This is one of the testimonies I have from Vacation Bible School this year. I wrote it for our church bulletin. (As of today, it hasn't actually run yet =)
The 2009 VBS Assembly Team has an awesome testimony. Appropriately, that testimony is contained in a song that we sang and taught the kids. That song not only tells our story, it also became the theme of everything we did that week. And for the VBS Assembly Team MC, that testimony is mine, too:
“My God, He made a way; my God He saved the day—forever we will shout Your praise. This world will fade away but Your word remains forever—Jesus, we will shout Your praise!” (“Saved The Day,” by Planetshakers)
I have never not had an amazing VBS experience, and this year was no exception. God built my faith incrementally this VBS through several simple, personal and powerful demonstrations of His amazing grace.
On Wednesday night of VBS week I felt a cold coming on. By Thursday morning, I was sick. Not violently ill, but sick enough that I would have stayed home had it been any other week. My response to the acute awareness of what was going on in my body almost surprised me. While I initially—for just a short time—felt disappointed, by the time the AM assembly started that Thursday, I was…excited about being sick!
Let me assure you; I am NOT a masochist. I DON’T like being sick, and am perfectly happy to let people (like my wife) know when I’m not feeling good. But that Thursday was different. I didn’t consider going home an option. Consequently, I was left with a decision to make: Do I crumble and crawl up into a ball (of self-pity, moaning and groaning, frustration, disappointment, etc.), OR… do I lean on Jesus all the more? God reminded me of what He spoke to Paul, in response to Paul’s plea that God take away the particular affliction he was experiencing: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is perfected in your weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
That was the beginning of an unceasing flow of Grace that carried me through the next 5 assemblies that Thursday and Friday. My excitement grew as I saw the potential for God to do what I knew I could not. And that’s just what happened.
I’ll summarize the rest of the week. I didn’t just barely make it through those two days; rather, I felt like I was soaring, excelling—again, not at all because of anything in me, but by the enabling grace of God. I felt great during each assembly… but within an hour of its end, I felt like I could collapse. Yet, without fail, I felt great again during the next one! It was so evident to me that this was all God that I found myself laughing about it periodically. During the in-between times, I was toast…but had ALL I needed while on stage.
On Sunday following VBS, my mother-in-law told me she felt so bad and was so sorry I was sick during the week. I told her, “I know it sounds crazy, but I’m actually glad I got sick!,” and then proceeded to share with her the testimony I’m sharing with you. God’s grace IS indeed sufficient; I know it because He says it AND I experienced it. I don’t believe God gave me a cold. But I do believe that because of my decision to lean on Him for His grace that He was able to force my unfavorable situation into something great. That’s exactly what He loves to do. “My God, He saved the day!” And He did it in a very practical and easy-for-me-to-understand kind of way. Because of that, I give Him praise.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Concluding Thoughts About Our Recent Spanish Bible Study, Part 2
Continued from the previous post...
I was a bit nervous leading up to teaching--not extremely so, but more so than I generally experience. Over the course of the past six weeks, I've come to realize how much I'm concerned with getting it right: choosing the right vocabulary word, using the right verb tense, and so on. This is, in part, because I don't want to be wrong (can you say "pride"?), and in part because as a teacher, it's important to me be accurate. These two factors have been at the root of my hesitancy to speak the language in the past. Nonetheless, I went for it. I took my time (at times it seemed to me to be painfully slow), and trusted the Lord to lead/help me, and felt satisfied as I concluded.
Later in the week a woman from the study passed on a comment her husband made about what I shared on Sunday: "I wouldn't want to hurt Josh's feelings... but I got more out of his teaching in Spanish than from any of his teachings in English!"
I hope it doesn't seem self-congratulatory to add this comment. I mention it as an illustration of God's grace and faithfulness. It's not that I'm without ability; I can speak Spanish. (There--I said it! This is something I have opted NOT to say in the past.) It's in the form of a question that I sense God's continuing challenge (and encouragement) to me about this part of my life: "Will you accept My invitation to reposition your gaze? You will continue to be amazed by what I can do when you stop looking at yourself and instead look at Me."
Wow.
