Encouraging Thoughts

The Damascus Road Encounter

2012-01-25T00:45:00.001+08:00

To have an encounter with, to meet, the omnipotent God instead of merely aligning ourselves with impotent religious traditions and laws is our greatest need today as it was thousands of years ago. Nothing short of this will change us. We cannot save ourselves any more than we can give breath to life.

But first we need to be convinced God is real. And not only to be convinced, but to encounter Him personally while on this wonderful, arduous and often confusing journey of our lives none of us asked to be on. Even if we are on a determined course in complete opposition to the claims of Jesus Christ.

Like Saul on the road to Damascus.

The Apostle Paul (whose given name was Saul) wrote a major portion of the New Testament, writings which shaped Christian doctrine. His brilliant letters shed light on many aspects of faith in Jesus Christ and practical living. So it may be hard to believe that this man once violently opposed Christianity, entering homes and dragging believers off to prison, casting his vote in hearty agreement to send them to death.

Saul was raised a devout Jew in Palestine, becoming a Pharisee, a scholar and expert on Jewish law. He thought the claims of Christianity were blasphemous. How could Jesus claim to be the Son of God? His life mission was to put a stop to such an insult to the pure faith he cherished. He was greatly feared by Christians in the region. When he set off on the road to Damascus, he was determined to imprison anyone in Damascus who believed in Jesus.

Then Saul had an unexpected encounter. On the road, he met the risen Jesus. The encounter is described in the Bible: “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ ”

The change was dramatic and lasting. He was blind for a period of days, then began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God and God’s forgiveness boldly in the synagogues. This was a man on fire. And he had to have known the ramifications since he himself had persecuted followers of Jesus. He knew he could be killed. So after being whisked away to safety, he went on to preach the Gospel in city after city. His new name, Paul, means “asked of God” as he had been chosen to reach those outside of the Jewish faith.

In case we doubt his encounter, consider what he went through for the sake of his faith: He was beaten and imprisoned numerous times, often to the point of death. He was whipped and stoned. He was shipwrecked three times, spending a night and day in the middle of the sea. He was in danger from robbers, spies, wild animals, and enemies who wanted to kill him. He endured starvation, extreme cold, and exposure. And he suffered these great hardships with joy!

The term "Damascus Road conversion" is now commonly used to refer to an abrupt about-face on a serious issue of religion, philosophy or perhaps politics. But Paul was incapable of accomplishing this about-face, or repentance, without God revealing Himself to him. While not all encounters with Jesus Christ are so dramatic, His invitation to know Him is given to all. It may happen during the course of a conversation, reading the Bible, or a moment of desperate prayer.

Jesus is inviting you to encounter Him on the Damascus road today.

As Paul said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

The World in 2012: 12 Ways to Make a Difference

2012-01-01T12:04:00.007+08:00

As we peer into 2012, ringing in the new year, the world is in a state of economic uncertainty and political upheaval. Hardships persist. After ringing in the new millenium in Ukraine, a young woman said she was hoping to wake up the next day and find that she and her circumstances were somehow different as if a mystical transformation would take place. But she was the same. The same problems stared back at her when she looked in the mirror and she was disappointed. The transformation we need takes place in our perspectives and in whom we place our trust. God seeks to embrace us, lift us out of our pain, frustration and deep fatigue and restore our souls. He encourages us to take hold of faith, clinging to Him who holds our dreams as we believe and work for the seemingly impossible in 2012.

We can draw inspiration from the lives of three individuals in greatly diverse fields who passed away this year leaving legacies of far-reaching impact on our world, changing the way we think, live and interact: John Stott, a prolific author credited with shaping 20th century evangelical Christianity; Vaclav Havel, Czech playwright, dissident and politician; and Steve Jobs, our modern-day Thomas Edison, innovator and entrepreneur.

The legacy of John Stott

1. Make a commitment to study the Bible.

Stott woke up at 5:00 a.m. daily to read the Bible and pray for hundreds of people before breakfast. For more than 50 years, he read the entire Bible annually.

"We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.” – John Stott

2. Make a commitment to social responsibility, starting with the needs of those around us.

“Social responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion. It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbor.” – John Stott

3. Mentor others – see the tremendous value and need for mentoring and take the time to do so.

John Stott wrote more than 50 books, crafted the Lausanne Covenant, a defining statement which launched the world evangelical movement, and an Anglican preacher, but many knew him as a mentor who personally and profoundly touched their lives. Billy Graham considered him a mentor.

4. Be salt and light in the world.

“We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, "What has happened to salt and light?" – John Stott

5. Learn how to communicate effectively and clearly.

"He wasn't Billy Graham," Richard J. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary said, "but he just exuded wisdom. He was able to take difficult topics and make them plain for people who are not all that tuned in to high-level intellectual discussion, yet he had the respect of scholars. He was one of those bridge figures."

The legacy of Vaclav Havel

6. Stand up for what is right, even if it may cost you.

A playwright, politician, dissident and intellectual, Havel gained international fame with Charter 77, a human rights manifesto which led to multiple imprisonments by the communist regime.

7. Be humble.

“As soon as man began considering himself the source of the highest meaning in the world and the measure of everything, the world began to lose its human dimension, and man began to lose control of it.” – Vaclav Havel

8. Keep your joy and child-like wonder. Be an artist, in the classic sense or otherwise.

Havel was known to roller skate in the palace in Prague.

9. When confronted with lies and hatred, respond with truth and love.

Havel may best be remembered as a symbol of democracy and freedom who once said "truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred".

The legacy of Steve Jobs

10. Use your abilities to make a difference in the world. Be innovative, while maintaining focus and simplicity.

Or as Jobs said he desired to “make a dent in the universe”. It would be difficult to overstate the impact of his life and legacy. I don't think many of us would know how to go back to a world without Apple products.

11. Stay married to your spouse.

Jobs did that as well. This has a greater impact on our world than we may realize and affects generations.

12. Follow your heart and passions in life. Don’t just settle.

And so I end with these words . . .

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." – Steve Jobs

What will be your legacy? Endeavor to make a difference in 2012. And may it be by the grace of Jesus Christ, bringing honor to God.

Comfort and Joy

2011-12-13T22:27:00.002+08:00

Telling stories breathes life into them, habitations built with words instead of brick and mortar. I remember as Christmas approached during my early childhood we would deck the halls, then my father would lift me into his arms and carry me around to see the dazzling ornaments, especially the ones too high for me to enjoy from afar. He would talk about the meaning of the nativity, the angels, and the lights. The wonder of traditions steeped in meaning instilled a deep sense of peace, joy and belonging – a sense of belonging to something far greater and profound than my tiny life, yet intimate, loving and near. And when I went to bed, visions of sugarplums danced in my head. And lyrics to songs of joy, “let every heart prepare Him room”, started to form a habitation for Jesus Christ in my heart.

Over the years I recreated meaningful holidays for our girls as we have lived in other countries. When they were young in Ukraine, we would sled and play in the snow, then get toasty by the fire with mugs of hot chocolate while singing carols by candlelight. Ukraine is a magical place for children during the Christmas season because you celebrate Christmas twice. We celebrated with our family and expat friends in December and with Ukrainian friends during Orthodox Christmas in January. In recent years, one young Ukrainian woman was especially touched by the warmth of love and joyful celebration.

Lilia grew up without a father and decided to become an atheist as a girl because religion was devoid of meaning for her. She stayed away from religious people, thinking they were irrelevant and dictatorial. So she made a brave step one day to join our discussion group at a cafe just before the holiday season began. She knew no one in the group, but fit in immediately. Lilia possessed a sharp mind and wit, and was always ready to engage in our lively discussions about character, truth, and the meaning of life. Whenever she would debate, she had the most winning smile. I once mentioned to her that even if a person disagreed with her, they would love her smile.

“Oh, but I am not usually this way,” she said. “I am just so happy when I am here. I never knew Christians could be so normal and talk about the questions I have about life in a real, meaningful way.”

We invited her to our Christmas party where we sang about the One who gives meaning to life. And as the lights lit up the tree, she knew a light was beginning to illuminate her mind and heart for the first time. “I am beginning to change how I view things,” she said one day. “I know now that God is real.” She began to see that the Christian creation, fall, redemption account made sense and shed light on her questions about life. C. S. Lewis wrote that he believed in God “as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Building a relationship with Lilia, caring for her, and engaging her in the deep questions she had about life and God, was a supernaturally natural experience. God touched her as only He can, but she felt the freedom to be accepted and cared for by us whether or not she accepted what we were saying.

God is the ultimate Playwright who has written clues about Himself into the universe and into the intricacies of our hearts, and our stories begin to make sense in light of the wonderful miracle of His story we celebrate during this season.

“ ‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ ” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1:23

The Greatness of Goodness

2011-12-07T11:09:00.010+08:00

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14)

The power of a good deed is sometimes underestimated. We often think only the most heroic deeds and individuals are worthy of mention. While reading “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” I often thought of the indomitable stand Churchill took against the aggressive evil of Hitler. A person of great courage, wit and leadership, he stated “a man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.” As a leader, he took a stand against the greatest evil of his day and would not negotiate or back down. He did what he must.

But in the context of our daily lives, how often do people do what they must in spite of personal consequences, obstacles, dangers and pressures? The act of a person helping a man who had been robbed and injured may seem small, but Jesus considered it significant enough to use the parable of the good Samaritan as an example. In this biblical parable it was a member of the despised race of the day, a Samaritan, who helped a man who was left for dead by the roadside and not the two religious leaders who passed him by. The religious leaders probably talked about doing good deeds, but they were too busy or unaware to help someone in need. Or perhaps they thought they were above it. Our light shines against the dark backdrop of this world with all of its evil, problems and desperation through our ACTIONS, not just our words.

After relating the parable Jesus asked “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)

We can follow the example of the Good Samaritan, who did the following:

He was aware of the person in need and was not too caught up in his own life to notice.
He helped the person in need, going out of his way to do so.
He took responsibility to follow through.
He committed his time and resources to help.

A poor boy from a remote mountain village ran into his burning house to rescue his younger brother from the flames. He suffered severe burns, but his family had no money for shoes and basic needs, let alone medical treatment. Through providing treatment, comfort and care the door to reaching many in his and other mountain villages opened to my friend Nadia in Ukraine. As a missionary in Asia and Eastern Europe, I have experienced firsthand how important our actions are in reaching people. The supremacy of Christ and the centrality of the Gospel are not only compatible with social responsibility, they are inseparable. In the western world as well, economic instability is creating a culture in greater need of personal, compassionate touch.

Such acts of mercy or compassion can be carried out by anyone. Acts of compassion are powerful and can provide opportunities to build relational bridges in nations rife with poverty, racial tension and injustice. When played out against the backdrop of evil, these simple acts are truly great and can open the door for opportunities to communicate the truth of God because we have demonstrated the love of God. But acts of compassion can cost us greatly because we become involved in the lives of the desperate and needy of this world. In so doing we identify with Christ and are strengthened by His love and grace, receiving much in return.

Silent Injustice

Injustice screams in silence

Because we deafen our ears

We stare, incredulous

And walk by

Disbelief blinding us from

An evil we can’t reconcile
With our dream bubble

Yet we create

A tempest in a teapot

Over traffic, delays, offenses

Mere trifles

Injustice, can you scream louder?

Because children are dying
I said, injustice can you scream louder?

Children are suffering,

Dying

Here in the devil’s playground

Facing Challenges with a Faith-Growth Mindset

2011-10-30T02:11:00.002+08:00

Scarcity or Abundance?

Many strive to be well-known, successful in the their field and reach “the top”. And in an environment where this is lauded, you often see a few people who are up front and they remain static, you don’t see a new crop of talented people emerging. Actually, there is a study which proves that praising intelligence and talent doesn’t foster self-esteem and accomplishment, but jeopardizes them. In this environment, people think they are entitled to their positions and lose perspective, while new or younger people are afraid to try thinking they may fail and miss the mark of being labeled one of the "talented" or "smart" ones. This alienates people instead of creating an environment for healthy growth and mentoring relationships. In short, there is scarcity of opportunity instead of abundance. This type of organization fosters a fixed mindset. Churches can be this way. So can schools. The very places in greatest need of tenderly nourishing and encouraging growth.

All for One, One for All

The other perspective is that there are unlimited possibilities for everyone to make a difference and to do something significant with their lives for a greater purpose, to honor the God who created them. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—intelligence and talent (or giftedness) are just the beginning. This perspective creates a love of learning and a resilience essential for great achievement. The infinite-personal God gives us the gift of a life of purpose uniquely our own, but connected with the body of Christ. We can encounter challenges with courage and self-worth, and grow through them. And we can mentor and encourage the next generation to become all that they can be without fear of losing our positions.

Two Mindsets: Fixed or Growth

I talk with people who have destructive mindsets, leaving them in a fog of discouragement and morass of unrealized dreams when they encounter challenges. Emerging on the other shore ready to zealously explore new territories takes more than wishful thinking and Oprah-esque tips for self-improvement. True enlightenment comes from God and knowing His perspective of ourselves, our challenges and where we should go from here.

Carol Dweck, Stanford psychologist and author of “Mindset”, a book about a fundamental difference in thinking found that aptitude and raw talent have little to do with how far children will journey in life when they reach adulthood. Furthermore, she found that how people respond to challenges and failure depends, not on their failure, but on their mindset. A fixed mindset leads you to think that failure is enduring and defines your self-worth and abilities. A growth mindset leads you to embrace challenges and put forth effort in order to learn and grow, while seeing your self-worth as separate from success or failure.

People who embrace the fixed mindset, or unknowingly live in its grip, think in the following ways:

I am either talented or gifted or not. I can do nothing to change this.
If I fail, this proves I am not one of the gifted/talented people.
I should only attempt things that are a sure thing.
I am afraid someone will come along who is more talented or smarter than I am.
Criticism reinforces that I am a failure and unworthy.
Intelligence is static.

People who embrace the growth mindset think in the following ways:

I embrace challenges because they will make me stronger.
My self-image is not tied to how I appear to others or to success.
Doing anything well requires effort.
I can enjoy the process of growing and learning and eventually master skills.
Feedback from others will help me improve.
Intelligence can be developed.

Developing a New Mindset: A Faith-Growth Mindset

We can develop a Faith-Growth mindset which places our hope in God and knowing He is working in our lives and our world, while realizing it takes effort and continuous learning to get where we need to go and overcome the challenges we face in life. We can be encouraged by the faith hall of famers in Hebrews chapter 11 in the Bible who persevered and accomplished great things even though they suffered and did not finish all that they set out to do in their lifetimes. The legacy of faith was passed on to the next generation, and to us.

Jesus stated it well with this simple, powerful phrase: “With God, all things are possible”.

It’s Not About Us Anyway

As Count Zinzenndorf, founder of the Moravian Church, said, “Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten.”

There is great comfort in losing ourselves for something greater than ourselves. For a greater cause, a greater purpose than our own egos, for the fame of someone who is altogether worthy of the worship of our hearts and commitment of our lives.

Vision: Formation and Development

2011-01-06T05:13:00.008+08:00

A vision is often born out of a concern that something is not as it should be and someone should rectify it. And then the person who has the audacity to think such thoughts realizes they are the man or the woman to see it through; not do it all, but to see it through. It becomes a stewardship, a passion which must be developed into a plan in order to mature and become reality. When played out against the creation – fall –redemption narrative of our world, compassionate vision is necessary to see potential in people, in relationships, in culture, in every sphere.

Embracing a vision sometimes requires stepping outside of our fear, insecurity and pride. To adopt an HIV positive child of another race. To pursue a new business venture. To speak out in the face of injustice. To ask for forgiveness and work on a difficult marriage. To reach out to a group of people who have a different lifestyle. To make a contribution, but remain anonymous.

Living in the former Soviet Union provides a multitude of opportunities for vision because there are needs everywhere you turn, so it becomes vital to focus our efforts. I wrote the following in response to my friend Nadia Povalinska’s amazing photograph (above). You may feel the same way when you are carrying a vision.

The Visionary

The disparity between vision and realization

The now and the not yet

The real and the ideal

Could lead to slight insanity

And despair

If it were not for God

If it were not for heaven

From where else do we derive this sense

Of perfect love

Perfect beauty

Perfect truth?

When I’m lost in a haze

Searching for peace

Wanting to find that place

Where earth and sky meet

He whispers in the still moments

At His feet

It’s through the humble door

Of My loving, boundless, extravagant

Grace

We first consider what should be done, then how. Here are a few practical building blocks for vision from Andy Stanley’s book Visioneering. He uses the term “visioneering” to mean the engineering of a vision and uses the example of Nehemiah who heard about the devastation of Israel and set out with compassion, determination and a plan to do something about it.

