So, thankfully I was able to submit my article to Ten 3 in time. Phew, I don't know why but for some reason I couldn't get the inspiration to go until the night before. I'm quite curious as to how it will be taken, but we'll hopefully see sometime this week *crosses fingers*
I'm starting to look into a deeper future with Ten 3 missions as a writer, but I'm not sure what all that would entail, I guess it's another thing I'll have to bring up with -E- in our next Skype meeting — please keep the issue in your prayers.
Church is coming up to an interesting turn of events, all Bible studies will be conducted AFTER the evening service after the second week of February. This means instead of 5:15 Paradigm and 6:30 Service it's now 5:15 Service and 6:30 Paradigm. This strikes me as rather odd, because I'm too used to even service being at 6:30 for... well all my life? I'm not sure what to think about it, yes it's just a switch of times, but I usually do stuff outside of church after Paradigm class, and now that it's being bumped I'm not sure what that'll do to my usual plans. We shall see.
Speaking of church, last night was the missions expo. There was a "rooms" set that had four to five diferent topics from water, to trafficing, etc.; there was even a room that was passing out MRE's. Along side toward the southern part of the room there was about twenty five to thirty tables where different mission groups were situated. Needless to say, it was an interesting night. Once my friend and I were done with that we went to Paradigm where our teacher did the second installment of the evangelism arc. Liz isn't too happy that our teacher knows I type my notes instead of writing them like the others, and thus calls on me for a "nugget" from last week. I have to admit, I'm quite giddy (I guess that's the right word?) *shrugs*. She's worried he'll do that from now on and I can't help but laugh. Who knows, maybe I'll inspire more typists to come out of the wood works.
As far as the lesson went, it was about how we're ambassadors as soon as we accept Christ, Citizens of heaven and should act as such. Not assimulating the world we living in, but showing the world what heaven is through our action and nonaction. We are to show that Christ is the safest place our soul can be in the ever changing chaos that the world and life is. We are not alone in our work, ever. We have others working along side us and above all the Holy Spirit is always with us.
I look back on my life last year and wonder, what could I have done better to promote Christ in my life? It's something I need to do every morning I wake up.
How can we promote Christ in our daily lives?
Think about it.
Showing posts with label Ten3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ten3. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Awana fold for God's glory.
Sorry, couldn't resist the play on words (Awana... I wanna...? Anyone?) It's 0927 on Saturday, a time I would normally spend sleeping in *yawns* woke up at 7:25 and all I can think of is having tea, while not trying to think of some other things.
Last night, I and my friend Liz went to an Awana class last night after being invited to speak there by a friend of my mother. This friend apparently overheard that I did origami and wanted me to do a demonstration for her class. I obliged, back in November. The date continued to be pushed back until it was decided I would open up Awana 2011. My topic: God the Creator -- it was my first time teaching little kids, so it was definitely an interesting experience. I opened up asking about why God created the things he did, it may have been a bit too much to ask about but I got some interesting answers. The conversation then went over to those in the room that drew, painted, or did any sort of artwork. Half of the kids raised their hands and we were back on track. I asked them why did they created art, to which I got a good round of replies, expression, because they love to create art, etc. I asked whether they wrote their names on it and why; they got the answer dead on. After telling them how God had his signiture on everything He created, I told them to pick up a sheet of paper.
Now, usually when I teach origami it's an one on one experience, not one on twenty experience. Luckily, Liz already knew the model and was helping me out with making sure the kids knew how to follow the directions. A few of the adults were trying it out as well but I guess I didn't make the instructions clear or they couldn't see the example I was working on. Sadly enough, I had picked a piece of paper that was near the same color as the wall behind me — whoops. At the end we had some rather unique cranes.
I did have a girl ask a good question though, how will this be a bird? (we were on step five or three if you were starting with the bird base) I stopped the class and told them that life would have points were you'd be wondering what's going on and how will this bring you to where you're going. Something will be unclear, but nessecary to what God has planned for you. After that, I showed them how the model opened up to reveal the wings and neck of the bird. Pretty nice timing huh?
The experience was only for half an hour. I had planned to show them how to make a fox puppet, but that will have to wait for another time. That may actually happen as they were all asking if I'd be available to help out again; we shall see. The night did hold some nostalgia for me as I'd explained to JennyBeth later that evening:
"Anyways, somewhere in 3-4th grade a trio of Japanese women stopped by our school to give a cultural lesson. They gave us bookmarks with our names in Japanese and started teaching the class how to fold a crane and a helmet. Well, lets just say I as already finished with both by the time they were on stepped 3 What made tonight so nostalgic was we had some ukrainians visiting us tonight, and they were already doing origami with the paper I'd set out for the class before I started on the crane."
