Giving Tree

A story about a boy and a tree...

...and about you and me?

  

And about our heavenly Father, who 'did not spare His own Son' and graciously gives us all things.

What is our relationship to the Tree? To the God who became man and died on a tree to show the extent of His love? 

'You can either enjoy God, or simply use Him...'

Thanks + Giving + [Always?]

Sun shining; house cozy warm from the heat of the oven, which contains a 12-pound turkey; smell of apple cider and cinnamon candles; husband peeling potatoes and me kneading dough; table set and awaiting guests.

It's Thanksgiving. Autumn is here - my favorite time of the year!

 

There's no way to exactly duplicate a tradition, but we took joy in the newness of Thanksgiving and our first time celebrating it in Germany was a success!  I even managed to come up with a maple leaf - Canadian Pride! :)

Funny how memories are triggered. Memories of family members showing up at our house, of board games, of kids, of lots and lots and lots of (great) food, of getting to use the "special" plates and glasses, of the "go-around-the-table-and-everybody-say-one-thing-they're-thankful-for" round.

Giving Thanks. Because so much has been given to us; it's the least we can do in return. 

But Thanksgiving is more than a day; it's a lifestyle. 

If we only choose joy when we have a full plate, a full stomach, and a full house, are we really giving thanks?

This year my husband and I were confronted with the biblical mandate to REJOICE ALWAYS.

Three days before Thanksgiving, his mom took a fall outside, was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that she had a complicated wrist and elbow break, had an emergency operation and likely has to remain in the hospital for 3 weeks now.

That wasn't exactly part of the plan. Or at least our plan.

For awhile, I felt guilty for excitedly anticipating food and fellowship, but then the Holy Spirit reminded me, "It's perfect timing to celebrate Thanksgiving." If not now, then when? 

 

The Lord called us here to help bring restoration. And it looked like restoration was happening - my mom-in-law was overcoming the effects of her stroke and was beginning to ride a bike again, re-learning how to write, and becoming more engaged in activities and conversation. And now? She's laying in a hospital bed with metal plates in her arm and can't remember what happened or why she's there.

What does giving thanks look like in this situation? I read a quote from Ann Voskamp the other day which made me think:

"My lips may have said YES to God's grace of a Messiah - 

but my life has said NO to God's gift of this moment."

How is it that we so easily receive God's GIFT of grace, His GIFT of salvation, His GIFT of a Savior...but so often reject His GIFT of each new day? What makes us think we can pick and choose what we get to give thanks for?

And so, in the middle of hospital visits, short nights, telephone calls to family, and conversations with the doctors and nurses, we choose joy.

• We're thankful that in a matter of minutes after calling emergency, we had 5 medical personnel at our doorstep.
• We're thankful for hospital staff working the night shift, so she could receive immediate care.
• We're thankful for friends and family who have stopped in to visit. 
• We're thankful for a praying community of brothers and sisters in the Lord.
• We're thankful that none of this is a surprise to God. 
• We're thankful that God redeemed the situation - my mom-in-law's "room mate" gave her life to the Lord after my husband had a conversation with her about Jesus!

And although the reality of the situation isn't nice, we're allowed to celebrate.

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is something deeper than circumstances. Receiving each moment with thanksgiving is what allows us to live in joy.

There is another quote that says: "Hope is hearing the music of tomorrow. Faith is dancing to it."

So we "turned up the music" yesterday and enjoyed a feast, knowing God is in control of the end of the story. We're still working on the dancing part, but we believe that God is good and that He's worthy of receiving our thanksgiving. Always.

P.S. Would you pray with us, please? For a quick, miraculous healing, for peace for us as a family, especially my husband's dad, and for the strength to dance? Thank you.

Because He Is I Am...

Having been sent by Yahweh with the command to confront Pharaoh and rescue God's chosen people, Moses timidly asks the Voice coming from the burning bush, "Who should I tell them sent me?"

God answered Moses: "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

In Scripture, God reveals Himself as the Great I Am. What deep, powerful characteristics there are in God choosing to reveal Himself through that name!

Consider the following "I Am" statements, from the beginning of the Bible to the end:

"I am your shield, your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1)
He's our Protector.
 
"I am God Almighty" (Gen. 17:1)
Nothing is impossible for Him. 

"I am the Lord your God" (Ex 20:2 - Ten Commandments)
He is worthy of our love, respect and obedience.
 
"I am compassionate" (Ex 22:27)
 So very thankful for a God who is slow to anger.

"I am holy" (Lev 11:44)
Therefore we are called to reflect His holiness too.
 
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10)
Sometimes just knowing that He Is is enough.

"I am always with you" (Ps 73:23, Is 41:10)
Never alone. Ever.

"I am the first and I am the last" (Is 44:6)
He will be faithful to bring to completion that which He has begun.