I felt and feel no condemnation or scolding in His tone or His words. Rather, I feel freshly reminded that it's by HIS grace that amazing things transpire--not by my ability or efforts, so that I don't end up taking the credit for things that I feel comfortable doing, or feel unnecessarily hesitant about stepping into things that are a stretch. He's the One who assumes the responsibility for completing what He starts; my responsibility is to partner with Him, and follow through in order to experience that completion.
God is an unparalleled multi-tasker! Once again, I stand amazed by how much God has in mind to do in and through His kids when they say YES to Him. The Bible study is over (for now =), but the work God is doing in me continues on.
I was a bit nervous leading up to teaching--not extremely so, but more so than I generally experience. Over the course of the past six weeks, I've come to realize how much I'm concerned with getting it right: choosing the right vocabulary word, using the right verb tense, and so on. This is, in part, because I don't want to be wrong (can you say "pride"?), and in part because as a teacher, it's important to me be accurate. These two factors have been at the root of my hesitancy to speak the language in the past. Nonetheless, I went for it. I took my time (at times it seemed to me to be painfully slow), and trusted the Lord to lead/help me, and felt satisfied as I concluded.
Later in the week a woman from the study passed on a comment her husband made about what I shared on Sunday: "I wouldn't want to hurt Josh's feelings... but I got more out of his teaching in Spanish than from any of his teachings in English!"
I hope it doesn't seem self-congratulatory to add this comment. I mention it as an illustration of God's grace and faithfulness. It's not that I'm without ability; I can speak Spanish. (There--I said it! This is something I have opted NOT to say in the past.) It's in the form of a question that I sense God's continuing challenge (and encouragement) to me about this part of my life: "Will you accept My invitation to reposition your gaze? You will continue to be amazed by what I can do when you stop looking at yourself and instead look at Me."
Wow.
I felt and feel no condemnation or scolding in His tone or His words. Rather, I feel freshly reminded that it's by HIS grace that amazing things transpire--not by my ability or efforts, so that I don't end up taking the credit for things that I feel comfortable doing, or feel unnecessarily hesitant about stepping into things that are a stretch. He's the One who assumes the responsibility for completing what He starts; my responsibility is to partner with Him, and follow through in order to experience that completion.
God is an unparalleled multi-tasker! Once again, I stand amazed by how much God has in mind to do in and through His kids when they say YES to Him. The Bible study is over (for now =), but the work God is doing in me continues on.
Concluding Thoughts About Our Recent Spanish Bible Study, Part 1
Last Sunday we concluded our 6-week Spanish Bible study. We covered the first 6 chapters of Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios (Enjoying Your Journey With God, by Daniel Brown). We ended with the chapter entitled "Reading Your Bible"; the teacher was yours truly.
I'll mention just a few highlights from the past six weeks. Forget saving the best for last: the absolute highlight for us was the richness we all experienced in being together--stepping out of our English-speaking comfort zone and into exciting new frontiers of communication. Also great was the teaching: in six weeks we heard from five different teachers, each with their own unique giftings sharing from their own particular experiences in their walk with Jesus. As a result, we left the Fireside Room each Sunday feeling refreshed, encouraged and built up in our faith. And, of course, I can't NOT mention the edibles. Pan Dulce, donuts, homemade cookies, an especially tasty fruit salad containing, among other oh-so-satisfying ingredients, fresh, sweet, juicy mango (I ate three bowls), and lots more. These are among the many wonderful things that made our time together each week so delightful.
To be continued...
I'll mention just a few highlights from the past six weeks. Forget saving the best for last: the absolute highlight for us was the richness we all experienced in being together--stepping out of our English-speaking comfort zone and into exciting new frontiers of communication. Also great was the teaching: in six weeks we heard from five different teachers, each with their own unique giftings sharing from their own particular experiences in their walk with Jesus. As a result, we left the Fireside Room each Sunday feeling refreshed, encouraged and built up in our faith. And, of course, I can't NOT mention the edibles. Pan Dulce, donuts, homemade cookies, an especially tasty fruit salad containing, among other oh-so-satisfying ingredients, fresh, sweet, juicy mango (I ate three bowls), and lots more. These are among the many wonderful things that made our time together each week so delightful.
To be continued...
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Spanish Challenge
The Spanish Bible study begins with a story. During our mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, last summer, I sensed God instruct me to "Go for it!." He was challenging me to boldly speak Spanish during our mission.