Overall, it was a fun and enlightening evening during and after the lesson and I'm glad I got to do it though I'll be bringing advil with me next time. How do my friends in Doulos manage it daily? *chuckles*
Today I plan on doing some work for Ten3. It's going to be a long day at the desk, but nothign that can't be handled. I pray you all will have a great weekend, take care!
~ John
Last night, I and my friend Liz went to an Awana class last night after being invited to speak there by a friend of my mother. This friend apparently overheard that I did origami and wanted me to do a demonstration for her class. I obliged, back in November. The date continued to be pushed back until it was decided I would open up Awana 2011. My topic: God the Creator -- it was my first time teaching little kids, so it was definitely an interesting experience. I opened up asking about why God created the things he did, it may have been a bit too much to ask about but I got some interesting answers. The conversation then went over to those in the room that drew, painted, or did any sort of artwork. Half of the kids raised their hands and we were back on track. I asked them why did they created art, to which I got a good round of replies, expression, because they love to create art, etc. I asked whether they wrote their names on it and why; they got the answer dead on. After telling them how God had his signiture on everything He created, I told them to pick up a sheet of paper.
Now, usually when I teach origami it's an one on one experience, not one on twenty experience. Luckily, Liz already knew the model and was helping me out with making sure the kids knew how to follow the directions. A few of the adults were trying it out as well but I guess I didn't make the instructions clear or they couldn't see the example I was working on. Sadly enough, I had picked a piece of paper that was near the same color as the wall behind me — whoops. At the end we had some rather unique cranes.
I did have a girl ask a good question though, how will this be a bird? (we were on step five or three if you were starting with the bird base) I stopped the class and told them that life would have points were you'd be wondering what's going on and how will this bring you to where you're going. Something will be unclear, but nessecary to what God has planned for you. After that, I showed them how the model opened up to reveal the wings and neck of the bird. Pretty nice timing huh?
The experience was only for half an hour. I had planned to show them how to make a fox puppet, but that will have to wait for another time. That may actually happen as they were all asking if I'd be available to help out again; we shall see. The night did hold some nostalgia for me as I'd explained to JennyBeth later that evening:
"Anyways, somewhere in 3-4th grade a trio of Japanese women stopped by our school to give a cultural lesson. They gave us bookmarks with our names in Japanese and started teaching the class how to fold a crane and a helmet. Well, lets just say I as already finished with both by the time they were on stepped 3 What made tonight so nostalgic was we had some ukrainians visiting us tonight, and they were already doing origami with the paper I'd set out for the class before I started on the crane."
Overall, it was a fun and enlightening evening during and after the lesson and I'm glad I got to do it though I'll be bringing advil with me next time. How do my friends in Doulos manage it daily? *chuckles*
Today I plan on doing some work for Ten3. It's going to be a long day at the desk, but nothign that can't be handled. I pray you all will have a great weekend, take care!
~ John
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Lost Puppies
So, yesterday I'd broken my fasting, mostly because I was feeling week and tired. Through our reading, mom and I discovered that due to current diet trends, fasting was near impossible until you go near two weeks eating nothing but fruits and vegetables. I've also noticed my will power was starting to drain faster whenever the smells of food were around. Crazy how the body works huh? Well, we're going to try and change our diets soon and then maybe after a time I'll try again.
Outside of the food I've felt a bit of a failure, during the days I was able to fast, I wasn't focused where I was wanting to be. Putting off what I needed to do with what I wanted to do; but those things always led to boredom. I guess I need to do fasting of a different nature for a while before I can start getting where I'm going.
Before it got dark here in Houston, I went out for a jog/walk with my family's dog Damashki (Robert named him =P) and we came across a small pup wondering the intersecting street. I tried to get it, but anytime it got too close it started picking a fight with my dog and so I figured I would take Damashki back home and go after the pup. I took some treats with me and a lease and set out to where I'd last seen it and lo and behold it was still there marking territory every five feet. On approach, it treated me the same as when I had the other dog with me, and giving it treats did help but not enough for me to get to his collar. I chased it down three miles of streets and back streets, then another half mile after it crossed a major intersection and during all this time it started to drizzle, then got heavier every other minute. On my last approach I walked before him and stood in his path, he went across the street and tried to get around me to get back on it's patterned path before darting to the other end of the street and across a four lane road by a busy intersection.
