The Power Source

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

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

“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?

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?

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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?

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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