Many would think the financial aspect of our trip to the Balkans the most challenging. However, it seems the stuff of life adds to the challenge of faith as we prepare to go. Last year, my father (age 77) was having serious health issues and as I left, doctors were trying to diagnose the cause. Returning to a diagnosis of cancer, he soon went into surgery nearly loosing his life. This year, he is hospitalized with other serious concerns and is on the road to recovery. We leave Friday. He may exit the hospital Thursday, the reason of pain not yet completely resolved.
Instilled in this heart and soul is the value of family and the being there for one another, which is why I choose to go to the Balkans; not as part of a biological family, but as part of a spiritual family. That being said, my biological family is foremost and highly cherished by this soul, being blessed with wonderful parents whose love and wisdom have served us well as we 'grow up'.
It appears that our Lord desires my faith and trust of His care for my dad grow as we go. He has clearly demonstrated His preservation of my father's life, and of course he will not live forever, but for now, we cherish the time together that remains. Quality of life is of utmost importance, and isn't that our desire as well?
When I pause to ponder my quality of life, there was a time when it was not what I had hoped, being stricken with congestive heart failure, looking like it would become my lot. God healed me and for that I am grateful. He also preserved my dad's life, and for that I am grateful as well, for we have had another year together to lean into life as a family, together, my mom and dad, my brother Rick and I, and our children and one grandchild.
As I stand back and reflect upon life and living, one thing stands out. The best parts are the investments of love, kindness, care for others and hope we bring as we come alongside. The richest types being the investments of God. Being blessed through our spiritual family alongside the practical of both spiritual and biological family ties we stand strong; for it is the blessing of both that has produced and forged us as the men my brother and I are, through the hand of God.
There are many lessons being taught to this maturing soul. I find myself still learning from and leaning upon my God for my transformation, my life for His kingdom work with His power. Desiring to go at His bidding to do His work as He leads I stand amazed at the power of His work through this little life, having no expectation except to see Him unleash His power through me.
I am blessed and full of joy to be joined this year by Carrie, my beloved and compassionate wife. It brings this soul such joy to watch our Lord take her skills and heart, using them for His glory in gracious and powerful ways. It seems clear to me that we are better serving as a couple than apart, and that her presence and gifts shine with greater brilliance. Truly, I am blessed to have such an amazing partner of faith and grace in my life.
As we prepare to depart, here is what we know....
I will again be teaching lessons to teachers in Livno and now expanding into Glamoc (pronounced Glah-mots). I will also visit a few classrooms to get a feel for what they have available as teaching tools and learn of their classroom culture. I again will have opportunity, with a translator, to teach two in class science lessons, one chemistry and one physics; hands on lessons developing thinking and problem solving. We also will be preparing a meal for the team (teriyaki meats, fried rice and mac salad).
Carrie will be following a pediatrician to learn of what they have available and what they do as they offer care. She also will be doing this in both cities, Livno and Glamoc. Visiting clinics, she hopes to find ways we can bless them and help them when we return in the following years.
And lastly, as we go, we are determined to be flexible and caring, coming alongside the team there, encouraging the work, their dedicated investment, with the hope they bring, with hearts of love for the people. For what is living without investment; They there, and we as we go, in one another? This is the stuff of life. This is the precious commodity of gold we all carry and share, the richest being investments of love, care, grace, and hope we receive from our heavenly Father, deliberately passed on to those we join. Thank you for your prayers and support. You join He and us as you do, and for that we rejoice!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Affirmation, Confirmation, Transformation.
Our time to embark is quickly coming. We leave for Croatia and Bosnia this Friday.
Our walk of faith, our interaction with God moves us forward. After many visits without my beloved bride, it seems this time He has opened the door for us to head off together in service to the team there, the teachers, medical community and people we are blessed to join.
My usual 'job' of teaching teachers continues, in expanded form to two areas, Livno and now Glamoc (pronounced Glah-mots). In many ways this trip will be easier teaching wise as our time will be divided between the two communities with repeated lessons in each. I may be called upon to teach a science lesson in a classroom at Glamoc as well.
