shipwrecked

Judah's Lesson

This Sunday Judah had us read the story of Jairus' daughter.  After reading the story Judah said, "When Jesus walks into the world everything changes."  It really made me think.  It's true, when Jesus came into the world the first time everything changed.  The way we understand God and his plans.  The way we can now come before the Father, the way the Father and the Son and the Spirit make their home in us.  And that caused me to think.  When Jesus walks into the world today through us, his people, everything changes.  The world around us is different because we are there.  Conversations change, hopefully there is more love and understanding.  Those who are looked down upon find a friend and hope begins to grow.  And when Jesus himself walks into the world again everything will change.  Satan will finally be defeated, forever.  All things will be made right and new.  We will experience a joy that can not be taken away. 

Later that day we found this video on YouTube.  The words that resonated within us, especially in this culture, especially at this time, were:  "He's not a baby in a manger anymore, He's not a broken man on a cross, He didn't stay in the grave and He's not staying in heaven forever."  It's true.  When Jesus walks into the world everything changes.

beauty.tragedy

We live in a strange world.  On the one hand there is such great beauty, I know because I saw it in the color of the sea last week.  Yet a quick scroll through the news tells that great tragedy is always with us.  The beauty causes me to say "wow, God!" and the tragedy "wow, God?"   This morning after our kids read their Bible stories and we sang together a bit I decided instead of our usual time together we would go outside and pick up trash along our street.  I wanted to show our kids that it is God's hope that we would be a blessing.  Really a bit less trash on the ground doesn't stem the tidal wave of evil that sweeps through our world and yet it does little good to see the tragedy and never look for the good as well.

This week I have noticed several people, some who are probably not even Jesus followers, making a difference.  It was nice to see that - a reminder that deep down below the brokenness God has created us in his image.  When people are admired for their effort toward good they are really just being a bit more human and that kind of action should be the norm.  I once heard a pastor say that the ten commandments are not a high bar that only the saints reach but the basic starting point.

For me the starting point has been thankfulness. Our water lid on our tank on the roof blew off at some point in the past weeks and in the process the wonderful sun caused some green stuff to grow rapidly in our tank.  Soon, water coming in the toilets, showers, and sinks was a puke green with nice green bits.  We washed the tank out and got a new lid but that one day we could not use our water reminded me some people live without clean water.  Wow, God?  Father, please be near those families that have no other options.  I once heard that to be wealthy meant to have options.  Certainly, I am a rich man.  Father, may I be a rich in your kingdom as well.      

*This was written back in June and saved as a draft but the same themes, certainly the one about thankfulness, apply to where we are today. 

Faith . . . or something like it

There is something quite beautiful about the way our Father takes care of us.  Just a few weeks ago I was struggling through the storms that come with living in tension.  In the land in-between.  God had reminded us that he called us to leave and I was ok with that, it was more the foggy direction in which he was leading us that wasn't sitting well with me.  So I did what many have done before me, I wrestled, I complained, I trudged through with little to no gratitude.  And although I knew it wasn't pretty and that God was seeing the ugliness of my heart I continued.  Because the truth is I can't fake it with him.  So I might as well be brutally honest. 

Then this week God said enough.  He called me away, reminding me that in worship my heart rests in who he is and who I am in him.  My favorite verse in the Bible comes at the turning point of my favorite book of the Bible.  Hosea 2:14 says, "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."  My heart was captured once again by my first love and I was reminded of the price he paid for me.  Me, the ungrateful, tantrum throwing, complaining daughter.  After what he did for me how can I not follow him into the uncertain future? 

My heart was feeling strongly that I would not just follow him but I would run after him and be completely content with whatever he put before me.  Then the test came.  And I wish I could say I was completely content.  That I didn't waver in the slightest.  To be honest I cried.  First because I was sad that he was asking this of me and then because I was sad that I wasn't stronger.  But even in my weakness I will follow him.  I will run after him.  For where else can I go?

I remember as a kid I hated roller coasters.  They were much too scary for me with their sharp turns and huge drops.  Then one time I rode with my dad.  He told me to pretend that I wanted the roller coaster to go faster.  If I waited in fear of what was next I would leave horrified.  But if I embraced what was to come I would leave thrilled.  This is where I am.  My initial reaction may be one of sadness or fear but what I learned about roller coasters is also true about following Jesus.  This is what God has chosen for me.  He has me here for a reason, in this place and in these circumstances.  I can hesitate and let the small anxieties and fears overcome me or I can embrace this uncertainty that leads to a complete dependence on my first love.  There is no place I'd rather be.

