Monday, June 25, 2007

Awe Star University is the four day training the students and leaders undergo before heading out to their respective countries to serve. That time is filled with drama training, prayer, worship and teaching from Walker and my dad. The teaching is heavy and intense but great preparation for the hearts of those getting ready to spend a month in different countries spreading the Gospel.

One of the things Walker talks about is how it will be difficult once on the field. Satan fights hard to distract and keep people from being used by God. When we are faced with trials and hardships, whether in the spiritual warfare on the mission field or in our every day life, our true colors come out. Do we chose to lose our patience, get angry, wallow in our self-pity? or do we stand up to the temptation to focus on ourselves and continue serving? In a moment when things are going well it is easy to claim that we would remain focused but in the heat of tempation our decision could be quite different.

When we are "squeezed" like that, what we have filled our minds with and focused our hearts on previously is what deteremines our decision. What we put in is what comes out. When we focus on the world, and let our attention be captivated by the things around us, be it the internet, boy/girlfriends, television, etc... our reaction will likely by that of the flesh. However, when we are focused on Christ and filling our minds with the Spirirt, our reaction when squeezed is to let Christ take over.

Acts 7:54-60 is the story of Stephen's stoning. As Saul holds their coats, the crowd runs Stephen out of the city then begins stoning him. Right before he dies, Stephen cries out to God, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" I honestly cannot imagine that. These people were the "religous" folk, and as they killed him, Stephen prayed for there forgiveness. That is someone who is full of the Holy Spirit. Someone who grasped what it means to love people, regardless of anything else. Someone so focused on Christ, that when squeezed, HE was all that was in Stephen to come out. Stephen was allowing God to mold him to be more like Christ- in that he even responded identically while being killed by those he came to preach to and love.

Every time I read that passage, it steps on my toes as if I'd never heard it before. We are called to love- love like that. Love people regardless- love unconditionally. It's so easy to say but yet so difficult to practice. How incredible would it be if we could all live that out? I can't even imagine...

love,
whitney louise

6 Comments:

At 8:08 AM, Blogger Marti Pieper said...

How incredible would it be if, when we knew we were staring death square in the face, we said, “Dad. I know you’re scared. I believe the Lord will deliver me through this. But if doesn’t, I’m going home to be with him, and that’s okay with me.”

We know how incredible it would be--for we have an example in the life of one BJ Higgins.

Praying "I Would Die for You" (the book about his life) through and beyond publication. Sending, to you and your family (all over the world!)

tender love
and prayers in pink!

Marti

 
At 12:04 PM, Blogger Marti Pieper said...

P.S. You can read updates from Brent and Deanna as they lead their team in Peru at www.awestar.org

Click "Trip Updates"
then (for "select trip") "PeruDrama2007"
then either "view trip updates" or "view images" (you will have to select PeruDrama2007 again when you switch from one to the other).

Enjoy, and keep praying!

 
At 12:31 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

beautiful... i found myself as i was reading anticipating getting offline to to just that - drink from the overflowing cup of the Holy Spirit

 
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