God has given me Psalm 130 for my students and the country of Hungary. Take a look at it! I look forward to discovering more about what God has to say in this chapter and what He has to say to those I come in contact with.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Leaving
The time has come. As I head out tomorrow for training and then Hungary, I have been thinking a lot about this idea of leaving. Leaving family, friends, comfort, familiarity, and so on. Everybody does it(almost everybody)...I've done it with the World Race. It seems almost harder this time because I have an idea of what to expect...
People in the Bible were always leaving their life as they new it to pursue God's vision for them. Moses was pushed down a river ("leaving" his family) before he could even make the choice himself; the rest of his life surrounded leaving comfort and privilege to pursue God's task of leadership and redemption of His people.
Jacob had to flee from Esau after stealing his birthright. He leaves home and ends up in the desert first:
"12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:12-15)
God gives Him a promise (the land), a task (multiply & bless), and a journey...Jacob has to LEAVE this piece of land to inherit it.
There are many, many more examples throughout the Bible of God's promises to those who obey His instruction to get up and go. In my case, I tend to allow fear to enter in. Fear for family and friends' safety and fear that I will miss out on the lives of the people I love.
I had trouble sleeping last night. It took me forever to go to sleep (after 1 am) and I snapped awake at 6:30 am this morning with my mind running a mile a minute. (I always do that before I travel). One thing that was running through my mind was something God was speaking to me about leaving and missing out on others lives. God was telling me this morning that I am not responsible for others' lives; that I cannot bare this responsibility. He was telling me that if I don't follow His leading then I will miss out on my own ABUNDANT LIFE! Wow! What a life-giving rebuke from God. I HAVE TO LEAVE TO DISCOVER THE ABUNDANT LIFE GOD HAS FOR ME.
I will miss my family and friends. I will miss my life here at home. It will be a struggle to be gone again during the holidays. To not be able to come home. This is okay! I learned last year during World Race training that is okay to grieve and to struggle through things while still following the path of God. Last year we were asked to do something called "Grief Journaling." This is where we had to sit and write out everything that's on our mind, what we are sad about, anything and anyone in our life that comes to mind that has ever hurt us, etc...to allow ourselves to grieve instead of pushing it aside and just trying to "get over it." Everyone grieves in different ways and at different speeds. They MUST be allowed to do this! Don't rush it!
Leaving is a part of life and God has asked me to do it at this time. Does this mean I won't miss those I love, be sad about not being "around", or grieve? As Paul says, "BY NO MEANS!" It just means I am walking in the abundant love God has created for me. I can't wait!
People in the Bible were always leaving their life as they new it to pursue God's vision for them. Moses was pushed down a river ("leaving" his family) before he could even make the choice himself; the rest of his life surrounded leaving comfort and privilege to pursue God's task of leadership and redemption of His people.
Jacob had to flee from Esau after stealing his birthright. He leaves home and ends up in the desert first:
"12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:12-15)
God gives Him a promise (the land), a task (multiply & bless), and a journey...Jacob has to LEAVE this piece of land to inherit it.
There are many, many more examples throughout the Bible of God's promises to those who obey His instruction to get up and go. In my case, I tend to allow fear to enter in. Fear for family and friends' safety and fear that I will miss out on the lives of the people I love.
I had trouble sleeping last night. It took me forever to go to sleep (after 1 am) and I snapped awake at 6:30 am this morning with my mind running a mile a minute. (I always do that before I travel). One thing that was running through my mind was something God was speaking to me about leaving and missing out on others lives. God was telling me this morning that I am not responsible for others' lives; that I cannot bare this responsibility. He was telling me that if I don't follow His leading then I will miss out on my own ABUNDANT LIFE! Wow! What a life-giving rebuke from God. I HAVE TO LEAVE TO DISCOVER THE ABUNDANT LIFE GOD HAS FOR ME.
