The True Glory

Source: tvcresources.net

I don't know about you, but I love to get things done.

I love to feel like I am making an impact...a tangible, measurable, impact.

I want to feel needed, and I want my contribution to be helpful and meaningful to others.

In short, I want to be used of God to change hearts and change lives.

(If you are familiar with the enneagram personality profile, you might've just accurately pegged me as a one, a.k.a. "the reformer" personality...but I digress...)

But right now, God has me in a quiet season of ministry, not really feeling "successful" or "impactful."

Looking back to last year at this time, my husband and I were partnering with Living Water International to fund and install a fresh water well in a needy community in El Salvador.

Not so this year.

Instead, this past week's "ministry" has looked a lot like driving the kids around to swim practices and meets, buying groceries, scrubbing toilets, mowing the grass, and washing the family van.

Instead of being busy on the blog, I've been playing board games with the kids and sending out cards to friends.

This season of ministry looks pretty mundane and less far-reaching than last year, for sure.

And yet, God reminds me that it is a beautiful thing, because ministry--whatever that looks like person to person, or season to season--is not what we are to glory in.

Jesus revealed this truth when He sent out seventy-two of his followers to do ministry throughout their surrounding communities.  Jesus told them that God would provide for all of their needs, without their bringing supplies with them.  Jesus gave them power and authority to heal the sick and exorcise evil spirits.  What an exciting time for these folks, as they were used by God to do AMAZING things to further His Kingdom!  Let's check out this passage of Scripture in Luke 10, focusing on verses 17-20:

"The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And he [Jesus] said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'” 

For how impressive and exciting this ministry experience must have been for Jesus' followers, it is very interesting to me that Jesus instructs them to glory in their personal relationship and eternal standing with God, NOT ministry "results" and "success" as they might perceive that.

So, friend, in this quiet season of ministry, I choose to glory in my relationship with my heavenly Father, and I rejoice that He knows me and I know him.

And perhaps you need to hear this, too.

You might feel unknown and unproductive in this season of your life.

You might wonder what influence you have in God's eternal Kingdom work.

Will you join me in reveling in your eternal relationship with God today?

Ministry success may come...and go...but our connection to God through Christ is permanent.

To God alone be the glory!

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3 Major Pitfalls of Bible Studies

Source: womensministries.lifeway.com

I love Bible studies.

What do I mean by that?

Well, I love going to a Christian bookstore, scanning the shelves, and selecting a 7-week, 9-week, or 11-week Bible study to learn more about a particular book of the Bible, Bible character, or Christian living topic.

I love watching DVD Bible study teaching sessions from my favorite Bible teachers such as Nancy Guthrie, Priscilla Shirer, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Jen Wilkin, and Lysa TerKeurst.

I love leading a weekly women's Bible study in my neighborhood.

I've loved participating in women's Bible studies in my local church.

I love going on women's retreats, learning from lay women and women in professional ministry as they teach from God's word.

If fact, I am sitting beside a glossy-covered Bible study workbook with coordinating DVDs that just arrived at my door step to enjoy on my own for the next two months.  (Curious?  I selected this one since my neighborhood women's Bible study on this book just ended.)

But I have been doing some reflecting lately about a few major pitfalls that exist in women's Bible studies that we never seem to discuss as a body of believers. (If we do discuss them, I have been absent from the party!).

And, to appease my analytical side, please allow me to discuss this topic in bullet-point format, dear one!

• Pitfall 1: We view the Bible teacher as a celebrity 

We live in a modern Christian culture that has fully embraced the worldly concept of "celebrity." We see this at women's events when a well-known Bible teacher gets bombarded after their teaching session with requests for selfies and autographs.  Oftentimes, I find myself having to work hard to focus my attention away from the Bible teacher's hairstyle, outfit, or fashion accessories to truly listen to their message.  We place our Bible teachers on a pedestal and look up to them, to the detriment of valuing all the parts of the body of Christ.  Did not Paul say that all ministries of the church are vitally important in its proper functioning...even those jobs that are behind the scenes or less flashy? (see 1 Corinthians 12)

• Pitfall 2: We falsely assume the Bible teacher has "arrived"

Too often we view our Bible teacher as being someone who has figured out this whole "Christian life" thing and is no longer in need of the grace and gospel of Jesus Christ every moment of their daily lives.  This plays out when we expect them to teach us truth and shepherd us in ways that only Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, can do.  We often demand too much of them, or fall into pitfall #1 and place them on a pedestal to admire and worship.  Don't think you do this?  Here's a revealing question for you: how often do you pray for your pastor or Bible study teacher?  If your answer is seldom or never, then you've fallen into this common pitfall, dear friend!

