This week Al McBryan taught on the Nature and Character of God. I had a hard time getting into the teaching. I will admit I didn't follow him very well until yesterday. His teaching style is hard to take notes on because he's a little bit all over the place. But he just challenged us in our thinking of God. Yesterday he talked about the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man (Genesis 3). It was really interesting b/c he brought up some things that have never even entered my mind. For instance, Adam and Eve being like children in their thinking, like not knowing they were naked b/c like small children, they weren't aware of being naked. When the serpent lied to Eve, there was an element of truth in what he said. In Gen. 3:5 the serpent says, 5"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." And in v.22 God says, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil;..." But the connotation that the serpent used he meant, 'God doesn't really love you. He's keeping something from you that is good and He doesn't want you to have it." Al introduced the idea that God did eventually want man to have the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but not yet for the same reason little children are forbidden to do certain things or have certain things (touch a hot burner, have a knife, etc.). He wanted us to have the knowledge without ever being evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 says,
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Adam and Eve became aware of good and evil and then were punished because they struck out on their own. There is a word play in the Hebrew language in this passage. I didn't write it all down, so I can't explain it, but I remember Al talking about it. I really want to learn Hebrew!!! I had never thought about these things, but it does make sense. He told us not to take his word for it, but to hold it before God and see what He says about it.
He also talked about predestination and stuff like that. God is not the one decreeing the things(evil) we see going on around us. He thinks it is nonsense to believe that God already knows if we will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. He says that God designed the world and has made the future somewhat open and unknown, with some things being predestined. He believes that Omniscient means God knows all things, both actual and possible. Meaning that yes, God is all-knowing, but since we have free will, He doesn't know what we'll choose, but whatever we do choose, He knows what the outcome of that decision will be. Isaiah 5:1-4 says, 1Let me sing now for my well-beloved
A song of my beloved concerning His vineyard.
My well-beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill.
2He dug it all around, removed its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine
And He built a tower in the middle of it
And also hewed out a wine vat in it;
Then He expected it to produce good grapes,
But it produced only worthless ones.
3"And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,
Judge between Me and My vineyard.
4"What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it?
Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?
Then v. 7 says, 7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel
And the men of Judah His delightful plant
Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed;
For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.
Al asks, how can God honestly ask the questions in v. 4 if He is the one causing everything. Evil didn't have to happen! Jeremiah 26:3 says, 3'Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.' If God already knows everything, why would He say "that I may repent?"
Anyway, I'm not really sure how I feel about these things, but I just thought I'd share what I'm thinking through. Please pray that I'll be able to figure out what I think I feel about it! Love you all!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Outreach!!
So yesterday they let us know where we are going on outreach!! I am going to INDIA!!!!! YAY!!! I'm SOOOOOOOO excited!!! We talked a little bit about what to expect and what our fears are about going. I cannot wait! But at the same time, I am learning and growing so much in God that I don't want this time to end either!! but it's be so great!!! We are going to be in the southeastern part of India called Tamil Nadu.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10/18/2009
I learned SO MUCH this week!!! Oh my goodness! I don’t think I’ve ever taken so many notes in my life!
It is awesome how God uses Michael Berg in this week of teaching about the Father Heart God has for each of us. He gave his testimony and he did some crazy things in his past, but he is totally forgiven by God and that old man is dead. All week was pretty convicting for most people. It made me realize how crappy I’ve been to my earthly dad, and mom for that matter. I’m going to pick some points out of my notes that might seem like they should be obvious, and some of them I’ve known, yet haven’t known but God has given me a knew revelation about them to make them more than head knowledge:
10/13/09
Hurt people hurt other people; healed people heal other people. Christianity is a process; you are immediately in the family when you ask Jesus into your heart, but you change over time, the same way a baby changes after it is born into a family. Do not use your body as a tool of manipulation – EVER!!! Serving yourself and being “free” is actually bondage. Isaiah 61:3 talks about us being “Oaks of Righteousness” An oak tree is strong because the roots go deep and make a sturdy foundation. It gets affected by the storm, but stands firm through it.
A. To know God
Original language for “to know” means that to know God is not merely knowing about Him but rather to know Him more intimately than a husband and wife know each other. We have been taking Christianity too lightly!! We should be filled with wonder of who God is!! When you see the Grand Canyon or mountains or the ocean for the first time, you are filled with awe and wonder. When you grow up around those things, they become the norm and you get used to them. So if you grew up in the Grand Canyon, maybe it’s time to go see the ocean. God doesn’t want to give you information about Himself, He wants to give you revelation! The Bible should not just be a textbook for us but the longest love letter ever!!! He wants me to know Him more than I want to know Him.
