| | Assistants
Joshua 1 [link]
So the message we hear from this chapter over and over is the "Be strong and take courage" one. A wonderful message! Not what we're covering! Haha. Remember -- I like try to cover different things than the normal. If you haven't heard the "Be strong and take courage" message then don't worry -- one day you will. It's mentioned 3 times and it's the "Joshua taking over" chapter.
What I want to cover is the first verse. After Moses dies God speaks to Moses' assistant.
Do you have an assistant?
I think a lot of people kind of tend to do things on their own. They feel blessed and gifted and go off to do their own little pet projects God has called them to, and then "death grip" them away in their own little corner. Maybe I'm wrong, but I usually don't see a lot of people who, knowing that one day they WILL leave all that God has used them for behind in death, start training up someone to take over for them when they go. Think of it, if you're a teacher, like having a teaching assistant in your field of expertise with you and helping you with all you do for, let's say even just 10 years before you plan to retire. You may run longer, but the point is that the person will start off with a reputation and expertise and be completely ready for the job. Filling your shoes will be easier, one might say.
We need to practice this in the church more, I think. How many pastors try to preach on their own every week? Maybe they should, but then how many have an associate pastor who gets to walk through them preparing their sermons every week so they know how when the time comes? How many of pastors try to go straight into the pulpit? Surely God calls many straight into their roles, but we should also realize several Bible greats had training periods. Paul had his 3 years in the desert with God, Elisha followed Elijah, Joshua followed Moses, and the disciples followed Christ. I think it only makes sense that we should be in mentoring roles and discipleship roles.
How often do you see that though?
I've always felt a strong desire / call to be in a discipleship role, but never found someone who really wanted to take me. I've started my own discipleship group stuff -- not to become more holy or because I felt I was so great, but because I saw the need and no one filling it. I have a passion for it and I hope God blessed those who got to be in it. I don't claim they were amazing, and I doubt any were "one moment life changers", haha. I just wanted to sit down and talk about some stuff and discover what God had to say about it. To create a truly open place of discussion and to get some younger Christians (though not much younger, as I'm still growing plenty myself and surely don't claim to know it all! Haha. Far from it.) to sit down and start thinking. To start using their heads, or to challenge them to rethink and express their ideas out loud for perhaps the first time, or second time. It's amazing how what you think and how you explain it are SO different (and often quite poor from personal experience) than you would think the first few times you try to say it. Yet another reason for this blog. It forces me to "verbalize" what I believe instead of just saying, "This is just what I believe" -- well why?
The point of all this being -- who will take over the work God is doing through you now when you are gone? Will anyone? Is there even anything to take over? Surely there is, though you may not see it as "easily" as some others. I encourage you to make sure someone can fill your shoes, because if the ministry you have is dependant on anything other than God alone than you are not running it correctly (imo). Moses knew this, and he trained up Joshua so that the people would not instantly crumble when he passed on. Let us do the same. Let our non-presence never "make or break" God's work and hinder someone from growing. To God be the glory, and may all trust be in Him -- not us.
Heavenly Father, thank You. You are so awesome and so amazing. We praise You that you desire relationships in our lives. Lord, let us learn how to start discipling / mentoring programs, for we are in a sore need for them in America as I see it. We need to be trained up, and no one seems willing to train. Lord, let us use our time and gifts for You, and let You work out how well they are. You are the one in control anyways. Lord, in all types of ministry, may the only hope, trust, and leadership required be Yours and not the figurehead's. When we leave this world I can think of nothing better than for everyone to be able to continue on without me, having done Your job for me so well that others can now feed themselves spiritually without needing someone to hold their hand. Lord, that my death would not cripple them, but instead help them to see the freedom and ability they truly have and to take and grow stronger from it! To fuel their fire to serve You! None of this weenie crap, if I may be so blunt, lol. Lord, may all we do be for You. Abba, we love You. We live, move, and breathe for You and You alone. Let my breath not be wasted, but may it be returned as worship and praise to the Great One who created me, loves me, and died for me. Holy Spirit, we ask for a blessing of the wisdom You can give to understand what this all looks like and how to do it, and ask You would start moving in our lives for God the Father's glory. We love You, praise You, worhsip You, and thank You for every single thing.
Amen.
First Day of Spring Classes
State: Tired
School is nice because it forces me to work my sleep schedule back, haha. Now to do it sooner than later... lol.
Class was had today after Domo last night. Today was Asian Theology and it was good. Jeff (from across the hall, who picked me up from the airport) is taking the class with me so that's cool, too. I <3 Professor Lee. His classes are always awesome. I just hope 2 classes with him don't put me on a Lee overload. 
My bloodsugars have been good thus far. Keeping track of them. (That's for mom, lol.)
Meeting new people has been nice. Seeing more of my old friends has been good, too. Not too much else to report here, though. I got to bed around 4am last night. I was ready at 3, but couldn't remember if it was the class I had or Missions in Asian Context today, so I justified staying up to see and played a bit more FFIII on DS, lol.
Oh, and interestingly enough the topic of today's class with Professor Lee was partially what my QT was yesterday, heh. That's God for you.
I think I still have some spots open if you want to be on my protected post list to receive my Seminary notes. Lemme know if you want on or off. I'll be leaving everyone on from last quarter who wanted on. I'd rather you keep up with me than the notes, and remember not to feel obligated to read it all ASAP, lol. It's not like they're going anywhere!
I need a nap something fierce, lol.
God bless, all!
Doctor 41, Thief 40, Shaman 31, Bard (Pet) 30, Citizen 30, Wizard 15
Level 25 alchemy, 56 weapon recipes
Pets: Love 39, Sapphire 26, Ruby 20, Rock 15, Metal 13
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| | Posted 1/25/2008 1:47 PM - 86 Views - 8 eProps - 3 comments
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