• Pitfall 3:  We expect the Bible study material to change our hearts

Don't misunderstand me here: the gospel of Jesus Christ always changes peoples hearts and lives!  Glory hallelujah!  But we can fall into a trap by thinking that attending a weekly Bible study, or completing a Bible study workbook will change our hearts.  The only way our hearts can change is when we repent of our sin and unbelief and believe in Jesus and His word.  If we are never willing to get real with God and examine our hearts, we will not change, I don't care HOW many years of Bible studies we complete! I am forever awed by the teaching session/church service depicted in the pages of Nehemiah.  Ezra the priest is standing on a wooden platform and reading from the Book of the Law.  That is it, people.  No building. No praise band. No organ. No pews. Just people listening to God's Word....and weeping their guts out (okay, not an exact Bible quote, but I envision a lot of ugly crying; see Nehemiah 8).  They are weeping and repenting and hearts are moving and lives are changing, and there is nothing fancy about it.  

So these are just three major pitfalls I see when I participate in and lead Bible studies.  May we all pray for our Bible teachers, pastors, and church leaders as they are faithful to bring us the Word every week!  May we seek to not put them on pedestals, but extend to them the grace that every one of us needs, each day this side of heaven.  May we open our hearts and lean into the conviction of the Holy Spirit when He reveals sin in our hearts, and may we be quick and obedient to repent of our sin and unbelief.  May we always endeavor to be avid students of God's Holy Word!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  --Matthew 5:6, ESV

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One Thing I Know

Last winter, I asked my daughter if I could borrow her Learn to Knit kit.  After all, it had been in her closet for a year or two, and had never been opened.

I was curious to learn something new, and I wanted a snuggly craft project for those last weeks of winter weather.

With some trepidation, and excitement, I pulled up some YouTube videos for beginning knitting and gave it a try.

In truth, it was not easy--I felt like I had two left hands, and I was all thumbs!

I practiced, unraveled, started again, and unraveled.  But I think I got the general gist of casting on and the basic knit stitch after a few afternoon practice sessions.

Fast-forward to THIS week.

Weather has gotten cooler, and I really want to settle in and learn how to do a small knitting project this winter. So, out came the knitting kit to give it another try.

As I was knitting, and unraveling, and starting again, my daughter sat down next to me on the couch.  Before I knew it, I was surprised to hear a question flying out of my mouth--definitely half-formed and poorly thought out:

"Hey, Sunshine.  Do you want to learn how to knit?"

And she immediately replied, "Really?  Sure!  Is it hard?," and I found myself handing over the wooden needles and florescent yarn and talking her through the basic steps.

HA! It's laughable really--ME, a beginner of all beginners, teaching my 11-year-old daughter how to knit!?

But, amazingly enough, Sunshine was off to the races and knitting row after row within a half-hour.

The following day, I asked a friend to come over to double-check my knitting skills--after all, I would hate to teach myself, and now my daughter, the WRONG way to knit!  As it turns out, we were doing just fine!

Today, I was reflecting upon our experience knitting, and it dawned on me that we are called to do this very thing as Christians:

To share the gospel, as we best understand it, in this season of our lives.

Just like my knitting lesson: we don't have to wait until we understand the gospel or our Bibles perfectly.

We don't have to wait until the perfect time.

We don't have to have a whole lot to show for our faith, especially if we are new Christians!

We don't have to have a well-laid out Gospel presentation or have all the answers.

We just need to be faithful to slow down, get with another person, and share with them what we know to be true in our lives about Jesus and the truth of the gospel.

It reminds me of the blind man, who was miraculously healed by Jesus.  He, and his parents, were questioned by the Pharisees.  They asked him what had happened--how had Jesus healed him exactly, and what did he think about Jesus--was he a prophet or a sinner?  I just love his response:

He replied, “Whether he [Jesus] is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”  John 9:25 (NIV)

So I must ask: Are we faithful to share the ONE thing we DO know about Jesus with others?