A vision begins as a concern
A vision does not necessarily require immediate action
Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers
God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life
What God originates, he orchestrates
Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate
Communicate and cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time
Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have
Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision
Visions are refined – they don’t change; plans are revised – they rarely stay the same
Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance and if necessary, a revision of the plan
Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division
Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority
Don’t get distracted
There is divine potential in all you envision to do
The end of a God-ordained vision is God
Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors
Visions require constant attention
Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership

One Resolution: Faith in a Faithful God

2011-01-02T03:03:00.009+08:00

As we celebrated the New Year at Maidan (Independence Square) in Kiev with thousands of jubilant people I thought if the euphoric hope for a better year could be bottled and sold on grim days it would significantly boost the economy. But wishes and good cheer do not lead to improvement. After the countdown to the new year, the clock keeps on ticking and we find ourselves going somewhere in life – good or bad. We can’t stand there forever in the glow of fireworks and falling snow. We can’t wish our difficulties away, wave a magic wand, and wake up different. It is wise to evaluate where we are in our relationships, finances, careers and goals and set our compass for the best destination. But how?

Trust in God and His faithfulness
I met a university student for coffee a few days ago. She said she and her boyfriend had been talking about how our family always seems happy. “You must have difficulties too,” she said. “What is your secret?” I said we definitely go through difficulties, but we have joy which doesn’t depend on our circumstances because we trust in God. But this kind of trust means to cling to, rely on and place everything in God’s hands because of who He is. This trust grows because we have seen His faithfulness over the years.

Obey Him
You can’t just say you trust God, you have to set your priorities, goals, and lifestyle according to His ways. When we go our own way in disregard of His commandments, we shouldn’t be surprised when we get in trouble. The word “obey” causes the modern man to bristle, but if we have settled the idea that God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6) , we can see the wisdom of obedience. Troubles sometimes happen when we do obey God, but we enjoy His pleasure and nearness in the midst of them.
Psalm 23

Cultivate Faith, not Fatalism
In general, people have reasons for not believing or trying: things didn’t work out before, they have special circumstances, you don’t understand how bad things are in their nation, etc. But we don’t get anywhere worth going without faith. When we envision anything worth going persuing, faith is the fuel which keeps us joyfully moving ahead. We have to cultivate faith and protect it or we could wander in the wilderness just outside of our Promised Land in a malignant holding pattern of doubt and bitterness. How do you feel when you spend time with someone who has an infectious, joyful faith? Encouraged? Energized? You can be sure they have habits which keep their faith strong. You can develop those habits.

Let’s set our moral compass toward God and accomplish great things this year by faith.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.”
Tozer

The Need for Life Coaching

2010-04-18T02:03:00.012+08:00

I’m sitting in this posh coffee shop feeling like I am not in Kiev for the moment, except for the smoke wafting through the air. I am supposed to be enjoying London and attending a training conference to learn how to effectively coach people in life and ministry. Instead, an unpronounceable volcano in Iceland erupted, spewing out ash directly in our flight pattern and so I sit. And ponder. And let my thoughts wander and hopefully coalesce into a blog post.

I think back to a few months ago when, after leaving this coffee shop, I had an epiphany (epiphanies often occur after coffee): all of our LIFE+ English Clubs for Ukrainian students fit in the category of life coaching through conversational English. We primarily cover topics on leadership, relationships and life issues. Then I considered what was lacking in this nation, and that was it. People yearn for and need mentoring in these areas. I knew we were on to something that had the potential to reach a generation.

My world intersects with Kiev street kids about twice a month when I take some Russian-speaking youth from an international Christian school to interact with the kids at a shelter. The kids are brought to this government shelter from the street and they cannot leave until they are relocated. The guys often play sports with the guys there, then eat and hang out with them. Sometimes we plan discussions on practical and spiritual topics. The girls do crafts, dance hip hop and also have similar discussions. But at times the place can be intimidating and it is easy to feel that our efforts are so minimal when these kids’ lives are so tough. I was considering ending this outreach in May because I had not developed a full program that met my level of satisfaction and accomplishment.

So last week, on the verge on quitting, I took a group to the shelter. And while I was there, the woman in charge of the day to day happenings stopped me and said that we were their favorite group. I asked her why, since our outreach was so simple. She said, “You don’t understand. Adults come here and lecture. They come in with programs, but you are the only one who is bringing young people who can relate to them. They see them as examples.” I realized that what we were doing, simple as it was, was tremendously powerful because we cared enough to connect and relate to these often forgotten kids. I also realized that something inside of me was not allowing me to celebrate success until it reached a level that I deemed good enough. A weight fell off of me as I left and celebrated the good in what we were doing.

Young people need loving mentoring. And we who are trying to make a difference in their lives need to embrace the value in it. Many missed out on mentoring in their own lives, but it is possible to break the cycle of relational neglect and get involved on an intimate level with some of the people around us who can learn from us. Attending a conference or listening to a speaker is not enough. There has been a paradigm shift away from top-down, up front ministry to relational, engaging, interactive ministry.

Here is one effective way to approach mentoring others. In preparation for this training in London, I read “Coaching 101” by Robert Logan and Sherilyn Carlton. There is a specific coaching process they lay out in their book. Here is the process with accompanying questions:

Relate
How are you doing? Where are you now? How can I be praying for you? What do you want to address? How can we work together?

Reflect
What can we celebrate? What’s really important? What obstacles are you facing? Where do you want to go? How committed are you?

Refocus
What do you want to accomplish? What are possible ways to get there? Which path will you choose? What will you do (who, what, when, where, how)? How will you measure your progress?

Resource
What resources will you need to accomplish your goals (people, finances, knowledge, etc.)? What resources do you already have? Where will you find the resources you need? What can I do to support you?

Review
What’s working? What’s not working? What are you learning? What needs to change? What else needs to be done? What further training would be helpful?

Wouldn’t you have loved to sit down with someone at some point in your life and have them ask you these questions over a period of weeks and really listen? Maybe you need that right now. And there are probably people in your life who need it right now. You don’t have to know all the answers to be effective in helping others grow.

Got Hunger?

2010-01-02T18:32:00.010+08:00

As I’ve perused best and worst lists of the past decade, and political and economic journalists doling out grim forecasts for Ukraine I have reflected and thought about having great expectations for the next decade.

What were your memorable moments and milestones of the past decade? What are you looking forward to in the next? Do you think the best days are in the past?

If so, I pray God will lift you up to a place of faith and hunger for Him. It is far better to start the day with joyful expectation of the goodness of God, daring to believe, dream and walk it out by faith. Let’s cultivate the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning, but not for material things.

I was thinking about momentum and what is the impetus that sets life in motion in a positive direction. And then what causes life to continue in motion towards something positive without detours or bad trips to undesirable places, no stopping by the side of the road with head down in despair. And it seemed faith was the impetus. But then there seemed to be something more fundamental, more raw and essential. And that essential is the heart captured in worship of God and all that He is in His greatness and lovingkindness. Then faith to do a certain thing or move forward in a specific direction has its place because we are close enough to God to know His heartbeat and fight discouragement. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
(Romans 10:17)

But I didn’t stay there. I began to think about what keeps people from that fundamental place of living out a life of devotion to God, being satisfied in Him. So that led me to think about hunger itself. Every human being on the face of the earth hungers in their soul. So the question is, what do you pursue and does it make you dull towards God? If you seek satisfaction in things other than God (material possessions, personal success, status, harmful addictions, etc.) you may not realize your deficit at first, but they will leave you empty.

So I leave you with a challenge: Don’t start with the usual New Year’s resolutions or goal-setting. Begin the year by setting your heart right. Consider praying and fasting and commit to the basics, like reading the Bible. When our hearts are rightly set, good things will follow and we can recognize them.

Do those things that cause you to flourish in God.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
(Isaiah 55:1-3)

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!" (Psalm 31:24)

Relationships: Tearing Down the Walls

2009-12-02T04:10:00.003+08:00

When I was preparing to speak on the topic of marriage recently, I searched for the right image to portray common difficulties and the need to develop a lifestyle of forgiveness, healthy communication and showing love towards one another in practical ways that can be felt. Then this image of the wall came to mind.

This scenario often happens in marriage: The wife feels misunderstood by her husband, so she lays down a brick between them. The husband thinks she doesn't show him respect, so he lays down a brick. She tries to pour out her heart to him, but he is headed out the door and doesn’t have time. Another brick. Burnt toast in the morning, another brick in the wall. Sometimes a wall is erected overnight when there is major trauma in a marriage, such as abuse or an affair. But there may be a small window left through which the two of them communicate civilly day in and day out. An occasional arrow is shot through the small opening, but the two of them continue to go through the motions of life on each side. They may even pray and serve others in many ways. The veneer of relationship remains while they deny or minimize the presence of the wall which stands between them.

Enter God’s plan for marriage. There is no relationship like it on earth, that is why the battle rages hot and strong to ruin this powerful, precious, most intimate of all earthly relationships. It is meant to represent the relationship between Christ and His church, providing a loving model for generations. When a couple settles for a marriage that is barely alive, then the damage reaches far beyond the hollowness of their own lives. Many people don’t believe they can find that place of closeness and love again. Like a driver who keeps running into trees and gets a new car thinking that will solve the problem, people often leave a relationship when difficulties arise only to run into the same problems again. Problems in relationships don’t solve themselves, healthy relationships can be learned.

Love is wasted on saints, love was meant for sinners (Mike Mason, “The Mystery of Marriage”). Marriage puts two people in the vice grip of love where feelings alone are not enough. The need for unconditional love, God’s love is apparent. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Cor. 13:4-6)

Do you sense a wall in your relationship?
Here are a few ways to tear down the wall and build a stronger marriage:

Grow in forgiveness
Learn to respond instead of react
Choose “we” over “me” when making decisions
Create boundaries to protect your relationship in place of walls that divide
Have a date night, coffee, lunch, or whatever works with your schedule
Talk and pray through issues and concerns periodically, but not on your date!
Learn the love language of your spouse (gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation, touch, quality time) - Gary Chapman
Get help and advice from others when needed

T: The Terrestrial

2009-09-09T17:58:00.018+08:00

Terrestrial – of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants; worldly; mundane in scope or character.

Recently I have been saddened by the "me-centered", so-called Christian messages out there. In Eastern Europe, many people have been duped into investing, and then losing, large sums of money by believing they would become millionaires if only they would invest in so-called Christian schemes. Then there is the teaching that God is all about making your dreams come true. Follow God, and you will be fulfilled – yes, you will, but not usually according to your wishes and desires. Often there are sacrifices that lead you to grow in your understanding and relationship to God, leading to even greater fulfillment and dreams that do not revolve around you.

Error #1: It’s all about me

I like mini Coopers. In our neighborhood in the center of Kiev there are four of them and when I go for a run, I pass all of “my” mini Coopers and admire them. One Saturday morning I returned home from my run and mentioned to my daughter with her friends present that one of my mini Coopers was dented. My daughter, Abbi, said to her friends “She’s just imagining it. I mean, they are really there, but they are not hers.” I had an immediate flash-forward to me at age 85 sitting in a nursing home and Abbi trying to convince the nurse that I do not belong in the dementia ward. I had, in fact, lived in Ukraine, New York and the Philippines, and yes, my stories were true. If life orbited around me, if life orbited around you, there would not be enough material possessions to satisfy. Our souls tend towards addiction and cannot be fulfilled by focusing on our desires. It is a trap that will hurt ourselves and others and keep us from all that God has for us. And sooner or later, we do grow old and leave this world, leaving our material possessions behind.

Pitfall: If you look to God as a formula for your personal blessing and happiness, then when things don’t turn out as you expected, you may bail out of relationships and turn away from God.

Error #2: It’s all about this life

Then there is the “save the world by our own efforts and goodness” approach. It sounds like this: let’s create programs to help people and do what we can to bring about a world of peace and harmony, but let’s leave out the offensive parts of the Bible, such as heaven and hell and sin. People don’t really need to hear that kind of teaching, it would just turn them away . . . or turn them to the God who loves them and offers salvation and new life.

Pitfall: You may end up lost and leading others astray with no life-giving, redeeming message at all.

The Christ-Centered Life

When our lives are God-centered through faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our small, sinful, out of synch worlds and brought into the fullness of His love and purposes, uniting us in healthy, vibrant relationships with others. And with the assurance of life after death in heaven for all eternity.

Any other message disappoints.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is yourlife, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

(Colossians 3:1-5)

Keeping it Simple and Real

2009-06-08T20:25:00.005+08:00

Sometimes life feels like a juggling act where one wrong move could send everything crashing in bedlam. Be kind to others. Look your best. Serve with excellence. Be smart. Use your talents well. Tend to all of your relationships. Meet deadlines. Stay fit. And all the while still smiling.

But I am tired of excellence at the moment and want to spend a bohemian summer reading some great books, writing and loving people, maybe even wear hemp clothing and funky jewelry. And as I am encouraged by God, I want to consider how to encourage others better and how to reach the young generation more effectively. And of course I want to get out and exercise in the beautiful summer weather and have fun with family and friends. And play my flute.

But wait, this is starting to sound like the same list, only packaged differently. The difference is that it is grace-oriented, not task-oriented, and fueled and refreshed by love. I am a choleric artist, an oxymoron, I know. Don’t try this at home. I am as driven as a race car driver with an idealism that is always elusive. I think I understand how Thoreau felt when he wrote: “Our life is frittered away by detail. . . Simpilicity, simplicity, simplicity!”

This morning I ran four miles and ate a bowl of cherries. Ukrainian cherries are the best. I am writing this in my “Drops of Jupiter” jeans and flip flops at one of my favorite neighborhood coffee shops. I think I will spend the summer this way and take it on into the fall, simplified and streamlined, not wearied by the minutiae of detail. Hey, maybe I can even spell something out of it. You know, one of those acronyms:

S eek God
I nvest talents wisely
M ake disciples
P lay often
L ove others
E njoy life

Real SIMPLE, that’s it, she writes with a smile as she sips her cappuccino and spends time with the important people in her life. (Painting of our region, Podol, in Kiev.)

"But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42, NLT)

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."
(Matt. 6:33, The Message)

Rehearsing Goodness

2009-05-09T00:08:00.003+08:00

God, it’s gorgeous. I see the flowering pink and white trees outside my second-story window, the glint of sun in the billowy clouds juxtaposed to the darkness of an impending spring shower. Just a few weeks before we leave this house in the woods outside Kiev, I look at my surroundings with fresh appreciation.

Change. Again. But the move is only across town to a high-ceilinged beautiful flat in my favorite old part of the city. The benefits of close proximity to people and places make it a good move. The fact is, change never lets up. It is a relentless march from childhood to old age or an inviting journey of wonder and new opportunities, beckoning us to grow and stretch in response. Take your pick. The challenge, from my standpoint, is smiling at the future.

Old painful scenarios can play out in our minds as a script from the past that we want to tear up and throw away. We want a new script where the heart does not hide and the repeating cycle of longing, fulfillment and letting go always leads to new possibilities in light of the deep, abiding constant of the unfailing love and faithfulness of God.

Yes, in light of this, smiling at the future is not empty-headed optimism. Swine flu and economic crisis, people coming and going, the landscape always changes. I was saved from sappy sentimentality just now because I don’t see a rainbow filling the sky with color as the rain begins to fall. When I was a small child, blonde curls bouncing, my father instilled in me the confidence I needed for life. I lived in trust and security, which seemed to stretch on forever. Years were eons compared to what they are now. Now they pass by rapid-fire.

And my heavenly Father says, “Trust, trust me. It is going to be good because I am with you, leading you, and I am good." Yes, mightily good.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.” (Proverbs 31:25)

Keeping Passion Alive

2009-01-19T04:46:00.007+08:00

Is your passion for life at a low, embers about to burn out, at a high or somewhere in between? It is important to carry out our responsibilities regardless of emotion, but some things are hard to initiate or fight for without passion, such as being so moved by injustice that we must act, having the heart to go the extra mile to help someone in need, or engaging emotionally and joyfully with the people in our lives. These are only a few examples where duty alone is rarely enough. We need passion.

