I am sitting back in my “cuarto,” although I don’t have internet here I thought I’d hop on good old Microsoft Word and jot down some thoughts. Life here is proving to be quite abundant. This morning it took a large dose of both will and grace to sit-up out of bed. I am still rather sore from all the sports yesterday. As you probably know they aren’t exactly my forte, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know some of the students here. We played futbol and football… teiens dolor.
Dolor- is pain… it think
I found out today that my first few days of classes will be Evangelism (which is great), and a review of English grammar! I can’t escape it even in South America! But they say it’s what I need to take the next step in what God has for me in learning Spanish; apparently you are supposed to know your own langue before concurring more.
A verse in Quiet Times caught my attention the other day and I thought to mention it here. In Psalm 106:15 “He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.” Here the Psalmist reviews God’s faithfulness to the children of Israel during the time of the Exodus. “He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them…”
At times in life the worst thing for us is exactly what we are begging God for. It’s something that has crossed my mind here in a few different ways. Earlier in verse 13 it says “They soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.”
Had I not waited on the counsel of the Lord I certainly wouldn’t be here. I’m sure I would have come up with something much more logical. =] Not to say irrationality is a sign of Godliness, but we do pray to a God that is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think. I think the plans he would love to allow for us are far more… interesting than we could ever come up with on our own. At times they defy the logic behind our training. Moses raised in a place to be a leader in the desert. David trained to tend sheep in a meadow, and called to lead men from a throne. At times they fit perfectly sensibly (Joshua trained by Moses side to take his place), but they always share this, they are far greater than we would of ever imagined.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jer. 29:11
However in all honestly we often aren’t terribly interested in what God has planned for us. We have our schedules, our work, our hobbies, our families, even our decided ministries can at times push sensitivity to the spirit to the side as we press on to our goals. Along the way we would love for God to keep us safe, help us make wise decisions, bail us out of our bad ones, and all we really ask for is a few occasional blessing on the side. (Nothing much, just better than what we have) I think sometimes the worst thing for us is when God allows us to persue those desires that are out of his desire for us. “He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.” Perhaps this is the root of our dissatisfaction, and feeling of distance from God, a spiritually wasting disease… that came right along with, all that we ever wanted…
God says this 2 Tim 3:12 “All who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” And in James he says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials and temptations knowing that the testing of your faith bringeth froth patience.” Francis Chan noted how we often are praying for safety on are travels, safety for our children, a goodnights sleep. What if instead we were to plead for the Lord to do in our lives whatever it took for us to be more like him, and for our loved ones to better love and serve Him no matter what it takes? If trails? Then bring the rain.
Think how that would delight the heart of God
Perhaps you feel you have set many good goals to serve the Lord. To reach the world with the gospel, to personally adopt every orphan in Africa, while creating world peace on the weekends (single handedly of course. After all you and God are the majority) (kind of like how I think at times) A man here shared this word of wisdom so often those dreams are never achieved because we never obey what God is giving us now. “What is that in thy hand…?”
English grammar? Spanish grammar? Improving at soccer? In whatsoever you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do. Do ALL to the glory of God.
His plans are good. He promises. He’s great at being God. Let him. And if you could I wouldn’t mind if you prayed for me.
The Christian life is basically simple, but not always easy.
With love in Christ
Josiah J. Brondyke
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Baby steps
As soon as I made my account, I reconsidered the name. Thinking perhaps Learning to Die may be what is more needed in my life and in the church today. However really as Christians they ought to be one in the same. Paul said “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What does it mean to die to yourself and allow Christ to live in and through you? I don't fully know but as soon as I figure it out I will tell you. =]
What I do know is that what God desires for us is to obey him. In all the simple things He has already asked of us and we are quick to forget or ignore in our pursuit for "God's Will" for us. Perhaps at times we want his direction more than we truly desire His person His presence. When he does provide direction how quick are we to follow? This is what I'm trying to learn this is why I am here.
Here for now is in Argentina. Simply because I fully feel that this is what the Lord wants for me. Since God is sovereign and I am now sitting in "Palabra de Veda" in Manta, Argentina I am quite sure of it. I never thought I'd be in a place like this, especially after the disaster I refer to as high school Spanish. Spanish, language at all really, is not my gift.
However an incredible verse comes to mind I recently heard in Larry Murray's Sunday school class. I Sam. 14:6b says "nothing can keep the Lord from saving by many or by few."
