Comments on: Prophetic People in Testing Times: Signs Of Trial http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/ Fri, 18 May 2012 08:27:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-684 Helen Calder Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:56:17 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-684 Dear Patience, I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing these difficulties right now. I believe our Heavenly Father has designed us to flourish and grow in our relationship with Him, with others and in our church. Sometimes we go through periods of pain, but He brings restoration when our hearts are open to Him and we remain open also to those He gives to lead and help us. I have sent you some pages and resources that may help you process some of these things. I pray that you find your way through to healing in this coming season. May He continue to show you all the rich blessings He has stored up for you in Jesus (Eph 1). Dear Patience, I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing these difficulties right now.
I believe our Heavenly Father has designed us to flourish and grow in our relationship with Him, with others and in our church. Sometimes we go through periods of pain, but He brings restoration when our hearts are open to Him and we remain open also to those He gives to lead and help us.
I have sent you some pages and resources that may help you process some of these things. I pray that you find your way through to healing in this coming season.
May He continue to show you all the rich blessings He has stored up for you in Jesus (Eph 1).

]]> By: Patience http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-682 Patience Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:40:47 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-682 Helen I am going through a rather very very tough time and relate with almost everything you have said. Its hard its my first time ever I feel so vulnerable. I am alone physically in this. My whole family is totally against it. They all think i am nursing a mental illness in solitary confinement. Everything that i have worked for and depended on stripped off. Depend totally on the Holy Spirit and hard not knowing what your next day will be like and what your next month is like of which i used to know because i used to work fulltime. But your words are comforting. Only me and God and anybody who can relate to this understands. I am so glad i found this website especially at this time thank God for you. Helen

I am going through a rather very very tough time and relate with almost everything you have said. Its hard its my first time ever I feel so vulnerable. I am alone physically in this. My whole family is totally against it. They all think i am nursing a mental illness in solitary confinement. Everything that i have worked for and depended on stripped off. Depend totally on the Holy Spirit and hard not knowing what your next day will be like and what your next month is like of which i used to know because i used to work fulltime. But your words are comforting. Only me and God and anybody who can relate to this understands. I am so glad i found this website especially at this time thank God for you.

]]> By: Ray Keefe http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Ray Keefe Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:42:29 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-46 Hi Helen, With a list like that I'm sure we all can identify with at least some elements of it. Testing is never easy, but if you aren't tested you don't really know who you can be. I go to the gym. I don't really enjoy the workout at the gym itself though the people there are a pretty good bunch. I'm in Endeavour Hills and go to the local Leisure Centre - <a href="http://www.ehlc.ymca.org.au/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ehlc.ymca.org.au/</a> . There, just gave them a free plug. If you are looking to maintain yourself physically then you have to do something. I'm just interested in keeping in good shape and maintaining myself so I can keep contributing for many years to come. The alternative is becoming decrepit. I think our spiritual lives are the same. We are either growing and keeping strong or we become decrepit. Feeble if you prefer. Now a physical workout requires resistance. Otherwise we aren't doing any work. A spiritual workout has some similar features. And God wants us to be effective, not decrepit. So if we don't choose to step up on our own terms, he can provide some circumstances that will push us in the required direction. Some of the things we go through are just because we aren't taking responsibility for what is already on our plate. And we reap what we have sown. No input from God required at all for that to occur. But there are times when we need to grow and it is beyond our current understanding as to what the next step looks like. So God provides the environment and takes us on a journey. To be an overcomer, there must be something to overcome. On a different note, a recent survey covering all the habitable continents on earth looked at finding the secret to a happier life. They determined that only 3 things were required: - eat less - sleep more - do something energetic to maintain your body Translating this to the spiritual I came up with this list: - be faithful with what you already have and know - be at peace and trust God - be actively praying and listening to God I go to the Winepress in Berwick, <a href="http://www.winepress.org.au" rel="nofollow">http://www.winepress.org.au</a> , and am very excited to be part of a community of faith that is actively trying to be a blessing to others. 'Love God, Love Others, Make a Difference' is our catch cry. There are always issues as you are growing but it is a wonderful thing to be doing the growing with such a loving and dynamic community. Even the testing goes easier in an environment like that. Ray Keefe http://www.successful.com.au Hi Helen,

With a list like that I’m sure we all can identify with at least some elements of it.

Testing is never easy, but if you aren’t tested you don’t really know who you can be.

I go to the gym. I don’t really enjoy the workout at the gym itself though the people there are a pretty good bunch. I’m in Endeavour Hills and go to the local Leisure Centre – http://www.ehlc.ymca.org.au/ . There, just gave them a free plug. If you are looking to maintain yourself physically then you have to do something. I’m just interested in keeping in good shape and maintaining myself so I can keep contributing for many years to come. The alternative is becoming decrepit.

I think our spiritual lives are the same. We are either growing and keeping strong or we become decrepit. Feeble if you prefer. Now a physical workout requires resistance. Otherwise we aren’t doing any work. A spiritual workout has some similar features. And God wants us to be effective, not decrepit. So if we don’t choose to step up on our own terms, he can provide some circumstances that will push us in the required direction.