"I am faithful" (Jer 3:12)
 A God who never breaks His promises, Who is always true to His word.

"I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt 11:29)
And He offers for me to exchange my heavy burden for His light yoke.

“I am willing” (Luke 5:13)
Perhaps one of the most powerful "I Am" statements in Scripture - He is willing to heal, willing to hear, willing to help.

“I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
I can be fully satisfied from Him alone.

“I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
In His presence, darkness must flee.

"I am not of this world" (John 8:23)
His thoughts are higher than mine.

"I am the gate" (John 10:7)
He is interceding for me; He Himself is the Door through which I can approach the throne of grace.

“I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
Protecting, guiding, feeding, disciplining, teaching.

“I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow... 

“I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6)
He doesn't just point out the way; He Himself IS the Way and invites me to follow.

“I am the true vine" (John 15:1)
And oh, the possibilities of what I too can be when I abide in Him...

“I am the Alpha and the Omega...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8)
 Always. Eternal. Everlasting. Without end.

"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Rev 1:18)
My God's not dead; my Redeemer lives!

Image Credit: Christian Post

So if God is the Great "I AM", what does that make me?

Because He Is, I am...

One of the greatest mysteries of faith is the spiritual reality that we are IN Christ. Our lives are now "hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). And at the same time, Christ is in us (Col 1:27). Jesus said He was one with His Father, and also said that we are in Him ("I in them and you [Father] in me", He prayed in John 17:23). So if Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Him, that means God is in us! This happens through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit. 

The Great Yahweh Who introduced Himself as "I AM" enables us to also be.

Did not Jesus say that WE are the light of the world, the salt of the earth? Are we not commanded also to be holy? Does Scripture not proclaim that because He lives, we also may live? Are we not also called to be faithful, compassionate, and willing?

These are things that God IS, and that we are also called to be. Made possible because we are in Christ, and He is in us. Like a bottle filled with water in the ocean - floating in the very substance it contains.

Image Credit Peter Bennett

This encourages me that I can love, because I have "God is Love" dwelling within me.
I am reminded that I can serve, because the One who took a towel and washed His disciples' feet lives in me by His Spirit.
I never need to be short on wisdom, since I have the Spirit of the Creator who spoke the universe into existence taking up residence in my heart.
I am able to show mercy, I can teach, prophesy, heal. I can, because HE IS.

Jesus working through me, building His kingdom using my hands and feet and voice.

Who is the "I AM" to you, and Who do you need Him to be through you today?

What does Prosperity have to do with the Gospel?

An online Google search of the term "prosperity gospel" brings up mega-church pastors’ names such as Joel Osteen, teachings such as "believe and receive," and issues like money and self-improvement.

Depending on what you've heard about this topic, or what your experiences are, this will exert either an "Amen!" from you at this point, or rolling eyes, a groan, or a big question mark. Or, if you’re like me, maybe all of the above.

I’ve heard the discussions (and been part of them); I’ve seen quotes and read blogs and flipped through books. And of course this is a huge topic and there are many facets to it, but I would like to dedicate this post to addressing it from one perspective that is important to me.

First of all, what exactly is the “Prosperity Gospel” and what do those who adhere to this stream of teaching believe and promote? A few of the "theological pillars" associated with this movement include Healing, Wealth, Faith and the Power of Words. A common theme heard in this type of preaching is that if you “sow” financially (by donating to the ministry, mainly), God will “give back” multiple times and you’ll reap a blessed monetary harvest. It’s also believed that God’s will is to bless you with good things - therefore, “prosperity.” And this blessing can be taken ahold of through prayer, through speaking positive hopeful thinking aloud in faith, whether it be related to health, financial need, jobs, relationships, etc.

I haven’t concerned myself too much with the details, but that’s my general understanding of the direction it goes. And what are the biggest objections to this stream of teaching? Here is a quote from someone who opposes the movement, and it summarizes alot of what I’ve heard spoken against the prosperity gospel:

A columnist for the Washington Post wrote an article in which she stated,
   

        "Few theological ideas ring more dissonant with the harmony of orthodox Christianity than a      focus on storing up treasures on Earth as a primary goal of faithful living. The gospel of prosperity turns Christianity into a vapid bless-me club, with a doctrine that amounts to little more than spiritual magical thinking: If you pray the right way, God will make you rich." 

In my understanding, a lot of opposition has to do with people thinking that prosperity shouldn’t be the goal of a Christian. Followers of Christ shouldn't have big houses (Jesus didn’t even have “a place to lay his head”); and nice furniture, expensive cars, big successes, etc. are unnecessary and maybe even sinful, because "there is so much need in this world." How can it be "God's will" for us to live in luxury when so many are barely surviving? How can you say God wants to grant us health when there are innumerable instances of people (Christians, for that matter) dying of cancer, being persecuted, dealing with depression, etc.? And, how can you be sure that God blesses financially when the Bible even says that “money is the root of all evil” (or wait...isn’t it something about the “love of money”?)

