Jesus Is Alive
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Leading...Following...Learning...Growing
"Paula, keep quiet, don't say anything ...let them learn...I am working in them the same as I am working in you."
In preparation for the mission trip to Romania I asked the Lord to let me hear His voice, in the moment and to be obedient. My friend, Sarah, has taught me that you really can hear God's voice in the moment if you are willing to listen. So, when I talked with the Lord about this multiple times before leaving on the trip I had no idea how the "hearing" would start. However, Father put me into a situation that I had to listen to Him when we missed our flight in Germany. I shared the details of this story in another blog and I encourage you to read it as well. After Father got my attention my ears were ready for the week that was to come.
During our week in Beius, it was made clear to me that I was "team leader". I had been the contact person during all the preparation and organizer of the trip but never really thought much about being the "team leader". On our first Sunday there we attended a church where I was introduced as the team leader and that I would introduce all the individuals on my team. I looked at Sarah and said "what"..."I am the team leader". She just smiled at me.
I would learn during that week that I was responsible for the team in every situation but I would also be learning when to speak and when to stay silent. There were times when I would want to say things to get some members to hurry along, not do this or not do that, but Father would say "do not say a word!". I do remember asking Father several times...."Do I say something or do I stay silent?" But, it was at the end of the week that Kara and Sarah thanked me for being a good leader. I was surprised and humbled by the comments they made. They were grateful that I had made it easy for them to serve and there was no strife in our team. We were unified and able to accomplish much in our time together in Romania. I shared with them my conversations that had occurred between me and Father during the week and the number times He told me "Paula, keep quiet, don't say anything ...let them learn...I am working in them the same as I am working in you."
During my walk with Christ I have learned that He always works in multiple ways in one situation. He was teaching me to hear His voice while teaching me how to lead. I have been a leader in my church for 14 years. In all the time of serving I have had the honor of learning under some great servants of Christ. They have taught me greatly in how to follow my Savior and how to serve Him with excellence. I pray that Father will forgive me for the times when I put the expectation on them that they were to be perfect and I didn't allow them room to grow and learn in the role they have in leadership. I was probably too critical of them and they didn't deserve that. And if I spoke wrong of them and did not go to them directly to make it right...Father forgive me!
Kara and Sarah's words spoke loudly to me. I have been in situations that I have been raked over the coals for my "bad leadership" skills. So, it wasn't just their encouraging words, it was like hitting rewind on the dvd player. Father started showing me how all week long He was teaching me to hear His voice and depend on Him for leading in any situation and that He would direct my path. I am a better leader when I listen to Him.
If you are a team member encourage your leader today. If you are a leader encourage your team members today. Love...Love above all else.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do NOT rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)
During our week in Beius, it was made clear to me that I was "team leader". I had been the contact person during all the preparation and organizer of the trip but never really thought much about being the "team leader". On our first Sunday there we attended a church where I was introduced as the team leader and that I would introduce all the individuals on my team. I looked at Sarah and said "what"..."I am the team leader". She just smiled at me.
I would learn during that week that I was responsible for the team in every situation but I would also be learning when to speak and when to stay silent. There were times when I would want to say things to get some members to hurry along, not do this or not do that, but Father would say "do not say a word!". I do remember asking Father several times...."Do I say something or do I stay silent?" But, it was at the end of the week that Kara and Sarah thanked me for being a good leader. I was surprised and humbled by the comments they made. They were grateful that I had made it easy for them to serve and there was no strife in our team. We were unified and able to accomplish much in our time together in Romania. I shared with them my conversations that had occurred between me and Father during the week and the number times He told me "Paula, keep quiet, don't say anything ...let them learn...I am working in them the same as I am working in you."
During my walk with Christ I have learned that He always works in multiple ways in one situation. He was teaching me to hear His voice while teaching me how to lead. I have been a leader in my church for 14 years. In all the time of serving I have had the honor of learning under some great servants of Christ. They have taught me greatly in how to follow my Savior and how to serve Him with excellence. I pray that Father will forgive me for the times when I put the expectation on them that they were to be perfect and I didn't allow them room to grow and learn in the role they have in leadership. I was probably too critical of them and they didn't deserve that. And if I spoke wrong of them and did not go to them directly to make it right...Father forgive me!
Kara and Sarah's words spoke loudly to me. I have been in situations that I have been raked over the coals for my "bad leadership" skills. So, it wasn't just their encouraging words, it was like hitting rewind on the dvd player. Father started showing me how all week long He was teaching me to hear His voice and depend on Him for leading in any situation and that He would direct my path. I am a better leader when I listen to Him.
If you are a team member encourage your leader today. If you are a leader encourage your team members today. Love...Love above all else.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do NOT rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Home... Now Go....
Wow...we are back home from Romania. It was a great trip. What made it great was seeing the hand of God move in our lives and in the lives of those that we met. Looking back to how God put our team together for this trip is facinating. Sarah and I had know each other for two years, Kara I had only known for a little over a year and Heather and Earl on for a couple of months. We came together from different walks of life.
During our week in Beius, we would spend the end of our days talking through all that we had done each day. Share our lives, our stories of God's redemption in our personal lives! We serve an AMAZING GOD! A God who loves us right where we are, draws us to His side when our lives are broken and torn. Then He loves on us and wipes away our tears and sets us on our feet, to tell the of the love He has show us to all those who will listen. He will even send us to the other side of the world to tell our story if we are willing!
Are you willing to GO unto all the world?
During our week in Beius, we would spend the end of our days talking through all that we had done each day. Share our lives, our stories of God's redemption in our personal lives! We serve an AMAZING GOD! A God who loves us right where we are, draws us to His side when our lives are broken and torn. Then He loves on us and wipes away our tears and sets us on our feet, to tell the of the love He has show us to all those who will listen. He will even send us to the other side of the world to tell our story if we are willing!
Are you willing to GO unto all the world?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
"Peace" Through the Journey | Shafer Daves
I want to share with my friends the journey my nephew has been on since he was 10 days old. This is the link to his mom's blog. Shafer Daves is an amazing little baby and God has used his life to touch many people. "Peace" Through the Journey Shafer Daves
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