I will miss my family and friends. I will miss my life here at home. It will be a struggle to be gone again during the holidays. To not be able to come home. This is okay! I learned last year during World Race training that is okay to grieve and to struggle through things while still following the path of God. Last year we were asked to do something called "Grief Journaling." This is where we had to sit and write out everything that's on our mind, what we are sad about, anything and anyone in our life that comes to mind that has ever hurt us, etc...to allow ourselves to grieve instead of pushing it aside and just trying to "get over it." Everyone grieves in different ways and at different speeds. They MUST be allowed to do this! Don't rush it!
Leaving is a part of life and God has asked me to do it at this time. Does this mean I won't miss those I love, be sad about not being "around", or grieve? As Paul says, "BY NO MEANS!" It just means I am walking in the abundant love God has created for me. I can't wait!
Monday, April 5, 2010
A Viewpoint on Religion
This is a great blog written by my squad coach from the World Race, Michael Hindes. Makes you think!
-------------------------------------
Rantings on Religion…
Most who know me know that I’m not a very religious guy. In fact the word religion makes my skin crawl. It stirs up in me all the demands placed on Christians to attend, to memorize, to dress, to act, to self loathe, and ultimately to judge those who don’t.
Religion demanded: the death of a Savior, the circumcision of the early church, the end of the creative arts in the middle ages, haircuts in the 70’s, picket signs in the 80’s, a single political party to vote for in the 90’s, and a suspicion with subsequent hatred of people who are different.
Religion allowed: the death of a Savior, the ruthless murders of 1st century gospel prophets, cast systems to be established around the world, the enslavement of different colored people, the continued abuse of young boys in the supposed safety of the church, the oppressive ignoring of a woman’s true place, the bombing of abortion clinics, the blaming of homosexuals for the falling of the twin towers, and the accusations that Haiti brought on it’s latest plight by forming a bond with the devil.
I know this sounds harsh – but those are the facts as I see them…
Jesus is busy giving out grace. Religion is busy giving out demands and laws.
The world can’t see Jesus through the religious veil of judgment, anger, and hostility.
I’m concerned about the next leg of the Church’s journey. In her current state she won’t make it if she allows the influence of religion to continue. And let me tell you it’s not about traditional versus seeker-friendly or charismatic versus evangelical. It’s about Spirit versus law and life versus death. Religion has caused us to live at the wrong tree for too long. It’s constant force-feeding of the church with the apple of comparison is making us all sick.
I do however see some hope. There are some new churches out there (even some old ones with new mindsets) that stay out of politics, feed the poor, care for orphans, worship with abandon, encourage community, and hand out grace in large doses. They are full of reckless hope - my mother would say of them “they’re as happy as if they were in their right minds”.
They’re not charismatic, pentecostal, seeker-friendly, fundamental, emergent, protestant, or catholic. They can’t be labeled and they can’t be named. In fact they hate both - if they didn’t have to have a name they wouldn’t. They just are, they just exist, and they just do the thing without fanfare…
They do have an enemy though; it’s the enemy within, because we all have a tendency towards religion. Religion will accuse them of: pandering to sin, stretching grace too far, not practicing truth, and certainly not being deep enough.
To the new hopeful church I say “Run Forrest Run”! Run from religion, run from politics, run from easy already formed answers, run from anything that isn’t saturated with grace, and run from that which doesn’t smell of Holy Spirit fire.
Come on new hopeful, grace filled church make it happen. Don’t be concerned about buildings, weekly financial needs, marketing strategies, or attendance figures. Just feed, clothe, love, worship, and live…
-------------------------------------
Rantings on Religion…
Most who know me know that I’m not a very religious guy. In fact the word religion makes my skin crawl. It stirs up in me all the demands placed on Christians to attend, to memorize, to dress, to act, to self loathe, and ultimately to judge those who don’t.
Religion demanded: the death of a Savior, the circumcision of the early church, the end of the creative arts in the middle ages, haircuts in the 70’s, picket signs in the 80’s, a single political party to vote for in the 90’s, and a suspicion with subsequent hatred of people who are different.
Religion allowed: the death of a Savior, the ruthless murders of 1st century gospel prophets, cast systems to be established around the world, the enslavement of different colored people, the continued abuse of young boys in the supposed safety of the church, the oppressive ignoring of a woman’s true place, the bombing of abortion clinics, the blaming of homosexuals for the falling of the twin towers, and the accusations that Haiti brought on it’s latest plight by forming a bond with the devil.