I studied Spanish for 3 1/2 years in High School, a couple semesters at Cabrillo, and attended several classes at UCSC, including a couple Spanish Lit classes, in which I read books and wrote papers (in Spanish!). During that time, I got to use the language outside of the classroom in a couple restaurant jobs I worked back then.
More recently, though, I haven't had much of an ongoing opportunity to speak this Latin-based tongue. And even when there have been chances to hablar (like when I'm at Taqueria Los Gordos ordering some carnitas), I've found myself feeling (and acting) hesitant and timid. The result? NO se habla el Espanol.
Enter the challenge. Would I step out and speak while in Juarez? I did... and it was awesome to see how God met me in my Spanish-speaking-faith-steps. Once I decided it was ok to make mistakes, my timidity began deflating little by little, like a tire with a slow leak, until it was all but gone.
Upon my return home from Mexico, two things were clear to me: 1) the fear of speaking continued to nip at my heels and 2) I felt I was being invited to do still more with my ability to speak. Fast-forward to Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios--the Bible Study! 3 weeks in, I am becoming more aware of a desire God has placed in my heart to share His love and His ways in a language that many people speak here in our neck of the woods. Where will it all lead us? I don't know. Yet, once again, I'm encouraged by our small beginnings.
I studied Spanish for 3 1/2 years in High School, a couple semesters at Cabrillo, and attended several classes at UCSC, including a couple Spanish Lit classes, in which I read books and wrote papers (in Spanish!). During that time, I got to use the language outside of the classroom in a couple restaurant jobs I worked back then.
More recently, though, I haven't had much of an ongoing opportunity to speak this Latin-based tongue. And even when there have been chances to hablar (like when I'm at Taqueria Los Gordos ordering some carnitas), I've found myself feeling (and acting) hesitant and timid. The result? NO se habla el Espanol.
Enter the challenge. Would I step out and speak while in Juarez? I did... and it was awesome to see how God met me in my Spanish-speaking-faith-steps. Once I decided it was ok to make mistakes, my timidity began deflating little by little, like a tire with a slow leak, until it was all but gone.
Upon my return home from Mexico, two things were clear to me: 1) the fear of speaking continued to nip at my heels and 2) I felt I was being invited to do still more with my ability to speak. Fast-forward to Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios--the Bible Study! 3 weeks in, I am becoming more aware of a desire God has placed in my heart to share His love and His ways in a language that many people speak here in our neck of the woods. Where will it all lead us? I don't know. Yet, once again, I'm encouraged by our small beginnings.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Spanish Bible Study
Today is the second of six Sundays during which we are studying the Bible--in Spanish! Last week, 13 of us convened in the Fireside room to take a journey together through Chapter 1 of Disfruta tu diario vivir con Dios (Enjoying Your Journey With God). While an occasional English word was spoken in order to clarify something, or to ask how to say a word (Cómo se dice?), we all committed ourselves to speak Spanish for the ensuing 90 minutes.
A couple of people in the group had invited Spanish-speaking friends who had said they wanted to attend, but didn't end up making it. Far from disappointed about this, I was--and still am--very excited and hopeful about this study for two reasons:
Whether or not a "new" person will be at the study this morning, I'm looking forward to what God does to unify (and grow!) our little Spanish-speaking clan. I do think we're on to something, though, and am eager to follow God's lead.
A couple of people in the group had invited Spanish-speaking friends who had said they wanted to attend, but didn't end up making it. Far from disappointed about this, I was--and still am--very excited and hopeful about this study for two reasons:
- We are a collection of people who would not normally come together--as one group. Because we have a common interest/ability (speaking Spanish), we have good reason to assemble!
- This is the beginning of something new! What will come? God knows. As I looked around the room last weekend I thought, "Wow! Thank You, God! This is a group of people who could lead an ongoing Spanish language ministry!"
Whether or not a "new" person will be at the study this morning, I'm looking forward to what God does to unify (and grow!) our little Spanish-speaking clan. I do think we're on to something, though, and am eager to follow God's lead.
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Feel The Burn!
I've been riding my bike to the office a few times per week again (now that the wonderful-but-routine-interrupting holidays have passed =). Tuesday morning I cranked it up a notch and made the 6-ish mile ride from my house in 20 minutes. That felt great(!) but was accompanied by a good "burn" in my lungs from sucking all that air!