In 1 Sam 14 we see Jonathan's faith in spite of human limitations. Jonathan and his armor bearer stand up and step out when everyone else is literally hiding in holes. Not because they have the strength on their own, but because they believed that God was faithful.
To step out... on a limb, a leap of faith. I think perhaps those are the seed beds for real vivacious life in Christ.
Sorry to take so long and not even have told you how things have been going but nore that you know a little of the why and where here is the status update.
On my first plane ride I got to witness to a Chinese who was in the medical field. It took almost a hour to build the courage to talk to her but it was wonderful sharing Christ with her. This woman was so intelligent in world events in medicine in everything. But she had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. “How shall they believe in Him who they have not heard and how shall they believe unless they are told?” It made me think again over a passage in Rom 15. In verse 20a Paul says “ I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named…” So often I think we feel to fulfill that kind of desire we must be in a remote jungle with a tribe who does not speak our language. Yes, we desperately need to reach them with the good news, but also there are so many right around us who have never heard. Why are we not telling them? Why don’t I?
Qeiro abler espanol. I will, but for now no comprende =]
This has already been so humbling and God is already teaching me so much. Pray for me as you think of me. For boldness, sensitivity, and a miraculous ability to learn this language (if you want to pray for the gift of tongues for me I won’t stop you)
I am officially moved in and ready to start. Sadly, one week of orientation before Spanish classes start. Thankfully I am already learning much from the Latino students. Three of my roommates speak very good English (one speaks five languages! Talk about humbling!) but they are helping me by not using it unless I am completely confused.
Alright I have to go I’ve been thinking in English to long already gotta go make a fool of myself talking to some Latinos. Till next time
Much love in Christ
Josiah J. Brondyke
P.S. my spell check is now thinking in spanish and everything i just wrote to you is yellow.
What I do know is that what God desires for us is to obey him. In all the simple things He has already asked of us and we are quick to forget or ignore in our pursuit for "God's Will" for us. Perhaps at times we want his direction more than we truly desire His person His presence. When he does provide direction how quick are we to follow? This is what I'm trying to learn this is why I am here.
Here for now is in Argentina. Simply because I fully feel that this is what the Lord wants for me. Since God is sovereign and I am now sitting in "Palabra de Veda" in Manta, Argentina I am quite sure of it. I never thought I'd be in a place like this, especially after the disaster I refer to as high school Spanish. Spanish, language at all really, is not my gift.
However an incredible verse comes to mind I recently heard in Larry Murray's Sunday school class. I Sam. 14:6b says "nothing can keep the Lord from saving by many or by few."
In 1 Sam 14 we see Jonathan's faith in spite of human limitations. Jonathan and his armor bearer stand up and step out when everyone else is literally hiding in holes. Not because they have the strength on their own, but because they believed that God was faithful.
To step out... on a limb, a leap of faith. I think perhaps those are the seed beds for real vivacious life in Christ.
Sorry to take so long and not even have told you how things have been going but nore that you know a little of the why and where here is the status update.
On my first plane ride I got to witness to a Chinese who was in the medical field. It took almost a hour to build the courage to talk to her but it was wonderful sharing Christ with her. This woman was so intelligent in world events in medicine in everything. But she had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. “How shall they believe in Him who they have not heard and how shall they believe unless they are told?” It made me think again over a passage in Rom 15. In verse 20a Paul says “ I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named…” So often I think we feel to fulfill that kind of desire we must be in a remote jungle with a tribe who does not speak our language. Yes, we desperately need to reach them with the good news, but also there are so many right around us who have never heard. Why are we not telling them? Why don’t I?
Qeiro abler espanol. I will, but for now no comprende =]
This has already been so humbling and God is already teaching me so much. Pray for me as you think of me. For boldness, sensitivity, and a miraculous ability to learn this language (if you want to pray for the gift of tongues for me I won’t stop you)
I am officially moved in and ready to start. Sadly, one week of orientation before Spanish classes start. Thankfully I am already learning much from the Latino students. Three of my roommates speak very good English (one speaks five languages! Talk about humbling!) but they are helping me by not using it unless I am completely confused.
Alright I have to go I’ve been thinking in English to long already gotta go make a fool of myself talking to some Latinos. Till next time
Much love in Christ
Josiah J. Brondyke
P.S. my spell check is now thinking in spanish and everything i just wrote to you is yellow.
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