I know this sounds harsh – but those are the facts as I see them…
Jesus is busy giving out grace. Religion is busy giving out demands and laws.
The world can’t see Jesus through the religious veil of judgment, anger, and hostility.
I’m concerned about the next leg of the Church’s journey. In her current state she won’t make it if she allows the influence of religion to continue. And let me tell you it’s not about traditional versus seeker-friendly or charismatic versus evangelical. It’s about Spirit versus law and life versus death. Religion has caused us to live at the wrong tree for too long. It’s constant force-feeding of the church with the apple of comparison is making us all sick.
I do however see some hope. There are some new churches out there (even some old ones with new mindsets) that stay out of politics, feed the poor, care for orphans, worship with abandon, encourage community, and hand out grace in large doses. They are full of reckless hope - my mother would say of them “they’re as happy as if they were in their right minds”.
They’re not charismatic, pentecostal, seeker-friendly, fundamental, emergent, protestant, or catholic. They can’t be labeled and they can’t be named. In fact they hate both - if they didn’t have to have a name they wouldn’t. They just are, they just exist, and they just do the thing without fanfare…
They do have an enemy though; it’s the enemy within, because we all have a tendency towards religion. Religion will accuse them of: pandering to sin, stretching grace too far, not practicing truth, and certainly not being deep enough.
To the new hopeful church I say “Run Forrest Run”! Run from religion, run from politics, run from easy already formed answers, run from anything that isn’t saturated with grace, and run from that which doesn’t smell of Holy Spirit fire.
Come on new hopeful, grace filled church make it happen. Don’t be concerned about buildings, weekly financial needs, marketing strategies, or attendance figures. Just feed, clothe, love, worship, and live…
Friday, March 19, 2010
Always Learning...Always Growing
I am still learning a lot as I prepare to teach in Hungary in the fall! One thing I have learned is that you never stop learning or growing. Just because you go off and do a challenging 11 months overseas where you give up "everything" and stretch yourself further than you thought you could go spiritually and physically, DOES NOT mean you are done. I am by no means complete or "spiritually mature." God still wants to stretch me and continue to push my faith past the limits of where I THINK I can go.
As I am preparing for Hungary by support raising, I have also learned that things will not necessarily go the same way, or as smoothly, this time around as it did for me on the World Race. A lot of things are different from last year. For instance, I gave myself less than 6 months to prepare whereas last time I picked the very last trip possible (allowing for at least a year of support raising). In preparing for teaching overseas, I felt like I needed to put things more in God's hands this time and trust that deadlines mean nothing to Him and He will provide. So far I have failed to trust in this provision at least twice a week as I look at my low support account. He continues to remind me every day...TRUST...TRUST...
I had also started really early last year sending out support letters, speaking to churches, etc. This year I have not sent out as many letters yet or spoken to any church congregations yet. From the beginning of this process in January I had decided that I would not stress as much over the support raising aspect of "going" and would make sure to leave room for God to work. My fear, though, is that I have not done all I can on my part when I should...and still I worry about the money. After being sick this week (not feeling able to do anything), realizing that I have 4 months until I leave, and only having $1,000 in my support account I feel like it is time to start working harder and praying harder. When I prepared for the World Race, my support came in pretty easily. This time may be different...and I need to be okay with that.
Another struggle I have faced this time is that I am used to the way things have been done in the past with support raising and working with AIM (having gone to Kenya in 2006 and on the World Race with them). As I begin to work with Teach Overseas, I am starting to see how they run things differently, not worse but just different. Coming on, I think I assumed and acted as if their processes were the same. So I am having to relearn and adjust my support raising according to this. For instance, with AIM, I was able to have all supporters send their support directly to AIM (they actually preferred I did this). With Teach Overseas, I automatically did this, but I learned that when I do I have no way of knowing if someone noted they will support me monthly or that they will support me in prayer. Oops! This has been a source of worry and frustration for me in the last couple of weeks. It just means more work in contacting my supporters and letting them know about this slip-up.
