Over the Horizon

al-DEA: Pilgrim's Progress Completed

Well, this time around I did not get weekly discussions posted on here for our reading of The Pilgrim's Progress (or, El Progreso del Peregrino) by John Bunyan. However, Sandy and Addy thorougly enjoyed reading, and that is a big feat because neither of them are big readers! We had our final discussion today, and I have Sandy's report to share here. There have been complications in transmitting Addy's report to me, but if I ever do receive it, I'll make sure to post it!

Anyway, this study was so much fun for all of us. I enjoyed the refersher on the story, and even more so as I read it in Spanish, which forced me to pay much more attention to what I was reading so that I was sure that I was understanding it! Sandy and Addy really enjoyed the development of the story, and every week they would ask "what happens next????" Ever time we had a discussion they shared about how what they'd read that week found practical application for them in their own lives, circumstances, and spirituality. It was a really neat study to do together! If your'e looking for a good mentoring study, this is definitely a winner!

So, without further ado, here is Sandy's Pilgrim's Progress report!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

English Report:

The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World To That Which Is To Come
Delivered Under The Similitude Of A Dream
by John Bunyan

One of the most surprising books, besides the Bible, that I have read! This amazing book has removed many concerns that are in my mind. It has made me think, feel sad, cry, get frustrated; but it has also made me rejoice and exchange
points of view with others. It has given me advice for the way that I should follow and tools for facing the enemy, but above all it has given me the desire to be as close as possible to the Lord.

I thank God for all that He has done, what He is doing, and what He is about to do. It is wonderful to remember how much God loves us even to the point of giving us a glimpse of His glory and our future home in the Celestial City, all through a book, and in the same way make us alert and attentive to which path, desire, distraction, or trap in which we are placing our feet. I know that in our pilgrimage we need an armor to be supported when under the enemy’s attack. We should be clothed in such a way that when the evil day arrives we may stand firm and resist to the very end.

And this is how we should clothe ourselves:

• With the Belt of Truth buckled around our waist.
• Protected by the Breastplate of Righteousness.
• With our feet fitted with the Readiness to proclaim the Gospel.
• The Shield of Faith. The Helmet of Salvation.
• The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

All of these things I write because it is what the Lord has taught me through this book. He has blessed me and I want to be a blessing to you by sharing with you, by reminding you one more time of God’s faithfulness toward us, and by placing before you the weapons needed to defeat the enemy and his flaming arrows.

We are on a constant journey toward the Celestial City; therefore, pray in the Spirit at all times, with with all kinds of prayers and petitions. Stay alert and persevere in prayer…

May God bless you,
With love in Christ,
Sandy

Reporte En Español:

El progreso del peregrino: De Este Mundo Al Venidero
Relatado bajo el símil de un sueño, en el que se descubre la manera de su partida, su peligroso viaje y su llegada a salvo al país anhelado.

Uno de los mas sorprendentes libros aparte de la Biblia que he leído! Este asombroso libro ha removido muchas inquietudes que están en mi mente, me ha hecho pensar, entristecer, llorar, frustrar, pero también me ha hecho regocijar, intercambiar puntos de vista con otros, me ha dado consejos del camino que debo seguir, herramientas para hacerle frente al enemigo, pero sobretodo me ha dado el deseo de estar lo mas cerca posible del Señor.

Doy Gracias a Dios por todo lo que hizo, lo que esta haciendo y lo que esta apunto de hacer, es maravilloso recordar cuanto nos ama Dios, hasta el punto de darnos un vistazo de su gloria y nuestro futuro hogar en la ciudad celestial por medio de un libro, Y así mismo ponernos alertas y fijados en que camino, deseo, distracción o trampa estamos poniendo nuestros pies. Yo se que en nuestro peregrinaje necesitamos una armadura para ser apoyados al estar bajo el ataque del enemigo, debemos ser revestidos para que cuando llegue el día malo podamos resistir hasta el fin con firmeza.