The reasons we lose passion don't have to be mysterious or attributed to our ability to simply flip an emotional switch. First, let’s look at the meaning of the word. One meaning of passion is eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity. It is synonymous to zeal, which implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause; a strong liking or devotion to some activity, object, or concept. In short, it is about desire and motivation. Last week at International Christian Assembly in Kiev, Paul Pierquet addressed 7 specific things that can rob us of passion. Here are the points, borrowed from Rick Warren’s message.

1. Unbalanced schedule
Too much to do, too little time. Is every commitment on your schedule necessary? Do your top priorities get crowded out because you don’t have the time for them? Maybe it is time to refocus and do less or do what you do more efficiently, cutting out time wasters.

2. Unused talent
Do you find that you actually become more energized when you are doing what you do best? All the better if your vocation matches your talents.

3. Unconfessed sin
Sin robs us of passion, joy and peace because it gets in the way of our relationship with God. It also hurts others. But when we ask for forgiveness, we are cleansed, refreshed and strengthened to walk in ways that please God.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)

4. Unresolved conflict
Trying to move forward with unresolved conflict can be like trying to hold a ball underwater; it keeps popping up. Long-term conflict is wearisome. Constructively working through our conflicts can not only help renew passion, but strengthen our relationships. We can’t be problem free, but we can have peace and strength when we deal with conflict together.

5. Unsupported lifestyle
We are created to flourish in community (family, church), caring for and encouraging one another. Isolation from others is simply not conducive to health.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . . .”
(Hebrews 10:23-24)

6. Unclear purpose
Laboring to no purpose, with no goal in sight, and no hope of breakthrough can rob anyone of passion. But clearly defined purpose and expectations serve to motivate. Even better to purposefully use our talents, serving others.

7. Undernourished spirit
Not only do our physical bodies require nourishment and care, our spirits do as well. We need to devote a part of our day to prayer and Bible study. We never “grow out” of our need for spiritual nourishment.

If we can remove the “un” from any of these we may find in our lives and pursue health in these areas, we may find our passion renewed.

Only One Messiah

2008-11-08T18:48:00.010+08:00

Approaching election time, people are acutely concerned about the future of our nation. People I know can usually agree on the problems we face as a nation, such as the economy, but are polarized over policies and candidates. While it would be ideal to have a President who embraces all of the values I cherish, that is rare. I don't underestimate the importance of leadership in critical times (Ex: Reagan, Churchill), but no man, save one, is our Messiah.

A fellow missionary recently talked about her experience in a missionary training school. The first day they walked into the classroom, the instructor had written on the board: "You are far worse off than you think you are." And then: "The Gospel is far greater than you realize." Understanding this is key. Yes, we need Jesus Christ to change our lives and then, to take personal responsibility to represent Him in changing the world.

To extrapolate, as Jim Collins stated in his book Good to Great, we have to confront the brutal facts first, while never losing faith. When we consider this critical juncture in our nation, and in the world, the facts are brutal. In the area of the economy alone, the mountain of personal and national debt is like Everest. We have to own the problem, meaning that we take personal responsibility to live within our means, get out of debt, and do what we can on a broader scale, even if it is at a grassroots level.

A compelling need to act comes from being informed about the true state of affairs, and then, when the well of false hope runs dry, to embrace a solid faith that leads to action. A friend, Day, recently commented about how one cannot promote self-reliance and government expansion at the same time. Through teaching high school students Government, Economics and Worldviews at a school for missionary kids in Kiev, he is influencing the next generation of leaders because, as Lincoln said "the philosophy of the classroom today will be the philosophy of government tomorrow."

What can you do?

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galations 5:6

"There is no worse mistake in public leadership than to hold out false hopes soon to be swept away."
Winton Churchill

Thoughts of the Day

2008-08-09T00:20:00.014+08:00

More “thoughts of the day” while in NYC with my daughter.

1. Don’t be seduced by the dark side

The dark side doesn’t look dark at the outset, but we are tempted to pursue what looks good to us on the surface because it seems fulfilling. I shared the “sexy carrot” cartoon in Donald Miller’s "Blue Like Jazz" with my daughter and we had a good laugh. The gist of it is that Don Rabbit saw sexy carrot, chased her to New York, then to the moon and finally caught her. The moral of the story: “If you work hard, stay focused, and never give up, you will eventually get what you want in life.” But then he choked on sexy carrot and died, leading to the second moral of the story: “Sometimes the things we want most in life are the things that will kill us.” Be discerning and aware of the spiritual battle.

2. Treat all people with kindness and compassion

New York is multi-cultural, so when we were running along the Boardwalk in Brooklyn, there were more Russians, Asians and Middle Eastern people than people who looked like us. Every kind of person, race and religion exist side by side. Jews and Palestinians pass one another along the Boardwalk. I had an opportunity to encourage and pray for a Muslim Palestinian woman in a store. Her husband made abusive comments and left the store, so she closed herself in a dressing room, crying. I had been talking with her and her children a few minutes earlier, so I coaxed her out and talked with her. When we are aware and open, opportunities to show care towards people are everywhere.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

John Wesley

3. Protect your walk with God as your most-valued relationship

Keep that priority no matter what changes, hectic schedules, upheavals or joys come along in life. But remember that it is God who is keeping you, not your own abilities to be good and go through the motions of faith. Keep it alive. Keep it real. Stay close to Jesus.

"Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah."

Ephesians 2:5-6 (The Message)

4. Know you are loved

Period. Good times and bad. Difficulties and triumphs. Successes and failures. Fat or thin. Bad hair day or good. Through laughter and tears. You have tremendous value as a person and a dynamic purpose in God. Your uniqueness is celebrated.

Lessons in New York City

2008-07-29T22:37:00.004+08:00

I am enjoying three weeks in one of my favorite cities, New York. Never mind the sweltering July heat, give me the streets of Manhattan, the lush green beauty of Central Park and the off-beat artistic vibe of SoHo. I am enjoying every day while my daughter is participating in an advanced creative writing workshop for high school students at Columbia University. It is a great opportunity for her, and a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time together in the city we both love during the summer of her sixteenth birthday. On the first day of her program, I started giving her my “thought of the day” to make our time memorable and encouraging, so here are my lessons for my daughter in New York.

1. Believe that anything is possible
After the first day of her program, I told her that I brought her to New York so she would believe that anything is possible. She loves to write and Columbia is the top university for writing and journalism. After she got in, someone offered to pay her tuition and someone else bought her a laptop computer. So, instead of seeing the impossibilities, we should pursue God and our dreams and see what can happen.

“And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 9:23

2. Use your talents to make a difference
Talents are gifts to be used to make a difference, not just to say, “Hey, I have a talent, look at me.” That is an important lesson to learn early in life.

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
Teddy Roosevelt

3. You, too, can be an artist
We went to MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art, and this was the thought I had as we left after viewing one canvas painted entirely in black and another entirely in white. Sometimes simple is genius, but not in that case.

4. Anything is possible, by determination and the grace of God
We have to work at things in life, even when some things come easily for us, to hone our skills. But most of all, we need the grace of God to accomplish anything worth accomplishing. I will paraphrase an example Pastor Brett Fuller gave last night at the Morningstar New York service. When his young son gave him a Christmas gift, he was so pleased as his father opened it, but the money for the gift was not his own. He had to purchase the gift with his father’s money. In the same way, anything we accomplish for God is because God Himself has “given us the money” or the abilities, strength and grace to do so. Therefore, we should humbly and thankfully acknowledge the work of God in our lives.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!"
Romans 11:36

I will elaborate on four more in my next post.

Not Giving Up: Part 3

2008-06-18T02:11:00.015+08:00

The Hope of Calling

Can you imagine a symphony orchestra without a conductor? A team without a coach? A book without an author? Or, God forbid, a wedding without a groom?

When someone pursues calling and purpose in life without acknowledging a “Caller”, the attempt is futile. One popular author who does not mention God tries to infuse life’s work with meaning by referring to “the summons of that which needs doing”. That has about as much appeal as fizzless Coke, and can lead to extremes of becoming either a dogmatic addict or a disillusioned drop-out.

In his book The Call, Os Guinness offers a well-spring of life in his definition: “Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service.”

First, He calls us to Himself.
Then, He calls us to use the abilities He has given us to serve others.

Guinness relates the story of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who was an aimless writer before his horrible experience in the Russian Gulag. Later, he was miraculously cured of cancer and met a Jewish believer who led him to faith in Jesus Christ. He had an increasing sense of calling to put “the dying wish of millions” on record. His did just that in many volumes, including The Gulag Archipelago, which had a profound impact on my life.

Many people can remember a moment during childhood when they felt joyfully awakened to what they love to do, whether in the area of music, sports, art, medicine, science, teaching or whatever. Do you remember such a time? Often it is forgotten when the stresses of life threaten to overwhelm us.

The same is true of God. There are times when He seeks us out and wants to reveal Himself to us, drawing us to know Him and embark on the journey that He has planned for our lives. Conducting the most breathtaking symphony we have ever heard. Coaching us to not give up during a difficult season, while assuring us that victory is ahead. Writing our story for others to read and come in contact with the love He seeks to reveal through our lives. And walking with us in a loving relationship that lasts into eternity. Are you listening?

Hear the call.

Not Giving Up: Part 2

2008-05-20T15:25:00.011+08:00

The Power of Relationship

I don’t have statistics, but people don’t usually implode or explode and take a dramatic exit stage left in life when they are vitally connected and embraced in loving, affirming, life-giving relationships. But when you try to believe you have great worth against overwhelming life experience to the contrary, you become schizophrenic, in a sense. If people treat you like trash for long enough, you are likely to believe it and the climb out of the rubbish heap into the light of day is not easy.

Yesterday I went to hear Josh McDowell, well-known author and speaker with Campus Crusade, speak to a group of leaders about the need to build relationships with young people if we want them to accept our values and follow our beliefs. From birth, we are wired for relationship. Parent to child, husband to wife, friend to friend, colleague to colleague, we don’t get very far or even survive without relationship and the quality of our relationships should always come before what we want to accomplish in life.

He gave seven principles of building relationships with our children or youth. As I went for a run in the park in Kiev later that day, I began to think about how these principles extend into our adult lives. We have to receive these principles for ourselves and let go of the lack or negatives we have experienced relationally so we can give to the young people who need us so much and model our values as an example for them to follow. (Hint: We can receive it from God and find healthy relationships.) My love language must be motion, because I have some of the most refreshing, insightful moments while I am running or just after.

Here are his seven principles with a few of my comments:

1. Affirmation
Affirming the emotions of another person gives a sense of authenticity to what they are experiencing and builds a bridge. If someone is sad, share their sorrow. If someone is happy, share their joy. (Rom.12:15)

2. Acceptance
Unconditional acceptance gives a sense of security. A performance-based home will not experience the joy intended. The child will think: “If I don’t perform, I will not be accepted.” Don’t acknowledge their success as much as their effort. Don’t acknowledge their effort as much as their being.

3. Appreciation
Catch children doing things right and express appreciation as the overall principle instead of catching them doing something wrong and disciplining them. You lose the right to discipline when it is outside of relationship.

4. Availability
When you stop what you are doing and take time for them, this shows them they are important.

5. Affection
When a young person receives healthy affection they are less likely to seek the wrong kind of relationship.

6. Approach/ Step into your child’s world
Be a part of their world, their music, their interests and take the time to connect with them there.

7. Accountability
This comes with relationship. Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.

Not Giving Up: Part 1

2008-05-07T03:57:00.009+08:00

The Value of Life

Life. What a gift. Or so it should be. Imagine waking to a day of possibilities as promising as the sun warming your face, but the day takes a turn for the worse. You and your family are marched to the edge of the city to be “resettled” only because of your ethnicity. You are a Jew. As you reach the edge of the city, you realize the horror that awaits you, but it is too late. A corridor of soldiers blocks your escape. They ruthlessly murder you and 33,ooo others,throwing you into a ravine, Babi Yar, on the edge of Kiev.

It was a beautiful spring day last week when we walked along the grassy area that was the site of that massacre. I can never fathom racial hatred and prejudice. I grew up without it, except for a prejudice against those who are prejudiced. Still, it takes a step, many steps further descending into a murderous disdain for life and the accompanying pride that justifies it. Hell. And now reverse it to its polar opposite, and then some, so far removed as to be disconnected. This is where we find love and value for all life, all races of people, young or old, wealthy or poor. All of life bears the mark of its Creator, a glory and potential intended by Him. When connected with the grand designer and sustainer of life, every person has value and every day holds promise. He infuses desperate situations with hope, much like spring after winter.

We see both, heaven and hell, operating in the world. This morning I arranged a meeting with someone to collaborate to put a stop to a horrible situation of abuse at a facility for invalids in this part of the world. We can offer life and hope. We can battle the hatred for life that still raises its ugly head.

And what about you today? Do you see your life as bearing the mark of a wonderful designer who can renew you and inspire you to give life to others? Or do you want to give up because you can only see hopelessness camping out around your pain and making its home in the lies you believe about yourself, about life? Many have been there.

Let it go, I urge you. Be renewed today.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Jesus Christ

The Difference is in the Details

2008-03-01T15:06:00.004+08:00

I was recently talking with a student about her school work when I told her that the difference between an “A” and a “B” is in the details. If she pays attention to the specific directions on a test or assignment and is willing to be thorough, this makes all the difference. It doesn’t take a huge commitment of time, but requires clarity of focus. As I gave it some thought, I realized that the attitude of just “getting by” can become a bad habit or creep in over time in many spheres of life. Sometimes life moves at such a frenetic pace that it is difficult to do anything well or wholeheartedly. The rewards of living a focused life in the following areas will make a difference in who you are and where you are going.

Attitude
We are all well acquainted with our flaws, but accepting a bad attitude as just a part of our personality is really a guise for refusing to change. Our attitudes, positive or negative, will greatly affect the people around us. Negative attitudes carried far enough can close doors on important opportunities or lead to broken relationships. It is worth it to cultivate a positive, loving, humble and gracious attitude.

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” -Herm Albright

Excellence
When we do something to the best of our abilities, it is rewarding. It is a gift to ourselves, to others and to God. But when we have too many plates spinning, something is likely to come crashing down. It is better to do a few things well than to commit to many things without following through.

Care for People
If we excel in many areas but forget this one thing, we have missed the mark. Don’t miss the important daily details of caring for the people around you. We have to stop and listen to people to know their hearts and their needs.

Moral Choices
Moral failure starts with the heart. We have to establish and maintain boundaries in our thoughts and emotions to protect our hearts. It is not just about our name, but honoring God. In “Batman Begins”, Bruce Wayne was about to enter the room where his guests were waiting to celebrate his birthday. He was careless about what they thought of him, but the butler said: "It's not just your name, sir! It's your father's name!" We need to think about honoring the name of God and not just pleasing ourselves.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)

Valentine’s Day (Not) in Black & White

2008-02-14T17:08:00.009+08:00

In Saudi Arabia, the virtue and vice squad raids stores on the eve of Valentine’s Day, seizing symbols of love. They have banned all things red, heart-shaped and Valentine-related – even teddy bears. Roses can only be found on the black market. The reasoning behind this is the idea that the holiday promotes immoral relationships. Here is my defense of red hearts, roses and romance.

1. Romance is the spice of life
Life needs romance like food needs spice. And not only romance, but true expressions of love and appreciation. I like a holiday where the words “I love you” are expressed in many ways. Winning the heart of another includes finding out what makes another person come alive. This usually includes loving words and romantic, thoughtful expressions. Keep winning the heart of your husband or wife even after you are married.

2. The beauty of a rose
I cannot think of the purpose of a rose except that it is beautiful and fragrant. I think that says something about its Creator. God is in favor of beauty, color and fragrance. The color red makes quite a statement. I can’t imagine a world in black and white, or Valentines’ Day without the dramatic color of red.

3. Just curious, how are people expected to go from friendship to marriage without romance?
There has to be a way to express love to another through words and in other thoughtful ways. Many couples probably get engaged on Valentine’s Day. All things romantic are not immoral.

4. Platonic love
I always give Valentine’s Day cards and gifts to my daughters and people often give friendly Valentine’s cards to show appreciation to friends and family members. Overall, it is a great day to show love and appreciation.

5. Oh, and last but not least . . .
In favor of chocolate – it is a great day to have a sweet treat with the ones you care about.

Enjoy!

