| |
kmhope
|
03/07/2010 07:21 |
Wow, thanks for sharing that Brian! Long ago, I knew in my spirit that of all the things I will do in the Kingdom of God, intercession would be the most important. Long hours in the prayer room with the Word, a journal and the presence of God are most awesome times. And now we are in a season where in addition to those prayer times, we have God's people over regularly for meals and fellowship. When we bow are heads to pray, His presence is so pervasive and sweet. A most wonderful season!
However, in between all of these moments, are times when the solitude seems so amplified. Hours go by where God doesn't seem present (although I know He is) and the phone doesn't ring and all my friends are busy with their lives. I've never minded being alone before. I actually liked my own company until... I discovered how rich and satisfying is the company of the Lord.
Some people talk about what we will do in Heaven and what it will look like. Since we will be face-to-face with God, I can't imagine anything else. His presence is all I want; He is enough. And yet, we are still here on earth, there is still Kingdom business to be carried out. And there are those times when it feels like there is no one else around. I used to try to fill those moments with the things of the world but they no longer satisfy. Only the Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, my Abba Father and His Holy Spirit, now there is the true answer to lonliness or anything else we suffer from.
Thank you, Daily Audio Bible family, for being here. Expressing myself in writing has always been a challenge; it seems so permanent. I am enjoying the DAB forums as an opportunity to respond to people and practice those written communication skills.
|
| |
Jenai-Nay
|
03/07/2010 09:48 |
Brian,
Your perfect timing and message can only be from God. I am amazed at how often the daily word speaks straight as an arrow into my heart. Even on my second year through with my DAB family there is new revelation that differs from last year and I truly love it.
I love it in the sense that this connection with God through DAB has indeed taken on the “family sense”, a sense of community, a sense of understanding and belonging that is completely indescribable and rich.
I daily walk through a completely different world this year as a forty year old college student. A single mother and sole supporter of two beautiful young girls I feel that many worldly people around me are deeply concerned for my lay off eight months ago but I have complete faith. Faith that Gods will will be done in my life. After forging through the first 36 years of my life without God in the lead I am more than ready to follow Him and chase His will wherever it takes me. Leaving a lucrative but unfulfilling career and returning to finish degree has allowed God to speak into my life on a complete different level. Do I still feel alone? (was it Yahid?) Absolutely! Scared? Absolutely! But this feeling is slowly making me realize that this is His call to me. When I feel Yahid I need to transition to Arraomos and seek Him (I know I am butchering these translated words, somebody please correct me as I want to use them in my conversation with God now). I need to seek His will in what I am doing or thinking right then, as usually it is a corrective or guiding from his staff as this little sheep does still stray. Like you Brain I too am a bit of a loner, but for me it just kind of comes with the territory of raising your kids alone?
I went out to see my cousins’ band play last night. Although I went with a few other Christian friends I felt completely alone. Typically I would be on the dance floor with or without a partner just enjoying the music coursing through my veins…nobody at our table danced yet the floor was packed! There was this expectancy at the table of all single moms, wanting to be “good” but so much wanting to get on the floor and BE. I love my ladies but honestly would have had more fun just dancing at home alone with God and the music cranked sliding around on the hardwood floors.
God thank you! Thank you that you love me. Thank you for sending your Son to die for me and wash me clean of my many sins. Thank you for using the DAB to hug me last night and dance in my head as we went from message to music and back again. I so deeply needed it. Thank you for holding my hand and leading me on this awesome and exciting journey. Thank you also for carrying me when I am weak and holding me when I am lonely. Forever yours – Amen.
|
| |
Dustin
|
03/08/2010 08:45 |
It taught me, and encouraged me a lot with dealing with loneliness and helping others. One of the main revelations about it came when you said, that "many are dying for what you have" and the part about "reaching out to others in need, to advance the kingdom" were definitely parts that opened my eyes. It was a great message, and I enjoyed listening and picturing all that you were saying, and then relating to it. Thanks for the message. I was just thinking of when I have moments where it seems a mark is on me for people to ignore me, look at me with estranged eyes, or just act like the image, or person that I am is repulsive or not worth getting to know?
|
| |
Ray
|
03/08/2010 11:06 |
I like the outpost visual. Note the war zone all around the outpost is the marriage down the street or the struggles of other people that live nearby. I'm going through a prayer study and this lady, Vanessa Holland, gave her testimony in the material, but this is a different version of it. http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/Vanessa_Holland031907.aspx I find it amazing that she literally had the light turned on by her martial artist associate. If the martial artist was not pursuing her passion, Vanessa would not have been lead home.
