tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33867366617970593122024-03-13T05:59:04.086-07:00Munster Relay 2011-2012Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-25181220060125516382012-08-23T20:11:00.001-07:002012-08-23T20:11:48.763-07:00So... now what?<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>plans to give you hope and a future."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jeremiah 29:11 </i></div>
<br />
The 17th of August marked one year since I had left for Ireland and one month since I have been home. It is so strange to think about. In some ways, Relay seems like a distant dream. But there are other days when I wake up thinking I'm in my bedroom in Cork and that I'm going to hang out with my Irish friends that day. It's a strange feeling, to say the least. <br />
<br />
In one month, my Irish-ish accent has faded quite a bit, but certain phrases still slip out. I still get surprised at how hot it is and I get quickly annoyed by American accents/loudness when I'm in busy places. And, surprisingly enough, I STILL have to question whether I'm driving on the correct side of the road when I'm driving at night. Reverse culture shock has not exactly been a picnic.<br />
<br />
To be perfectly honest, coming home has been really sucky in a lot of ways besides the little cultural things. A lot of the social dynamics of my friend groups have changed. I have found that hanging out with some of my friends has been downright awkward or uncomfortable because our lives have changed so much. Some old friends have left and there are a plethora of new people to meet. For weeks I was anxious going to church because there were so many new people to meet and I was afraid of the awkwardness of seeing people I hadn't heard from in a year. No one truly knows what I'm going through and no one really seems to care all that much. Driving home from church in tears has become a regular Sunday event. For a while I was questioning why I decided to come back home at all and was thinking about all the "what-ifs" of if I had stayed in Ireland. It's been pretty miserable. <br />
<br />
I'm usually not this candid or "angsty" in my blog posts, so forgive me. But I think it is important that people get some sort of idea of what missionaries go through when they come home. When you've been working in full time ministry, made new friends, acclimated to a different culture, and made that place your home, coming "home" feels more like opening a book at chapter 9 without reading chapters 4 through 8. You're not coming back to the same place and people. You're starting all over again.<br />
<br />
But, alas, not all hope is lost! While this has been a very trying time, God is oh so good! I have been blessed with some very special friends whom you could not speak to for ages and yet hanging out with them is like nothing has changed. He has put me in a church that preaches the truth and nearly every sermon I've heard since I've been home has spoken comfort, reassurance, and confirmation straight to my heart. <br />
<br />
God knew that this season was going to be hard on me, so He's provided me with the truth that wherever I am, He has me there for a reason and is going to use me. He has me here for a purpose. Two days after I got home, I was offered an internship to work part time with one of the campus ministries run by my church. The internship also requires me to be a student. So, when I'm asked the question, "So...now what?", I say that I am doing college ministry at Temple University Ambler (a mere 2 minute drive from my house), I'm taking a class at Palmer Theological Seminary, and I'm substitute teaching part time. Wow! God is so good! He totally dropped this opportunity in my lap. I knew that I wanted to do all three of these things but didn't know how to make it all work... but God always works it out! He takes care of His children!<br />
<br />
So I urge you, whether you are a missionary who has returned home, a student headed off to college for the first time, or are just going through a rough transitional period, remember God's promises. If you are willing, He will use you for His purposes <b><span style="font-size: small;">wherever</span></b> you are! He will not leave you hanging and He won't resign you to live in sorrow. He provides a way and loves to lift His children up! Rest in Him!<br />
<br />
Did I want to come home? No. Do I wish I was back in Ireland? Yes. But God has me here for a reason: for my own good and His glory. So I will do the work that has been placed in front of me with joy and humility, fixing my eyes on Jesus... and I'll try not to complain in the meantime... <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>who<sup> </sup>have been called according to his purpose." </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Romans 8:28 </i></div>
<br />
Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-23111749979508088252012-07-19T16:31:00.000-07:002012-08-02T14:32:35.694-07:00Sam in the States: Adventures in Reverse Culture Shock and Other SurprisesI'm back in the States! It's all very surreal to be home. A lot of things haven't changed but there are so many things I am just not used to anymore. After living in Ireland for almost a year, I knew I was bound to have a bit of culture shock. While a lot of it is subconscious and I can't really explain how I feel, there are some things that I can really notice, even though it's only been two days. Rather than tweeting all of these things as they happen (because it would be really annoying to constantly blow up your news feed), I figured I'd write a blog post about it. I may add more as they come up, but here are a few things I've written down that have surprised me:<br />
<br />
On the plane flying into New York:<br />
<ul>
<li>There are so many highways, cars, trees, houses, and baseball fields!</li>
<li>There's also a very loud, proud New Yorker sitting behind me whose voice is really grating my nerves. Sir, I cannot handle your accent right now. Please shut up. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Driving: <br />
<ul>
<li>So many big cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks on the road!</li>
<li>I keep trying to get in the wrong side of the car. </li>
<li>Being a passenger is scary because I keep thinking we're turning on the wrong side of the road.</li>
<li>Driving takes <b>A LOT</b> of concentration. It's not so bad on busy roads where I have other cars to follow, but I have to constantly ask myself, "Am I driving on the correct side of the road? This does not feel right...".</li>
<li>I drove down the street on the left side yesterday in my friend's neighborhood. I didn't realize what I was doing until I saw the stop sign on the right side of the road. Oops. </li>
</ul>
<br />
TV:<br />
<ul>
<li>There are so many channels and so many commercials! </li>
<li>The drug commercials are particularly weird. </li>
<li>I need to catch up on a lot of shows... </li>
</ul>
<br />
At home:<br />
<ul>
<li>I keep trying to use plug adapters for my appliances... oh yeah... don't need those. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Accents:<br />
<ul>
<li>Sitting in a restaurant and being surrounded by intense Philly accents. Where am I!?!</li>
<li>Friends asking me to repeat everything I say and pointing out my "Irish" accent. I'm sorry but I don't realize I'm doing it and I may phrase things differently and use strange words but please stop pointing it out. "Half 2", "craic", "sound", "so", and "like" are perfectly acceptable expressions, thank you very much. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Joyful Surprises:<br />
