Well, I think some of us need to be reminded of that every once in a while. It can bring PERSPECTIVE to our minds and hearts. (Yes, perspective is my word for the year. KLOVE was challenging people at the beginning of the year to pick a word to reflect on, learn, and apply, and God led me to that one. So if you get sick of me saying it, well, forgive me. It's just my word.)
First of all, cleanse your spiritual palate with this: If you were the only soul on earth, Jesus would have died for you and you alone. He loves you that much, so in a sense His passion was about you and all about you.
That being stated and applied, let's dig into the entree . . .
"We do violence to the Biblical revelation when we 'use' it for what we can get out of it or what we think will provide color and spice to our otherwise bland lives. That results in a kid of 'boutique spirituality' - God as decoration, God as enhancement. The Samuel narrative will not allow that. As we submit our lives to what we read, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories but to see our stories in God's. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories take place." (From Introduction to 1 Samuel, the Message Bible by Eugene Peterson)
I think it's important to remember this. If we are growing and becoming more mature in Christ's love, our prayers should increasingly move from "God help me today with . . ." to "God, can I be a part of what you're working on today?" Do we ask for help? Yes and always. Isn't that why God is here? Yes, but not in totality. He's here to minister to you, but also to equip you to be a minister to others.
Eugene Peterson's words struck me this morning because I feel like I've been exposed to some very self-centered people lately, and I need to resist the urge to smack them. (I know that's hard for you to imagine, but you just might not have met that side of me yet. And if you're reading this, I'm probably not referring to you, so don't get all insecure on me, now.) And while I was underlining that paragraph in my Bible, I got to thinking that sometimes I can be that way too. I can self-seekingly read the Bible for what's in it for me, rather than for a greater understanding of how I fit into the context of God and His story of redemption and radical restoration. It doesn't revolve around me, but I am an integral piece.
Balance . . .
I recently did a Beth Moore study with my girlfriends (love you, Sisters!), and this was something she prefaced in the beginning. She said, not every study we do has to be ABOUT us in order for us to gain increased Bible knowledge and grow spiritually. It was great to hear that from her, because she is very applicational by nature. But, once again, when we read it or study it or learn it, we have to get to the point where we value it as the precious words of the Almighty Creator and Savior, regardless of whether or not we see our names written on the page. (And I know you've been there, too!)
So today, look yourself in the mirror and repeat these words: "It's not all about you!" And today after you ask the Giver of all good things to bless you and help you with your agenda, try asking Him this, too: "Jesus, would you give me the honor of helping You with Your important agenda?"
And then hold on tight, because I think it's a prayer He'll enjoying answering for you . . .
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Not to be sold or exchanged
Ok, so I told my friend Stacey last night that I finally feel like I am functioning again after returning from Haiti. I was in such culture shock for a couple weeks that I didn't know what to do with myself. I'd find myself wondering what I should be doing and then get zapped back to reality and say, "Oh, maybe I should do some laundry." You know, stuff that usually came automatically wasn't because I just had so much to process.
And after pondering and praying, I have something I'd like to share with all of you . . .
I can't stop thinking about the best ways to continue to help Haiti, but in so many ways the corruption of their government makes it somewhat difficult. Our team spent thousands of dollars (American dollars) on food to distribute, but the bags of beans and rice we purchased had originally been donated by the US. They said (in English, not Creole) "Product of USA - Not to be sold or exchanged" right on the bag! They were meant to be GIVEN to the hungry people of Haiti, but instead were taken to warehouses and stores by the government or wealthy "bourgeois".
I read this verse while pondering this conundrum on the airplane back to Pittsburgh:
"You're a hard-hearted bunch and hard to help.
I'm ready to help you right now.
Deliverance is not a long-range plan.
Salvation isn't on hold."
- Isaiah 46:12-13(MSG)
But don't we all find ourselves rebellious and hard-hearted at some point in our lives? Maybe it's before we come to God, maybe even it's after we've known Jesus for years. We'll resist His free grace and ignore His plan for our lives. Or perhaps the free forgiveness He provides is sometimes exactly the thing some people end up extorting and trying to "sell." The favor of God is NOT FOR SALE. His grace is not to be stored up in the warehouses of our churches or holy clubs, but it is intended to be distributed free-of-charge and without limit.