When I went on the World Race, we immediately had to learn to give up what we know and what is comfortable to open our eyes for what God wants to do in and through us. Looks like I am still learning how to do this. Bring it on!
As I am preparing for Hungary by support raising, I have also learned that things will not necessarily go the same way, or as smoothly, this time around as it did for me on the World Race. A lot of things are different from last year. For instance, I gave myself less than 6 months to prepare whereas last time I picked the very last trip possible (allowing for at least a year of support raising). In preparing for teaching overseas, I felt like I needed to put things more in God's hands this time and trust that deadlines mean nothing to Him and He will provide. So far I have failed to trust in this provision at least twice a week as I look at my low support account. He continues to remind me every day...TRUST...TRUST...
I had also started really early last year sending out support letters, speaking to churches, etc. This year I have not sent out as many letters yet or spoken to any church congregations yet. From the beginning of this process in January I had decided that I would not stress as much over the support raising aspect of "going" and would make sure to leave room for God to work. My fear, though, is that I have not done all I can on my part when I should...and still I worry about the money. After being sick this week (not feeling able to do anything), realizing that I have 4 months until I leave, and only having $1,000 in my support account I feel like it is time to start working harder and praying harder. When I prepared for the World Race, my support came in pretty easily. This time may be different...and I need to be okay with that.
Another struggle I have faced this time is that I am used to the way things have been done in the past with support raising and working with AIM (having gone to Kenya in 2006 and on the World Race with them). As I begin to work with Teach Overseas, I am starting to see how they run things differently, not worse but just different. Coming on, I think I assumed and acted as if their processes were the same. So I am having to relearn and adjust my support raising according to this. For instance, with AIM, I was able to have all supporters send their support directly to AIM (they actually preferred I did this). With Teach Overseas, I automatically did this, but I learned that when I do I have no way of knowing if someone noted they will support me monthly or that they will support me in prayer. Oops! This has been a source of worry and frustration for me in the last couple of weeks. It just means more work in contacting my supporters and letting them know about this slip-up.
When I went on the World Race, we immediately had to learn to give up what we know and what is comfortable to open our eyes for what God wants to do in and through us. Looks like I am still learning how to do this. Bring it on!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Support Letter
Happy New Year! Well, it's already February (jeez) and my birthday has come and gone, but I hope it has been a great start to 2010 for you! I want to share with you where I have been led now as I discover more of who God is and what He wants to do through me in my life. Beginning this fall I will be teaching English in Hungary! I am including my support letter below, and I hope to share more with you in the weeks of preparation to come.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family! If you haven't already, please take the time to reflect on what God has done and how you've experienced His love in your life in 2009. God has done so much in my life this year! I hope you have had an opportunity to hear some of my stories in person of what God has done or received a note of thanks from me. I look forward to seeing what God wants to do in my life and through me in 2010. As I look at this next year and where God is leading me, I would like to share with you! I am hoping to continue to have your prayers and support of God's kingdom, bringing His love and hope through relationships and service.
I have applied and been accepted to teach overseas with Education Services International (or teachoverseas.org)! I will be teaching conversational English to high school students in Hungary starting in August. This is a year-long commitment with the possibility of additional years if God leads me to it. I will have one month of training with my team before I leave in August. We will be trained in culture, teaching English as a second language, classroom management, etc.
One thing I have learned this year is that God has given me the gift of teaching and a desire to teach, both physically and spiritually. Through teaching, I will be able to build relationships with these students and to spend time outside of the classroom with them. By my example and through connecting with them I will be able to share Christ's love and hope for their lives.
When I was in Hungary in June, I heard of the nation's high depression and suicide rate, as well as the struggle for younger generations to find their place and purpose in life. Many are feeling lost, confused, and unloved. God desires for them to know who they are as His beloved. He wants them to find hope in Him. I am looking forward to spending time with these students: providing them an opportunity to learn valuable skills in the classroom, sharing God's kingdom with them, and building friendships with them.
I ask that you pray for me. Remember me frequently in your prayers. Pray for my preparation (I have a lot to do before I leave) and for my heart and mind to be ready. Please pray for my students, that they will open up and feel like they can connect with me. Also, pray for God to provide the funds needed to go.