Y así es como debemos vestirnos:

• Ceñidos con el cinturón de la verdad.
• Protegidos con la coraza de justicia.
• Calzados con la disposición de proclamar el evangelio.
• El escudo de la fe.
• El casco de la salvación.
• La espada del espíritu que es la palabra de Dios.

Todas estas cosas les escribo por que es lo que el Señor me ha enseñado por medio del este libro, el me ha bendecido y quiero ser de bendición para ustedes compartiéndoles y recordándoles una ves mas la fidelidad de Dios para con nosotros y poniendo delante de ti las armas para vencer al enemigo y sus flechas encendidas.

Estamos en una caminata constante hacia la ciudad celestial, por lo tanto, oren en el espíritu en todo momento, con peticiones y ruegos. Manténganse alerta y perseveren en oración….

Que Dios los Bendiga,
con amor en Cristo,
Sandy.

New al-DEA study: Pilgrim's Progress

I'm so excited! Sandy and Aidé have decided they would like to read The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan for our next study! The themes  in this book fit in so well with the Stepping Up study that Sandy and I are doing! On top of that, this study will keep us digging into our Christian journey and yet not be as intense as the last one, so they will get a bit of a rest after the hard work of The Pursuit of God!

This will be an interesting experience for me because I've decided to go ahead and read it in Spanish rather than English. I've read it before, but doing so in another language I'm sure will give new insights and will certainly engrave what I'm reading on my mind...and hopefully on my heart.....even more than previous readings. Reading books in Spanish has always been a super hard challenge for me, but I think this one, while challenging, is a good one with which to face that challenge since I'm familiar with the story and the writing is pretty uncomplicated. We shall see!

So, keep an eye out for posts about our discussions and the sorts of themes that are going to come up!

al-DEA Reports: The Pursuit of God

So, I asked the girls to each write a report about their experince with the book we just finished, The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. I thought it would be neat for you to hear from them in their own words. They are both posted in English and in Spanish. So, here you go! Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~English~~~~~~~~~~

Sandy's Report

Now that I have completed our study in the book The Pursuit of God, I can share a little of the effect that it has had on my life. First, I want to say that my inner life suffered a transformation, since in the midst of the this study my heart, my mind, and my attention were focused on something that caused me to completely turn my back on God. But thanks to His faithfulness and great love, God, as always, came and satisfied me, gave me comfort and hope through this study. I placed myself sincerely in the pursuit of God never imagining that He was already in pursuit of me and that that was the reason why I even agreed to do this study with Amber & Addy. What I take away in my heart from this study is that the wisdom of God requires spiritual attention and in order to be able to reponsd to that request, it is necessary to walk in total pursuit of God.

Addy's Report:

"The Pursuit of God"

It was a surprising moment in my life. Every written work made me really think about what I didn't even know I was looking for. The key point that God revealed to me: it is rare to find the simplicity of Christ. Instead, it has been replaced with plans, methods, organizations, and a world of frenzied attitudes that eat up all of our time and attentions but never satisfy the longings of the soul. The profound dryness of our experience, the hollowness of our worship, and the way of serving that imitates world, all of this points to our superficial knowledge of God and that we know very little of his peace.

It was truly impacting on my life to be able to discover and realize that what I was doing was not pleasing to nor was it for God. It is true that our greatest attention is placed in other things that are in no way beneficial to us, setting aside the delicious banquet that God is offering us.

Thank you to Sandy and Amber for inluencing my life with strength, love, wisdom, hunger, and thirst for Christ that keep me from falling in my walk. Now I can recognize what I am looking for, what I am longing for, and thanks to that ability I can see Him, walk in His company, and enjoy His smile.

It was simply a blessing for me to be able to maintain a relationship with God that was so close that just the sound of His voice thrilled me every time I turned to His Word.

