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Nat Williams: Adventure LogJanuary 21 What to do when you reach rock bottom(More notes from the Men's Charge) Genesis 35:1-9 Jacob hit rock bottom -------------------------------------------- There were Four funerals in his life: Application: God is at work in the life of his children, to cleanup our gross sins, friends, affections, what we really love, and finally the death of the old man. Seek out the restoration of fellowship. Men's ChargeThe Men's Charge, at Camp Sankanac, was a spritual re-charge for me. It was a real blessing to spend a couple of days with men that are serious about meeting with and learning from the Lord. Bro. Rob Sargent did a tremendous job of teaching from the life of Jacob. The failures in Jacob’s life are many, as well as the applications to the self-life that we all struggle with.
Here's are some notes to pass along from one of the last sessions.
Genesis 33 - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
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Which is more difficult, to forgive or to be forgiven? Pride is our sin. There is a vulnerability that comes with forgiveness. It has been said, "To err is human, to forgive is divine." The offense between jacob and Easua was so great that there was a 20yr separation. Wrong responses to forgiveness: 1) Esau came with conditional forgiveness --Esau had 400 men as a backup plan
--Christ does not put stipulations on us, but came to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. 2) Jacob was attempting to buy forgiveness
There is nothing that we can do to merit God's forgiveness. Freely receive, freely give. The right response: Gen. 3:33 - humility and submission. Jacob bowed himself to the ground. Humility is assuming the role of a servant, admitting wrong, with proper confession. There must be an agreement to the offense. The Law of Initiative: vs. 4
Esau ran to forgive his brother. God does not wait for us to make things right. We ought to be in a state of forgiveness, with open arms. (e.g. Prodigal son and his father)
Forgiveness is the character of God: vs. 10
Jacob saw God in the face of Esau, when he saw his forgiveness.
Forgiveness means to put away a debt: explanation, apology. Forgiveness requires a decision not to remember past offenses. TIP: If you can remember the offense, you can remember the forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. Feelings will lead you in the wrong direction.
Lack of forgiveness controls our lives, and breeds a lack of trust. 400 men were a way for Esau to protect himself. As long as we have fear, we cannot forgive our be forgiven. (1 John 4:18)
Forgiveness clears the offense but not the scars. How do you overcome these:
1) See your identity in Christ. 2) Press forward with the Lord. Esau and Jacob cleared the offense but they still had to move on and realize that things would never be the same. Many others may take up the offense, after you lay it done. Be clear in your example and available to help others be obedient to the work of the Holy Spirit. December 11 EBA HandbellsThe fun has begun!
Today was our first handbell performance at the Pheobe Nursing Home and everything went... splen...der..well, not too shabby. =) We have a few things to polish up, but it feels great to have our first Christmas gig behind us and it sounded good. It was a very wet day for this musical excursion, but we all made it back alive and the residents were thrilled to see all the young people and hear the fine Christmas music.
Nat November 22 A Checklist For HumilityI was just reading through my next lesson for Teen SS and came across some good info to share. Ouch, this is convicting stuff...
The following are 17 thought-provoking questions to check your humility, based on the attitude of being poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3). These were compiled by Positive Action Ministries, in their Pro-Teen curriculum called "Change: Transforming Principles from the Beatitudes"
1) Am I thankful for what I have or more concerned about what I don't have?
--Compare your prayers to Psalm 119:33-40
2) Am I glad I'm so good or greived I'm so bad?
--Have you lost your sensitivity to sin?
3) Do I consider God's Will before making plans?
--When do you pray or seek godly counsel? Before or after making a decision?
4) Will I do anything to change and be more like Christ?
--We will sacrifice our time for just about anything else in life, except waiting for God.
5) Do I think God has dealt fairly with me?
--A man or woman who is poor in spirit is one who rejoices in what God has given.
6) Am I happy when other's succeed?
--Check it out: Those who do nothing for the Lord are those who spend their lives trying to get all the glory.
7) Do I become angry and critical when things don't go my way?
"If things (circumstances, people, situations) can easily have an adverse effect on our attitude, it is a sure sign that we are not poor in spirit."
8) Am I willing to give-in to make things easier for others?
"Half of our trouble comes from wanting our own way, the other half comes from getting it." (unknown)
9) Do I measure success by popularity and wealth?
--Who are your heros?
10) Do I fish for compliments?
--Forced humility != poor in spirit
11) Am I more concerned with what others think or with what God thinks?
"Right is right even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it." (William Penn)
12) Am I harder on others than on myself?
"What you criticize most in others, you are probably most guilty of yourself"
13) Do I think more of what I can do or what God can do?
--Simply make yourself available to God and get busy.
14) Do I glorify self or God?
--Why do you serve the Lord? To be seen of men?
15) Do I spend more time entertaining myslef than I do trying to grow spiritually?
--We spend much of our time collecting and clutching pebbles of this world, when we should be gathering gold.
