We had an awesome time on the cruise. Seven days was just right...long enough to really relax yet short enough to not go bonkers spending too much time on a floating resort. All three stops, (Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas,) were awesome and the weather was great the whole time. And yes the adage you've heard regarding cruise ships is true: You get on as a passenger and you get off as cargo! There is just way too much food accessible too many hours of the day.
I LOVE the international crews that these ships have--this one had people working on it from 57 different countries! I meet as many of them as I can and look for opportunities to connect with them. Our final night I met the Filipino guy who was singing in the restaurant and it turns out that he was in college in Cebu City during the same years we were in Cebu--and it was the college less than one block from where our church met at that time, (University of the Visayas.)
He wasn't a believer at the time, but he did come to the Lord a few years later. It looks like I'll be able to correspond with him by e-mail. I also met a girl named Alesia from Belarus. When I greeted her with a Russian word and told her I had been to her country, she almost dropped the tray she was holding. Turns out she's from Minsk, the very city I visited back in 1995. She said I was the first one she's met on the ship that knew anything about her country or had ever visited it.
I was able to read a few books on the trip, the most enjoyable one being the latest by Bruce Olson, called: "Bruce Olson and the Motilone Miracle." It's a follow up to his classic book, "Bruchko" and gives the history of what's happened with him and the Motilone indians from the mid 70's through 2006. If you're at all questioning the reality of the gospel and whether God is making a measurable impact in people lives, you need to read this book. Thank God for giants of the faith like Bruce Olson.
So, it's back to the regular life and ministry groove. I'll be speaking at CC Cedar City in Utah this weekend so if you think about it, pray for me.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
30 years...and counting
This Sunday, July 22nd, Helen and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. The Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to go on a 7 day cruise out of Long Beach, California, to Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas--what's called the Mexican Riviera. We're going with some close friends from our church in Mesquite and we're really looking forward to it. (Even more so, now that we've had our grandkids here the past five days--we're exhausted and ready for some R&R.)
I was in the Army and stationed in Japan when we got married. I flew back to Southern California, our wedding ceremony took place on Friday and we left for Japan on Sunday. Looking back at it, the grace of God was SO evident towards us before we ever came to know Him in a personal way. Considering I was 18 and Helen was 16 on the day we married, the deck was really stacked against us. Of course, unbeknownst to us, our Merciful God was the dealer and although some of the hands He has dealt us over the years were incredibly challenging, He was definitely the one that kept us in the game.
When the bible talks about rejoicing with the "wife of your youth" in Prov. 5:18, my story is succinctly summarized.
Not sure if I'll have time to post from the boat, but if not, I'll be back with more meanderings upon our return on the 29th.
I was in the Army and stationed in Japan when we got married. I flew back to Southern California, our wedding ceremony took place on Friday and we left for Japan on Sunday. Looking back at it, the grace of God was SO evident towards us before we ever came to know Him in a personal way. Considering I was 18 and Helen was 16 on the day we married, the deck was really stacked against us. Of course, unbeknownst to us, our Merciful God was the dealer and although some of the hands He has dealt us over the years were incredibly challenging, He was definitely the one that kept us in the game.
When the bible talks about rejoicing with the "wife of your youth" in Prov. 5:18, my story is succinctly summarized.
Not sure if I'll have time to post from the boat, but if not, I'll be back with more meanderings upon our return on the 29th.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
And the hits just keep on comin.....
The memorial service on Saturday for my pastor's wife was one of the most incredible events I've ever been a part of. It was truly a fitting tribute to a woman, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, dear friend, and example to many. Joyce Kenney absolutely magnified Christ in her body both by her life and now by her death and her memorial not only honored her, it glorified her Lord. Please keep Pastor Pat in prayer as he is now facing the difficult time of things returning to normal for everyone else--while his new "normal" will at times seem to be absolutely impossible for him to adjust to. The next few days, weeks, and couple of months will be crushing. Your prayer for Pat and Joyce's kids, Noelle and Jordan, are also much appreciated.