May we receive God's free gift today. Let it wash over us afresh. Open your hands to receive it. And then be sure to GIVE it away. Share it freely with people around you who are starving for His mercy and forgiveness and love. Do not hoard. Do not extort. Do not sell it for penance or shame. Give the free gift for free.
And please keep praying for Haiti and so much of our world who are in desperate need. Pray that we will find creative ways to love them despite the difficulty. God didn't give up on us when we were "hard to help". He still sent Jesus, and He continues to draw people to Himself with the sweet offer of His free liberation from sin and death. As His followers, may we persevere as well.
And after pondering and praying, I have something I'd like to share with all of you . . .
I can't stop thinking about the best ways to continue to help Haiti, but in so many ways the corruption of their government makes it somewhat difficult. Our team spent thousands of dollars (American dollars) on food to distribute, but the bags of beans and rice we purchased had originally been donated by the US. They said (in English, not Creole) "Product of USA - Not to be sold or exchanged" right on the bag! They were meant to be GIVEN to the hungry people of Haiti, but instead were taken to warehouses and stores by the government or wealthy "bourgeois".
I read this verse while pondering this conundrum on the airplane back to Pittsburgh:
"You're a hard-hearted bunch and hard to help.
I'm ready to help you right now.
Deliverance is not a long-range plan.
Salvation isn't on hold."
- Isaiah 46:12-13(MSG)
But don't we all find ourselves rebellious and hard-hearted at some point in our lives? Maybe it's before we come to God, maybe even it's after we've known Jesus for years. We'll resist His free grace and ignore His plan for our lives. Or perhaps the free forgiveness He provides is sometimes exactly the thing some people end up extorting and trying to "sell." The favor of God is NOT FOR SALE. His grace is not to be stored up in the warehouses of our churches or holy clubs, but it is intended to be distributed free-of-charge and without limit.
May we receive God's free gift today. Let it wash over us afresh. Open your hands to receive it. And then be sure to GIVE it away. Share it freely with people around you who are starving for His mercy and forgiveness and love. Do not hoard. Do not extort. Do not sell it for penance or shame. Give the free gift for free.
And please keep praying for Haiti and so much of our world who are in desperate need. Pray that we will find creative ways to love them despite the difficulty. God didn't give up on us when we were "hard to help". He still sent Jesus, and He continues to draw people to Himself with the sweet offer of His free liberation from sin and death. As His followers, may we persevere as well.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
about the rest of my trip
Hi, Friends.
I haven't been able to finish blogging about the last two days of my trip for several reasons, including not wanting to waste a moment with the people by sitting in front of the computer screen, not knowing how to summarize everything, and not wanting it to be over. So, it's Saturday now, and I've come to grips, caught up with my family time, and even squeezed in a few loads of laundry (LOL!). I know there are some things I still want to tell you about Haiti, though, so thanks for being patient with me.
On Sunday night we had somewhat of a slumber party - a few of the girls got to come to the hotel with us for the night and we played Haitian card games and laughed more than I thought possible. Ruth braided my hair into 6 braids, which turned out to be much cooler on Monday as we did VBS in 80 degrees under the blazing sun.
My arms were sore on Monday after puppet-ing, but it was so wonderful to meet all of the children today who normally come to school at the mission. Since the earthquake they have not been able to come because of the collapse of the dorm, but Emmanuel is determined to start up classes again in the next week or so, I think under the tarp where we held VBS. At least these 100 kids will have a school again. That's much more than I can say about hundreds of thousands of other children in Port au Prince. For whatever reason, be it poor construction or random chance, 90% of all schools from elementary schools to colleges were completely destroyed, so the children haven't had anywhere to go during the day. I saw many children just sitting next to their parents' road-side "stands" (which was really just sitting on the concrete or maybe a stool if you're lucky, and selling out of a basket or off of a blanket or sheet, probably the same sheet you slept under last night), as they tried to sell some food or produce or whatever wares they had to sell. All in all, I come away with the knowledge that those associated with the Greater Works Mission are blessed by the Lord. It is a testament to His goodness and their faithfulness to serve Him.