The Gift of Love (part 2)

2008-02-12T17:54:00.001+08:00

The Bible is a love story of the greatest proportion. It is a story of intimate fellowship, followed by the greatest heartache and rejection, followed by the perfect, sacrificial act on His behalf to restore that fellowship, followed by our receiving that restorative life and intimate union by the Holy Spirit. St. Irenaeus of Lyon, one of the earliest theologians, stated: “It is not possible to live apart from life, and the means of life is found in fellowship with God; but fellowship with God is to know God, and to enjoy His goodness.” He described the work of God in relational terms as God the Father continually drawing us to Himself through “His hands”, the Word and the Spirit. And as we respond by stretching our hearts out to Him in love, trust and worship, we draw closer to each other in this mutual “embrace”, growing continually in our relationship with God. In light of mankind’s Fall and God’s saving work on our behalf, this image of God’s embrace is especially powerful.

Imagine standing outside of a warm house on a cold winter’s night watching a family inside enjoying an evening together. There is light and love in the home, but you are on the outside, alone and shivering in the cold, gazing through the window. Some people feel that way their entire lives. But God calls us to come inside and stay, adopting us into His family. His invitation is open, free, and much deeper and fuller than any natural, earthly example. We cannot merely look to Christ as one observing from a distance to know His love, we must be “in Christ” in a personal relationship like Paul said in Romans 8:39 “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we place our complete trust in Him, surrendering our feeble attempts to find life apart from Him, we begin living life on an entirely different level as a new creation in Christ. Here we find eternal love and life, complete and undiminished. Only then can we love in the way that Jesus commanded us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Here are a few ways that we can love others in the way that He first loved us. The closest example God gives us is within marriage. Marital love is ideally agape in its main expression, as in Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” In order to restore us to perfect fellowship with God, death and suffering were required. Redemption cost more than creation. In principle, when you are facing a relationship that has been marked by pain or brokenness, you are making a choice to love out of commitment, not out of emotions. This takes a supernatural kind of love that you receive from God. During times like this when you experience pain in a marriage relationship, parent/child relationship or friendship, you may ask yourself: Will I ever feel again? But death is followed by resurrection life. It is possible for a difficult or broken relationship to be restored to a place of health and emotion again, and even if it is not, for the person who is walking with God to experience wholeness and demonstrate love and forgiveness.

Receiving God’s gift of love is intrinsically bound together with receiving His forgiveness and walking in His ways. The person who is forgiven much, loves much and we are living in a world that is in dire need of powerful, real expressions of the love of God through our lives. Some people unnecessarily experience pain over and over again in relationships because they are seeking answers from people that they should be getting from God. You cannot find answers to the deep questions of your soul or derive meaning in life from people. These are questions such as: Am I worth it? Am I loveable? Am I beautiful? Am I valuable? You have to take these questions to God or you will try to draw life from the wrong source and hurt your relationships. However, when you have a deep, abiding relationship with God and find your value and purpose in Him, you can give to others throughout your life.

The Gift of Love

2008-02-06T14:50:00.001+08:00

In keeping with the "love month", here is the first in a series on love.

The greatest joys and deepest heartaches come from our relationships. As C. S. Lewis said,
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

Natural love can only take us so far before we find ourselves wanting to quit or lock our hearts away and throw away the key. Love involves risk because it involves another human being. But there is no risk with God. In the Bible we find the statement that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), which draws us to seek out the true meaning of the breadth and depth of that love. The word “love” has been weakened through overuse in trivial contexts such as having an affinity for a certain thing or in the carnal sense when someone really means “lust”. Let’s face it, the word “love” has been watered down like bad coffee that is no longer potent enough to wake you up in the morning.

The powerful, full-orbed love of God, agape, is best described in 1 Corinthians 13 and best demonstrated in Romans 5:8 and elsewhere when He showed His great love for us through Christ’s death on the cross to save us while we were still sinners. In 1 Corinthian 13:4-8, love is described in the following way: “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” In his book The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis differentiates between divine “gift” love or agape and “need” love which includes the three other Greek words for love: phileo (friendship), storge (affection) and eros (sexual or romantic love). We have relational needs that are undeniably met through all four loves as God intended, but natural or human love cannot meet our needs on the deepest level. Our hearts seek for a perfect love and can only be satisfied fully when we receive the perfect love of God through knowing and responding to Him because God created us in His image, to thrive in relationship with Himself.

We must receive the gift of God’s love, which transforms and empowers us to love regardless of the response of another and to have health in our souls when we lack any of the natural forms of love. We are created to worship, so we will either worship God or something else. Whatever thrills you or fills you can, to the same degree, feel like it is going to kill you when it is no longer available. We can become addicted to what gives us pleasure and when that person or thing is no longer available, emptiness can be the result unless we are drawing life from God, who is constant in love. On one level, life is a series of longing, fulfillment and letting go. This teaches us to go to God where we can live on a higher level, having our needs met in Him. Sometimes our attempts to find fulfillment any other way are thwarted so we are left in the position of needing to respond to God.

In the natural sense, the bottom line in why we go after certain things comes down to a basic question of need: What do I want? Or what do I believe I need? There is a vivid scene from the film “Merlin” in which Merlin finds the woman he loves, but they are both advanced in years. They look at one another with longing in their eyes, with the flickering light of shared memories, but their bodies are old. He summons his last powers to turn back the clock for both of them and they are temporarily restored to youth and vigor. Then he smiles at her, takes her hand and leads her into a tent. The scene is one of restoration, beauty, love and anticipation. I describe that scene because something that mankind always passionately yearns for and needs is eternal love and life. The cry of the heart is that emptiness, loneliness, longing and death be now and forever swallowed up in completeness, love and life where no power of hell can penetrate. Is it not? The great news is that God does this. Yes, He starts the process now and brings it to fruition in eternity. We thirst because there is such a thing that quenches our thirst: water. We desire eternal love and life because God intends to fulfill that desire.

Juxtaposed Opposites

2008-01-31T02:24:00.000+08:00

We dream of living in a world of peace and harmony, where any disagreement can be resolved with civility over a cup of coffee or a friendly political debate. We wish for an ideal world free from war, conflict and pain, but instead there is a battle going on, a spiritual battle for the hearts of mankind that is manifest wherever we live on a daily basis. It can sometimes seem that differences are not such a big deal, that we can live in a gray world if we abandon ideals and live with a syncretized view of live. All we have to do is blur the lines between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and falsehood. But at what cost? Often at the cost of our very lives and the lives of the next generation.

Here is a glimpse at the spiritual realities that lie beneath the surface of our everyday lives.

Good/Evil
There are moral absolutes, whether we choose to believe it or not. And there are consequences for the choices we make. If God is not the giver of life, neither good nor evil is a meaningful term. In an amoral world, one with God removed from the picture, there is no point of reference for good. But when we admit it, the reality of good and evil hits close to home in the attitudes of our own hearts and the choices we make. If we have lived for any length of time, we are touched by the deeply moving power of good, but also marred by the pain of evil whether in its subtlest or more extreme forms. If the latter has been your experience, let the pain lead you to God who comforts and restores and not away from Him. As G.K. Chesterton said: “When belief in God becomes difficult, the tendency is to turn away from Him; but in heaven’s name to what?”

Love/Hatred
Love is what makes life worth living; it is the most wonderful part of our existence. Love comes from God and the opposite of love is hatred. We can see both extremes when we simply read the news headlines. Acts of love and hatred are all over the news every day. No one has to tell us the difference, it is stamped within our consciences.

Truth/Falsehood
If you ask someone who holds to a postmodern worldview if the chair they are sitting on can simultaneously be a duck, they would laugh at the ridiculous question. But when it comes to spiritual reality, they may argue that Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are just different paths to the same supposed God, even though they contradict one another. One characteristic of man-made religion is attempting to reach God by human effort. However, God reaches us. He answers the major questions of our existence – with Truth.

Heaven/Hell
No one likes to think of hell, and heaven is often viewed in ethereal terms with fat cherubs and fluffy clouds. But what would we think of a court of law that refused to judge the atrocities of the Holocaust? God, our lawgiver, must punish evil. Rejection of God and His ways leads to separation from Him forever, or, Hell – the absence of God and His goodness, love, truth and light. We cannot bridge the moral gap that separates us from the perfection of God. As Eric Metaxas wrote, we are like “cut flowers” because of our sinful natures. We have to be attached to the source of life through the saving work of God in Jesus Christ. The pardon and forgiveness that we can receive in Christ because He bore the penalty of our moral separation is liberating, leading to eternal reconciliation with God.

So, where is the encouragement in all of this?
That we can know the reality of goodness, truth and love if we accept His invitation to choose life. And I don’t mean “know” it like Tom Cruise with his incoherent, ecstatic statements on YouTube where he talks about Scientology without really saying anything. I mean know it in a way that makes sense and changes your life.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)

For further inquiry:

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask)
by Eric Metaxas - short and witty

The Case For Christ
by Lee Strobel - longer and in-depth, but fascinating

Blue Monday?

2008-01-21T18:27:00.000+08:00

Someone somewhere has prognosticated that today will be the most depressing day of the year. Yes, due to sociological trends, today should be a Blue Monday, the bluest of blues. But I intend to do without a Blue Monday, choosing a healthy dose of joy and encouragement instead.

Here is an excerpt from the “Time” article:
“There's a lot to feel down about this month: the subprime mortgage crisis, stormy, unpredictable weather, rising gas prices, presidential primary free-for-alls. So, it would be easy to believe the theory set forth by Dr. Cliff Arnall, a researcher from Cardiff University, that the third Monday of the month (Jan. 21, this year) — a day he calls Blue Monday — will be our most depressing day of the year.” Bill Tancer

Since I am living in Kiev, I am not immersed in the sociological trends of the US, but it is a gray, rainy day here in Ukraine and there are things that could potentially rob me of joy if I go there in my thoughts. Frankly, I choose not to and I believe it is a matter of choice both in the short-term and the long-term.

Here are two antidotes to depression that can lead to many joy-filled, jazzed out, technicolor Mondays, and just think of what Friday could bring?

1. Own it
I am referring to taking personal responsibility for your own life, thoughts and actions. You reap what you sow, so if you allow your thoughts to dwell on what you do not have, how you have been wronged and so on, you are setting yourself up for a Blue Monday. Human nature, apart from finding satisfaction in God, His goodness and provision, tends toward the disgruntled, discontent and disappointed. Think of Adam and Eve, they were in a perfect paradise with a match made in heaven, but they were lured and led astray by the temptation that they were being deprived of something. Leave the “dis” mentality behind and cultivate your own garden. This requires living with boundaries in your thought life and caring for the precious gifts that God has given you.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

2. Dream it
Rekindle that dream that may be lying dormant, fan that flame and keep passion alive. Joseph had a dream, but his brothers were jealous and threw him into a pit, thinking that his dreams would come to naught. But instead their actions played a part in fulfilling the plan of God for his life.

"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." (Genesis 37:20)

Do you feel like your dream has hit rock bottom and is incapable of being salvaged? Ask God if the dreams you have are consistent with His plans for your life and surrender every area of your life to Him with a willingness to move forward in faith in the God who created us for His purposes. Joseph’s dream led to the salvation of the known world from famine, so it was not just about him. Dream big enough to make a difference in the lives of others. And let your dream take flight in the nurturing relationships you are meant to have with God and others.

Still having a Blue Monday? It takes a while for new ways of thinking to become habits that change our lives, but there is no better day to start than now.

Hope Renewed

2008-01-02T16:39:00.000+08:00

It is the beginning of yet another year, a time when people reflect on the past and resolve to make changes, to do better, to enhance their lives. For some that is an invigorating thought, but for others it is depressing. Maybe your life is so far from the place you wanted to be ten years ago that you can hardly recognize yourself. Or perhaps your life is going well, but there is one important area that you have difficulty facing and overcoming. I read a NY Times article about how living with regret negatively affects people. The author stated:

“Over the past decade and a half, psychologists have studied how regrets — large and small, recent and distant — affect people’s mental well-being. They have shown, convincingly though not surprisingly, that ruminating on paths not taken is an emotionally corrosive exercise. The common wisdom about regret — that what hurts the most is not what you did but what you didn’t do — also appears to be true, at least in the long run.”
- Benedict Carey

Have you ever tried to encourage someone, but everything you say just doesn’t stick? It is like the surface of their hearts is made of Teflon, preventing encouragement, hope and faith from penetrating and bringing positive results. But others have a past that reads like a tragic Russian novel, yet they have overcome to the place that you cannot believe they are the same person. Whatever the case may be, the New Year is an opportune time to learn from the past, leave it behind, and invite God into every area of life to fill you with hope.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

1) Learn from the past
You probably know the expression, if you don’t learn from the past you will end up repeating it. Consider the outcome of your current lifestyle and where it will lead if you do not make changes. If you don’t like where you are in life, you need to map out a path to reach a different destination. Ask God to direct your life so you can focus on what really matters. Remember to travel lightly and don’t bring regret and past mistakes into the new year. Also, consider the impact of your life on others, which can give you fresh incentive to change.

2) Start fresh
Before God, we are held accountable for how we live, but the great news is that we can start with a clean slate because of His forgiveness. Changes do not happen unless you are deliberate about changing. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals. Choose one or a few areas that you need to focus on, and then write out a clear, practical plan that you can follow on a daily or weekly basis. Enlist a friend or family member to stand with you and encourage you along the way.

3) Invite God in to fill you with hope
Jesus Christ is our hope and our example, because He conquered sin and death so we can freely walk in new, abundant life. But we have to invite Him in, even into the areas where we are afraid to change, and walk with Him every day. Ask Him to specifically fill you with hope and faith in every area of your life so you can have a positive outlook and have the power to change.

The Impact of a Willing Heart

2007-12-19T02:20:00.000+08:00

The Ukrainian portion of the Carpathian mountain range is rich with wooded slopes, wild beauty and green upland pastures. When you venture deep into the Carpathians, you feel as if you have gone back in time to a simpler era with embossed tin-roofed farmhouses, horse-drawn carts carrying bails of hay, and babushkas herding goats and geese.

In January I visited the poorest villages in the Carpathian mountains with some of my favorite people: Nadia Remizova and her daughter and family, Elina, Igor, Sophia and Solomia. A team from London came to minister to the families in these villages, so we met with the children for a time of games and teaching, then distributed Christmas gifts to the families in their homes, sometimes carrying packages across narrow plank bridges in order to reach a small cluster of homes. It is not uncommon in these villages for a family to have eight or more children. The children ran out to greet us, which they do every time Nadia comes to their villages. As we froze in sub-zero temperatures, we had the time of our lives with the people in the villages, enjoying the beauty of the snow-covered mountains in a place that seems to be forgotten and frozen in time. Many of us remarked how much we were amazed by what God can do through one person who is humble and willing to serve.

Nadia started the work in the Carpathians ten years ago when a teenage boy came to her city of Lviv to receive medical treatment. The boy, Peter, was severely burned when he rescued his three-year-old brother from a fire in their home. Months after Peter returned to his village, Nadia had recurring thoughts that she should visit the village where they live. Convinced that God was leading her to go there, she went by train early one morning in November. On that trip, she was invited into several homes by families who were glad to welcome a guest in their remote village. Their hospitality touched her, especially when she saw the poor conditions in which they lived. Many were without shoes, adequate warm clothing and basic necessities. When they needed medical care, they suffered and did without. After seeing their poverty, Nadia determined to return to help them.

Since that time, she has visited every month to teach the children about God and provide them with food, clothing and medical care. She also organizes summer camps for them every year. In 2002, an Orthodox priest in the village tried to incite the families to stone Nadia and her husband, Boris, because she was baptizing the children. He spread rumors that she wanted to kidnap their children. But Nadia kept going to the village, undeterred, and eventually won over the priest.

As we went from house to house delivering gifts, Nadia told the story of each family, lovingly describing how each one had been helped. She told me about the time she walked 12 kilometers from one village to the next at night with no flashlight (or torch, for you Brits). There are many wolves in the woods, but she did not want to disappoint the people in the next village who were waiting for her. Nadia is one of my best friends and even though she is old enough to be my mother, she is a perpetual teenager, more vibrant and vigorous than most people half her age. I enjoyed our time together, talking and laughing. We bonded even closer as I grew to love her more through seeing her in her element, caring for the families in the Carpathians.

The team from London was also impressive. They were very well-organized, humble, and caring towards one another and the Ukrainian people. For one team member, Gavin, it was his first mission trip. He works for an investment bank in London. He said it was definitely his best experience. After the church service in Lviv, he was in tears as he prayed for Boris and Nadia. That evening, Nadia and I talked about the trip over herbal tea she gathered from the mountains at her bohemian home on a hill overlooking Lviv, her paintings and those of her daughter beautify the walls. They are both professional artists.

