Divine Appointments

A few weeks ago Dave Olson was leading the adult Sunday School class at church and shared from Acts 10 how God had arranged a Divine Appointment for Paul to meet Cornelius. We were challenged to keep our eyes open for divine appointments that God was setting up for us with the people we meet. These divine appointments are opportunities to share the love of Christ and the work of Christ with those we come in contact with.

Last night our family gathered in Indianola, Iowa to watch our son play football at Simpson College. After the game I was waiting for Tyler (our son) to come out of the locker room and I saw someone that I had met before and whom I knew had undergone a personal tragedy recently. I'm so grateful to the Lord for prompting me to express my sympathy and to inquire about that person's condition. My focus had shifted instantaneously from wanting to discuss football to expressing concern for this person's pain. I assure you that whatever goodness there was in my shift is to be attributed to the Holy Spirit's work. I told the person I had been praying for them and that I would continue to do so. When the person shared some of the story behind the tragedy he stated that a series of events could be attributed to a "Higher Power" and as quickly as I could interject it I stated, "I believed God is control."

Now this certainly wasn't a four point outline of the Gospel, or my personal testimony in miniature, or a well thought out evangelistic sermon--it was merely a few kind words, expressions of concern and care in the name of Christ--nothing less than a divine appointment for which I give God praise.

I'm asking the Lord for a few more divine appointments this week and for the wisdom to see them and respond appropriately.

What about you? Any divine appointments? Let us show and share the love of Christ freely. Mt. 22:39

"Informed or Transformed?"

Romans 12:2—“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
In Ministry we are in the “transforming business.” God does the transforming, we are instruments in the process. I’ve been thinking about our church's Mission Statement—“To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.” This speaks of transformation. For me the test of effectiveness in ministry is whether or not people are being transformed. So last night at our monthly board meeting I decided to challenge our leaders. If we as leaders aren't being transformed then how can we expect others to experience the transforming power of God's Word and Spirit? I asked all of us to answer the following questions (silently in their own minds).
• Am I truly being transformed into the image of Christ?
• What evidence is there in my life that I am being conformed to the image of Christ? Is there more love—not just looking out for our own special interests, but also for the interests of others, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and/or self-control? Do I exhibit a greater love for the lost? Am I giving more generously, serving more readily, responding to the Spirit’s promptings more frequently, and/or stepping out in faith more regularly? Am I spending time in God’s Word, in prayer, in meditation, etc., because I want to and need to or because I have to?
• What am I doing to be intentional about growing spiritually?
• What is there in my life personally that hinders me from growing?
• What is there in the way we are structuring ministry or doing ministry that helps people be transformed? What hinders transformation?
I’m pondering what transformation looks like for me personally and what steps I need to take to Know Christ and to Make Him Known.

Some questions for personal contemplation and some for us as leaders to think about in regard to the ministry here.

Father, help us to stay close to you and to stay focused on the goal of transformation not merely the accumulation of information.

"To oBEy or not to oBEy that is the question."

There is a fascinating story in Jeremiah 35 intended to make the southern tribes of Judah aware of their offensive disobedience. Jeremiah is asked to invite a group of people called the Rechabites and give them wine to drink. When they are offered the wine they immediately refuse explaining that their father--Jonadab the son of Rechab--commanded them not to drink wine, them and their sons forever. There were other instructions given by their father and they were steadfast in their obedience to these commands from a human being. Listen to their explanation for why they wouldn't imbibe. "And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,..." (Jer.35:8).

God uses this stellar example of obedience to humiliate His people who have been deliberately ignoring all that He has commanded them. God had sent his prophets "again and again saying, 'Turn every man from his evil way...but you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me'" (35:15).

It isn't too difficult to sanctimoniously scorn God's people declaring how unreasonable they must have been. Yet, as I ponder this story it prompts a question for self-examination--"What sin(s) do I persist in despite God's repeated warnings?" We have the very Words of God written in the Bible to speak out against our vices and faults? Am I, Are you, listening or do I/you turn a deaf ear to God's Word that exposes our failures? Am I persistent in my lack of faith failing to trust God fully with my next source of employment, my future vocation or mate, my provision in retirement, my children's spiritual condition? Too often I'm clamoring for control, complaining, and critical. Lord, don't let me arrogantly dismiss the people of Judah as excessively corrupt, but instead let the light of your Word shine brightly on my life exposing the crud that needs to be removed.

Home From Hungary

Greetings. God was so good to give me good health and strength during my recent mission in Hungary. I had a great team of Americans and Hungarians to work with. Thanks to everyone on the team for their faithfulness, diligence, and hard work. It was a joy to work with each one of you.

I was able to stay in the home of one of the locals in Mohacs--Thanks Otto. He was such a great host. We had good conversations each morning--he was learning English and I was trying to learn Hungarian. I enjoyed such wonderful treats--kakaos tej; kakaos csiga; langos; and baracks. We had some serious and some light-hearted discussions. Otto took me to the location of our English camp each day and drove me home after our evening activities. After the long day of teaching and activities some of our team went "out on the town" to hang out with the locals and that was a blast.

