Life Together

Life Together

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

- Psalm 133:1

Life Together is a book describing and explaining authentic and true Christian community. Bonhoeffer describes the fellowship that takes place under the Word and the benefits, hardships, and joy that comes from experiencing true community. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” - Psalm 133:1 This is foundational statement that Bonhoeffer explains through outlining the community, a day together, a day alone, ministry, and the act of confession and communion.

Reading this book was so enlightening, as I was made aware of the authentic and true Christian community that can comes from being under the Word, being of one mind, and of giving thanks for the community that you are so graciously able to be a part of. I agree with Bonhoeffer as he gave new perspectives and shed light on several different parts of fellowship in our daily life.

Three huge takeaways are community is a gift, we must not think of others or ourselves greater, and we must be intentional with the ministries we live out.

• “Let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his hear. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.” (p. 20) Community is a gift, and we should thank God for the times when we have been able to dwell together in unity.

• “There arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest.” – Luke 9:46 “It is vitally necessary that every Christian community from the very outset face this dangerous enemy squarely, and eradicate it.” (p. 90) “Strong and weak, wise and foolish, gifted or ungifted, pious or impious, the diverse individuals in the community, are no longer incentives for talking and judging and condemning, and thus excuses for self-justification. They are rather cause for rejoicing in one another and serving one another.” (p. 93)

• “The Ministry of holding one’s tongue, the ministry of meekness, the ministry of listening, of helpfulness, of bearing, of proclaiming, and of authority.” (ch. 4) It is a progression that one must do in order to achieve the full benefit of the ministries.

iTunes Service Agreement

"Some of you read your Bibles like your iTunes service agreement -- you just click accept." 

What makes one Bible student better than the other? ...What they can see.

Over the past few months, I have learned a lot about seeing. We are reading five chapters of the Bible every day from different sections of the Bible. We started in Genesis, 1 Samuel, Job, Isaiah and Matthew... Five different perspectives every day and the coolest thing is when they overlap and you get to see that as you read. We also are taking an Israel Prep class, where we are studying the Bible through the eyes of Israel and preparing ourselves for our journey in March. We have an Inductive Bible Study class, where we are learning how to study a book of the Bible and walking through how to Survey, Analyze, and Synthesize what we are studying. We are memorizing the whole book of 1 Peter, along with picking a passage that we want to study in the book and preparing a lesson on it to teach in the Spring. All of these things are helping us see...helping us understand what we so easily and often just "click accept" and base our life off of.

I love having a deeper understanding and a love for God's Word that is helping create a foundation and belief that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, which is true and sufficient, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.

Serving on the Weekends

During the Forge, we are able to apply what we are learning and get to serve on the weekends for different retreat groups that come in and conferences that Pine Cove hosts. My first weekend at the Forge, my roommate, Anne, and I were able to serve a retreat group coming to the Shores. I was the Work Crew Director and had the the privilege of leading our Work Crew that came in to serve for the weekend. We helped get out all the meals and helped behind the scenes, so that the retreat group could spend the weekend learning and growing more in their faith. It was such a fun weekend leading and serving.

One of the chefs at the Shores gave us a knife skills lesson and taught us how to cut and chop...felt like I was on the Food Channel!

This is the Work Crew that I got to work with for the weekend...they were so eager and willing to serve. They truly lived out being joyful servants, and they were such a big blessing to the staff and to the retreat group. It was a joy to spend the weekend with this youth group.


 “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

Ropes Training

Three days of intense ropes training...tying knots, harnessing harnesses, setting up courses, sending people off the zip line, coaching them through walking across wires and climbing ropes and passing a written and skills test.

It was a more intense training than I ever thought...but we are now certified to run the ropes course for retreat groups and conferences on the weekends.

Climbed these 50ft telephone poles twice in order to set-up and take-down the high-ropes course...

Bowline on a Bight knot...took me a few times to master. 

This is my hub for Shores and Bluffs. We will be working together on most weekends, and I couldn't have made it through Ropes Training without these guys.

A New Adventure

Moving into the Forge...

What a whirlwind it has been moving 13 hours away from home and trusting that this is where I am supposed to be. Calling this place home for the next 8 months and living and learning in the little town of Tyler, Texas.