I had just received the news that a fellow missionary in Lviv passed away the day before of a heart attack, leaving a wife and four children. He was only 37. We talked about the need to value each moment because we don’t know what the next day or year will bring. I told Nadia how glad I was that God brought us back to Ukraine after three years away to be with the people we love. I still feel privileged days later to have had such a rich experience this past week. It was a week fully lived. And I thank God for Nadia, whose life is fully lived for God.

Magnify

2007-12-09T04:29:00.000+08:00

As I look at today’s headlines, I turn aside to be quiet and think. I turn aside to pray and allow everything inside of me, everything around me and the troubles and concerns worldwide to pause and fade into the background before the holy, loving and mighty God I serve.

I magnify Him as I stand in awe of the beauty and wonder of His creation.

I magnify Him because of the unending, perfect love that He lavishes on us despite ourselves.

I magnify Him because He can shed light on any problem, difficult situation or seemingly insurmountable mountain that we face.

I magnify Him because His understanding of our souls, our desires and needs is complete and only He can assuage the appetites of our souls.

I magnify Him because He does.

I magnify Him because He is.

I magnify Him because He continually stretches out His arms to us in love, inviting us to come home, to know Him, to experience His love and life for all eternity.

I magnify Him because we cannot go anywhere that He will not pursue our hearts.

I magnify Him because to know Him is to be truly alive.

I magnify Him because His truth sets us free from fear, darkness and bondage.

I magnify Him because in His presence there is joy that does not make sense at times, considering the circumstances in which we live.

I magnify Him because He is just.

I magnify Him because He is our Father who never leaves us.

I magnify Him because He sent His Son to save us, bringing us into loving fellowship with God.

I magnify Him because His Spirit guides us and works in our lives to transform us so we no longer remain in the miserable state of being lost and alone, but become fruitful in every aspect of our lives.

I magnify Him because He empowers us to reach others.

"Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated." C.H. Spurgeon

Nothing is more refreshing than God Himself, but it is important to have an accurate view of God that is not distorted by bad experiences or false teachings. So go read the Bible for yourself. Embark on a study that will not disappoint, because it leads to walking closely with the God who created you and wants you to know Him.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:1-8)

A tribute: Thank you for writing something that gave me greater reason to magnify Him. Thank you for your time and your hibiscus tea. Thank you for offering a world of books for my quest. And thank you for your friendship, much love to you.

Happenstance or More than Chance?

2007-11-30T21:14:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered why you find yourself in unusual circumstances? Or wondered why you are living in a certain time and place instead of some other? Many people feel that way at times, except for maybe Alexander the Great, but his self-image was scary, delusional. He was definitely not a role model. Let’s look at the life of Esther, who came from the insignificant background of an orphan living in exile to a place of royalty and influence. She was reminded that she may have attained her position “for such a time as this”, to speak out and make a difference. And she did.

A beautiful, orphaned Jewess was thrust into the king’s harem and chosen to become his next queen. I don’t think it was a romantic, glamorous dream come true. He was probably much older and he was a man who was feared by many, including Esther. If she dreamed of being in love, her hopes were most likely shattered. Except for the fatherly love of Mordecai, her uncle, who raised her as his own daughter. Besides her beauty, Esther possessed a strength and wisdom that probably were, in part, attributed to the attentive care, godly upbringing and advice of Mordecai. I can imagine the contrast between her former way of life and her life as queen. It must have been extreme in every conceivable way.

Were the events of her life merely determined by the whims of a king sitting in his opulent palace or was there a higher plan at work? By virtue of her position, she had the favor of the king at a time when she could intervene to prevent the annihilation of the Jews. And she did so, even at the risk of her own life.

“Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Mordecai to Esther (Esther 4:13-14)

Anyone who entered the inner court of the king without being summoned would be put to death unless the king extended his gold scepter. Esther took the risk, and was received. Esther did not arrogantly and defiantly come before the king with her request. After a period of prayer and fasting, she went before the king to invite him along with his highest official, who was the enemy of the Jews, to a banquet for two days before she made her request known. She realized the importance of timing. The outcome was great, but she was willing to take the risk even if it cost her.

There are no insignificant places or people, but there are endless opportunities to make a difference on a small or large scale if we will open our hearts and see needs around us.

There is a need for modern-day Esthers.
And there is also a need for modern-day Mordecais.

Will you be an Esther?
Speak out in the face of injustice, even if it may cost you.
Take the lead when something needs to be done, but with wisdom.
See the significance of the time and circumstances in which you live.
Don’t allow a difficult or seemingly insignificant background to hold you back in life.

Will you be a Mordecai?
Be a man or woman who cares for the next generation.
Give love, wisdom and encouragement to a young person when it is needed.

Simpl-if-(I)

2007-11-26T19:31:00.000+08:00

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” -Hans Hofmann, artist
(painting, left)

Simplicity seems to be an oasis in a desert of increasing complexity. Simple ideas abound. Simple design. Simple holidays. Simple meals. Simple church. Merriam-Webster defines simplify as: to reduce to basic essentials; to diminish in scope or complexity; to make more intelligible: clarify. To simplify is not a matter of adding a simple concept to an already demanding, stressful lifestyle, but of streamlining life to match an overarching framework.

In the maddening rush, sit down and contemplate whether or not you need to simplify your life. It takes a conscious decision, a deliberate effort until new habits are formed.

Find your treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
What brings joy to your life? What do you love? What do you worship? What is the reason behind why you do what you do? In this parable, the man was joyful about selling all that he had because he knew there was a treasure not readily apparent to any person who may pass by the seemingly unimpressive field. In this world, the things that dazzle and delight on the surface do not always deliver when people try to find life in them. The true treasure of knowing God and His love, salvation, forgiveness, joy, peace and life are sometimes stumbled upon and sometimes sought out, but are not readily apparent. When you treasure something, life orbits around that thing. So be careful what you treasure.

Streamline accordingly
Once you know why you do what you do, decisions are easier to make. You can prioritize accordingly. For example, if you want to walk with God, love people, and serve others in the areas of your abilities, your calendar should match those priorities. Your financial decisions should also reflect your priorities. Conversely, it is easier to decide what NOT to do.

Do what you do best
Usually our greatest talents lie in doing what we love to do, so it makes sense to develop those areas to the fullest. The greatest contributions are made when we focus on our strengths and serve in those areas. We can be grateful for the contributions of people who have excelled in their fields, leaving a legacy of inspiring works of art, literature, music, discoveries, medical breakthroughs, changed lives, etc. Back to the overarching framework: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col 3:17)

How to Encourage Yourself 101 (Part 2)

2007-10-29T22:53:00.000+08:00

1) Redefine failure
Mistakes can be valuable learning experiences. There is a well-known definition of insanity attributed to Albert Einstein: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If you take yourself too seriously, you may want to give up when you make mistakes instead of learning from them and moving on. The real difference between success and failure is a matter of character. It helps to have a clear understanding of the grace of God and how He works in our lives. If we continue to grow in our walk with God and our relationships, while staying on course in the purpose for our lives, we are successful.

2) View stress as a challenge, not a threat
People tend to run or hide from a threat, but rise to a challenge. In his book “Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities”, Paul Stoltz teaches individuals and organizations how to boost their “AQ” and help the people they lead to do the same by isolating stressful events and responding in a positive way to bring resolution. One of my favorite empowering verses is: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13)

3) See beyond difficult times
This, too, will pass. Can you endure your trial for one more day? Ask God for the strength, peace and joy for today, just taking it one day at a time. And one day, you will be looking back on that trial as a thing of the past. The lessons you learned during that time will be helpful for someone else who is going through similar difficulties. 2 Cor 1:3,4

4) Read and listen to encouraging materials
I am always reading the Bible and some other book. It is a habit I began more than twenty years ago, having learned it from my father. But I am always amazed by the study habits of great men and women a century or so ago. I suppose they had fewer distractions than we do in the modern age, but we have a benefit they never had. We have immediate access to information, music and videos online, which can serve as a source of study, inspiration and encouragement. I am also greatly inspired by music. I am always encouraged when I listen to my favorite artists.

5) Encourage others
When I take time to encourage someone else, I often come away with a better perspective of my own situation. My trials usually seem smaller. God refreshes us when we minister to others. “He who waters will himself be watered.” Prov 11:25

6) Pray
I can’t think of anyone better to talk to on any given day about any concern than God. Enough said!

How to Encourage Yourself 101 (Part 1)

2007-10-22T22:11:00.001+08:00

Life has seasons which include times of difficulty and isolation, but these times can serve to stretch us in a positive way and not crush us with discouragement when we make the most of them. I am sure you can come up with a list of your own, but here are the ways I find encouragement time and time again, like warm slippers and a mug of hot chocolate on a cold, wintry day.

1) Gratitude
This is usually the quickest, sure fix when I am in a quagmire. Once when I was growing up we invited an atheist over for our Thanksgiving celebration (an American holiday). We had a family tradition of going around the table for everyone to say what they were thankful for over the past year. Our guest said she had nothing to be thankful for. She not only lacked a “for what”, but a “to whom”. It was sad because her life was consumed with bitterness.

2) Don’t dwell on the past
Learn from it, but don’t live there. Albert Schweitzer said “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” Today requires our attention; tomorrow our planning and foresight. Which season is the best in your life? The one you are in, or at least it can be. God does not waste a life fully surrendered to him in love.

3) Find encouraging people
I don’t like to be around people who have the “spirit of rebuke,” meaning that they feel it is their duty to constantly correct others. You probably don’t either. Everyone is in the battle of their lives, so they need encouragement. Everyone needs at least someone who is their biggest fan and who has a heart to stand with them even when they need to be challenged or corrected.

4) Find encouraging places
I already have a favorite region in the city where we moved to recently. It is “Podol” in Kiev. When I walk up St. Andrews Descent where artists sell their works in the cool, autumn air and look out over the river, the trees covered in colorful fall leaves and the beautiful, ancient architecture, I feel so refreshed.

5) Rehearse truth
Feelings are transient; truth is not. Truth encourages because it has the power to lift us above our circumstances and transform us. For example, Martin Luther was profoundly liberated by the truth that we are saved by grace on the basis of faith, delivering him from the dungeon of trying to earn his salvation through meaningless religious practices that had no power to change him on the inside. Also, the truth that God is simultaneously perfect in love and perfect in justice is greatly encouraging. Then there are the truths about our lives personally, such as knowing our unique value, purpose and potential in the areas of our talents. And the list goes on.

Six more ways soon to come . . .
Next post: How to Encourage Yourself 101 (Part 2)

Is the Unexamined Life Worth Living?

2007-10-10T16:48:00.000+08:00

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” - William Wallace

Socrates made the claim that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Many people go through the motions of life without really considering what it is all about, giving little thought to why they do what they do.

I remember having lunch with a Japanese friend in Manila. She is an accomplished pianist who speaks English with a posh French accent, owing to her years of study in France. During the course of our conversation, I asked if she had ever given thought to the purpose of her life, and if there was a God who created her, giving her the beautiful gift of music she enjoyed. Her answer was no, she had never thought about it and she considered that quite common in her culture.

The next few times we met, it was clear that she was giving it some thought and as we said our good-byes, she confessed that one of her struggles with faith was the behavior of some people who claim to believe in God. I have been reading a book by a journalist who is an atheist (his book is a current US bestseller), and many of the arguments he brings up have to do with strange practices, ridiculous statements, and even evil acts perpetrated by some people who believe in God. I can’t help but think that God cringes, yes, is even heart-broken over these same things. Still, He says we are without excuse.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

Some who claim that belief in God is a “leap of faith” are ice skating on the edge of reason in their disbelief. They fall off into nothing. According to Ravi Zacharias, “If there’s such a thing as evil, you assume there’s such a thing as good. If you assume there’s such a thing as good, you assume there’s such a thing as a moral law on the basis of which to differentiate between good and evil. If you assume there’s such a thing as a moral law, you must posit a moral law giver, but that’s whom they are trying to disprove and not prove.”

There is a difference, a huge chasm, between God and humanity. We are responsible and accountable before God for our own lives. I enjoy being around children who take in the wonder of everything around them with a steady stream of “wow!”s and “why?”s. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, my own faith has been challenged and examined. I am a believer in Jesus Christ because I believe His claims are true and answer the major questions of my existence. We were never meant to live a life lulled to sleep in the “comfort” of unchallenged tradition or belief systems encouraged by the cultures in which we live. Some time between the inquisitiveness of childhood and adulthood, a kind of alarming stultification can set in. Sometimes the events of our lives can bring us to a place of confusion and cynicism.

Where is the curiosity? Where is the wonder? Where is the passion for life and knowing who we are and to whom we owe this wonderful existence? It is not just an intellectual pursuit; it is a matter of the heart – God’s pursuit of our hearts.

Take some time to examine your life and what you believe:

What do I believe?
Why am I here?
What am I living for?
How did I arrive at my belief/disbelief in God?
How much of my belief is shaped by my culture or by disappointments and bad experiences?
Have I seriously considered the claims of Jesus Christ?

How do I live my life?
Does my life follow what I believe?
How do I treat the people closest to me?
Do I help others with my abilities and resources?
Do I take positive risks to live life to its fullest and fulfill my dreams?
Is my heart filled with love and compassion?

Related posts: Life Has Been Answered; What is a Christian?
Next post: How to Encourage Yourself 101 (a lighter topic)

Reformission and Hope for Life

2007-09-28T18:21:00.000+08:00

Some of the leading universal causes of stress are related to health, finances and work. In English, there is an expression “trying to keep your head above water”, which aptly describes the struggle of many to make it in life. How would you feel if you were on the Titanic, knowing what the outcome would be? People often try to find formulas for success or security in government, religion, or self-help programs. But hope has to reach beyond the vicissitudes of life for it to have meaning. It has to be founded on truth.

Ukraine is nearing parliamentary elections, so political billboards are everywhere. One candidate promises stability and prosperity, which speaks to a common need. Another slogan says: “One law for all”, which speaks to the need for justice in a nation where corruption is rampant. However, Russia and Ukraine did not make the list of "Forbes" most corrupt nations. That is reassuring. One candidate is shown slamming his fist in anger with a lightning bolt behind him. I am not sure what he is promising, but it does not look appealing.

Karl Marx, the father of communism, called religion “the opium of the masses, the impotence of the human mind to deal with occurrences it cannot understand.” But we all know where his philosophy led. This part of the world is still overcoming the repercussions of his philosophy.

When it comes to placing hope in religion, there are enough religions out there to fill the "Yellow Pages". God, the One who created us, gives us truth on which we can base our lives, bringing hope for this life as well as for eternity.

Here are a few thoughts contrasting the “head above water” mentality and “life on the Rock” (founded on truth):

Trying to keep your head above water:

1. makes you exhausted.

2. is self-centered. How can you help others when you need all of your energy to survive?

3. will only work for awhile, until you are rescued or drown (assuming there is no tropical island within swimming distance). That’s where people think they are going when they are lured into seductive lifestyles that end up empty and hopeless. Nothing but sand.

Life on the Rock:
1. You can rest on the finished work of Christ, which is how you get on the Rock in the first place.

2. You can help others, because you have answers outside of yourself that are for everyone.

3. You do not have to depend on your own strength, but have the wisdom and strength from God to do what is right.

4. Your hope will not be disappointed, because God has the power to back up His promises.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)

Reformission and Unconditional Love

2007-09-07T15:37:00.000+08:00

What are your favorite films? According to David Bruce, host of HollywoodJesus.com, the top 100 films of all time have one thing in common. They are about relationship. It is what people seek most. I don’t know how many men they surveyed, but even top action films that are the most successful have relational themes beyond grunts and fists connecting with bodies. I like action films, when the plot is interesting.

The same is true of music. The top songs are all about relationship. These words from Kelly Clarkson’s “You Found Me” show the kind of relationship people are searching for in the hurting, lonely cultures in which we live.

You found me when no one else was lookin’
How did you know just where I would be
You broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs and you still didn’t leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me

This is a picture of God’s kind of love, the unconditional love He showed when He came to seek and save that which was lost, dying for us while we were still sinners. We are called to demonstrate this kind of love to the people in the cultures in which we live. Here in Kiev a few days ago I saw a young woman among the passers by dressed in a skimpy top and black underwear. Yes, underwear, not shorts. She looked as if she was asking to be invited to a bathroom stall, not to be loved as a multi-faceted, beautiful creation of God. Warped value systems. Broken families and relationships. These are some of the areas we need to minister to in this culture. In every culture if people attempt to draw life from something besides God, their souls will become bankrupt sooner or later.

