Encouragement

Why is that the one slight criticism is far more memorable than many kind compliments?

- Coach, you didn't give my son enough playing time on the court.

- Pastor, your sermons I don't follow.

- Doctor, you didn't take time to listen to all of my health problems.

-Sales Representative, your presentation to the clients are not convincing.

-Teacher, it was not fair to assign my daughter that much homework on homecoming weekend.

-Mother, you always give her what she wants and never let me do what I want.

-Ob/Gyn, my other doctor promised to deliver me no matter if he was on call or not.

-Musician, are you really going to try to do 2 new songs, the congregation can never follow that.

-Dentist, that shot hurt more than the last dentist I saw.

-Volunteer, why would you want to decorate that way, we used green last year?

-Surgeon, are those suture marks going to show forever?

I recently talked to a friend who was embattled in a bitter professional conflict. The person screamed at my friend and said I will make it so you never work in this career again. The conflict detrimentally affected his health, his relationship with his family, and his ability to function in his career. It sucked away his spirit of volunteerism. He prayed and prayed, but there was no resolution. He nearly quit his career out of disgust, depression, and discouragement. But in the 11th hour after 6 years the conflict was resolved. My friend says it is not forgotten. It haunts him everyday. He can't even make a minor decision without reflecting back to those ugly years. I asked him if there is anything that helps him today. He said the following, "Yes. Every time I doubt my abilities I open up my bottom desk drawer. Here I keep all the pictures, all the thank-you notes, all the encouraging letters I have ever received. And I read through them one by one. Many I have memorized by now. And it takes 10's of letters to even begin to repress that one angry person I faced years ago. I would tell everyone to have a drawer set aside just for that reason."

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thess. 5:11)

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11)

It's A Hard Life

As I walk to the hospital I see this man in a stocking hat. His name is Jeremy.

Jeremy, I see you out here each morning with a hammer and chisel. You work hard.
Yes, I am a craftsmen. I am a stone mason.

Jeremy, you are always barefoot Do you not have shoes?
No I have, you see the how the splinters spray (he drives the hammer against the chisel into the rock and chards of stone disperse) into the air. They would infest my shoes. It is better to wear nothing at all.

Do you live here in Kijabe?
No, I live in Nairobi. But I am here from Monday to Saturday. That is my temporary home (he points to a 10 x 20 shipping container in the field) for myself and the others. We work until evening.

Do you have family?
Yes. I have two children and my job as a craftsmen provides for them.

How are you paid?
It is paid by the foot. You see this one here is one foot (gesturing to the rock he just split). I am paid 15 Ksh per foot (about 20 cents). On a good day I can I do 100 foot of stone. But that is just a good day (he points to the quarry of rocks he has completed) when I am feeling strong. But you see these rocks are softer....the other rocks (pointing to a new delivery of rocks) are harder. For those maybe only 50 foot in a day.

How long have you been a stone craftsmen?
15 years. I am 37 years old. Can you help me with something?

Do you want me to hammer a stone? I am a dentist..we do use elevators, chisels, and things like that. I might be good at this. Can I give it a try? (Jeremy nodded in approval. I cradled the stone with my shoes, picked up the hammer, and place the blade of the chisel at a 45 degree angle to the rock. I pounded. Nothing happened. Adjusted the chisel and pounded again. Nothing happened...more force Jeremy said. I kept at it for about 5 minutes banging my knuckles with the hammer as frequently as the chisel. I picked up a new chisel and tried again (maybe the blade was dull?). 5 minutes later the rock looked no different. Jeremy's boss arrived so I handed the chisel and hammer back to him.)

No doctor, I could really use your help with some pain medicine. It is paining here (he points to his shoulders).
Yes, of course. I could imagine your muscles may hurt.

This is what you are building (we looked behind to the new Cure intern housing sixplex)?
Yes..to that I have added.

Jeremy, that is many bricks you have made. And you are an excellent craftsmen.

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. (Exodus 1)

Jeremy told me he is a Christian. I imagine he can relate to the struggle of the Israelites differently than I can. With brick and mortar he is building a sitaplex (not a Pyramid). But, Jeremy works voluntarily, earns a reasonable salary, and is proud of his craftsmanship as a stone mason (as he should be). But, could you imagine hammering rocks all day long for 15 years? If this was your life would the Israelites plight look a little different? Would it just be an old story with a few good moral lessons to learn? Or might the book of Exodus really be a living document...that you would identify and claim as your own with every swing of the hammer.

What makes A Great Counselor?

With certainty we will all have experiences in our life (loss of a loved one, fired from a job, tragic car accident, watching your child make wrong decisions) that make no sense. And many of us will ask God, "Why?" Thankfully, there are many of you out there; pastors, friends, teachers, family, doctors, and counselors who are gifted in listening and giving timely Godly counsel. Without these relationships I think many people who suffer would move from faith to despair instead of slowly returning to God and hope. But how do great counselors engage people in a Christian context when they are suffering?

David Powlison in the book "Suffering and the Sovereignty of God" give a few timely hints...

