The REASON I want to be a missionary...

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Brother Rico, quit being so stubborn and get yourself and your family in a church and start doing what God wants you to do!

Good heavens! You don't have to put up a Christmas tree, even if everyone else in the church does.

Sister, there is a lot more involved than just Christmas. Finding someone to follow as he follows Christ is not something I take lightly. Maybe I am asking for too much, but I want an Anthony Mangun type of pastor to follow after; one who will help me to grow in the things of the Lord. It's not that the church in this town is a bad church, but it isn't a very purpose driven church. They aren't doing anything to equip people for the spreading of the Gospel. I've done so much settling for this, that, and the other in this walk. I want the best God has to offer, even if that makes me sound like a spoiled brat. I can see that I've reached the end of what I can do on my own, but I am not going to go back to things that have failed in the past just for the sake of saying I am in a church.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Rico

I have been reading your posts, and they're all about you and your belief in counseling. I believe you want to help people, but I don't believe your burden for the lost is as strong as you are claiming.
And you know the thoughts and intents of my heart? How arrogant of you.

It literally has to be the most important thing in your life. Take Sister Alvear's posts for example. They are filled with the sacrifices she has to make to get the Gospel preached to those people in Brazil. I can see the burden she has just by reading her posts. I've seen the same trait in other missionaries.
The Bible is explicit in telling us not to compare ourselves among ourselves, and who gives you this authority? Have you ever met me?

You may not like what I am saying to you, but I call things the way I see them and don't mince words when it comes to ministry. You are too self absorbed to make the sacrifice becoming a missionary would require.

And you have right to make this judgement against me...by who's authority.

And you know so much about ministry that you can't find a perfect church or a Pastor to suit your high expectations? It isn't a wonder.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Rico

So, you don't like the responses you've gotten and now you are checking out of the conversation. Oh well. You certainly don't seem all that ready to defend your "calling" to me. You meet a little resistance from people you know and turn tail and run. Imagine the kind of resistance you would face on the mission field.

Originally Posted by mizpeh

These are just some ideas for someone who is claiming to be BORED!

All ministries are servanthood but some ministries are not in the spotlight and don't receive the notice that other ministries might recieve. Do it all again..the scrubbing, the mentoring, counsel the homeless. What exactly are you looking for? and why do you think missionary work in another country will fullfill that hole?

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

And once again...........BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhoni, I don't mean to sound like I'm jumping on you while you're down here, but everything that Rico is telling you is the truth. You may not see it, but trust me when I tell you that we are good enough friends to point some things out to you that you're not seeing.

If you're wise, you'll take what has been said and do some self examination with it.......

You are a counselor, you're trained to listen to what people say, just as I am.

Your over riding reasons for being a missionary?
*YOU are bored.
*YOU are tired of life in the States.
*WE (in the States) are spoiled and always complain

Not that you're burdened for the lost, YOU are bored, and so this missions thing is something that will benefit YOU, not the mission field.

Just some friendly advice ........

Originally Posted by Rico

This is so true. We all go through this struggle. It seems to get more and more difficult as we age. I've been struggling with this "purpose" issue myself for about the last ten years. I'm 41 now and feel as if I have wasted half my life. My biggest fear is waking up someday an old man and realizing that I never fulfilled the purpose God had for me in this life, especially when it comes to the Gospel. Surely God saved me for more than just posting my opinions on internet forums! I know I am called to preach to prisoners and am really struggling with how to move forward in this area, seeing as how I don't have anyone I am accountable to in ministry. It's one thing to be a maverick with my walk with God. It's another thing to get into a pulpit and have others rely on the things I say to show them God's way. I am torn between knowing God has chosen me to bring His truth to these men and the risk I take with these men's salvation if I go it alone.

Originally Posted by Sarah

Brother Rico, quit being so stubborn and get yourself and your family in a church and start doing what God wants you to do!

Good heavens! You don't have to put up a Christmas tree, even if everyone else in the church does.

Sarah...I agree with you. The pot calling the kettle black...Rico get in church and stop judging the lives of others.

Blessigns, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Sometimes it's best to just think things and not say them outloud or to a forum of hundreds of your closest friends!

Rhoni, you aren't bored - you are lonely and you are seeking something to fulfill that loneliness.

You are seeking to find your purpose in life - after accomplishing all that you have you are waiting for the "what's next" in your life.

Originally Posted by tstew

It is in times like this that it is imperative to immerse yourself in the Word. We live in a time when people go from conference to conference looking for "a word" when we leave the Word sitting on the dresser. I am confident that even in a time when you feel like God is not speaking to you, if you increase your study and intake of the Word, you will hear His voice.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Both of you have more sense than anything else I've heard on here...especially those who pat a BINGO on the back of a non-churched person.

