shummer

Only 2 days until Timotheos starts. I'm sure I'll be blogging about random theological mind boggling things as well as posting designs, and updates on our relationship with Haiti and life every 5 seconds.

Incase anyone was wondering.

Photo 1 Class

Photograph in The Likeness of Arnold Newman:

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Timotheans

My summer will consist of focusing on my gifts, how to utilize them within the body of Christ, and how to better serve the body with them. Here's some encouragements and insights from what I read in Timothy today:

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who have given me strength, that he considered my faithful, appointing me to his service." Paul is truly thankful to the living God for choosing him, of all people to do this service.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his UNLIMITED PATIENCE as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." One of my biggest struggles is patience. Patience with God and being faithful that his will is to make me prosper, patience with friends and family whether they are believers or nonbelievers, patience with being content at where I am in life, not constantly desiring to be somewhere else or have time move faster.

"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." Paul urges Timothy to be actively exercising his gift of preaching. Gifts that are not used are just like muscles in the body, without exercise and use, they will wither away with time. It is essential in our Christian lives to be consistently exercising our gifts to better serve the body and encourage others.

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." This passage was really encouraging for me to TAKE HOLD of what I have been blessed with in gifts and life, to use what I have been given and continue on in the race.

"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care." God has entrusted his believers with what he has given us, including his holy, living word.

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." I had to sit back and try to envision all of these things in one person. It is so easy to be intimidated or to feel unworthy of what God is calling us to do. This is such beautiful encouragement from God. He desires for us to take hold of our gifts, adopt them as our own beautiful blessing, run with them the great race, and do it with confidence because we know and believe what Christ has done for us on the cross, so we have no reason to fear!

"If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will disown us;

is we are faithless,

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself."

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage- with great patience and careful instruct."

I've learned so much from reading through Timothy. I've become more encouraged and instructed in how to disciple, and how to utilize my gifts. I believe the hard part is figuring out what your God given gifts are, and narrowing down to the most useful and prominent.

Letter

Dear Sweet Child,

It hurts me to see you grieve so. I wish you would trust me wholeheartedly, long enough to see the work I am doing in you. Your mind is being taken captive by these thoughts. They often leave little room for me. I want you to know that I understand your pain, and that there are times when I weep with you. I promise you that my glory and my love will conquer all. I have you held so tight in my arms but you fail to hear my heart beating. I want you to understand that my love is always enough, and that it never runs out. You are so precious to me, I will never take my eyes off of you. I have loved watching you grow into a young woman. But I am not finished with you. I know you are in pain but I love you so much that I am willing to watch you go through this, I am willing to endure the pain with you, so that you may experience the true beauty of My son. This is all going to make you stronger, and more courageous in my name.

Now, take my hand and let me guide you. I will not leave you behind. We are in this together.

-God

James

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a change to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession."

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

Rolland Baker

"We have His love. We have Him! This is no time to be conservative. This is no time to let our hearts be captured by this world. We cannot improve on His will and His life. Let's concentrate on what captures God's attention and spend ourselves as He spends Himself. He knows what is worthwhile to do, so let's learn form Him and not waste our lives. We will never run dry. We always have His resources, because He died for us. Let's run the race to win and never stop bearing fruit."

One of the most beautifully simple statements I have ever heard.

Sabbath- Austin Stone

"A day to resist achieving and simply enjoy being. A day to recover your humanity."

"An act of trust, that God can hold everything together while you rest."

"God blessed the Sabbath, in order for it to be a BLESSING TO US."

"A day to center your heart back on the Lord."

"A day to let God breath life into your body and soul."