Bible Study

As I study this week I get to reflect on my short comings in the new series that is being kicked off. My short comings are many so for the series topic you could assume a lot of things. This is a topic however that is so crucial to our faith and yet something I so desperately lacked. It is something that reminds me of my greek professor in making a simile about one year greek students "a one year greek student is like a baby with a samurai sword". So it is with us as we try to grasp the Word of God with our own presuppositions and desires leading the way. A weakness of mine growing up was studying Scripture.

I remember quoting often, almost to an exhausting sense the famous verse from Paul's letter to the church at Phillipi "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13. This verse was much more about me, however, than what Paul was intending. I would you this verse and get frustrated with its application as I could not bench press a certain weight or fail to do well on a test without studying because after all I had Christ-strength right? The focus was on what God could do for me through this verse missing the entire point of the climatic verse. Of course this adolescent thinking is funny looking back, but how did I miss the point. Was it lack of a theological base, was the Holy Spirit sitting out with His work in illumination that day?

I think it was more than that and yet simpler than that. I was approaching the Word of God as a self-help book. I was approaching the word of God like a magic 8 ball that I could just shake and everything would be sorter out. Presuppositions clouded me with every page turned. Entitlement was (and is at times..) my middle name. I was looking at the Word of God through an American lens instead of an open heart wanting to be more aware of this God that sent His son as the propitiation of my sins.

Paul was pouring out his heart saying I will do anything even die for the sake of making you known, although he had previously noted it was better for him to live Phil. 1:24. He wasn't saying I can fly because I am so special, he was saying I can die because HE is empowering me.

In kicking off a series on studying the God's Word I am both excited and humbled at the same time. It is only by God's grace that I am now on this end being used by Him to teach others to teach themselves.

Getting Started

Nothing quite like transition. With a week down, it's time to recap a week that seemed like a blur. I started last week, but was able to sit in on the class the week before I began. There is something weird about sitting on the sidelines when your used to preparing and giving lessons each week. It was a good experience though to be able to see the flow and layout of the sunday morning lessons.

Also, last week I was able to meet with a couple local pastors and brain-storm what are some things that we can do to show love to youth in the community. We were discussing this beat up skate park in town and some things we could do both now and potentially in the future. When we contacted the city we found out just how immediate the need was, and today (already!) we are planning on spending a few hours in repair and possibly tomorrow as well. This is a great opportunity to show love to some students that are craving it. Hoping to be able to use the skatepark as a venue to get to know students in the community and also allow students of Big Woods to minister to their peers. God has been at work here, preparing this opportunity and I am so thankful that we are able to capitalize on this need and show the community we care about them.

We are still moving in on top of this all, and need to be sending out letters and fax in information for our trip to Guatemala in August. The financial deadline in June 10 so time is rushed! We trust God will provide, but pray for patience as we try to wrap our minds around everything that is happing so quickly.

Things we are learning:
God is good and God is sovereign. Over the last year God's sovereignty has been something that I have been meditating on specifically. What a crazy world this would be if God wasn't sovereign. God has also been teaching me patience. There is only two options when there is a ton of change: panic or have patience. It is only by God's grace that I can practice the latter. He is truly shaping me (sometimes regardless of my resistance) as a potter shapes clay, Isaiah 64:8.

Coming to the Woods

First post! As I am phasing out here at FBC I am reminded of how faithful God is and the fact that His plan is so much better and bigger than I can imagine. It seems this time last year Ashley and I were wondering and asking "what now God" approaching the end of college and looking into the next phase of our lives. I can't help but think(and laugh at some) of the highs and lows of the past year and His faithfulness through it all. It was those "what now" questions that drove us to our knees and we were able to grow closer, praying and seeking God's direction together.

Then, near the beginning of the year we started praying for where God wanted us knowing that we had an end date with the internship. God answered our prayers with a particular church that came almost immediately into our path, and kind of out of the blue. That church is in the woods of Pennsylvania, and seemed like a perfect fit(even before we visited) and God only gave us more peace as the process went on. As we both begin at Big Woods I am reminded of both the challenges and thrills that come with change. I am also reminded of the peace that God gives through the storm and that He is ever present! Let's begin this together as we seek God's face as to what He wants to do in the lives of the students at Big Woods Bible Church!