Thirteen Partnership Newsletter (Special Edition)- March 2014

Sharing of my spiritual journey in Selah Spiritual Direction program

GENERAL OVERVIEW

What words describe the current feel of your life with God? 

            Live by the Spirit, aware, faith rather than fear

SCRIPTURE

Have any verses or passages or images from the Scriptures been particularly inviting or powerful or engaging for you?  If so, which ones, and what’s going on between you and God in these encounters?

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Gal. 5:16)

“…everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b)

            On March 13, while walking and talking to Dan on the road to Academic Center I felt the presence of the Spirit in the sudden powerful wind. I related that to the two disciples who encountered Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. The Holy Spirit was presence when I shared with my companion and my spiritual director that God invited me to “live by the Spirit” and it is encouraging because I know that it is from God and I have godly accountable partners along the journey in the same direction.

PRAYER

In prayer, how have you been aware of God – His presence, His character, His ways?  How would you describe your experience of communion with Him?

            I have been aware that God is indeed in me and spoke to me through the Scripture and my daily life. He is patient with me when I am behind with school works. He is gentle and has given me many good companions to walk with me. When Christ died I was in his heart, and now he lives in my heart, walks with me and watch over me in all that I do. 

BIG-PICTURE AWARENESS

Which of the Selah rhythms help describe this season of your life with God?

            Renewing- Spring

Within these rhythms what kind of shaping might God be doing in you?

            Awakening in the Spirit, engagement, attentiveness, noticing, reflecting, aesthetic, and kataphatic

Do you find yourself resisting this?  What feels like joy and life in this?

            No. Renewing in the Spirit gives me faith to overcome my physical weaknesses and to welcome the more fruitful season as said in John 15:5, “whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Are you noticing any changes in what spiritual practices are helpful or not helpful to you in this rhythm of God’s work in you?

            I will begin to have an accountable relationship with Dan and meanwhile I will resume my journaling every night to reflect the presence of God in my life and how I fulfill my daily rule of life schedule.

Fourteen Partnership Newsletter- April 2014

Dear Our Partners, (*I changed to “Our” because you’re indeed partnering not only with me, but also with Gord0n-Conwell and our triune God for the building of His kingdom. What a partnership we have in Christ!)

Thanksgivings: Thanks God, I am back to school for the second half of my degree program after the short-term mission and JUC. Now Hebrew seems to make more sense to me, Medieval Spirituality leads me to reflect deeply about a high point of our Christian history, and Interpreting the Old Testament equips me more theologically and biblically for instructing God’s whole counsel. I praise God for those holy men and women as my teachers.

News: I have surprise news to tell you… I decided to wear braces to correct my teeth for better smile and life long ministry reward! In fact, God provided me a very good deal because my sister-in-law is also wearing braces; the doctor knows that I am a seminarian and gave me a cheerful discount. Moreover, this month I witnessed four of my Sunday school brothers and sisters being baptized, and started a new couple to couple discipleship group. I also began to read the Pastoral Epistles with my mentor, Jinyi, in becoming “Timothy”.

           

Prayers Request: 1) I have been following updates and praying for GCAC’s needs, especially for the pastoral team, governing board, pastoral searching committee, and different fellowships. Lest us not forget.  

2) Please pray for strength and discipline for us to finish this semester strong while Eva will be looking for counseling practicum and I will translate a sermon in May and prepare my first sermon in June.  

       

Words from Philippians as To My Partners: “The important thing is… Christ is preached”

Phil. 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Can you rejoice with Paul because Christ is preached? The centrality of the Gospel is Christ: it supersedes any motives, ways and personalities that we carry into ministry. The Good news is Christ “himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” Eph. 2:14.

As always I am thankful for your partnership with me, and with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a great multitude of needy people throughout the earth.

With Gratitude in Christ,

Tom Chow               

p.s. Please kindly reply, I hope to hear any news and prayer request from you!