People... often focus exclusively on "the problem." They ask about "the problem." They offer advice for solving "the problem." They care for you! They are well-meaning attempts to be helpful. But the effect can become unkind. Many significant sufferings have no remedy until the day when all tears are wiped away. Your disease or disability is incurable. Your loved one is dead. The marriage is over. The money is gone. There may be partial helps along the way. There may be partial redemption. There will be no fix. Often the biggest problem for any sufferer is not "the problem." It is the spiritual challenge the problem presents. "How are you doing in the midst of what you are going through? What are you learning? Where are you failing? Where do you need encouragement? Will you learn to live well and wisely within pain, limitation, weakness and loss? Will suffering define you? Will faith and love grow, or will you shrivel up?" These issues are more important than "the problem" in the final analysis. They take asking, thinking, listening, responding. They take time. People are often clumsy and uncomprehending about the most important things, while pouring energy and love into solving what is often insoluble.

God's Love, Power, & Justice - Part 1

Author Thomas Talbot describes three propositions most Christians hold to be true:

(1) It is God’s desire to reconcile all sinners back to Him.

I Timothy 2:4 - God desires everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
II Peter 3:9 - God is not wanting that any should perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Romans 8:38- Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us, from the love of God.

(2) It is within God’s power to do as He pleases, including redeem all of the world back to Him.

Job 42:2: I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Isaiah 46:10: My (God’s) purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Ephesians 1:11: God accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will.

(3) Yet, some will never be reconciled to God, and enter a place of eternal separation from God.

II Thessalonians 1:9: These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction.
Matthew 25:46: Then they will go away into eternal punishment.
Matthew 13:42: They will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

It seems there is Biblical support for all three propositions? God desires all to be saved, it is within God's power to insure that all are saved, but some are seemingly lost. How can God be all-loving, all-powerful, and a God of justice at the same time? Is it consistent to hold on to all three positions?

When Can You Throw In the Towel?

When can you leave a job or a ministry? Are there areas that are not ripe for the harvest? What are legitimate reasons for "throwing in the towel"? Did Jesus ever give his disciples permission to simply move on? And how can we know what those reasons are?

The 10/40 Window has been one of the most successful and convenient marketing missionaries tools in the last 10 years. Who hasn’t seen a map of the 10/40 window? Guthrie in "Missions in the Third Millenium" writes:

The 10/40 window is an imaginary box drawn between 10 and 40 degrees of longitude, encompassing parts or all of 62 countries in Africa and Asia and a bit of Europe.... Some 3.1 billion people, approximately half of the worlds population live in the Window... This area is the epicenter to Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. 82 percent of the world’s poor live here. 29 of the 62 countries that have the lowest quality of life based on life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy reside in the Window.

Despite the apparent emphasis on the 10/40 window...only 3 percent of the global missionary force is there and 0.01 percent of Christian ministry funds go here (We aren't there either, Kenya is south of the Window). That all makes me feel sad and guilty..like the Church has really misdirected many of its resources or that maybe we have been unwilling to go where we are needed most. Where it is hot, ruled by law of another religion, and potentially unstable.

I wonder what God would think about how our resources have been spread? Would God want a missionary to remain in an unreached area for several decades with no openness to the Gospel (but maybe seeds are planted)? Does God want more missionaries going to areas like Latin America where evangelical and protestant churches are exploding (but many of these populations have multiple chances to hear the Gospel in a meaningful way)? Does God need more ministers in Europe and in the City where churches are empty and Christianity is dwindling? Isn’t it just a matter of going where the most need is (when you lift a heavy log you go to the end where no one else lifts)? Can we distill the Great Commission down to a geographic window and some telling statistics?

I don’t know who can answer these questions. But I do think God would be saddened that there is still so much poverty, illiteracy, rape, hunger, violence, corruption, and despair in the Window. Also one wonders is the despair in the Window because these areas have not been reached by the transforming power of the Gospel?

Missions needs to go to these areas. But I don’t think guilt is the right response to get people there, or the right response if they go and do not stay. When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples he gave them few instructions (bring nothing but a staff and wear sandals). Jesus might tell his 12 disciples where to go, when to begin, how many people should go together, what should be preached, what activities to involve themselves, or even ultimately what was their purpose. But Jesus didn't tell them any of these things. Jesus gave them this final command.

And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you,
shake the dust off your feet when you
leave, as a testimony against them (Mark 12).

Jesus compels James, John, Peter, and so forth that if they are 1) not welcome or 2) not listened to they should leave. If you have come and spoken, but are not wanted or not heard... Jesus tells you to walk away. Am I suggesting we shake the dust off our feet at the 10/40 window, our churches, our jobs, our communities. Of course not. Blessed are the persecuted. His followers will be hard-pressed and afflicted. No, these places need determined missionaries, pastors, relief agencies, neighbors, friends. God's light needs to shine. They need His grace. But we must also reserve the permission and courage to leave when we are not welcome or heard; and then follow His will elsewhere.

Samaritan's Purse Today

News updates and blogs about how God is working through Samaritan's Purse and around the world.

Physical & Spiritual Healing (friess family--May 21, 2010)

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/

Are Physical & Spiritual Healing Inseparable?

