Genesis

1 - Loved what you said about the mouth not being involved and the mouth is shut while the guy in the illustration is listening too. Visually, I rather appreciate his intense focus because when listening for God I tend to be way too distracted.

I've heard so many truly amazing testimonies and in the past when I've looked at my own, it just seems so ordinary so there just seemed rather nothing to say, but how interesting a perspective that I'm testifying anyhow just by everything I am and everything I do.

I readily admit to not being as disciplined with reading the bible or praying as I should be. And therein is the illuminating fact of why this isn't so natural for me. I imagine knowing God more fully will only allow me to more naturally take opportunities to extend His kingdom instead of purposefully missing them.

I know someone who always takes the opportunity to talk a lot to people about God. He's THAT guy. Super-Bible Guy. The one who answers my God questions. And I'm so thankful for him. The one whose gifts are naturally destined to preach to Good News to the corners of the Earth.

However at times when we are with non-believers in particular I just have a sense that it's all just a bit over the top to want to get people to instantly convert their faith from their non-faith. Which leads me to wonder if I'm just being too timid?

That's what popped into my head when you were talking about your gift of healing and the temptation to feel superior or not so superior.

I know it's not some sort of contest and we all probably have greatly differing ways of testifying. It just seems like at some point you have to do some talking about Jesus to bring him into the relationship.

Does that just naturally happen by the movement of the spirit? Is it just a matter of being open to sharing faith with others?

Also, is there a tactful way of discussing with someone their methodology of sharing their faith?

I have more questions but that's all for now. (Comment this)

2 - Such detail in the whole Leviticus passage made me somewhat queasy. There seems to be some significance in the smell being good so I can see where the idea of a barbeque might be the smell I leap to when I read that passage.

The thing the consistently amazes me with all of these stories is these people's whole willingness to just accept the challenge of staying at the tent and cooking for seven days - not just a moment or two but seven days. In this particular passage how much more clear can you get that straight out consequence for disobedience clearly defined as death.

Forty days. Forty years. I thought the same thing of many of the other people we've studied. Just jumped right in and served with faith and knowledge that the Lord is the ultimate guide.

There is something so interesting to the idea of never knowing how hot your faith can be. Genuinely. Silently. Loudly.

What an amazing challenge of all or nothing, but so spot-on when you have a healthy fear of the wrath of God. How much more do you appreciate the peaceful and loving God when you consider the wrath of God in that very same thought? That for every sin and disobedience He looks down on me and spares the wrath of death has made me realize what a terrible job I've done with confessing everything.

But its also what makes me realize at some point you've got to realize you've listened long enough. You've got to take that leap of faith to the unknown or you'll never know what God truly means for your life to be.

I also liked the image of looking up to listen. Although I have wondered if God is where I'm at why when I so want to hear from him do I gaze heavenward when he should be right there beside me? (Comment this)

3 - Not to break any sacred top secret man creed but we talked (at the mens retreat) about the tendency to size up everyone in the room and think oh man he is way more spiritual then me, I shouldn't even be in the same group with him. I too have been present and a part of someones healing, by prayer and laying on of hands, and been given knowledge of things by the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to feel proud to be used of God and think of yourself as a special vessel, then I recall vessels like me are cracked and fail most of the time when we don't take the "Kairos" or opportunity to act in His will. Ponderings of a renewed spirit! (Comment this)

4 - Upon reflecting on question 2 of #1, I question methodology when the person seems to be sharing not out of love for the other person but because they are right. They are just noise if they are doing it, they may be correct, but they are empty and gain nothing for the kingdom. If you have not love it is all for nothing.... (Comment this)

5 - it's so amazing to hear people say they've received knowledge from the Holy Spirit but there is a tendency of some, when in the company of people who are just gifted with spiritual knowledge, to just shut up in a sort of "don't mind me but hey go talk to THAT guy, he's got it figured out more than I do" sort of way. (Comment this)

6 - Just to clarify when I stated that I was given knowledge by the Holy Spirit it was a message that I was given to say to someone., nor did I understand why I was led to say this to these people, I only understood that I was obeying the Spirit by doing it. I felt like a crackpot and weirdo when I was actually saying the thing God had put on my heart to say. This person did not know me and I did not know them. I said what I had to say and they listened and I walked away, only 2 weeks later did I find out what it meant, to them. (Comment this)

7 - leo, I just think it was cool that you followed through to deliver the message. Can you just imagine how many messages are missed because the chosen deliverer just thought it was too weird to follow-through? (Comment this)

8 - I still find it hard to speak up when I feel God has laid something on my heart, many times it is easier to be disodediant. But if He puts the words in there then I don't have to worry about making sense. (If you have ever talked to me, you would know, much of the time, I don't make sense!) :) (Comment this)