About 2:30 a.m. on the morning of the memorial I was actually wondering if I'd be able to be a part of the service. My oldest daughter Jody had to be taken by the paramedics to a hospital near her house because of the pain and effects of a tubal pregnancy. She went in to surgery around 4:00 a.m. and by God's grace, the doctors were able to repair the damage done and keep her tube and ovary intact. She remained in the hospital until Monday afternoon and in order to make her first few days back home a little easier, Helen and I brought our five year old grandson Anthony and his almost one year old sister Kristen, back to Mesquite with us. Suffice it to say that Helen in particular is exhausted after two and a half days of riding herd on our adorable grandchildren, (I try to help in between trying to get some work done in my office in our house.) Kristen just learned to walk and you have to watch her pretty much every minute she's awake or she'll eat whatever she can fit in her mouth. Needless to say, we're not accustomed to this kind of thing anymore...and it's hard to remember that there ever was a time in our past when we did it everyday.
And then, in the wee hours of this morning, (Wednesday,) our youngest daughter Katie called and told us she had been in accident around 10:30 last night. Her and a girlfriend were returning home from a concert on Interstate 15 when a drunk driver lost control of his car, ran into two other cars, and then spun into the driver's side rear end of Katie's car! Katie and her friend and none of the other drivers sustained any injuries, only the drunk driver wound up having minor injuries that warranted a trip to the hospital, (sort of the way it should be for a change...right?) So, the first steps of the trail of dealing with our insurance company began today--a trail that I'm fairly sure will put a large portion of my patience to the test.
As always though, God's fingerprints were visible again as the "hits just kept on coming."
Because we were down in the San Diego area for the memorial service we were able to help with the grandchildren so Michael could be with Jody at the hospital and as I mentioned, bring the grandkids back to Mesquite with us. And to do that, we needed to use Michael and Jody's larger vehicle, which meant our car was at their house so that now Katie can use it while her car is in the shop.
I've seen His hand engaged in my affairs again. Any sightings of His workings in your life the past few days?
About 2:30 a.m. on the morning of the memorial I was actually wondering if I'd be able to be a part of the service. My oldest daughter Jody had to be taken by the paramedics to a hospital near her house because of the pain and effects of a tubal pregnancy. She went in to surgery around 4:00 a.m. and by God's grace, the doctors were able to repair the damage done and keep her tube and ovary intact. She remained in the hospital until Monday afternoon and in order to make her first few days back home a little easier, Helen and I brought our five year old grandson Anthony and his almost one year old sister Kristen, back to Mesquite with us. Suffice it to say that Helen in particular is exhausted after two and a half days of riding herd on our adorable grandchildren, (I try to help in between trying to get some work done in my office in our house.) Kristen just learned to walk and you have to watch her pretty much every minute she's awake or she'll eat whatever she can fit in her mouth. Needless to say, we're not accustomed to this kind of thing anymore...and it's hard to remember that there ever was a time in our past when we did it everyday.
And then, in the wee hours of this morning, (Wednesday,) our youngest daughter Katie called and told us she had been in accident around 10:30 last night. Her and a girlfriend were returning home from a concert on Interstate 15 when a drunk driver lost control of his car, ran into two other cars, and then spun into the driver's side rear end of Katie's car! Katie and her friend and none of the other drivers sustained any injuries, only the drunk driver wound up having minor injuries that warranted a trip to the hospital, (sort of the way it should be for a change...right?) So, the first steps of the trail of dealing with our insurance company began today--a trail that I'm fairly sure will put a large portion of my patience to the test.
As always though, God's fingerprints were visible again as the "hits just kept on coming."
Because we were down in the San Diego area for the memorial service we were able to help with the grandchildren so Michael could be with Jody at the hospital and as I mentioned, bring the grandkids back to Mesquite with us. And to do that, we needed to use Michael and Jody's larger vehicle, which meant our car was at their house so that now Katie can use it while her car is in the shop.