So what in the world does Prosperity have to do with the Gospel?

When Jesus came to earth, when Holiness and Love Himself took the form of a human baby and grew up under the parenthood of an earthly father and mother, He made His mission as the Son of God and the Son of Man clear:

Explaining His purpose to the Pharisees who were accusing Him and to the Jews who doubted His miracles, Jesus stated that the reason He came to earth was to bring life in abundance (John 10:10).

And in Luke 4:18 He applies an Old Testament prophecy to Himself which fills in the blanks about what this abundant life looks like:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.” (Jesus quoting from Isaiah 61)

And the writer of one of the gospel books asserts: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Salvation. Life. Eternal Life. Abundant Life.

THIS is the Gospel. The Good News. The reason why Jesus came.

Is this a “prosperity gospel?” Well, by all means yes!

The reason I believe that prosperity does have something to do with the Gospel is this:

Prosperity is about so much more than money.

If we want to get into what prosperity is, we first have to consider what prosperity is NOT. What is the opposite of the Good News that Jesus was sent to preach, the reason we need the freedom He proclaims and the favor and comfort that He provides?

The reason is that we are poor.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines poverty as: "the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possession; scarcity; debility." Or from the Oxford dictionary, "the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount." Dictionary.com adds "the state of...having no means of support."

For a long time, I thought 'being poor' meant having no money. I now believe that financial means might be one part of poverty, but it's definitely not the whole picture. A broader description might include aspects such as lack of resources, lack of opportunity, lack of hope.

In fact, when Jesus said He was sent to proclaim good news to the “poor”, the Greek word translated there in Isaiah 61 is ptochos, and means “one who is destitute, afflicted, and lacking.” Basically...helpless. Strong's Concordance defines this use of ptochos as meaning: "of one who crouches; beggarly" or, in a broader sense, "destitute of wealth, influence, position, honors; lowly, afflicted."

The whole gospel is about God’s answer to our human poverty. We were helpless in our sinful state, and “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). In fact, Jesus Christ “for our sake became poor, that we might share in His riches” (2 Cor. 8:9). We lacked the means of salvation; God provided a Savior.


The bottom line? Poverty is about LACK. Not having enough money (but who defines what "enough" is anyways?); not being given enough opportunity (to study, to provide for yourself, etc.); not having the support of friends, community, government; lacking means, lacking hope.

And what is the opposite of Lack? Abundance, Provision, Enough, Plenty, Surplus.

Prosperity.

Prosperity is defined as "a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition." Sounds like abundant life to me!

But don’t get me wrong.

I have been to Africa. I have seen mud huts that large families live in, without sanitation, without light, without access to clean water or food, and I’ve wondered how a culture can be so without abundance. I have been to Mexico and seen a put-together-shanty from leftover aluminum pieces and scrap pieces of wood, where children rejoice at the simple concept of a balloon because they have nothing else to play with, and I’ve felt guilty for my prosperity. And I have been to Vancouver and walked along East Hastings Street, shocked at the rawness of a life caught up in addiction and abuse, wishing I could do more to provide hope.

And, I have returned home from these places, wondering why on earth there are a billion choices of cereal in the grocery aisle, why anyone would waste money on another piece of clothing just to keep up with fashion, and not wanting to let the water run while brushing my teeth because I've seen people without access to something so basic according to my prosperous lifestyle.

I've wrestled with theological questions (and still do), such as the definition of "abundant" and what is “enough.” And at the same time I’ve wondered who sets the standard of “rich.” (By the way, did you know that in Switzerland, if you earn less than 5,000 Swiss Francs a month you’re considered “under the poverty line”?).

And how often have I thought, "Oh, I shouldn't waste this food; there are starving children in Africa..." But how much will MY eating one plate of food really help the millions of people dying of starvation? It requires more than a bad conscience to make a change. It begins with worldview, with a renewal of our thinking, and with lifestyle choices.

Jesus proclaimed, in His mission statement, that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him and had anointed Him to preach to the poor and bring freedom, healing, comfort, provision. And guess what? His mission hasn’t changed. Now, He wants to accomplish that purpose through us.
It's been our call since the beginning - God told Abraham, "I will bless you, and through you, all nations on earth will be blessed" (Gal 3:8). Since we are Abraham's descendants (Rom 4:16), that is God’s will for us as well.

Blessed to be a blessing.

The Bible is full of examples of abundance, stories of Jesus blessing people more than He needed to, more than they perhaps expected Him to.