In his book The Radical Reformission, Mark Driscoll challenges believers in Jesus Christ to make a commitment to love what God loves: people, not traditions, and to stay true to the text of scripture within the context of culture. This requires us to go into the cultures in which we live to demonstrate and minister the gospel.

“Reformission requires that God’s people understand their mission with razor-sharp clarity. The mission is to be close to Jesus. This transforms our hearts to love what he loves, hate what he hates, and to pursue relationships with lost people in hopes of connecting with them and, subsequently, connecting them with him. This actually protects us from sin, because the way to avoid sin is not to avoid sinners, but to stick close to Jesus.”
Mark Driscoll, “The Radical Reformission”

I want to thank VCF in the Philippines for their heart and example in understanding and walking out this mission in their culture.

next post: Reformission and Hope for Life

Dante’s Inferno and Charlie Brown

2007-08-18T10:50:00.000+08:00

There is always . . . a mountain to move, a conundrum to solve, something to overcome, an unforeseen storm.

One day while we were living in Brooklyn, NY I was walking with our daughter, Rebecca, in the park. Out of the blue, she asked “Do tornadoes ever happen in Brooklyn?” I told her not to worry, tornadoes do not EVER happen in Brooklyn. While watching the evening news recently, we saw footage of a tornado hitting the area near where we were walking that day. “Mom,” Rebecca said, “tornadoes do happen there.” Funkification of the weather patterns.

One evening in Brooklyn that year I was resting with a virus. Rebecca, who was eight at the time, likes to be helpful so she brought me a snack on a tray along with two books for my reading pleasure: Dante’s “Inferno” and Charlie Brown. Tragedy and comedy. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness and had a long laugh that evening.

Life can take difficult turns and storms can hit in unexpected places or at unforeseen times. As long as we are alive and pursuing God’s purpose, we will meet with difficulty. But there is no storm that can keep us from the joy, life and adventure that comes with being fully alive through knowing God. As Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, said: “I have found there are three stages to every great work of God: first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” That applies to going into a new city or country as a missionary, but a “work of God” can be in progress right in your office, living room or wherever you may be. When the storms hit, we can have peace, joy and even a sense of humor as we trust Him.

Here are a few ways we can do this:

1. Be decisive - If you are in that stage when your senses are telling you it is impossible, make a decision to persevere and see it through. It can help to write down what you have decided to accomplish and why before the trials hit.

2. Maintain margin - A few years ago I read Margin by Richard Swenson. I recommended it to my husband and it really helped. It is about restoring emotional, physical, financial, and time reserves to overloaded lives.

3. Keep passion alive– The heart and reason behind what we do should be kept at the forefront. From start to finish and everywhere in between, it is about love – love for God and people.

4. Laugh, and then laugh some more. Laugh hilariously and frequently.

Unwritten

2007-06-30T21:36:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I talked to a woman who had been waiting in line for the new iPhone since 5 am. The anticipation in the line was huge. Nice gadget, I am sure, but it made me think about what I wake up for. Do I wake up in anticipation? What for?

Gadgets serve to connect us to the world in which we live and make life easier, but our daily connection with God is a matter of the heart, setting the course for our lives. Many of the things I am waiting for take time, perseverance and hard work. But it is worth it.

What about you? Maybe it's morning, maybe it's late at night. Maybe something is weighing heavily on your soul - a problem or relationship that is so tangled in knots you cannot see how to begin to untie it, a financial need so great that it seems impossible to meet, a dream you have given up on, a deep need you have pressed down so many times that it ceases to surface - yet it remains.

Maybe you want to make a difference in the world around you, but you don't know where to begin or you feel that your single contribution is too insignificant to count. Your life is a story, read by everyone you know. Your life influences, whether you know it or not.

And today is yet to be written. Tomorrow, next week and next year are yet to be written.

What an opportunity.

See it as an opportunity rather than an impossible challenge. Let faith drive away doubt. Let encouragement flood your soul in that area. Take one step today towards repairing that relationship, pursuing that dream or facing whatever the challenge may be. Then take another step tomorrow, and the next day.

You can do this. You and God.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

His Perspective

2007-06-13T20:29:00.000+08:00

As I looked at the beautiful young woman in front of me, I saw the uniqueness of her character, her brilliance and vivaciousness, the quirky sense of humor that is all her own and the creativity that is always ready to burst forth. Her future is bright, but her vision dim. As her beautiful eyes filled with tears, I touched her curly brown hair. She finds it hard to see that when she leaves something behind, there will be great opportunities awaiting her. It hurts, and I feel it too.

Wouldn't it be great if we could always see from God's perspective? His view of us is filled with love and purpose. Wouldn't it be encouraging if we could always anticipate God's goodness for our lives? Not in a storybook, fairy tale kind of way, but a kind of faith that is realistic about the world in which we live.

Hope and faith have to be attached to something real. They are not abstract ideas floating in the breeze. People and circumstances can change, but a strong faith in God will not fail because He is faithful. Because of God, encouragement has substance. His purpose in our lives will prevail, even if we go through times when we struggle to see that the outcome is not only for His good, but for ours as well.

I encouraged her with the thought that God is with her and will meet her needs down to the depths of her heart and that she is greatly loved. Then I shared with her this verse about the purpose of God that He will fulfill in her life.

"To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:11-12)

I can see the brightness of the future that she has in God and can't wait to see what He will do in the next phase of her life.

I am going to walk on the beach this morning, pray for her and let God's perspective fill me with faith, hope and love.

Can you see God's perspective of your life today? Ask Him.

The Power of We

2007-05-29T19:04:00.000+08:00

I am glad to have people in my life.

Going it alone, besides being lonely, is not the intention of God. He places us in families and churches. It is within relationship that we experience love and learn to exemplify it to the world, find our place and role in serving Him and accomplish greater things together than we can accomplish by ourselves. Synergy.

But, I have to admit that I also get frustrated with people. I am sure that there is an inevitable vice versa in the equation as well.

My guess is that most of you need relationships, all of you have relationships and, at times, experience frustration with people. It is a relief to know that God loves us despite our imperfections and He shows us how to love others in this way so we can have the time of our lives in this mixed salad of humanity in which we find ourselves.

Just as a steady diet of healthy food can lead to a healthy body, a steady habit of following the right principles can lead to healthy, vibrant relationships. Here are a few “let uses” to show us the way.

1. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Discouragement can lead to other negative things, making relationships difficult. We have to keep hope alive and focus on the faithfulness of God so we can have a joyful outlook that helps others.

2. “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Encouragement is not generic. We can actually consider how to uniquely encourage people. Specific, heartfelt encouragement energizes and motivates.

3. “Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Sin, including bitterness and unforgiveness towards others, is a tangly mess. When we leave it behind we can run swift and unfettered with our eyes on the only One who is perfect in love.

4. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9)

It can be hard to persevere in our endeavors with a heavy heart. But when love is put into action, good results will follow. It all comes back to watching our hearts and attitudes, doesn't it?

The Steward and the King

2007-05-17T20:28:00.000+08:00

Since we are preparing to journey, I decided to visit Middle Earth through reading “The Lord of the Rings” again. I enjoy the sense of mission, the adventures and the honor and respect within the fellowship. It is rich with beautiful imagery and encouragement. But in this reading, I came away with a fresh perspective on stewardship.

The Steward of Gondor was supposed to lead until the king returned, but that had not happened for generations. The realm of Gondor and all of Middle Earth stood on the brink of war and their defeat seemed imminent. The Steward, Lord Denethor, had become obsessed with power and paranoid of anyone usurping his rulership. Gandalf came on the scene to help, but was met with suspicion.

This is what Gandalf said concerning his intentions:

“The rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task , though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward, did you not know?”

Tolkien presents a continual contrast between those who seek power for rulership and then are corrupted by it and those who have power to bring healing, wisdom and restoration. When the king does return to Gondor, he comes as a healer and one who is mighty in battle. The rulership is rightfully his, yet he waits to be invited in.

I was reminded of the stewardship each one of us has during our lives to serve in the area of our abilities. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that all power and authority belongs to God, the King, who is entirely good and incorruptible. There is so much good that we can do when we know our place as stewards of the grace of God.

There was a recent election here in the Philippines and we are approaching a major election in the US. I am sure there are many people running for office who sincerely see public office as a stewardship to help people. There are many needs throughout the world and so much good that can be done, but government service is often sadly reduced to a game of power, rulership and wealth.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10)

With great Power comes great Responsibility

2007-05-08T00:03:00.000+08:00

In Spiderman 3, Spiderman fights his greatest battle: the battle within. Will pride win out as he uses his power for his own selfish aims or will he continue to be the magnanimous Spiderman who uses his power for good?

My heroes growing up were not caped crusaders, but strong leaders throughout history, such as Winston Churchill. He was one of my father’s greatest heroes which meant that he often quoted Churchill at the dinner table. I am my father’s daughter, so the influence remains. Churchill said it like this: “the price of greatness is responsibility”. When I look at his life, I am inspired by how he unwaveringly held to his convictions even when his views were not heeded and cost him personally. He went through a wilderness for more than a decade, but he took refuge in his close relationship with his family. Churchill began to warn Parliament in the early 1930’s of the impending threat of Hitler’s rise to power. His warnings went unheeded until he was eventually called upon to lead Britain to victory against great odds.

He was a man of conviction, a man of character who sought the truth and was willing to accept the responsibility required to do what had to be done. Giving in was not a choice. He was a man of deep contemplation and a man of action, yet he had a sense of humor about himself. He was acutely aware of his own weaknesses, but had the resolve to do what was required.

We all make choices every day.
We all go through wilderness times of self-doubt.
We all have responsibilities that we have to bear for the good of others.

Seemingly insignificant choices add up to enormous impact.

Take a moment to think about the following responsibilities:

1. Responsibility to pray
Many great battles are won in prayer. Prayer shows our dependence on God, even when we breathe a short prayer such as: “Help, God, I need You. Give me wisdom.” When our children become mature, they call on us less often. When we become mature, we call on God more often. The life of faith brings us to places where we are way outside our comfort zones and need God to come through for ourselves and others.

2. Responsibility to unwaveringly hold to convictions
Convictions are truths we obey without heed to our emotions, personal comfort or public opinion. Our resolve grows stronger every time we make the right decision and refuse to compromise. Can you keep your convictions even when no one sees or knows? God sees and honors a life lived for Him. Ultimately, the impact affects others.

Who knows how far-reaching the impact will be for good?

The Power Source

2007-04-30T19:48:00.000+08:00

Wouldn’t it be great to possess superhuman power? There seems to be a fascination with super heroes and shows about people who possess super powers. Spiderman 3 comes out tomorrow and people in Manila will flock to see it; young boys and possibly a few grown men will sport Spiderman t-shirts. I have never seen a super hero, but I have observed the super strange. A few days ago while visiting our local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf I kept hearing strange sounds. As I looked around, I realized the sounds were coming from a man who was looking at his reflection in the window. He sounded like Dorie in “Finding Nemo” when she was trying to speak whale. Every few minutes he would stand up and start making odd sounds while barely moving his mouth. This reminded me of some of the strange people we encountered in NYC while taking the subways. There was the "green lady" - we often saw a woman who dressed in green from head to toe - green hair, make-up, accessories, etc. Last summer when we were visiting New York, we heard about a man who was mugging people using a chainsaw just one stop away from where we were staying.

As believers, we do have superhuman power. Whether we face concerns about the world around us, situations in our own lives or the future, we have a source of strength if our lives belong to God. The power to live free from worry and anxiety every day while making a difference in the world around us comes from God and not from ourselves. We may not know what the future holds, but we can know the God who holds the future and every aspect of our lives in His care. I have been reminding myself recently of how much I need the grace and strength of God every day. We can walk in His power in the following ways:

1. Power of knowing the greatness of God.
What looms large on the horizon of your life? Is it God or the difficulties you are afraid you might have to face? Think about the greatness, love and nearness of God and you can face whatever will come as you walk with Him, expecting great things.
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

2. Power of knowing who He is in our lives.
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

3. Power of prayer.
Just pray, whenever or wherever. It works because God hears and cares.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mattew 7:7-8)

4. Power of joy.
Joy comes from knowing God and does not depend on circumstances.
“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

5. Power to be a witness.
You can make a difference in the lives of others in a powerful way because of the presence of God in your life.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Next post: With great Power comes great Responsibility (Actually, Winston Churchill said something similar before Spiderman.)

Holy Cows and an Elephant-faced God

2007-04-25T10:14:00.000+08:00

Have you ever seen someone become aware of something for the first time that you have treasured for most of your life? It is a wonderful experience. I have a friend in Manila who is from India and she is a Hindu. She came to a small group Bible study in our home. We valued her sweet, sensitive disposition, her love for her family and her delicious Indian food. She often shared interesting stories about life in India. On several occasions I asked her to read verses from the Bible.

One of her favorites was a passage about love in I Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I liked hearing her read the words in her beautiful accent as she was taking in the full meaning. We compared that to the different ways people define love and try to find love in different cultures. It often proved to be a lively discussion since four nation were represented in the group.

But my favorite moment was a few weeks later when she read this passage from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Then she asked, “I have never heard this before, will you explain it to me?” She had always believed in many impersonal gods who did good or evil and held a view that she would be reincarnated many times. It was strangely new for her to think of a God who would sacrifice in love, the kind of love she had read about weeks before, for her personally and for the whole world to experience forgiveness and eternal life.

There are so many diverse and interesting cutures, but truth is the same in every part of the world. Think about this today. Do you know life-changing truth that is worth telling others? If you do, you probably work, study or interact with people every day who have a desperate cry for answers, no matter what exterior they present to the world around them. Determine in your heart to get to know them better and look for an inroad to reach out to them. You may be the only one who will care enough to do so. It starts with a decision of the heart.

Wanting to Give Up

2007-04-17T23:36:00.000+08:00

“Success is waking up in the morning, whoever you are, however old or young, and bounding out of bed because there’s something out there that you love to do, that you believe in, that you’re good at – something that’s bigger than you are, and you can hardly wait to get at it again today.” Whit Hobbs, columnist

That is all well and good, except when it’s not. What about the mornings when you wake up and don’t want to get up at all? What about the mornings when you feel like giving up because of disappointment, adversity or sheer boredom? Maybe this morning was one of those mornings. It is wonderful to be at a place in life where you can make a living doing what you love to do, but encountering adversity and challenges is a given. It is vital to learn how to respond with the right attitude so you don’t give up when difficulties arise.

Quitting
In any endeavor worthy of pursuit, challenges come. But sometimes blow after blow can cause the shock absorbers of your soul to wear out. When that happens, even a small thing can send you over the edge, making you want to give up. Quitting is not a good solution, because life goes on and you still need to get up in the morning, face another day and be there for the people in your life.

What you can do instead: Pace yourself, realizing that you need to be refreshed along the way to keep your perspective. When your perspective is right, then you are able to see that God is greater than any difficulty and He is with you mightily if you place your trust in Him. (See post: “How much of Your Life do you spend Waiting?”) Breakthrough can be just ahead. And think about it, what would life be like if Edison had given up before his invention of the lightbulb? He said, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Someone has to persevere to accomplish anything worth accomplishing. It might as well be you.

Camping
Sometimes people respond to challenges by finding their comfort zone and staying there. At first glance, there is nothing wrong with that response. Everyone likes to be comfortable. But if you stop reaching out to others in need and try to make life revolve around your needs and comfort, stagnation and apathy can set in. Consider what God intends for you to do with your life.

Climbing
Have you ever had an idea that won’t go away? My friend, Nadia, had such an idea about visiting a boy she had helped receive burn treatment who had returned to his village in the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine. She went there and now has a ministry to the poorest villages in the Carpathians where she has seen many lives changed. She braves icy roads during the winter and opposition from local religious leaders to help the poor families living there because of her love for them.

Step out of your comfort zone and follow through on those ideas. Like Nadia, you will not regret it. Climbing doesn’t always have to look brave or monumental. It is often measured in small, seemingly insignificant decisions to persevere on a daily basis. The ability to move forward, no matter the obstacle, is possible through faith and love. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Faith motivated by love enables you to look adversity and apparent darkness in the face and move forward, knowing that breakthrough and victory is on the other side.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)

Is Your Ladder Leaning Against the Right Building?

