Archive for December, 2009

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Amazing Encounters and Encouragement

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

I came to Urbana ’09 to represent International Messengers and to answer questions/encourage students who are exploring options for their future. During Monday morning’s worship service, however, I heard the leader say, “God has brought you here for a reason. What does He want to tell you or show you?” Hey – that’s right, I thought. I’m here to do my job as a mission co-director, but that’s not the only reason. God has something for me, too. What message does He want to give me?

Later that day, a woman named Beth stopped by our booth to speak with me. Her daughter had read Moving From Fear to Freedom, found it very helpful, and started following this blog. When she’d read about my trip to Urbana, she asked Beth to meet me here and to tell me that the book had helped her work through fear issues in her life. Wow – what an encouragement to me as an author and blogger. As we spoke, Beth called her daughter on her cell phone and then handed the phone to me. Another wow – what a treat to speak with this young woman whose life has been impacted by the words I’ve written in solitude.

While I love writing, I don’t find it an easy task. Penning a worthwhile article or book or even a blog takes much time and energy. It requires a willingness to be transparent and to risk rejection by readers who may not agree with what flows from my heart. It requires saying no to other activities that would be a whole lot easier. But I know that my mission is to write the message God puts within my heart, to communicate hope to those who are discouraged, truth to those who are choosing the wrong path, and light to those who have lost their way. I don’t know who my readers are, and I don’t know their deepest needs, but God does. It’s my job to obey – to write – and it’s His job to put my words into the hands of those who need to read them.

What message has God given me at Urbana ’09 (so far)? To continue writing, even though I cannot track the results. He’s using my skill to bring glory to Himself and I’m forever grateful.

What skill(s) has He given you? How can you use them for His glory?

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In Full Swing

Monday, December 28th, 2009

We finally arrived in St. Louis on Sunday morning. Our delayed flight from Seattle meant we missed our connection in Chicago, and the next (and last) flight to St. Louis was canceled that evening. We got a “Distressed Traveler’s” voucher for hotel, caught a shuttle to it, and had five hours before heading back to the airport for an early morning flight. Oh, the adventure of it all!

Urbana ‘09’s in full swing, its focus being on the fact that Jesus came to dwell among us, and we need to take Him into our “neighborhoods” – perhaps that’s the inner city, maybe it’s the place we work, perhaps it’s a remote African village or a downtown office. Wherever we spend our time, that’s our neighborhood, and Jesus wants to dwell there.

This morning, a young black man named Ryan led the singing. Wow – what a voice! He started by saying, “In my neighborhood, we sweat when we worship.  C’mon, everyone, let’s sweat!” And then the music and singing began. How fun to sing and praise God with 15,000 others from around the world.

The exhibition hall has about 300 mission displays and booths. There’s something for everyone, from groups who stress caring for the environment to those sponsoring high adventure mission trips, freeing children from slavery, and working in orphanages. The list of opportunities seems endless….and good thing, because the needs are endless, too.

It’s 12:45 p.m. now. The exhibition hall opens in 15 minutes, and we’ll be at our booth then to speak with and encourage those who stop by. We’re praying for God to open our eyes and ears and mouths while we’re here – too see those who need a good word, to truly hear what they say (not just give them our IM spiel), and to speak the words they need to hear.

Gotta go. I hope my feet can hold out. Yesterday they really hurt by the end of the day – walking and standing on concrete floors for hours takes a toll.

Have a good day, everyone!

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Urbana ‘09 — Here We Come

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

It’s Saturday, Dec. 26th – a.k.a. Boxing Day to Canucks like myself. If I were home, I’d probably go shopping for ridiculously low bargains on next year’s Christmas cards and wrap. But shopping’s out this year ‘cause I’m doing something that’s far more fun.

What? More fun than fighting the crowds at the local mall on Boxing Day? I know, I know – that’s hard to imagine. This morning finds me sitting at Sea-Tac airport, sipping a Starbucks coffee and waiting for our now-delayed flight to Chicago. I’ve bid my suitcase goodbye with a prayer that it will make the now-tight connection to St. Louis, Missouri later today.