B. To Trust God
Webster’s definition of “trust”: a firm belief or confidence in the honestly, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person. Trust is earned and learned. The more we get to know God, the more we’ll trust Him. When God tells us to be like children, it’s so we’ll trust him. Did you ever jump off of something into your daddy’s arms? It’s like having the faith in your dad that he’s going to catch you every time.
C. To Love God
As we develop trust, we develop love. W.A. Pratney said, “Love is an unselfish choice for the highest good of God and His universe according to their real value. The opposite of love is a selfish choice, putting yourself first. In Matthew 22:37-40 we are told to love God with our whole being. And Philippians 2 says when we love God, we should do the things that please Him and avoid the things that displease Him, which is obedience. Obedience is a loving response to a loving relationship.
D. To Serve God (Obedience)
We should not be obedient on the basis of fear and not on the basis of duty. Ministry should be natural because of our loving relationship with Jesus.
False Concepts of God affect how we pray, how we read the Bible, how we live our Christian lives and our relationships with God. Anything we think is true we need to hold before the Lord to see if it’s true or not, so that we can have a better understanding; that we might have and expanded understanding of God.
A. Right Concept of God
The Nature of God
Uncreated = He has always been
Triune God = 3 in 1
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
John 14-16 talks about the role that the Holy Spirit plays
When we pray we are talking and relating to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is so involved in our lives, we have just scratched the surface. He is always with us, we are never alone!! Henry Blackaby said, “Every Christian needs to have the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives”
Omnipotent = all powerful
Jeremiah 32:27, Job 42:2, Jeremiah 6:1-12, Psalm 89:6-8, 66:7
Don’t get impressed with yourself, it’s the power of God in you that should impress.
Omniscient = all knowing
Romans 11:33-34, Psalm 147:5, Job 37:16, 1 John 3:20
We can never say, “Nobody knows and no one understands me.”
Omnipresent = everywhere at the same time
1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 2:6, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:24, Psalm 139:7-10
B. The Character of God
1. The Names of God
El Roi – the God who sees me/God of vision
El Shaddai – God Almighty in His ability to provide
We should never make a decision based on what’s in our wallet or bank account, but based on the Word of the Lord.
Jealous – Exodus 34:14
Human jealousy is selfish and God’s jealousy is selfless. Jealousy is the fear of being replaced.
Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23
Oh man, this is all notes from ONE DAY!!! Crazyness!! I'll try to share more later!
It is awesome how God uses Michael Berg in this week of teaching about the Father Heart God has for each of us. He gave his testimony and he did some crazy things in his past, but he is totally forgiven by God and that old man is dead. All week was pretty convicting for most people. It made me realize how crappy I’ve been to my earthly dad, and mom for that matter. I’m going to pick some points out of my notes that might seem like they should be obvious, and some of them I’ve known, yet haven’t known but God has given me a knew revelation about them to make them more than head knowledge:
10/13/09
Hurt people hurt other people; healed people heal other people. Christianity is a process; you are immediately in the family when you ask Jesus into your heart, but you change over time, the same way a baby changes after it is born into a family. Do not use your body as a tool of manipulation – EVER!!! Serving yourself and being “free” is actually bondage. Isaiah 61:3 talks about us being “Oaks of Righteousness” An oak tree is strong because the roots go deep and make a sturdy foundation. It gets affected by the storm, but stands firm through it.
A. To know God
Original language for “to know” means that to know God is not merely knowing about Him but rather to know Him more intimately than a husband and wife know each other. We have been taking Christianity too lightly!! We should be filled with wonder of who God is!! When you see the Grand Canyon or mountains or the ocean for the first time, you are filled with awe and wonder. When you grow up around those things, they become the norm and you get used to them. So if you grew up in the Grand Canyon, maybe it’s time to go see the ocean. God doesn’t want to give you information about Himself, He wants to give you revelation! The Bible should not just be a textbook for us but the longest love letter ever!!! He wants me to know Him more than I want to know Him.
B. To Trust God
Webster’s definition of “trust”: a firm belief or confidence in the honestly, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person. Trust is earned and learned. The more we get to know God, the more we’ll trust Him. When God tells us to be like children, it’s so we’ll trust him. Did you ever jump off of something into your daddy’s arms? It’s like having the faith in your dad that he’s going to catch you every time.
