The Bible, the fellowship, and the worship: (essentials for the skimmers)
This will be my final update from Ecuador since i'm moving to Peru in 4 days. Expect less frequent updates in the near future.
MRI results show that i'll need surgery in the States when i get back next year.
I was in Imbabura this week doing research.
New blog entries are posted: Spiritual Gifts, Part I; Part II
New TEOTE Newsletter posted.
PrayeRequests are below.
The building, the pews, and the Easter decorations committee: (extras for the non-skimmers)
Ladies and gentlemen, damas y caballeros,
I'm back, safe and sound from Imbabura. The week with the Musick family was wonderful! They are officially some of my favorite people on the planet.
The Ford "Exploder" decided to die last week. The day after we had $100 of maintenance done to it, Friday, the power steering box went kaput. The day after that the 4x4 switch broke while it was in 4x4 Low, causing it to have a top speed of 45 mph. Also, the headlights don't work 'cause i stole the knob from that switch to try to put on the 4x4 switch and it won't go back on. Needless to say, it's looking pretty debilitated and the mission decided the $1500 to fix all this wasn't worth it. I agree. Therefore, Wilman, a national pastor from Imbabura, and i did our research riding buses, hitching rides from cars, and walking. We went on a 2-hour-hike (one way) on some foot-paths up to La Floresta to collect some data since no road existed. The hike was steep and we got lost a couple of times. My body held together. Amen!
PrayeRequests:
Moving schedule: Plane departs from Quito on January 16 at 7:10pm. I'll have a layover in Bogota, Columbia that night, and then proceed to Lima, Peru, touching down at 12:50am.
The last three weeks of diarrhea are getting old. The good news is i've lost 30 lbs. since i left the States. Richard Simmons, eat your heart out! I've got parasites!
Pray my shoulder does not hinder the Gospel.
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure!
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
Friday, January 12, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Posts by : Admin
Spiritual Gifts, Part II: Wording of Wisdom
“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 12:8a). Picking up where the introduction to this Spiritual Gifts series left off, Paul lists fourteen Spiritual gifts in tow passages of Scripture, including this one, the gift of wording of wisdom. There are two reasons i say “wording” instead of “utterance.” First, nobody i know uses the word “utterance.” Second, “utterance” means “speaking,” and the Greek word used is λόγος (logos). Logos is a dynamic word, not merely meaning a spoken word, but also a message, a name for God (John 1:1), and also a written word.I imagine that this gift may require some sort of oratory or writing skill, since “utterance” or “wording” is half of the gift. Having recently graduated from formal education in the secular world of Appalachian State University, i’ve been under the sound of the voices of hundreds of orators in the last twenty-one years, some skilled. We’ve all sat listening to a monotone speaker. It is torture at times, to try to pay attention when the professor doesn’t speak well. This skill may come with much practice, but usually, if not always, when it’s genuine, this skill comes naturally. The genuine ability to speak in a way that captures the ears (or eyes, if the word given is written) is a gift. Perhaps if you’re still reading this series when we get to Part XVI (16) or so, it could be a sign that i have at least this half of the gift, the ability to word ideas in a way to keep the audience’s attention.
In the Book of Job, Elihu, a youth, said to a group of elders,
“I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the Spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand… For I am full of words; the Spirit within me constrains me.” (Job 32:6b-8, 18)
Elihu declares that wisdom comes from the Spirit, not old age. Wisdom is very difficult to explain or define. It is like “glory.” Try to define glory. I cannot, but i know it when i see it. Wisdom is the same. The Bible caries two types of wisdom in the New Testament: Σοφία (“Sophia is insight into the true nature of things”) and φρόνησις (“phronēsis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results”). (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words by W.E. Vine, M.A., ©1984) The case in point is sophia. Wisdom is like glory: very difficult to define, but i know it when i see it.