• Jesus' first miracle was turning water into 600 liters of wine (the best wine!) at a wedding where people had already had enough to drink after partying for a week
• When Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 men, there were 12 baskets of bread leftover!
• "Toss your nets to the other side" Jesus commanded His discouraged disciples who had been fishing all night without catching anything. And, because of their OBEDIENCE, they brought in so many fish that the boat almost sunk!
• Moved with emotion regarding His good friend Lazarus, Jesus didn't just comfort the sisters, grieve with them, or pass on "spiritual sounding" answers - "This must have been part of my Father's will…." No, He called on the Name of His Father and raised Lazarus from the dead!
• And there are innumerable instances where Jesus healed people - sometimes because they asked and sought, and other times because He just chose to.
• Jesus also received abundantly. When a sinful, looked-down-upon woman came to pour perfume on Jesus' feet, Christ’s disciples were uncomfortable and tried to sound spiritual - "shouldn't that have been sold and the money given to the pour?" Jesus answered by saying she had done a blessed thing.
• And, as I mentioned earlier, the greatest example of all is that "He did not spare His own Son” and is still today willing to “give us all things” (Rom 8:32).

What is the purpose of Him giving us all things? What is the point of prosperity?

“You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

We know the Bible verse - "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8).  How can we give if we have nothing to start with? How can we be generous if we ourselves are lacking?

The answer to the desperation of this world is NOT Christians becoming poorer!

Please allow me to clarify:

I do NOT believe that Christians are called to an easy life, and I am definitely not saying that our brothers and sisters in third-world nations or persecuted countries are doing something wrong because they don’t have material wealth.

I am AGAINST leaders using manipulation or anything else in order to get money, Aad my heart BREAKS when I see how many people, especially "Christian" leaders in influential positions, are misrepresenting God and leading people astray. Oh Father, help us! No wonder the World has a skewed perspective of the God/Christianity!

I think it is WRONG to try to manipulate God, or think of Him as a "heavenly vending machine" where we just get what we want out of Him (money, blessings, health, relationships, bigger houses, bigger cars, promotions, etc.) It has always been, and will always be, about relationship.

But about that relationship, the Bible says: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, will not your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matt 7:11).

God does give, and He gives generously - Wisdom (James 1), Peace (John 14), Love (1 John), His Spirit (John 3:34), Hope (Rom. 5:5), Finances (Philippians 4:19), Healing from diseases (Psalm 103), Forgiveness (1 John 1:9), Gifts and Talents (1 Cor. 12:11) and many other things.

What would it look like for the Church, the Bride of Christ, to be known for her generosity? We are created “in the image of God,” meaning with the potential to give. What if we were so touched with compassion for the broken, the down and out, those facing lack, that we were moved to action and believed that God wants to use OUR hands and feet to bring about change?

And remember, generosity is not defined by numbers, and giving is about more than finances and posessions. A person with $3,000 may be living a more disobedient lifestyle than someone with $3,000,000 if they are not sharing and investing into the Kingdom of God. And remember the story of the Widow’s Mite? Jesus said the lady who put one penny in the offering plate gave more than all the others, since she gave what she had; it was a sacrifice for her. No matter what our social status is or what our bank account looks like, we are called to give. For some that means giving of time, resources, and listening ear, a helping hand. But I believe our faith needs to reach our chequebooks as well. It’s not our money anyway! The God who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills” has generosly entrusted His resources to us, and asks us to be faithful.

So what does prosperity have to do with the Gospel? The Good News is the story about God meeting our need and equipping us “with everything needed for life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3) in order that we may serve others with that same generous spirit.

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Thoughts? Questions? Please feel free to comment and share your own struggles, experiences, perspective!

How do you see yourself?

Came across two pictures in the last few months that I found really cute, and meaningful:

"What do you see when you look in the mirror?"

Not sure I agree 100% with the caption of the bottom picture, since there is Someone Whose perspective is even more important than our own.

But still, I think these pictures convey a deep truth. I believe that when He looks at us, that Someone - our Creator, the Lover of our souls - sees us as a mighty Lion or a Dancer. He sees us for the potential that HE created us with, He sees our gifts and the destiny He's placed on our lives, not our limitations. He sees us strong in Him and not weak in our own flesh.

That's not to say He ignores sin; that's not the point. The point is that sin has been dealt with on the cross, and we're new creations! We are IN CHRIST, meaning we have His power, authority, wisdom, love, and everything that we need. Wow!

Sometimes we try to be "humble" or "spiritual" by looking at ourselves like we're "only" little cats or we focus on our disabilities. But, as I believe Rick Warren once said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."

Jesus, when He humbled Himself and washed the disciples' feet, setting an example that we should follow in humbly serving others, said, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and that is what I am." He didn't cease to be Himself when He took on the role of a servant. He didn't try to push it away, saying "Oh no, I'm only a man; no I'm nothing really, it's all about my Father." He knew perfectly well what His true identity was, but that didn't stop Him from doing what needed to be done.