Are we faithful to share about how He has changed our lives?  Our hearts?

Or do we hesitate, believing we should wait until the perfect time, or until we are the perfect Christian, and have it all together, or until our theology is air-tight, before we step out in obedience to share the truth?

Oh, I hope we will NOT wait until "perfect" comes (because you and I both know it never will!), and we will be faithful to share what we DO know with the people the Lord places in our lives each day.

Oh, and here's to learning new things, this winter, and our whole life long!  Blessings!

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Kenyan Prayer

I've been home for two weeks from the medical mission trip to Kenya, and I still struggle to find words to adequately explain and describe it.

The blog has been quiet.

I've been processing.

So, in an effort to at least touch upon the trip, to share a bit about it with my friends and family, I looked back into my journal and found this prayer, my first journal entry upon returning home.

It speaks from my heart, records a few impressions, and stands as a continuing prayer from my deepest parts...

THANK YOU, God for my dear brothers and sisters in Kenya!

As I drink my first homemade cup of Kenyan tea, I want to lift up: Pastor Joseph and his wife, Phoebe, Pastor Peter and family, Esther, Phyllis, Eunice (our translators), and Sammy, our safari driver.

Lord, I thank you that your Word stands true and that it is for all people, at all times, for all races and nations and socioeconomic classes.

Oh, Father, your creation, O Lord!  Your glory made manifest on this Earth for us to see and enjoy!  Oh, Lord, the gifts that you give us!   The mercy and love that relentlessly pursue us!

Just reflecting about how God can put us all together--us sinners--and use us and transform us: the rude, the entitled, the selfish, the scared, the weak...

"You will praise the name of the Lord your God who has worked wonders for you..." Joel 2:26 

Thank you God for showing us your glory, your love, your provision, your mercy and care and protection and peace, and revealing yourself to us--to all the nations--and for giving us an eternal hope, which we will never understand or deserve.

Help transform my heart and make it more like yours--loving, patient, outward and others focused (and not inward and self-focused).

AMEN

Photo credits: Lee Ann Stone, Risa Filbey, Laura Cloutier, Caitlin Charette, Holly Nilsson

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Living Water Trip to El Salvador

I can't begin to tell you all about our mission trip to El Salvador...to express all the things we felt, experienced, and saw...but with the help of some pictures, I will try my best, dear friend!

First of all, everyone we met...from strangers in the airport, to the national Agua Viva team, to the community folks we served...everyone was so very gracious, warm, and loving.  It took some getting used to, being a more reserved, introverted type, but by the end of the week, I was hugging everyone, crying, and just relishing the loving community spirit.

The actual work of drilling the well was a VERY dirty job!  The guys were drilling through multiple layers of limestone bedrock and volcanic rock and the bore hole would frequently collapse, necessitating lots and lots of hours of hard work to be able to tap into a clean water source by week's end.

While the drilling was going on, I worked with the hygiene team to teach Bible and hygiene lessons to the children, mothers, and grandmothers.  We often incorporated skits, games, puppets, and always a craft or two, followed by painting fingernails and kicking around a soccer ball.  I discovered that the mothers and grandmothers enjoyed cutting-and-pasting, gluing, and other "kiddie" crafts just as much as the children!

My high school Spanish skills came into better and better use throughout our trip.  I learned that if you just know several key phrases like "very beautiful!," "handsome boy," and "God bless you," you could win over any boy, girl, or grandmother and communicate fairly well with them with broken "Spanglish."  With the help of our fearless hygiene team leader, I learned words for phrases like "wash your hands" and "germs" and some other useful hygiene terms such that I was able to teach and review our hygiene lessons independently with the members of the community towards the end of the week.

I very much enjoyed all the food the community served us everyday.  I even got to learn to make tortillas with the ladies!  Memorable meals included horse soup and bean-pork-and-cheese pupusas (the national dish of El Salvador).  We frequently ate fruit like papaya, pineapple, and mango, and rice and tortillas were a staple at every meal.

