December 28, 2012
We're coming to the end of 2012 and also the end of our sabbatical. It has been a great time of listening to the Lord. As I have drawn near to the Lord He has drawn near to me. I sense His presence in a deeper way and also know that He is pleased with me because of the presence of Jesus in my life.
The key time for Susan and me was our time in Sanibel, Florida. Each morning I would get time with God as I was reading in the Gospels. I would pray that the Lord would lift a word or a phrase from my reading that was a word from Him to me. I knew that He was drawing near to me and revealing Himself to me. "It is I" were His words to me and they came up repeatedly in the Gospels and in Isaiah. Susan and I read in Isaiah. I sensed that my soul was being restored and strengthened. I am on a quest to know Christ more and more.
Now we move toward what we will be doing in the new year. We have talked with our supervisor Matt Martin, with our Sabbatical supervisors, Mike and Norma Merritt, our sabbatical team and our Kansas City Staff about our future. We worked through some Job Descriptions and have narrowed one down for now.
We would like to go at a slower pace, have a narrower focus and a deeper walk resulting in an Impact for Christ.
slower pace: If thinking terms of hours per week 30 hours instead of 40. More time with family.
narrower focus Function in my strengths of Encouragement and Evangelism. Susan and I have been leading
the KC Nav Staff team. We will no longer lead the staff but continue on the team.
deeper walk: Continue on a quest to know Christ. Making time to be alone with the Lord and learn from
Him.
Key Elements of our Job Description for 2013
I. Ministry to and among Nav Staff
A. To be a engaged member of the KC Nav Staff Team
B. To be intentional about encouraging the KS Staff
C. To encourage and assist in recruiting new staff for KC
II. Personal ministry
A. To come alongside the lost in evangelism
B. To disciple new believers
C. To be an encouragement to mature believers
Desired outcomes:
I. To have a staff group that relates well to each other and networks to create effective ministry in KC.
II. To see new couples/singles join our staff group, as the Lord provides
III. To see the lost coming to Christ
IV. To see new believers growing in their walk with Christ and beginning to reach out to others.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR! God Bless. Dave
Friday, December 28, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
October 30 , 2012. As we near the end of October we are also nearing the end of the Reflection phase of our sabbatical and in November will move into the refocus phase of what we will do after our sabbatical at the end of December.
Acts 22: 6 & 10 came to mind today. Paul asked, "Lord, Who are you?" and "Lord, What do you want me to do?" Up until now the time of Reflection has been centered on the question," Lord, Who are you?" I have become aware of that place in me, in my spirit where God's Spirit is at work stirring up my deepest longings to draw me deeper into relationship with God. I am finding my value in Christ's value of me instead of value from ministry. I am moving from doing to being, being in Christ as central. He is coming to me and saying, "It is I" Dave. So, I am trusting God to reveal more of Himself to me through Jesus and to use my life.....
To use my life or the answer to the question that Paul had, "Lord what do you want me to do?" is not clear yet. That is what the next phase of our sabbatical will be about. So in November we will be talking with our supervisor, Matt Martin, our sabbatical supervisors, Mike and Norma Merritt and our sabbatical accountability team and also our KC Navigator staff to help us clarify what our ministry contribution will be in the new year.
We'll keep you posted as things evolve. Dave and Susan
Acts 22: 6 & 10 came to mind today. Paul asked, "Lord, Who are you?" and "Lord, What do you want me to do?" Up until now the time of Reflection has been centered on the question," Lord, Who are you?" I have become aware of that place in me, in my spirit where God's Spirit is at work stirring up my deepest longings to draw me deeper into relationship with God. I am finding my value in Christ's value of me instead of value from ministry. I am moving from doing to being, being in Christ as central. He is coming to me and saying, "It is I" Dave. So, I am trusting God to reveal more of Himself to me through Jesus and to use my life.....
To use my life or the answer to the question that Paul had, "Lord what do you want me to do?" is not clear yet. That is what the next phase of our sabbatical will be about. So in November we will be talking with our supervisor, Matt Martin, our sabbatical supervisors, Mike and Norma Merritt and our sabbatical accountability team and also our KC Navigator staff to help us clarify what our ministry contribution will be in the new year.