In 1974 the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization declared, "We affirm that evangelism and socio-political involvement are both part of our Christian duty," thus emphasizing social ministry as an important part of missions.

Many Christians now stress Holistic ministry; that is evangelism and physical/social care go hand in hand. We encourage the connection of spiritual and physical, loving each other and sharing the good news, soup kitchens and proclaiming God's glory, health care for the needy and advancing the Kingdom of God. Franklin Graham has said, "Holistic ministry (Medical Missions) just plain works."

But the idea of holistic ministry was introduced far before this declaration in 1974. Luke 4:18-19 explains what Jesus was sent to do:

to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed.

Some say this (preaching, setting captives free, healing, and standing up for the oppressed) should be the goal of the church and the main thrust of missions (note; preaching the good news is included). Others stress that the Great Commission in Matthew 28 should be our thrust:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.


That is (discipleship, baptizing, and teaching the Gospel) is our mission. In the history of Christianity we have seen the pendulum swing back and forth. Some time it leans too far towards social action (let's give food to the hungry healthcare to the sick, and fight for the oppressed but let's avoid words like Jesus or God's love; those terms are too loaded and controversial these days). Then the pendulum can tip too far in the other direction (The Bible tells us we will always have the poor with us. We can't get distracted by this world, we must focus on the next Kingdom. We just need more churches, more preachers, and more getting people saved.) These extremes are easy to recognize, but in real life I think missions and the role of the church is more subtle.

See how DeYoung writes:

When you love, you love the whole person, right? So why do so many churches seem disinterested in the human problems in their community and around the world? Didn’t Jesus heal the sick? Didn’t the Good Samaritan help the beaten man just because it was the neighborly thing to do? He didn’t give him a gospel tract first. Look, I’m in a city with crime, homelessness, poverty, broken families, and a failing education system. If we love God and we love people, how can we not care about these problems? Yes, I want to see people come to know Christ. People need the gospel more than anything else. Hell is real. They need reconciliation with God above all else. But they also need food and a job. Christians should care about these needs too. We are supposed to seek the peace of the city. Therefore, our vision needs to be bigger than providing a safe church for middle class people to have a safe experience of God so they can drive back to their safe neighborhoods and ignore a world of problems around them. The Bible has too much to say about loving the poor and caring about justice for us to simply save souls. Heaven is not a place for ghosts to fly around. It’s an earthly place with resurrected bodies where matter matters. We don’t reflect the reality of heaven if we turn a blind eye to the flesh-and-blood world in which we live.

and to the other direction:

Yes, we agree that the Christians should love people in word and deed. We too want to see our communities flourish. We think it is good and right to support relief work in Haiti or build an orphanage in Africa or repair a park in our city. But we are jealous not to lose or de-emphasize in any way what makes the church unique. The goal is not to make the world honor us for our good works, but honor God in their hearts. There are any number of institutions or humanitarian organizations or even members of other religions devoted to the problems of poverty and suffering. But what about eternal suffering? Who will give the perishing the words of life except the church? If we truly love people we will share the gospel and disciple them in Christ. Of course we want the peace of the city. Who wouldn’t? But biblical shalom is not simply human flourishing, it is also, and irreducibly, faith and repentance. There is no kingdom without worship of the King. Besides, we aren’t going to change the world or transform the culture, at least not by our efforts and strategies. It’s too complicated and we’re too ignorant. Only God builds the kingdom. The church is not the custodian of the culture. The church’s role is to be the church. This means preaching and sacraments, discipline and membership, and displaying a counter-cultural community. We’ll influence the world, but do so as we live our regular lives, pursue our specific vocation, and love the people as God puts in our path. So absolutely I want to help people. But the church can only do so many things. And the main thing we must do is testify to the work of Christ and raise up disciples of Christ.

The current trend is that churches and denominations are pulling a way from medical missions (a holistic ministry). Medical missions has been accused of forgetting the spiritual component of healing (we would say they are intrinsically linked). But I think sometimes they are right. We can get so wrapped up in medicine that we forget the main thing. You can see a lot of prescriptions, surgeries, and clinic visits at a mission hospital and sometimes very little open Bibles, praying, or preaching. There are many mission hospitals that have taken a slow decline to becoming just another hospital.

Is this lack of spiritual ministry intentional by missionary doctors and the hospital staff? Are they nominal Christians? I don't think so. Some aren't good multitaskers (I'm not good at taking a sexual history and transitioning into prayer). Some find it awkward (while we straighten your teeth lets straighten your walk with the Lord). Some are just too plain busy (with a Queue of 50 patients, a lecture to give, and hysterectomy on schedule.... trying to explain Salvation in another language is the last thing I have time for) . And language and culture are real barriers to sharing (even after being in Kenya over 19 months).

My observations are still optimistic. I see that holistic ministry is happening here at mission hospitals in Kenya (hospital wide but perhaps not doctor specific). The doctor may do the life saving surgery... and the chaplain is present to see a life reconciled by Jesus. A team approach: physical and spiritual healing inseparable.

Name It Claim It?

