...But who's keeping track....
If, as the Bible says, we are blessed with 70 years of life (Psalm 90:10), that would mean we would experience 613,200 hours. That's not too many, when you think about it. To achieve the magical number of one million, a person would have to live for over 114 years.
Put that way, it makes the U. S. deficit seem to be considerable....
But I'm not talking about a cash shortage. I'm referring to the amount of time until I board a plane to go to Saipan. The Lord has opened doors for me to bring a message of love and trust to a group of kids at a Christian school half a world away. I will spend a week of my life with them, sharing the most important thing on earth - a relationship with my Savior.
I feel like I am so unworthy. True, I want more than anything to be able to tell what my Lord has done for me - but there are so many others who have their story to tell. So why did the Lord pick me? Right now I may not know, but someday - whether on this earth or in heaven - I will know.
There may be some gaps in the Prayers of Faith that I send out - I'm not sure what access I will have to computers and the Internet - but I am sure that you will understand. I am also sure that I will be able to rely on you all praying for me.
If I may be so bold, could you pray for these things while I am gone? First, pray for the teachers at the school. Teachers often have the most thankless jobs, and can do the most positive good for our children. While I may fly in and out with a message of hope for the kids, it will be the task of the teachers to carry the message throughout the year. My heart aches for those teachers - Lord, please bless them.
Second, pray for the students. These kids, ranging from preschool to high school, come from such a variety of backgrounds and ethnic differences. Their training is as varied as the color of their skin, and yet they all need to feel love and acceptance. Most importantly, they need to feel God's arms of love around them, and to know that He will never leave them nor forsake them. Father, please bless them.
Third, I ask that you pray for these parents. For many, their association with this school is the only formal interaction with Christians they have. Having a strange American man coming to speak to their children could be threatening. Teaching their children to trust a God they don't know could be seen unfavorably. Only God can change their hearts - Lord, please bless these dear parents.
140 hours and 31 minutes now.... There is so much that I need to do to get ready. I have my list, and I'm checking it off as I complete each task. I just hope that I don't forget anything.
I wonder... How many hours until Jesus comes? Have I made a list so I am prepared for that trip as well?
How about you?
God bless you abundantly!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
It's Time to Let Go...
I guess it happens to all of us at some point in our lives. And none of us is proud to admit to it. The problem is, it hangs on to us, digging its claws into our flesh like the stray cat I was so unfortunate to pick up a couple weeks ago. And the scars that cat left on my arm are very similar to the ones that this leaves on our hearts.
I'm talking about holding a grudge.
You know, that time when someone that you thought you could trust did something so horrible to you that you can never forget or forgive. When your best friend went behind your back and told other people that which you thought you had shared in confidence. When people laughed at you because of something you had done, and there was only one person who was privy to that event in your life. All fingers pointed to that "friend" betraying you. And you vowed that you would never forgive.
Even now, as I described the attributes of this attitude, I saw in myself some of the very things that I was describing. Honestly, there are people in my past that I have no desire to contact because when they learned of my failures (and these were legitimate failures, for sure!), they laughed at me. And only one person had known of my "human-ness."
It's time for me to let it go.
I'm sure that if my "friend" was contacted, he would have a hard time remembering the incident (it was 35 years ago!). What he told others no longer is a part of his life - to him I am sure it was just a funny story, a chance to make some people laugh. If I saw those people they might remember the story, but in no way has it affected their lives.
My point is, I am the only one that this "insult" has affected. The fact that I remember this event after 35 years and the fact that I have no desire to reconnect with high school friends because of my fear of - of what? That they might laugh? That they might talk behind my back? That they might decide that they don't want to be my best friend? All of those fears just reinforce the truth that my little grudge did no good to anyone, and did damage only to me.
It's like that cat. It shows up about the time I am feeding our cats, and as long as I don't pick it up, it is fine hanging around our house. But if I pick it up, only then will it put all of its efforts into hurting me. And the longer I hold on, the more damage I receive. When I let go, the cat is just fine. I'm the one that is left bleeding.
Do you get my point? Hanging on to grudges, remembering past pains that others have inflicted on us, dwelling on how others have betrayed us - all of those things will never affect others as much as it will hurt us.
Jesus had Roman soldiers who were doing actual, physical damage to Him, and His response was to pray, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing." When Stephen was being stoned, he cried out, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And I have the audacity to hang on to a perceived threat against my character?
It's time to let go.
God bless you abundantly!
I'm talking about holding a grudge.
