This week I did some studying and writing (not sure if I'll use it or not, but it was good to get ideas flowing and thinking/reflecting on what I have been reading). In addition to the actual devotional, I spent some time seeking answers to some of my initial project questions. The 20time project is to not only create the devotional, but to also try to get it uploaded to the Bible App. The Bible App is a free phone/tablet app that has the bible, the bible in different languages, and devotionals available for anyone. UNFORTUNATELY, when doing some research I discovered the dilemma (see the picture below). Nonetheless, I spent some time reading about all of the qualifications needed in order to submit as well as the fairly new addition option of having videos, images, and rich text embedded into the devotional. Exciting!! So, despite the fact they are currently not excepting devotionals from the general public, I can and will submit the devotional when they begin accepting them again. And, it will having some visuals as well!
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I spent some hours at Starbucks this week reading, writing, praying, reflecting, and working on this 20time project. There is a lot that I have been learning and playing around with (in fact, I am in the works of thinking of how to advertise this and the idea of Surrender on a larger scale - social media??); however, for this reflection I want to share with you all a story about a story: I was sitting in church today when I was once again confronted with the passage from the Bible in the book of Matthew about the parable of sowing the seed. This time, I let it really sink in, consume my thoughts, and affect me. The seeds were sown on either rocky ground, ground among thorny bush, and good soil. Which seeds lasted, grew, and lived on? The seed sown on the good soil, of course. But 'good' soil isn't the good we likely think of. It isn't a call to 'be good', do more, work harder, or do anything in and of ourselves. Instead, it is a parable that points to Jesus and the fact that "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26). So, question: How do we 'with God'?! Answer: Surrender to Him and His plan. The parable of the seeds is likely going to be the centerpiece of the 3rd day of the devotional that focuses on daily surrender. As I have learned, in order to glorify and worship the Lord as much as I can, I must daily surrender and constantly be looking to grow. I cannot merely view Christianity and a relationship with God as on of the many things in life I start but never finish. I must constantly surrender and abide in God's love. Salvation may be one and done, but it is only the beginning of eternity! Song for the week: I encourage anybody to listen to it, especially if you like rock n roll. The band jams!! Song of the week: Mighty to Save (preformed here by Hillsong) This week I began to focus on reading through the bible verses that I had initially selected as well as looking at other bible verses that connecting to them, recommended to me, or verses that stuck out during church as key reminders of the need to surrender. I have learned a lot this week and look forward to making connections between my learning and my playing when I begin to write (I have a few things written, but nothing close to polished yet).
What I have been meditating and centering the study of SURRENDER on: Philippians 3:3-14; Matthew 13:18-23; 1 Corinthians 1; Romans 12; Matthew 19: 16-28; and John 3:16-21 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." As I read through these verses and passages I spent time to pray, wrote notes in the margins, and discussed them and their applications with one of my good friends. Writing a devotional on a topic (in my case Surrender) is kinda like writing an essay for your professor on a topic (e.g. The Real Last Samurai). In order to do it, you have to do research (read the bible), take notes, thinking, bounce ideas around, write a rough draft and then revise. Time to write some more and revise!
This I Believe - The Weekly SongAnother great one by Hillsong highlighting the core beliefs that directly relate to initial surrender, the topic of Day 1 of 3 of the devotional. |
Author"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" Archives
April 2016
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