I cannot say enough good things about the national team we worked with in El Salvador.  It was amazing to hear their testimonies about how they came to know the Lord and how they got involved with Living Water International (Agua Viva, locally) to drill fresh-water wells for communities all over their home country.  One of the men we worked with used to be an attorney, but traded his clean and cushy office life (defending gang members) for the hot and sweaty work of drilling wells in Jesus' name.  Another person we worked with came from a very difficult home (they were abandoned by their mother, who was a prostitute) who came to know about heaven and hell through a nightmare.  This dream led them to seek out the local church and become a Christian.  This same individual now has a beautiful family and just finished up their master's degree!  Amazing!! Another team member was working construction in the U.S. when he heard the gospel message.  He returned to his family in El Salvador and prayed that his wife and daughter would also know Jesus.  Now his family, including his parents, know the Lord and they can see countless blessings in their lives, all thanks to Jesus.

I am so very thankful that God answered my prayers for His "second touch" while we were in El Salvador.  At the well dedication ceremony, I was asked to come up to the microphone and give a few words to the members of the community.  I couldn't even make it through more than a sentence before I broke down in tears and motioned for my husband to come over and help me through!  These special people certainly made it deep into my heart as I saw them for the beautiful people of God that they are.

Suffice it to say that a piece of my heart will be in El Salvador FOREVER!

My husband and I were so blessed to be a part of this drilling project.  We are thankful that we were able to see it successfully completed, but we are even more grateful for the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus with these beautiful people and give each family a Spanish New Testament Bible.  My prayer is that everyone in the community will ultimately know the only hope we all have--the Living Water, Jesus Christ.

To Him Be the Glory!

                           

(If you want to learn more about Living Water International and the work they do around the world, check out this post and their website HERE)

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The Second Touch

Source: whole-lifeleadership.com

My husband and I are preparing to go to El Salvador next week to install a fresh water well with a team from Living Water International.  We have partnered with this organization for years, but we are excited to participate in the action and see what they do first hand.

He is packing work boots, cargo pants, work gloves, and eye protection to use while drilling a new well for the local community, while I am printing off hygiene lessons and packing long skirts, toothbrushes, and lots of bars of soap to hand out while I work with the local hygiene team to educate and instruct the women and children of the area.

Living Water has provided us with some fantastic devotional material to study and pray through as we spiritually prepare to go on this trip.  One passage of scripture which has really spoken to me is from Mark 8:24-27, when Jesus heals the blind man from Bethsaida:

"And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, 'Do you see anything?' And he looked up and said, 'I see people, but they look like trees, walking.' Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."

I think so often I look around and the people around me seem like blurry, walking trees--I see them, but do not truly see them as Christ sees them.  I fail to have compassion for them, and I fail to truly see their needs and offer them the hope of the Gospel.  Oftentimes, I am too busy or distracted, or sadly...too apathetic and selfish.  Too often, I fear man more than God and keep my mouth, and my heart, shut.

But this passage shows that there is real hope for me!  Christ can lead me by the hand (love that little detail!) and touch my eyes a second time.  And I am learning that, like the blind man, I too, can be honest with God about what I truly see...and what I often fail to see...so that He can bring better clarity to my vision.

I am praying and trusting God to touch my eyes a second time as I go on our trip, to see as HE does. 

Will you join me in this prayer, dear friend?  Will you ask Jesus to touch your eyes a second time, so you can see those around you with greater clarity, and respond with greater compassion?

May we never be the same after His second touch!

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  --Henry David Thoreau

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Eli's Chilling Example

Source: regenerationandrepentance.wordpress.com

As a believer, God's word is to be life to us.  Instruction.  Comfort.  Wisdom.

But how many of us honestly tremble at the word of God?

We see this mentioned a few times in the book of Isaiah:

"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." --Isaiah 66:2 (emphasis mine)

I read a section of the Scriptures last week with my children that has made me do just that!  Quite frankly, it scares the bejesus outta me!

It is the story of Eli and his two sons, Phinehas and Hophni, who served as priests for the Israelite people.  Phinehas and Hophni were not faithful priests, however.  The Scriptures describe them as "worthless men" who "did not know the Lord" (1 Sam 2:12).  Instead of following God's prescribed sacrificial laws, they chose to dishonor God and take the best of the meat from the burnt offerings for themselves, cheating God from His due share.  In fact, if the patrons of the Tabernacle refused to give in to their demands, they bullied them, taking what they wanted by force.  And Phinehas and Hophni fed their father, Eli, this forbidden sacrificial meat, as well (with his knowledge).