As 28 of us sat and watched the sun set over the lake our second day at the Forge, I gave these next eight months to Lord, as I am trusting that this is where I am supposed to be right now and walking in that faith. Watching the Lord's glory proclaimed in the sky and praising Him that His will is not fragile and He is ever-sovereign.

Every leap of faith has moments of uncertainty...

The beginning of the school year for a teacher...who is not teaching...

This summer and beginning of August has been full of so many emotions as this is the first year that I am certified as a teacher and could be setting up my own classroom and welcoming in little ones who I get to call mine and love on throughout the school year. Feelings of making the wrong decision, of feeling behind, of second guessing my path that I am on... However, even though I am not "teaching in a classroom," I know my year will be full of teachable moments, both as the teacher and the student.

"Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith." -Elisabeth Elliot 

My journey through the Forge isn't the same path that most of my friends/fellow teachers are on, but as one of my mentors and Education professor's said, "Stay focused on your purpose - you KNOW you are walking in His will and being completely obedient. Don't think of it as a delay to teaching - you were called to do this work and you answered in complete faith."

This isn't how I imagined spending my first August out of college, but it is neat to know that this is where I am right now, and I will continue walking in it and trusting that it is where I am supposed to be.

"The fear of making a wrong decision shouldn't strip the faith right out of our faith." 

"As long as you desire to please God with your decisions, no decision you make will be completely awful. Nor will any decision you make be completely awesome. Every decision is a package deal of both. Every thrill has an element of risk. Every leap of faith has moments of uncertainty. And every great success story has elements of failure." 

-Lysa TerKeurst, "The Best Yes"

In these moments of uncertainty, I am holding fast to the faith that I have, and trying my best to walk daily in obedience and trust. Thank you for walking alongside of me in this journey. I can't thank you enough for every prayer, donation, word of encouragement, and support.

With so much love and thankfulness, and a heart learning to trust,

Tabitha

Fundraising

Wow...who knew one word could hold so much fear, excitement, anticipation, trust, faith, reliance, and lessons all in one. I am just embarking on the path to raising $12,000 and in a lot of ways it seems daunting and impossible. But I know we serve a bigger God who is not limited by money or funds.

In so many ways asking for money is uncomfortable. It goes against society and the cultural norms of "supporting yourself." It is humbling and hard to admit that you honestly cannot do it on your own and have to ask for help. For me, as a teacher, I love and find joy when I can help others and support and serve them in so many ways. However, when it comes down to me needing help, it is a harder story.

For six weeks now, I have talked, prayed, and sought wisdom from people about fundraising for the Forge. I have walked away from some conversations feeling encouraged and from others feeling like I may not be able to do it...but that's where I have to stop myself - it is not me doing this at all it is the Lord. In this journey, I am simply walking in faith. So far, so many doors have been opened and I have to continue walking in and trusting that He will provide. And if there comes a point where that provision is not there, I know then that it is a closed door, but not now. For now, I am doing my part of honestly asking and seeking help, trusting and praying, and learning so much along the way.

I have always loved to "save my money" and agonize for days over the smallest purchases, but after four years of college, there is only a small amount in my savings, and as I continue to put that toward the Forge, I see that amount continuing to dwindle. However, instead of being sad about the amount going down, it is exciting to think that the Lord has given just enough so that I can be my first donor in this long journey. I have been praying and asking for who I should ask in this journey and where the money is going to come from. I will continue to pray, and also believe, truly believe, that the Lord will provide in this. From the few donations I have gotten already, tears have to come to eyes that people would actually want to support me in this and join my team of praying for this year. I am excited for all the ministry that will happen and the foundation that will be created to serve and glorify Him for the rest of my life.

If you are reading this and do feel like you are in a place to help support, any amount is appreciated with an open heart and hands filled with more gratitude than you will ever know. Prayer, however, as I am learning, is so much greater. I am thankful for all the times that this has been prayed for by so many people, and wish I could express how grateful I am for your support and encouragement in this journey and ministry. I hope to keep you updated as the progress continues to unfold this year.

With so much love and thankfulness,

Tabitha