My time there always seems to be one of coming alongside the team serving there, blessing and encouraging them in any way that our gifts and service be led by the Lord. This time, an additional 'gift' will be cooking an oriental meal for them (teriyaki meats and fried rice). Carrie may be able to also do her dessert thing too. We will see.
As we prepare, we do so with prayer. It is a long flight there, and back. We want to become aware of every opportunity for ministry to those there. We have skills and gifts that seem to be of benefit to the people we visit in the Balkans. For me, having my life partner and love alongside adds much comfort and blessing as together, it seems, we are more effective as a team. I appreciate Carrie's insight and wisdom as we move through life. God has provided such a wonderful lady willing to embark on the adventures that I seem easily moved toward, and when she joins me, I see more fruit than when I go alone.
It is the fulfillment of a call we seemed to have been given over a decade ago before I was stricken with a serious heart defect. Congestive heart failure is not a disease that is easily overcome, yet God in His mercy has seen fit to heal me of it. Told, back then by many doctors, I would never live a 'normal' life, be able to work or have strength without a heart transplant, it seems God has given me one without surgery! (Transformation)
And now we finalize preparations to go. I thank all of you for joining us in prayer and will keep you informed of what occurs here, via this blog. For several years I have been asking God if He would provide opportunity for Carrie to join me on this endeavor or find us one that we could share. He has placed a medical opportunity for her to embark on where I have been going. How 'coincidental' is that? Okay, so we don't believe in coincidence. Suffice it to say that He answered my prayers and the prayers of my friends here and there, to provide such a need for us both to go. (Affirmation)
He has also provided everything we need, monetarily and supportwise to go. It is affirming to us that others, desiring to participate confirm our call and movement in this direction, and, it is humbling. ( Our near $3,000 for the trip has been completely provided by others, and we wish to thank our friends and family for the tremendous support! (Confirmation) Affirmation, confirmation, transformation all perched and pertinent pieces of our trip to bless and serve. Thank you for joining us with your prayers. Thank you for following us as we press forward in kingdom building work.
Our walk of faith, our interaction with God moves us forward. After many visits without my beloved bride, it seems this time He has opened the door for us to head off together in service to the team there, the teachers, medical community and people we are blessed to join.
My usual 'job' of teaching teachers continues, in expanded form to two areas, Livno and now Glamoc (pronounced Glah-mots). In many ways this trip will be easier teaching wise as our time will be divided between the two communities with repeated lessons in each. I may be called upon to teach a science lesson in a classroom at Glamoc as well.
My time there always seems to be one of coming alongside the team serving there, blessing and encouraging them in any way that our gifts and service be led by the Lord. This time, an additional 'gift' will be cooking an oriental meal for them (teriyaki meats and fried rice). Carrie may be able to also do her dessert thing too. We will see.
As we prepare, we do so with prayer. It is a long flight there, and back. We want to become aware of every opportunity for ministry to those there. We have skills and gifts that seem to be of benefit to the people we visit in the Balkans. For me, having my life partner and love alongside adds much comfort and blessing as together, it seems, we are more effective as a team. I appreciate Carrie's insight and wisdom as we move through life. God has provided such a wonderful lady willing to embark on the adventures that I seem easily moved toward, and when she joins me, I see more fruit than when I go alone.