God made us for his pleasure.

addy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Español~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reporte de Sandy

Una vez habiendo hecho el estudio del libro La Búsqueda de Dios, hoy puedo compartir un poco del efecto que éste ha tenido en mi vida. Primero quiero decir que mi vida interior sufrió una transformación, ya que en medio de este estudio mi corazón, mi mente, y atención estaban enfocados en una cosa que me ponía totalmente dándole la espalda a Dios. Pero gracias a su fidelidad y gran amor, Dios, como siempre, vino a saciarme, a darme consuelo y esperanza por medio de este estudio. Yo sinceramente me puse en la búsqueda de Dios no imaginándome que Él ya había estado en pos de mí y que por eso había aceptado hacer este estudio con Addy y con Ambar. Lo que quedó en mi corazón de este estudio es que la sabiduría de Dios pide atención espiritual y para lograr responder a esta petición es necesario andar en pos de Dios.

Report de Addy

"La Búsqueda de Dios"

Fue un momento sorprendente para mi vida. Cada palabra escrita me hacía pensar realmente que era lo que ni yo estaba buscando. Punto clave que Dios me reveló: Es muy raro encontrar la sencillez de Cristo. Esta ha sido reemplazada por planes, métodos, organizaciones, y un mundo de actitudes frenéticas que se llevan todo nuestro tiempo y atención pero que no satisfacen los anhelos del alma. La escasa profundidad de nuestra experiencia, lo hueco de nuestro culto, y la manera de servir como imitamos el mundo, todo indica el superficial conocimiento que tenemos de Dios y que es muy poco lo que sabemos de su paz.

Realmente impactante para mi vida poder descubrir y darme cuenta de que lo que estaba haciendo no era de agrado ni era para Dios. Es verdad que tomamos mayor atención en otras cosas que en lo absoluto no son de provecho para nosotros dejando a un lado ese delicioso banquete que Dios nos está ofreciendo.

Gracias a Sandy a Ámbar por influir en mi vida fuerza, amor, sabiduría, hambre, y sed de Cristo para no tropezar en mi caminar. Ahora puedo reconocer qué estoy buscando, qué estoy anhelando, y gracias a esto nosotros podemos verle (a Dios), caminar en compañía de Él, y gustar de su sonrisa.

Simplemente fue de bendición para mí poder mantener una relación con Dios tan cerca, que me agrada la dulzura de su voz al dirigirme sus palabras.

dios nos hizo para su placer. addy.

al-DEA POG Study: Week 15

Wow! I can't believe we have finished this study!! It only took us 5 months to complete 10 short chapters, but what a great time of challenge and growth it has been for all three of us!! This has been one of the richest and most exciting discipleship studies I've done since moving to Mexico! I hope any of you who may have read the book along with us experienced as much if not more of the same!

So, last night we finished off our discussions of The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer with the final chapter, "The Sacrament of Living". This was a great chapter to finish with as it sort of closed out the rest of the books themes as well as left us with the challenge of how to move forward from here on out. The girls and I had a very rich discussion about the "sacred-secular" dichotomy that we all experience in this life and about how in Christ every moment and every activity now has the potential to be sacred, no matter how mundane it may seem to be on the surface. What makes the difference is the attitude of our heart, that is whether or not we are truly doing everything as if doing it for the LORD (Col 3:23). WOW!

Well, since we have finished this book, there is obviously no homework for next time, although I have asked the girls to write a short report each about their experience through this study. I think it will be really neat to hear what they have to share about how the Lord used this study in their lives to draw them closer to Him and deepen their sanctiification.

Now begins the process of figuring out what to study next together. We'll take a break until March at least. I have sent them several options to consider, but I am taking a trip to Mexico in March for the inauguration of our central church facility, and we think it would be cool to kick off our next study all together physically in the same place! So, be on the lookout in March or April for announcements about our next study! In the meantime, be blessed in your own study of the Word and of our great and mighty God!!!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 14

This week our schedule was a little different. Due to Christmas and New Years festivities being on the weekends, we decided to meet mid-week for these last two studies.