Must a Christian have the “mission call” to become a missionary?  Is the mission call general and ubiquitous to Christians (the Great Commission) or specific (your tribe is the Hoaoranis in Ecuador)?  How do you decide on a sending agency(geography specific, denomination specific, ministry specific)?  How do you know if “the call” is really from God (It came in a clear voice) or perhaps I am feeling a well spring of emotions (I just finished a short term mission trip and can’t imagine being anywhere else but back in Africa)?   Can “the call” change over time or is it life long?  Should missionaries faithfully remain in one place or should a ministry have a beginning and end point at which time the missionary leaves?  How can we make short term missions more effective?   These are all good questions addressed in the recently published book “The Missionary Call”  by David Sills. 

    

I wanted to like this book.  And it seemed like I ought to like this book, but after I held more pages in my left hand than my right I don’t know if I liked this book at all.  I was too distracted by the language that I couldn’t remember whether the previous questions were answered or not?

This is a few sample texts that didn’t sit right.    

“The missionary call is about a burden to see hell-bound souls saved.”

“I bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire.”

“Develop a passion for reaching the lost heathens”

“50,000 pagans die everyday.”  (I’ve also seen blogs to this dramatic affect with a ticking clock count-up of those who have died just since I have been reading this blog. For the record the while I was on the blog the counter was already up to 179)  Is this suppose to instill some type of righteous frantic guilt?  

       

I’m really not post-modern or only about liberation/social gospel.  I think I fall in line with traditional protestant/evangelical thought (Bible is inspired Word of God, Jesus is both fully man and fully divine, Heaven and Hell are real).   But if this how evangelicals speak of those we are trying to serve?  Is this how we classify the sick, the broken, the poor?  Is my job description to “pull sinners out of a lake of fire?   If so I better start with myself.  I don’t think I am wrong but I don’t refer to my target culture as hell-bound, pagans, heathens, and sinners on their way to a “lake of fire.”  

On the other hand, I don’t want to diminish a real issue: What about those who have never heard?    What about the fate of the unevangelized.   Spiritual darkness and separation from God are real here in this world.    These two texts frame the fate of the unreached in my mind. 

God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to 

knowledge of the truth.  (I Timothy 2:3-4)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men 

by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

God wants all to be saved, but over 2 billion people in this world have never heard the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in a meaningful way.   I think many Christian struggles to reconcile God’s wide mercy, yet simultaneous specific plan for salvation.  And we keep struggling and grasping after texts like these. It’s a hard issue  

How you reconcile these New Testament texts becomes manifest in your view of missions.   Christians of all stripes have wrestled with the implications of the Great Commission in their own lives.  You might ask what does “taking the Gospel to all nations”  look like for me?  Some go. Some support financially. Some go on short term missions. Some tutor a child.  Some hand out gospel tracts.  Some build a home with Habitat for Humanity.   Some send. Some are dedicated Christian parents.   Some ignore.  Some make a great difference exactly where they are. Some are faithful deacons, greeters, elders and sunday school teachers in their church.   Some pray fervently. Some feed the poor at soup kitchens.  Some visit the sick and shut-ins.   Some lead churches to support missions.  Some don’t care.  Some are deeply burdened.

So this issue of those who have never heard is real (they need to hear the Good News), but we ought to be careful what language we use to define them.  The first step to define a group is to name it.     Are they undocumented workers  or illegal immigrants?  Is the movement the pro-choice or pro-abortion.  Are they pro-life or anti-reproductive choice?   Are they bicycle commuters or speed bumps?  And so it goes with each side seeking to win the argument by naming it in their favor.   

So how do we define “those who don’t know his name”?  Has it been tradition in the past to call them heathen, sinners, pagans, etc.   If we stick with that type of language we promote an us/them, in/out, we got the info you need/you don’t mindset.  Do we want to  keep that mindset when we are told to not cast the first stone, to take the plank out of our own eye, and to know that while WE were yet sinners, Christ died for US. I think we can find better language.

 In the end most language and metaphors (except for the Bible) fall short of his amazing love for us?  I remember seeing a diagram with cliff on the left and a cliff on the right separated by a deep chasm bridged by a cross dropped in the middle?   I remember hearing about a group of non swimmers in a lake needing a divine rescue floatation device?   God decided to whom and when would that floatation device be flung.  Then there is a middle school kid who deserved to fail with a 69 on his Algebra test..but the teacher rounds up to a passing grade to represent grace (a gift we don’t deserve)?  A death row prisoner gets a heart transplant and pardon from the President in the 11th hour (to describe atonement)?  I imagine a lot of these metaphors have really helped a lot of people.    

I like the different ways some Christian writers are painting God’s saving grace for us.

