Progress

Support raising efforts are at 20% pledged, but I've had a number of people who say they will support me, but haven't decided on an amount - therefore I can't add them to my calculation. Things have been pretty up and down, and I feel a bit like I've been stuck inside for too long and my light has been put under a basket instead of on a lamp stand. Starting to remember that balance in life is important :-)

I've realised that I'm inherently a calvinist in my beliefs, but that those beliefs don't always live out in practise - especially when witnessing. They are more the underlying big picture as seen more from God's eyes than my own. Being down here on earth where we have an apparent free will, and can't see God working in people, it's a bit of a different story - it comes to obeying God then (esp. praying and preaching). Hmmm what an interesting mindset to try and define, but I think I just did.

I've been getting into some inductive bible study recently. It's been awesome! I've been pressing deep into God, and he's been drawing closer to me. I'm definitely an intellectual. It's slow study, but the depth is way worth it - I find I remember scripture way easier. I don't have to intentionally memorise it when I study inductively - I just understand it so well that I can use it in context when talking to people (I think that's how it works). Praise the Holy Spirit of truth! Oh, there's a good book we got given in new staff training about the technique (it seems to me like deriving your own study notes and chapter and book titles & themes). The book is called "How to study your bible" by Kay Arthur. It's pretty cheap on amazon.. highly recommended.

That's it for now, God bless and have a Merry Christmas! Remember to take time this Christmas to remember Christ and what he did for us - and how gracious the Father was to send Him. We don't deserve Him at all, but God in his love lavished the riches of His grace upon us! (Eph 1:7,8)