God has given me strength to overcome the jet-lag and to return to normal responsibilities here at the church. It is so fun each day to check my facebook page. Yesterday, the first five or six posts were all in Hungarian. I had to chuckle to myself and say, "whose facebook page is this? I can't even read this stuff." What a blessing to be connected with friends half way around the globe. I miss my Hungarian friends. They are having an "After English Camp Party" this weekend and I won't be able to be there. God gave us grace and strength to share His love and we are praying that many hearts will be opened to the good news. I need the reminder from God's word that it is God who draws people to Christ (Jn.6:44) and God removes the spiritual blinders from people's eyes (2Cor. 4:1-7). We simply sow the seed and God works to cause it to grow (1Cor.3:6-7).

I'm so thankful for the wonderful and faithful prayer and financial supporters who were part of the team for this mission project. Their faithfulness was such a boost to myself and all of us on the team. Thanks to each of you for standing with us as we engaged in front line ministry.

It was hard to leave my friends (the old ones and the new ones) in Hungary, but I really wanted to see my lovely wife and children. The past few weeks have been a blur of activity culminating with our Anniversary (August 9, 2010) and my birthday (
August 13). Marla pulled off a wonderful and pleasant surprise party for me with cake and homemade ice cream. It was great to see so many friends and family. Thanks dear.

I've got to catch up on a lot of work now so I best get at it.

I've been reminded of God's desire for fidelity on the part of His people as I read through Isaiah and Jeremiah. Father don't let me forsake the fountain of life giving water or dig for myself broken cisterns that hold no water--Jeremiah 2:13. Let me remember that you alone are God and there is no other (Is. 43:10-12, 15: 44:6,8,24; 45:5,6,14). I've been trying to ask myself, "where in my life are there idols that I've set up in place of God?" Lord, help me identify and turn from anyone or anything that sets itself up against or in competition with you as the Lord of my life.

Hungary Here I come

I've been frantically trying to get ready to leave for Hungary--8:00 a.m. tomorrow is departure time from Albert City. I'm trying to meditate on Psalm 143:8b--"Teach me the way in which I should walk; for to you I lift up my soul." and verse 10--"Teach me your will for you are My God."

I won't be able to blog for a couple of weeks and I'm sure there will be plenty to do when I get back so who knows when I'll be posting anything. I'm just asking the Lord to teach me how to walk and to teach me His will. I'm always excited to leave on the trip and also a bit apprehensive as I never know what is in store.

Blessings.

Pre-Mission Trip Madness.

I haven't posted anything for a few days--and what a few days they have been. Of course the fact that I leave on Tuesday for Hungary seems to accentuate the issues at hand, but currently there is a flood of ministry opportunities pouring in--difficult counseling sessions, a major undiagnosed illness in a young lady from our church, domestic issues, VBS is going on right now, a couple from our church is in the middle of some serious grief counseling after two young men lost their lives in an accident while taking part in a ministry that this couple is helping with, and I'm trying to prepare my heart and mind for 2 weeks of ministry in Hungary. I'm not complaining--this is the broken world we live in, but it seems that when it rains, it pours. Fitting that I read this morning from Psalm 138:8--"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me." There is truth to cling to in these trying times.

Real Rest

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 131 for in it David looks back over his long life and makes what I consider to be some profound statements--"my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me" (vs.1). After years of following the Lord and serving Him. After many mistakes and many victories David comes to the end of his life and understands what it is to truly rest in the Lord. He's way past trying to impress others, in thinking more highly of himself than he should. He understands all too well the reality of his own depravity (that major incident with Bathsheba comes to mind as does the fact that David had taken numerous wives over his life, and he refused to discipline his own wayward children, namely Absalom the rebel). David knew that it was the Lord who took him from being a shepherd to being King of God's people in spite of his depravity. He grasped clearly his own depravity and God's abundant mercy. He didn't "involve himself in great matters, things too difficult for him." Now there is a lesson for many of us to grasp. I understand him to say that he had turned his back on trying to impress others and himself with what he could accomplish, with trying to "take on the world" and prove that he was a "real man." He had come to a point of realistically understanding who he was, what he was to do, and what his human limitations were. He is not lazy, or unwilling to take up a challenge. What I understand him to say was that he wasn't living to impress, to try and prove he was something he really wasn't. He was free from any performance pressure. The next verses describe the extent of his contentment. "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me" (vs.2). It's been nearly 10 years now since we've had any children who needed to be weaned so I have to "jog the memory" to remember how upset a child who is being weaned can be. I still remember standing in the basement with my wife as the weaning process took place telling her that despite the wailing we heard from our child's bedroom that this was necessary and the child would survive. The difference between a weaned child resting against it's mother is a drastically different picture than one of a hungry baby screaming for something to eat. David describes the contentment of his soul as that of a weaned child--peace, tranquility, settledness, serenity. Well, if you are no longer trying to impress, to win the "performance" war, to "make a big splash" in life it can be very freeing. David knew that freedom and I long to know it as well. In the busyness and hurry of life, with all of the expectations and demands on our time, energy, and resources it is difficult to rest, to trust, to completely rely upon the Lord as a weaned child resting against his/her mother. I want to live in the "sweet spot" David found. He gives the key in verse 3--"...hope in the Lord." Trust in God not in the applause, approval, accolades of men. Trust in the Lord not in my ability, talent, wisdom, skill. Trust in the Lord that he is working through me and in spite of me. Be willing to say NO, to limit commitments even if others view my decisions with skepticism, criticism, and/or rebuke.

Lord, help me to trust in you and to know the serenity of soul that David had. May the soul of each of us be like a "weaned child resting against his mother."