-shanna

leave

The other day Shan and I listened to the introduction of an audio book by Donald Miller. He said everyone at some point in life must change.  I really think it's true, that we all come to a point where if we don't change we begin to decay.  And the change is always extremely personal.  He also talked about the importance of leaving.  As we discussed Shan mentioned that in order to follow Jesus it inherently means leaving something behind.  To follow means to leave.  And once again it's personal.  After reading Luke 11 I was reminded that Jesus often lived at tension with religious leaders and his own family.  Although I often move away from tension Jesus might be calling us into it.  What tension is Jesus asking you to live with? To stand in the middle of something uncomfortable and unfinished with no power to change it.  To stand is an act of faith.  What is Jesus asking you to leave?  If you are leaving nothing, are you really following?

interaction

A few weeks ago the Evangelical Alliance of Malta decided to do several nights of outreach at a local seafront.  Because of basketball practice I could only make it one night but we committed to bring some pictures combined with scripture as part of the outreach.  At the meeting beforehand the leaders were looking for each fellowship to contribute something - hoping to try something different I suggested using some kind of art piece.  Well, I really had no idea what I was going to make and I don't consider myself an artist but with Shanna's help we came up with a small display (I don't think the picture does it justice, since at night the lights within it really made it light up).

Probably the best part of the whole night was watching as this thing would catch someone's eye and as they approached it they would realize something was written on the pictures.  As they read the verse you could immediately see their reaction.  Within a few words some people were off walking again, others would read the whole verse and maybe check out another one of the pictures.  The interaction was intriguing because it was self-directed.  Next to the display we had a step ladder with a "free" sign on it with Bibles laid on the steps.  Watching the people was fun and it reminded me how the things we discover ourselves or at least feel like we discover can be very meaningful. I think that is why people say experience is the best teacher because at some level it involves a discovery.  Jesus was good at this - telling stories in such a way that those who were ready would take the next step while those not truly seeking were left in the dark - "those who have an ear, let them hear". 

I think sometimes with those who don't follow Jesus I can come across as a salesman or having some sort of agenda when I try by my own strength to share my faith.  This past week I was approached by two different people while out praying that made me reflect on how others may perceive me.  The first guy as I walked past him quickly pulled out his wallet to reveal an official looking card showing his credentials and at the same time asked me "Do you want a good fortune or horoscope?"  I kindly said no thanks and kept walking.  A few days later a guy noticed I was reading the Bible and asked if I wanted to attended a discussion that night on the Bible.  When I asked who was organizing the meeting he said people who believed the same thing as him and they belonged to a group called Christadelphia.  I had never heard of them and it took some reading at home to figure it out.  The point is the sort of strangeness I felt as they talked with me is how others might feel when I talk with them.  Some of this is just unavoidable but I am constantly challenged to have my faith sharing be a natural extension of my own heart. 

Thankful

It's cloudy today.  I am very thankful.  It has been a long time since I went to pray and didn't have to wipe the sweat from my forehead as I walked home.  In fact, last night was the first night since May that I did not sleep with my fan on.  But more than that I am thankful for the signs of life that God is working around us and in us -- the other day Shan's friend called and it was apparent from the conversation that God was drawing her closer to his kingdom -- a friend came by for lunch on his birthday, without much of his own family around I could sense by the end of the afternoon we had been a tangible blessing to him.

Yesterday I went on a hike and as I flipped through my Bible looking for a specific story I was telling a friend about I came across these verses:   A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"  He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God.  The way to life - to God!- is vigorous and requires your total attention. (Luke 13:23-25 Message) 
God keeps reminding me that the impact he wants made will be made if I keep in step with him.  Jesus says it best in John 15:5, stay connected to him and fruit is inevitable.  Usually I think it's my best effort that will bear that fruit and surely God likes my best effort but time and time again it is in my weakness that God shines through.  I have found the Spirit move strongest in me when I embrace the simplest things and when I pay attention to the interruptions.  I usually don't get it right the first time but when I sense God and am willing to turn around good things happen. 