It is the fulfillment of a call we seemed to have been given over a decade ago before I was stricken with a serious heart defect. Congestive heart failure is not a disease that is easily overcome, yet God in His mercy has seen fit to heal me of it. Told, back then by many doctors, I would never live a 'normal' life, be able to work or have strength without a heart transplant, it seems God has given me one without surgery! (Transformation)
And now we finalize preparations to go. I thank all of you for joining us in prayer and will keep you informed of what occurs here, via this blog. For several years I have been asking God if He would provide opportunity for Carrie to join me on this endeavor or find us one that we could share. He has placed a medical opportunity for her to embark on where I have been going. How 'coincidental' is that? Okay, so we don't believe in coincidence. Suffice it to say that He answered my prayers and the prayers of my friends here and there, to provide such a need for us both to go. (Affirmation)
He has also provided everything we need, monetarily and supportwise to go. It is affirming to us that others, desiring to participate confirm our call and movement in this direction, and, it is humbling. ( Our near $3,000 for the trip has been completely provided by others, and we wish to thank our friends and family for the tremendous support! (Confirmation) Affirmation, confirmation, transformation all perched and pertinent pieces of our trip to bless and serve. Thank you for joining us with your prayers. Thank you for following us as we press forward in kingdom building work.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Life. Not By My Will But His
It arrived. It is official. Now I have yet another title to my name. Pastor. I have been approved by the local board of administration at my church, and now by the district board officially confirming my call by God to be one of His pastoral servants. Posting it on Facebook, a slew of friends also confirming my call, celebrate the title, and frankly, I sit here knowing I am unworthy, but by the grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If it were not for the real men of God I know, whose ranks I join, admitting their imperfections, sharing struggles with me, their humanness; If it were not for books like 'Pastor as Person' by Gary L. Harbaugh or 'The Making of a Leader' by J. Robert Clinton I would feel inadequate. If it were not for the accounts of great leaders in the Holy Scriptures, faults and all exposed for us to see, I dare not press forward.
I'm not sure what you think of pastors; if you cling to the holier than most baggage, or on the other side, see them as real people doing the real job of caring, sharing about the God they understand pursuing the apparent mysteries, attempting growth in their comprehension of He and the spiritual life He calls them to. Taking a position of leading and inspiring others to seek the Almighty, Holy, immensely compassionate God. Ordinary people listening and following an extraordinary being? Entity? God.
For me, there are MANY minds more brilliant, many souls with abundantly, immensely greater grasp of scripture, and many more skilled and qualified to the job I seem called. But even so, the job isn't about being the most qualified or the least, just being available, willing.
We are all to be priests, according to scripture, all of us who claim hold of faith in a great God. Mediators between God and man plain and simple. Seeking the leading and inspiration of a Holy God intertwined in the lives of us all as we invest in the ascension process of life and living. Direct, inspired, motivated not by personal gain, fame or selfish consumption, but rather a life of service. In many ways 'pastoring' is just simply caring with others, investing together in the forward progress of faith and understanding the impetus of God's work in our lives together. It can be just sitting with one grieving, listening as one shares their ills, reveling in the joyous celebration of accomplishment, counseling with Godly wisdom, insight and compassion into a life of one He brings to us, talking and getting to know your neighbor, and mostly simply loving anyone we are with; genuine, pure, investing love.
I can do that. It is what I am called to do and be, title or no. If pastoring is encouraging others, challenging them as well; if it be looking into scripture amazed at the works of God and His desire for our participation in His divine, powerful transformation of lives, then I'm in and have been for a while. My only desire is that others see the real Jesus and what He is really doing, His will,His grace, His works for His glory. If what I do glorifies Him and not me, then I would call that successful pastoring. The pay isn't in dollars, it is in obedience. For if I am obedient, He will provide, His way however He chooses.
You may wonder how that occurs. As Carrie finally joins me on my annual trip to Bosnia to teach teachers, love them and help them bring success to their students, He has provided every dollar needed for this trip costing us nothing except the time to go and my time to plan. All of it provided by fewer than two handfuls of our friends and family. What seemed a large expense, trivial to others who commit to support the efforts of our God to bless others in service overseas, and those they love, trusting and believing that we are following Him.
Just like checking my 'smartphone' to see if I have any email or facebook posts I should be apprised, I check in with my God with even greater frequency. Asking Him what is next, I listen. Sitting here in the Starbucks after getting my blood drawn, writing and watching people move through their day, pausing to purchase liquid enthusiasm, I feel blessed. Not a single soul realizes that I have prayed for them, wondered who they are and what they do, asking that He speak into their lives the value of living for Him, with Him as I have come to enjoy, finding the calling of their hearts mingled with His. Sure, not all are called to 'pastor'. But all are called to love; not just the Valentine's stuff we just celebrated, the integral, caring, responsive love poured with compassion and wisdom into one another. If we all just got this one thing right; selfless, genuinely interested, fully being with one another in the midst of real living, our world would be dynamically transformed, lives along with. If every time we checked our phones, we would check with God, amazing things would occur, clearly demonstrating God with us, not for our glory, simply His.