What if we began to live in that kind of humility - not glorifying our weaknesses, but acknowledging the power of the cross in making us new, and accepting the GRACE of the Lord that enables us to do anything, including serve?

Friend...remember today that you are IN Christ. 

Be encouraged that your limitations are not hindrances to God.

Know that you have the Well of Living Water inside of you, meaning there is enough, always enough.


Take a moment to ask your Heavenly Father what He thinks of you. Do you see yourself the way He does?

A Man Called Wesley

What we meant to do was simply pick up a document that his wife was translating for us, necessary for us to register our marriage here in Germany.

What we ended up doing was staying for almost an hour and a half, listening to him tell stories of fleeing the Communists in Czechoslovakia, ending up as part of the Army in the United States, and somehow landing in Berlin.

Meet Wesley.

He's probably 70-something, and one of those cute old men where there was no way we could refuse his offer to "stay for just a bit" and allow him to serve us something to drink while his wife was finishing up the official stuff. We were on our way home from a wedding, were tired, and had a to-do-list waiting at home, so the offer wasn't exactly tempting, but we ended up staying anyways. It seemed to mean a lot to Wesley for him to be able to share with us memories of important times in his life, even if his dramatic Czech-mixed-with-Schwäbisch-German-accent prevented us from understanding everything. He even pulled up his pant legs to show us war wounds. What a history! What a personality!

So after an hour and a half of us listening to his stories, he must of assumed we were really interested, so he ended up handing us this folder before we walked out the door. Inside were photocopies of most of his documents, certificates, and awards from his army days! Letters from the CIA and President, a picture of his uniform and badge, etc. What exactly we're going to do with all these pages now, we're not quite sure; but we felt honored that he would share with us and know it was encouraging for him to be given listening ears too.

He walked us to our car, leaning in the window of the driver's door as we buckled our seat belts and started the engine. He made us promise to come back sometime in the summer when we could have a picnic outside together, and "plan on staying for longer." Then he stood under the street light, waving goodbye in the fog until we were out of the driveway and had rounded the corner.

Oh, Wesley...

I'm reminded of the story in Mark 5, about a dead girl and a sick woman...

Jesus was asked by a synagogue ruler to come pray for his daughter, who was sick and dying. So Jesus went with him, and many people followed them. Along the way, a woman who had dealt with a bleeding problem for 12 years and had had no success with doctors came up behind Jesus in the crowd, and "touched his cloak,  because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (v. 28). And what happened? "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."

It is interesting that the Bible records that "Jesus felt power go out from him," and turned around to ask, "Who touched me?" The woman was embarrassed but eventually identified herself, and Jesus tenderly said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 

Just after that, though, a messenger from the ruler's house came with the news that Jesus need not hurry; the girl had died. But "ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don’t be afraid; just believe'" (v. 36). He continued on his way, to find the house filled with people mourning. But he went into the girl's room, took her by the hand, and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately she stood up and walked around, of course to everyone's astonishment! 

In this story, I picture myself as Jesus, with "important business to take care of." I have things to do, people waiting for me, expecting things from me, and I want to do good. My plans are not wrong. But along the way, a sick woman appears, or maybe a man called Wesley. And the question is: do I let them touch me? Someone needs a hug, a prayer, a listening ear, encouragement, help. Do I continue on my way, or do I stop and turn around, looking the person in the eye and gently caring for them? The good news is, according to God's schedule, there's time for both. The rest of the crowd must have thought Jesus was crazy to continue on to the ruler's house when the girl was already dead. But Jesus knew he still had a mission.

In this season of Advent, the weeks of preparation before Christmas, let it not just be a time of preparing decorations, food, gifts, and programs. Instead let it be a season of preparing our hearts, making room for Jesus...and others. Let people take priority over things. Allow yourself to be touched by others so that God's healing, love, and joy can flow through you.

"At All Times"

Finding myself in a bit of a spiritual "rut" lately. I know lots in my head, that I am loved, and that Jesus deserves my praise. And I am not sad, discouraged, defeated...just somehow disengaged. But I read Psalm 95 in my devotions this morning and verse two really stuck out to me:

"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving..."

There is the key! As long as I focus inwardly I will remain stuck. But when I lift up my eyes and focus on Christ and what He has done, I am free. The best and most acceptable posture to come before Him in is thanksgiving.


Another powerful verse in the Psalms states,

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23)

When I offer thanksgiving, I prepare the way for God to work. When I give Him the glory He is due, he delights to further reveal Himself and His power. When I honor Him (even if it's a sacrifice) He meets me.

Wondering what the will of God is for your life? "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). ALL circumstances, at ALL times. Thanksgiving.

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips" (Psalm 34:1).

So I choose today not to focus my thoughts on my own circumstances and feelings, which change so easily. Instead, I look to God my Rock, the Faithful, Unchanging One, and what He has already done in my life.