So, this week we met last night and discussed chapter 9 in The Pursuit of God: "Meekness and Rest". It is about the load that our pride, aritficiality, and pretense cause us. The human insistance on being our own little god, on putting our best foot forward, and on insisting that we never be found out for what we really can be crushing! But true rest is found in meekenss before the Lord, in accepting God's estimation of us and ceasing to pretend before Him. That is when we are opened up to all that HE really is and we find rest in Him because we learn to cast our cares on Him and take on His easy yoke and light burden.

This discussion hit home for all three of us in many ways and on many levels. I was grateful that the girls were willing to be transparent about the ways the Lord spoke to them and convicted them through this chapter. I continue to be humbled and challenged as we walk through this study!

Now for next week's homework:

WEEK 15: THE SACRIMENT OF LIVING

• Continue memorizing and be ready to recite Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 10 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Be ready to discuss what the Lord reveals to you and/or leads you to "do".

Next week will be our final week!!! What a great way to close out 2010. I'm looking forward to how the Lord closes this chpater of our discipleship group and what He has in store for us in 2011!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 13

Oooo...what a great conversation we had last night about "Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation" from Tozer's The Pursuit of God. We have started into the final chapters of the book, and it's a little like coming down on the other side of a mountain you have just summited. But at the same time as we come back down from the heights, we are able to see on this other side of things how all those principles interplay together to create a rich experience with God in this life. It's all about relationship with him, and this chapter makes that very clear: He was our starting point, and He is our end destination, and He is all of our in-between!

One passage that seemed to jump out to all of us as we read this week was this:

We are right when, and only when we stand in a right position relative to God, and we are wrong so far as we stand in any other position. Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him to bring Him nearer to our own image.

And how true it is, too! I know this really hit home for all three of us...right in the bulleye of our hearts. Praise the Lord for that! Now, it's a matter of seeking the Lord in where this needs to be reversed in our lives.

Alright! As we ponder that, let's move on with the assignment for next week.

WEEK 14: MEEKNESS AND REST

• Continue memorizing Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 9 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Be ready to discuss what the Lord reveals to you and/or leads you to "do".

Well, I'm looking forward to more great conversations and to your comments as well!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 12

Last night, we talked about my absolute favorite chapter in A. W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God: "The Gaze Of The Soul". Oh! What an impact this chapter had on me the first time I read it. And the second time! And now again the third time! And from what the girls shared, it has had as powerful an impact on them too.

My favorite portion of the chapter says this:

The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do.

Of course, this passage always brings to mind the wonderful words in Hebrews 12:2..

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

Amen!!! and Amen!!! The girls shared that the same passage, among others, really spoke to them as well. We can all relate to what is expressed there: our desire to fix ourselves as we become more and more aware of our flaws and failures, especially in the light of the utter perfection of our Savior and Lord. But the point of it all is that we can't fix ourselves, and we were never expected to. Jesus Christ is the one who is fixing it all. Indeed, He has already fixed it for us! And as we walk our journey and get closer and closer to him, we find that our earthly experience matches up more and more with that heavenly reality!! I love that He has freed us from that burden of having to make it all right in us. He has done it, and He promises to do it in us, and in the meantime He has given us permission to let go and just enjoy the ride! Does it remove our responsibility to participate and cooperate? Absolutely not! But as we look to him, as we fix the gaze of our soul on His precious and perfect face, we'll find ourselves participating and cooperating, many times without even realizing that it's happening!

Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to us!!

Now for next week's assignment.

WEEK 13: RESTORING THE CREATOR-CREATURE RELATION

• Continue memorizing Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 8 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Be ready to discuss what the Lord reveals to you and/or leads you to "do".

Alright! Fix your eyes on Him, enjoy the ride, and we'll see you back here next week!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 11

Well, this week we had a great talk about "The Speaking Voice" of God. It was a very convicting chapter in Tozer's The Pursuit of God, that's for sure! Wow!