As I walk this life of faith, it has become clear that God is not God on my terms. His Lordship isn't based on my understanding of who He is and what I think of Him or want to think of Him. God is God on His terms. He runs it all and will change our world if we listen and follow. What is He saying to you? Are you really listening or only hearing what you want? Do you find yourself telling Him what you want? or are you considering the truth of His character invested and developed in you?
Life is short and I have squandered so much of it. But I know one who can redeem all that was wasted, transforming it and empowering what is to come. So it is by His charge, and the encouragement of friends and others that I press forward, accepting the title, pastor. Life. Not by my will, but His.
If it were not for the real men of God I know, whose ranks I join, admitting their imperfections, sharing struggles with me, their humanness; If it were not for books like 'Pastor as Person' by Gary L. Harbaugh or 'The Making of a Leader' by J. Robert Clinton I would feel inadequate. If it were not for the accounts of great leaders in the Holy Scriptures, faults and all exposed for us to see, I dare not press forward.
I'm not sure what you think of pastors; if you cling to the holier than most baggage, or on the other side, see them as real people doing the real job of caring, sharing about the God they understand pursuing the apparent mysteries, attempting growth in their comprehension of He and the spiritual life He calls them to. Taking a position of leading and inspiring others to seek the Almighty, Holy, immensely compassionate God. Ordinary people listening and following an extraordinary being? Entity? God.
For me, there are MANY minds more brilliant, many souls with abundantly, immensely greater grasp of scripture, and many more skilled and qualified to the job I seem called. But even so, the job isn't about being the most qualified or the least, just being available, willing.
We are all to be priests, according to scripture, all of us who claim hold of faith in a great God. Mediators between God and man plain and simple. Seeking the leading and inspiration of a Holy God intertwined in the lives of us all as we invest in the ascension process of life and living. Direct, inspired, motivated not by personal gain, fame or selfish consumption, but rather a life of service. In many ways 'pastoring' is just simply caring with others, investing together in the forward progress of faith and understanding the impetus of God's work in our lives together. It can be just sitting with one grieving, listening as one shares their ills, reveling in the joyous celebration of accomplishment, counseling with Godly wisdom, insight and compassion into a life of one He brings to us, talking and getting to know your neighbor, and mostly simply loving anyone we are with; genuine, pure, investing love.
I can do that. It is what I am called to do and be, title or no. If pastoring is encouraging others, challenging them as well; if it be looking into scripture amazed at the works of God and His desire for our participation in His divine, powerful transformation of lives, then I'm in and have been for a while. My only desire is that others see the real Jesus and what He is really doing, His will,His grace, His works for His glory. If what I do glorifies Him and not me, then I would call that successful pastoring. The pay isn't in dollars, it is in obedience. For if I am obedient, He will provide, His way however He chooses.
You may wonder how that occurs. As Carrie finally joins me on my annual trip to Bosnia to teach teachers, love them and help them bring success to their students, He has provided every dollar needed for this trip costing us nothing except the time to go and my time to plan. All of it provided by fewer than two handfuls of our friends and family. What seemed a large expense, trivial to others who commit to support the efforts of our God to bless others in service overseas, and those they love, trusting and believing that we are following Him.
Just like checking my 'smartphone' to see if I have any email or facebook posts I should be apprised, I check in with my God with even greater frequency. Asking Him what is next, I listen. Sitting here in the Starbucks after getting my blood drawn, writing and watching people move through their day, pausing to purchase liquid enthusiasm, I feel blessed. Not a single soul realizes that I have prayed for them, wondered who they are and what they do, asking that He speak into their lives the value of living for Him, with Him as I have come to enjoy, finding the calling of their hearts mingled with His. Sure, not all are called to 'pastor'. But all are called to love; not just the Valentine's stuff we just celebrated, the integral, caring, responsive love poured with compassion and wisdom into one another. If we all just got this one thing right; selfless, genuinely interested, fully being with one another in the midst of real living, our world would be dynamically transformed, lives along with. If every time we checked our phones, we would check with God, amazing things would occur, clearly demonstrating God with us, not for our glory, simply His.