<ul>
<li>Goldfish!!! I missed those cheesy suckers!</li>
<li>Rediscovering my wardrobe! I had forgotten how many clothes I had and summer clothes are my favorite! Gotta love my 6 pairs of sandals!</li>
<li>Heard Olly Murs on the radio! I didn't realize he had hit the States. I found myself singing along to "My Heart Skips a Beat" in the car and then remembered I wasn't in Ireland. </li>
<li>Realizing I don't need to pick out a cardigan to go with my outfit because it's literally 100 degrees (37.8 C) outside. </li>
</ul>
Update on other things I've noticed....<br />
<ul>
<li>Eggs are white... weird</li>
<li>The grocery store has way too many options. Who needs 50 different spaghetti sauce options!? </li>
<li>No Glenisk yogurt here :( </li>
<li>On a positive note, you can now buy Dairy Milk here and Hershey's chocolate syrup is only $1.99!?! That sure beats 6 euro...</li>
<li>Still forgetting I'm in America when I hear people with American accents</li>
<li>A week later and no one understands what I'm saying. Trying to speak like an American is like having marbles in my mouth and hurts my ears... I must find some Irish locals before I pull my hair out...</li>
</ul>
More updates....<br />
<ul>
<li>I keep typing ".ie" on the end of web addresses</li>
<li>I have to stop myself from saying "euro" and force out the obligatory "bucks" </li>
</ul>
<br />
Culture shock is quite the adventure... <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="275" id="il_fi" src="http://sixmonthsseaside.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/wcurve.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="420" /></div>
</div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-81222256567871904812012-07-10T04:31:00.002-07:002012-07-10T04:31:32.023-07:00CitizenshipIt is my last week of life in Ireland. Up until this point I've been trying to ignore the fact that I have to go back to Philly, but I can no longer use my defense mechanism of pretending its not happening. I've had a few weeks after Relay to reflect on this year and how its changed me as a person, and when I was thinking of how to possibly sum it all up, I thought of something that happened a couple of weeks ago:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was at the Peters' house for a Tuesday night dinner with a bunch of people. Some of my new American friends were teasing me that when I talk to Irish people I suddenly sound Irish myself. (I am aware that this happens but I promise you I don't do it on purpose... it's just what happens when you live in a different country for a year). So when Abigail (an Irish student) sat down to talk with us, suddenly all eyes (ears) were on me to hear my accent change. Knowing they were listening, I refused to speak more than a couple of words at a time, much to the frustration of the Americans in the room. Zach filled Abigail in on our conversation about my accents and asked her if she heard it. Her response, though not intended to be profound in any way, really struck a chord with me. She said, "I don't hear Irish or American. It's just Sam." </div>
<br />
I am neither Irish nor American (or maybe I'm both). I don't belong here nor there (or maybe I belong in both places). I am just Sam.<br />
<br />
More importantly, my nationality is "child of God" and my citizenship is in God's Kingdom. I can live anywhere in the world and have any profession but my adoption as God's child will not change. My identity is secure in Him. This world will crumble and fade away, but my home in heaven will always be there. <br />
<br />
Leaving Ireland is sad. This has been my home for the past 11 months. I've made friends and family here. But I know that whether I'm in Cork, Philly, or somewhere else in the world, my citizenship is in heaven. Whether I feel Irish or American, or whether I speak in a Cork or Philly accent, I am first and foremost a Christian. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I can take comfort in knowing that I am in Christ. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Phil-3-20" id="en-NIV-29442">"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Phil-3-20" id="en-NIV-29442">Philippians 3:20</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Rom-8-14" id="en-NIV-28131"></span><i><span class="text Gal-4-4" id="en-NIV-29136">"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, </span><span class="text Gal-4-5" id="en-NIV-29137"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29137b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+4&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29137b" title="See footnote b"></a></sup></span><span class="text Gal-4-6" id="en-NIV-29138"> </span><span class="text Gal-4-6" id="en-NIV-29138">Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” </span></i><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-NIV-29139"><i>So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-NIV-29139"><i>Galatians 4:4-7 </i> </span></div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-7509441969517484742012-06-29T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-29T09:10:08.533-07:00Time to Pass the BatonI can't believe this is my last day of Relay. It seems like just yesterday I arrived in Cork with too many suitcases and felt entirely overwhelmed with the prospect of living and doing ministry in a foreign city. But here I am, 10 months later, an entirely different person.<br />
<br />
There are so many things to say. I know I'll forget to say a lot of it and you'll just have to ask me about it more later, but I'm going to <i>try</i> to tie things up. <br />
<br />
This year has been absolutely incredible - probably the best year of my life.<br />
<ul>
<li>I grew in my personal relationship with God. </li>
<li>I grew in my knowledge of who He is. Studying theology has helped me actually understand and articulate what I believe and why I believe it. </li>
<li>I saw God provide in <i>amazing</i> ways! Support raising isn't exactly what I'd call "great craic" but God continued to prove how He cares for His children over and over. </li>
<li>I saw students grow in faith, develop as leaders, overcome strongholds, "get it", and come to know Jesus! </li>
<li>I worked. As much as college ministry might seem like a cush job, it is really difficult! Constantly preparing 121 Bible studies, talks, reports, essays, etc. while maintaining sincere relationships is very challenging! But God totally grew me in these areas! </li>
<li>I rested. I learned how to balance work and rest and how to do both well. </li>
<li>I saw God answer prayer! I can't count the prayers He has answered this year: finances, family, health, housing, boldness, wisdom, friends, students, etc. </li>
<li>I ran with perseverance (spiritually and physically)! God has carried me through this Relay year to help me finish this leg of the race in my life. (And I ran in a marathon! 7.2 miles, baby!). </li>
<li>I danced: singing and dancing to "All the Relay Ladies" at RelayVision, doing the twist at the Grease Party, connecting with my housemates through nights out dancing, and ceroc dancing with great friends at Relay 3.</li>
<li>I laughed. I made some amazing friends this year in Cork, on the IFES Ireland team, and with fellow Relays and I cherish every moment together!</li>
