It has been a couple of weeks since I finished my year of the Radical experiment. Here is a quick recap of what I've done:
It all started when the young singles Sunday school class I was in read a book called "Radical: Taking your faith back from the American dream," by David Platt. The book really challenges the way we live. I loved it! I had come back from Romania and was ready to live a lifestyle that did not involve me being so busy, a lifestyle that puts the right things as priority. At the end of the book, Platt challenges readers to participate in the Radical experiment- a year of living in such a way that seems radical to our society, but that leads us towards a lifestyle similar to how Jesus lived while He was here. There were five areas included in the experiment-
1. Pray for the entire world.
2. Read through the entire Word.
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose.
4. Spend your time in a different context.
5. Commit yourself to a multiplying community.
It was not easy, but I spent an entire year with all these things in mind and the Lord really challenged me and grew me. I'm very thankful for all the things I learned and the ways I have been changed. What I am going to attempt to do is summarize each of these areas (briefly) and what they have meant for me over the last year.
1. Pray for the entire world. This is simply a perspective changer. I spent a small part of my day not thinking about myself. And I also needed to truly believe in the power of prayer because that was all I could do as I read about these countries with so many needs. I was able to learn about how God is at work all over the world. Prayer is also obedience. Jesus told the disciples to pray for the harvest- He didn't immediately tell them all to go to these places, but rather told them their impact would come through prayer.
2. Read through the entire Word. This was hard! And let's be honest- there were days I didn't want to and days I didn't retain anything. I wanted to be able to spend time on specific parts, but I couldn't. I know that God wanted me to do this, an din times when it became particularly hard, I sensed Him saying, "Just keep going." I'm so glad I did! It's not that I now know everything about the Bible. It's that God taught me a discipline and let me fall more in love with His Word. For an entire year, this was my main priority and it cause the rest of my life to fall in line with Christ. But... I want to know MORE, MORE, MORE!
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. Money is a tricky thing. It always seems to hold us up somehow. I decided to follow the budget I already had, but cut back on some personal spending so I could spend money on others. I learned to look for where God wanted me to spend the money. I was no longer just living for myself. I became involved with so many people and really found my joy. The husband God provided for me has a heart aligned with mine and worked to set up our budget so we can spend on others. It is still a work in progress, but something that will last far beyond this one little year. We're in it for life!
4. Spend your time in a different context. Because I have done this before, I did not spend much effort trying to work something in weekly. When I started, I thought maybe I would, but my schedule became so busy that I could not commit. Even though I was not volunteering at a ministry, God gave me a ministry of my own. I spent so much time with girls from my Sunday school class and learned how to really invest my time in others. I absolutely loved getting to do this and realized how much of a heart I have for others. I also still have a desire to do missions, especially with Tim! I hope to someday take him to Romania. I also want to spend more time sharing the gospel, wherever I am.
5. Commit yourself to a multiplying community. This was already a reality for me, so no major adjustments, but I took on more of a leadership role with my young singles group. It was exciting to see growth and changes in our group. And now as I reach the end of this challenge, the Lord has placed Tim and I in new roles of ministry at the church. It is so cool to me to see how He has conditioned our hearts with the desire to make disciples. We will be joining the college ministry and praying and working to make it a multiplying community.
So, yes! This was a life changing year! I'm so thankful for how faithful the Lord is. I do not feel like I accomplished any of this by my own desire or greatness. I have experienced the mercy and goodness of my great God and He has done all these things in me. I know I still have a long way to go in becoming a disciple of Christ, but I am grateful for this jump start! To God be the glory!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Come Lord Jesus!
Spain
There is a great need for leadership training. Most ministers are bivocational. There are many unreached cities and it is still hard for evangelicals to experience full religious liberty. Pray also for Christian literature to be produced and distributed, and for the Church to be able to obtain radio licenses.
Malachi
The book starts by stating how much God loves His people. Then the Lord talks about how they have not loved Him in return. They offer blemished offerings instead of bringing in their very best to sacrifice. And the priests do not keep the covenant like Levi did. Then God says he will send His messenger to prepare the way. He will refine the people and purify them like silver, and then their offerings will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. God says to the people, "return to me and I will return to you." He tells them to test Him by bringing the full tithe in and seeing if He will not bless them in return. He says He will make them into a land of delight. A day is coming when He will return and strike down those who turn away from Him, and heal those who fear Him.
Revelation 22
From chapter 21, I loved reading that in the New Jerusalem there is no temple because the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple. There is also no need for sun or moon because the city will be lit by the glory of God. In chapter 22, John goes on to talk about the river in the city, and the trees that will be for healing the nations. And finally, it is announced that Jesus will be coming! We need to keep the prophecy, or words, of this book and be ready for His return. Jesus will bring judgement on all. And we say, "Come." John invites all to come... anyone who is thirsty may come and "take the water of life without price." There is a warning to not change any of the words of this book and then verse 20 says this, "The who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Psalm 150
"Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!"
