Last week we began our Tuesday evening "Women of Influence" study with the international college gals and int'l. wives. There were 28 of us there, and I taught on the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair (Luke 7). I can tell the tide is turning in my teaching. I'm consumed less with the presentation and rigid structure and more with content and their understanding, which is new for me. Being in front of people has been so scary most of my life, it is amazing to see what the Lord is doing!
What a privilege! I'm no great teacher by far, but I love bringing the Word and sharing my joy in Him with them. I can see Him changing me as we spend more time together in life. =-)
The gals interacted so well. With internationals, it can be very difficult to get discussion going or for them to ask questions. Their excitement in the discussion was surprising. Then, they even shared aloud with the whole group after discussing in their tri's. I could see how the Lord had directed the discussion questions. I had no idea they would be significant the way they were, but He knew.
I picture Him breathing His great self into their minds and hearts throughout this summer. "I AM," He says to them. "I AM."
A young single woman will be teaching on Rebekah and watering your camels. Her catch phrase for serving wholeheartedly as a single is, "May I water your camels, also?"
She's vibrant and fun, so I think the gals will enjoy her. Other cultures often have much more pressure to marry sooner than later as a young adult. I pray that God will show them that they are right where they need to be, learning about Him first and foremost as a single.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Wisdom and Love (1 Samuel 25)
David had been fleeing from Saul for some time. He lived his life on the run, seeking God's direction as he led his band of 600 men around the countryside. In chapter 24, Saul unknowingly discovered the hiding place where David and his men were sheltered. Instead of avenging his unjust treatment through murder, David put himself in a vulnerable position and sought peace with the King. Saul seemingly repented from his wicked pursuit to kill David and returned home.
In chapter 25 David next found himself mourning the death of the prophet Samuel, a mentor to him. Afterwards he and his men ventured to the wilderness of Paran where they protected the shepherds and sheep of a wealthy buisinessman. In return for their service, David sought to provide for his men by requesting remuneration from Nabal. "Harsh" and "worthless" in reputation, Nabal consistently acted accordingly by refusing provision for David from his excess wealth (25:3, 17 NAS). Nabal even went so far as to pretend that he has not heard of David, accusing him to be a runaway servant. David responded in anger toward Nabal, planning to take vengeance upon him and his household.
Caught in the middle between two hot-headed men protecting their territory, Abigail was an example of both wisdom and poise. Abigail knew who David was, and when informed by a servant of her husbands idiocracy, she acted quickly to bring peace. She secretly sent out gifts before her to David and his men, following with her own self to request forgiveness. She acknowledged David as the future King and blessed him. David's heart was protected from manslaughter as he heeded the kindness and wisdom of Abigail. His anger subsided.
I believe that God was preparing David's heart for a second man-to-man encounter with Saul. 1 Saumuel 25 is sandwiched between the two accounts of David sparing Saul's life, though he has the opportunity for vengeance. Between these two instances, Abigail acted wisely to protect her own household as well as David's moral purity. Soon after Abigail's wise actions, God himself caused the Death of Nabal. Vengeance belonged to God, not David. This was the lesson that David probably needed to hear as he would soon have the opportunity once again to end his life's current trial in fleeing from the wicked Saul. Though Samuel the prophet was gone, David must trust that God will continue to act toward His own will in David's dealings with Saul.
Oh, that I would be a woman like Abigail. She is so wise to know of her infuence and her place. She humbled herself and sought God's best. What a blessing she was to David. Through Abigail God says to David, "Trust me. I'm still in control." Through Abigail, David's moral purity is protected and honored. Through Abigail, both David and her household are able to rest. Through Abigail, God prepares David's heart for what is ahead.
How I want us women to know our place of humility and wisdom, to be a blessing the men around us! We are women who have influence in the lives of men. May we choose to protect their moral purity by our conduct and our gentle humility. Let's be influential women that God can use to speak boldly to the men in our lives.
If you are married, then pray for wisdom as you serve your husband in love. If you are single and wanting to be married, then pray for wisdom in shaping your life after the pattern of God's ways of peacemaking, instead of the world's. If you are single and content in that place for your life, then pray for wisdom as an influential person in the lives of many men. Let's be a blessing to men. Let's help them to rest and know that we want God's best for them.
