Christianity Oasis Forum

[vahn]

Psalms 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.


Tug-o-war . The way I found out about my bank account being wiped out , (obviously by someone who knows me) is when the check for my tuition at this retreat bounced ($4900 total for a max stay of 3 months). However , with mutual agreement , they decided to consider it a temporary grant , until the situation gets straightened out , which I thought it was kind of them to do so .

The state of mind I was in at the time , it was more of my sponsor's suggestion that I check myself somewhere just to keep me away from the mainsteam for a while for good reasons , he also refered me to this this place in case the others didnt have immediate opening or availability, and told me to feel free to use his name as a referance, which I did.

I'm only writing this to give an overall idea of the conditions of my ending up asking for advice / suggestion or at least an opinion, for what I read in step 8 (both now and once before) are in conflict , and an oportunity , with the way I'm perceiving things , I dont know which is which , and how to go about it making the right decesion.

Here's what progressed today , I was "staffed again".
Finding his referance , they had contacted him , "explaining" my situation with the funds , and , my sponsor (knowing me) had agreed to pay it in full - only if I was to consent to it .
Needless , to write how I felt about them contacting my sponsor whitout letting me be aware of it first and the reason behind it . I refused .

I posted what ensued at the last "meeting" , and since then I'd been suspecting about that reason being more of a "money" issue, than anything else , and today I expressed that opinion, in no uncertain way .
They calmed me down , then telling me they have an offer to make.
And here it is , (whew , finally I get to it huh ?) . 100% forgiveness of amount "owed" - not to take measures for belonging to another ministery- open end stay - and a consideration to be on their payroll later on .
I dont remember laughing so loud before , " Okkkayy ! lets hear it , what you got ? what's the catch ? " . To makke a long story, longer , according to the last episode with them , that I facilitate Bible study at least once a month , and facilitate 2 group sessions .
My response , I need to discuss this with my fellows at the OTHER ministery first , and that without agreeing to remove membership in one ministery only policy, dont bother to wait for my answer.

I had only attended Bible studies on a few occasions only , although I'm pretty much knowledgable in Scripture and NT . I dont know , is that God ?

I mean nothing , absolutely nothing happenes in God's world by mistake , but what if They are one ?

Appreciate any advice , suggestion , or opinion on this . By the way , it was my sponsor's E-mail , suggesting I seek your point of view (typical of him to relay responsibility like that on others [joke] )

[realtmg]

Vahn,
Pray bout this issue and allow time for God to give you confirmation.
Not OUR will but His will be done.
He will lead you to the answer.
Patience and prayer my friend.

I will also pray as to what His will is.
Until then, keep fighting the faith.

Luv ya

Real

[vahn]

Oh , the conflict is not between choosing ministries , and I had allredy told them 'bout my position on that .
The difficulty I'm having is wether to take the offer , and stay with such a mistry .
I also told them , that I would not , should they keep that policy active.

How can I serve a ministry like that in any position ?

[mlg]

You know vahn, I serve two ministries right now as well. I serve here at the Oasis, and I serve at my local church. Neither one would ever make me choose, and it's interesting that the ministry your at, has now decided to not make you choose either. I definitely say pray on this matter, and ask God to guide your heart. Whatever He tells you to do...then do so...cuz if you don't you won't have peace. God will bring peace to you, if the choice you are making is the right one.

Keep on keeping on my friend.

luv ya

[comfy]

Well, I'm thinking of how you may have people in your present ministry who have been getting to know you and care for you, and have been there for you and have helped you. This is the main thing in a ministry . . . not the serving, but the love sharing and growing together. Most of all, then, is who God wants you to be with, not only what He wants you to do.

I notice how Jesus called the disciples "that they might be with Him" (in Mark 3:14) and not only that they serve Jesus. He desired to have them "with Him" for love sharing, and not just to have them "serving" Jesus.

So, if you get caught up with these changing circumstances and what's happening with money, this can get your attention *decoyed* from God and from our LOVE calling to be with the ones He has chosen for us.

[---]

Hey vahn

Please remember the enemy loves any and all division. As there seems to be some of that in this situation.

Just as these others have stated you need to be in prayer...try not to allow the enemy to steal what God has in store for you. God multi-tasks all the time no reason why we can not do the same in our limited capabilities while He provides us the ability to do so.

Please take time for the dust to settle and see where God has you pointed. HIS plan will be revealed.