As I walk this life of faith, it has become clear that God is not God on my terms. His Lordship isn't based on my understanding of who He is and what I think of Him or want to think of Him. God is God on His terms. He runs it all and will change our world if we listen and follow. What is He saying to you? Are you really listening or only hearing what you want? Do you find yourself telling Him what you want? or are you considering the truth of His character invested and developed in you?
Life is short and I have squandered so much of it. But I know one who can redeem all that was wasted, transforming it and empowering what is to come. So it is by His charge, and the encouragement of friends and others that I press forward, accepting the title, pastor. Life. Not by my will, but His.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Legacy of Passing It On
Testimony of life; it's found not in accomplishments rather investments, and no, not the financial kinds either. Legacies endure as result of those whose lives remembered, cherished, leading the way for others with integrity and regularity. What appears most evident to this heart, the best testimonies of life are filled with passion led not of their own volition, rather of one more magnificent than they; God. Understand that God does not call all to impoverished life of self denial, for many He leads the way to abundance rightly dispensed at His will for His kingdom, His works, just because others are not called to such abundance in life, it isn't because they could not handle the wealth, rather that their wealth is of a different nature, still holy, pure and powerful, appearing depraved to worldly eyes.
Here lies the mystery. For all who follow God on the narrow way, He provides fortune and joy. His, for His purpose. It struck me many years ago that Jesus Christ was the ultimate 'homeless' as He walked the earth He created. No bank account, no 'home; of his own, no bed, no 'job'. In fact, he left the 'security' of His place of honor next to His Father, to descend to eventual abuse and death at the hands of those He created.
I marvel and am inspired by men who lived with passion and humility at the direction of our God. Having been blessed, my life crossing theirs, it has been rich discovery of the deepest means to joy for this heart. Obedience and life lived in the shadows of the Almighty God for His glory alone.
I have seen men share 'in memory' of their earthly father with ways unfolding the reality of a life of faith, as one who lived a life of honor in the wake of God's leading. Men whose passions and commitment enriched the lives of those who knew them. Loving men whose character seemed untarnished, though they would speak otherwise. Such is the life of men of meaningful legacy. If allowed, their lives dramatically change the lives of those encountering them. The worldly counterfeit celebrates the talented, stunningly attractive, and entertaining, but these eyes long to see the pure passion of regular men doing incredible works with the power of our God.
No, you probably don't know of the men I speak, but I believe if you look carefully, you too will discover those of whom I speak. The real deal, the real heroes. Will you take time to honor them instead of the counterfeits? Let them know today how they inspire you before it is too late. Do as they do continuing their legacy of passion and love for those they knew, you being one, the legacy of passing it on to others.
Here lies the mystery. For all who follow God on the narrow way, He provides fortune and joy. His, for His purpose. It struck me many years ago that Jesus Christ was the ultimate 'homeless' as He walked the earth He created. No bank account, no 'home; of his own, no bed, no 'job'. In fact, he left the 'security' of His place of honor next to His Father, to descend to eventual abuse and death at the hands of those He created.
I marvel and am inspired by men who lived with passion and humility at the direction of our God. Having been blessed, my life crossing theirs, it has been rich discovery of the deepest means to joy for this heart. Obedience and life lived in the shadows of the Almighty God for His glory alone.
I have seen men share 'in memory' of their earthly father with ways unfolding the reality of a life of faith, as one who lived a life of honor in the wake of God's leading. Men whose passions and commitment enriched the lives of those who knew them. Loving men whose character seemed untarnished, though they would speak otherwise. Such is the life of men of meaningful legacy. If allowed, their lives dramatically change the lives of those encountering them. The worldly counterfeit celebrates the talented, stunningly attractive, and entertaining, but these eyes long to see the pure passion of regular men doing incredible works with the power of our God.
No, you probably don't know of the men I speak, but I believe if you look carefully, you too will discover those of whom I speak. The real deal, the real heroes. Will you take time to honor them instead of the counterfeits? Let them know today how they inspire you before it is too late. Do as they do continuing their legacy of passion and love for those they knew, you being one, the legacy of passing it on to others.
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