Scripture marked “NAS” is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
In chapter 25 David next found himself mourning the death of the prophet Samuel, a mentor to him. Afterwards he and his men ventured to the wilderness of Paran where they protected the shepherds and sheep of a wealthy buisinessman. In return for their service, David sought to provide for his men by requesting remuneration from Nabal. "Harsh" and "worthless" in reputation, Nabal consistently acted accordingly by refusing provision for David from his excess wealth (25:3, 17 NAS). Nabal even went so far as to pretend that he has not heard of David, accusing him to be a runaway servant. David responded in anger toward Nabal, planning to take vengeance upon him and his household.
Caught in the middle between two hot-headed men protecting their territory, Abigail was an example of both wisdom and poise. Abigail knew who David was, and when informed by a servant of her husbands idiocracy, she acted quickly to bring peace. She secretly sent out gifts before her to David and his men, following with her own self to request forgiveness. She acknowledged David as the future King and blessed him. David's heart was protected from manslaughter as he heeded the kindness and wisdom of Abigail. His anger subsided.
I believe that God was preparing David's heart for a second man-to-man encounter with Saul. 1 Saumuel 25 is sandwiched between the two accounts of David sparing Saul's life, though he has the opportunity for vengeance. Between these two instances, Abigail acted wisely to protect her own household as well as David's moral purity. Soon after Abigail's wise actions, God himself caused the Death of Nabal. Vengeance belonged to God, not David. This was the lesson that David probably needed to hear as he would soon have the opportunity once again to end his life's current trial in fleeing from the wicked Saul. Though Samuel the prophet was gone, David must trust that God will continue to act toward His own will in David's dealings with Saul.
Oh, that I would be a woman like Abigail. She is so wise to know of her infuence and her place. She humbled herself and sought God's best. What a blessing she was to David. Through Abigail God says to David, "Trust me. I'm still in control." Through Abigail, David's moral purity is protected and honored. Through Abigail, both David and her household are able to rest. Through Abigail, God prepares David's heart for what is ahead.
How I want us women to know our place of humility and wisdom, to be a blessing the men around us! We are women who have influence in the lives of men. May we choose to protect their moral purity by our conduct and our gentle humility. Let's be influential women that God can use to speak boldly to the men in our lives.
If you are married, then pray for wisdom as you serve your husband in love. If you are single and wanting to be married, then pray for wisdom in shaping your life after the pattern of God's ways of peacemaking, instead of the world's. If you are single and content in that place for your life, then pray for wisdom as an influential person in the lives of many men. Let's be a blessing to men. Let's help them to rest and know that we want God's best for them.
Scripture marked “NAS” is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Personal Doctrinal Statement on the Bible
Inspiration
The Bible is God-breathed. Its source is divine, while its authors are human. Through His supernatural influence in the cognizant and willing lives of chosen men, God insured the accuracy of His revelation.
Inerrancy
The Bible is a wholly true word from God communicated through the hands of men. Therein the original documents are an accurate and purposeful testimony of the person of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Authority
As God’s holy writ, the Bible is an extension of God’s sovereign rule.
Sufficiency
The Bible is purposed for the benefit of human life, able to be understood. By it alone may a human measure his/her life against the holiness of God and be completely sure of God’s purpose in his/her conduct, thought, and values.
Canonicity
Originally authored as separate entities, God oversaw the preservation and collection of His inspired documents for their purpose in the Bible, using the process of maturation in the early church as a preparation and motivation for careful selection and canonization.
The Bible was divinely given with its purpose resting in the lives of men. The humanity and situation of Scripture’s process, from the original documents to the canon – and then onto interpretation, requires humility and holy reverence in the acting human agent. Scripture is purposed for humanity, resulting in the recognition and exaltation of the one true God. His authority, His truth, and His concern for the smallest details of life are evident through the Bible’s unified and unique set of documents. Yet, this Book’s value is not subject to the determining authority of men. It is instead a document of discovery by which God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; may be known with surety and intimacy. Therefore, my mission in reading the Bible is this: to spend my life seeking to know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, being wonderfully transformed into the image of Christ and exposing His greatness to the world around me and the generations behind me.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
The Bible is God-breathed. Its source is divine, while its authors are human. Through His supernatural influence in the cognizant and willing lives of chosen men, God insured the accuracy of His revelation.