Delayed flight!

The media hype about yesterday’s foiled terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound flight caused us to expect heightened security this morning so we gave ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport and check in. The changed schedule means we’ll sit for at least an hour longer than we’d expected. Oh well. That gives me time to work on material for upcoming speaking engagements. Flexibility is the key, right? That’s what I tell our short-term missions volunteers!

Today Gene and I are enroute to Urbana ’09 – a triennial missions conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. More than 15,000 students have registered; nearly 3,000 of these are Canadians. The purpose for our trip is to represent International Messengers Canada at the IM booth and to be available for whatever divine appointments come our way. Many of these students are seeking God’s direction for their lives and considering missions as part of the picture. Perhaps one or two or a few will come our way. Time will tell.

I first attended Urbana 30 years ago. I remember boarding a chartered tour bus at midnight on December 25, 1979, and riding, along with 30 or 40 other university-aged men and women, for 2 days and nights to reach our destination. What a blast! We talked, sang, played games, and snacked across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and into the States before finally arriving at the University of Illinois nearly 40 hours later. A life-changing experience awaited us.  

Plenary sessions featured speakers including Luis Palau, and if I remember correctly, Elisabeth Elliot. Afternoon workshops shed light on every thinkable aspect of missions, and the exhibit hall contained myriads of mission booths. My most memorable moment was celebrating Communion on New Year’s Eve. Sharing the bread and wine with more than 20,000 other young adults, and hearing those voices blended in worship songs to our Savior tasted like heaven to me.

Thirty years later, I get to experience it again! Better yet, this time I get to encourage other young adults who are now exploring God’s will for their lives as I did then. How fun is that? ‘Way more fun than shopping for bargains on Boxing Day.

Shucks – our flight was just delayed another half hour due to bad weather in Chicago. This could be a long day.

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A Baby Changes Everything

Friday, December 25th, 2009

A local Christian radio station has played Christmas carols, old and new, for the past month. One song in particular has caught my attention. I can’t remember all the words, but one line says, “A baby changes everything.”

I remember becoming a mother for the first time and discovering the truth of those words firsthand. Suddenly my days and nights were no longer my own. Sleep seemed a thing of the past. Spontaneous activities were a bygone, too. My life now rotated around the baby’s needs and schedule. Two more children joined our family, and the dynamics in our home changed with each one’s arrival. The gigantic impact little people have is amazing.

Mary, too, discovered that a baby changes everything. In her case, her marriage was nearly called off. Her reputation as a good girl was smeared. Her relationship with her parents and neighbors was no doubt altered. Yes, a baby changed everything for this precious teenage girl.

It’s so true – a baby changes everything. You don’t have to be a mother to experience this for yourself, especially when that baby is Jesus. Today celebrates His birth. And why did He leave His home in heaven to come to earth more than 2,000 years ago? To change everything for us.

No matter who we are or where we’ve come from, Jesus gives hope in exchange for fear. He gives us joy in exchange for disappointment and grief. He gives strength in exchange for weariness. He gives forgiveness in exchange for the burden of sin we carry. He gives us purpose and meaning, life abundant now and for eternity.  Where would we be today if He had not been born?

Today is a day to celebrate the baby Jesus! I wish you a meaningful Christmas, my friend. Enjoy yourself and create warm and fuzzy memories. 

Whisper a prayer for me on the 26th, if you would, please. My husband and I will be flying from Seattle to Chicago and on to St. Louis, Missouri to represent International Messengers at Urbana ’09 – a huge missions conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Pray for safe travels, unhindered by winter weather. And pray for lots of divine appointments during this conference. Thank you! My next blog will be from there — I’ll share my experience with you, okay?

I attended my first Urbana in 1979. I was 21 years old, wide open to the idea of missions, and exploring options for my life. Thirty years later, I have the privilege of doing it again. This time I sit in a different seat. Now I’m a missions rep, available and excited to speak with college age kids open to the idea of missions and exploring options for their lives. What an amazing journey.