A Navy SEAL was performing a covert operation, freeing hostages from a building in some dark part of the world.  His friend’s team flew in by helicopter, made their way to the compound and stormed into the room where the hostages had been imprisoned for months.  The room  was filthy and dark.  The hostages were curled up in a corner, terrified.  When the SEALs entered the room, they heard the gasps of the hostages.  They called to the prisoners telling them they were Americans.  The SEALs asked the hostages to follow them, but the hostages wouldn’t. They sat there on the floor and hid their eyes in fear.  They were not of healthy mind and didn’t believe their rescuers were really Americans.  The SEAL’s stood there, not knowing what to do.  They couldn’t possibly carry everybody out.  One of the SEALs got an idea.  He put down his weapon, took off his helmet, and curled up tightly next to the other hostages, getting so close his body was touching some of theirs.  He softened the look on his face and put his arms around them.  He was trying to show them he was one of them.  None of the prison guards would have done this. He stayed there for a little while until some of the hostages started to look at him, finally meeting his eyes. The Navy SEAL whispered that they were Americans and were there to rescue them.   Will you follow us? he said.  The hostage stood to his feet...then another, until all of them were willing to go.  (Donald Miller-- Blue Like Jazz)

I like this story and how God came and asked us to follow Him.  But we were resistant and reluctant.  Then He came down beside us like no other belief system or Religion talks of.  

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10).

And He rescued us.  

Original Sin

"Mommy, I want to wear the dress Claire gave me,"
"No Meredith, your dress is fine. Do you want a snack before your nap?"
"Yes Mommy, can I have cereal?"
Bowl of cereal poured. Mommy goes upstairs to get something. Comes down to find Meredith, the table and floor, covered in cereal, and Meredith crying, "I need a new dress; this is wet."
"Meredith did you do this on purpose?"
"Yes Mommy, I sorry, but I need to wear Claire's dress," she says through the tears.

Well, now Claire's dress and cereal are not part of Meredith's life for 3 days.

The ministry of Presence

Grief comes to each of us at some time in our lives. There’s an inherent unfairness in grief... unfair in who and how it’s dispersed out. You can always find someone who’s circumstances trump your own: someone with more miscarriages, someone with more death in their family, someone who’s circumstances seem greater to bear, but that certainly doesn’t provide comfort and perhaps even brings guilt.

It’s hard to be present with someone grieving. Who really just wants to weep with someone? Isn’t easier to give advice about why this happened, quote Bible verses, offer spiritual idioms, try to provide a cheerful spin, or share personal experiences?

And yet the grieving need comfort and assurance. So how do I provide that as one grieving ministering to many others grieving? In Kate Brasestrup’s book “Here if you need me,” she writes about the ministry of presence. The ministry of “just showing-up.” While it sounds easy, I think for most of us it turns out to be a hard discipline. We read of Jesus doing this when he learns of the death of his friend, “Jesus wept.” We don’t read of Christ saying, “All things work together for the good of those who love Him" or “You’ll see him in heaven” or “I’ve arrived; don’t worry. ” And the miracle of the resurrection only comes after Christ presently ministered with tears to the family grieving. Being present, being willing to stay in the grief until it has passed is not wallowing, weak, or wasteful, it is healing.

What's next (Part II)?

Thankfully, we worship a God who cares about our future (good books often help). DeYoung in his book ‘Do Something’ tells us I know exactly what God’s will for your life is. And it is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”

Bang! Taaa-daaaa! Cha-ching! There it is... in one sentence. God’s will for your/my life is to be sanctified (to live differently, set apart for Him.) A little bit of an underwhelming answer at first?

Let’s look a little deeper at what this means. I would like to share five concepts from this book about God's will that have been helpful.

1) Just talking about the “will of God” can be a confusing thing. Are we suppose to find the “will of God”? Shouldn’t we already be doing the “will of God” each day? Doesn’t everything happen according to “God’s will” anyway?

2) God’s will has two sides, plus one:
a) God’s ‘will of decree’ is the first side. This is what God has ordained. It will happen. It is fixed and can not be thwarted. (I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose. Is. 46:9-10)

b) God’s ‘will of desire’ is the other side. This is how things ought to be. It is obedience. It’s the way God commands us to live, yet it can (and is often) disregarded. (The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:16,17)

c) There is a third side..but it is ours, not God’s. It it the “will of direction.” It’s what we think of when we ask all those questions in the previous paragraph...God when, God who, God how many? The Bible clearly tells us God has a plan for our life, but special revelation is rare. God doesn’t always (and sometimes rarely) answers our questions that have to do with the ‘will of direction’.

3) We can be obsessed with finding God’s will to the point that we become paralyzed to make a decision. First, we have an abundance of choices majors, careers, churches, restaurants, hobbies, etc....much more so than a previous generations. Second, rather than “reveling in the freedom, we find it agonizing.” Third, any decision we make (picking a major, buying a house, joining a church) cuts off options D, E and F (the other major, condo, or church).

4) God’s will is not like a Bull’s eye where we stand at the range, draw our bow, and fire. Anything less than dead middle is out of the center of God’s will. This sets us up for a false mindset. If we strike the bull’s eye we are destined to be blessed and happy. If we miss we are destined for failure, guilt, and hopelessness. Every decision from your chosen major to if you should buy a boat is racked with fear.

5) God cares more about the how (moral decisions), rather than the where, when and who (non-moral decisions). We tend to care much more about the non-moral decisions (should I go for further education or start my own business) than the moral decisions (am I being a faithful member of my church). Although which town you choose to live is important to God, He care’s more about whether you are running hard after him in that town. Although God is concerned with your career choice, He is most pleased when you are glorifying him in what you do at work through your honesty, excellence, and fairness with others. God certainly cares about who you marry, but He cares most about if you honoring Him by the way you love your husband or wife.