Inerrancy
The Bible is a wholly true word from God communicated through the hands of men. Therein the original documents are an accurate and purposeful testimony of the person of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Authority
As God’s holy writ, the Bible is an extension of God’s sovereign rule.
Sufficiency
The Bible is purposed for the benefit of human life, able to be understood. By it alone may a human measure his/her life against the holiness of God and be completely sure of God’s purpose in his/her conduct, thought, and values.
Canonicity
Originally authored as separate entities, God oversaw the preservation and collection of His inspired documents for their purpose in the Bible, using the process of maturation in the early church as a preparation and motivation for careful selection and canonization.
The Bible was divinely given with its purpose resting in the lives of men. The humanity and situation of Scripture’s process, from the original documents to the canon – and then onto interpretation, requires humility and holy reverence in the acting human agent. Scripture is purposed for humanity, resulting in the recognition and exaltation of the one true God. His authority, His truth, and His concern for the smallest details of life are evident through the Bible’s unified and unique set of documents. Yet, this Book’s value is not subject to the determining authority of men. It is instead a document of discovery by which God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; may be known with surety and intimacy. Therefore, my mission in reading the Bible is this: to spend my life seeking to know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, being wonderfully transformed into the image of Christ and exposing His greatness to the world around me and the generations behind me.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
I Have a Home!
At least...and earthly home for the time being. I'll be living with a great woman I highly esteem, who has generously welcomed me into her home. God is such a great provider.
Friday, June 01, 2007
An Excellent Gift
I finally finished the homework from my week-long theology course! I seriously had already made my mental plans for moving home with my mother when I failed the course. Three weeks is not much to finish a whole semester's worth of reading, exam, Scripture memory and papers. How am I still cognizant? My boss let me off of work a half day...he gave me grace. BUT it was after he asked me how my weekend was. I told him I cried. Yup. The crying girl card. I pulled it, but not crying in front of him. And I really did cry. And it takes a lot to make me cry. Does that justify my using the crying girl card?
Friends, I'm moving again. The house I'm living in is selling, and I could use your prayer as I find a new place to live by July 15. The Lord has had me moving every year for the past three years. God has me on the move. The Lord is working in me and around me. I'm learning to rejoice in difficulty, but mostly by seeing how horrible I am at it. This is small potatoes. Living life with Him...that's the good stuff!
On June 12 we kick off our international college women's Bible study. I am teaching that night on the prostitute who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair. I've been consumed by school work, but am continuing my dive into the Scripture. Content is my focus. If you know me, you know how I confuse when trying to verbalize. So let's pray that the women will know it is the power of God reaching out to them, becausee the woman who will be before them (me) is simply a woman...doing the best she can to glorify her Lord and Savior.
The excellent gift from the title...it's Him. I'm house/dog sitting out in the secluded countryside. Silence. No TV or radio. No internet (came home to turn in my last paper on-line). After this week and the worries about finding a new home, honoring my church's scholarship by doing well in class, progressing in the plans for the summer study, and preparing our rental house for showings...I need to fall into the arms of Jesus. So don't look for me. I'm right where I need to be, all alone with Him for a while. He is an EXCELLENT gift.
Friends, I'm moving again. The house I'm living in is selling, and I could use your prayer as I find a new place to live by July 15. The Lord has had me moving every year for the past three years. God has me on the move. The Lord is working in me and around me. I'm learning to rejoice in difficulty, but mostly by seeing how horrible I am at it. This is small potatoes. Living life with Him...that's the good stuff!
On June 12 we kick off our international college women's Bible study. I am teaching that night on the prostitute who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair. I've been consumed by school work, but am continuing my dive into the Scripture. Content is my focus. If you know me, you know how I confuse when trying to verbalize. So let's pray that the women will know it is the power of God reaching out to them, becausee the woman who will be before them (me) is simply a woman...doing the best she can to glorify her Lord and Savior.
The excellent gift from the title...it's Him. I'm house/dog sitting out in the secluded countryside. Silence. No TV or radio. No internet (came home to turn in my last paper on-line). After this week and the worries about finding a new home, honoring my church's scholarship by doing well in class, progressing in the plans for the summer study, and preparing our rental house for showings...I need to fall into the arms of Jesus. So don't look for me. I'm right where I need to be, all alone with Him for a while. He is an EXCELLENT gift.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)