You know, that time when someone that you thought you could trust did something so horrible to you that you can never forget or forgive. When your best friend went behind your back and told other people that which you thought you had shared in confidence. When people laughed at you because of something you had done, and there was only one person who was privy to that event in your life. All fingers pointed to that "friend" betraying you. And you vowed that you would never forgive.
Even now, as I described the attributes of this attitude, I saw in myself some of the very things that I was describing. Honestly, there are people in my past that I have no desire to contact because when they learned of my failures (and these were legitimate failures, for sure!), they laughed at me. And only one person had known of my "human-ness."
It's time for me to let it go.
I'm sure that if my "friend" was contacted, he would have a hard time remembering the incident (it was 35 years ago!). What he told others no longer is a part of his life - to him I am sure it was just a funny story, a chance to make some people laugh. If I saw those people they might remember the story, but in no way has it affected their lives.
My point is, I am the only one that this "insult" has affected. The fact that I remember this event after 35 years and the fact that I have no desire to reconnect with high school friends because of my fear of - of what? That they might laugh? That they might talk behind my back? That they might decide that they don't want to be my best friend? All of those fears just reinforce the truth that my little grudge did no good to anyone, and did damage only to me.
It's like that cat. It shows up about the time I am feeding our cats, and as long as I don't pick it up, it is fine hanging around our house. But if I pick it up, only then will it put all of its efforts into hurting me. And the longer I hold on, the more damage I receive. When I let go, the cat is just fine. I'm the one that is left bleeding.
Do you get my point? Hanging on to grudges, remembering past pains that others have inflicted on us, dwelling on how others have betrayed us - all of those things will never affect others as much as it will hurt us.
Jesus had Roman soldiers who were doing actual, physical damage to Him, and His response was to pray, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing." When Stephen was being stoned, he cried out, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And I have the audacity to hang on to a perceived threat against my character?
It's time to let go.
God bless you abundantly!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Early Morning Musings...
It's strange to see the clock in the corner saying it's 2:22 a.m. My mind keeps telling me that I am supposed to be asleep in my bed, but my heart won't let me rest. Thoughts fly around freely, flitting from one topic to another, without form or even function. They're just thoughts, random and often not even significant, but occasionally one lands that grabs my attention and gives me some substance on which to chew.
I question myself - am I worried? Am I concerned? Am I afraid? I can't actually say that I am any of those. While it's hard to describe, I guess the best I could say is that I am contemplative. Even while I write that I feel it gives me more credit than I deserve. But it's close....
What occupies my mind so early in the morning? My children always are in my thoughts. Perhaps this is another opportunity for me to raise them again up to God and offer their lives to Him, not unlike Job did for his kids. They too have their contemplative times, and their trials, and their joys. Lord, please bless them today.
My wife, who has been my support and strength through so many trials, is on my heart. She has given so much of herself for others, and strives so hard to be a light shining for her Father in Heaven. Oh God, bless her and fill her with peace as she sleeps.
I think of my parents. I love them and need to connect with them more to let them know how I feel. Lord, be with them today.
I think of each person on the Prayers of Faith list. I pray for them and thank God for them. They have given me such joy as I have seen their prayers unite together to move mountains and their faith in our Father transform lives beyond my belief. Lord, please come into their lives today and bless them.
I am reminded of the families in Saipan, those whom I will be with in less than 3 weeks. The children at the school have been on my heart so much these last few weeks, and I have prayed that the Holy Spirit will prepare both my mouth and them to receive the message that comes from God. I am amazed that I have this opportunity to share what is bubbling over in my heart, and praise God for His goodness in giving me this chance to let my light so shine. Abba, Father - bless this upcoming Week of Prayer.
My work flies through my thoughts - deadlines and challenges and most importantly, people. Lord, You know the hurting, damaged lives that are out there - ones that the devil is systematically destroying. How it pains me to see what is happening to them - how it must kill You! Do you ever look down at the scars in Your hands and wish that Your children could fully understand what You have done for them? Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to guide them as they sleep, and draw them with Your everlasting love today.
So many more things bounce across the synapses of my brain. Friends, both old and new, flash through my thoughts. Where are they? More importantly, where are they in their relationship with You? Do they also look at the events that surround them and see the culmination of this earth's history, like a locomotive racing to its final stop? Have they taken the time to refresh the only relationship that really matters for eternity? Father, I cry out to you for my friends!
My Bible is at my side, and I turn the pages to familiar friends - those passages that have comforted me on so many occasions. I am guided to Psalm 121. My eyes pause on verses 3 and 4: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
It comforts me to know that I am not the only person who is awake....
He also comforts me with verses 7 and 8: "The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
I claim this promise for all of my family and friends.
I am so blessed!
God bless you abundantly!
