Updates from May, 2007 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Mark 10:00 pm on May 27, 2007 Permalink | Reply
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    Distracted, Discouraged, Disabled 

    Since returning from Chicago I’ve got to be honest with you – it has been hard for me to focus on very much. Even important things, like getting my class readings done, writing posts on this blog, and finding inspiration in my prayer life have just simply not had the same energy attached to them like they normally do. At one level, it might just be me becoming listless – thinking too much about the future and not focusing on where I am right now. I’d say that’s probably part right, but I’d say there is a deeper, more foundational reality happening here.

    My friend once told me that the Evil One works feverishly to accomplish three goals in the hearts of those who have committed to live on journey with Father; they are to “distract, discourage, and disable” God’s followers. (An alliteration! Just like any great sermon!) I can see these things creeping into my life, and masking the abundant, full life that Christ has already given to me.

    Maybe you’ve been in my shoes? Distraction starts with the pangs of boredom. You simply don’t have the interest in picking up God’s Word, or going for a walk with him, or whatever you and God have found yourselves enjoying lately. For me, I’d rather check out the latest info on movies, video games, and sports on websites, or pour over all the blogs I love to read, or have a ROOT CANAL or ANYTHING to just get past this boredom! It is the temptation of being over-stimulated that brings on my distraction.

    Over time, this distraction leads to discouragement. Even before my trip, I was feeling a distance from Father that made me uncomfortable, and now its just down right saddening. I just haven’t had the energy to even reach out to him for help – almost like it is just more trouble than its worth…than I’M worth. As I’ve gotten to know drug addicts, I’ve been amazed how similar this sensation of discouragement is, especially for those who have committed to following Christ. I wouldn’t doubt that this is the same workings of the Enemy.

    Finally, Christ-followers are completely neutralized when they are disabled. The Christ-life is supposed to be interwoven with freedom for the journey, but when a believer is consistently discouraged, he will eventually lay down his cross and sit idly on the side of the road.  What else do you think burn out among ministers and church leaders is?  What about people who “renounce the faith”?  They have been cut off at the knees – their giftings stifled.  I’m not there yet, but unless I seek God’s shalom, I could end up there fast.

    Just writing about this is helping, but I am still in the ditch.  I need HIS encouragement, and his engagement so the Enemy doesn’t have a chance to get a foothold.  He is not worth my time.

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    • miller 11:02 pm on May 27, 2007 Permalink

      i know how you feel bro…

      i’ll be praying

      peace

    • Guy Muse 8:02 am on May 28, 2007 Permalink

      I am slowly coming out of my own round of DDD. It seems these cycles are common in the life of a believer. I remember Elisabeth Elliot saying somewhere to not rely on feelings, but “do the next thing” that needs to be done, even if the feelings (joy, enthusiams, etc.) are not there. In other words, pray even if you don’t have anything to say, read His Word even though you have no appetite for it, etc. When Christ was in the wilderness for 40 days, He didn’t “feel” very strong physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. Yet, He didn’t succumb to Satan’s temptations. I would invite you to revisit this passage and allow God to speak to you through the example Jesus left for us when DDD.

    • Billy 9:51 am on May 28, 2007 Permalink

      Pam and I will be praying for you.

    • Mark 3:11 pm on May 28, 2007 Permalink

      Miller and Billy – thanks for your prayers

      Guy – Its good to know that everyone struggles with “DDD”. I agree that there is a place for doing things even when you don’t feel like doing them (doing the dishes for my wife is not always at the top of my list, but I know I love her by helping keep a clean kitchen), but on the other side of things, if I am always doing the same thing for my wife out of rote (buying flowers every first Friday, or writing her a note every day) I loose some of the RELATIONSHIP that those actions are tied to.

      What I am worried about is doing the actions just for the sake of DOING ACTIONS, and not learning to love Father more. Maybe this hesitation is just part of the Enemy’s distraction, but my intentions are trying to be mostly good. I am not hooked on my feelings, but I do see them as a sign that things are going well or that things in my relationship to God might need to move to another level.