2007-04-12T19:28:00.000+08:00

I am referring to the proverbial ladder of success that we are all supposed to be climbing. For as long as I can remember, I have heard the analogy of climbing the ladder of success. My thoughts have been stirring in the area of success and purpose today, so I decided to write them down. People often visit my blog who are googling for encouragement, but one day someone was specifically googling for encouraging thoughts on success and failure. Here are a few thoughts, and I hope they are encouraging.

Don’t get me wrong, I love goals and endurance sports. I did a three-hour cycling (spinning) marathon at Fitness First last year and I wanted to keep going. The gym is located on the 35th floor, so there is a nice view of Manila on clear days. I enjoy pushing myself and I think I would enjoy mountain climbing as well, except heights make me nervous. But when it comes to life, I want my goals and dreams to benefit others through love.

When we were living in Lviv, Ukraine, we often visited the home of our friends Robert and Connie Poland. There was always so much joy and love in their home. One day I was telling Robert, a jolly man with a white beard and hair like Santa, that we greatly appreciated the love in their home. This was his response: “People will not remember you for how much you know or how successful you are, but for how much you have loved them.” I took that to heart, realizing that my desire to do everything with excellence would be missing the mark entirely if I did not make a difference in the lives of people.

We all have diverse talents and abilities, opportunities in life and a certain number of days to live. It makes sense to want to do the most with what we are given. If we try to go after a dream only for what we can get out of life for ourselves, then when life takes a turn, what we are building comes crashing down. If we are pursuing our dreams and goals with the purpose of loving and giving value to the lives of others, then no matter what happens in life, we can pursue our purpose. This is what I mean by having our ladder of success leaning against the right building. If we really believe there is a divine purpose in our mundane existence, then there is Someone who sees our hearts and what we do in secret – Someone who sees our motives and choices and is using a different value system for success than the one shouted all around us in society.

I admit, I watch very little television which is why I have time to read so many books, but I do watch “American Idol”, even though I preferred last season. And between the show, advertisements and billboards I realize how much of life is spent trying to follow what is valued in society and be successful at it. When it comes to something like singing, I believe you either have it or you don’t. Yes, talent can be sharpened and it can help to be at the right place at the right time for a big break, but you are born with certain talents and abilities. What if you are a person who feels like you aren’t good at anything? Who are you listening to for your sense of value and success? As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” God has a different value system from man. He looks at the heart. What lives on and carries weight is what we do that influences the lives of other people for good. Do we love people? Do our actions show it?

I like to read "The New York Times" online, but occasionally I read another news source which has become increasingly sensational with its headlines. There are so many evil, heartless acts committed against people on a daily basis. We have not been born into a neutral world. We need to affect lives for good, and ultimately, for God. If your goal is to be a successful lawyer, businessperson, politician, teacher, athlete, artist or whatever, make it your purpose to serve and help others through loving them. Live for an audience of One.

Next post: Wanting to Give Up

What is a Christian?

2007-04-07T10:39:00.000+08:00

CNN is airing an Anderson Cooper special entitled “What is a Christian?”, and since it is the Easter holiday, it is a timely topic for consideration. There can be a great deal of confusion surrounding Jesus Christ and what it means to be a Christian. There is even supposed to be a controversial chocolate sculpture of Jesus on display at a Manhattan gallery on Monday.

I remember Donald Miller relating a story in his book “Searching For God Knows What” about something that happened when he was teaching a class of Bible college students in the US. He presented the class with a form of the gospel, but left out a key element while telling them in advance that he would do so. He went on to lecture about the sinful state of man without God, the need to change and live a moral life and about what heaven would be like. After he finished his eloquent presentation, not one in the class of 45 students who had studied the Bible and grown up in Christian homes realized that he had presented the gospel without any reference to Jesus Christ.

A Christian is not . . .

Someone who simply follows a moral code.
Christianity is not a list of do’s and don’ts. A person cannot make themselves good enough to please God, who is perfect. Martin Luther tried to please God by his own efforts until he read the Bible for himself and realized that his righteousness was based on faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. "By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Hebrews 10:14) When a person recognizes they are only right with God because of His grace, they can extend grace and compassion to others. The Bible states that “the just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

Someone who chooses a convenient religion.
When a person accepts Jesus Christ, they are not choosing to become a Christian because Christianity is the predominate religion in their culture. They are choosing it because it is the truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

A Christian is . . .

I have never thought of Christianity in terms of simply going through religious motions. Once when I was growing up in the South, I was at a church event sitting on a pew. There was nothing wrong with the meeting, but I went out the back door and ran into a nearby field to pour out my heart to God. It wasn’t the only time I did something like that as a young Christian. I sensed that the passion and life found in really knowing and walking with Jesus Christ was something that made my heart want to soar, yet I had so many questions. And He has been gracious enough to answer my pursuit of truth and relationship with Him, leading me on adventures beyond my wildest dreams. The wonder of it all is still unfolding as I walk with Him.

Becoming a Christian means meeting the God of creation and realizing that all history is defined by the redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ, culminating in a pivotal decision to let Him in to bring about a spiritual rebirth - exchanging death, guilt and separation for eternal life, forgiveness and unconditional love. This is the beginning of life as a Christian. A Christian is someone who has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and follows Him in every area of life.

When you follow Him, you will lead others into a relationship with Him because such a life-changing experience has to be shared. As a missionary in Ukraine and the Philippines, what it means to be a Christian is quite clear and profound, yet simple. It is especially simple in Manila where there is tremendous church growth through small group outreach. People reach out to others, help them come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, become established in their faith and begin reaching out to friends and family all within the context of community. It happens on a daily basis right where people live, work, have coffee or work out.

On Excellence and Kindness

2007-04-02T00:44:00.000+08:00

When people want to get away from Manila, one of the favorite places to go is Tagaytay where the Taal volcano is located. The air is fresh, which you greatly appreciate after the thick soup of Manila air. Aaahhhh! Among the many beautiful places and wonderful restaurants in Tagaytay, one of the most refreshing is Sonya’s Garden, a Bed & Breakfast. I had been there once before when we were in a wedding, but yesterday the special quality of the place took on new meaning because of the kindness of Sonya, the owner.

We brought a Ukrainian couple, Valentin and Katya, there to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary. We planned it as a surprise for Katya, so she forgot to dress for the occasion. When we met Sonya, I asked her to show us a beautiful area in the garden where we could have a simple renewal of vows ceremony for the couple. We were expecting a small group of friends and Katya was suddenly embarrassed because she was dressed very casually. Sonya immediately offered for Katya to borrow her dress and asked us to follow her to her home. She directed us to a room there and brought in two white dresses and some beautiful jewelry. Katya laughed with joy as we transformed her for the special evening and brought her out to meet Valentin. The evening was memorable for all of us.

Before I met Sonya, it was apparent that every detail in the place was meticulously designed with the aim to please the senses and bring enjoyment and tranquility. Everything was arranged and decorated with excellence and the staff was hospitable and accommodating. But after having met the gracious and kind owner, I recognized her special touch in it all.

Everything we do, whether in a corporate or private setting, should be done with excellence and kindness. When someone walks into a place for the first time and everything is excellent, they are more likely to want to come again. But it is going out of the way to show kindness to people that really makes the difference. Excellence by itself can be sterile. But when you add the special touch of serving others in personal ways, it is like adding warmth to a cold room by lighting a fire in the fireplace. Even simple acts of kindness can have a tremendous impact. Sonya, thank you for your beautiful example of excellence and kindness.

On a personal level, I often find that when I make the step to get involved in the lives of others, I am greatly enriched by being a part of their lives. There have been times when I have wanted to give up on a person, but then God would speak something in my heart about how He does not give up on me. Going out of our way to show kindness demonstrates the love of God to people because it is contrary to the way in which the world usually works.

Reaching greater levels of excellence is for the sake of serving others better. Serving others better is for the sake of demonstrating the kindness and love of Jesus Christ.

The Bright Side

2007-03-27T00:13:00.000+08:00

“If you find yourself in jail, write a book.”

- Kevin Conner, international Bible teacher, teaching a “Leader Lectures” seminar at VCF Fort

This is my favorite quote of the week - maybe I found it so humorous because I love to write, but there is a vital lesson behind it as well.

He was referring to the Apostle Paul, who was in jail several times and spent time in house arrest in Rome. Paul wrote some of his epistles or letters to the churches while he was in jail. Sometimes the way of escape from a bad situation led to a stint in prison. I am not sure of the conditions he experienced in jail, but his life mission was not deterred, maybe even enhanced during those times. In one instance, Paul and Silas were praising God while in prison when the chains fell off and the doors opened. The result was the salvation of the prison guard and his family. In other situations, Paul remained behind bars or in house arrest. During those times, he wrote portions of the Bible and testified about Jesus Christ.

This is what stands out to me when I consider the different outcomes of his experiences in jail: the result was that God was glorified whether he stayed longer or was released. This was a man who measured life by giving glory to God and revealing Jesus Christ. He had a serious epiphany, a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He went from being a man who resolutely lived to persecute Christians, to becoming a man who passionately desired for others to know Jesus Christ.

In the western world especially, it is common for people to think that if they follow Jesus Christ they will get whatever they want in life and have abundant material blessings. One problem with this view is that when they encounter difficulties, they think God has abandoned them. God blesses our lives first of all with a life of walking with Him and He works in us for the purpose of revealing Himself through our lives. Yes, we are blessed in the process, but not always in the ways we expect. He promises to be with us during the difficult times, but we often have to walk through them and grow in our relationship with Him. The treasure is Jesus Christ Himself. Paul was a brilliant man who knew where his treasure was found.

In whatever circumstances you find yourself, look at the bright side. You can live for the glory of God and use whatever opportunities He has given you to reveal Jesus Christ to those around you.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Change is Constant, but so is God

2007-03-20T21:35:00.000+08:00

There are two constants in life: Change and God. From the moment of conception, life is in flux, changing, moving from one stage to another, leaving you never quite certain of what will transpire. You may be making the transition from being a child at home to living on your own. Later in life, there are changes in jobs, going from life as a single person to marriage and family, facing the loss of health or facing the challenge of trying to age gracefully. Change is constant. The other constant is God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. God is immutable, never changing in character, consistent within Himself, complete and eternal in His goodness, holiness, love and truth. I like that thought. That means that when life goes into chaos mode, I can find sanctuary in the storm at any time or place. When I turn to God, I find a Rock of stability.

Change for me means preparing for our sixth international move. We will move from Manila, Philippines to Kiev, Ukraine in June. I love the people and experiences we have had here, but I look forward to the opportunities that await us in Kiev. I am aware of the stages of transition by now. A few months before the move takes place, my emotions begin to experience the discomfort of the coming disconnect, goodbyes (which I never say, only until we meet again), packing and chaos stage until transition is complete in another part of the world. Fortunately, in the flat world of globalization, goodbyes are no longer necessary. It is possible to communicate through skype with a webcam, blogs, email, and jet off to revisit the places and people you have left. I am not envious of missionaries one hundred years ago who had to travel on long sea voyages and wait eons for cherished letters and packages from friends and family.

When you read books on transition, that period of holding your breath in mid-air like a trapeze artist who has let go of one ring, but has yet to grab hold of the next, is called the "chaos" stage. I would like to rename it or skip it entirely. Imagine for a moment, unless it has been all too real for you as it has been for me, in a matter of days arriving in a completely different part of the world knowing that you will stay, not only visit. Imagine the new sights and sounds, language in some cases, culture, home, people, everything changing so drastically and suddenly. Actually, it can be a wonderful experience and adventure when the constant, God, is with you.

Here are a few things that have helped me when I go through change or transition:

1. Find your sanctuary - Make a time and place to meet with God on a daily basis. I have made it a habit to read the Bible every day for twenty years, no matter what is going on all around me. I confess, some of my favorite sanctuaries are coffee shops. You can enter a Starbucks anywhere in the world and it is the same. It is an international zone, which makes me feel at home. In NYC, one of my favorite sanctuaries was the courtyard of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was near our girls' school. What a privilege it is to live in such wonderful places!

2. Stay focused - Remember that God has a purpose in the change that is taking place and keep up with your family and life responsibilities.

3. Value your relationships - Spend time with family members or important people in your life in non-stressful settings.

4. Let go of the past - If God is doing something new, then take time to assess the past, keep the good that you have learned and leave excess baggage or bad experiences behind.

5. Keep a positive, thankful attitude - If you are like me, there is always a long list of things to be thankful for. Learn to have joy in the journey.

6. Give yourself and others room to adapt - Change is not easy, in most cases. Drink in the new experiences, but don't expect yourself to adapt instantly. There may be some unexpected emotions that come up or things to work through, but that is just part of the process.

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 18:30)

And now, I pause for a commercial break. Here are a few of my favorite books on issues related to missions, transition and life in a flat world:

"Hudson Taylor: Growth of a Soul and Growth of a Work of God" (2 volumes)
by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor. Not brief and amazing, but long and amazing. These books go into the hardships as well as the triumphs in how God prepared him and how the ministry grew in China. I read them twice, was challenged in my own walk with God and ministry to others, and cried often. I do not cry easily.

"The World is Flat"
by Thomas L. Friedman. On globalization, even the technical parts were interesting and fascinating because he is such a great author.

"The Third Culture Kid Experience"
by Dave Pollock and Ruth Van Reken. Essential if you are raising children in another culture. This book goes into the challenges and benefits of being a global nomad, giving practical advice for parents.

From Victim to Victor

2007-03-15T14:34:00.000+08:00

God wants to take us from being a victim of our circumstances to being victorious in our walk with Him as we accomplish the great things He has called us to do. That is what happened in the life of Gideon. (Stay with me, women. Just think "warrior princess" like Eowyn in "The Lord of the Rings" - beautiful and strong.)

Seven years of living in fear in the mountains and caves. Seven years of seeing everything they worked for taken by the Midianites. When Israel stopped living according to God’s ways, they suffered from corruption within and oppression from without. Gideon was used to living in fear, used to living a meager existence. Even his own father, like many others, worshiped the pagan idols of the day. So when he received a message from God, he struggled to believe it. He was used to being a victim of circumstances. When God showed Gideon his true identity and that He had something for him to accomplish, that changed everything. He went from victim to victor. But first, there was a struggle to believe that God actually meant all that He said. It was like a chess game.

God’s perspective: “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” (Judges 6:12)

Gideon’s perspective due to circumstances:
Disappointment due to difficult circumstances
Wounded faith
Feeling abandoned by God

God’s response:
Go and deliver Israel because I am sending you.

Gideon’s argument because he felt inadequate:
But God, my family is the least and I am the youngest.

God’s reassurance:
“Surely I will be with you and you will defeat Midian as one man.”(Judges 6:16)

Gideon asked for confirmation and God confirmed His word to Gideon.

When Gideon obeyed, the results were just as God had promised. He may have still felt inadequate and afraid, but his faith was demonstrated by his obedience and God proved faithful. We can look at life through our past or our circumstances, but when God comes on the scene, everything changes. He wants to lift us up and reveal His truth to us in the following areas:

1. God is with you.
2. You are a man or woman of God.
3. He has great plans for you to accomplish in His strength.
4. Because of this, you can go from victim to victor.

Back to our warrior princess, Eowyn. When she admitted to King Aragorn that she was afraid of wasting her life away in a cage, he told her that she was a daughter of kings and he did not think that would be her fate. How much more so with the King of kings!

Manolo Blahnik, Nike or Flip Flops: the Need is the Same

2007-03-12T00:28:00.000+08:00

All feet are created equal and if the proverbial shoe fits, wear it. People often look at the outward appearance and determine social status at a glance. We need to look past the external in order to see the heart. No matter how polished or disheveled a person may appear, the need for God is the same. (At the risk of losing male readers, Manolo Blahnik’s are coveted, expensive Italian shoes, often of the stiletto variety. I do not own a pair, nor is it likely that I will.)

I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life. Because I have lived in North America, Eastern Europe and Asia, it is a necessity and a way of life for me. I usually look for an inroad to connect with another person and encourage them. This sets the stage for developing a relationship. Once I get to know the person over time, the walls begin to come down and the story of their life emerges. The overwhelming reality is that every life is in need of God, whether they need to meet Him for the first time or grow in their relationship with Him. Everyone needs wisdom in dealing with life issues and relationships. Everyone needs someone to talk to.

When we lived in New York City for a year, I spoke with someone who insisted it was essential to wear the latest designer brands in order to reach New Yorkers. While I am not advocating looking like you just stepped out of a nineteenth century convent or monastery or are a candidate for the show “What Not to Wear”, people are relieved to meet a normal human being who is full of life and genuinely cares. You don’t have to be an expert in another person’s job or way of life in order to reach them and disciple them. You need to be someone who walks with God, knows the Bible and cares about people. Does that take the pressure off?