Here are a few things I'm thankful for today:
the Love of my Heavenly Father, salvation through Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit, my husband, my family, our church and ministry community, our home, for music, for fellowship and friends, for the Word of God, for creativity, for shelter and clothing, for financial provision, for technology like Skype so I can keep in touch with friends, for daily protection, for grace, for touch and smell and taste and sight and hearing, for sunshine and rain, for a warm cup of tea.

How about you? What sacrifice of thanksgiving can you offer today?

God on the Streets

I have a number of friends and family members who are heading out on or have just returned from  mission trips this summer, and as I hear from them and pray for them, I am reminded of a mission trip I went on during highschool that was deeply impacting for me. I've been to Africa and I've been to Mexico, but my heart doesn't break for the poor or for the orphans as much as it does for the people group I encountered in my own home country, on East Hastings Street in Vancouver: the homeless. 

I believe we all need to be actively engaged in social justice. There are so many needs around us! I rejoice in those individuals and organizations that are passionate about reaching the starving, those with AIDS, children, refugees, and others who desperately need love and practical help. 

I just want to share how God spoke to me through "the street people."

(Story written in 2004 after our trip; don't think I've put it on my blog before...)

     “What are you doing, a project or something?”
     “Um, yeah,” I replied as I snapped a picture of one of the walls of her house.
       I probably didn’t have the right to be going through her house like I did, but I sort of couldn’t help it. I was going past her house anyway, so I decided to stop and take a look. Her house wasn’t the prettiest. In fact, it was ugly compared to the standards of today. The paint was peeling, the floor wasn’t swept, and it stunk. Bad. This lady herself wasn’t the best looking, either. Her hair was long and matted, her face dirty, her teeth crooked. The tone of her voice when she asked what I was doing implied that so many other people had come through her house—just like I was then—and not respected her or her property. She assumed I was just like all the other people. Many people walk through her house every day; at the same time, many people walk by her house, not daring to stop and see inside.
     You see, this lady’s house was a street; her bed a pile of cardboard boxes on the floor, her food the scraps in the dump. Every day many people would walk through the streets, not considering that this was someone’s personal property, not caring that this was someone’s house. It certainly didn’t look or feel like a home, but it was a place where someone dwelled. And I was one of many people who didn’t notice that. So when this lady asked me what I was doing as I took pictures, I was stopped dead in my tracks and had to think for a bit. Was I doing a “project”? Did I consider this whole mission trip to Vancouver a “project”, something I was working on? Well actually, yes…
     I headed into this mission trip with the mindset that I would show homeless people God’s love. I figured that downtown Vancouver—East Hastings Street—was a place where God didn’t really abide, so I needed to go and point these people in God’s direction. I thought that I had something they didn’t, and I wanted to share it with them. I did have some things they didn’t—I had a house made out of wood, money, new clothes, education, food, and most of all, peace, hope, love, and joy through Christ. So my plan (emphasis on MY) was to go and show these people God. Well, God took my plan and warped it and instead did HIS plan. Imagine that! It always amazes me how God can take something we want, something we plan, and turn it around and accomplish his will through it.
     One morning our group was led in a Bible study about, well, God. We read verses like Matthew 7:7 that says, “Seek and you will find…” Psalm 139:7, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” The point of the Bible study was that God is everywhere. In my mind I believed that, but it really got to my heart that afternoon.
      Our task was, in groups of four, to walk down East Hastings Street—alleys and all—and take pictures of people, places, or things that reminded us of grace, mercy, or redemption. It was interesting that the leader chose these three words, because it would have been much easier to find things about hope, or love, or healing. So our group started off. It was quite difficult to see anything at all that reminded us of God. As we were walking through one alley, we walked past a house that was fenced off. Leaning against the fence was an aluminum sheet with the word “Jesus” spray-painted onto it. Immediately we stopped to take a picture. What could better represent God than the word Jesus? It was pretty obvious. So we were fairy pleased that we had found one thing, and we continued to look for more. It was amazing to see some of the graffiti on the walls. The artists that drew these were amazing! People that live on the streets are gifted, and it is sad that the only way they are able to use their gifts is to draw depressing pictures and write hopeless poems. Here is one poem that I saw on a wall:

“The Gift”
RISING FROM WITHIN
THE MADNESS DOES BEGIN
THE VIOLENCE AND THE ANGER
THE PLEASURE THAT COMES FROM SIN
BEFORE YOU EVEN SEE IT
THE FUSE HAS REACHED ITS END
THE CHAOS AND THE TURMOIL
THEY SMILE LIKE THEY’RE YOUR FRIENDS
THE GIFT OF LIFE ABUSED, DENIED
IGNORED UNTIL THE END
THAT’S WHEN YOUR SOUL AWAKENS
AND SEES THAT THE GIFT WAS ITS BEST FRIEND
                                                            ----Lance (Chaos)

