Before leaving for my recent mission trip to Thailand, our whole team received prayer. What a rich and life-giving experience! One of the words I received during this prayer send-off was that I would come back revived. I am grateful to God to say that word is being fulfilled! I am revived!
I am freshly inspired and determined to live differently than I've been living--specifically to "divide my bread" (i.e., share my life) with people around me, and to not hide myself from my own flesh and blood (Isaiah 58). I am also thankful to God for clarifying my vision; where I was previously prioritizing things (and relationships) according to natural tendencies and values, with an emphasis on getting things done, I feel that God has unwrapped something more of His own heart and priorities in my own heart, and allowed me to see more like He sees. For that (and for so many things we experienced during our mission to Thailand) I say, Hallelujah!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Mangoes & Sticky Rice
I recently returned home from a mission trip to Thailand. Among the many stories I can tell is this particularly sweet memory.
For two days we taught English at the Kids Camp in Mae Sod (at a local Thai Government school), we experienced the wonder that is mangoes and sticky rice. As sweet as the mangoes were, this dessert did more than satisfy our taste buds. It delighted our hearts because of the love extended to our team by Pastor John (who arranged for us to have them). On Friday, he could only find a mixture of black and white rice for the mangoes, so he was determined to find the traditional recipe of mangoes and white rice for us to enjoy on Saturday. A couple days earlier he mentioned he would do his best to make sure we enjoyed this typical summer dessert--even though it wasn't quite mango season. Pastor John followed through on his word--twice! This man is a Senior Pastor of a local church, works with the local government school director to do English camps, oversees several other ministries...Oh, and is the president of Foursquare Thailand--and took the time to get us mangoes and sticky rice. Pastor John didn't boast about it or draw attention to himself in any way as he delivered this gift. This act of thoughtful kindness and servant-hearted generosity made a lasting impact on our team.
In Isaiah 58, the prophet communicates the heart of God so clearly: Give yourself for the sake of others. When we divide our "bread" (i.e, our lives) with others, God promises that our "light" will break forth. When we look to people--taking time to understand their needs, and opening our hearts to extend ourselves to them--we experience what it is to be righteous (whole, full of truth, set on our purpose, walking in freedom, shining our light). What we saw in Thailand, captured so beautifully in the selfless gesture by Pastor John, is God's winsome and overcoming love. This love comes alive and fulfills its purpose through the context of real relationships (first with God, then with others). I'm realizing that I've been in a partially-dormant state with regards to experiencing relationship in this way. I want to respond to God's kind "wake-up" call by freely dividing my bread (and mangoes!) with the "hungry" around me. It starts with my wife and two sons, and flows outward to others. This is what I'm made for!
For two days we taught English at the Kids Camp in Mae Sod (at a local Thai Government school), we experienced the wonder that is mangoes and sticky rice. As sweet as the mangoes were, this dessert did more than satisfy our taste buds. It delighted our hearts because of the love extended to our team by Pastor John (who arranged for us to have them). On Friday, he could only find a mixture of black and white rice for the mangoes, so he was determined to find the traditional recipe of mangoes and white rice for us to enjoy on Saturday. A couple days earlier he mentioned he would do his best to make sure we enjoyed this typical summer dessert--even though it wasn't quite mango season. Pastor John followed through on his word--twice! This man is a Senior Pastor of a local church, works with the local government school director to do English camps, oversees several other ministries...Oh, and is the president of Foursquare Thailand--and took the time to get us mangoes and sticky rice. Pastor John didn't boast about it or draw attention to himself in any way as he delivered this gift. This act of thoughtful kindness and servant-hearted generosity made a lasting impact on our team.
In Isaiah 58, the prophet communicates the heart of God so clearly: Give yourself for the sake of others. When we divide our "bread" (i.e, our lives) with others, God promises that our "light" will break forth. When we look to people--taking time to understand their needs, and opening our hearts to extend ourselves to them--we experience what it is to be righteous (whole, full of truth, set on our purpose, walking in freedom, shining our light). What we saw in Thailand, captured so beautifully in the selfless gesture by Pastor John, is God's winsome and overcoming love. This love comes alive and fulfills its purpose through the context of real relationships (first with God, then with others). I'm realizing that I've been in a partially-dormant state with regards to experiencing relationship in this way. I want to respond to God's kind "wake-up" call by freely dividing my bread (and mangoes!) with the "hungry" around me. It starts with my wife and two sons, and flows outward to others. This is what I'm made for!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Help My Unbelief!
But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:22-24)
God, help my unbelief!
I re-read these verses this morning and once again am encouraged by the vulnerability and honesty of the father in this story. More than I am actively aware of (and more than I'd like to admit), there are areas of unbelief in my heart. I'm not talking about "God, are You really there?" kinds of questions. In the big picture arena, I have confidence: I know that God is there, that He is good, and can do the miraculous. What I'm realizing is that disbelief sneaks into my soul with regards to "Will You do this--for me" kinds of questions.
What I am describing here is challenging to articulate. I don't walk around with thoughts of "God, I don't think You can/will do this for me; I don't think You can/will change me." Yet, somehow I am aware of a hidden, undercurrent-mindset in me that must be based on unconscious (or semi-conscious) conclusions that I have made about what will or will not happen in and through my life. I wouldn't say, "That's just the way I am; I'm not going to change"; BUT... at times I seem to "act" (read: live) like it! My action (or lack of it) "speaks" these words without me having to mouth (or even think) them.
My job isn't to spend time and energy and thought trying to decide whether or not God will do a particular thing in me. My "job" (better said, God's invitation to me) is to trust and choose again and again to believe that He is good and has my best interest in mind. To delight myself in Him daily, and live out my belief that all things are indeed possible in God--for him who chooses to believe. I want to be counted amongst these kind of believers. Life in this world is often hard and painful. But in the midst of all that, there is an adventure awaiting me that I'm eager to experience. In these days, I'm asking God to search my heart for an hurtful ways that are in me. I want to exchange my unbelief for faith-fueled action. I'm praying that God will give me the courage to do that with the dawn of each new day.
And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:22-24)
God, help my unbelief!
I re-read these verses this morning and once again am encouraged by the vulnerability and honesty of the father in this story. More than I am actively aware of (and more than I'd like to admit), there are areas of unbelief in my heart. I'm not talking about "God, are You really there?" kinds of questions. In the big picture arena, I have confidence: I know that God is there, that He is good, and can do the miraculous. What I'm realizing is that disbelief sneaks into my soul with regards to "Will You do this--for me" kinds of questions.
What I am describing here is challenging to articulate. I don't walk around with thoughts of "God, I don't think You can/will do this for me; I don't think You can/will change me." Yet, somehow I am aware of a hidden, undercurrent-mindset in me that must be based on unconscious (or semi-conscious) conclusions that I have made about what will or will not happen in and through my life. I wouldn't say, "That's just the way I am; I'm not going to change"; BUT... at times I seem to "act" (read: live) like it! My action (or lack of it) "speaks" these words without me having to mouth (or even think) them.
My job isn't to spend time and energy and thought trying to decide whether or not God will do a particular thing in me. My "job" (better said, God's invitation to me) is to trust and choose again and again to believe that He is good and has my best interest in mind. To delight myself in Him daily, and live out my belief that all things are indeed possible in God--for him who chooses to believe. I want to be counted amongst these kind of believers. Life in this world is often hard and painful. But in the midst of all that, there is an adventure awaiting me that I'm eager to experience. In these days, I'm asking God to search my heart for an hurtful ways that are in me. I want to exchange my unbelief for faith-fueled action. I'm praying that God will give me the courage to do that with the dawn of each new day.
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