We'll keep you posted as things evolve. Dave and Susan
Monday, October 29, 2012
October 29, 2012. When we were in Montana in July one of the verses that really stood out to me was I Kings 3:5 "Ask for what ever you want me to give you" This what the Lord said to Solomon. I thought what would I ask for? It wasn't real clear to me what I would ask for although the deep longing of my heart was to hear the Lord voice on His calling for my life.
Another book that I have been reading is "Jesus Calling" a devotional book by Sarah Young. She relates things that she senses the Lord has impressed her with, such as, "True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you. I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach. You know that in yourself you cannot achieve such a goal. Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me."
These words really spoke to my heart so I began asking the Lord to
plant His desires in my heart and mind and
to instill a dream of ministry contribution in my heart and mind
to this point He has answered by giving me
A fresh vision of Jesus "It is I" helping me understand in a deeper way that life is all about Him
and that He wants to reveal Himself to me. So the desire that the Lord is planting in my heart is
to know Him. Phil 3:10 that I my know Him
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and
knows Me.
Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to
Him in His temple
This is resulting in, a restoring of my soul and in a setting of heart and mind on Him
That's all for today. My answer to the Lord's challenge to Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" is now , LORD I ASK YOU TO REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME MORE AND MORE.
Another book that I have been reading is "Jesus Calling" a devotional book by Sarah Young. She relates things that she senses the Lord has impressed her with, such as, "True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you. I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach. You know that in yourself you cannot achieve such a goal. Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me."
These words really spoke to my heart so I began asking the Lord to
plant His desires in my heart and mind and
to instill a dream of ministry contribution in my heart and mind
to this point He has answered by giving me
A fresh vision of Jesus "It is I" helping me understand in a deeper way that life is all about Him
and that He wants to reveal Himself to me. So the desire that the Lord is planting in my heart is
to know Him. Phil 3:10 that I my know Him
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and
knows Me.
Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to
Him in His temple
This is resulting in, a restoring of my soul and in a setting of heart and mind on Him
That's all for today. My answer to the Lord's challenge to Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" is now , LORD I ASK YOU TO REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME MORE AND MORE.
Friday, October 26, 2012
October 26, 2012, Another quote from, "Strengthening the Soul of your leadership" has been helpful. "There are times when a leader's deepest longing is to hear a word from the Lord. Do I have enough
give in my schedule to be able to turn aside and pay attention when there is something that warrants it?"
Very often over the last couple of years I sensed a deep longing in my soul to hear a Word from the Lord about His calling on my life. This time of sabbatical has been a wonderful time to hear His voice. "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow Me" John 10:27. Also, "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught". Isaiah 50: 4. The Lord has impressed on me the word listen.
"This is my Son, listen to Him!" Mark 9:7. Each day I pray over the chapter in the Bible that I am reading and then listen for a word or phrase that Jesus is saying to me. This has been wonderful as the Lord is revealing Himself more and more to me and restoring my soul. It's not so much me coming to Him, even though I do but HIM coming to me. "and I too will love him and show Myself to him" John 14:21.
I thought the deep longing of my heart was to hear a word about my calling but the real need was to hear from the CALLER of my calling. "It is I" Mark 6:50. "It is I" Isaiah 52:6. "Here I am" Isaiah 58:9. His answer to my longing, HIMSELF. His answer to Moses, tell them that "I am" sent you.
Lord, thanks for revealing yourself to me. You didn't just want to renew my calling but You wanted me and Susan to see you more clearly. A fresh vision of You resulting in a restored soul.
give in my schedule to be able to turn aside and pay attention when there is something that warrants it?"
Very often over the last couple of years I sensed a deep longing in my soul to hear a Word from the Lord about His calling on my life. This time of sabbatical has been a wonderful time to hear His voice. "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow Me" John 10:27. Also, "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught". Isaiah 50: 4. The Lord has impressed on me the word listen.
