospel.
• Prophet – gives a proclamation of truth. Appoints leaders
• Apostle – Brings the kingdom of God, supernatural healing, revival. (Paul)
• Recognizing Jesus and Revival
o Trust
o Discern between religion and revival
o Persecution
• Sonship
After our morning lecture my friend came to our afternoon meal. I had spoken with the camp manager and asked if he could stay at the camp so Kaz and I went to the camp offices to get him a cabin for three days. After that he went with me to Queenstown again and we walked around and spent time talking about our homes and lives for about 3 hours. We headed back to the base and I helped him to move into his cabin. I spent Thursday night in another lecture, but Kelly Clark gave this one. She gave her testimony and spoke about the following.
• Identity in Christ
• Goal setting
• Minister and live in a place driven by love
After Kelly Clark gave her testimony we were given prophetic words and we worshipped.
God’s character word this week was giver. I was able to experience His joy and was able to give my friend His truth throughout the week. He was a giver and answered my prayers all week. He gave me wisdom in how I witnessed. He gave us snow. He gave healing. He gave truth. He gave rest. He took care of me in His gifts.
I responded to these gifts by overflowing with gratitude and a spirit of worship for my Lord.
The theme Scripture verses:
• Rom. 1:16
o I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
• Eph. 3:19
o And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Personal Application
• I will say the Gospel in it’s entirety and not be scared of the consequences. I have been given a gift of Christ’s blood and will seek the Kingdom of God that I would learn about the fullness of God.
Lord,
Please help me to persevere and not except any lies about your kingdom. Jesus by your blood please protect me from the evil one and help me to interpret your Dad’s words in a true way that will bring me and others closer to You. I love you Lord.
Amen.
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