6 miles sounds long. But 20 minutes really isn't that long when compared to 26.2 (marathon), or 112 (the cycling portion of the Iron Man!) I'm pretty good at sprints (Tuesday morning); the long distance is more challenging.
The apostle Paul compares life in God to a long-distance race. In His kindness, God is revealing (more) sprint-like patterns in my life. I'm grateful for this because I want to develop endurance. I do well with things for a stretch of time (Bible reading, journaling, blogging!!!--all of which have tapered off in the recent month or so); but there's plenty of room to improve my long-haul pace.
I've never run a marathon, but I know there's discomfort involved: the lungs burn, the legs fatigue and cramp, and the body is stretched beyond what's comfortable. It requires great discipline--in the form of commitment, determination, ongoing conditioning, and follow-through--to finish the race.
I hear the Lord calling me into more (the fullness of life stuff that Jesus promises me, us). Getting that stuff requires something of me; right now, it's this kind of discipline, along with a increased willingness to endure discomfort. It's the last thing my flesh wants, but I know better, so I'm choosing the burn! I know the benefit that will come because I've experience it before. Today I'm ready for more.
6 miles sounds long. But 20 minutes really isn't that long when compared to 26.2 (marathon), or 112 (the cycling portion of the Iron Man!) I'm pretty good at sprints (Tuesday morning); the long distance is more challenging.
The apostle Paul compares life in God to a long-distance race. In His kindness, God is revealing (more) sprint-like patterns in my life. I'm grateful for this because I want to develop endurance. I do well with things for a stretch of time (Bible reading, journaling, blogging!!!--all of which have tapered off in the recent month or so); but there's plenty of room to improve my long-haul pace.
I've never run a marathon, but I know there's discomfort involved: the lungs burn, the legs fatigue and cramp, and the body is stretched beyond what's comfortable. It requires great discipline--in the form of commitment, determination, ongoing conditioning, and follow-through--to finish the race.
I hear the Lord calling me into more (the fullness of life stuff that Jesus promises me, us). Getting that stuff requires something of me; right now, it's this kind of discipline, along with a increased willingness to endure discomfort. It's the last thing my flesh wants, but I know better, so I'm choosing the burn! I know the benefit that will come because I've experience it before. Today I'm ready for more.
Friday, November 7, 2008
American Idol
I can be obsessive when it comes to certain things. About a week or so ago, I had my own American Idol experience.
I love stuff: the latest electronic gadgets, clothes, bike parts, and more. My recent obsession was new stuff for my bike. For a period of a couple days, I became preoccupied with this. When I'm planning a purchase, I want to do my research. I read reviews, compare prices, etc. This isn't bad in itself. However, when it came to these recent events, I let myself be consumed. The amount of time, thought/focus, and energy I spent on my quest literally spent me.
The Bible says that those who follow idols become like them. Idols are deaf (don't hear), mute (don't speak), and they're without breath (i.e, they're dead!). Consequently, they can't give life (or any other worthwhile provision) to us.
My obsession left me dry. I got a glimpse of what it's like to really serve something other than the Lord. It was tiring (I was exhausted by the end of the second day) and draining (I really felt like life had been sucked out of me)--and I felt very thin.
How important it is to keep my focus on God! How depleting it is to give my heart away to another! Not only do I end up empty and unsatisfied, but those who I lead (not least of all, my wife and kids) suffer as well. And that simply won't do.
I love stuff: the latest electronic gadgets, clothes, bike parts, and more. My recent obsession was new stuff for my bike. For a period of a couple days, I became preoccupied with this. When I'm planning a purchase, I want to do my research. I read reviews, compare prices, etc. This isn't bad in itself. However, when it came to these recent events, I let myself be consumed. The amount of time, thought/focus, and energy I spent on my quest literally spent me.
The Bible says that those who follow idols become like them. Idols are deaf (don't hear), mute (don't speak), and they're without breath (i.e, they're dead!). Consequently, they can't give life (or any other worthwhile provision) to us.
My obsession left me dry. I got a glimpse of what it's like to really serve something other than the Lord. It was tiring (I was exhausted by the end of the second day) and draining (I really felt like life had been sucked out of me)--and I felt very thin.
How important it is to keep my focus on God! How depleting it is to give my heart away to another! Not only do I end up empty and unsatisfied, but those who I lead (not least of all, my wife and kids) suffer as well. And that simply won't do.
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