Many of the concepts ring true to us (maybe you as well) when we are trying to figure out God’s will for 2011.

God’s will can be confusing. At this time we feel we are doing God’s will (by serving in Kenya) yet also searching for God’s will (what would you have us do next).

We believe God’s “will of decree” is already done and being accomplished simultaneously (His irresistable grace has freed us and God’s ultimate purposes will be accomplished).

God’s ‘will of desire’ we sense in an obedience to serve the under-served.

Right now there are an abundance of choices that can be challenging (so many sending agencies, where to serve, how to raise support, teaching hospitals, unreached areas, long-term, part-term, short-term, extending our term, volunteer-term, pursuing further medical education, collaborations with academic centers, or simply pausing for a moment) to navigate all the options.

Lastly, there is comfort knowing we proceed without fear that God’s will is not a bulls-eye that we may have struck or missed. He can work in our life in different places, times, situations, careers, and through different people as long as we are committed to living a life that is sanctified (different, set apart for Him).

What we are not.

There is perhaps nothing more frustrating than being portrayed as you are not. Tenwek (We Treat, Jesus Heals) and Kijabe (Health Care for God's Glory) are forthcoming in their Christian underpinnings. But I was shocked, angry, and saddened to find out what others assumed about how a Christian Mission hospital actually functions.

Let me share with you an excerpt from a book written by a volunteer NGO physician in Africa...

"When the work was done, many of them would smile, grab my arm, and say, "God bless you." People often asked if we are affiliated with any denomination. Our answer is, "No, we will work on you for free even in if you don't believe in Jesus." ....Our work does not trade (healthcare) for a commitment to attend revival indoctrination services. It is not necessarily to manipulate or reflect a dogma, but rather we demonstrate our love for human beings, by helping when needed. We do not pretend our culture is superior."

Please let me correct these misconceptions. And if you still have doubts you are welcome to visit.
1) We treat all patient regardless of race, religion, culture, citizenship, or ability to pay. We do not require a patient to have Christian name, carry a Bible, or claim membership to a Christian Church. In fact many of our patients do not believe in or have never heard of Jesus.
2) Our surgeries, medicine, and care comes with no strings attached. "Revival Indoctrination services" are not required. In fact I don't think I've ever seen a Tent Indoctrination service. We have a chaplaincy service that is available, not mandatory for any patient in need of prayer or counseling.
3) We do not manipulate or coerce our patients into death-bed confession. We do not withhold care or medicine until a decision or conversion occurs. On the contrary we seek to give them a high standard of compassionate healthcare such that patients get better.
4) We as a Christian Mission Hospital have set of beliefs that is anything but dogmatic. We have a sympathetic and humble attitude that you come broken, sick, hurting and in need of compassion, love, and healing.
5) We do not demand that our culture is superior. We respect our Maasai, Kikuyu, Kaligen, Kamba, Somali, Sudanese, Luo, Luya, Wahindi and all other other tribes and nations of patients. We do not try to make you into middle class Americans.

I hope these misconceptions about Christian Mission Hospitals are rare and quickly disappearing. And above all I pray these misconceptions are never true. Instead lets us be known as Christ has commanded us.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:34-40)

Why again do we celebrate Easter?

Last week I asked Amelia why we celebrate Easter, "I think Daddy, it's Jesus' Birthday," she said. Dooohhh! I know we have been through this before and explained Jesus' death on the cross, the empty tomb, the stone that had been rolled away, and that Jesus is alive. Why had Amelia forgotten? What were we doing wrong as parents?

But Amelia's theology must have come back to her this morning at AIC church Sunday School in the picture she drew (she was proud to tell us her picture had the nails and blood) for us. But I think I often forget the reason we celebrate easter just as easily as Amelia does. Why did the Son of God take this path towards redeeming his creation? And what did the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension settle?


Borrowing some thoughts from a great mind, John Piper lists 50 different reasons (with scripture reference) that Jesus' death and resurrection settled...

1) To Absorb the Wrath of God

Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged u on a tree”

Romans 3:25 – whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

1 John 4:10 – In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2) To Please His Heavenly Father

Isaiah 53:10 – Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3) To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

Hebrews 5:8 – Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Hebrews 2:10 – For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

4) To Achieve His Own Resurrection from the Dead

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, (21) equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

5) To Show the Wealth of God’s Love and Grace

Romans 5:7-8 – For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — (8) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

6) To Show His Own Love for Us

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

7) To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

Colossians 2:13 – And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Eight) To Become a Ransom for Many

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

9) For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Matthew 26:28 – for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

10) To Provide the Basis for Our Justification

Romans 5:9 – Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 3:24 – and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:28 – For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

11) To Complete the Obedience That Becomes Our Righteousness

Philippians 2:8 – And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Romans 5:19 – For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:9 – and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith —

12) To Take Away Our Condemnation

Romans 8:34 – Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

13) To Abolish Circumcision and All Rituals as the Basis of Salvation

Galatians 5:11 – But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Galatians 6:12 – It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

14) To Bring Us to Faith and Keep Us Faithful

Mark 14:24 – And he said to them, “This is my h blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Jeremiah 32:40 – I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.