Blessings, Rhoni

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Both of you have more sense than anything else I've heard on here...especially those who pat a BINGO on the back of a non-churched person.

Blessings, Rhoni

So why did you quote me above with Rico's?

[Rhoni]

God Says, "I Never Intended for You to Live on Leftovers!" Now is the Time to APPEAL to the KING!



by Jane Hansen Hoyt

April 28-2008



What have you been contending for?Are there things in your life that you have been praying for, believing for or watching for, that have yet to come to pass? If you're like me, you get weary sometimes. Instead of sitting down to the banquet feast, you feel like your plate is full of leftovers.

The Lord spoke to me recently in this regard through the story of a woman that is found in 2 Kings 4. She was barren, and she was desperate.

You know the story: Elisha promised this Shunammite the cry of her heart--a son. Then, after she received her promised child, he died. In a powerful moment of restoration, Elisha raised him from the dead and gave him back to his mother.



But that's not the part of the story I want to focus on. Instead, I want to concentrate on "the rest of the story" (as nationally known radio commentator Paul Harvey might say), because the Lord has insights for us to grasp hold of through this woman's experience (2 Kings 8).

The Shunammite is told by Elisha that there will be seven years of famine in the land and that she is to leave and find a place for her household until the famine ends.



Insight #1



The Shunammite "arose"--she took action. She obeyed God, speaking through Elisha. "So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God…"2 Kings 8:2.

She had to get up from her place of comfort, from all that was familiar, from the place where she was accustomed to living. She actually went to the land of the Philistines--unfamiliar territory.



So with us, in this hour, God is calling us to step out of the places where we find comfort and security and to risk radical obedience to His leading. To do that, we must "upgrade our relationship with God," as prophetic voice Graham Cooke says. We must press in for greater intimacy with the King, because intimacy is the only source of strength and confidence.



Insight #2: She Appealed to the King



At the end of the seven years, the Shunammite returned from the land of the Philistines and "went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land"2 Kings 8:3.

This was property that she owned, bought and paid for. She was coming to reclaim that which was already hers. There are things that you have been contending for in your life, things you know belong to you--but are not "yet" in your hand.



Now is the time to appeal to the King! Come boldly to His throne of grace and appeal for that which is already yours: family, finances, health, relationships. Jesus has purchased the deed on your behalf with His Blood. The King is waiting for you!

Then God intervenes. The king is talking with Gehazi, Elisha's servant, asking about the great things Elisha has done. As he's telling the king about the woman whose son was raised from the dead, there she stands! Gehazi identifies her as the very woman he was speaking about. After she confirms what happened, the king gives her back her inheritance.

[Rhoni]

Insight #3: Full Restoration Was in Her Destiny!

Not only did she receive her house and land back, she received the proceeds from the land which had been earned--from the time she left until the time of her restoration.

"Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now."2 Kings 8:6

She moved out of a place of poverty and lack into possessing her inheritance. So are we! When I read this passage, the Lord clearly spoke to me saying, "I NEVER INTENDED FOR YOU TO LIVE ON LEFTOVERS. YOU OWN THE FIELD!"



Every area of your life that you have been contending for already belongs to you. All the prayers you have prayed, all the tears you have cried have not gone unnoticed. The King is declaring over your life: RESTORE ALL!

We are in a season when that which we have sown in the spirit--is being restored to us. The Shunammite experienced seven years of famine. From 2000 to 2007, we have gone through significant things--hard, painful, disappointing things in our personal lives, as well as corporately.



But in the midst, we have sown faith and obedience and trust in the King. We have been faithful to press into Him in times of testing and trial. Each time we yield, we align ourselves in a greater way with His purposes in our lives.

In 2008, your King declares over you: RESTORE ALL!



Jane Hansen Hoyt, President/CEO

AGLOW International

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

So why did you quote me above with Rico's?

Because of the post following. I don't have a problem with you Renda because you know me and have more insight into my situation, but the reason the thread was started was pretty tongue in cheek and Rico came off judging me.

If I am self absorbed at this time in my life it is because of all I am going through. It is best for me to stay busy in kingdom ministries so God can take care of some of these things while I'm not looking.

Respectfully,
Rhoni

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Both of you have more sense than anything else I've heard on here...especially those who pat a BINGO on the back of a non-churched person.

Blessings, Rhoni

I gave a BINGO to the "unchurched person" because his assessment was right on the money.

If you don't want true feedback, don't post your ramblings publically.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I gave a BINGO to the "unchurched person" because his assessment was right on the money.

If you don't want true feedback, don't post your ramblings publically.

And you met me when? You need to have a thought for yourself instead of patting idiots on the head!