We had a lot of give-aways at VBS including candy, big blue punch balloons, lunch, a big bag of food for each child (some older siblings had to carry 2, which was barely manageable), foamy animal masks, and other little toys. We watched the end of the line coming and there was one little girl left in line and guess how many toys we had left on the table - that's right one - we had exactly enough! Talk about your loaves and fishes! It was such a joy to bless them, I cannot even express the fullness in my heart to see their smiles and know how thankful they were for a simple trinket!
Monday evening was a riot - I played war again with the little girls. They would say "won, tuu, tree!" and slap down their cards. We would call out the winner's name as she took the cards and do it all over again - so fun! When I won they would call "Wobeen!" LOL! Another slumber party on Monday night, but I was so zonked that I fell asleep in my clothes and didn't make it next door where the girls were. oh well . . .
Tuesday was a sad day of good-byes. Many of the girls, young and old made drawings or wrote letters for me, saying they love me and will miss me and they hope I will come back to Haiti soon. I asked them what they would like me to bring if I could come back, and they said, first - more Bibles! After that, they wanted dresses for church, earrings, make-up and perfume - typical young girls! How I wish I could give them everything they dream of! I encouraged them to read their Bibles each day and asked if they had ever read all of it - cover to cover. They said no and I gave them my schpeal about reading 4 chapters a day and getting through it in a year. They were hanging on every word - so precious. They really are hungry for serving God and knowing Him more. We have so much in common, my new sisters and me.
After peeling myself from their arms and getting into the truck as I wiped away the tears that just would not stop, we made our bumpy way to the airport and I got another glimpse at extreme poverty as we drove by sewage-scented tent neighborhoods, thousands of people standing on the streets, no jobs to work and no homes to clean, despair and hunger filling their eyes.
The plane ride to Miami was quiet - we were all quite reflective and somber. Upon our arrival, however, we became giddy with exhaustion and managed to draw looks all around the airport as we laughed at everything and nothing at all. We were stopped at a bathroom for a potty break and saw another team who had been in Haiti on mission too. Laura came out of the bathroom and said "Wow, it sure is nice flush the toilet without having to fill a bucket and dump it down!" Someone from the other team said, "You had buckets?!" LOL for about 10 minutes straight!
And I continued to find it hard to adjust as I indulged in simple pleasures like a soft bed and pillow, a hot shower, and scented lotion. While I was and continue to be thankful for so much, it's also hard to be constantly reminded that we take so much for granted and I'd love to be able to give it all to my new friends and family in Haiti. I've gained a new appreciation for things like smooth roads with yellow lines and traffic signs, carpet and rugs, water that comes out of the faucet that you can run your toothbrush under, my washing machine and dryer, electricity that doesn't cause the air to reek of diesel, and a refrigerator full of food to feed my kids.
So what now? Prayer.
Would you pray with me for Haiti? The devastation is far from over, and they are still in so much need of our help and love. They are hungry for Jesus, and we need to authentically demonstrate His grace and power through our giving and going.
Would you pray for God's direction for me? I have an idea of what comes next, but I could use increasing clarity.
Thank you and I love you with the Love Jesus keeps pouring into my heart by the power of His mercy and provision.
I haven't been able to finish blogging about the last two days of my trip for several reasons, including not wanting to waste a moment with the people by sitting in front of the computer screen, not knowing how to summarize everything, and not wanting it to be over. So, it's Saturday now, and I've come to grips, caught up with my family time, and even squeezed in a few loads of laundry (LOL!). I know there are some things I still want to tell you about Haiti, though, so thanks for being patient with me.
On Sunday night we had somewhat of a slumber party - a few of the girls got to come to the hotel with us for the night and we played Haitian card games and laughed more than I thought possible. Ruth braided my hair into 6 braids, which turned out to be much cooler on Monday as we did VBS in 80 degrees under the blazing sun.