<li>I worshiped. Studying the theology of worship opened my eyes to what truly worshiping God with my whole life should look like, and it transformed the way I approach singing and playing guitar. </li>
<li>I soaked in God's beauty. His character is reflected <i>everywhere</i> in creation, and living in a place as beautiful as Ireland, you cannot help but stop and breathe Him in. </li>
<li>I experienced God's grace. </li>
</ul>
I could go on but it would take ages.<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for me and supported me, either financially, emotionally, or spiritually. Brothers and sisters (especially missionaries) need their siblings to encourage them, hold them accountable, and cheer them on in the race. I thank you all for "holding the rope" for me as I "went into the pit". <br />
Thanks to the CUs at CIT, UCC, UL, LIT, and WIT for being amazing. You all inspire me so much. I've learned much from you. Thank you for welcoming me in as one of your own. <br />
Thanks to the other "Reladies" of IFES Ireland for being some of the best friends I could ever ask for: for making me laugh when I was sad, for making me cry from so much laughter, and for being super awkward. I love you girls. <br />
Thanks to my Staff Workers Peter Kenny and Esther Drihem for helping me learn and grow in every possible way. You both know how much you mean to me.<br />
<br />
Well, I guess this is it. I'll be sticking around Cork for a few weeks and I'll probably post another blog before I head home. This month has been a crazy emotional time of ups and downs, of saying hello to new friends and goodbye to old ones.<br />
<br />
As a wise man at Relay 3 once said, "It doesn't end here. Once a Relay, always a Relay." But for now, it's time to pass the baton! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-1"><span class="chapternum"></span><i>"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-1"><i> </i></span><i><span class="text 2Tim-2-2" id="en-NKJV-29830">And
the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text 2Tim-2-2" id="en-NKJV-29830">commit
these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text 2Tim-2-2" id="en-NKJV-29830">2 Timothy 2:1-2 </span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiACiIWRKN6gnRT5ru2xlw7Dg_5-iWftBs8LoWVHBmuGuXpKf_s6BU51s-DHcPiGxxjga7pEjfKWhXBvwv36LV4CwRn30viPYAiVy-96EJs0wLil4A2W9yR0N-kwfmuqUJiU0pcWkebioN/s1600/181894_10102046189391903_1681332870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiACiIWRKN6gnRT5ru2xlw7Dg_5-iWftBs8LoWVHBmuGuXpKf_s6BU51s-DHcPiGxxjga7pEjfKWhXBvwv36LV4CwRn30viPYAiVy-96EJs0wLil4A2W9yR0N-kwfmuqUJiU0pcWkebioN/s320/181894_10102046189391903_1681332870_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-2887816695057983992012-05-30T14:18:00.001-07:002012-05-30T14:18:05.955-07:00Worship Blog<span style="font-size: small;">As you may or may not know, this year on Relay we are required to do an elective study and I have been looking at the theology of worship. One of the challenges with doing so much theological study is that it is difficult to put it all together to make sense in your mind and then let it affect your heart. I thought that studying worship would be easy because it's something that I have a real heart for. But it has been quite challenging to let what I've learned personally affect my relationship with God. I thought that one of the ways I could piece all of what I've learned together is to write about it on my blog! (Better late than never). So here ya go. I'm starting off with some of my random-ish thoughts on things that have come up while studying. Feel free to comment, ask questions, and challenge me so I can dig deeper! This is just a little taster of what I've been learning and I hope to go deeper into some of this stuff later! Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-1">"Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>! </span></i></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-1">Praise God in his sanctuary; </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-150-1">praise him in his mighty heavens! </span></span><span class="text Ps-150-2" id="en-NIV-16397"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-2" id="en-NIV-16397">Praise him for his acts of power; </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-150-2">praise him for his surpassing greatness! </span></span><span class="text Ps-150-3" id="en-NIV-16398"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-3" id="en-NIV-16398">Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-150-3">praise him with the harp and lyre, </span></span><span class="text Ps-150-4" id="en-NIV-16399"> </span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-4" id="en-NIV-16399">praise him with timbrel and dancing, </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-150-4">praise him with the strings and pipe, </span></span><span class="text Ps-150-5" id="en-NIV-16400"> </span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-5" id="en-NIV-16400">praise him with the clash of cymbals, </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-150-5">praise him with resounding cymbals!</span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-6" id="en-NIV-16401">Let everything that has breath praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-6"><b>Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</b>"</span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-150-6">-Psalm 150 </span></i></div>
</div>
<br />
It has been an ongoing debate since the Old Testament. How should we properly worship God? Most of the argument in recent years has centered on music style: Should we sing hymns or contemporary music? Should it be an organ and choir or a band? How loud should it be? (Does this thing go up to 11?)<br />
<br />
But worship isn't just music. Actually, I'd go so far as to say that worship isn't music at all. (Shocking, coming from me, I know). Worship is an offering we bring to God (1 Chronicles 16:29). It is how we express to God that we love, adore, and revere Him (Psalm 29:2). It is an act of self-sacrificial service (Hebrews 12:28). It is bowing low before Him (Psalm 95:6, Revelation 19:10).<br />
<br />
In short,<b> it is a matter of the heart</b>.<br />
<br />
But for some reason we focus on music as the main means of worship. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with worshiping through music (I love doing it and it's something we're commanded to do in the Bible! Psalm 47, 150, etc.). I just think that we as a church (the body of believers) put too much emphasis on music. When we consider our church's worship we should be thinking about the entire service from start to finish and everything outside of Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
If a church is going to make worship its priority, it needs to <b>start with Jesus</b>. Everything the church does (inside and out of Sunday morning) should start with, and be focused entirely on, Jesus. <b>If we start making the King the priority, our worship will naturally become deeper</b>. If we build up our congregations in the knowledge of Christ, their worship will be transformed far beyond what louder sound, the latest tunes, or sweet lighting can do. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Worship is not about the type of music we sing.</b><br />
<br />
That's kind of a big statement for me. If you know me, you know that I rock out to bands like Relient K, The Wedding, and The O.C. Supertones when I'm cruisin' in my car, and I only really prefer traditional music if I'm in a concert hall. But in studying the theology of worship for the past nine months, my perceptions of worship have changed. Now, I still have my preferences, don't get me wrong, but I've come to the realization that if a church sings traditional hymns on a Sunday it doesn't mean they're a dead church. That may seem like a no-brainer to some of you (and I may have just offended some people - sorry) but as someone who used to go to a dead church that sang traditional hymns, my brain has automatically associated the two for far too long, and this has been a big step for me!<br />
<br />
But I think it's important for everyone to realize, whatever church background you come from, that the type of music doesn't necessarily dictate the liveliness of a church or the people's devotion to Jesus. You can have churches that sing the newest contemporary worship songs and only thrive off of feelings and atmosphere rather than the doctrine of Christ. And you can have traditional, hymn-singing, organ-playing churches that are entirely focused on a heart for the Lord. Guess which one's worship is acceptable to God? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hint: Its the second one). </span><br />
<br />
Don't judge a book by its cover. <b>Don't judge a church by its music. </b><br />
<br />
Here's what matters in worship:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Are you offering worship from your heart to the Creator and Savior of the world?</b></li>
<li><b>As a church, are you facilitating this heart-worship? Or are you more focused on emotional reaction? Are you showing people Christ?</b></li>
<li><b>As a worship coordinator, are you choosing songs based on sound? Key? Taste? Or doctrinal significance? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hint: The last one is the one that matters the most).</span> </b></li>
<li><b>As a worship leader, are you desiring to reflect Christ and help people enter into worship? Or are you looking to shine for your own glory?</b></li>
<li><b>Do you personally worship every day in every aspect of your life </b>(Psalm 34:1)<b>? Or just on Sunday during the 30 minute music set?</b></li>
</ul>
These are some of the questions I've been asking of myself, my church, and my worship team over the past nine months. I'm not saying that I have it all together (that my church is perfect - it's not- and my pride is low -it isn't) but I'm working on it. And I hope that I can use what I've been learning to push my church in the right direction of what worship in church should be. Will we ever have it perfect? No. Not this side of heaven. But can we try to make it better? Yes. <b>By God's grace, our worship can be acceptable to Him.</b> <br />
<br />Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-54301075207627676122012-04-25T10:24:00.001-07:002012-04-25T10:24:34.849-07:00Journal Entry from DingleA few weeks ago I took a little break from everyday life in Dingle, County Kerry. I can confidently say it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I found myself a "spot" where I sat every day to talk to God, read the Word, and just be. I wrote this journal entry within the first hour of being in Dingle. While its quite personal in content, I believe it carries a few lessons that are good for all to be reminded of. I pray it blesses you as my time in Dingle so greatly blessed me. I pray you find joy and contentment with wherever you are in life. <br />
<br />
I'm sitting here looking out on Dingle Harbour, taking in the majesty that is God's creation. There are no words. I've never choked up at being somewhere new. But tears prick at the back of my eyes as I look out over the calm water and green hills of this place. The Kerry mountains loom through the fog to the south as sheets of rain move out to sea. Mount Eagle basks in the sun to the north, the light and shadow exaggerating every ridge and crevice. Seagulls call out as they swoop over the water, and then all I hear is the quiet lapping of the current, the water slowly making its way out to sea.<br />
I don't cry because I'm traveling alone and would love being here with my lover. I don't cry because I may never see this place again. (Although those would both be sufficient reasons to cry). I cry because I'm so full of joy for having been able to see this place, to have this experience.<br />
I cry because God has revealed an inch of His beauty in creating this place, and He has allowed <i>me</i> to see it. He has chosen to put <i>me </i>right <i>here</i> to be with Him and have a glimpse of His glory. <i>That</i> is worth all the tears in the world. Tears of joy, gratitude, and awe. Tears you cry when you're so in love that you think your heart will burst if it gets any fuller. <br />
I wish I could say that all that love is for God. But I must admit that some of it is for this land. As much as I adore Eire and wish I could stay forever, that is reason enough to go. I cannot let this place become my idol. I must praise God with my <i>whole </i>heart.<br />
I don't want to go. But God knows the plans He has for me. He will use me wherever I go. If I'm meant to come back, He will make a way.<br />
But for now, I will resolve to soak it all in - not just Dingle, not just this country, but my God. I will soak Him up, breathe in His Holy Spirit, and be filled with my Lord. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKkZinErdGBR0CQS3mE4sdlQ21R_63GmjhEpBxtPxmTCznKidEXKWbCVAuww9FGtfETlqxB850JcKrv-quNOvS5dMHJWPVwlI8jGu2-Ggvi_qDxI6OgRt85KFHQxZSZKAP1XdeUpX6hpf/s1600/DSC04507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKkZinErdGBR0CQS3mE4sdlQ21R_63GmjhEpBxtPxmTCznKidEXKWbCVAuww9FGtfETlqxB850JcKrv-quNOvS5dMHJWPVwlI8jGu2-Ggvi_qDxI6OgRt85KFHQxZSZKAP1XdeUpX6hpf/s320/DSC04507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just one incredible view from my "spot"</div>
<br />Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-90957972132204389522012-04-05T16:30:00.000-07:002012-04-05T08:43:36.459-07:00A "Brother Andrew" Moment<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Every good and perfect gift is from above, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>who does not change like shifting shadows." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>James 1:17</i><i> </i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My friend Sarah recently lent me a book called "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew. Its a true story of how a Dutchman smuggled thousands of Bibles behind the Iron Curtain through God's guidance and provision. There are many accounts in the book of times when Andy needed money or supplies and no way of getting it. In every one of those instances, God provided. In the Christian community we hear stories like that all the time: "I needed $17.35 and there was exactly $17.35 in my bank account where before there was $0!" or "My car died and so-and-so gave me their car for free!" After hearing several of those stories, its easy to think to yourself, "That's really cool that God's providing!" but we don't let it affect our hearts or the way we live our lives. And then this happened to me...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Monday morning, I was in the kitchen making a batch of much-needed coffee after a long weekend at the CU Annual Conference (which was <i>amazing</i>, by the way) when my doorbell rang. My initial thought was that it must be the postman with a package I'm expecting. Still in my pajamas, I answered the door to see an elderly woman who I didn't know on my doorstep. She smiled and said, "Does an American girl named Sam live here?" Thinking that maybe she was a neighbor who got my package on accident, I replied, "Yes, that's me." She took my hand in both of hers and said, "I'm sorry its not in an envelope" and walked away with a wave and a smile. I looked in my hand and there sat a crumpled 20euro note. I stuttered out a "Thank you" as she walked away, then closed the door and immediately started crying like a baby. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Any little annoyances in my life at that moment seemed so insignificant and trivial. I suddenly had real, tangible evidence of God's provision. He has been providing for me throughout my entire life and that provision has been most obvious during this Relay year where all of my living and ministry expenses are coming from God through my supporters. But here was tangible evidence of the way God speaks, ordains things, intertwines peoples' lives, and works out all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). I don't know who this woman was, how she knew my name, where I lived, or that I needed money, but God knows all of these things and He must have made the way for all of this to happen. Perhaps God spoke to her directly, maybe he used another one of His children to tell her. But whatever the means, God made it happen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">God's provision is just one of the many lessons I've been learning on my Relay year, but its also probably the most significant. My things are not my own (Psalm 50:9-12). Everything comes from God and belongs to God (James 1:17). He provides for His people exactly what they need (2 Kings 4:1-7). We are to live in light of those truths by using our money, possessions, and resources for the good of God's kingdom. Furthermore, we should always listen for God's voice and follow wherever the Spirit leads us no matter how seemingly scary or uncomfortable. He has a reason and purpose for everything, even if you cannot see or understand the effects your faithful actions may have. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pray that this story doesn't result in an apathetic response on your part but that it does indeed affect your heart and the way you live your life and spend your money. I also pray that <b><i>I</i></b> would never forget this incredible moment or become discontent with the things God has so generously given me. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 50:9-12</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Smuggler-John-Sherrill/dp/0800793013" target="_blank">"God's Smuggler" on Amazon</a> </i></div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-24177800307260414142012-03-09T04:13:00.001-08:002012-03-09T04:16:13.925-08:00Ask a Christian @ UCC<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="text Prov-27-17" id="en-ESV-17187">"Iron sharpens iron,</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-27-17">and one man sharpens another."</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Proverbs 27:17</i></div><br />
Sorry it has been so long since my last post! Life over the past few months has been pretty crazy: home for 2 weeks for Christmas, study week and Relay 2 in January, and more recently team days in Belfast and mission weeks at UCC!<br />
<br />
Last night UCC CU held an event called "Ask a Christian" as part of their mission/events weeks. The Atheist Society on campus has held "Ask an Atheist" events in the past so the CU decided to respond with their own event! Great idea, right?! Unfortunately we were competing with the Societies Ball so turn-out was quite low, but it was still a success!<br />
<br />
Last week I was terrified of being on the panel for the event, but once I started reviewing my notes and doing more research, God gave me such excitement for this opportunity! Studying in itself was a great learning experience but the event was even more of a blessing!<br />
<br />
The panel consisted of four of us, all with different (but over-lapping) areas of "expertise". Because most of the people in attendance were Christians, we ended up answering a lot of difficult Bible-based questions and clarifying things they had been asked by their non-Christian friends. Some of the questions were: "Why is there suffering?" "Can someone lose their salvation?" "What does 'working out your salvation' mean?" "How can Christians associate with the American Republican Party if it condones the death penalty and use of fire-arms?" (Luckily there were 2 Americans and a Canadian, and 2 of us historians, on the panel to answer this one!) <br />
<br />
It was such a blessing to be able to answer people's tough questions that they struggle with and things they've just always wanted to know the answer to. I'm confident that the answers I gave were from God because I don't think I'd be able to come up with some of those answers on my own! We also worked well as a panel, clarifying and expanding on each others' answers so that hopefully people weren't confused. <br />
<br />
There was talk afterward about doing these events more regularly so the tough questions could be talked through, and so the word would eventually spread and draw in more unbelievers. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more non-Christians in attendance but I know that God used the event to stretch the Christians in attendance and clarify things for the people who are "on-the-fence".<br />
<br />
There were still many questions after the event and I pray that people wouldn't stop asking! I used to just shrug off the tough questions because they hurt my brain and I assumed they were just things we weren't supposed to know. But since I've been on Relay I've studied those tough questions and find that I'm more able to think through and communicate the truth about those things. (In some ways I felt like this event was my mid-term or final exam for everything that I've studied on Relay so far!) So I hope that others wouldn't just shrug off the tough questions but have the guts to research and think and pray through them. I feel so honored that God would chose me to be a part of this event and I thank Him for growing me intellectually and practically through it!Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-59452090299563300312011-11-29T09:33:00.000-08:002011-11-29T09:33:16.881-08:00Mighty to Save<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"...'<span class="woj">Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj">"...</span><span class="woj">'Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.</span> <span class="woj">Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj">but a son belongs to it forever.</span> </i><span class="woj"><i>So if the Son sets you free, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i><b>you will be free indeed</b>.'" </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i>John 8:32&34-35 </i></span></div><br />
God is using CUs to reach the individuals on Munster's campuses! Several students who don't know Christ have been attending various CUs and asking their Christian friends questions. They are desperately seeking something greater than themselves and the Spirit is leading them to Christians for answers! <br />
<br />
Just today, a student attended CIT CU for the first time and engaged in a discussion about God and the Bible after the speaker's talk. I had the privilege of sitting in on this hour-long discussion in which the student asked questions, gently argued his point, listened intently to the responses, and took a Bible away to read! It was amazing to see how God was turning the wheels in his head and working in his heart as the discussion went on. It was equally encouraging to see a student in CU so eloquently, patiently, gently, and respectfully answer his questions, respond with Scripture, and argue for Jesus.<br />
<br />
Because Jesus is the one true God, I have total faith that He will continue to draw these people into Himself. Because the Bible is the Word of God, is living and breathing, is sharper than any double-edged sword, reveals our sin, and reveals Jesus as the solution, it will speak for itself and prove itself to be the Truth (Hebrews 4:12). I am praying and have faith that these students will accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. What a testimony that will be!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hallelujah! Our God is mighty to save! </b></div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-6279153757277347732011-11-29T09:16:00.000-08:002011-11-29T09:16:20.947-08:00121Lately I've been trying to focus more on individuals in CU: how I can lift them up in prayer, how I can encourage them in their walks, and basically how I can love on them. Jesus gave us a great example of how it is so important to invest time in individual people so that they can grow into Jesus' likeness and be equipped to spread the Gospel.<br />
<br />
This month I got to meet up with girls who are in a wide variety of places within the Christian walk (newer believers, solid in faith, struggling with anxiety or stress) as well as girls from various cultures and religious affiliations (American, Swiss, Irish, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, non-denominational etc). It is very cool to see how God can use me with any of these people in whatever situation they're in, and also how he reveals more of Himself to me through these people. Most of the time I walk away from a one-to-one (121) feeling really uplifted! It's "funny" that the purpose of doing 121s is to encourage others but through it I am encouraged as well!<br />
<br />
God has also showed me that if I can't meet up with someone 121 or if we don't even open the Bible when we meet, that He can use relationships for His glory. Sometimes being there as an ear, or to give a word of comfort, or just to have a laugh is revealing God to a person. (It's also a good reason to constantly be on guard in my words and deeds so that I don't cause anyone to stumble.)<br />
<br />
Doing 121s and investing in people is not just a Relay thing or a Keystone thing. It's a God thing that we're all called to do. So it is my hope that you will be encouraged and challenged to come alongside someone to be led and to lead. <br />
<br />
<div class="result-text-style-normal "><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><sup>"</sup>Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj">'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.</span> <span class="woj">Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,</span> <span class="woj">and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj">And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj">- Matthew 28:18-20 </span></i></div></div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-58303086762914040592011-11-01T11:01:00.000-07:002011-11-02T04:09:52.958-07:00CUs: Illuminating Limerick<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." </i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Philippians 1:4-6</i></div><br />
It's been ages since I last posted. Sorry about that! I guess it proves how busy I've been! Here's one of the (many) highlights from October:<br />
<br />
One Wednesday Peter and I went up to Limerick to meet up with some students at UL and to go to LIT's first official CU meeting! First off, it was great to meet up with with students! I met with three international girls who are here for the semester. It's fun to hear where they've been traveling, to give them my own travel advice, and to empathize with what it means to be on study abroad. It was great to talk about God and pray with them on campus, in the middle of the canteen (cafeteria), in front of other students! They're all lovely girls and I'm glad that I have the privilege of meeting with them and befriending them even if their time here is short. It can be frustrating that I can't be in Limerick as much as I'm in Cork but I hope that the time I do get to spend up there is fruitful. <br />
<br />
The student CU leaders at LIT have been planting seeds, planning, and praying for the past couple of months to get the CU up and running. At LIT's societies' day they had a lot of people sign up as interested in attending and most of those people were non-Christians! This came as a bit of a surprise because the vision the girls initially had for the CU was a place for Christians to fellowship and support each other. But I guess God had other plans! So we all had to shift our thinking and ideas about what the CU at LIT would look like. We decided that a "seeker" style Bible study would be best. It allows people to examine the Mark gospel and discover who Jesus was/is and what he did. People can ask questions, make informed decisions about Christ and Christianity, and hopefully encounter God in a real way. So, needless to say, we were all super excited about the first CU meeting!<br />
<br />
There were 13 people at the first meeting!!! Considering some CUs in Ireland have 1 or 2 people in them, 13 is hugely encouraging! Peter led the study which looked at Jesus' healing of the paralytic in Mark 2. The discussion was good, the fellowship was good, and the tea was good! It is so exciting and encouraging to see a new CU get up and running! It took a lot of hard work, a lot of prayer, and there was a lot of stress for the girls who planned it, but it all came together in that first meeting! Like all CUs, LIT will still need to be bathed in prayer and will still need a lot of commitment and hard work. But the first meeting just proves that God brings to completion those things He desires for His kingdom's sake! <br />
<br />
Please keep praying for LIT CU as they start making moves for God's kingdom on campus, and pray for the girls at UL as they travel, study, continue to acclimate to Irish culture, and eventually go back to their home countries. Pray that all Christian students in Limerick would shine God's light on their campuses! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNNTeiowu55zoFms-9Tc6ZfW-_Vs5Epch548qATfSeazO_QYHubBoev8UO2o2lLH6ICcu4bWzRbvHNktK4-U2GjOvoO4OndtVwWA4XMfaQG_xXdX4mUS9C7l1mSDJq7xUolcc4k_8j4YW/s1600/DSC03655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNNTeiowu55zoFms-9Tc6ZfW-_Vs5Epch548qATfSeazO_QYHubBoev8UO2o2lLH6ICcu4bWzRbvHNktK4-U2GjOvoO4OndtVwWA4XMfaQG_xXdX4mUS9C7l1mSDJq7xUolcc4k_8j4YW/s320/DSC03655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, Sarah, and Noemi (2 girls from UL)</div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-25527347327639841782011-09-28T07:55:00.000-07:002011-09-28T07:55:51.293-07:00God is Faithful<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>"He told them, <span class="woj">'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj">Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.</span> <span class="woj"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="woj"><b>Go</b>!...</span> '"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Luke 10:2-3</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday Peter and I were in Waterford for WIT’s Societies Day. There are about three people in the WIT CU out of a student population of about 10,000. We sat at the table for almost two hours without anyone signing up. I sat there silently praying that God would bring at least one solid, evangelical Christian and one seeker to sign up. By the end of the day we had about six names, three of which seemed seriously interested. By American standards this seems so tiny! Some people might call it a failure. But if those three people come to CU, it will DOUBLE in size! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the flip side, last night was UCC CU’s first meeting. Although we had about one hundred sign up at societies day, we didn’t know how many to expect. But we prayed for many hungry, seeking hearts. I was blown away when I opened the door to the Peters’ house and people came streaming in! I lost count but there were at least fifty students jammed into that house! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the contrast in yesterday’s events, God gave me this word last night: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even in seemingly “small” ministries where there isn’t a big harvest being brought in, God is there and He is working. Our work is not in vain. Churches that are getting hundreds of decisions every week aren’t better or more important or more worthy than our ministry. If one person has a seed planted, our ministry is just as successful as dozens coming to salvation. Our job is to spread the Word. It’s the Spirit’s job to work in their hearts. Don’t be discouraged by small turn outs. God is working in every scenario and every group. He has His reasons and His timing and they are perfect. Bathe it all in prayer. He answers prayer! (You’ve seen it!) He alone saves souls! He will fulfill His promise: every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11)</div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-43730985040522110942011-09-21T12:44:00.000-07:002011-09-28T07:42:13.216-07:00A Week in the Life... So Far<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>establish the work of our hands for us— </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> yes, establish the work of our hands."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 90:17 </i></div><br />
Well, the freshers are arriving, classes are starting, and things are starting to get busy around here! Here's what a typical week looks like so far:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><u><b>Monday:</b></u> Peter and I drive up to Limerick (about 1.5 hours away). We meet with a few girls who are trying to start a Christian Union at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). Their enthusiasm is so exciting and there's encouragement all around! Then we go over to University of Limerick (UL) to study, meet up with the CU committee, and attend the CU. There are a lot of new people there this year including a lot of international students who I obviously connect with very easily! I'm hoping to meet up with a few American girls there one-to-one. Mondays may be long (13 hour day!) but I love 'em! </li>
<li><u><b>Tuesday:</b></u> So far Tuesdays have been a bit random because things are starting slowly here in Cork. But Tuesdays will be a bit busy at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), and University College Cork (UCC) helping the committee, and going to the CU. </li>
<li><u><b>Wednesday:</b></u> I'll be trying to meet up with students, studying, and doing other administration. </li>
<li><u><b>Thursday:</b></u> We go to a weekly prayer meeting at Frank & Jo Peters' house. This awesome couple has been meeting and praying for UCC regularly for 6 years! Its great to meet with other Christian leaders in the area to pray specifically for the campus. (AND Jo makes some pretty mean scones! :)) After prayer, Peter and I meet up to discuss our schedule, the CUs, what's been going on, and what I've been learning. </li>
<li><u><b>Friday: </b></u>I usually study, work on raising support, look at my finances, and do other administration. </li>
<li> <u><b>Saturday: </b></u>I TRY not to work but that's proving to be difficult! </li>
<li><u><b>Sunday:</b></u> I go to church at Grace Fellowship which is a vibrant, solid, multicultural church. I'm starting to settle in there and meet people (praise God!) so I think I'm going to make Grace my "home church" here. </li>
</ul><br />
That's just a taste of the kind of stuff I've been doing here so far! There will be a LOT more added to this schedule in the upcoming weeks and I am so excited for it!<br />
<br />
It is just so cool to be a part of the Christian communities on the campuses here in Munster! I am so excited to see what God has already put in place and I'm even more excited to see what He has planned for the year ahead! I feel so blessed that God has called me to work with these college students and I can't wait to see how He uses me in their lives and how He uses THEM in MY life!<br />
<br />
I am constantly reminded of how small I am and how I can't do any of this on my own effort. But praise God that He is so big, that He goes before me to prepare the way, and that <i>He</i> will bring His work to completion (Philippians 1:6)!Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-17252702186234955502011-09-08T12:43:00.000-07:002011-09-08T12:43:40.211-07:00Grace Be With You: Greetings from Ireland!<div style="text-align: center;"> <i>"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and immortality to light through the gospel." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- 2 Timothy 1:8-10</i></div><br />
Sorry I haven't posted sooner! Life has been pretty busy here in Ireland. Here's a "quick" recap:<br />
<br />
18 Aug: Landed in Dublin! Yay!<br />
18 - 25 Aug: Lived at Esther's house while I house hunted and explored the city<br />
26 - 28 Aug: Staff and Families Conference at Castle Daly in Athlone<br />
30 Aug - 5 Sept: Relay 1 Conference in Weston Rhyn, England!<br />
6 Sept: Back to Cork, moved into my house!<br />
<br />
It is amazing how God has so beautifully orchestrated everything so far! Its just proof that if He wants you somewhere, He's going to provide and take care of it all. Its also proof that He answers prayers! I know a lot of you have been praying for things to go smoothly and I'm seeing the fruits of that! Keep it up! Haha :) Here are just a few examples of how God is working it out: <br />
<ul><li>I didn't have intermediate accommodation up until a few days before I left for Ireland and God provided it through Esther & Mikael opening up their home to me.</li>
</ul><ul><li>I didn't have any issues with the immigration officers at Dublin airport or at the Garda station in Cork so I am legally allowed to stay in Cork for the year! </li>
</ul><ul><li>I didn't have any housing lined up when I got here and God provided a place, with nice people, in a great location, for a low cost, in His perfect timing!</li>
</ul><br />
Not only has God provided physical things, He's also been taking care of me spiritually and emotionally. It can be difficult to move to a new country and start out knowing hardly anyone. But God so perfectly timed the Staff & Families and Relay 1 conferences. They came at just the right times for me to be encouraged and excited to do His work.<br />
<ul><li>It was great to finally meet everyone from IFES Ireland at Staff & Families. It was like being welcomed into the family and I could feel the love and support they give each other as an organization. I also finally got to meet the other Relay workers for this year: Fiona & Christina in Belfast and Sinead & Hannah in Dublin. We've already all become really close! The conference was at a beautiful old mansion and we got a lot of great, applicable teaching from evangelists Michael and Rosemary Green. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Relay 1 was absolutely incredible! There were 77 of us Relay workers from all over the UK and Ireland (plus one Brazilian and one American, of course). Every day was packed with theology, training, Bible studies, prayer, worship, and fellowship. </li>
<ul><li>Team Ireland really got closer to each other though prayer and embracing our individual senses of humor :) I also connected with my fellowship group which consisted of 5 other Relays (Steph, Rose, Andy B, Mike, Stuart) and a staff worker (Andy R). It was amazing to get to study God's Word in depth with each other every morning and express ourselves through song - literally! :)</li>
<li>There was just such amazing teaching all week long, all focused on grace. Session topics included: Grace in Ministry, Getting to Grips with the Cross, The Bible in Life & Ministry, Grace and Truth, Grace in Life, and Dealing with Doubts. It made for a pretty intense week. But it was an incredible reminder that we're not perfect but God is and because of Jesus we are covered in His perfection. It gave me a new confidence and understanding in why I'm here and what I'm doing. (Check out 2 Timothy and Colossians to study what we studied this week).</li>
</ul></ul><br />
I am so excited to reach Ireland's college students for Jesus and to get deeper into God. I realize that I have an amazing opportunity here. Probably at no other time in my life will I be able to study God's Word and who He is so intensely while ministering to college students in a foreign land. So I will end with the wise words of last year's Cork Relay, Donal (paraphrased): "Keep up your relationship with God and the rest of your ministry will fall into place." <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-XlsppPYCehLn5Lrp2jnRcENYc2ZYTHXN-yBjETTcc58xErWqUbpY5mqWpZOBbsARxKttibMJFuTWvdCvTlgq0wgqKOfx5pEtJifRtkBuCpiRE1YgoMj1buPgvMM69IZYtogqFKx2y6d/s1600/DSC03548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-XlsppPYCehLn5Lrp2jnRcENYc2ZYTHXN-yBjETTcc58xErWqUbpY5mqWpZOBbsARxKttibMJFuTWvdCvTlgq0wgqKOfx5pEtJifRtkBuCpiRE1YgoMj1buPgvMM69IZYtogqFKx2y6d/s320/DSC03548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cliche jumping pic of us Ireland Relay workers at Staff & Families</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please pray for ALL of us as we start meeting students this week! </div>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-86577181140717906922011-08-10T13:55:00.000-07:002011-08-10T13:55:18.914-07:001 Week Away!!!<div style="text-align: center;">"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30181"> </sup></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30181">"</sup>By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, </div><div style="text-align: center;">obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. </div><div style="text-align: center;">By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; </div><div style="text-align: center;">he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. </div><div style="text-align: center;">For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." </div><div style="text-align: center;">- Hebrews 11:8-10 </div><br />
<br />
It's been a few months since my last post but that's only because I've been so busy preparing for Relay! I've been trying to soak up every second of summer and time with friends while getting everything in order and preparing spiritually for what is to come.<br />
<br />
I have some crazy awesome "God stories" of how He is preparing me and divinely organizing everything for me in His perfect way. I've been challenged, tested, refined, and extremely blessed. He's given me such incredible peace about my financial needs, finding an apartment, leaving my life here, and doing full-time ministry across the pond. Looking at that list of challenges, I should be extremely overwhelmed. But God has an amazing way of enveloping me in His love, peace, and comfort. Here are just a few things He's reminded me of this summer: <br />
<br />
<ul><li>He has everything under control (Job 36:22-33).</li>
</ul><ul><li>He doesn't want me to worry (Proverbs 16:3, Matthew 6:25-34). </li>
</ul><ul><li>He's weaving everything together for my good (Romans 8:28). </li>
</ul><ul><li>He will provide all that I need (Matthew 6:33, Job 10:12, Psalms (basically all of them)).</li>
</ul><ul><li>God fulfills His promises (Lamentations 3:25, Genesis 21:1). </li>
</ul><br />
He has been using this time of preparation to draw myself and others closer to Him and I am so excited to see how God is getting the glory for His provision!<br />
<br />
So this is the part where I ask for your help: I still need $2,200 before I leave in one week and about $9,200 for the entire year. Please pray about whether you should give and how much. I'm also still looking for an apartment in Cork so if you know of any girls looking for a housemate, please let me know!<br />
If you'd like to give, please email me at: troyer.samantha9@gmail.com so I can give you details.<br />
<br />
I am so excited to get to Cork and begin God's work in Relay! Thanks for your prayers and support! :)<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30181"> </sup>Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3386736661797059312.post-60319815474742169392011-06-20T11:07:00.000-07:002011-06-20T11:07:59.501-07:00My Very First Blog Well, this is my first blog! I'm new to this whole blogging thing so please bear with me!<br />
I decided to start this blog so I can share all of the amazing things I know God is going to do while I'm doing Relay in Ireland!<br />
I studied in Galway, Ireland for a semester in 2008 and absolutely fell in love with the country! When I got home, all I could think about was being back in Ireland and telling people about how a relationship with Jesus is so much more than what their traditions dictate. When I graduated from college in December 2010, that desire was still there and I decided to apply for Relay. There are so many stories I could share about how God kept reaffirming that I was going to Ireland, so ask me if you want to know! Long story short, I was interviewed and offered a position as a Relay worker in Cork! Since then, I've been busy raising support (it will cost me approximately $14,000 to live in Cork for 10 months), finding a place to live, and preparing spiritually for Relay.<br />
I will try to keep this thing up-to-date so you can follow me on my journey!! It's going to be a long race, but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)!!!!Sam Troyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637074153307380588noreply@blogger.com0