Day 3: Unhesitant Faith

Day Three: Tuesday, July 28th Unhesitant Faith Today's Blog Posted By: Marisa Smith and Mia Mendola Hello people of San Diego where the weather is perfect and you can jump into a large body of water at any time, This is Mia and Marisa reporting for blog duty. We have been having a ton of fun over here in 120 degree Phoenix! Yesterday was the first day of our work project. Yes Jonathan is making us work outside. We showed up to a home for the elderly in south phoenix who were enthused to have us. They grew up in the neighborhood where they used to garden to obtain fresh vegetables and fruits. They are now, however, too old to work in the gardens, so we are taking over! We are “double digging” up plots of land, 24 ft by 4ft, planting, composting, and even building shade structures to cover the areas. The first day of work was much hotter than today, the second day. However we made it through, with a ton of 5 minute breaks. And of course not knowing what we are doing, we arrived back at the church after our first day of work to a big surprise. We were going BOWLING!! After lunch and luckily, a shower, we packed into our 10 cars and went to the lanes. Marisa and I were wearing our matching mermaid shirts, which Marisa made. GO MERMAIDS! Upon arriving, Marisa and I found we are completely terrible at bowling and should stay as far away from slippery bowling lanes as possible. Dane got the highest score of 180, which is ridiculous and we were so jealous. Close followers were Dylan with around 173 and Kaitlin with 134. We possibly were the worse because we use 2 hands to bowl instead of one. On the way home we had a huge adventure. All our 10 cars got split up leaving the bowling alley, and no one knew how to get home. Luckily we all made it back to eat a delicious dinner; cheeseburgers with grilled onions. We love Rosanna, Jon and ChaCha to say the least (if you don’t know, they are our cooks). The second day of work we arrived earlier so that we could leave around 11 before the heat really set in. we awoke to Jonathan’s amazing, beautiful, Beyonce-like voice and headed over around 7. Today was way more productive because we had finally got a hang of everything. We had some over achiever workers, aka Andy, who forgot to take a break and felt a little sick. But he is ok now because we are having a loaded baked potato lunch! Life cannot get much better than that. After that we will be off to another surprise activity. Prayers:  Our prayers today include- all our friends and family back home who are hopefully awaiting our arrival in a cool climate Kendra Steinmetz who has been going through a very tough round of chemo. We pray she gets through it, which we know she will, and will be on a road to fast recovery. We are praying for all the seniors living in the home that will soon have new gardens. We hope our work can bring them joy for many seasons to come. Marisa and I would like to pray for Jonathan that he gets some sleep between organizing this trip and calling Enterprise Rent-a-Car 90 times a day We pray for the graduated seniors that they have an amazing last trip with us HAVE A GREAT DAY! Day Three: Tuesday, July 28th Unhesitant Faith To begin your time of reflection, recognize God’s hand in the week thus far. Understand that that the Spirit is guiding your studies today. With every sentence you read, begin to discover that, within these pages, God is calling you to embrace His Way, unencumbered and free…   Read Mark 7: 31-37. After reading these verses, what jumps out at you? If nothing does the first time through, check out the verbs used- what effect do they have on the story?   Why do you think the people had to beg Jesus to heal the man? How was that necessary?   In verse 33, Jesus reacts unexpectedly. Why do you think he does this?   Why would the people witnessing the power of God in this miracle completely disobey Jesus’ request to not say anything? Why would he ask such a thing?   Read Mark 10: 46-52. Why was Bartimaeus shouting at Jesus?   Why do you think the people around him reacted like they did (v. 48)?   What question did Jesus ask Bartimaeus?   Why would Jesus ask such a seemingly obvious question?   How is the healing of Bartimaeus different from the healing of the deaf mute in chapter 7?   Which one of these healings is more remarkable to you? Why?    Read Psalm 51: 1-17. How does the author explain that against God alone he has sinned (v. 4)?   What does it look like for someone to have truth in the “inward being”?   Verse 10 starts a popular set of verses that you might have heard in church services. The author asks for God to do things but then promises to respond… how?   Why would this be an important step for someone trying to reaffirm their walk with God?   What is the conclusion of the psalm in what God appreciates most from us?   What does that look like in today’s terms?   The 51st Psalm is just a beginning point for our reconciliation with God. Without having to name specifics, it brings us to a place of heartfelt desire for something more. Take some time with that thought as you journal with these questions on the following page… ·         The friends of the blind man begged Jesus to heal him. Are you in a place with God right now that you would be comfortable doing that? Why or why not? ·         What are some things that would ask for God to heal in those around you? ·         What are some things that you could do to respond to those prayers as a member of the family of God? ·         Bartimaeus took the extra step by begging for God’s help amongst many who tried to quiet him. What are some barriers that exist for teenagers when they call out for God to help? ·         What are steps that you can make, starting today, to become confident in the presence of God that you call on him even when you are in the middle of people who would quiet you? ·         Are you willing/ready to make take these steps? Why or why not?   God’s power is available to us but it takes the initiative of His people to make it complete. Make today your day to do that- to complete the glory of God. Spend these last moments taking in God’s presence surrounding you and how you are going to choose to respond to His call, possibly using the words of Psalm 51 as your personal prayer to Christ…