tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post7047630344912838834..comments2023-09-25T04:24:45.407-05:00Comments on The M Blog: Our changing rolesJ. Guy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-18943715499888479512009-11-12T14:06:58.679-05:002009-11-12T14:06:58.679-05:00Strider,
I agree with you that the MAWL process h...Strider,<br /><br />I agree with you that the MAWL process has been often a mixture in our experience as well. Going from doer to mentor, and mentor back to doer seems to be more the norm for us as well. However, overall, living and working in one of God's Harvest Fields, has definitely led us to understand our greatest contribution is not so much to be a laborer out there picking the ripened fruit, but more the guy on the phone (laptop) trying to get the needed 1000 workers down here in time before the fruit rots on the vine!J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-50660107529472561702009-11-12T14:02:51.164-05:002009-11-12T14:02:51.164-05:00Ben,
Sure I remember you! Actually I remember you...Ben,<br /><br />Sure I remember you! Actually I remember you as a "little kid" but have fond thoughts of your family. I think we might have shared a room one time when your dad and I were helping out with a volunteer team to Portoviejo. I always remember him and me both loving the music of Twila Paris.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. Come back any time and feel free to share on any post that catches your attention.<br /><br />Tell you dad HOLA from us!J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-30987778167703295262009-11-12T13:59:49.201-05:002009-11-12T13:59:49.201-05:00Shelly,
Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts...Shelly,<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts that go hand in hand with what I was sharing in the post. I think the following that you wrote pretty well sums up the matter: <i>Genuine servanthood means "dying to self" </i>. If we could just understand the full implications of what "dying to self" entails, it would unleash such a tidal wave of God's presence and power in our midst that our nations would never be the same thereafter!J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-60911973342372405662009-11-12T00:29:02.792-05:002009-11-12T00:29:02.792-05:00Thanks for this good post Guy. You have described...Thanks for this good post Guy. You have described a straight-forward progression from doer to mentor and it is very helpful to see the missionary task this way. My own experience however is somewhat more muddled. I seem to go from doer to mentor in one ministry sphere and then back to doer in another less developed sphere. As you know earlier this year I broke up our national team as those guys all went out to their own ministries. Now, I am in the position of going back to square one and being the primary EVer training more national guys to pick up the ball. Our paradigm for all this is 'Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave' but rather than a straight forward cycle I am finding this to be a never ending wheel within a wheel. Maybe when I have been here 20 years I will see things differently.Striderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07347436154893544535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-14809707193659964912009-11-11T17:31:24.692-05:002009-11-11T17:31:24.692-05:00I'm sure you don't remember me. I was onl...I'm sure you don't remember me. I was only a boy at the time, but my father, Greg Hooper, served with you as missionary in Ecuador for what was then the FMB in the mid 90's. It has been a blessing for me to scroll through your blog and read about what God is still doing in Ecuador! I will come back often to read your updates. Thank you so much for what you do and may God truly bless you and your ministry!<br /><br />-- Ben HooperBen Hoopernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-8382201262818879632009-11-10T23:23:57.616-05:002009-11-10T23:23:57.616-05:00Thank you for this. Tonight in my small group, we ...Thank you for this. Tonight in my small group, we talked about the humility of Jesus (Philippians 2) and how he poured His life into twelve people, who in turn, poured into the generations to follow. I think this is such a beautiful picture of "dying to self," and most certainly one we should strive to model in our own lives and ministries...<br /><br />Far too often, our sinful nature convinces us that we NEED to be in the forefront; we need to be "needed," to be "pat on the back" for our actions, given a gold star, a trophy--something. Unfortunately this is by no means how God calls us to serve. Genuine servanthood means "dying to self," and with that, I want to share some points from our study by John MacArthur that speak pretty powerfully on this concept...<br /><br />Dying to self is...<br />-"When you are not forgiven or you're neglected or purposely set aside and you hurt with the insult or oversight, but your heart is happy and you're content to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ- that's dying to self"<br />-"When your good is evil spoken of; when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinions are ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger arise in your heart or even defend yourself but take it all in patient loyal silence- that's dying to self"<br />-"When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with foolishness, extravagance, spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus endured it- that's dying to self"<br />- When you see another brother prosper and see his needs being met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor even question God while your needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances- that's dying to self"<br />-When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up in your heart--that's dying to self.<br />-"When you never care to refer to yourself or record your own good works or seek commendation; when you can truly love to be unknown- that's dying to self."<br /><br />Truly loving to be unknown... faithfully serving so that others may prosper and draw closer to Jesus. Accepting any and all tasks, regardless of where that leaves you. <br /><br />Gracias a Dios that HE can do all these things in us...<br /><br />Blessings as you serve,<br />ShellyShelly McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043210261234121262noreply@blogger.com