15) To Make Us Holy, Blameless, and Perfect

Hebrews 10:14 – For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Colossians 1:22 – he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

1 Corinthians 5:7 – Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

16) To Give Us a Clear Conscience

Hebrews 9:14 – how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

17) To Obtain for Us All Things That Are Good for Us

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

18) To Heal Us from Moral and Physical Sickness

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 – That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (17) This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

19) To Give Eternal Life to All Who Believe on Him

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

20) To Deliver Us from the Present Evil Age

Galatians 1:4 – who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

21) To Reconcile Us to God

Romans 5:10 – For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

22) To Bring Us to God

1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

Ephesians 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

23) So That We Might Belong to Him

Romans 7:4 – Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

24) To Give Us Confident Access to the Holiest Place

Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

25) To Become for Us the Place Where We Meet God

John 2:19-21 – And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (20) He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (21) And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

26) To Bring the Old Testament Priesthood to an End and Become the Eternal High Priest

Hebrews 7:23-27 – The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, (24) but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. (25) Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives m to make intercession for them. (26) For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (27) He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:24-26 – For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (25) Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, (26) for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 10:11-12 - And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (12) But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

27) To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest

Hebrews 4:15-16 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

28) To Free Us from the Futility of Our Ancestry

1 Peter 1:18-19 – knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

29) To Free Us from the Slavery of Sin

Revelation 1:5-6 – and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (6) and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:12 – So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

30) That We Might Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness

1 Peter 2:24 – He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

31) So That We Would Die to the Law and Bear Fruit for God

Romans 7:4 – Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

32) To Enable Us to Live for Christ and Not Ourselves

2 Corinthians 5:15 – and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

33) To Make His Cross the Ground of All Our Boasting

Galatians 6:14 – But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

34) To Enable Us to Live by Faith in Him

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

35) To Give Marriage Its Deepest Meaning

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

36) To Create a People Passionate for Good Works

Titus 2:14 – who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

37) To Call Us to Follow His Example of Lowliness and Costly Love

1 Peter 2:19-21 – For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (20) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, a leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Hebrews 12:3-4 – Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (4) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Philippians 2:5-8 – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

38) To Create a Band of Crucified Followers

Luke 9:23 – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Matthew 10:38 – And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39) To Free Us from Bondage to the Fear of Death

Hebrews 2:14-15 – Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

40) So That We Would Be with Him Immediately After Death

1 Thessalonians 5:10 - who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

Philippians 1:21, 23 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Corinthians 5:8 – Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

41) To Secure Our Resurrection from the Dead

Romans 6:5 – For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:11 – If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Timothy 2:11 – The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

42) To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities

Colossians 2:14-15 – by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (15) He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

1 John 3:8 - Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

43) To Unleash the Power of God in the Gospel

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

44) To Destroy the Hostility Between Races

Ephesians 2:14-16 – For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

45) To Ransom People from Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation

Revelation 5:9 – And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

46) To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World

John 11:51-52 – He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, (52) and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

John 10:16 - And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

47) To Rescue Us from Final Judgment

Hebrews 9:28 – so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

48) To Gain His Joy and Ours

Hebrews 12:2 – looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

49) So That He Would Be Crowned with Glory and Honor

Hebrews 2:9 - But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Philippians 2:7-9 – but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Revelation 5:12 - saying with a loud voice, a “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

50) To Show That the Worst Evil Is Meant by God for Good

Acts 4:27-28 – for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (28) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Psalm 100

Psalm 100.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations

As we approach the most important day in the Christian Calendar; Easter Sunday I was reminded by Amelia in her recent recitation of Psalm 100 that on Easter we can shout for joy, worship with gladness, approach Him in song, have confidence that God is God, declare our Thankfulness, and above all celebrate that He has conquered death such that His love and His faithfulness will continue forever.

How to create "Killer Community" anywhere!

Maybe some of you have been involved in some "killer community" small groups within your church, college, or circle of friends? When a small group has good chemistry the results can be remarkable. Weekly time together is anticipated, strong friendships develop, healthy community prayer practices emerge, corporate faith grows, and ultimately in a gathering as such I believe God is glorified.

Maybe you also have been involved in a small group community that was far from “killer” and just needed to be killed. If you are lucky these groups quietly and hopefully rapidly disperse and disintegrate. If you are not so fortunate these groups painfully endure week after week. Meetings are avoided, conversation is awkward and forced, and the whole thing seems like work instead of spiritual refreshment.

It is clear that God calls us to gather together in community (Zep 2:1). Something special (including prayer, companionship, vulnerability, accountability, God’s word is opened, to name a few) occurs when people make time for God by making time for each other.

Within Kijabe Hospital, Moffat Bible College, and Rift Valley Academy (all three within walking distance) there are probably upwards of 150 Missionary Units (families, couples, or singles). A missionary community this size brings with it the blessings of diverse resources, a dynamic atmosphere, a school for our children, and a strong corporate community. The downside of a community this size is the real possibility of feeling lost. Maybe you have been in community without having community in your church, workplace, or school?