The thought that came out the most in our discussions centered on the idea that the Lord is always, ALWAYS, speaking to us. Yet so often we aren't listening. We ask Him for answers and guidance and provision, and then when He's answering all around us, we get upset because we think He's being silent. But the real problem is that our ears aren't open to recieve HIS answers in HIS way, instead of the ones we've thought of all on our own. This is definitely something to keep chewing on!

Now, for next week's homework.

WEEK 12: THE GAZE OF THE SOUL

• Continue memorizing Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 7 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Be ready to discuss what the Lord reveals to you and/or leads you to "do".

Well, we've climbed the mountain to the climactic point. Now, it's time to gaze at the view and start back down the valley. The assignments will be looser from here on out, but I'm sure the discussion will be richer. Enjoy!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 10

This week in Bible study, we had a great discussion on "The Universal Presence" as Tozer describes it The Pursuit of God. What a staggering thing to remember that the Lord's presence is with us at all times in all things and places. I know for myself I am so unconscious of that more often than not, and when I really sit and meditate upon what that means, well I'm left without response.

The girls had wonderful realizations to share as well. I think we were all left amazed at what the Universal Presence really means, for all of creation as much as for us personally. Talking about how we might live differently and go about our days differently were we conscious of that truth really brought the truth home. It was a really encouraging conversation for all three of us!

Now for next week's homework!

WEEK 11: THE SPEAKING VOICE

• Continue memorizing Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 6 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Complete the following activity:
  
  At least four times this week (but ideally every day), get alone in a quiet place for at least a half-hour, just you, your Bible, and your journal. Spend that time in silence doing the following:
  

  1) Begin by praying something similar to the prayer at the end of chapter 6 (last paragraph).
  
  2) Then spend your time in silence listening for the Lord's voice. It might speak through Scripture: then look it up. It might come to you in other ways, but the point is to be still (Ps. 46:10) and listen. Use the last full paragraph on page 76 as an encouragement and/or guide.
  
  3) Be prepared to share about your experience. Did you hear a specific message or instruction? Or was it just a communion time? What impact did this experience have on your relationship wiht the Living God? Was it what you expected or was it different? Explain....Etc.

Well, I'm definitely looking forward to discussing the next chapter, and I'm also looking forward to reading any comments you have to share! Enjoy the discovery!

al-DEA POG Study: Week 9

Well, it's been a quiet couple of weeks just working and going about life as usual. But tonight the girls and I had our usual phone meeting to talk about the next chapter in our study of The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. This week we talked about "aprehending God" and the reality that He has made ours. So often we stand in our own way of grabbing on to the Lord with all our might and living in the reality that He has designed us to live in: that of joy and light and freedom and victory.

So, our discussion centered on the areas that the Lord has revealed where we have not been living by faith in what He has declared to be true or where our priorities are not in order according to what Scripture tells us. It was a really neat and revealing conversation, and it was very obvious how the Lord was proding each of us to take those steps of faith to get out of our own way and into His.

Now onto homework for next week!

WEEK 10: THE UNIVERSAL PRESENCE

• Continue memorizing Romans 6:1-14

• Read chapter 5 of The Pursuit of God

• Mark, highlight, underline the thoughts that jump out to you in your reading of the chapter. Make sure to jot down notes or thoughts so that you will be ready to discuss next week.

• Consider the following questions
  
  1) How would your living be different if you lived every minute of every day conscious of the fact that God, the Personality (not the philosophy), is right there with you -- all the time, in all places and all things?
  
  2) What hinders your spiritual receptivity to God's attempts to reveal Himself to you throughout each ordinary day? What is He wanting you to do to grow more receptive?
  
  3) each day this week start your day genuinely asking the Lord to help you remain conscous of HIs Presence in all things and to grant you the spiritual receptivity to perceive how He discovers Himself to YOU each day. then journal about how He answers at the end of each day.

Well, feel free to leave comments about your own discovery and what the Lord is revealing to you.