I question myself - am I worried? Am I concerned? Am I afraid? I can't actually say that I am any of those. While it's hard to describe, I guess the best I could say is that I am contemplative. Even while I write that I feel it gives me more credit than I deserve. But it's close....
What occupies my mind so early in the morning? My children always are in my thoughts. Perhaps this is another opportunity for me to raise them again up to God and offer their lives to Him, not unlike Job did for his kids. They too have their contemplative times, and their trials, and their joys. Lord, please bless them today.
My wife, who has been my support and strength through so many trials, is on my heart. She has given so much of herself for others, and strives so hard to be a light shining for her Father in Heaven. Oh God, bless her and fill her with peace as she sleeps.
I think of my parents. I love them and need to connect with them more to let them know how I feel. Lord, be with them today.
I think of each person on the Prayers of Faith list. I pray for them and thank God for them. They have given me such joy as I have seen their prayers unite together to move mountains and their faith in our Father transform lives beyond my belief. Lord, please come into their lives today and bless them.
I am reminded of the families in Saipan, those whom I will be with in less than 3 weeks. The children at the school have been on my heart so much these last few weeks, and I have prayed that the Holy Spirit will prepare both my mouth and them to receive the message that comes from God. I am amazed that I have this opportunity to share what is bubbling over in my heart, and praise God for His goodness in giving me this chance to let my light so shine. Abba, Father - bless this upcoming Week of Prayer.
My work flies through my thoughts - deadlines and challenges and most importantly, people. Lord, You know the hurting, damaged lives that are out there - ones that the devil is systematically destroying. How it pains me to see what is happening to them - how it must kill You! Do you ever look down at the scars in Your hands and wish that Your children could fully understand what You have done for them? Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to guide them as they sleep, and draw them with Your everlasting love today.
So many more things bounce across the synapses of my brain. Friends, both old and new, flash through my thoughts. Where are they? More importantly, where are they in their relationship with You? Do they also look at the events that surround them and see the culmination of this earth's history, like a locomotive racing to its final stop? Have they taken the time to refresh the only relationship that really matters for eternity? Father, I cry out to you for my friends!
My Bible is at my side, and I turn the pages to familiar friends - those passages that have comforted me on so many occasions. I am guided to Psalm 121. My eyes pause on verses 3 and 4: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
It comforts me to know that I am not the only person who is awake....
He also comforts me with verses 7 and 8: "The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
I claim this promise for all of my family and friends.
I am so blessed!
God bless you abundantly!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
My Commitment....
A friend sent me a hyperlink that is changing my life. Amazingly, it is a link of someone who is a vocal atheist - someone who even won the Richard Dawkins award (an annual award given to a person who is a proponent of atheism). Maybe it's because it came from such an unlikely source that it has impacted me so much.
Most people have heard of Penn and Teller. Their unique approach to comedy and magic has made them popular in Vegas and on various programs around the world. Penn - the big guy with the long hair - is the atheist I was referring to. He does a regular video blog where he talks for 5 minutes or so on whatever topic he wants to discuss. It was through this venue that I came face-to-face with my own inconsistencies.
In this session I am referring to, Penn is discussing a man that came to his show and gave him a Gideon Bible - a little New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. Penn was impressed with this business man who, in his words, "cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible..."
That coming from an atheist is impressive. But there was something else that he said that hit me like a ton of bricks. In talking about sharing your faith, he said: "And I've always said, you know, that I don't respect people who don't proselytize - I don't respect that at all. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life, or whatever, and you think that, 'Well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward.'" He goes on to say, "How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming to hit you and you didn't believe it, there's a certain point where I tackle you - and this is more important than that."
That's when it hit me. How many times have I thought, "I'll just live my life so people can see that I am a Christian, and that will be witness enough." A witness is someone who tells what he or she has seen or experienced. What would it be like if you were called on the witness stand and all you did was smile and show that you are a good and friendly person? Would the judge say, "Thank you so much for being such a good witness?" No - they actually call that contempt of court!
So here's my commitment: I will pray every day that God will lead someone to me that I can witness to, and then I will spend my day with my eyes open looking for opportunities to share Christ with them. No longer will I rely on being the "silent witness." I want my voice to be heard!
And you? What will you commit to do starting today?
God bless you abundantly!
Most people have heard of Penn and Teller. Their unique approach to comedy and magic has made them popular in Vegas and on various programs around the world. Penn - the big guy with the long hair - is the atheist I was referring to. He does a regular video blog where he talks for 5 minutes or so on whatever topic he wants to discuss. It was through this venue that I came face-to-face with my own inconsistencies.