What a fitting way to end my year of reading through the Bible... with lots and lots of praises!!!
Proverbs 31:10-31
These verses describe what makes an excellent wife. What a great challenge to end with. We have been married for a little over four months now and I long to follow the Lord so that I may be the wife He intends for me to be. These words are not taken lightly!
There is a great need for leadership training. Most ministers are bivocational. There are many unreached cities and it is still hard for evangelicals to experience full religious liberty. Pray also for Christian literature to be produced and distributed, and for the Church to be able to obtain radio licenses.
Malachi
The book starts by stating how much God loves His people. Then the Lord talks about how they have not loved Him in return. They offer blemished offerings instead of bringing in their very best to sacrifice. And the priests do not keep the covenant like Levi did. Then God says he will send His messenger to prepare the way. He will refine the people and purify them like silver, and then their offerings will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. God says to the people, "return to me and I will return to you." He tells them to test Him by bringing the full tithe in and seeing if He will not bless them in return. He says He will make them into a land of delight. A day is coming when He will return and strike down those who turn away from Him, and heal those who fear Him.
Revelation 22
From chapter 21, I loved reading that in the New Jerusalem there is no temple because the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple. There is also no need for sun or moon because the city will be lit by the glory of God. In chapter 22, John goes on to talk about the river in the city, and the trees that will be for healing the nations. And finally, it is announced that Jesus will be coming! We need to keep the prophecy, or words, of this book and be ready for His return. Jesus will bring judgement on all. And we say, "Come." John invites all to come... anyone who is thirsty may come and "take the water of life without price." There is a warning to not change any of the words of this book and then verse 20 says this, "The who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Psalm 150
"Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!"
What a fitting way to end my year of reading through the Bible... with lots and lots of praises!!!
Proverbs 31:10-31
These verses describe what makes an excellent wife. What a great challenge to end with. We have been married for a little over four months now and I long to follow the Lord so that I may be the wife He intends for me to be. These words are not taken lightly!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
I Will Extol You
Spain
Spain has a high number of immigrants which diversifies their population. They have a good economy that has had several highs and lows, but are experiencing a recession like so many others. The Catholic church has been dominant for quite a while, to the point of discriminating others. More recently there is liberty for religions, but this is leading to a more secular society. Society has been caught up in materialism, drugs, depression, gambling, and sexual immorality. The Spanish have one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Most people do not try to have children any more. Pray also for unity among churches.
Zechariah 14
This book has seemed quite a bit like Revelation, as I wrote a few days ago. This is the last chapter and is about the day of the Lord. It tells of the events that will lead up to it, and then how those who remain will worship the Lord.
Revelation 20
At this point, all the plagues and signs on earth have happened. An angel comes and binds the dragon for 1,000 years. After the 1,000 years, Satan will be released, and then promptly defeated! He will be thrown in to the lake of fire and sulfur along with all those who did turn to God. Then John sees a great white throne as well as the one seated on it. And He had a book and read from it and if your name is not in that book, you will be thrown into the lake of fire. I'm so glad that I have hope as I read this book. What fear there must be for those who don't know the Lord and wonder what their fate will be.
Psalm 148
This is a psalm of praise. Everything in it is about praising the Lord and calling on all things to join in that praise.
A couple of days ago I read this and it really struck me that as I am drawing to an end in my year long study of the Bible I very much want this to be true: "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and is greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:1-2
Proverbs 31:1-9
This is a mother's advice to her son. She warns him against giving his strength to women and taking strong drink. She says to give it instead to those who are perishing and in despair. She also tells him to speak up for the mute and to defend the rights of the poor.
Spain has a high number of immigrants which diversifies their population. They have a good economy that has had several highs and lows, but are experiencing a recession like so many others. The Catholic church has been dominant for quite a while, to the point of discriminating others. More recently there is liberty for religions, but this is leading to a more secular society. Society has been caught up in materialism, drugs, depression, gambling, and sexual immorality. The Spanish have one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Most people do not try to have children any more. Pray also for unity among churches.
Zechariah 14
This book has seemed quite a bit like Revelation, as I wrote a few days ago. This is the last chapter and is about the day of the Lord. It tells of the events that will lead up to it, and then how those who remain will worship the Lord.
Revelation 20
At this point, all the plagues and signs on earth have happened. An angel comes and binds the dragon for 1,000 years. After the 1,000 years, Satan will be released, and then promptly defeated! He will be thrown in to the lake of fire and sulfur along with all those who did turn to God. Then John sees a great white throne as well as the one seated on it. And He had a book and read from it and if your name is not in that book, you will be thrown into the lake of fire. I'm so glad that I have hope as I read this book. What fear there must be for those who don't know the Lord and wonder what their fate will be.