[vahn]

First and foremost , my ultimate gratitude goes to my All Loving God , that heard and answered my pleading when I was all but lost in the confusion of my faith by leading me here to OASIS , and second , to all you COOLIES that stuck with me through thick & thin helping me get a good grasp on the way things REALY are , and in the process strengthening my faith , beyond my expectation , thank you all for that .

On my way home last night , after posting , I was overwhelmed with the feeling of Graciousness of God , I was actualy scared , I dont mean horror scare , but , kinda hard to describe the feeling , the closest I can come to it is "Am I going to be able to take on the task once I step up to the plate " or "Look at what God is really thinks you are while you were still a 'sinner' " kinda scare , has anyone got that feeling ?
By the time I got back (on footmobile) my thoughts went to an AA principle , "you get out of it , what you put into it " and " If you find yourself in an unpleasant "place" see what you can do to make it better" and I just turned the whole thing over in God's hands , saying , " Ok God , You got me into this , of which I know but a little , I know You have a plan and in Your world nothing happens by mistake , I need You to show me what to do next" . Slept like a log .

This morning , back to the office , " Well we took your term into consideration of allowing you to serve any ministry you choose , and we are ready to outline our "package" when you are " . My response was so immediate that I was wandering what was I had for breakfast , I said " Allowing me ? You guys are something else ,you know that ? I dont recall asking for permission , second , have you ever heard the term " God is no repecter of persons ? " then added " I wasnt talking about just me , those terms should apply to ALL , or else I will not be capable to transmit Brotherly love in a house devided , if you want to be secluded from the world , find yourselves a nice spot in the desert somewhere and see how much fruit you will bear there " "We are all brothers in Jesus , no matter what building we choose to go into to worship His Father , and oh, I havn't unpacked my bags yet !! "

As of for me , Oasis is where my faith was strengthened , and you didnt tell me to stick to us only , so that's the message I carry . I dont know anything else !

still awaiting conclusion from them , I came here for a "breather" and wow you guys ! Thanx a mill . for your replies , this tells me , its deffinitly God 's will in the working , to send His messengers to tell me " If I am with you , who could dare to be against you ? " I stand firm on that belief .

Once again , thank you .

In Brotherhood of Jesus

[mlg]

Vahn the good thing here is that you are listening for God to lead your steps, and you aren't letting the pressures of others influence your decision. Keep your eyes on Him, and you can't go wrong.

We here at the Oasis love you and will be praying for God's will to be done in this matter.

luv ya

[vahn]

Thank you , and amen Mlg .

You know what else I was thinking ?

Why would they pick me , to lead Bible studies , and offer a staff position , knowing how inexperienced I am with that, I only know and live by the Word to the best of my ability , as far as leading a study - Hmmm

[mlg]

Well you know vahn, it wouldn't be you leading a study...if the Lord decides to use you, then He would be the one leading the study. The thing is to just follow God's lead and do as He asks, and you will have peace.

luv ya

[---]

vahn..

what they see is what God desires them to see IN you...
what you will DO is follow what God is directing you in HIS Spirit...

You are in God's place..walking right where He is wanting you to.

Rejoice for He is guiding your path !!

Trust your steps to be His.

[comfy]

Hi. vahn - - - a few things for you to test for yourself, if and how they go for you . . .

You say ones have been telling you you are going to make the choice. I think of how it does say, "Obey those who rule over you," in Hebrews 13:17, and how in the early church the disciples met and together with the Holy Spirit they found out what God wanted. In sharing with one another, they found out what they would do. I can see that it would be good to include whoever are your real leaders in arranging whatever you do.

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

Your good example with experience of God is a very important tool for teaching God's word. > with discovering how God has us living His word better than we thought it to mean (o: If you have been tested in experience, this can be what qualifies you. And making sure you include how each group member is a special resource. You may not know the original language, perhaps, but some guy with no education may be in your group with His Bible Greek dictionary and commentaries and research he has done. However God provides and surprises (o:

Even if the other ministry is not with it like they need to be . . . if you have made a good investment by being with the ones you already share with, you and your example leadership may be directed to share you with the other ministry, to help them. But it does take time for character to change, I might consider. I'm not interested in seeing people change instantly to what I wish to see > I need to pray for God to CURE us in His love, to how we can be (o: Just changing policies and methods can be a show, only.

It says, not lording ourselves over > I must not lord myself over anyone, but feed example. Growing takes time.