I'm so bushed! I can't believe how tired I am. Today has just been one of those days. And I've had so much coffee I'm surprised that I'm not bouncing off the walls! I'm almost there, but not quite.
It started with a visit, and I had a fantastic opportunity to explain the gospel to people. I spent like an hour a bit talking about Jesus with these people in their home. They were really listening, and I think they got it. It was a real learning experience for me, as these people were from a different culture to me, and so I had to really think about how to keep it simple. So praise God. I felt that I was fumbling through a bit. But I pray that they take it in. I'm organising some books for them to read as follow up (and I had a cup of coffee with them).
Then I got home, made some calls and went on another visit. This was to welcome some new people to our church. A great thing to be doing, and God willing some these people will feel more connected into NLEC.
But the absolute killer was meeting with the guy who heads up the Youth Ministry at CCEC - Dave Miers . I'm so thankful to God for godly people like Dave, who are extremely gifted by God, and passionate about ministry. My head hurt after chatting with him, (I think it was accumulative today, the constant chatting). The reason for getting together was NLEC (my Church) is at the stage of thinking through starting a ministry for youth (God willing). Dave is experienced in this area, and his enthusiasm is infectious! It was a good time catching up and chatting about youth ministry. I'm really pumped...May God grow his kingdom through this endeavour! We chatted non stop for 2 1/2 hours. And I had more coffee (Thanks Dave!). In fact I've found it really hard not to switch off tonight, that's how wired I am.
Then Robyn and I went out for dinner. It was good to Robyn to get out of the house, and see some different scenery (even if it was westfield at Tuggarah). The meal was good too - (Coffee club is awesome, great food and I have to say excellent coffee...yeah, I had another one there too!)
Coffee is sooooo good! But I bet I pay for it tonight.
Thursday 22 February 2007
Wednesday 7 February 2007
A what kind of sorrow?
Last night was a real joy for me. It was our second week in growth groups (that's what we call our bible study groups at NLEC), and we were looking at 2 Corinthians 7:2-16. The Big Idea was ... godly sorrow leads to repentance.
It was a positive night as people were grappling with the word of God, in order to change. And it was a passage about change! Godly sorrow is a good thing, as it leads us to repentance - A U turn in the direction we are living our lives, to turn from living our own way, to live God's way. Sorrow and grief, can have a positive result. It's not like worldly sorrow, that just leaves you feeling sorry for yourself, with no change at all, or sorry because you got caught out! But it leads to real change. I was encourage to see how the Corinthians responded to the rebuke from Paul. They repented. They changed.
And our group really wanted to come to terms with this. It was a great gift of God, to see people longing to understand the Scriptures, and work out how it applies. I came home buzzing. I'm usually down on myself for how I lead the study. But this time was different. And I was in pain was well with an infected gum, around a wisdom tooth.
Now, I've been thinking about this concept of godly sorrow this week in my own life. I though what area's of my life have I been sorry (in the worldly sense), or has my sorrow been a godly sorrow? The real test of what kind of sorrow I have, is "Has it brought about change?", " Have I repented?"
May God continue to rebuke me through his Word. May I always have ears to hear, and be prepared to have godly sorrow in my life because it leads me to repentance.
It was a positive night as people were grappling with the word of God, in order to change. And it was a passage about change! Godly sorrow is a good thing, as it leads us to repentance - A U turn in the direction we are living our lives, to turn from living our own way, to live God's way. Sorrow and grief, can have a positive result. It's not like worldly sorrow, that just leaves you feeling sorry for yourself, with no change at all, or sorry because you got caught out! But it leads to real change. I was encourage to see how the Corinthians responded to the rebuke from Paul. They repented. They changed.
And our group really wanted to come to terms with this. It was a great gift of God, to see people longing to understand the Scriptures, and work out how it applies. I came home buzzing. I'm usually down on myself for how I lead the study. But this time was different. And I was in pain was well with an infected gum, around a wisdom tooth.
Now, I've been thinking about this concept of godly sorrow this week in my own life. I though what area's of my life have I been sorry (in the worldly sense), or has my sorrow been a godly sorrow? The real test of what kind of sorrow I have, is "Has it brought about change?", " Have I repented?"
May God continue to rebuke me through his Word. May I always have ears to hear, and be prepared to have godly sorrow in my life because it leads me to repentance.
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