As much as I was worried about the puppy and the owners that had lost it, I was too tired to go chasing after him. As the rain came pouring down, I gave up and started my way home. The center of the storm was only two and a half miles out, but it rained the rest of the night after I came in soaking wet. Now that I look back at it, I wonder if this is how we are before we come to Christ. He goes out looking for us with great intention, and we want to run away because we're having too much fun until we run so far that we think we lose Him completely and are free for it, only to eventually find out that we're on our own, in the cold, damp night with no one to watch over us.
I have heard of people saying that the spirit had left them and they can't feel God's presence any longer, and I wonder how true that could be. I guess I hold too much to the prodigal son view where all we have to do is turn around and run to him and after admitting the sins we had and giving our lives over to Him we'll be saved. I prayed for that pup last night as I walked onto my street, it was darkening faster with every ten minutes and just a few moments ago I got a call from a friend saying how she had found a dog on the streets on her way to the bank. Sadly, it wasn't the one I'd chased, but it makes me think again. The lost dogs will eventually be found, we can only hope the lost can be found by the right people.
I'm glad I'm found, and that those that I care most about are also found, but there are still lost people that I need to pray for. May the Father help me in my ministry and show me the way he wants me to win people over to him.
On unrelated news, I have a new article job for Ten3 missions. I'm excited, mostly because it's interview three people this time instead of just one. It will be due on the 13th and will be out in the next newsletter I believe. Pray that I will get the assignment finished with what needs to be said. This is only my second assignment and I'm already flying solo; I don't know whether to be excited or scared out of my wits. Thankfully, I got a lot of wit.
Outside of the food I've felt a bit of a failure, during the days I was able to fast, I wasn't focused where I was wanting to be. Putting off what I needed to do with what I wanted to do; but those things always led to boredom. I guess I need to do fasting of a different nature for a while before I can start getting where I'm going.
Before it got dark here in Houston, I went out for a jog/walk with my family's dog Damashki (Robert named him =P) and we came across a small pup wondering the intersecting street. I tried to get it, but anytime it got too close it started picking a fight with my dog and so I figured I would take Damashki back home and go after the pup. I took some treats with me and a lease and set out to where I'd last seen it and lo and behold it was still there marking territory every five feet. On approach, it treated me the same as when I had the other dog with me, and giving it treats did help but not enough for me to get to his collar. I chased it down three miles of streets and back streets, then another half mile after it crossed a major intersection and during all this time it started to drizzle, then got heavier every other minute. On my last approach I walked before him and stood in his path, he went across the street and tried to get around me to get back on it's patterned path before darting to the other end of the street and across a four lane road by a busy intersection.
As much as I was worried about the puppy and the owners that had lost it, I was too tired to go chasing after him. As the rain came pouring down, I gave up and started my way home. The center of the storm was only two and a half miles out, but it rained the rest of the night after I came in soaking wet. Now that I look back at it, I wonder if this is how we are before we come to Christ. He goes out looking for us with great intention, and we want to run away because we're having too much fun until we run so far that we think we lose Him completely and are free for it, only to eventually find out that we're on our own, in the cold, damp night with no one to watch over us.
I have heard of people saying that the spirit had left them and they can't feel God's presence any longer, and I wonder how true that could be. I guess I hold too much to the prodigal son view where all we have to do is turn around and run to him and after admitting the sins we had and giving our lives over to Him we'll be saved. I prayed for that pup last night as I walked onto my street, it was darkening faster with every ten minutes and just a few moments ago I got a call from a friend saying how she had found a dog on the streets on her way to the bank. Sadly, it wasn't the one I'd chased, but it makes me think again. The lost dogs will eventually be found, we can only hope the lost can be found by the right people.
I'm glad I'm found, and that those that I care most about are also found, but there are still lost people that I need to pray for. May the Father help me in my ministry and show me the way he wants me to win people over to him.
On unrelated news, I have a new article job for Ten3 missions. I'm excited, mostly because it's interview three people this time instead of just one. It will be due on the 13th and will be out in the next newsletter I believe. Pray that I will get the assignment finished with what needs to be said. This is only my second assignment and I'm already flying solo; I don't know whether to be excited or scared out of my wits. Thankfully, I got a lot of wit.
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