2 Corinthians
Subscribe in a readerThis week we're studying 2 Corinthians There is so much to say about that book, its impact on the prosperous boom-town of Corinth, and the impact it can have on our western culture and world today.
Paul, in second Corinthians, goes after the Corinthian misconception that "success" in life and ministry can be measured in stuff:...in accomplishments, possessions, image...in externals. His message is incredibly challenging to our performance oriented culture. On the surface, Im quick to deny that I truly judge success in those terms, but if I look deeper it becomes clear that in some ways I do. For me, the obvious clue pointing in that direction is how quickly I wonder where God is when the hard times hit. In 2 Corinthians Paul over and over holds up his hardship as evidence of God's refining and mysterious presence in his life. My default setting is to assume God's ABSENCE in those times, not his PRESENCE.
Anyway...great book, we're having fun studying it...listen along if you want...the podcasts should be up next week on our website (last years series on 2 Cor is up now..)
FYI...thanks for praying for James Pitts last week. After 5 days of a high fever he was diagnosed with strep throat, given antibiotics, and has since recovered perfectly.
PRAYER NEED
Subscribe in a readerFor the past 4 days Scott Pitts' 2 year old son (James) has had a fever of 100+. Scott is one of our full-time staff members...a crucial link in the ESBS chain. As you can imagine, they are concerned, especially in light of their 4 year old son Isaac, and his very serious fever two years ago.
Today the fever is running as high as 104.5.
Let's pray that God heals James, and comforts Scott and Carla as they deal with the situation.
Prayer Room
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| ESBS prayer room in the ranch house |
So, after 5 years, and a lot of talk about what a good idea it would be...we finally have a prayer room at the ESBS...and I for one am really excited about it. Here's why:
I've been doing this job long enough, and have become sufficiently good at the "mechanics" of running the school that I now clearly run the risk of leaving God completely out of it. On one hand it seems ridiculous to talk about leaving God out of a Bible school, but on the other hand anyone who knows anything about the routine of real life (diapers, bottles, bills, blisters...whatever...) knows that its entirely possible to leave God out of just about anything when you feel like a juggler with 10 balls in the air.
I don't want to chug along running an OK school, living an OK life, having an OK marriage, being an OK dad, simply because I feel like things are...well...OK...so I never sit still and let God in. The challenge for me, and the reason for the prayer room, is to acknowledge the reality that life is about knowing God, and that when we listen we hear...and learn...and our lives head towards those little surprises God reserves for those who don't miss the cues.
I love that about God. That's my favorite part about knowing him really...the surprises...the wild and strange way that he leads us...in ways and towards places so unlike what we would ever intend or imagine. I don't want to miss that any more than I already have.
"I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (psalm 27:14)
Dawn Masucci in the h-iz-ouse..
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| Mark and Dawn Masucci |
Subscribe in a readerWe're pleased to have Dawn Masucci back on campus this week teaching 1 Corinthians. Dawn is a favorite with the students every year she comes. I'd encourage everyone to listen to her lectures on 1 Corinthians (coming this week on our audio page)...you won't regret it! Such an amazing book!
Dawn, and her husband Mark are on staff full-time with YWAM Montana where they head up "SBS International," the organization responsible for overseeing all of the SBS schools across the world. Dawn has also just recently begun a leadership coaching organization, "Leadership 13", which partners with ministries for a one year period of leadership training and organizational coaching.
Anyhooo...we're fired up to have Dawn here this week, she's a YWAM legend, a great personal friend, and an amazing teacher.
Tom
God's Economy...wonderfully different from ours!
Subscribe in a readerGod's economy works differently from the New York Stock Exchange...right now I'm glad for that. This week I've had the interesting perspective to sit and see two different economies fluctuate drastically at the same time. As the world markets tank, and all of our investment accounts shed whatever earnings the year had produced, I've seen God flood our school with finances. It's been a weird week...and I'm trying not to miss what God is trying to teach me through it.
To the markets first. I came to work yesterday and opened up my web browser to see that the dow had taken a 300 pt drop in the first hour of trading. Having invested a little in commodities last spring I checked my portfolio...of course, with precious metals down 18% right now from last week my account looks pretty ugly...and so my heart creept closer to "FREAK OUT" territory. Uncertainty flooded in...doubt, fear, panic...
Then, the Holy Spirit started to speak, and at least right now Im listening. This morning God started reminding me of the week we've had financially as a school, and how He has mysteriously moved resources around to accomplish his purposes. Here's a run down. Early in the week I saw someone give half of their retirement account, $4000, to two of our students. Half! Three days ago another $3500 was given to a staff member, from someone who put themselves in a vulnerable place financially to do it. Just today one of our students received another $2500, enough to pay their tuition for the rest of the year.
What I've seen this week is a wake-up call, and a reminder that we serve a mysterious God, who doesn't work the same way the DJIA works, and who has a way of providing for his kids that doesn't have a thing to do with the stock market, our plans, our fears, or what the number in my investment account happens to look like right now.
Seeing such radical giving seems like insanity to me...or at least the part of me that is tempted to live like there is no God. But right now at least, in this moment of clarifying faith, I am seeing what Paul meant when he said "God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25). And with that, It makes sense to me why, in a week where so many are fearful, there are those who can give, give freely, and beyond their means....that can only come from a heart that trusts that God meant what he said when he promised that his kids were more important to Him than a bird, and that He's in control of our finances, not Ben Bernanke (Luke 12:24).
"All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back."
(Proverbs 21:26)