Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Always being ready
I'm pretty sure Jesus was good at these kinds of things. Actually, I'm positive He was.
He had a lesson for everything. Even more so, He had a knack for speaking truth on a moment's notice. Whether in the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17), the example of a withered fig tree (Mark 11), a wine-less wedding in need of a miracle (John 2), or a shortened nap marred by faithless disciples in stormy weather (Mark 4), Jesus was extraordinary at making the plain, edifying and the temporary, eternal.
I had a moment like this recently. A friend here in St. Petersburg asked me, "Will, what do you think of other religions?" Before I knew it, I had grabbed a pen, a folder - and I began to write.
For me, as a follower of Jesus, I yearn to be wise in my words. To walk in confession. In truth. For my heart to overflow with rivers of living water (John 7:38). I want to speak the words that Jesus spoke.
But more importantly, I want to always be ready.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Prayer
A few prayer requests of areas where Myself (and my team) are still trusting God for over the next few weeks:
1. Settling in - All my things are still in my bags! Finding an apartment in Russia can be difficult as it requires you to go through an agent (who charges 1 month of rent) and it has also become frustrating finding a roommate who has a good enough budget to share a decent apartment with me!
2. Schools opening their doors for English Club - We have been initiating with teachers and administration - and we're hoping that over the next few weeks we'll be able to begin English Clubs at 5 schools around the city. It's through English Club that we hope to build the strongest relationships with high school students here.
3. Intentional relationships - really finding students who are spiritually open to talking about God. Our desire is to seek out those who are "FAT" (Faithful. Available. and Teachable) - and, in turn, pour truth into their lives.
4. Creativity in ministry - the sky is the limit for us as we seek what God would have us do with our time and skills here. Whether it be in partnering with other ministries (Orphanages, YoungLife, etc.), starting a Sports club outreach, or sharing English Short Film movies, the opportunities are endless for us.
5. Abiding in the Vine - knowing that without us growing in our own relationship with God and spending due time with Him, everything else we do is in vain. The struggles and fears that go with being in a new culture a world away from home are minute compared to the promises and faithfulness of the Lord that He will "never leave us nor forsake us". I daily need to remind myself of this.
Please be praying for us in these things. It's crazy to have been a month here already - and I know the last thing we want to do is to let the year fly by and we miss out on what the Lord could have for the youth of Russia through our ministry!
I don't know if you've ever INTENTIONALLY committed to pray for a specific ministry, but I would ask you to consider consistlently praying for my ministry with Russian youth.
And as you pray - I look forward to sharing with you what God does with your faith.
"The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Please. Please. Pray.
1. Settling in - All my things are still in my bags! Finding an apartment in Russia can be difficult as it requires you to go through an agent (who charges 1 month of rent) and it has also become frustrating finding a roommate who has a good enough budget to share a decent apartment with me!
2. Schools opening their doors for English Club - We have been initiating with teachers and administration - and we're hoping that over the next few weeks we'll be able to begin English Clubs at 5 schools around the city. It's through English Club that we hope to build the strongest relationships with high school students here.
3. Intentional relationships - really finding students who are spiritually open to talking about God. Our desire is to seek out those who are "FAT" (Faithful. Available. and Teachable) - and, in turn, pour truth into their lives.
4. Creativity in ministry - the sky is the limit for us as we seek what God would have us do with our time and skills here. Whether it be in partnering with other ministries (Orphanages, YoungLife, etc.), starting a Sports club outreach, or sharing English Short Film movies, the opportunities are endless for us.
5. Abiding in the Vine - knowing that without us growing in our own relationship with God and spending due time with Him, everything else we do is in vain. The struggles and fears that go with being in a new culture a world away from home are minute compared to the promises and faithfulness of the Lord that He will "never leave us nor forsake us". I daily need to remind myself of this.
Please be praying for us in these things. It's crazy to have been a month here already - and I know the last thing we want to do is to let the year fly by and we miss out on what the Lord could have for the youth of Russia through our ministry!
I don't know if you've ever INTENTIONALLY committed to pray for a specific ministry, but I would ask you to consider consistlently praying for my ministry with Russian youth.
And as you pray - I look forward to sharing with you what God does with your faith.
"The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Please. Please. Pray.
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