Psalm 148
This is a psalm of praise. Everything in it is about praising the Lord and calling on all things to join in that praise.
A couple of days ago I read this and it really struck me that as I am drawing to an end in my year long study of the Bible I very much want this to be true: "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and is greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:1-2
Proverbs 31:1-9
This is a mother's advice to her son. She warns him against giving his strength to women and taking strong drink. She says to give it instead to those who are perishing and in despair. She also tells him to speak up for the mute and to defend the rights of the poor.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thankful
Today I read about and prayed for South Africa. Then I turned the page to see what I have coming in the next couple of days. One more country. That's it. I have one more country to pray for and I will have prayed for the entire world in one year. I am blown away.
I will be finished with my year of this Radical experiment on Friday. As I approach the end of this journey I have an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. That's really all I know to say right now. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to persevere and complete this task. I do not feel like I have done it at all, but that the Lord has given me the endurance to keep up with all this reading, praying, and life-style changing. I am planning on taking a couple of days after I finish to really process and will then write a final blog about the experience. I cannot wait to see where the Lord leads from here.
I will be finished with my year of this Radical experiment on Friday. As I approach the end of this journey I have an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. That's really all I know to say right now. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to persevere and complete this task. I do not feel like I have done it at all, but that the Lord has given me the endurance to keep up with all this reading, praying, and life-style changing. I am planning on taking a couple of days after I finish to really process and will then write a final blog about the experience. I cannot wait to see where the Lord leads from here.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Diamond-Hard
Proverbs 30:24-28
These verses talk about things that are small, but still wise. The ant provides food in the summer for all winter. The badgers make their homes in cliff. The locusts fly in formation. The lizard makes his way into the king's palace. Moral? Maybe that wisdom does not have to come with the fanciest package.
Psalm 143
This is a plea for the Lord to deliver the writer from his enemies. He says, "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." I love these beautiful words.
Revelation 15
Today John sees seven angels, each with a plague. He says that these are the last plagues, because with them the wrath of God is finished. The angels were in the sanctuary and no one was allowed in until the plagues were over.
Zechariah 6-7
Yesterday while I was reading Zechariah I had to check and make sure I wasn't reading Revelation... he has so many visions! They were about a flying scroll and a woman in a basket and today about four chariots being drawn by horses of four different colors. The angel told Zech that they represented the four winds of heaven. Then the word of the Lord comes and tells him to get some certain people together because they are going to build the temple and there will be peace that reigns. They are told that if they diligently obey the Lord, it will come to be. Next, Zechariah become the messenger to the people and tells them to show kindness and mercy and be without evil. But the people harden their hearts and did not listen. It says the "made their hearts diamond-hard." So the Lord was angry and the land was left desolate.
These verses talk about things that are small, but still wise. The ant provides food in the summer for all winter. The badgers make their homes in cliff. The locusts fly in formation. The lizard makes his way into the king's palace. Moral? Maybe that wisdom does not have to come with the fanciest package.
Psalm 143
This is a plea for the Lord to deliver the writer from his enemies. He says, "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." I love these beautiful words.
Revelation 15
Today John sees seven angels, each with a plague. He says that these are the last plagues, because with them the wrath of God is finished. The angels were in the sanctuary and no one was allowed in until the plagues were over.
Zechariah 6-7
Yesterday while I was reading Zechariah I had to check and make sure I wasn't reading Revelation... he has so many visions! They were about a flying scroll and a woman in a basket and today about four chariots being drawn by horses of four different colors. The angel told Zech that they represented the four winds of heaven. Then the word of the Lord comes and tells him to get some certain people together because they are going to build the temple and there will be peace that reigns. They are told that if they diligently obey the Lord, it will come to be. Next, Zechariah become the messenger to the people and tells them to show kindness and mercy and be without evil. But the people harden their hearts and did not listen. It says the "made their hearts diamond-hard." So the Lord was angry and the land was left desolate.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
So Close
It is hard to believe that I am just days away from completely reading through the Bible and praying for the whole world. So cool! God has been so faithful to allow me to be dedicated to this process and keep me going for an entire year. I'm really excited!
Singapore
This is a small island that has a 100% urbanite population. Singapore is Asia's cleanest and greenest city. There are many different people groups in the country due to immigration. There is freedom of religion. Society faces many problems, including high divorce rates and low birthrates, elderly poor, depression, drug abuse, ineffective Bible training for leaders, and great need for ministry to young people. The internet is a very valuable tool in witnessing.
Zechariah 1
God tells Zechariah to pass a message along to the people: "Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you..." God tells them not to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, who heard the prophets but did not listen. Instead, He urges them to come back to Him. When they do choose the Lord, He says that He has returned to Jerusalem and will build His house there. He also says that those who have scattered His people will be cast down.
Revelation 12
Oh man. This stuff is pretty crazy. Today there were two signs. The first sign was a pregnant woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. She was having birth pains. Then, there was a dragon with seven heads who was waiting for the woman to deliver her son so he could devour it. But the child was taken up to God and the woman fled to the wilderness. The dragon and his angels fought against Michael and his angels. The dragon lost and was cast down to the earth. He tried to pursue the woman, but she was protected everywhere she went. The dragon is Satan, and he is making war on all those who believe in Jesus.
Psalm 140
First off, I think the Lord put Psalm 139 in the Bible as a love letter just for me. You should read it!
Today's verses are especially meaningful after reading about a pursuing dragon. The writer is asking for deliverance from evil and those who are after him. He says that he knows the Lord will be just.
Proverbs 30:17
"The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the raven of the valley and eaten by the vultures." Well, if that's not clear enough for you...
Singapore
This is a small island that has a 100% urbanite population. Singapore is Asia's cleanest and greenest city. There are many different people groups in the country due to immigration. There is freedom of religion. Society faces many problems, including high divorce rates and low birthrates, elderly poor, depression, drug abuse, ineffective Bible training for leaders, and great need for ministry to young people. The internet is a very valuable tool in witnessing.
Zechariah 1
God tells Zechariah to pass a message along to the people: "Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you..." God tells them not to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, who heard the prophets but did not listen. Instead, He urges them to come back to Him. When they do choose the Lord, He says that He has returned to Jerusalem and will build His house there. He also says that those who have scattered His people will be cast down.
Revelation 12
Oh man. This stuff is pretty crazy. Today there were two signs. The first sign was a pregnant woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. She was having birth pains. Then, there was a dragon with seven heads who was waiting for the woman to deliver her son so he could devour it. But the child was taken up to God and the woman fled to the wilderness. The dragon and his angels fought against Michael and his angels. The dragon lost and was cast down to the earth. He tried to pursue the woman, but she was protected everywhere she went. The dragon is Satan, and he is making war on all those who believe in Jesus.
Psalm 140
First off, I think the Lord put Psalm 139 in the Bible as a love letter just for me. You should read it!
Today's verses are especially meaningful after reading about a pursuing dragon. The writer is asking for deliverance from evil and those who are after him. He says that he knows the Lord will be just.
Proverbs 30:17
"The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the raven of the valley and eaten by the vultures." Well, if that's not clear enough for you...
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Rejoice Over You
Zephaniah
The Lord is pronouncing judgement on Judah, then on the nations, then on Jerusalem. He talks about what is going to happen on His day of judgement. Then God also says that He will change the nations so that they worship Him. And He says that those who seek refuge in Him among the Israelites will be safe. While speaking about Israel's restoration He speaks one of my favorite verses, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Revelation 10
Yesterday in the reading there were three plagues told about that will come on the earth. They sound pretty scary. Today, John saw another angel with a small scroll. The voice from heaven told him to take the scroll from the angel. So he went and told the angel that he needed the scroll and the angel told him that he must eat it. He was told that it would taste sweet like honey, but then it would be bitter in his stomach, and so it was.
Psalm 138
David is the writer and he is giving thanks to God for many things. He says at the end, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
Proverbs 30:11-14
These verses give some examples of unrighteous living.
Serbia
This country is divided into two areas, one of which is Kosovo. There is much tension between the two provinces, mostly because of religious differences that have caused many problems in the past. Serbians are mostly Christians, while Kosovo has a mostly Muslim population. Pray for peace.
The Lord is pronouncing judgement on Judah, then on the nations, then on Jerusalem. He talks about what is going to happen on His day of judgement. Then God also says that He will change the nations so that they worship Him. And He says that those who seek refuge in Him among the Israelites will be safe. While speaking about Israel's restoration He speaks one of my favorite verses, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Revelation 10
Yesterday in the reading there were three plagues told about that will come on the earth. They sound pretty scary. Today, John saw another angel with a small scroll. The voice from heaven told him to take the scroll from the angel. So he went and told the angel that he needed the scroll and the angel told him that he must eat it. He was told that it would taste sweet like honey, but then it would be bitter in his stomach, and so it was.
Psalm 138
David is the writer and he is giving thanks to God for many things. He says at the end, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
Proverbs 30:11-14
These verses give some examples of unrighteous living.
Serbia
This country is divided into two areas, one of which is Kosovo. There is much tension between the two provinces, mostly because of religious differences that have caused many problems in the past. Serbians are mostly Christians, while Kosovo has a mostly Muslim population. Pray for peace.
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