I've seen His hand engaged in my affairs again. Any sightings of His workings in your life the past few days?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Because I take what God has revealed about Himself and His relationship to all of His creation seriously, I've been making continual progress in viewing all things through that truth. To help myself do so, I've developed a "grid" through which I filter what is taking place in my life. This "grid" looks like this:
1. Since the God of the scripture claims that He is in control of all things and He is trustworthy
2. Then whatever just happened to me, He has permitted
3. And even though I may not understand it right now
4. The fact that He permitted it to happen means that it serves a purpose in my life
5. And that in some way, it provides an opportunity for me to glorify Him
7. And what my role is in bringing glory to Him in response to what's happened
I've found that when I use this "grid" as the lens through which I perceive things taking place in my life, I'm able to see the bigger picture much more easily and His fingerprints on all things are much more visible.
1. Since the God of the scripture claims that He is in control of all things and He is trustworthy
2. Then whatever just happened to me, He has permitted
3. And even though I may not understand it right now
4. The fact that He permitted it to happen means that it serves a purpose in my life
5. And that in some way, it provides an opportunity for me to glorify Him
--I define glorifying Him as reflecting and revealing or unveiling in some way His character, nature, worth and value.
6. So I consistently ask Him to reveal to me how or in what way this can glorify Him
7. And what my role is in bringing glory to Him in response to what's happened
I've found that when I use this "grid" as the lens through which I perceive things taking place in my life, I'm able to see the bigger picture much more easily and His fingerprints on all things are much more visible.
Monday, July 9, 2007
I was in Indianapolis from Thursday through Saturday and as always, His fingerprints were all over the trip. From the hospitality, love, and encouragment lavished on Ron and I at the home of Dave and Ginger, to great conversation with Pastor Bill and Jed over awesome food at P.F. Changs, and then having an incredible time of fellowship with friends who serve in Central Asia and others who have served in and love the Ukraine, the time there was exceedingly abundantly above all that I could have asked or even planned.
Helen and I head to Escondido on Wednesday. I'll be sharing at the memorial service on Saturday for Joyce Kenney, the wife of my beloved Pastor Pat. Joyce's battle with various versions of cancer that began with breast cancer, ended last Thursday morning while I was on the plane from Vegas to Indy. Please keep Pastor Pat, his daughter Noelle, his son Jordan, and his grandchildren in prayer as they begin the "process" that is grief. Pat has already been a living demonstration of the truth that walking with Him in this world includes being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Cor. 6:10)
By His grace alone,
Jeff
Helen and I head to Escondido on Wednesday. I'll be sharing at the memorial service on Saturday for Joyce Kenney, the wife of my beloved Pastor Pat. Joyce's battle with various versions of cancer that began with breast cancer, ended last Thursday morning while I was on the plane from Vegas to Indy. Please keep Pastor Pat, his daughter Noelle, his son Jordan, and his grandchildren in prayer as they begin the "process" that is grief. Pat has already been a living demonstration of the truth that walking with Him in this world includes being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Cor. 6:10)
By His grace alone,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Paul and James...sight through the right filter
As I shared in my last post, the reality of the true and living God sitting at the controls of the universe He created is something most Christians say they believe in, at least intellectually. But the fact is, most of us don't perceive our day to day, moment to moment lives through that truth--we don't screen everything we see and experience through that lens, that filter.
The apostle Paul was obviously someone who did see things the proper way, as is clearly evident from what he communicated in his letter to the Philippians, particularly chapter 1, verses 12-26.
It's because of this truth and His understanding of the sovereignty of God that he could write with confidence what he expressed in Romans 8:28. Without God's absolute sovereignty over all things it would be impossible for ALL things to produce a good end for those that have a personal, interactive relationship with their Creator.
But what does perceiving things through that filter look like moment to moment for those today that know Him and trust in His control of all things?
I'll try and share a few things that I've learned, but that will have to wait until I have some further time. For now, I must proceed with doing things and meeting with people that I have been planning for the past month or so. I'll let you know in a few days how things unfolded.
James had a handle on this truth too. I'll close with what he had to say in James 4:13-16.
Seen any "God-connects" lately? If so, let me know.
Blessings,
Jeff
The apostle Paul was obviously someone who did see things the proper way, as is clearly evident from what he communicated in his letter to the Philippians, particularly chapter 1, verses 12-26.
It's because of this truth and His understanding of the sovereignty of God that he could write with confidence what he expressed in Romans 8:28. Without God's absolute sovereignty over all things it would be impossible for ALL things to produce a good end for those that have a personal, interactive relationship with their Creator.
