Effectively Relating to Others

Today was our first return training. I wasn’t really looking forward to it. After the talk was campus time, which was awesome, we all went out to lunch and spent some time reflecting on the summer. Then we went out to the fields and played some ultimate Frisbee, it was just a great day. An even better night, because one of the CO staff, John Muller and his wife Ashley, went on a double date with Natalie and I. It was just amazing. We went to Longhorn’s for dinner, then went to the talk, and after went to yogurt mountain for desert. Not only was it a great night, but I love John and Ashley and they love us. We were all sad that we we’re all not going to be in Charleston. The talk today was really good, and so practical for me. He started off with a good saying, that involved for when we leave project and go back to reality. Will we die, survive, or thrive. We learned 7 ways to help us be witnesses of Christ, and to continue to stay strong in Him. 1. Keep walking with God, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, James 1:22-25. I was told how important it is to not wait till your "fuel light" comes on. We are not like a car that can run on empty. We need to stay plugged in or we will get burned out, and fast. Here on project, we've been in a "Green House" environment. It has enabled our spiritual growth beyond imaginable. Once we leave, we will be back out in the regular world. No more meetings and singing and prayer time, and fellowship, and so on. It takes effort and we must remain in Him. 2. Seek Godly fellowship, Hebrews 10:24, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. In order to stay above water you have to have someone there to pull you up. If you think your are above, pride comes before the fall, and you will fall hard. Accountability is huge and enables you to stay focused on Him. 3. Flee from temptation at all cost, Genesis 39:2, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 5:8-9. The story of Joseph demonstrates it the best, not hanging around thinking you can stand strong. Running from sin, stay as far away from it as you can. Leaving Panama City we will be entering war, we must know our enemy. He is smart, crafty, and good at it. We are leaving with targets on our backs, but God is greater, much greater. Being a Christian can be costly, but it is more costly not to be. 4. Remember that others had a summer too, James 1:19. This is for when I start sharing with others, not to overwhelm them with all this "Christian Stuff". People love to talk about themselves, listen first. When you do get the chance to talk, Glorify God, not SBP. Share just a little, don't overwhelm people, and wait for them to ask more questions. This one is definitely important to me, I can get on a tangent very quickly, and I must remember this. 5. Expect to be misunderstood, Mark 6:1-6. The people who are my friends weren't here this summer and will not be able to relate to me, they won't get some things. That's expected because they were not here. Plus Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior was not misunderstood by many, Please read Mark 6:1-6 it relates to this very well. 6. Speak louder with actions than words, 1Corinthians 4:20, 1 Peter 3:15. Doing this will really open up the ears of hearers. What does that mean? Anybody can talk, but to actually live this way is another. It is much harder and speaks louder than anything else you could possibly say. Lastly, 7. Pray, pray, pray. We are needy and need to be praying. Praying demonstrates our faith. We need to spend more time talking to God about men then talking to men about God. Praying scripture is very powerful, if you are interested in getting this long list of good praying scripture let me know. Please pray that I will apply all seven steps to my upcoming future, and that I will not just survive, but thrive for the Lord.

Serving Him,

Daniel