"This is my Son, listen to Him!" Mark 9:7. Each day I pray over the chapter in the Bible that I am reading and then listen for a word or phrase that Jesus is saying to me. This has been wonderful as the Lord is revealing Himself more and more to me and restoring my soul. It's not so much me coming to Him, even though I do but HIM coming to me. "and I too will love him and show Myself to him" John 14:21.
I thought the deep longing of my heart was to hear a word about my calling but the real need was to hear from the CALLER of my calling. "It is I" Mark 6:50. "It is I" Isaiah 52:6. "Here I am" Isaiah 58:9. His answer to my longing, HIMSELF. His answer to Moses, tell them that "I am" sent you.
Lord, thanks for revealing yourself to me. You didn't just want to renew my calling but You wanted me and Susan to see you more clearly. A fresh vision of You resulting in a restored soul.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
October 25, 2012 one month after our last post. During this time we have been to Sanibel Island, Florida for a wonderful time of rest, reflection and time with each other and times alone with the Lord. Very special time in a very special place. Friends from our church provided their condo as a gift to our time of sabbatical.
One of the books I have read during this time of sabbatical is the book by Ruth Barton, "Strengthening the Soul of your leadership". I will share some quotes from the book and how the Lord has used them in my
life during this time. "Spiritual leadership emerges from our staying involved with our soul. . that place where
God's Spirit is at work stirring up our deepest longings to draw us deeper into relationship with Him".
To this point in our sabbatical the Lord hasn't been telling me
what He wants me to do but
Who He wants me to know
He has been revealing Himself to me as I meditate on the Word each day and listen to the Spirit lift a word or phrase from my reading.
Mark 6:50 Jesus said to the disciples in the midst of the storm on the sea when they saw Him on the water and thought that He was a ghost, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" As I listened to the Spirit the words that stood out to me were "It is I". It was the first time I have read that phrase that "It is I" stood out to me. Usually it would be "Do not be afraid" or "Take Courage". Now the Lord is coming to me and saying, Dave it is not about what you need to do but who you need to Know. "It is I" Jesus revealing Himself to me that it is all about Him. It is not about me. Life and ministry is all about Him.
As these fresh revelations of Jesus have occurred for me my soul is being restored and refreshed. I sense a deeper longing in my heart to know more of Him and to allow Him to reveal Himself more. I'm also sensing a renewed desire to serve Him. I will share more as I post more regularly in the days to come. God Bless.
One of the books I have read during this time of sabbatical is the book by Ruth Barton, "Strengthening the Soul of your leadership". I will share some quotes from the book and how the Lord has used them in my
life during this time. "Spiritual leadership emerges from our staying involved with our soul. . that place where
God's Spirit is at work stirring up our deepest longings to draw us deeper into relationship with Him".
To this point in our sabbatical the Lord hasn't been telling me
what He wants me to do but
Who He wants me to know
He has been revealing Himself to me as I meditate on the Word each day and listen to the Spirit lift a word or phrase from my reading.
Mark 6:50 Jesus said to the disciples in the midst of the storm on the sea when they saw Him on the water and thought that He was a ghost, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" As I listened to the Spirit the words that stood out to me were "It is I". It was the first time I have read that phrase that "It is I" stood out to me. Usually it would be "Do not be afraid" or "Take Courage". Now the Lord is coming to me and saying, Dave it is not about what you need to do but who you need to Know. "It is I" Jesus revealing Himself to me that it is all about Him. It is not about me. Life and ministry is all about Him.
As these fresh revelations of Jesus have occurred for me my soul is being restored and refreshed. I sense a deeper longing in my heart to know more of Him and to allow Him to reveal Himself more. I'm also sensing a renewed desire to serve Him. I will share more as I post more regularly in the days to come. God Bless.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
September 25, 2012 It's been awhile since I have posted on our blog. This is something new for me.
Susan and I had a great time at the Navigator Headquarters in Colorado Springs going through the
"Personal Contribution Assessment" Seminar with the People Resource Team of The Navigators.