In the Book of Job, Elihu, a youth, said to a group of elders,
“I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the Spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand… For I am full of words; the Spirit within me constrains me.” (Job 32:6b-8, 18)
Elihu declares that wisdom comes from the Spirit, not old age. Wisdom is very difficult to explain or define. It is like “glory.” Try to define glory. I cannot, but i know it when i see it. Wisdom is the same. The Bible caries two types of wisdom in the New Testament: Σοφία (“Sophia is insight into the true nature of things”) and φρόνησις (“phronēsis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results”). (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words by W.E. Vine, M.A., ©1984) The case in point is sophia. Wisdom is like glory: very difficult to define, but i know it when i see it.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Posts by : Admin
Spiritual Gifts, Part I: Introduction
Spiritual gifts, unlike the fruit of the Spirit, are plural, and thus are divided up among those who have the Holy Spirit’s manifestation (1 Corinthians 12:7), the Holy Spirit dwelling inside them. These people are known as disciples of Christ. For example if, for the sake of explanation, let’s pretend these Spiritual gifts are represented by balls of different colors. God gives these balls to us, His children. He might have given you a red ball and a yellow ball, John has been given a green ball and an orange ball, Jill has been given a blue ball and a red ball, and i have been given a yellow ball only. The point is, some of us have the same Spiritual gifts as other disciples of Christ, and some of us have different Spiritual gifts than other disciples of Christ. Some gifts are more common than others. Some are more appealing (or “charismatic,” as the case may be). But, all are still gifts of the Holy Spirit, nonetheless. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the same God Who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Each one of us has this manifestation of the Spirit. The Greek word used for “manifestation” is φανερωσις (phanerosis), meaning exhibition, figurative expression, or bestowment (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., ©1890). In other words, the Spirit is exhibited in each disciple. However, Paul shows this display of the Spirit is not always in the same form. In Romans 12:4-6a Paul also says,
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
Some of these gifts of the Spirit may or may not be acquired through long practice and discipline. I remember as a wrestler in college, i would work hard several hours a day, eat right, not drink, not smoke, and not party. I had a teammate who would usually come to practice but was not treating his body well. He was known for his athleticism on the mat and in the party, drinking large quantities. He also smoked marijuana. In my flesh, i was jealous of him and a little angry at God, because this same teammate went on to be 7th in the nation in his weight class in Division I, NCAA. I had a 50% record, far from 7th in the nation. It was not my fault, nor his. He had a gift. Wrestling came very natural to him. If you do not have a gift for a particular task, you may not be very good at it, whatever it is. Don’t loose heart. Perhaps God will give you that gift in the future, perhaps not. A little prayer for these gifts couldn’t hurt (See 1 Corinthians 14:13.).Paul goes on to make a list of these gifts. He lists what appear to be fourteen distinct Spiritual gifts (assuming “utterance of knowledge” (1 Corinthians) and “teaching” (Romans) are the same, as well as “prophecy,” which is listed in both passages).
“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)
Furthermore, i don’t assume Paul intended this list of fourteen Spiritual gifts to be exhaustive. Meaning, there are more Spiritual gifts than those listed in Scripture. For instance, we could possibly say that parenting, humor, music (and other fine arts), financial stewardship, and athleticism are other Spiritual gifts. Nevertheless, since Paul thought these fourteen significant enough to include in his Letters, i hope to cover each one individually in a series over a period of time, Lord willing. Hence, why this is “Part I,” an introduction to the series.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the same God Who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Each one of us has this manifestation of the Spirit. The Greek word used for “manifestation” is φανερωσις (phanerosis), meaning exhibition, figurative expression, or bestowment (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., ©1890). In other words, the Spirit is exhibited in each disciple. However, Paul shows this display of the Spirit is not always in the same form. In Romans 12:4-6a Paul also says,
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
Some of these gifts of the Spirit may or may not be acquired through long practice and discipline. I remember as a wrestler in college, i would work hard several hours a day, eat right, not drink, not smoke, and not party. I had a teammate who would usually come to practice but was not treating his body well. He was known for his athleticism on the mat and in the party, drinking large quantities. He also smoked marijuana. In my flesh, i was jealous of him and a little angry at God, because this same teammate went on to be 7th in the nation in his weight class in Division I, NCAA. I had a 50% record, far from 7th in the nation. It was not my fault, nor his. He had a gift. Wrestling came very natural to him. If you do not have a gift for a particular task, you may not be very good at it, whatever it is. Don’t loose heart. Perhaps God will give you that gift in the future, perhaps not. A little prayer for these gifts couldn’t hurt (See 1 Corinthians 14:13.).Paul goes on to make a list of these gifts. He lists what appear to be fourteen distinct Spiritual gifts (assuming “utterance of knowledge” (1 Corinthians) and “teaching” (Romans) are the same, as well as “prophecy,” which is listed in both passages).
“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)
Furthermore, i don’t assume Paul intended this list of fourteen Spiritual gifts to be exhaustive. Meaning, there are more Spiritual gifts than those listed in Scripture. For instance, we could possibly say that parenting, humor, music (and other fine arts), financial stewardship, and athleticism are other Spiritual gifts. Nevertheless, since Paul thought these fourteen significant enough to include in his Letters, i hope to cover each one individually in a series over a period of time, Lord willing. Hence, why this is “Part I,” an introduction to the series.
Posts by : Admin
Nappy Yew Hear
A fast: (essentials for the skimmers)
- Jeff is going to be ministering to the Ashenikas now with his new partner, José. My new partner, Fausto, is accompanying me to the Tigre Quichuas, i hope.