Some of the things we go through are just because we aren’t taking responsibility for what is already on our plate. And we reap what we have sown. No input from God required at all for that to occur.

But there are times when we need to grow and it is beyond our current understanding as to what the next step looks like. So God provides the environment and takes us on a journey.

To be an overcomer, there must be something to overcome.

On a different note, a recent survey covering all the habitable continents on earth looked at finding the secret to a happier life. They determined that only 3 things were required:
- eat less
- sleep more
- do something energetic to maintain your body

Translating this to the spiritual I came up with this list:
- be faithful with what you already have and know
- be at peace and trust God
- be actively praying and listening to God

I go to the Winepress in Berwick, http://www.winepress.org.au , and am very excited to be part of a community of faith that is actively trying to be a blessing to others. ‘Love God, Love Others, Make a Difference’ is our catch cry. There are always issues as you are growing but it is a wonderful thing to be doing the growing with such a loving and dynamic community. Even the testing goes easier in an environment like that.

Ray Keefe
http://www.successful.com.au

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Helen Calder Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:13:02 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-44 I can SO identify with that, James... had a difficult time being in and then letting go of an admin role that wasn't the right ministry fit for me. SO uncomfortable for a season. With ministry fit problems, there can be several things at work… we may be in a self-appointed place of ministry, or may have been appointed but it is more someone’s good idea than a God-idea. What is most often the case, though, is that we ARE in a God-appointed place of ministry but are in a protracted season of transition. In any of these cases pain is a signal that we either need to change or that change is coming (usually not as soon as we would like!) Wilderness seasons in the Bible relate to preparation and transition. Ultimately they lead to fulfilment of our call, gifts and destiny. Having said all that, Biblical wilderness season can also be self-inflicted… (Ps 68:6) Hmmm, SO much food for thought, here, another good point for the book… I can SO identify with that, James… had a difficult time being in and then letting go of an admin role that wasn’t the right ministry fit for me. SO uncomfortable for a season.
With ministry fit problems, there can be several things at work… we may be in a self-appointed place of ministry, or may have been appointed but it is more someone’s good idea than a God-idea. What is most often the case, though, is that we ARE in a God-appointed place of ministry but are in a protracted season of transition. In any of these cases pain is a signal that we either need to change or that change is coming (usually not as soon as we would like!) Wilderness seasons in the Bible relate to preparation and transition. Ultimately they lead to fulfilment of our call, gifts and destiny.
Having said all that, Biblical wilderness season can also be self-inflicted… (Ps 68:6)
Hmmm, SO much food for thought, here, another good point for the book…

]]> By: James Anson http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-43 James Anson Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:13:26 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-43 Ever tried the proverbial "square peg in a round hole" in regards to ministry fit? Many of these signs you have mentioned Helen, can be due to seasonal issues but also 'ministry fit' issues. I've been here many times - more than I'd like to tell. Sometimes I think I'd like to have just Pastor/Teacher mix without the tinge of Prophet. Surely it would be easier? But then I guess Pastor/Teachers have their own unique issues Ever tried the proverbial “square peg in a round hole” in regards to ministry fit? Many of these signs you have mentioned Helen, can be due to seasonal issues but also ‘ministry fit’ issues. I’ve been here many times – more than I’d like to tell. Sometimes I think I’d like to have just Pastor/Teacher mix without the tinge of Prophet. Surely it would be easier? But then I guess Pastor/Teachers have their own unique issues

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Helen Calder Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:48:45 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-42 Jenny, you are so right. Romans 8:28 is a great little gem of encouragement that has come to my mind today.. 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Jenny, you are so right. Romans 8:28 is a great little gem of encouragement that has come to my mind today.. ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’

]]> By: Jenny Wake http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Jenny Wake Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:55:40 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-41 Helen - I can relate to some of the 'wilderness' signs - and like you I am learning that a 'sacrifice of praise' is much more effective than 'worms'! God will often give me a little 'gem' of encouragement when I have spent time in praise and thanksgiving. Thanks for the timely reminder! Helen – I can relate to some of the ‘wilderness’ signs – and like you I am learning that a ‘sacrifice of praise’ is much more effective than ‘worms’! God will often give me a little ‘gem’ of encouragement when I have spent time in praise and thanksgiving. Thanks for the timely reminder!

]]> By: Sandi Bonavita http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Sandi Bonavita Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:04:12 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-37 Helen, you are an inspiration. I too am going to fast worms...lol. I love the way you write you make reading a pleasure and you are soooo interesting. This was a nice place to visit..Bless you Helen, you are an inspiration. I too am going to fast worms…lol. I love the way you write you make reading a pleasure and you are soooo interesting. This was a nice place to visit..Bless you

]]> By: Malcolm Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/04/prophetic-people-in-testing-times-signs-of-trial/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Malcolm Calder Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:11:36 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=147#comment-35 This is totally awesome Helen. Excellent and thought provoking comments. Well done and keep em coming!! This is totally awesome Helen. Excellent and thought provoking comments. Well done and keep em coming!!

]]>