So, dance, but be ready to give an account for where the dancing comes from. Who knows who will see God in it, but you are an important outpost in a war? They can't see it if you dance at home and you won't be able to announce where freedom comes from.
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
|
| |
Alison Parker
|
03/09/2010 02:10 |
Dear Brian
Thank you so much for this. Your words really spoke to me. If the loneliness of ministry can be used as a spur to seek the lost how powerful is that. The music you chose spoke to me too. Please what was it?
Cascading blessings to you, Alison
|
| |
Ray
|
03/09/2010 08:31 |
I'm involved with a mainline church for some strange reason God has not fully disclosed yet. I'm convinced the Lord put us there to minister to some and we are encouraged on many fronts, but talk about your outpost. When I have ventured into the area of the Eph 6, full armor needed in this war, people just don't want to hear it. This is not unexpected as Eldredge described, the religious spirit is strong.
It struck me this morning how valuable recognition of the war is in what it brings out of people. People do extraordinary things when needed, when they recognize the big picture. Witness WWII icons such as Rosie the Riveter, victory gardens, rationing efforts, and of course told and untold front line valor.
I pray more now that I see the outpost in the grand scheme of things. When sin comes knocking my first thought is not to follow, but rather to evaluate the threat to the outpost and how that will cause the collapse of other assets, my family, my intercessors, and allies. If I fall they may fall as well and that is not going to happen.
I love this scene in "Band of Brothers." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKYJLfWqTBY Some of the words don't fit the traditional christian lingo, such as "you think there is still hope" and "without mercy." But you have to look deeper. We're talking about war. The hope Lt. Speirs refers to is false hope and selfishness, hope in me getting what I want. You don't show mercy to the demons that want you dead and want your children dead. You slay them with the sword of the spirit without mercy. The "already dead" is really dead to yourself, and that is the beginning of victory in this war.
|
 |
Leslie
|
03/09/2010 18:08 |
Allison the music is on the page when you click on the "solitary walk" on the home page. The songs and artists are listed there.
Yeah~This is timely for me....I am grateful for all 31 minutes. I am listening more than once as I process all that is in there. I took notes while I listened too. I REALLY needed this one. It is easy to get self focused and begin believing that God has forgotten me. I learned a new perspective on loneliness. God has given me much to share and yet I am holding back. It's a distraction that the enemy uses easily to get me off track of what God has planned for me. I like the idea of the ache of loneliness being the call of God on my heart, not a reason to fall into a pile on the floor while life goes on without me. Well at least I am not going to stay in the pile as long now!! Thanks to Brian! Love you dude!
|
| |
sjs
|
03/16/2010 22:26 |
I think that you hit it on the head. When we are "lonely," we are taking time to savor our "loneliness." When you really analyze it...you are thinking about YOURSELF a lot during that time. If you were really thinking about others, and serving others, you don't have time to sit and be miserable about your own situation. You can either sit and feel bad for yourself that no one cares about you, or you can go out and do something good for someone else..but you can't do them both at the same time.
|
| |
Pickleface
|
03/19/2010 08:02 |
I have listened to this at least 3 times now, it is so how I often feel But also is something I plan to share with my church mid week group - we are a group of people submerging ourselves in our local community, living intentionally with these people, this can sometimes seem lonely
|
| |
Rosanne
|
03/22/2010 14:15 |
This was a wonderful one. I enjoyed it, I learned from it. I never looked at loneleyness like that before.
I think this was the first time for me feeling such a huge connection to an episode. That feels very strange, but in a good way :D
|
(page
1
2)
|
Print