Community rarely just occurs spontaneously. It seems to take a mix of commitment, time, intentionality, and simply making meeting with others a priority. We have been blessed by a gathering of five families that started at the beginning of the year. We find childcare while the adults gather for prayer and study. Shortly after that, the kids return and we conclude with music and dinner together. Is it working? I think so. The attendance is consistent, the meetings are anticipated, and most importantly I think we acknowledge our reliance on God and each other.

I don’t know what makes one small group “killer” (which is uplifting) and another small group “needing to be killed” (that’s OK also..many things God has a season for). But I know God would believe it is worth trying.

The following short humorous video clip is well worth seeing!

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/1379/Killer-Community-Tips

It is Jonny and Chachi’s invaluable “advice” on how to experience community at its finest. Let me know what you think.

Why we do what we do...

There are many bad reasons to be a missionary; the desire to hide-away from Western Culture, because my parents were missionaries, I don’t know what else to do, I don’t get along with my family, I don’t fit in back in my home country, I want to be known as a missionary, I want to own a big safari truck and drive fast on dirt roads, I want to be a minority, or because it is legal here to have more than one wife.

There are many good reasons to be a missionary; the desire to travel to new countries, to experience other cultures, to identify with people different from one’s self, to give back to the poor, to build churches and houses, to bring clean water to the thirsty, to provide healthcare to the poor, to teach a language are just a few good reasons that come to mind.

But I am convinced there is only one great reason to do missions. This reason looks at the motivation behind why any missionary does what they do. In the book ‘When Helping Hurts’ authors Corbert and Fikkert write...

“What truly motivates you? Do you really love poor people and want to serve them? Or do you have other motives? I confess to you that part of what motivates me to help the poor is my felt need to accomplish something worthwhile with my life, to be a person of significance, to feel like I have pursued a noble cause...and in the process, I sometimes unintentionally reduce poor people to objects that I use to fulfill my own need to accomplish something.”

I know myself am guilty of motivations that are not particularly wrong (I want to live a meaningful purposeful life)....but also are not as pure as I would want them to be (I help because I care). Can I turn my motivations away from fulfilling my own needs to accomplish (not a terrible thing) to loving the people I am serving (a much better thing) on my own?

Paul writes to the Church of Corinth...

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Only the love and forgiveness of our Redeemer Jesus Christ can transform my sinful heart (which even when helping those in need is misdirected by selfish ambitions) to something new and pure (simply loving those I am with).

Knelt

I’ve been uncertain about publicly airing my sorrow, our sorrow. But as the sorrow expands, it seems dishonest not to incorporate it into this journal of our time in Kenya. Also trying to hide this heartache as I try to cope with the demands of mothering, mission work, and treating numerous complex patients is exhausting. I also hesitate because I’ll be publicly admitting we want another child. And that may mean people wondering, asking and talking with us about why this hasn’t happened.

The truth is there is no good explanation for why I’ve lost 3 pregnancies in the past year. No satisfying reason that I can’t seem to get a pregnancy past 8 weeks. No comforting explanation for having D&Cs three times in the hospital here and certainly no understanding as to why this has happened. More over, I’m not sure knowing all the ins and outs about pregnancy, conception and fertility helps. And it definitely doesn’t help to be surrounded by pregnant women, some that don’t want to be pregnant, some that shouldn’t be pregnant, some that have tried to terminate their pregnancies and some that are also having a similar trouble.

The last loss was Feb 3rd, and in an effort to try to find some peace began reading a book entitled, “Praying our Goodbyes.” In it there was a poem by Robert Frost:

The rain said to the wind
‘you push and I ‘ll pelt.’
They so smelt the garden bed
the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged--though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.

Suffering is part of life, most of us have at times felt so burdened or mulled by what’s occurred in our lives that we literally feel physically, emotionally or/and spiritually crushed. What has crushed you? I couldn’t even begin to list all the reasons for discouragement in life. How do you picture being crushed by the storms of life? Tears, laying in bed, unable to do everyday tasks, loneliness, depression, exhaustion? In the poem the flowers “knelt”.

Being knelt reminds me of prayer and while Robert Frost doesn’t describe how to overcome the torrents, I think the flowers have assumed the correct position. As one songwriter says, “I get on my knees, before the Lord that changes me. I don’t know how but there is power when we’re on our knees.” We trust with the psalmist in Psalm 145:14, “The Lord lifts the fallen and those bent beneath their loads.”

The weekend before the last I attended a conference themed “Woven together in prayer.” Our speaker Jill Davis, a long-time AIM missionary reminded us that weaving involves cutting threads, adding new colors and that one side often looks tattered and unplanned. But on the other side, is a beautiful work. God alone has the perspective to know when colors need changing, threads need cutting and a new pattern must be started. So in dealing with pain, kneeling also acknowledges the humility we must have before a sovereign God.

Proverbs 3 v 5-6. “Lean on, trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” My insight and understanding into why this has happened and why this has happened here ad-mist so much other suffering, will always be limited. And I will not find peace continuing to ask, “Why? Why me?” Instead, I will try to ask and pray, “What is next Lord? Be near me. Lord, will you enable me to keep working here? Lord, please strengthen me for my children and husband. Comfort me.”