Source: pauliemugo.com

As a result of their sinful behavior, Eli confronted them:

"Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, 'Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?' But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death." --1 Samuel 2:22-25

Now, part of me would like to sympathize with Eli.  He was a godly priest, foster father to Samuel, and faithful to God's service.  It is regrettable that his sons decided to sin and dishonor God, but can this not happen to any faithful parent?  We have no guarantee as Christian parents that our children will follow the example of our faith and obey God.  Eli rebuked his sons, and they chose not to listen to him.  Eli did his job, right?

But it is not quite that simple. You see, although Eli rebuked his sons, he did nothing to discipline them or stop them from bullying God's people and making a mockery of the priesthood.  He did not force them to step down as priests or ensure that they make restitution for their sinful behavior.  Moreover, he accepted the meat they offered to him and ate it himself.  Eli's example of eating the forbidden meat did far more to teach his sons what is right and wrong than his words ever could!

God in His mercy rebuked Eli through a godly man whom He sent to warn him:

"...'Why then do you scorn [Hebrew verb form indicates a habitual action] my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the Lord declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. '"        --1 Samuel 2:29-31 (emphasis mine)

Do you see how God addresses Eli's heart here?  Ultimately, by failing to discipline his sons, Eli has chosen to honor his sons above God.  This man goes on to tell Eli that God has chosen to reject and destroy Eli's household ("all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men," 1 Sam 2:33) and both his sons will be killed on the same day.

Eli is given yet another chance to repent when God calls Samuel, and tells him all that will happen to Eli's household because "his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them (1 Sam 3:13)."  At the encouragement of Eli, Samuel tells him about God's curse in detail:

"And Eli said, 'What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.' So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, 'It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.'"  --1 Samuel 3:15-18

Did you notice Eli's reaction to Samuel's prophetic news?  Did it involve repentance or remorse?  No!  It was simply acceptance: let God do what He will do.  Eli missed yet another chance to repent for his failure as a father and head priest!  (Compare this with Job, a man who offered up sin offerings on behalf of his children, just in case they sinned (see Job 1:4-5)).

So I am left to wonder...

How can Eli, a chosen priest of God, get it so wrong?

How can he faithfully serve at the Tabernacle, mentor young Samuel, and yet fail so miserably in His role as a father and a mentor to his two sons?

However, instead of pointing fingers at Eli in judgement, I am left to ponder the lessons of his life for myself...

• How do I rebuke the sinful actions and attitudes of my kids, yet fail to show them a godly way out of their sin, through repentance and faith in God?
• How do I honor God with my lips around my kids, yet show them actions that prove otherwise?
• How do I benefit from the fruits of their poor choices, if it makes my day easier or brings me pleasure in some way?
• Am I faithful to follow through with godly consequences for my children's sins and protect those who could be hurt by their sinful actions?
• Do I focus on my ministry "out there," to the exclusion or neglect of my primary ministry of discipline and discipleship of my own children, whom God has entrusted to my care?

What about you, dear friend?  Does the story of Eli and his sons resonate with you, too?  Does it make you tremble, as a godly parent, as you seek to raise up the next generation of God's priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5)?

May the Lord guide, direct, and convict us as parents as we seek to do His will and glorify Him in our homes!  I trust He will be faithful to do so, as we humble ourselves and tremble at the word He has for us today!

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The Same Calling

Source: churchleaders.com

I've been thinking a lot about my vocation lately.

Vocation is a pretty cool word. It comes from the Latin word "vocāre" which means "to call" or "calling."

Your vocation is more than just your job or career.

It is literally your God-given calling in life.

For years, I studied to become a doctor, taking pre-medicine courses in college, going on to medical school, and then completing my residency in Family Medicine.

However, today--as I type this--I am a homeschooling mother of three, who is stealing a few minutes in our homeschool room between loading the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes and transferring clothes into the dryer, to blog a few thoughts about vocation.

So, how exactly did I get here?

I've thought about this more than I'd care to admit.

I can't tell you how many times, upon learning that I am a physician, folks have asked me about why I am currently doing what I do.  It puzzles people.  It doesn't quite make sense--you were a physician and now you are not?  What about all that school? they ask.  Would you make different choices in life, looking back?

I try to explain it to them as best as I can, which usually involves a few awkwardly strung together comments about maybe going back to work part-time some day, how I have been able to use my training on short-term medical mission trips, how--let's be honest--I really use my skills every day as a stay-at-home mom (insert awkward laughter here)....