In this session I am referring to, Penn is discussing a man that came to his show and gave him a Gideon Bible - a little New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. Penn was impressed with this business man who, in his words, "cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible..."
That coming from an atheist is impressive. But there was something else that he said that hit me like a ton of bricks. In talking about sharing your faith, he said: "And I've always said, you know, that I don't respect people who don't proselytize - I don't respect that at all. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life, or whatever, and you think that, 'Well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward.'" He goes on to say, "How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming to hit you and you didn't believe it, there's a certain point where I tackle you - and this is more important than that."
That's when it hit me. How many times have I thought, "I'll just live my life so people can see that I am a Christian, and that will be witness enough." A witness is someone who tells what he or she has seen or experienced. What would it be like if you were called on the witness stand and all you did was smile and show that you are a good and friendly person? Would the judge say, "Thank you so much for being such a good witness?" No - they actually call that contempt of court!
So here's my commitment: I will pray every day that God will lead someone to me that I can witness to, and then I will spend my day with my eyes open looking for opportunities to share Christ with them. No longer will I rely on being the "silent witness." I want my voice to be heard!
And you? What will you commit to do starting today?
God bless you abundantly!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Stage is Set...
This coming week we are going to experience something that America has never experienced before. On January 20, 2009 we will welcome into office a man who, shall we say, can maintain his tan better than any previous president. Senator Obama becomes President Barack Obama. A man of color will step into the Oval Office to serve our country.
People around the world are saying that this is a historic moment. The eyes of all are focused on a nation that has prided itself on its' civil rights. Now we have the chance to see if it was lip service or a true transformation from the days when slaves were a common commodity. Now we will see if our nation is ready to follow President Obama's lead.
What bothers me is the fact that we even notice the color of his skin. Are we trying to convince ourselves that we are non-discriminatory in our attitudes toward someone we might never socialize with in our daily activities? Do we show support because he is black or because he shares our ideals? Are we willing to challenge him because we don't agree with him or do we keep our mouths shut because we don't want to appear racist? How much does his "diversity" affect our objectivity?
What should be our role with this new leader? Paul, in his first letter to Timothy said, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (I Timothy 2:1,2) Whether we agree with the majority that voted this president into his new role or not, we have a responsibility to support him with our prayers, and give thanks that he is our new leader.
Personally, I'm not too worried about his tenure in office. Because I believe that he is exactly where he is supposed to be! Romans 13 tells me that my responsibility lies in supporting those who are in positions of authority. I am to be subject to those who are in power, because "... there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (verse 1) Verse 4 says, "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain." That means that with the authority that God has given him there also comes a responsibility to carry out God's direction. How he does that is between him and God.
I feel I am so blessed to be living at this time of the world's history! The pieces of the final chapter of this earth's journey are all falling into place. The stage is set for an amazing ride. What is coming in the future may surprise us, but what will never shock me is the fact that no matter what happens, I know that God is guiding each step of the way. Not only guiding, but traveling this path with me.
Are you ready to walk into the future with God by your side?
God bless you abundantly!
People around the world are saying that this is a historic moment. The eyes of all are focused on a nation that has prided itself on its' civil rights. Now we have the chance to see if it was lip service or a true transformation from the days when slaves were a common commodity. Now we will see if our nation is ready to follow President Obama's lead.
What bothers me is the fact that we even notice the color of his skin. Are we trying to convince ourselves that we are non-discriminatory in our attitudes toward someone we might never socialize with in our daily activities? Do we show support because he is black or because he shares our ideals? Are we willing to challenge him because we don't agree with him or do we keep our mouths shut because we don't want to appear racist? How much does his "diversity" affect our objectivity?
What should be our role with this new leader? Paul, in his first letter to Timothy said, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (I Timothy 2:1,2) Whether we agree with the majority that voted this president into his new role or not, we have a responsibility to support him with our prayers, and give thanks that he is our new leader.
Personally, I'm not too worried about his tenure in office. Because I believe that he is exactly where he is supposed to be! Romans 13 tells me that my responsibility lies in supporting those who are in positions of authority. I am to be subject to those who are in power, because "... there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (verse 1) Verse 4 says, "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain." That means that with the authority that God has given him there also comes a responsibility to carry out God's direction. How he does that is between him and God.
I feel I am so blessed to be living at this time of the world's history! The pieces of the final chapter of this earth's journey are all falling into place. The stage is set for an amazing ride. What is coming in the future may surprise us, but what will never shock me is the fact that no matter what happens, I know that God is guiding each step of the way. Not only guiding, but traveling this path with me.
Are you ready to walk into the future with God by your side?
God bless you abundantly!
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