- The 1st 2008 Xtreme Training is underway! Live and kickin'!
A feast: (extras for the non-skimmers)
Dear royal priesthood (aka. disciples of Christ),
Fausto, an Ecuadorian and Quichua by blood (not by tongue), completed the last training with José, his countryman and Jeff's new partner. He has a heart to reach the Tigre branch of his own people and so will be partnering with me to visit the Tigre in my third visit. There are some complications i want to ask yall to pray about, though. Even though the Quichua house-churches in his area have raised the finances to send him as a foreign missionary to Peru, his own church, a normal one, sadly, is not 100% set on sending him. The powers that be would rather him stay at home, closer to the authority of his home church. In contrast, we (including Fausto, himself) believe the Lord has called him here. If he is able to come, we face another barrier. The flights coupon the oil company gave Jeff and i to return to the Tigre are in our names. Fausto is not on the list. I will be trying to ask the oil company to change that soon. If we can't get this flight, we would have to travel by land, which took 30 days last time. Since we have the Xtreme Team's annual meeting around February 23, it appears that we won't have enough time in the community to actually make the trip worth it. Please pray God would work all this out.
Some of you Snowbirdians might be interested to know that Lorne James is now an Xtremer. As you know, Lisa Taylor, his boss, had her abduction incident a couple weeks ago and now her and her team need to relocate for safety reasons. LJ landed a job with the Xtreme Team! Including Katie Wilson (also starting training this week), Bobby Lane, and i, that makes 4 former SWO staff that have migrated to the Xtreme Team. These are the seeds of what looks to be growing into a closer relationship between the two organizations. May God be glorified.
PrayeRequests:
- That God would glorify Himself in Jeff and José's ministry to the Ashenikas.
- That God would do what He does in Fausto and my situation in trying to get the the Tigre.
- That God would train men and women of faith in this Xtreme Training period over the next 3 months. Of note, Katie especially seems to had a stressful transition into the training. Please pray all the trainees would find their security in the Lord.
- That's it.
For now, here's the list of the trainees:
The Chicos
Henry-David -- Peru
Heber Saul -- Peru
Jaire -- Peru
Roderigo -- Peru
Heber Saul -- Peru
Jaire -- Peru
Roderigo -- Peru
Andrew -- Missouri
Jeff -- Texas
Chris -- Texas
Cody -- Texas
Steven "Uncle Remis" -- South Carolina
Lorne -- Florida
The Chicas
Jeff -- Texas
Chris -- Texas
Cody -- Texas
Steven "Uncle Remis" -- South Carolina
Lorne -- Florida
The Chicas
Yoli -- Peru
Rosalinda -- Peru
Betina -- Peru
Isabet -- Peru
Katie -- South Carolina
Linzi -- Georgia
Christy -- USA
Nadia -- Quebec, Canada
Rosalinda -- Peru
Betina -- Peru
Isabet -- Peru
Katie -- South Carolina
Linzi -- Georgia
Christy -- USA
Nadia -- Quebec, Canada
Please be praying for each of them and write them encouraging letters! You can ask them about themselves, what they are learning, what they are growing in, what they are struggling with, and how you can pray for them. You can share the same information with them. Send letters to:
recipient(s)'s name(s)
Apartado 89
Pucallpa
Peru
Also, my mom wanted to testify a little. Enjoy.
Not yet,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Posts by : Admin
Feliz Año Nuevo
Faith, Hope, and Love: (essential things for the skimmers)
• You've got new siblings in Christ!
• I move out of the apartment, back to Carapungo, Thursday.
• I'll be way up north in Imbaburra next week.
• PrayeRequests are below.