You get the idea.

But I will be the first to admit, as will many, many professional mothers, that my life--our lives--are very strange at times.

Instead of leading meetings and seeing patients and rocking it out in a board room, we are wiping bottoms and sweeping up Cheerios and reading Hop on Pop for the thousandth time.

Now, fast-forward a few years: instead of looking up the dosage charts of ciprofloxacin for a patient, I am showing my fifth-grade daughter how to diagram predicate nominatives, folding the umpteenth load of clothes, and negotiating yet another crying session over "he did such-and-such to me" or "tell her to stop doing such-and-such" with my first-grader (all of which have literally occurred as I blog here today...).

I'll be honest...there are those days...those hard, whinny, tantrum days...or those monotonous, dull and mundane days...when I sit down to regroup from the household chaos, and I am tempted to jump online and do a quick Google search of my old medical school classmates.

That never ends well, believe me, because here's what I inevitably discover:

One fellow classmate has started her own successful dermatology practice in the town of our medical college.

Another is a renown allergist, leading the Top Doc lists in his state for several years in a row.

Yet another is featured in her local newspaper, curing her small southern town of cancer.

Meanwhile, I've just successfully bandaged up my littlest-one's knee from a scrape she sustained on her scooter.

Yeah, I've got nothing.

Well, it came to me just the other day--call it a Eureka moment, or call it the product of a lengthy rumination over the book Garden-City I am currently reading (and would highly recommend!)--but whatever you call it, it just suddenly occurred to me in the shower.

I hopped out, water still dripping down my arms as I wrapped myself up in a bath towel, rushed across the room, and jotted these words into the journal from my night-stand drawer:

IT IS ALL THE SAME CALL.

Doctoring.
Mothering.
Homeschooling.
Discipling three white-hot-passionate-Jesus-lovin' children.

All of the jobs I do, and have ever done, follow the thread of the exact same calling:

To bring hope and healing to a broken and fallen world.

I have recently come to realize that when it is distilled down to its essence, diagnosing a disease and prescribing medication for a sick patient is doing the exact same thing as teaching my children to enjoy literature, which is the exact same thing as showing them their need for Jesus when I break up a sibling squabble: bringing hope and healing to a broken and fallen world.

Sounds pretty lofty, huh?

Well, it sounds pretty lofty because it IS pretty lofty.  It is no less than the cultural mandate given by God Himself at the time of Creation, and recapitulated by Christ before his ascension into Heaven, to be fruitful and multiply, subdue it, and to go into all the world and make disciples.

But what is mind-blowing is that our calling is really God's calling, given to us: we actually get to partner with God in His mission to bring hope and healing to a fallen and broken world, and for us believers, we will one day be able to reign and rule with Him over this new-heaven-and-earth world for all of eternity.

So, suddenly (or perhaps not so suddenly, if you consider it was really eleven years in the making), the dots have connected for me.

I haven't completely missed the boat.

I am not on some random journey.

I am not merely sitting out in the field tending sheep, biding time for the real calling on my life to come to fruition.

Nope.

Just like Joseph, Moses, David, and all those other God-followers (even Christ Himself!) who were often in a season of waiting, serving their master, sitting in prison, tending sheep in the fields, honing their carpentry craft in a seemingly inconsequential small Jewish town, I, too, am on a powerful mission from God and with God.

And I'm here to tell you--or perhaps to remind you--that you are too, dear friend.

So the next time you are discouraged and think that the work you find yourself doing seems so mundane, or random, or just so-not-what-you-signed-up-for, consider the one true call of God.
It may look different from anything you ever imagined.  No one may ever even acknowledge it or give you an award for it. But it matters.  And it can be, and will be, used to further the Kingdom of God unto the ends of the Earth, until the end of the Ages.

(For more thoughts on work and rest, I'd highly recommend this book by John Mark Comer.  For more reflections about influence and what that really means, check out this and this post from the archives.)

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Seeing Anew

Source: 30seconds.com

Every year, around this time of year, it is a good practice to take an inventory of what you do with all those moments in your life--big and small--and why.

Why do I read the books that I do?

Why do I blog?

Why do I homeschool?

What things do I need to do more of?  Less of?

What things do I want to become better at doing this year?

The list of inventory quesitons can go on and on, I am sure!