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New Clothes

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

The other day while running errands, I happened across a lovely scarf collection. Now, I’ve been admiring other women’s scarves as a fashion accessory for a long time but have never seriously shopped for one myself…until now. Purples, pinks, lime greens, iridescent stripes – what a feast for the eyes! And guess what? They were on sale! I eyed one after the other, trying to visualize what they’d look like with my wardrobe, and finally made my choice. How fun to have a new piece of clothing, especially one as versatile as a wear-with-almost-anything scarf.

Jeshua, an Old Testament high priest, received new clothes in his day, too, but he got an entire wardrobe! Here’s his story: “Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ And turning to Jeshua he said, ‘See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.’ Then I said, ‘Please, could he also have a clean turban on his head?’ So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.”

What a glorious picture! In the physical realm, Jeshua’s clothes were dumpster fodder. There he stood, garbed in filthy rags and unable to do anything about it. But an angel stepped in, saw his plight, and supervised an extreme, complete makeover. Note that these were fine, new clothes – not reruns from the local thrift store. Wouldn’t ya love it if this happened to you?

The good news is – it can, in the spiritual realm. Scripture says we’re clothed in filthy rags, that is, our own attempts at being good enough for God. In His mercy toward us, God doesn’t berate us and say, “You look like a hobo. Stay away from me.” Instead, He says, “I have a new wardrobe for you, my friend. Would you like it?” If we choose to accept it, He clothes us in His righteousness. That is, He takes our filthy rags (our sins) and replaces them with His forgiveness and holiness. His gift is free to us but cost Him dearly – the life of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In the physical realm, wearing my new scarf for the first time brought me happiness. In the spiritual realm, wearing the fine clothing of God’s forgiveness and holiness brings me joy. Deep, indescribable joy. How about you? Do you know this joy, too?

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My Forgetfulness…and God’s Faithfulness

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Forgive me for not blogging on Friday. I could say it was because H1N1 flattened me, or that aliens abducted me, or that my computer crashed…but I’d be lying. Nothing so dramatic or traumatic happened. Believe it or not, I simply forgot.

What happened? I think the explanation is an easy one. It’s a combo between failing to write down my to-do list on Friday and getting caught in the rush of this busy season. From early-morning business conference calls to delivering Christmas hampers to having our small group’s Christmas dinner get-together, the day buzzed by in a blur and my blog simply didn’t happen. Oh well…maybe your day was busy, too, and you didn’t even miss it! If you did, however, accept my apology. I’m grateful for your understanding.

And now, for today’s thought….

Sometimes we walk through circumstances that leave us wondering whether God is still with us or has left us high and dry. Perhaps the Israelites felt the same way when they were building bricks for the Egyptians, or when they faced the Red Sea knowing the enemies were closing in behind them, or when they wandered through the wilderness for four decades. Nothing was further from the truth, however, for God was with them every step along their journey. How do we know for sure?

Read Psalm 136:11 – “He brought Israel out of Egypt.” And verse 13 – “Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.” And verse 16 – “Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.” In each of these three difficult scenarios, God was with His people. And the same holds true today.

Just as He led the Israelites out of their captive state, so He leads us from those things that imprison us – addictions, unforgiveness, misplaced priorities unhealthy desires — and brings us to a place of freedom.

Just as He led His people through the Red Sea, so He leads us through seemingly impossible circumstances – financial setbacks or the need for finances for such things as ministry trips, marriage breakups, painful relationships with extended family members, and surviving the loss of a loved one.

Just as He led His people through the wilderness for 40 years, so He leads us through our wilderness wanderings – times when life just doesn’t make sense, periods when we doubt His sovereignty or faithfulness, and seasons when we can’t seem to discern His will for a specific matter.

No matter where we are spiritually and emotionally – in Egypt, facing the Red Sea, or wandering in the desert – we are not alone. God leads us along. And as the theme of Psalm 136 says, “His faithful love endures forever.”