We took a Myers-Briggs personal preference Inventory, Personal Values Assessment, Spiritual Gifts Indicator and a Primary Roles Indicator.
In the preference inventory, Susan and I are similar in that we both see life through facts and are organized.
We are different in that Susan gains energy by being alone and reflection while I gain energy by being with
people. We are also different in that Susan is strong in Thinking, analyzing all input toward logical consequences while I am more Feeling oriented, sensitive to the impact a decision can have on people.
I always was amazed at how well Susan understood the ministry we were involved in. It's because of her
strength of thinking which has been so helpful for me. One thing I didn't understand was her need for solitude. As a result I overwhelmed her with to many people and often. This time in Colorado helped me see this more clearly.
I can't go into all the results of the other Assessments but I can say that we are beginning to gain some insight on what the Lord's direction might hold for us. It seems that He will be leading us into New opportunities and New relationships as we go forward. We have no idea what those are or who they are but something New.
More on that as it unfolds.
Dave
Susan and I had a great time at the Navigator Headquarters in Colorado Springs going through the
"Personal Contribution Assessment" Seminar with the People Resource Team of The Navigators.
We took a Myers-Briggs personal preference Inventory, Personal Values Assessment, Spiritual Gifts Indicator and a Primary Roles Indicator.
In the preference inventory, Susan and I are similar in that we both see life through facts and are organized.
We are different in that Susan gains energy by being alone and reflection while I gain energy by being with
people. We are also different in that Susan is strong in Thinking, analyzing all input toward logical consequences while I am more Feeling oriented, sensitive to the impact a decision can have on people.
I always was amazed at how well Susan understood the ministry we were involved in. It's because of her
strength of thinking which has been so helpful for me. One thing I didn't understand was her need for solitude. As a result I overwhelmed her with to many people and often. This time in Colorado helped me see this more clearly.
I can't go into all the results of the other Assessments but I can say that we are beginning to gain some insight on what the Lord's direction might hold for us. It seems that He will be leading us into New opportunities and New relationships as we go forward. We have no idea what those are or who they are but something New.
More on that as it unfolds.
Dave
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
September 12th, 2012
We had a great Labor Day Weekend with our whole family at Table Rock Lake in Branson. It's a great opportunity for our families from KC, Wichita and St Louis to be together in one setting. The grandkids really love it!
We are now in the Reflecting and Assessment months of our Sabbatical. Last week Susan and I completed Personality, Gifts, Roles and Values assessments. This week we are at The Navigators Headquarters for our Personal Contribution Assessment Seminar with the People Resource Team of The Navs who help us understand the implications of our Personality traits. One example is ,"Where do we prefer to focus our attention for inner energy?" I'm an extravert so I focus on the outer world and people and things to be energized while Susan is an introvert and focuses on the inner world of thoughts and ideas for inner energy.
As a result I am always pushing out for new ministry possibilities whhile Susan wants to develop, in a deeper way, the relationships we already have. We still learning how to find balance in this area.
Please pray for us to be able to continue to grow in our understanding of how God has designed us.
Dave
We had a great Labor Day Weekend with our whole family at Table Rock Lake in Branson. It's a great opportunity for our families from KC, Wichita and St Louis to be together in one setting. The grandkids really love it!
We are now in the Reflecting and Assessment months of our Sabbatical. Last week Susan and I completed Personality, Gifts, Roles and Values assessments. This week we are at The Navigators Headquarters for our Personal Contribution Assessment Seminar with the People Resource Team of The Navs who help us understand the implications of our Personality traits. One example is ,"Where do we prefer to focus our attention for inner energy?" I'm an extravert so I focus on the outer world and people and things to be energized while Susan is an introvert and focuses on the inner world of thoughts and ideas for inner energy.
As a result I am always pushing out for new ministry possibilities whhile Susan wants to develop, in a deeper way, the relationships we already have. We still learning how to find balance in this area.
Please pray for us to be able to continue to grow in our understanding of how God has designed us.
Dave
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