One thing I have slowed down to consider so far this year, in my own life, is why I blog.

I consider this area quite a bit, actually, but I love the way it was simply put in the Dakota Fanning version of the movie Charlotte's Web:

"A writer changes the way people see the world, or at least a pig."

Aww, yes, THIS is why I blog!

I hope in some way, dear reader, I have helped you see something in your life in a new and fresh way.

I hope I have shown you a different way to see frustrating situations with your children.

I hope I have shown you a fresh way to read your Bible.

I hope I have shown you a more natural way to clean your house.

I hope I have sparked some wonder and awe in your spirit as you encounter the natural world.

I hope I have offered up some refreshing reading ideas, for yourself, and with your children.

And I hope you have understood that I am not flawless or perfect in any way.

We all need authentic, redemptive community, don't we, dear friend?  We need to hear each other's stories, and we need to have the courage to share them with one another, even when it is not popular or when it makes us feel weak or less than.

Because, what is the point of it all, right?

Is it not to honor God and give Him ALL the glory?

So this year, let's, you and I, be intentional.  Let's cultivate real relationships and dive deep into God's word, be honest and confess our sin, and enjoy the beauty of it all--even in all the mess.

And let's see the world differently, come 2019...

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Juxtaposition

Photo source: painting2inspire at etsy.com

It is so very interesting to read a book of the Bible straight through. Not only do you glean truth from individual chapters and verses, but the way chapters are placed together can be very telling.  It can really cause you to think when subjects seem to abruptly change or seamlessly dove-tail into one another.

Let me give you a recent example I same across when I was reading through the Gospel according to Matthew.

Matthew chapter 25 is a toughie: it speaks about Christ separating out the sheep and the goats at the time of future judgement, based upon how they treated the poor, sick, imprisoned, etc.  One of the most haunting section of this passage begins in verse 42:

 "For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Obviously, one of the take-home points in this passage is that we are to treat the sick, poor, imprisoned, the "least of these" well, as though we were serving Christ Himself.  Truly, how we treat the poor matters to God, and ought to matter to those of us who are in the family of God.

Now, what I find interesting is that the very next chapter of Matthew tells the story of the woman who breaks an alabaster jar of expensive ointment and anoints Jesus' feet with her hair:

"Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, 'Why this waste?  For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.' But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, 'Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.  For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.'” (Matthew 26:6-13)

Now here we have a situation where a very expensive flask of ointment--my research tells me that it was worth a full year's wages--was used lavishly on Christ out of an act of sacrifice and love.  However, when one of the disciples criticizes this act and comments that the ointment could have been sold to help the poor, he is chastised by the Lord Himself.

Wait just a minute!  Aren't we supposed to help the poor?  Isn't that what Matthew 25 just spoke about?

It seems Jesus is constantly surprising us, is He not?

However, let's dig a bit deeper here, where the Lord likes to go.  You see, outward actions and appearances never satisfy the Lord, for He look deep into our hearts.

If we jockey over to John and read the parallel passage to this section of Matthew, we learn that the disciple criticizing the woman with the ointment was none other than the traitor, Judas Iscariot.  John records this in chapter 12:

 "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,'Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.  Jesus said, 'Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.'” (John 12:3-7)

Fortunately, God gave John insight into Judas' heart when he penned this portion of the scripture, so that we can see from where Judas' question arose: it was not raised out of concern for the poor, in the spirit of Matthew 25.  No sir-ee.  It was asked to test God, out of a motive of greed and selfishness.  And for this reason, Jesus would make sure that this woman's story would never be forgotten, by them and by us today.

Two stories, back-to-back in the scriptures, seemingly contradictory, but each fleshing out the other and making the Bible richer and fuller.  I think our look at Matthew 25 and 26 highlight the reason why it is imperative that we not just have a "devotional" relationship with the Bible, reading this, that, and the other passage, in short bits, topically, as we think they relate to our lives.  No, it is essential that we take in the whole of Scripture, reading books straight through, in large chunks--even reading those seemingly inapplicable portions of the Bible to our day-to-day lives, like Numbers and Leviticus.  God has much to teach us about Himself, ourselves, the nature of sin, and how we are to live in all portions of the Bible, dear friend!  Sometimes it just takes a little bit of digging to see how particular sections apply to our lives and stand in truth alongside other passages.