Do you have that assurance? How has God led you from captivity, through a Red Sea experience, or through a wilderness wandering?

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Remembering Your Journey

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Where has life’s journey taken you? Undoubtedly your path has led to a few mountaintops and through a few valleys. In some cases, it’s probably taken an unexpected detour or two – some delightful, others not. If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, can you identify places along your journey where God has proven Himself faithful?

Personally, I can recall several such incidents. The most unforgettable was when our second child was born in Nepal and instantly diagnosed with hydrocephalus (too much water on the brain). We’d had a personnel interview with a career mission agency only one week prior because we hoped to devote the rest of our lives to the Nepalese people, but our daughter’s medical condition necessitated an immediate return to North America. Talk about a detour! And yet, in that very scary time, God proved Himself faithful.

He provided our little family with a place to housesit, gave my husband a good job, led us to a warm and loving church family, and paid for our child’s medical expenses through the Washington State Crippled Children’s Services. Was life easy along this detour? Not at all. But God was with us.

Another example was when I sensed God telling me to write. I remember going for a long walk every day and praying as I went. I’d say, “God, I desperately want to be a wise steward of my time, my energy, my talents, and my money. Please make Your will clear to me so I don’t waste them chasing after a silly whim of my own.” He answered.

First, He directed me to attend the Florida Christian Writers Conference, bringing impossible circumstances together to remove any doubt that this prompting was from Him. That’s where I learned how to write magazine articles. Several months (and many more walks and prayers later), He spoke to me in an audible voice, giving me the name of a woman to interview. I obeyed. One door after another began to open, and I walked through them (albeit sometimes with knocking knees). Each step of the way, God proved Himself faithful. Has it been an easy walk? Not at all. But God has been with me.

The New Year is only two weeks away. I don’t know what it holds. If it’s anything like the last two years, I may be in for a wild ride. Frankly, there are some aspects of my journey I’d rather not repeat, like watching elderly parents suffer and die (or worse yet, being overseas when they pass away). Or wondering how to pay next month’s bills, let alone the big expenses that come with owning an older home. Or struggling with the tension of wanting to write another book but not having the time to do it due to other ministry responsibilities. Or dealing with the disappointments that come with pouring one’s heart into ministry and not seeing results hoped for.

Yup, 2010 is a big unknown. At the same time, I know God will be faithful no matter what it holds. Micah 6:5 says, “…Remember your journey from Acacia to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” I plan to heed this advice; I’ll remember the journey in years past, and I’ll recall God’s faithfulness. And that’s where I’ll find joy and courage and strength for the days ahead.

How have you seen God’s faithfulness along your journey, my friend?

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Forever Thankful

Monday, December 14th, 2009

I get it! I get it! I finally “get” the big deal about giving thanks.

Over and over, Scripture tells us to give thanks in everything and at all times. I’ve tried to make this a personal habit and have encouraged others to do so, believing it’s an action that changes us from the inside out and makes us more Christlike. While I hold to my conviction, I’ve discovered another fascinating element about giving thanks – it’s an action that will take place even in heaven. It’s something we’ll do forever and ever, amen.

Revelation 4:9 says, “Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever.”

Obviously, giving thanks to God is an activity of eternal nature. God HImself must put HUGE value on it, or He wouldn’t include it as one of the heavenly happenings. If it’s that important to Him, it must be worth a lot. And as far as I see it, if we’re going to be doing it forever and ever, we may as well begin now and practice often. So, here’s my today’s thankful tidbit…

As I ponder the meaning of Christmas, I’m thankful for God’s immeasurable love. It boggles my mind to think He gave up His rights as God and came to earth as a tiny baby so I could someday be reconciled to Him and become His daughter. It baffles me to think He died in my place. And it bewilders me to think that, because of what He did for me, I will someday pass from here to heaven to live forever in His presence. As the lyrics of a popular praise chorus go, “I’m forever grateful for the cross.”

What are you thankful for today?