16) Do I become hostile when criticized?
How does Galatians 2:20 work out in your life? To be poor in spirit means to be emptied of self, in order to be filled with Christ.
17) Do I compare myself with others or with Christ?
--Use 2 Corinthians 10:12 as your standard, rather than the person you are looking down on.
November 01 2 Guys, Cheesecake and FriesHowdy, Y'all! It's that time to send out a quick update on today's wild activities. It all started yesterday when Anne and Pookie suggested that the guys should make dinner on Saturday evening. Alex and I didn't even blink an aye, as we quickly discussed what we could make on foreign soil. It was decided that we would make Cheesesteak sandwiches with a side of sauted broccolli and fried potatoes. We added a cheesecake to the mix, fulfilling an order that Pookie had made several days earlier. And so, the games began with Bro. Tom, Ann, Pookie, Alex and I heading down to Big C, on the evening of Halloween, to fill our shopping list. It didn't take more than a few minutes in the produce aisle to remind me that I needed to lower my expectations in regard to western ingredients. Alex and I just about flipped when we saw Bell peppers priced at 168 Baht a piece (or so it seemed). I mean, I know their like gold in the states, but seriously...that's highway robbery. Well, it turns out that was the price per kilo, so we eventually purchased on of each color. =) I'm very grateful that Anne and Pookie were there to guide us along, or we might have never found what we were looking for. So, we gathered our supplies, waded through the mobs of traffic on the highway, and made it safely back that evening. This morning, Alex and I worked on setting up a few bed frames in the men's dormitory, for the group that is arriving in a week. That took all morning, and just about the time I was planning to start working on the cheesecake, we learned that another trip to town was in order. Bro. Tom, Alex and I headed back to Future Park, got a 2hr Thai massage (it was extremely necessary =) and then looked at our watches. Yeeeooooww! Gotta run! So, we high-tailed it back to Big C, racing through the aisles to secure a few last minute items for our creation. Then it was back to Anne and Pookie's house to put everything together. Their laughing soon quieted down as they saw that we were in earnest. Alex is quite the chef, and did a tremendous job with the chicken (sorry, no beef) and potatoes as I had my slaves...er helpers work on the cheesecake and broccoli. To make a long story short, it all turned out well and we stuffed ourselves. =) Now, I'm off to sample the cheescake. I'm curious to see how it all turned out, because I forget to turn the toaster oven to "Toast" instead of "Bake" (very intuitive, huh?) so that both elements would come on. Oops. Oh well, I tried to accomdate for that with some aluminum foil and extra bake, I mean "toast" time. Yum, Yum...tomorrow will be hear before we know it and I have to pack up for my big trip back to the US. Later, Nat October 28 Video UpdatesI've uploaded a few video clips from the past week to my YouTube account. Enjoy!
October 27 Sunday BlessingsToday is one of those Monday's where it's good to stop and reflect upon the blessings of Sunday. =)
I had the privilege of attending Lat Prao Baptist Church, in Bangkok, with Bro. Tom and crew. The pastor was preaching about Joseph in Sunday School and had some excellent teaching on giving God the glory during bitter times in your life. One of his statements that caught my attention was, "Christians are persectued when the World is happy. However, when the world faces trials, it is the Christians that will show them true happiness."
Kudos to Nakorn (I actually brought a box with me) for his tremendous ability at translating from Thai to English and vice versa. I was able to stay over at the church all day and really enjoyed being able to communicate through Nakorn and others that new English. Of course, I practiced a few Thai phrases as I was able to. Their youth group meets together every Sunday afternoon to share what they are learning from the services and to practice songs for the choir. One point to clarify is that their "young poeple" consist of teenagers up to young married couples." So, I actually fit into that category. Chayoo! (Hooray!)
It was a joy to be able to share my testimony with these young people, at the request of their pastor. The biggest blessing, however, was to hear them share what they are learning from God's Word. I think we had about eight people stand and share from their heart. I was very encouraged by their fervent spirit and boldness. You should have seen them sing! They are very musical group, practicing several choir pieces in English. I was surprised to find that they were able to learn these new songs without being able to read music. Wow...just think what they could do with a little instruction in notation and theory. They even let me join them in the choir special for the evening service. =) I miss singing in the choir back at home, so it was fun to temporarily join their group.
Both morning and evening services were preached by an Australian missionary, named Wayne Seherbish (not sure of the spelling). He spoke on God's attributes as a Spirit in the morning and finished up a series on God's will in the evening service. I especially enjoyed the reminder that God's will is revealed to those that study His Word. It's one thing to wait before the Lord in prayer, but seeking the Lord also involves hearing what he has said and is saying to me.
This short time with Lat Prao Baptist Church dissolved many of my misconceptions about Thai churches being passive. These believers have a passion for the lost, are active in evangelism and are giving toward missions. What a blessing to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ - halfway around the world.
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