Justice Water with Jamie

We have finished week 1 of the Engage DTS and it was excellent!  The Lord really seems to be moving quickly in this school- we had a heavy call to holiness when learning about hearing the voice of God and I think that all of us felt called to a much higher standard.  Most of the students have been stretched and transformed already, felt strange, excited and nervous about what is coming, and understand that their live is never going to be the same!  We all ended the week being able to hear God's voice much more clearly and understanding that He really does speak to all of His children- anyone with saving faith in Jesus Christ as both savior and Lord. 

I got to teach on Stewardship yesterday for half an hour in class and it was great- first of all for teaching me about stewardship and secondly for getting to practice teaching in a relatively easy environment- just our Engage DTS school.  I focused on giving up rights while taking on responsibility and on making our conduct match our calling.  "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:16.  I focused on the parable of the shrewd manager (or steward) and how he was looking kinda long term but as Christians we should be focusing our money and efforts on true long term investments- investments for the kingdom.  I really had to rush- had way to much content for the time but I think that it went fairly well.  

Thank you guys for your prayers that I would be able to truthfully and fearlessly proclaim the gospel.  Today a bunch of the students are going to come evangelizing with us and my plan is to stand on the ocean wall on Alii Drive and read the Bible aloud- should be pretty sweet!  I believe in the transformative power of the Bible and am excited to see if any hearts are stirred.

I've been reading a book recently called "Hooked on God's Word" by Ron Smith and have been blessed to learn about meditating on the word.  Throughout my life, I have often taken time to read the Bible but have very rarely actually mulled on what is being said.  He used the analogy of chewing the cud (like cows) and that is one great way to approach the Word.  Keep replaying a verse or chunk in your head throughout the day and it will become much richer- how does this fit in my life, what is he trying to say here, where was this happening, does this change how I do something in my life...?  Today, I am going to be chewing on Romans 8:18-19; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."  It is awesome to read a bigger section and then to really hone in on a chunk so you get the context and situtation and then also suck the marrow from the verse.  Psalm 1 talks about how a person who meditates on the Word will be "like a tree planted by streams of living water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."  I love how the analogy of a tree fits so well with our life- if you were to watch a tree grow for a day or a week, you wouldn't notice any difference, but leave it for 2 years while it is constantly nourished and watered and the difference will be significant!  

Please keep praying Ephesians 6:19-20 for me "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  I will post a few pictures of my teaching from yesterday.  I love you guys,

Jamie