01 júna, 2009

Conference, ŠPM, Third Day, sickness, birthday...

Hey everybody,

last 10 days or so were really exciting and busy so let me tell you what was happening. As you may know from my previous post I went to Hungary for a conference called European Leadership Forum. I went there with two other man from our church. We left on early Saturday morning and got to the conference place at noon. The way was quite good and I got to drive the car from Budapest to Eger. And I enjoy driving a lot! There are many things that I could tell you about the conference but I need to be short. Said in brief: I've never gotten that many information into my brain as I have on the conference. The day started for me about 7am with breakfast. After that there was a morning plenary meeting (with worship and sermon). After that we split into our networks (kind of classes that you participated at every day and it had the same topic). My network was Bible Teachers. That took about three ours of studying the Bible. How to prepare a sermon and how to dig into Bible. After that there was 30 minutes break (for a lunch we had sandwiches) and then there was a workshop for an hour and half. Then another 30 minutes break and other workshop for an hour and half.The we got an hour break and after that we went for dinner. After the dinner was evening plenary meeting where we did worship and there was always a man preaching. Usually I went to bed at midnight. I have never received that many information. To the end of the conference I felt how my brain was full and overloaded of everything I've learned and heard. It was an amazing week! God has shown me so much. And helped me to realize many things concerning my walking with Him. I'm so thankful for that week. And there's one testimony I want to share with you all. At the conference there's always a bookstore that has 60% off from the original price. I decided I spend 30 euros at books but there were so many of them and so good that after all I spent more than I wanted to. Actually I spent everything I had with me and so I was left with 12 cents. But it was worth it. Two days before the conference was over I was standing by the books (even though I didn't have any money but just kept on going through them) and there was this English man from my network standing right next to me. And so we started to talk. He asked me what ministry I do and what do I want to do after I graduate. So I shared my vision and dreams with him. Then he asked me what books have I bought. I replied to him and said I've decided that I buy more thin books this year then to buy couple of thick books. And then next year I bring more money and I buy more. Then he said something I would never expect to hear: Hey, you know what? Pick up like ten books and I get them for you. I was like: WHAT? He took me right away and put Systematic Theology from Grudem in my hands and said: Wait here for a while. Then he ran away got his friend and after few minutes came back with a pile of books for me. Then we went and picked some more. That man bought books for me for 83 euros! (that price was already with 60% off) I am so thankful for that man. OK, let's stop calling him a man. His name is Phil. God used Phil to allow me to study and learn more then I could without those books. And you know, that's a thing that I am kind of afraid of. People invest into me a lot. Their money, time and many other things. That takes a lot of responsibility on my part. I'm being given talents from God and I can't waste them. I have no idea what's God's plan for me. Where will I be in ten years? Who will I be with? What will I do? I don't have a clue. But I believe that God knows what He's doing. And that He's just preparing me for His plan to be fulfilled in me.

I came back from the conference on Thursday afternoon. You can imagine how tired I was from it. But I was happy that I was tired cause it meant that I've been through it. Though on Friday morning I went to Tatras where was our last ŠPM. You know, there are two parts in my about ŠPM. One is that I'm happy that it's over. Because it means that I've finished it. That I''ve been through it and now I can move on and go for something else. On the other hand I'm sad. I've made lots of friendships. I was learning so much there. And now? It's over. The reason why I decided to go for ŠPM was that I wanted to know myself better and to know what God wants to do with me. I have to tell you that God really answered my prayers and in the past eight months. He helped me to understand myself and to know myself way better that I had before. And I'm sure that you all know that our God is an awesome God. Well, He gave me more than I asked for. He gave me amazing friends and people I got to know. And I'm 100% sure that ŠPM has changed my life in more then just one way. Through ŠPM God has showed me that He's got a plan for me and I don't need to be afraid of it. I just need to trust Him completely and rely on Him. Friends, I must tell that I really wonder what's His plan. But I can tell you that it's going to be good. Because it's His plan and not mine. And I'm happy I can be a part of His plan.

Then I, my classmates from ŠPM and one girl went to Trnava for the concert of Third Day (yes, Third Day had a concert in Trnava on the square for free!). We had a great time together. Then we slept over at the Building and in the morning we all stayed for the Sunday service and then we had lunch all together. It was a great time.

Though all those ten days had it's price. Yesterday I was exhausted so much that I had fever and didn't eat anything the whole day. This happens to me when I don't have enough rest and all I need is a day off. Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow I don't have school because of graduation so I can rest and read all those books I brought from the conference. Today it's Monday June 1st and I just turned 19. What does it mean though? For me personally it reminds that 19 year ago God has called me into this world. As He says to Jeremiah:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.


Do not say, 'I am only a youth';

for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,

and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you
to deliver you,
declares the LORD.


(Jeremiah 1:5.7-8)

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