    • kent 5:44 pm on May 28, 2007 Permalink

      mark, i’m right with you, man. i’ve been having a hard time lately, feeling discouraged and overwhelmed by distraction from my walk with God. greg’s sermon yesterday spoke loudly to me – it was about remembering. remembering God. remembering what He has done in our lives, and in the lives of his people. the “sermon notes” section of the bulletin had a list of scriptures having to do with remembering God. (don’t know if you get the bulletin in your email or not). i don’t remember them all, but a couple that stand out in my mind even today – numbers 15 (i think), 2 timothy 2, revelation 2 (ephesus) and 3 (sardis), and especially psalm 77.
      these passages were convicting and encouraging to me, as was the experience of sitting down and writing out a list of things i need to remember that God has done in my life.
      maybe these things can be of some encouragement to you as well.
      you all gonna make it up to indy at all this summer?
      peace

    • Agent wife 8:50 pm on May 28, 2007 Permalink

      May the sweet Spirit woo you, wash over you, lure you to that secret place of intimacy and restore your passion.

    • Julie 8:57 pm on May 29, 2007 Permalink

      I came here to see what tips others had! I agree about remembering what God has specifically done as a way to draw you closer to Him. I do that, too. And God used this method repeatedly in the OT: “Remember, I am the God that brought you out of Israel!” : )

      However, I have to put in my minor protest about the “DDD” term. You see, my sorority is Delta Delta Delta, otherwise known as Tri-Delta or “DDD”! :D

  • Mark 3:20 pm on May 22, 2007 Permalink | Reply
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    Children in China Stand Strong 

    Joel News continues to inspire! Read this article below about the commitment of Chinese children to their LORD:

    Sister Jing, who has taught children and trained Sunday school teachers all over China, shared the following inspiring account how children in one province in China stood firm in their faith when they were arrested by officials.

    chineskids.jpgSunday school was in full swing for more than 30 children when the sound of vehicles interrupted the class. Before the children even had time to put away their books, public Security Bureau officers burst into the room, confiscated ‘incriminating evidence’, and unceremoniously herded the children into a van.

    By now the children knew what was happening. Their teachers had warned them it might happen one day and had taught them what to do. Now their time of testing had come.

    As the van sped toward the police station, the children clung together to steady themselves. Then one child started singing. Before long, the van was filled with song as all the children enthusiastically joined in – much to the annoyance of the officials in the van.

    Upon arrival at the police station, the children marched bravely into the interrogation room still singing, “In the name of Jesus, we have the victory.”

    This was not the cowering group of children the police interrogator had anticipated! He began to threaten the children, telling them they would have to write “I do not believe in Jesus” one hundred times before he would release them. Instead, the defiant children wrote, “I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever!”

    Unprepared for such a strong stand from young school children, the officials weren’t sure how to respond. In exasperation, they called the children’s parents. When the parents arrived, they were told the children would be released only if the parents said they were not Christians. Because many of the parents were not believers, they readily affirmed they didn’t believe in Jesus and took their children home.

    But when a widowed believer came to pick up her twin sons, she refused to deny Jesus. The officers threatened her, “If you do not deny Jesus, we will not release your sons!” Unshaken, the widow replied, “Well, I guess you will just have to keep them, because without Jesus, there would be no way for me to take care of them!” Exasperated by continued, unexpected resistance to their threats, the officials said in disgust, “Take your sons and go!”

    We thank God for stories like this because we know that children are the future of the Church.

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    • miller 8:25 pm on May 22, 2007 Permalink

      dude, thanks for this testimony!

      would that we were all so strong…

      peace

    • Billy 8:15 am on May 23, 2007 Permalink

      Wow great story. Thanks for sharing. I need to forward this to Pam.

      billy

  • Mark 8:23 am on May 16, 2007 Permalink | Reply  

    ChicaGO! Day 2, 3 

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    • Nick Nichols 5:58 pm on May 17, 2007 Permalink

      Hey! Are you guys still in Chi-Town? We would love to see you guys, Annie was just talking about Katrina on Monday. We live in Wheaton…30 min. train. Let me know if you guys will still be around over the weekend.

      –nick

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