While in Hungary, the local school will provide a place to live and a modest stipend. However, I will also need to raise funds for training, flights, insurance, and retreats/support while overseas. I understand if you are unable to support me financially. There are other ways you can lend support, such as through prayer or planning a fundraiser for me (I could use help in this aspect). However, if you feel God leading you to give, you can mail the enclosed response slip in the envelope provided.
Please consider supporting me with monthly or one-time donations. I am especially looking for a strong group of monthly supporters to meet this need; I am hoping to have 20 people commit to giving $50 per month (I will need to raise about $12,000). Teach Overseas is a 501-c-3 non profit organization, so your donation would be tax deductible as allowed by law. Checks should be made out to "Teach Overseas" with my account number (210022) written in the memo line. I am trusting in the truth that God will provide for what He has led me to do. Will you be a part of that?
I am so excited about this opportunity and to experience more of God's love for others. I am learning more every day about this love! Thank you for all you do and please keep in touch with me: sharonjoprice@gmail.com. Let me know your thoughts and how I can share more with you.
God Bless You,
Sharon Price
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family! If you haven't already, please take the time to reflect on what God has done and how you've experienced His love in your life in 2009. God has done so much in my life this year! I hope you have had an opportunity to hear some of my stories in person of what God has done or received a note of thanks from me. I look forward to seeing what God wants to do in my life and through me in 2010. As I look at this next year and where God is leading me, I would like to share with you! I am hoping to continue to have your prayers and support of God's kingdom, bringing His love and hope through relationships and service.
I have applied and been accepted to teach overseas with Education Services International (or teachoverseas.org)! I will be teaching conversational English to high school students in Hungary starting in August. This is a year-long commitment with the possibility of additional years if God leads me to it. I will have one month of training with my team before I leave in August. We will be trained in culture, teaching English as a second language, classroom management, etc.
One thing I have learned this year is that God has given me the gift of teaching and a desire to teach, both physically and spiritually. Through teaching, I will be able to build relationships with these students and to spend time outside of the classroom with them. By my example and through connecting with them I will be able to share Christ's love and hope for their lives.
When I was in Hungary in June, I heard of the nation's high depression and suicide rate, as well as the struggle for younger generations to find their place and purpose in life. Many are feeling lost, confused, and unloved. God desires for them to know who they are as His beloved. He wants them to find hope in Him. I am looking forward to spending time with these students: providing them an opportunity to learn valuable skills in the classroom, sharing God's kingdom with them, and building friendships with them.
I ask that you pray for me. Remember me frequently in your prayers. Pray for my preparation (I have a lot to do before I leave) and for my heart and mind to be ready. Please pray for my students, that they will open up and feel like they can connect with me. Also, pray for God to provide the funds needed to go.
While in Hungary, the local school will provide a place to live and a modest stipend. However, I will also need to raise funds for training, flights, insurance, and retreats/support while overseas. I understand if you are unable to support me financially. There are other ways you can lend support, such as through prayer or planning a fundraiser for me (I could use help in this aspect). However, if you feel God leading you to give, you can mail the enclosed response slip in the envelope provided.
Please consider supporting me with monthly or one-time donations. I am especially looking for a strong group of monthly supporters to meet this need; I am hoping to have 20 people commit to giving $50 per month (I will need to raise about $12,000). Teach Overseas is a 501-c-3 non profit organization, so your donation would be tax deductible as allowed by law. Checks should be made out to "Teach Overseas" with my account number (210022) written in the memo line. I am trusting in the truth that God will provide for what He has led me to do. Will you be a part of that?
I am so excited about this opportunity and to experience more of God's love for others. I am learning more every day about this love! Thank you for all you do and please keep in touch with me: sharonjoprice@gmail.com. Let me know your thoughts and how I can share more with you.
God Bless You,
Sharon Price
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Welcome
Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog. I will be teaching English to high school students in Hungary starting this fall (2010) through Teach Overseas. I am looking forward to spending time with these students, sharing Christ's love with them, and finding some community there. I will be posting more details about this adventure soon. For now, you are welcome to go to: teachoverseas.org to read more.
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