C. To Love God
As we develop trust, we develop love. W.A. Pratney said, “Love is an unselfish choice for the highest good of God and His universe according to their real value. The opposite of love is a selfish choice, putting yourself first. In Matthew 22:37-40 we are told to love God with our whole being. And Philippians 2 says when we love God, we should do the things that please Him and avoid the things that displease Him, which is obedience. Obedience is a loving response to a loving relationship.
D. To Serve God (Obedience)
We should not be obedient on the basis of fear and not on the basis of duty. Ministry should be natural because of our loving relationship with Jesus.
False Concepts of God affect how we pray, how we read the Bible, how we live our Christian lives and our relationships with God. Anything we think is true we need to hold before the Lord to see if it’s true or not, so that we can have a better understanding; that we might have and expanded understanding of God.
A. Right Concept of God
The Nature of God
Uncreated = He has always been
Triune God = 3 in 1
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
John 14-16 talks about the role that the Holy Spirit plays
When we pray we are talking and relating to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is so involved in our lives, we have just scratched the surface. He is always with us, we are never alone!! Henry Blackaby said, “Every Christian needs to have the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives”
Omnipotent = all powerful
Jeremiah 32:27, Job 42:2, Jeremiah 6:1-12, Psalm 89:6-8, 66:7
Don’t get impressed with yourself, it’s the power of God in you that should impress.
Omniscient = all knowing
Romans 11:33-34, Psalm 147:5, Job 37:16, 1 John 3:20
We can never say, “Nobody knows and no one understands me.”
Omnipresent = everywhere at the same time
1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 2:6, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:24, Psalm 139:7-10
B. The Character of God
1. The Names of God
El Roi – the God who sees me/God of vision
El Shaddai – God Almighty in His ability to provide
We should never make a decision based on what’s in our wallet or bank account, but based on the Word of the Lord.
Jealous – Exodus 34:14
Human jealousy is selfish and God’s jealousy is selfless. Jealousy is the fear of being replaced.
Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23
Oh man, this is all notes from ONE DAY!!! Crazyness!! I'll try to share more later!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
week 3
Well,
Here I am in week 3 of the teaching. This week the speaker is Michael Berg, our Base Director. He told his testimony, which is amazing because is shows what God can do with such a messed up person and still use them in His ministry. He's teaching on Biblical Restoration. He is helping us form right concepts about God. Today he taught on the Father Heart of God. It was an incredible and emotional session.
Some of you might be wondering what I do all day long. Here is the short version of my schedule:
We have quiet time M- F from 7:15 am to 8. We get picked up around 8:10 and taken to Evangel Assembly of God where we have classes and everything. On Mondays we have blank page intercession then a class session til about 12:30 when we have lunch. After lunch, we have recreation time. We've played sand volleyball, ultimate frisbee and dodgeball so far. When we get back from that we have Community Responsiblities (CR's) til about 5:15, then dinner at 5:30. Monday CR for me is meal clean up, so I have my one-on-one with Lisi, one of my small group leaders. Monday nights we have the option of going to "Porch Night" which means we just go to the house with a pool and hang out have some snacks and non-alcoholic mixed or iced drinks. Sun-Thurs we have a 10 PM curfew. Tuesday we have class from about 8:30 - 12:30 with a 30 min break at 10. After lunch we have outreach prep. We haven't actually split into outreach groups yet so we have our geography test and then something called Hot Topics, which means Jesse, one of the leaders, picks something and splits us up into two groups and we have to debate the topic like pirating music and movies or why Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you know me very well, you know I don't really like debating, so this is a little hard, but it's good because it makes me believe in what I believe in more strongly. On Tuesdays, my CR is cleaning the business offices of YWAM Orlando. Tuesdays after dinner we have something called Family Night, which is kind of like a Wednesday or Sunday night church service. Tuesday is a LONG day!! My brain is already so full it's hard to take in more information. Wednesday mornings we have outreach intercession where we pray for India and Dominican Republic. Then a class session, lunch, CR's (I'm off on Wednesdays, so I come to the library across the street to update my blog and stuff). At 3:30 someone from a dept. is going to come share with us about there dept. here at YWAM Orlando. Then we go home and make dinner as a house. Thursdays we have Worship & Warfare, class, lunch, CR's (I do the weekend/breakfast/Wed. dinner/snack shopping run with a gift card to a grocery store called Publix) then dinner then home. There is a Wal-Mart shopping run after dinner too. Fridays we have class all morning, lunch, Scripture memorization and more outreach stuff, I think, CR's, dinner, home. On Fri and Sat we have a midnight curfew. It differs what we do on weekends. Mostly we just hang out and build relationships.