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A Flood of Justice

Friday, December 11th, 2009

This morning I read a heart-rending article about human trafficking. Words cannot describe the evil behind this industry. Imagine a 4-year-old being sold for sex because her parents or grandparents want a better television. Or a young woman bound by chains around her neck and limbs, given enough leeway only to move from a bed to the bathroom. The horror stories number in the millions – too many for our minds to even comprehend.

What’s often our natural tendency when we hear stories like this? We change the channel or flip to the next page. Surrounded by our North American creature comforts, it’s difficult for us to grasp what’s happening in the world at large. We can’t identify with the captives of modern day slavery. We can’t feel their anguish, or perhaps we feel it so intensely that we shut it out because we don’t know how to deal with it. We can’t fathom making a dent in the problem. And so, we do nothing.

“God, break my heart over what breaks Yours,” prayed Bob Pierce, founder of  World Vision. That’s become my prayer, too. I don’t want to live my life looking the other way. I’ve been blessed, so very blessed and God holds me accountable for what I do with the freedoms and material goods given to me.

For me, Christianity is about so much more than attending church on Sunday mornings, developing a safe place within my weekly small group, and knowing that I’ll go to heaven when I die. It’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are suffering here on earth. It’s about loving them in practical ways. It’s about walking the talk even when there’s sacrifice involved. This morning I read Amos 5:23,24, which served to reinforce my feelings: “Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music; no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry.”

God wants His people to get involved on behalf of the defenseless and less fortunate. He wants to see a flood of justice, a river that will never run dry. That happens when everyone does their part.

Some can sponsor kids through humanitarian organizations. We support two – a boy in India, and a girl in Nepal.

Grace and Gene with Ankit in India

Grace and Gene with Ankit in India

Some can pass out hot chocolate and sandwiches to street workers. Others can befriend seniors forgotten by family, locked away in nursing homes. Or write letters to persecuted believers in prison.

Last summer my husband and I led a team of 9 North American volunteers to work among Romanian young adults living with HIV/AIDS. Lord willing, we’re planning to do it again in 2010.

Our career missionaries visiting HIV/AIDS-infected youth in a Romanian hospital

Our career missionaries visiting HIV/AIDS-infected youth in a Romanian hospital

As I was writing this entry, a missionary friend emailed to say she’s handing out 500 blankets in two gypsy slum villages in Slovakia today. If I were to go downtown this morning, I’d see numerous volunteers standing beside Salvation Army kettles collecting donations. The options are endless because the needs are endless, too. “God, break my heart over what breaks Yours!”

 How can you represent Jesus to those who are suffering?

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Jesus — More Than a Sleeping Baby

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

My 2-year-old granddaughter, Anna, enjoys playing with her family’s Nativity scene. “Baby Jesus sleeping,” she says, pointing to the inch-long plastic figure lying in a wee manger. She picks it up, gives it a shake, drops it on the coffee table, and turns her attention to another toy. So much for toddler theology.

Sadly, some folks embrace toddler theology for a lifetime. To them, Jesus is no more than a sleeping baby in Nativity scenes. “What good is a God like that when cancer strikes or I lose my job or my kids run away?” they ask. Others consider Him a fable or fairy tale…His Bethlehem birth makes for a nice story but it’s only make-believe. Others think He was a fraud, a fool, or a fanatic who claimed to be God’s holy Son. As for me, I believe He was, and is, God’s Son, but I think my understanding of Him often falls short of reality.

The baby Jesus was mankind’s introduction to God in flesh. But the image of the sleeping infant is a far cry from the Jesus who’s revealed in Revelation 1:13-18. Read this description and meditate on it throughout this Christmas season. This, my friend, is the Jesus we’re celebrating!

“…Standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were bright like flames of fire. His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was as bright as the sun in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

I read these words and my heart cries: “Forgive me for minimizing You. Forgive me for placing limitations on You because of my finite understanding of Your majesty and holiness. Open my eyes to see who You really are, and transform my life as a result. I adore You, the living God, the first and the last, the One who holds the keys of death and the grave. I’m Yours. Amen.”

How about you? What emotion or response do these verses elicit in you?

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