Not Giving Up: Part 1

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

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

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)

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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)

“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)

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)

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?

“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

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

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

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

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

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.