Mortgages, Luxury SUVs, and 401(k)s: (extra things for the non-skimmers)
Dear yall,
Have you ever locked yourself out of your house or car? both? …three times? …in one week? If you never have, you should try it sometime. It's really liberating. (There's another word for it, but i'll spare you.)Foremost, i blame my parents (sarcastically). Outside of college, growing up, i've never owned a key to my house. Locking the house is just unnecessary if you leave in certain neighborhoods. I also blame the town of Andrews, where i lived last Spring, who's theft rate is so low, i didn't take my keys out of the ignition for 4 months. Here in Ecuador, if it isn't bolted down, it's gone within a few minutes. I have developed the habit of locking my car door as i get out, but not the habit of removing the keys from the ignition. I've become quite handy with a coat hanger as AAA doesn't come out this far. I'm not sure who invented doors that lock automatically on houses, but i feel Satan was behind it somehow. You can't take the trash out or receive your delivered pizza without taking the key with you! It's especially fun standing in the apartment hallway for 3 hours with nothing but a pair of gym shorts on. "Redunculous!" (As Maridith Wade says)Even though about 10 people told me they were coming to the Bible class on Saturday, no one showed up. We also had a baptism service on Sunday, but none of the 3 candidates for baptism came. That really put a damper on the weekend but not for long. Jose and i visited a home in Chimba, near Pesillo. The woman, who's name proved difficult to memorize, had some shoulder problems and we decided to anoint her with oil, James 5:14-15 style. Jose asked for my oil, and since i failed to bring the vegetable oil, i suggested using the oil in my motor. Wisely, he decided search their house instead. Finding a tiny bit in a small bottle, we put the woman in the center of a praying crowd. Jose began to pour the oil in his hands but i stopped him. I bent down and lifted up the woman's face. She opened her eyes and locked right into mine. I shouted above the 3 other men praying, "Do you have faith Jesus can heal you?" She nodded with tears pouring down. "Do you have faith that Jesus can also give you eternal life?" Again, she nodded, "Yes!" "The ask him for salvation! Confess your sins! Invite the Holy Spirit in your heart!" She prayed out loud and received her salvation wholeheartedly. I then motioned for Jose to proceed. In all the commotion, i saw a man who had been quietly standing to the side during the music and sermon we'd administered. Seeing his uneasiness on his face, a sign that the Spirit is at work, i approached him and asked him if he wanted to be saved? He affirmed so. I told him to also ask God for it, to confess his sins, and invite the Holy Spirit. He did so, as best i could tell. What a time! PTL!Oh yeah, happy new year!
PrayeRequests:
• Pray for these new believers to grow like wildfires!
• I have an appointment today at 4:30 about my shoulder. Hopefully i can workout an MRI asap.
• Pray i can get my work done in Ecuador and can organize a visit in Lima with Lorne James.
I love yall "this" much,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
• You've got new siblings in Christ!
• I move out of the apartment, back to Carapungo, Thursday.
• I'll be way up north in Imbaburra next week.
• PrayeRequests are below.
Mortgages, Luxury SUVs, and 401(k)s: (extra things for the non-skimmers)
Dear yall,
Have you ever locked yourself out of your house or car? both? …three times? …in one week? If you never have, you should try it sometime. It's really liberating. (There's another word for it, but i'll spare you.)Foremost, i blame my parents (sarcastically). Outside of college, growing up, i've never owned a key to my house. Locking the house is just unnecessary if you leave in certain neighborhoods. I also blame the town of Andrews, where i lived last Spring, who's theft rate is so low, i didn't take my keys out of the ignition for 4 months. Here in Ecuador, if it isn't bolted down, it's gone within a few minutes. I have developed the habit of locking my car door as i get out, but not the habit of removing the keys from the ignition. I've become quite handy with a coat hanger as AAA doesn't come out this far. I'm not sure who invented doors that lock automatically on houses, but i feel Satan was behind it somehow. You can't take the trash out or receive your delivered pizza without taking the key with you! It's especially fun standing in the apartment hallway for 3 hours with nothing but a pair of gym shorts on. "Redunculous!" (As Maridith Wade says)Even though about 10 people told me they were coming to the Bible class on Saturday, no one showed up. We also had a baptism service on Sunday, but none of the 3 candidates for baptism came. That really put a damper on the weekend but not for long. Jose and i visited a home in Chimba, near Pesillo. The woman, who's name proved difficult to memorize, had some shoulder problems and we decided to anoint her with oil, James 5:14-15 style. Jose asked for my oil, and since i failed to bring the vegetable oil, i suggested using the oil in my motor. Wisely, he decided search their house instead. Finding a tiny bit in a small bottle, we put the woman in the center of a praying crowd. Jose began to pour the oil in his hands but i stopped him. I bent down and lifted up the woman's face. She opened her eyes and locked right into mine. I shouted above the 3 other men praying, "Do you have faith Jesus can heal you?" She nodded with tears pouring down. "Do you have faith that Jesus can also give you eternal life?" Again, she nodded, "Yes!" "The ask him for salvation! Confess your sins! Invite the Holy Spirit in your heart!" She prayed out loud and received her salvation wholeheartedly. I then motioned for Jose to proceed. In all the commotion, i saw a man who had been quietly standing to the side during the music and sermon we'd administered. Seeing his uneasiness on his face, a sign that the Spirit is at work, i approached him and asked him if he wanted to be saved? He affirmed so. I told him to also ask God for it, to confess his sins, and invite the Holy Spirit. He did so, as best i could tell. What a time! PTL!Oh yeah, happy new year!
PrayeRequests:
• Pray for these new believers to grow like wildfires!
• I have an appointment today at 4:30 about my shoulder. Hopefully i can workout an MRI asap.
• Pray i can get my work done in Ecuador and can organize a visit in Lima with Lorne James.
I love yall "this" much,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)