But what does perceiving things through that filter look like moment to moment for those today that know Him and trust in His control of all things?
I'll try and share a few things that I've learned, but that will have to wait until I have some further time. For now, I must proceed with doing things and meeting with people that I have been planning for the past month or so. I'll let you know in a few days how things unfolded.
James had a handle on this truth too. I'll close with what he had to say in James 4:13-16.
Seen any "God-connects" lately? If so, let me know.
Blessings,
Jeff
Monday, July 2, 2007
Why a surprise?
It was incredibly surreal. As we were nearing the church where I was scheduled to speak yesterday morning, something familiar but totally out of place caught my attention. A group of Karen, (pronounced Kuh-Rin) were walking down the sidewalk in the 103 degree temperature at around 8:30 in the morning, headed toward the church that I would speaking at. How did I know they were Karen? They had on their colorful and very distinctive native dress and they walked as a group and with a posture that declared they were'nt from these parts! I had already been pondering how radical it was that some of them were in the U.S. and now I saw them in my environment for the first time and it was just one of those moments that you know you'll never forget. They were walking on concrete sidewalks with apartment complex after apartment complex on their left and a very busy 6 lane road to their right, on the other side of the curb. Was this for real?
A half an hour later I was speaking to a group of about 75 Karen people with Adam, one of the key leaders of the Karen congregation translating my message into their language. Then, the Karen pastor that led the service invited me to help distribute the communion elements as we celebrated the death and resurrection of the Lord.
The pastor had been in a refugee camp in Thailand up until 10 months ago and as the service unfolded the reality of what he's facing hit me. Talk about a challenge. Pastoring alone is a huge challenge, how much greater is the task when you and everyone in your congregation have been dropped into a location on the other side of the world that not only doesn't speak your language or navigate according to your cultural norms, but is in many ways the exact opposite of everything you've ever been exposed to. Your young people are going to public schools with more than a thousand other students and the adults are traveling far away to work in factories which are the only jobs available because of the language barrier everyone is trying to overcome. He's trying to improve his English at the same time everyone in his congregation is doing the same. Talk about a daunting task.
But oh, what a beautifully familiar taste the whole service had. From the incredible harmonies of Karen worship to the report on how the Karen youth helped their local soccer league team reach the championship game, and the truth filled song the teenage boys sang in English as a "special number", I was overwhelmed with God's goodness the whole morning.
As if that wasn't enough, right before the service I was introduced to a family that has been serving in Mongolia for the past 9 years. Why is that significant? The previous Wednesday I had met in Las Vegas with a couple who are being led by the Lord to serve in Mongolia and had questions that I just didn't have answers for. (Sounds like it might be a God-connect moment, heh?)
Michael, the missionary from Mongolia had just arrived with his family in the Phoenix area so that his six month old daughter could have heart surgery. It's a very long story, but suffice it to say that months ago, before they knew they'd be leaving Mongolia to go to Phoenix for surgery for his daughter, his two brothers and his parents had planned to be in Phoenix THIS WEEK for a little get away, (they were all from out of state.) And not only that, his older daughter who lives in a different state and is a professional dance instructor just happens to be in Phoenix THIS WEEK for a big dance event. He didn't know he was even leaving Mongolia a month ago, they planned their trips many months ago, and now as his daughter goes in for surgery this Thursday, basically his whole family is in the area.
It would take way too long to explain to you the number of ways that God showed His sovereignty afresh over the last few days, but He certainly has. There are no accidents or coincidences if the God of the scripture is who He claims to be. Why then are we continually surpised when we see Him orchestrating things like this? Why is it so difficult to consistently believe what His word says about His being at the controls of the universe He has created and sustains? Especially when He has revealed truths like that contained in Psalm 135:6? I haven't gotten it all figured out, at least not yet.
I think over the next few weeks I'll begin meandering down the path of what I've learned about seeing Him in the day to day, moment to moment, warp and woof of life, with "God-connects" abounding. Until next time, keep in mind that He is at the helm of the ship that is our universe.
Blessings,
Jeff
A half an hour later I was speaking to a group of about 75 Karen people with Adam, one of the key leaders of the Karen congregation translating my message into their language. Then, the Karen pastor that led the service invited me to help distribute the communion elements as we celebrated the death and resurrection of the Lord.