            We walked through a town square, and stopped to talk to a couple people sitting on a bench. A man in a wheelchair motioned for me to come over. He looked like he was in his sixties. I knelt down and talked to him. “My name’s George,” he said, “and this is my good buddy Fred,” he added, motioning to a man sitting beside him. “He’s real good at the guitar, ya know. He can get up, walk around, go wherever he wants to. Too bad I’m confined here in this wheelchair—can’t go anywhere or do anything useful.” I smiled. Through hearing his words, it reminded me of redemption. We all are born with sin and that sin traps us so that we can’t get out. But when Christ redeems us, we are set free of our sin and allowed to walk again. Like George was confined in his wheelchair we are bound by sin. George continued telling me stories about his life. “My wife died in 2001. It’s hard being apart, but I know that when it’s my time, the Big Man will take me up.” “Do you think your wife is in heaven?” I asked. “Oh I know she’s in heaven,” he replied, “she wouldn’t even spit on the ground she was so good!” God’s grace was shown in that George still had hope; he still saw “the light at the end of the tunnel” amidst the trouble and pain in his life. I asked if I could take a picture of him, and he said, “Only if I can take a picture of you!” I laughed.
            Through the rest of that afternoon, everywhere I went I saw God at work. Whether it was the smile of a man receiving a toque, a woman getting a stuffed bear to take home to her children, or an angel painted on a wall, I could see the fingerprints of God. Later that day I met the same woman who earlier had asked me what I was doing. She held a yellow tulip in her hands, and was smiling. Drastically different than when I had first met her. She even let me take a picture of her this time; she fixed up her hair and put this smile on her face and held the flower up to her cheek. It was a beautiful sight.
            As I mentioned, I had a plan for that week in Vancouver. I wanted to show God to people. But God ended up showing himself to me. I planned to take light into a dark place, but I came back realizing there is already a light there—it may not be as obvious as the darkness, but it is there. I learned that truly, as it says in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” There is no place God isn’t. Nowhere his Spirit does not reside. God is at work everywhere—he is just waiting to be found.

Transplanting

They came in a can. I opened the lid, set the can by the window, and added water...a little bit...every other day.

After a couple of months they looked like this:

I was thrilled that something was at least growing in my house! My roses, parsley, and lavender have all turned brown and dried up. Maybe I have a "black thumb" (as my mom likes to say!)

I admired the tomatoes in this can for awhile, marveling at their ability to grow and produce fruit. How something can come from seemingly nothing is always amazing to me!

 I finally realized it was time to do something with them, since there wasn't much more room for them to grow in the little can the seeds came in. So I started the transplanting process:

 Slowly, carefully taking out each individual plant and gently pulling it out by the roots and placing it in a bigger container with new soil.

Ta-da! :-)

I'm sure those little plants are happy to have more room to breathe. I'm sure they would have started to shrivel up had I not moved them to a bigger pot. I'm sure their roots would have become tangled or moldy if they were not separated. I'm sure that now they can GROW.

Isn't that the point of transplanting? Giving something more room so that it can grow? I worked in a greenhouse one summer and stood for hours on end in a type of assembly line, poking my fingers into soil, making room for seeds to fall into, or for small vegetables or flowers to be transplanted. 

Growth is linked to transplantation. Yes it is also linked to other factors like water and sunlight, but if a plant continues to receive water and sunlight while it remains in a small pot when there is potential for more, it will not grow fully or healthily.

In the last few months I've seen growth in my own life, and I realized it's because I've been transplanted. I was reading through some old journal entries the other day in which I recorded parts of our journey of contemplating moving to Germany and praying about what we were supposed to do after Bible School. Allow me to share this entry from April 13, 2011:

Ecclesiastes 3 says 'There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. ' What stood out to me is verse 2 - 'a time to plant and a time to uproot.' It seems that leaving Prairie will in a sense be uprooting. But Germany won't just be about planting; it's about trans-planting. Perhaps this Bible School is too small of a pot - good for a season, but ultimately my roots won't be able to grow any more or expand to their full potential. Moving Germany isn't  about destroying what's already been planted in my life, but about transplanting so there's room for more growth.

Little did I know at that time exactly what type of "pot" God was transplanting me into. Here I am now, over a year later, having lived here for 9 months and having experienced so much, being challenged and changed along the way. 

Looking back I know that if we had not moved here my roots would have remained shallow. If I had stayed in my small comfortable pot soaking up the sun, I never would have grown and expanded like I am doing now. I was so content with where I was back then and wouldn't have minded staying there forever, but God had a bigger pot for me.

