D1
I've been doing the Discipleship 1 course with the Vineyard for the past few weeks. It has been really good to go back to the basics and rediscover and reflect (yes, I reflect in my daily, non-social work life too!) on my relationship with God, how I understand Him and what this is all about.
Last week we were learning about the Holy Spirit and what He does. I guess I'd not really thought too in-depth about this for a while, so am embarking on a bit of a journey to discover Him more. My research has enlightened me thus far:
God imagined the world.
Jesus, the word, was spoken forth.
The Holy Spirit created...He brought everything forth.
For more, go to: http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/holy_spirit
This teaching is actually amazing, because it enlightened me as to how powerful the Holy Spirit's role in my life is. Jesus said that He would go so that the comforter could come...He said that it would be more helpful for the Spirit to come than for Him to remain on earth. Wow! And this is the Holy Spirit inside of me! So I've been talking a lot more to the Holy Spirit, and I want to understand Him better and be able to recognise what He is doing. Part of this just means softening my heart to what He is doing and the journey begins there....!
Forgiveness was also taught on tonight. This is definitely a journey for me and has been over the past two years especially. I've come from a place of total honesty with myself and God because at times my heart was hard and forgiveness was definitely not on my to do list! But thank God that His grace has not allowed me to stay that way and I've definitely changed in many ways, in my attitudes and general ability to forgive. Also having the ability to forgive myself has been a big deal, something I'm not good at either...this is something I'm considering and praying about as God is speaking to me about seeking forgiveness. This can be scary! However, He reminded me that perfect love casts out all fear.
On my way home tonight I was just talking to Jesus about all this, and I have a great cause for rejoicing! Since I got back from Metro at the end of 2008, I wandered for a long time...it was a time to fight the bit out and really develop an understanding of who my God actually is, what His true nature is like, and learn to truly trust Him. Yes, the toughest period of my life so far, but I am so thankful to be able to look back and recognise that in these past two years I have found Him to be faithful.
Amidst hard times (and good times) I am blessed to say that I am not defined by tragedy, but rather my life is marked by joy and defined by victory!
I'm still on the journey....not where I should be but thank God not where I was.
Last week we were learning about the Holy Spirit and what He does. I guess I'd not really thought too in-depth about this for a while, so am embarking on a bit of a journey to discover Him more. My research has enlightened me thus far:
God imagined the world.
Jesus, the word, was spoken forth.
The Holy Spirit created...He brought everything forth.
For more, go to: http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/holy_spirit
This teaching is actually amazing, because it enlightened me as to how powerful the Holy Spirit's role in my life is. Jesus said that He would go so that the comforter could come...He said that it would be more helpful for the Spirit to come than for Him to remain on earth. Wow! And this is the Holy Spirit inside of me! So I've been talking a lot more to the Holy Spirit, and I want to understand Him better and be able to recognise what He is doing. Part of this just means softening my heart to what He is doing and the journey begins there....!
Forgiveness was also taught on tonight. This is definitely a journey for me and has been over the past two years especially. I've come from a place of total honesty with myself and God because at times my heart was hard and forgiveness was definitely not on my to do list! But thank God that His grace has not allowed me to stay that way and I've definitely changed in many ways, in my attitudes and general ability to forgive. Also having the ability to forgive myself has been a big deal, something I'm not good at either...this is something I'm considering and praying about as God is speaking to me about seeking forgiveness. This can be scary! However, He reminded me that perfect love casts out all fear.
On my way home tonight I was just talking to Jesus about all this, and I have a great cause for rejoicing! Since I got back from Metro at the end of 2008, I wandered for a long time...it was a time to fight the bit out and really develop an understanding of who my God actually is, what His true nature is like, and learn to truly trust Him. Yes, the toughest period of my life so far, but I am so thankful to be able to look back and recognise that in these past two years I have found Him to be faithful.
Amidst hard times (and good times) I am blessed to say that I am not defined by tragedy, but rather my life is marked by joy and defined by victory!
I'm still on the journey....not where I should be but thank God not where I was.