So, how about it--will you dig alongside me, friend?  If you are not sure where to start, I'd recommend a read through the entire Scriptures using this plan.  If you are not sure you are ready for that, just pick any book of the Bible and start in chapter 1.  You'll find that you can read through most books of the Bible in about a week, if you commit to reading a few chapters each day.  As you read, notice what each chapter says as it relates to the chapter before and after it.  If something makes you pause or scratch your head, pull out a Bible commentary or do a quick online search to answer your questions.  That's all there is to it!  You will be on your way to understanding the Bible and mining its riches and depths as the Spirit shows you His truth each day.  I'd love to hear about what you learn, so shoot me a comment or message anytime!

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Burying our Talents

Photo source: josejnrbertobooks.com

I am reading through the book of Matthew and came across the parable of the talents.

This is a familiar story to me, but something new struck me as I read it this time around.

Let's look at the text together today, starting in chapter 25, verse 14:

 “For it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.  So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’  He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,  so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?  Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.  So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.  For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’" (ESV; emphasis mine)

So, in this parable, we have three servants that are given varying amounts of talents (a sizable amount of gold), and two of these servants go on to invest these talents wisely, ultimately giving back to their master more than what they started with.   However, the third servant simply buries his talent, having nothing more to show his master than what he started with when the master returns.  For this action (or inaction, to be more accurate), this servant is labeled as "slothful" and "wicked" and ultimately banished and damned.

Now, what I find interesting is that the ONLY motive mentioned here with regards to the actions of the third servant is one little four-letter word:

FEAR

According to his personal testimony, he wasn't being lazy or particularly malicious; he admits only to being afraid.

Now, one other interesting thing about this parable is that from it arises our contemporary use of the word "talent" to mean "gift or skill" in English and other languages.

So, this all gets me to thinking...

How many times do I let fear undermine the use of the talents and skills that the Lord has given to me for the advancement of His kingdom?  How many times do I steer the conversation away from spiritual matters with a neighbor, for fear of offending them with matters of my faith, instead of towards it?  How many times have I turned down an opportunity to speak to a large group of people about what God is teaching me, or serve in some other uncomfortable capacity in my church or community, because I was afraid?

How about you, dear one?  Do you let fear boss you around, negatively impacting what you do, what you say, or where you go, as you attempt to make an impact for the kingdom of God?  Does fear tempt you to bury your God-given ministry skills and gifts, instead of using them for other's good and His glory?

Oh, how I pray that we would both learn from this parable and be counted along with the good and faithful servants, who do NOT let fear hinder their ministry for the Lord!!  Let us wisely invest our talents and abilities, so we will be able to reap a bountiful harvest for the Kingdom!

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One Need

I have LOTS that I am still processing about my medical mission trip to the Philippines, but one thing I learned is a simple truth that I'd love to share with you this morning if I could.

My trip took a total of 37 hours to travel to a developing nation halfway around the globe.

I treated patients with very little access to medical care.

In some areas we served, many of the patients live in areas like this one:

Diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and parasitic worms are not uncommon.

And yet, many of our clinic patients had one common complaint, and came to us as families of four or five with each family member suffering with the same complaint.

What was this rampant medical problem?

The common cold.

Cough, nasal congestion, sore throat.

Just like I deal with often as a mother of three.

And when I'd stop to prescribe cough medicine or nasal saline spray and some ibuprofen or Tylenol, I'd realize that this patient has only one true need.

And when I'd pause to reflect upon MY one true need, I came up with the same answer:

The hope of Jesus Christ.

Now, I do not mean to minimize these patients' very real and raw socioeconomic struggles.  I will never be able to understand what they must go through mentally, physically, and emotionally each day simply to place food in front of their families.  However, I was struck afresh in a very real way that while we live in areas literally worlds apart, we are very much the same. 

In truth, I have NO more than this woman, sitting in my developed "first world" nation, surrounding by comfort and ease.  In fact, it could be solidly argued that if we do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, we have much LESS than this woman who is struggling to make ends meet, and yet knows and trusts in the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's a math equation that doesn't make sense to our finite minds, and yet it is profoundly true, around the globe, across cultures, and throughout the ages:

Jesus + ANYTHING is NOT > Jesus.

We all have one ultimate common need.

And that need is Jesus Christ.  He alone is our hope, our strength, our comfort, our King.  

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