I feel like I am in such an exciting season of life right now; it is hard to describe. It's not always easy, but I simply know deep in my heart that yes, this is indeed where God wants my husband and I . I never would have dreamed it and some days, on the hard days, I wish it wasn't so, but I know God is doing a deep work in me. This doesn't discount the last "pot" I was in - it was extremely vital soil for me to learn to bloom and bear fruit in. But whenever God takes us out of our comfort zone by transplanting us, it means there's even more potential. It feels sometimes like the rug is being pulled out from under my feet, or should I say that my roots are being harshly yanked out from the soil I was so familiar with, but as I settle into new soil - spiritually, emotionally, relationally - my roots find their way down and I am strengthened and refreshed, excited about the potential for more.

Jeremiah 17:

⁵ This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who depends on flesh for his strength
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
⁶ He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

⁷ “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ He will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”



 

Perspective

The other evening my husband and I were sitting in our living room -- him on the chair, me on the couch. Our conversation was interrupted by a noise that was barely audible...thankfully, not a mouse! But we both could hear a high-pitched buzzing sound. I looked in his direction, and he looked in mine.

"Oh it must be the lamp above you," I told him.

"No, it's definitely coming from behind you - check the heaters."

"What? No way. I can hear it plainly - it's coming from your direction."

"Uh-uh, definitely from yours."

I got up and turned off the light switch to see if that would solve the problem. We listened for a couple seconds...nope, the buzzing was still there.

"Okay," he said. "Let's switch places."

So we did. As soon as I sat down, I could hear as plain as day that actually, the sound was indeed coming from the opposite direction as I had first thought. Before I could say anything, my husband said, "Wow, actually you were right...it's definitely coming from that direction!"

"No way! Now that I'm here I can definitely tell it's coming from the other way."

We were both pretty convinced, and we had to laugh at how changing places also changed our conviction.

In the end, we discovered that the buzzing sound was coming from a tool that was plugged into the electrical outlet...right between our seats! No wonder when we changed places the sound seemed to come from the other direction :-)

Interesting what perspective can do to you. 

I've had a few opportunities recently to "switch seats" with people, and have my perspective challenged and changed in doing so.

A couple of weeks ago we went with friends of ours who were visiting to the site of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Let me tell you, that was a reality check!

All of my so-called "problems" seem like nothing in comparison to the horrors that thousands of people suffered there! If I were to "trade seats" with a prisoner of war, I would realize that in my life I have nothing to complain about. But even in the midst of such awful conditions, the right perspective is a powerful hope. Last night I watched an interview of Alice Sommer (click here to see it), a 108 year old survivor of a Nazi Concentration Camp. In the video I saw pictures of Dachau - the camp I had just been to. Alice is one powerful old lady, and even during the years that she and her son suffered so much at the hands of the Nazis, her perspective was still optimistic. She found strength in music, in community, in laughing. And even today she has no bitterness toward her captors or her experiences in that time. The power of the right perspective.

In the last little while I've also had to remind myself often to "trade places" with my mother-in-law. Her health seems to be going more downhill, and after another episode in the hospital the other week, her memory is getting worse, and she is definitely not herself anymore. It can be exhausting to spend time with her and try to help, but all I need to do is consider what I would need and appreciate if I was in her situation, and suddenly I can see her perspective, and the small sacrifice that it is for me is worth it.

Interesting what perspective can do to you...

Interesting that when I'm complaining about having to decide what to cook, I just have to think about the more than 3 billion people who live on less than $2 a day, and am suddenly thankful that I can make the effort of preparing a meal.

Interesting that when I was a student, I spent lots of time wishing I could do something other than homework, but did not often consider the fact that nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

Interesting that I can feel intimidated living in this new land, but then I think of my own Grandmother, a war bride from England (advanced Europe), who married a Canadian solider and moved to a farm in Saskatchewan with no heat or running water. 

I can so easily take for granted the love of friends and family, and the continuous ways God provides. It's so easy to get caught up in my own little world, and fail to see from the perspective of others. But I am called to something higher. I am called to see life and other people from God's perspective - the Creator of the universe, whose ways are different than my ways and whose thoughts are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:9). I am called to fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, because "what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

And what a difference a heavenly perspective makes!

Your spirit lifts when you realize that God is fighting for you, and He is your Provider.

Your emotions change when you consider that you are called to serve others, not be served.

Your mindset is totally different if you know that you are but a stranger on earth, and Heaven is your home.

Your relationships are no longer the same once you hear the life stories of your friends and learn about their backgrounds, their struggles, their passions.

Interesting what perspective can do to you. 

Praying that this week, no matter where you're at in life, you are able to see past your own experiences and see from the perspectives of others. Praying that God gives us the grace to be patient and empathetic with those around us. Praying that our minds are renewed with the truth of God's Word, and that we claim His will in our lives, not succumbing to the lies that the world and our enemy constantly throws at us. 

 Who can you "switch places" with this week? And are you setting your thoughts on heavenly things, and seeing from God's perspective?