Learn to look at the heart.

Jesus is our example. He spoke to a despised Samaritan woman, tax gatherers, people of high position and low- people from all walks of life.

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." (2 Corinthians 2:15-17)

Encouragement from the Life of David

2007-03-07T21:22:00.000+08:00

Out on the hills with God, a canopy of stars by night, a flock of sheep by day – that is how the future king of Israel spent his time. It was not the first time or the last that God chose to shape a leader in a place of obscurity. He learned to love the God of all creation and touch His heart in worship and song. He learned to valiantly protect the flock in his care from dangerous predators. He seemed far from the throne, unaware of the plans that were awaiting him just over the horizon. His life was so obscure that no one even bothered to send for him when the prophet Samuel, revered in the city, arrived to see his seven brothers. Samuel was a man of God who looked at the heart so when David, the youngest, finally arrived he knew he was the one he was supposed to anoint as king.

David was about to face mighty challenges and enemies, but the presence of God, the encouragement of a trusted friend, and the guidance and correction of godly mentors saw him through. Maybe you will find some parallels in your own life.

The known enemy

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26)

Goliath was the giant, taunting, quintessential enemy. The goal was clear: the enemy had to be annihilated, not placated. Spiritually speaking, we have to confidently and decisively deal with the enemies that can distract us and get us off course. Unfortunately, our enemies are sometimes subtle and enticing. Our old sinful ways are not a warm blanket of comfort, but enemies that will hold us in invisible prisons if we do not ruthlessly deal with them. Like David, we can win because God is with us.

Unexpected opposition

“When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle. ‘Now what have I done?’ said David. ‘Can't I even speak?’” (1 Samuel 17:28-29)

David’s brother treated him with condescension and anger. He also had to flee from the wrath of King Saul, who tried to have him killed, while keeping a right heart. One of the greatest difficulties for Christians can be dealing with unexpected conflict from family or people of influence in our lives when we choose to serve God. Sometimes we can face opposition when we are doing the right thing, but the goal every time is to keep our hearts and attitudes right toward others.

The trusted friend

Jonathan, the son of Saul, loved David as much as his own life and protected him from the wrath of his father. His friendship was a source of encouragement and strength to David. Do you have friends like that in your life? If you do, value them like gold. Take time to tell them how much you appreciate them. We grow in relationship, not in isolation.

Mentors

Samuel anointed David as king and protected him from Saul. Later in David’s life, the prophet Nathan corrected David for his sin. Godly mentors are important in our lives because they help us walk into all of the plans that God has for us. They are also willing to correct us when necessary. We need these kinds of relationships, even if we sometimes have to seek them out.

Life has been Answered

2007-03-03T15:22:00.000+08:00

This week I was wondering and pondering why so much time, energy and media attention is spent attempting to refute the claims of Jesus Christ. For one thing, it sells, but I also believe people can’t leave it alone because the divine pursuit of our hearts never ends - the audacity of His claim to be God in human form, the Savior of all mankind. If his claims are true, then every life has to confront that truth and deal with it in some way. There are many life questions people debate and think about.

How did all of this come into existence?
What is my purpose in life?
Why is there evil and suffering in the world?
Why am I the way I am?
Does unconditional love exist?
Is there a God?

If Jesus really was God in human form, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died and rose again with the power to forgive our sins and bring us close to God for all eternity, then that means we can’t really ignore Him. We have to reject or accept Him. Accepting Him means that we let Him into our hearts to change us. But when we begin to realize His perfect goodness, wisdom and love, this new way of life is light years from living in the dark prison of our sin and selfishness.

His death and resurrection was a defining point in history. He could not have slipped away to a suburb of Jerusalem to live with a wife and child. He was too well-known. You can read the accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the Bible. Thousands saw Jesus die on the cross, witnessed the empty tomb and saw His resurrected body. His death was not staged.

Venture out and ask: “God, if you are real, if what the Bible says about Jesus is true, then reveal yourself to me.”

You can know for certain that life has been answered – the sheer wonder, power, passion, freedom and significance of it all. If you know it, proclaim it.

For further inquiry or insight, read “Can Man Live Without God” by Ravi Zacharias.

"Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." John 6:68

How much of your Life do you spend Waiting?

2007-02-27T23:07:00.000+08:00

“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Waiting in lines, we all have to endure it from time to time. Waiting in waiting rooms, waiting in check-out lines, waiting to fall asleep, or one of my least favorites – waiting in traffic. According to an NPR report, the average American spends two to three years of his or her life waiting in line. My Ukrainian friends would agree that they must spend at least five. I’m not sure how that compares to the rest of the planet, but that is a lot of time.

Yesterday I was contemplating the concept of waiting and the natural frustrations that often accompany it while we were at the U.S. Embassy in Manila waiting to renew our daughters’ passports. The frustration arose when we were told that we could wait even though we may not get an appointment; however, we could not leave our documents. We had to FedEx the documents to the very same office even though we were holding them at that moment. There was no logic in that, so we waited and were finally successful in completing the process.

My thoughts digressed to how people spend their time while waiting. This is a serious topic for consideration if you live in a large city. If I know I will have to wait, I usually take a book or something I have to get done along with me. But when that is not possible, there is inevitably a large amount of thinking time. I was browsing a bookstore recently when a humorous title caught my eye, “Blank: The Power of Not Actually Thinking at All”. It was obviously a parody on the book “Blink”. But our minds are never really neutral ground.

In our own personal universe of thoughts, God wants to shed light on situations, giving us wisdom and encouragement. He wants to debunk our pre-conceived ideas with life-giving, illuminating truth. What if we spent all of that accumulated waiting time conversing with God and thinking thoughts that bring encouragement, faith and wisdom? Life is often stressful and anxious thoughts can multiply quickly. Thoughts like these weigh us down and bring discouragement. But if we turn to God, His consolations will bring delight to us.

What if the majority of our waiting time was spent waiting on God? Our strength would be renewed. Life can be too busy to postpone taking time to think about God and converse with Him. Take hold of all that waiting time, and see if you find your strength being renewed and your stress diminishing. What if?

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

The Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat

2007-02-24T01:10:00.000+08:00

Our daughter Abigail, age 14, ran for president of her class last year and lost by one vote. She took it in stride, but I encouraged her by telling her that she had something in common with former US presidential hopeful Al Gore, except that he actually accumulated more votes than his opponent. For readers who are not from the US, that would take a paragraph in itself to explain and even then, I am not sure that I could explain it. I reminded her that former President Abraham Lincoln ran for office and lost many times before being elected US President, but then he went on to become one of the most honored of all presidents because of his character, wisdom, leadership and perseverance during one of the most trying times in US history. Finally I threw in a favorite quote from Churchill: “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”

So she was inspired. This year she announced that she would run for vice president. I asked her why she chose to run for that office, to which she replied that she did not want to run for president against Ee Ern, a Malay student, because it would be like running against God. Besides being a stellar student, he memorized entire excerpts from “The Lord of the Rings” for his previous speech. So she ran for vice president and won. Abigail is a people person. But not only that, she is a purposeful people person, meaning that she wants to make a difference in the lives of others. She also enjoys any and every (well, maybe not every) opportunity to give spontaneous speeches. So I am happy for her.

Rebecca, age 11, is our other daughter. Her 5th grade class at Faith Academy in the Philippines is run like a country, so she also decided to run for office. She ran for librarian and gave an enthusiastic, heart-felt speech on how much she wanted to be class librarian and organize a check-out system for books. A classmate gave her speech, saying that she wasn’t really interested in being the librarian, but she would appreciate the votes. A boy in the class organized a smear campaign against Rebecca, bribing students not to vote for her. She came home devastated when she lost. I tried to encourage her with the Abraham Lincoln example, and when that wasn’t very effective, with sweets. Still, during the holidays she dreaded returning to school.

But she greeted me with a smile after the first day back to school. It turned out that the president asked Rebecca to be her assistant. A classmate told her that meant she was secretary of state. She was thrilled. We went shopping for matching clipboards and she has a file on the laptop so she can help the president organize her schedule.

When we are adults, we can look at the trials our children face and see the bigger picture. We believe in them and know that the disappointments they encounter will pass. I believe God looks at us in much the same way, picking us up and encouraging us to move on and see the bigger, brighter picture of His plans for us. And with the enormity of His great love that encompasses us in every place or situation we may be facing. If we consider what really matters in life, it is to delight in walking with God and pleasing Him.

Love Factually

2007-02-17T02:44:00.000+08:00

I forgot to post this on Valentine's Day, but it is still the love month, so here it is. A few years ago I accidentally watched the film "Love Actually", thinking it would be a light romantic comedy, while positioned in front of the screen on a long flight. The film followed the stories of many kinds of love relationships, however people wanted to define love or relationship. It embraced any kind of "love" as long as the people involved were happy.

While I agree that love is wonderful when it is rich with emotion, enjoyment and romance, it is also at its best when it involves commitment to one another within marriage, husband and wife. I read an article in the newspaper here on Valentine's Day stating that the busiest days for hotels in Manila during the month of February are the days before and after Valentine's Day. It went on to say that Valentine's Day is for the wife, but the day before or after is for the lover. Mike smiled and responded that he is happy to say that I am both.

I don't want to embarrass Mike, but when he tells me he loves me, I know it. I know it because he shows it in so many ways. He talks to me more than any husband I have ever heard of. He genuinely enjoys spending time with me and cares about what I have to say, what I desire, and he values my input and thoughts. But more than that, I know that he loves me because of the promise he made.

I enjoy any excuse for a romantic dinner, flowers, chocolate and a special date together, so naturally I always look forward to Valentine's Day. Here are my favorite romantic places where we have spent Valentine's Day.

New York City - New York is a very romantic, fascinating city, with many fantastic restaurants and shows. We liked to go out for dinner, followed by a walk in Central Park. However, in the month of February, you have to bundle up because it is cold. Snowfall provides a beautiful romantic backdrop, but I don't want to think about that right now since I am in the tropics, the place of perpetual summer. Besides, the beaches in the Philippines are very romantic spots as well.

Krakow, Poland - Krakow is a magical place, especially in the city center with the cobblestone streets, horse and carriages and Wawel Castle lit up in the background. The restaurants are excellent and inexpensive and it is fun to wander through the streets together, hand in hand, exploring the center. But once again, in gloves, hat, etc. because it is cold.

Manila, Philippines - Manila has many great restaurants, malls and coffee shops. And if you want to watch a film, the tickets cost less than three dollars. It is a romantic place for a Valentine's Day date. And the weather is nice in February, which is relatively cooler.

Nehemiah: Vision and Strategy

2007-02-16T21:43:00.000+08:00

When we lived in Ukraine, we visited castles occasionally (see photo of castle in Ukraine). We felt as if we walked through a wrinkle in time and arrived in the Middle Ages or a set from “The Lord of the Rings”. They were always built with strong walls and fortifications to provide sanctuary from inevitable attacks. The Huns, Goths, Mongols, Turks, Poles, Hungarians, Austrians, Swedes, Russians and Germans tried at different times to establish their rule over western Ukraine or the entire country, bringing war and havoc. It is no wonder Ukrainians value their independence. This provides a vivid image of the dire situation Israel faced when Nehemiah went to rebuild the wall.

After inspecting the situation, Nehemiah gathered the people.

“You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach. And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me, and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work.” Neh. 2:17, 18

After the rallying call to rebuild, the people began to work. They did not simply return home to hope and pray that the work would somehow get done. There was no way Nehemiah could accomplish the work by himself. If it was going to happen, it was up to them to accomplish it. So each one did their part in rebuilding a portion of the wall. The common vision held them together and the wall was rebuilt.

Reaching cities and nations requires this kind of vision and dedication. While in Manila, we have been amazed to see a passion for God and reaching people combined with a clearly defined plan for making disciples from the point of meeting Christ to training and empowering people for ministry. The tremendous growth here did not happen overnight. It is a work of God and the result of focused leadership, a clear vision and strategy, and the hard work of many. And I have to add that the filipinos are exceptionally good at enjoying what they are doing.

Worth the Investment

2007-02-15T21:33:00.000+08:00

I remember quiet evenings with my father in his study. He would sit in his comfortable chair, lost in thought while he read and listened to classical music. But I always knew that he was available to talk. We would discuss books, world events, history, dreams, aspirations, ideas ranging from the real to the surreal, and faith in God. He told me regularly that he loved me and that I could do anything I put my mind to, anything I dreamed of accomplishing. I believed it and the security from that love and affirmation took residence deep in the recesses of my heart. I remember his favorite verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13. I can remember the sound of his voice and the love in his eyes. That is how it should be.

I have met many young women who grew up fatherless or in abusive homes. After meeting Jesus, they begin to find out their new identity in Christ. They begin to discover a personal, close relationship with their heavenly Father. Love begins to unlock their hearts and emotions, bringing light to their eyes and security to their souls. Sometimes it is a tumultuous process, but truth shapes a new reality for their lives. And when they begin to reach others, life is reproduced instead of pain. Powerful.

It is always worth the time we invest in our children and the people around us. This should not be a distraction from our busy schedules, but a priority.

Everyone Needs Encouragement

2007-02-13T21:43:00.000+08:00

I was going over my plans for the week when I realized a common theme that corresponds with the title of my blog. People need encouragement. Monday I was at the dumpsite in Tondo and the cemetery in Navotas with a British friend who is one of the most remarkable, but unassuming people I have ever met. Like Nehemiah, she saw devastation and had to do something about it. She started a work 10 years ago to help the poor families living in these areas and she has persevered against enormous obstacles. Lives are being changed.

Today I had a small group Bible study for some missionary wives who face challenges raising young children in a culture different from their own. A Hindu neighbor usually joins us. Tomorrow I will meet with the wife of a campus minister who will be joining us in Ukraine. Their hearts burn with such a passion for making disciples and reaching students. They are a joy to be around. Thursday I will have lunch with a Japanese pianist who is an atheist. She plays beautiful music, but has yet to meet the God who gave her such wonderful creativity and life. Friday I will have coffee with a beautiful Cambodian Buddhist. She is often lonely, missing her family and familiar culture. She and her British husband live here in Manila. When I was a child, my grandparents frequently traveled to other nations and I asked them to bring me a doll from every nation. I would often look at my unique collection and wonder about the nations they came from. Now it is as if they have come to life as I meet these women.

There was a time when I wondered how going through trials and difficulties could be of any real value. In and of themselves, they are not. But when I seek God in every situation and find my treasure in Him, I curiously find myself with a calendar full of people who need encouragement. I can even thank God for difficulties that I did not understand at the time, because I can comfort and encourage others who are going through similar experiences. Without those life experiences, I wouldn't have a clue. A few days ago I spoke with a friend who is a missionary in another nation. We are from different parts of the world, but I was amazed to find that the opposition she and her husband are going through so closely resembles our situation in Ukraine several years ago.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
2 Cor 1:3-7

So I will continue to encourage. Part 2 of "Encouragement from Nehemiah" soon to come.

Encouragement from Nehemiah, Part 1

2007-02-10T22:30:00.000+08:00

Nehemiah heard about the condition of the remnant of the Jews who had survived captivity. They were in great distress, the wall surrounding Jerusalem was broken down and the gates were burned by fire. He was motivated to fast and pray for the people, but he did not stop at that. He was motivated to go. He went from a palace to a place of ruins because he had to do something to help. He served as cupbearer to the king of Persia, which gave him a position of influence, enabling him to travel safely and use timber from the king’s forest to rebuild.

But when he arrived, the job was no easy task. He endured tremendous opposition. He suffered ridicule, threats of attack, extortion, treachery and slander. That brings back memories of some of our missionary experiences in Eastern Europe. Yet he accomplished what he set out to do. In our own lives, we cannot see the outcome of our circumstances except by faith, because we may be living in Chapter 10 of a 30 chapter epic. It is helpful to gain insight and encouragement from others. What can we learn from the life of Nehemiah so that we can accomplish our goals without giving in to discouragement when we face opposition?

1. He had a strategy and he clearly communicated it to others.
2. Teamwork – He did his part, but not the work of others.
3. The joy of the Lord was his strength.
4. Humility – He sought God for wisdom, strength and protection.
5. No compromise.
6. He gave glory to God.
7. He motivated others when they were discouraged.
8. He did not let down his guard, realizing the schemes of the enemy.
9. Focus – He would not allow himself to be distracted from what needed to be done.

“Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill