David's blog

Having started the Timothy Partnership course as a full time student at the beginning of 2010, I am now over half way to completing my DipTh. This last semester has been the hardest for me. This has nothing to do with course content, but stuff going on in and around my life apart from TP. The problems I faced caused me to consider 'throwing in the towel'. TP students are not alone and as such, my mentors and friends encouraged me and gave me the help I needed to continue on.

The greatest gift throughout all eternity is that God, the Father gave us His son so that we may be redeemed back to Him.

Well I have been a busy bloke this semester. My blogs have been as rare as ashtrays on motorcycles. But here I am to give a report so to encourage the T.P. "tyre-kickers" to take the plunge.
If God is touching your heart to consider extending your understanding of Him, then "don't kick against the goad." If God isn't touching your heart, then maybe you should do the course or at least ask Him to encourage you in this direction.

Tomorrow I face my final exam for the first Semester of Timothy Partnership 2010.
As part of the Supervised, experience based learning subject, I need to self evaluate, so this blog is a summary of the evaluation.
my family and I rejoice in the way that God has provided for us through the generosity of his people.
The subjects I have studied have been used by the LORD in his shaping me into the man, He calls me to be.

Just a quick update on our kids group. KCRock is now known as KidZr.o.c.k. The ROCK is an acronym for Reaching Out for Christs Kingdom. Nicky, my wife is championing the cause and doing really well at it.
As a younger lady, Nicky said that, although she did not mind helping a little bit with the young adults, she did not want to work with little kids. So now as well as the KidZrock, Nicky is the main leader of Children’s Church. As a result of the efforts she puts in, the kids keep coming back and are growing in numbers.

Our minister has been pushing hard to get people to be involved with all kinds of ministry within the church. After nearly eight years of bible teaching and providing training, the church is being called to action. I praise the LORD that he has given me the TP to do to help equip me as I support the work that is happening and I am often receiving just the right training at just the right time.

God is good like that.

Well we are 1/2 way through the first semester of the Timothy Partnership course.
The work load does not decrease. Assignments still need to be done. Forums have quietened
off a little over Easter, but the study guides and required readers still beckon for my attention.

The further I get into the Timothy Partnership, the more I am enjoying it.
But there seems to be a terrible irony imposed on doing the course full time.
That is the more I do, the more I want to do. Whether it is reading my bible, research and assignment work, listening to the audio presentations or being involved with forum discussions, I want more.
The down side of this is that I do not have enough hours in the day.
One of the discussions on a forum was about the sabbatical rests. I know I need to rest and spend time on other things, like my wife and children (yeah and even mowing lawns), but I really love what I am learning about God. So if you are thinking about doing TP, then make sure you are ready to give up lots of time and know it is worth every minute of the journey.

What words of encouragement can I find?
Where do I turn in my time of struggle?
The LORD, the LORD! He is my rock and fortress.
He is my tower of strength.
In Him alone, do I place my trust.
The Sun rises and sets.
The Sun is as steady as time, time itself.
The moon lags behind the Sun and then races ahead with her plethora of stars ever trying to keep up.
All of the heavens race around. Where they have come from and where they are going? They do not know.

Analogies are ok up to a point, but I no longer feel like I am on a roller coaster.
Take a moment to read the other blogs, the girls have written. There excitement about the work they are doing and how God is blessing them is "wind under my wings" (to borrow a phrase). We are on a journey together. After all, it is the "Timothy Partnership" and even though we come from very different backgrounds and our ministries are heading in different directions, our lives come together in these studies and for God's will and purpose, we come together as a family for a season.