My arms were sore on Monday after puppet-ing, but it was so wonderful to meet all of the children today who normally come to school at the mission. Since the earthquake they have not been able to come because of the collapse of the dorm, but Emmanuel is determined to start up classes again in the next week or so, I think under the tarp where we held VBS. At least these 100 kids will have a school again. That's much more than I can say about hundreds of thousands of other children in Port au Prince. For whatever reason, be it poor construction or random chance, 90% of all schools from elementary schools to colleges were completely destroyed, so the children haven't had anywhere to go during the day. I saw many children just sitting next to their parents' road-side "stands" (which was really just sitting on the concrete or maybe a stool if you're lucky, and selling out of a basket or off of a blanket or sheet, probably the same sheet you slept under last night), as they tried to sell some food or produce or whatever wares they had to sell. All in all, I come away with the knowledge that those associated with the Greater Works Mission are blessed by the Lord. It is a testament to His goodness and their faithfulness to serve Him.
We had a lot of give-aways at VBS including candy, big blue punch balloons, lunch, a big bag of food for each child (some older siblings had to carry 2, which was barely manageable), foamy animal masks, and other little toys. We watched the end of the line coming and there was one little girl left in line and guess how many toys we had left on the table - that's right one - we had exactly enough! Talk about your loaves and fishes! It was such a joy to bless them, I cannot even express the fullness in my heart to see their smiles and know how thankful they were for a simple trinket!
Monday evening was a riot - I played war again with the little girls. They would say "won, tuu, tree!" and slap down their cards. We would call out the winner's name as she took the cards and do it all over again - so fun! When I won they would call "Wobeen!" LOL! Another slumber party on Monday night, but I was so zonked that I fell asleep in my clothes and didn't make it next door where the girls were. oh well . . .
Tuesday was a sad day of good-byes. Many of the girls, young and old made drawings or wrote letters for me, saying they love me and will miss me and they hope I will come back to Haiti soon. I asked them what they would like me to bring if I could come back, and they said, first - more Bibles! After that, they wanted dresses for church, earrings, make-up and perfume - typical young girls! How I wish I could give them everything they dream of! I encouraged them to read their Bibles each day and asked if they had ever read all of it - cover to cover. They said no and I gave them my schpeal about reading 4 chapters a day and getting through it in a year. They were hanging on every word - so precious. They really are hungry for serving God and knowing Him more. We have so much in common, my new sisters and me.
After peeling myself from their arms and getting into the truck as I wiped away the tears that just would not stop, we made our bumpy way to the airport and I got another glimpse at extreme poverty as we drove by sewage-scented tent neighborhoods, thousands of people standing on the streets, no jobs to work and no homes to clean, despair and hunger filling their eyes.
The plane ride to Miami was quiet - we were all quite reflective and somber. Upon our arrival, however, we became giddy with exhaustion and managed to draw looks all around the airport as we laughed at everything and nothing at all. We were stopped at a bathroom for a potty break and saw another team who had been in Haiti on mission too. Laura came out of the bathroom and said "Wow, it sure is nice flush the toilet without having to fill a bucket and dump it down!" Someone from the other team said, "You had buckets?!" LOL for about 10 minutes straight!
And I continued to find it hard to adjust as I indulged in simple pleasures like a soft bed and pillow, a hot shower, and scented lotion. While I was and continue to be thankful for so much, it's also hard to be constantly reminded that we take so much for granted and I'd love to be able to give it all to my new friends and family in Haiti. I've gained a new appreciation for things like smooth roads with yellow lines and traffic signs, carpet and rugs, water that comes out of the faucet that you can run your toothbrush under, my washing machine and dryer, electricity that doesn't cause the air to reek of diesel, and a refrigerator full of food to feed my kids.
So what now? Prayer.
Would you pray with me for Haiti? The devastation is far from over, and they are still in so much need of our help and love. They are hungry for Jesus, and we need to authentically demonstrate His grace and power through our giving and going.
Would you pray for God's direction for me? I have an idea of what comes next, but I could use increasing clarity.
Thank you and I love you with the Love Jesus keeps pouring into my heart by the power of His mercy and provision.
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