Yeah, so that's how a typical week goes. I probably forgot something, but oh well. I don't really have a picture, but here's the link for pics I've put on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054392&id=205300824&l=ab80e1c2d2
Here I am in week 3 of the teaching. This week the speaker is Michael Berg, our Base Director. He told his testimony, which is amazing because is shows what God can do with such a messed up person and still use them in His ministry. He's teaching on Biblical Restoration. He is helping us form right concepts about God. Today he taught on the Father Heart of God. It was an incredible and emotional session.
Some of you might be wondering what I do all day long. Here is the short version of my schedule:
We have quiet time M- F from 7:15 am to 8. We get picked up around 8:10 and taken to Evangel Assembly of God where we have classes and everything. On Mondays we have blank page intercession then a class session til about 12:30 when we have lunch. After lunch, we have recreation time. We've played sand volleyball, ultimate frisbee and dodgeball so far. When we get back from that we have Community Responsiblities (CR's) til about 5:15, then dinner at 5:30. Monday CR for me is meal clean up, so I have my one-on-one with Lisi, one of my small group leaders. Monday nights we have the option of going to "Porch Night" which means we just go to the house with a pool and hang out have some snacks and non-alcoholic mixed or iced drinks. Sun-Thurs we have a 10 PM curfew. Tuesday we have class from about 8:30 - 12:30 with a 30 min break at 10. After lunch we have outreach prep. We haven't actually split into outreach groups yet so we have our geography test and then something called Hot Topics, which means Jesse, one of the leaders, picks something and splits us up into two groups and we have to debate the topic like pirating music and movies or why Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you know me very well, you know I don't really like debating, so this is a little hard, but it's good because it makes me believe in what I believe in more strongly. On Tuesdays, my CR is cleaning the business offices of YWAM Orlando. Tuesdays after dinner we have something called Family Night, which is kind of like a Wednesday or Sunday night church service. Tuesday is a LONG day!! My brain is already so full it's hard to take in more information. Wednesday mornings we have outreach intercession where we pray for India and Dominican Republic. Then a class session, lunch, CR's (I'm off on Wednesdays, so I come to the library across the street to update my blog and stuff). At 3:30 someone from a dept. is going to come share with us about there dept. here at YWAM Orlando. Then we go home and make dinner as a house. Thursdays we have Worship & Warfare, class, lunch, CR's (I do the weekend/breakfast/Wed. dinner/snack shopping run with a gift card to a grocery store called Publix) then dinner then home. There is a Wal-Mart shopping run after dinner too. Fridays we have class all morning, lunch, Scripture memorization and more outreach stuff, I think, CR's, dinner, home. On Fri and Sat we have a midnight curfew. It differs what we do on weekends. Mostly we just hang out and build relationships.
Yeah, so that's how a typical week goes. I probably forgot something, but oh well. I don't really have a picture, but here's the link for pics I've put on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054392&id=205300824&l=ab80e1c2d2
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The First Week
Well, the first week was pretty intense. John Bills spoke on Hearing the Voice of God. I learned a lot. I grew up around people that heard from the Lord, but I guess I had a stigma on myself that I couldn't. My viewpoint on that has changed drastically. We also have like 3 hours of intercessory prayer a week. This is kind of new to me and is a little bit scary because it's part of the unknown, although there is nothing to fear. God longs to show believers what is on His heart and it's been pretty crazy this week. On Monday we had blank page intercession and one of the groups got some pictures of a huge boat and like pirates or something. So they prayed into that. Well today we found out that there was an incident between a French military ship and some Somalian pirates and no one got hurt even though there were shots fired. I don't know many details, they just kinda told us a little bit about it after class today!! Crazy! Last week in my intercession group we were praying for India, Nepal and Indonesia. I just got this picture of a big wave going over Indonesia. I didn't say anything at the time, but when I told someone about it later she said that she heard something happened then we looked it up and there had been tsunamis and earthquakes around Indonesia. That rocked my world!!! God is so good!! This week we are watching videos of Dean Sherman speaking on relationships. The videos are from the early 90's, but once you get past his clothes and hair, they are really good! God has been showing me some things about myself and that I have to forgive myself for mistakes I have made in the past or God can't forgive me! Anyway, I can't wait to share more about what I'm learning, but I have to go for now!
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