I just read this today from the DesiringGod blog, and it was such a good reminder, especially as I am tempted to forget my Sabbath today and have a desire to do something productive-
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/2116_you_dont_have_to_be_productive/
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Refreshment After Pajama Day
Recently, I've been feeling really tired. Even though I get enough sleep - like 8 or 9 hours, the energy of my youth is waning. I've been going this intense pace for awhile, and it's taking its toll on me. But God is still gracious even in my tiredness.
Last Friday, I spent the whole day in my pajamas. It was cold outside and I was so comfortable just reading, studying, and watching Filipino dramas all warm and cozy in my pjs. So when afternoon rolled around and I knew I had to get ready for AWANA, I was really not in the mood to go anywhere. But I still got up and got dressed. As I was driving to my church, I prayed that God would give me the energy and desire to minister to the kids, since I was feeling so tired and didn't really feel like going. I think it's because I've been thinking to myself... "What you're doing doesn't matter. Why are you in ministry? Why are you in seminary? You're not in the right place. You're not using your gifts. You're not applying anything you're learning. You should do something else." And then discontentment ensues...and I just feel drained.
But God is so gracious to me.
I get to AWANA and God gives me the opportunity to share the Gospel to 3 kids from the neighborhood who have been coming for awhile which I'm so thankful for and I had some sweet 1-on-1 time with one of the high school girls (since she was the only one who came, but I actually really like these 1-on-1 times. I'll have to admit, 1-on-1 time is probably my favorite.)
In these times of ministry, I felt so refreshed by God. My soul really felt revived from pouring out. It's easy to get fat on the overload of spiritual food that I'm taking in at seminary, and I'm so thankful that God's put me in a place to exercise some of the stuff I take in.
Other things I'm thankful for this past week:
~Got to meet Mark Dever, author of "9 Marks of a Healthy Church" and "Deliberate Church," and founder of "9 Marks Ministries" at a Q and A Sesh last Tuesday evening after he spoke at our chapel. I was happy that he answered my question and realized that prayer is really powerful and that I take this for granted many times after he answered my question.
I asked, "How does a small church develop a plurality of elders when there are limited resources?"
The main gist of his answer was to pray. He also said that some churches hold too high of a standard on elders, and that they might have qualified elders in their church, and just need to recognize them. But prayer is key.
Interestingly, I noticed out of a group of about 20-30, I was the only woman at the Q and A sesh.
~The victory of Manny Pacquiao! woot! that was an exciting fight! And I'm cheering in solidarity with all of the other Filipinos in the world. good times watching it at Ate Bon's house with her family. I feel like I've been bonding alot with her extended family...haha good times.
~UCLA reunions: Good times seeing UCLA friends at Keo's housewarming party. Yay makes me really happy :) I miss UCLA.
~Finding biblical allusions in Norma Jean songs. Hardcore music is so apt while reading the judgments of the OT prophets. Found out that Norma Jean is playing "Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child" at the Nov. 25th show that I'm going to! So stoked!
Last Friday, I spent the whole day in my pajamas. It was cold outside and I was so comfortable just reading, studying, and watching Filipino dramas all warm and cozy in my pjs. So when afternoon rolled around and I knew I had to get ready for AWANA, I was really not in the mood to go anywhere. But I still got up and got dressed. As I was driving to my church, I prayed that God would give me the energy and desire to minister to the kids, since I was feeling so tired and didn't really feel like going. I think it's because I've been thinking to myself... "What you're doing doesn't matter. Why are you in ministry? Why are you in seminary? You're not in the right place. You're not using your gifts. You're not applying anything you're learning. You should do something else." And then discontentment ensues...and I just feel drained.
But God is so gracious to me.
I get to AWANA and God gives me the opportunity to share the Gospel to 3 kids from the neighborhood who have been coming for awhile which I'm so thankful for and I had some sweet 1-on-1 time with one of the high school girls (since she was the only one who came, but I actually really like these 1-on-1 times. I'll have to admit, 1-on-1 time is probably my favorite.)
In these times of ministry, I felt so refreshed by God. My soul really felt revived from pouring out. It's easy to get fat on the overload of spiritual food that I'm taking in at seminary, and I'm so thankful that God's put me in a place to exercise some of the stuff I take in.
Other things I'm thankful for this past week:
~Got to meet Mark Dever, author of "9 Marks of a Healthy Church" and "Deliberate Church," and founder of "9 Marks Ministries" at a Q and A Sesh last Tuesday evening after he spoke at our chapel. I was happy that he answered my question and realized that prayer is really powerful and that I take this for granted many times after he answered my question.
I asked, "How does a small church develop a plurality of elders when there are limited resources?"
The main gist of his answer was to pray. He also said that some churches hold too high of a standard on elders, and that they might have qualified elders in their church, and just need to recognize them. But prayer is key.
Interestingly, I noticed out of a group of about 20-30, I was the only woman at the Q and A sesh.
~The victory of Manny Pacquiao! woot! that was an exciting fight! And I'm cheering in solidarity with all of the other Filipinos in the world. good times watching it at Ate Bon's house with her family. I feel like I've been bonding alot with her extended family...haha good times.
~UCLA reunions: Good times seeing UCLA friends at Keo's housewarming party. Yay makes me really happy :) I miss UCLA.
~Finding biblical allusions in Norma Jean songs. Hardcore music is so apt while reading the judgments of the OT prophets. Found out that Norma Jean is playing "Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child" at the Nov. 25th show that I'm going to! So stoked!
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