More Lessons from the Sunrise

One morning I was determined to get out of bed in time to go watch the sunrise.  On my way there the sky started to get lighter and lighter.  I just knew I'd missed it.  I was so frustrated but kept walking and praying that God would slow it down until I got there.  Convinced that I was going to be disappointed I rounded the corner and to my surprise there was a band of clouds across the horizon.  I hadn't missed a thing. I sat down and decided to wait to watch it rise over the clouds.

After a while some of the clouds started to dissipate and I knew soon I was going to see the sunrise.  But nothing happened.  Then the sky became more pink and orange and I thought for sure this was it.  Still nothing happened.  Finally, there was the gold rim on the edge of the clouds and I knew it was going to be soon.  Five minutes later and still nothing.  Then my breath literally caught.  You read that in novels all the time but in this case it is not just an expression.  The beauty of the sun as it peeked over the clouds and slowly rose from behind was stunning.

I knew God was speaking to my heart.  Much like the sunrise and my hurry to see it, in my life God is patient with me.  All he asks is that I be patient with him as well.  Even though I could not see the sun rising behind the clouds it was happening.  There have been times here in Malta when I have thought, "This is it - surely a breakthrough is about to happen."  There is a good conversation with a friend -  someone is asking about Jesus or about the Bible.  And yet, nothing seems to come of it.  But I know the Spirit is moving, even though it is not always seen.  I am confident that we will see breakthrough here in Malta.  I wouldn't put it past God at all to let his brilliance be shown when we least expect it; reminding us that it is not about us but about his glory.

This past week we were in the Czech Republic with some friends.  I was talking with our friend Dana who spent a year in Malta.  She said that she felt like God was laying the pieces together in Malta like a mosaic and when these pieces started to come together there would be great revival.  We continued walking down the street and talked of how we believe this will be brought about through prayer.  Don't give up.  Keep pressing forward.  Keep praying with us for this nation.

from my journal

Flipping through my journal of the last few weeks, I decided to jot down some of the phrases I found.

Maybe the simplest things are the hardest.

    How can we be a tangible blessing to others?

Father, may your will redefine my life.

    Jesus in our foolishness may you be proclaimed.

Do I care more about appearing successful or Jesus being worshiped?

    Jesus forgive me if I have only accepted you on my terms.

Transformation begins with surrender.

    You can not see the kingdom of God while being unwilling to change.

The faith of a Moabitess

One of my new favorite things to do, whenever I can get myself out of bed, is to watch the sunrise between Valletta and Manuel Island.  It is only about a 15 minute walk from our flat.  Unfortunately it usually happens right before 6am, not 9:34 like the picture says.  I can remember the first time I watched it.  I was amazed.  That word is used a lot but I felt utter amazement that this was happening every morning only 15 minutes away from me.  Every day God is revealing his glory and most of the time I am sleeping right through it.

As Cam's parents were getting ready to leave I was struck with a sad feeling.  They would go back home and interact with all those we love and at times feel strangely cut off from.  At the same time, although we know we are where God wants us, we are still and always will be outsiders here.  I think the problem I find is when I try to find my home here or there.  When I should be reminded daily of my home with Him.  "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'"  John 14:23

I am encouraged by the faith of a Moabitess, a woman who in the face of uncertainty pledged her life to God and to the responsibility he had given her.  "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.'"  Ruth 1:16-17

May I be steadfast in following this example of faith.  To live at home with my Father, my Savior, my Counselor.  To see his glory revealed every day in the home he is making in me.

Wedding feast apple pie

It is important to celebrate the good things in life. Sometimes the best thing you can do is laugh.  The second best thing is eat a really good apple pie.  This evening I experienced one of those rare events where you know deep down you are loved.  Shanna made an apple pie from scratch.  And this was not your "Here is my best effort, love me because I tried" apple pie.  Instead I tasted the same apple pie that will be passed around at the heavenly wedding feast. I sat with my kids, this apple pie (a la mode) and a cup of coffee and I knew that in the midst of a crazy world there are still some good things.  Maybe you think I am just being funny but somewhere underneath it all truth is reflected in this, some beauty peeking through.  I only pray that at some point each of you can taste that beauty too.