The pastor had been in a refugee camp in Thailand up until 10 months ago and as the service unfolded the reality of what he's facing hit me. Talk about a challenge. Pastoring alone is a huge challenge, how much greater is the task when you and everyone in your congregation have been dropped into a location on the other side of the world that not only doesn't speak your language or navigate according to your cultural norms, but is in many ways the exact opposite of everything you've ever been exposed to. Your young people are going to public schools with more than a thousand other students and the adults are traveling far away to work in factories which are the only jobs available because of the language barrier everyone is trying to overcome. He's trying to improve his English at the same time everyone in his congregation is doing the same. Talk about a daunting task.
But oh, what a beautifully familiar taste the whole service had. From the incredible harmonies of Karen worship to the report on how the Karen youth helped their local soccer league team reach the championship game, and the truth filled song the teenage boys sang in English as a "special number", I was overwhelmed with God's goodness the whole morning.
As if that wasn't enough, right before the service I was introduced to a family that has been serving in Mongolia for the past 9 years. Why is that significant? The previous Wednesday I had met in Las Vegas with a couple who are being led by the Lord to serve in Mongolia and had questions that I just didn't have answers for. (Sounds like it might be a God-connect moment, heh?)
Michael, the missionary from Mongolia had just arrived with his family in the Phoenix area so that his six month old daughter could have heart surgery. It's a very long story, but suffice it to say that months ago, before they knew they'd be leaving Mongolia to go to Phoenix for surgery for his daughter, his two brothers and his parents had planned to be in Phoenix THIS WEEK for a little get away, (they were all from out of state.) And not only that, his older daughter who lives in a different state and is a professional dance instructor just happens to be in Phoenix THIS WEEK for a big dance event. He didn't know he was even leaving Mongolia a month ago, they planned their trips many months ago, and now as his daughter goes in for surgery this Thursday, basically his whole family is in the area.
It would take way too long to explain to you the number of ways that God showed His sovereignty afresh over the last few days, but He certainly has. There are no accidents or coincidences if the God of the scripture is who He claims to be. Why then are we continually surpised when we see Him orchestrating things like this? Why is it so difficult to consistently believe what His word says about His being at the controls of the universe He has created and sustains? Especially when He has revealed truths like that contained in Psalm 135:6? I haven't gotten it all figured out, at least not yet.
I think over the next few weeks I'll begin meandering down the path of what I've learned about seeing Him in the day to day, moment to moment, warp and woof of life, with "God-connects" abounding. Until next time, keep in mind that He is at the helm of the ship that is our universe.
Blessings,
Jeff
Sunday, July 1, 2007
A unique opportunity
I'm in Phoenix right now at the home of some very close friends. In less than three hours I'll be speaking at a local church here that houses a small church made up of refugees from a country in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of these precious people have spent at least the last 10 to 15 years or more living in refugee camps inside Thailand--and now they live in America!
I've spent time with many of the Karen people in the largest of those refugee camps in Thailand and there is a possibility that I may be given the blessing of actually meeting some of the ones I met over there. It's incredibily surreal.
Since I discovered a few days ago that I would have this opportunity, I've been begging the Lord for just the right words from Him to share with them. Having factored in some of the huge challenges they are facing with their transition to life in this country and the reality that they may be here the rest of their lives, I've concluded that He would have me speak to them from that letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to his own people who had been taken from their land and were then living in exile in a very foreign and strange country.
One of the verses from God's word that is commonly used as a word of encouragement is Jeremiah 29:11, (check it out.) That particular verse is actually just a portion of the letter that I mentioned above. I'm going to share with my Karen brothers and sisters what Jeremiah had written to these people regarding the attitude they should have, what they should be doing, and what they should be seeking and praying for as they were forced to adjust to life in a place that they never dreamed they'd be living in. The world has come up with a summary phrase for what Jeremiah instructs them to do: "Bloom where you're planted."
If the world gets the concept and the Word of God certainly teaches the concept, have we gotten a handle on it yet? Just wondering.
Blessings,
Jeff
I've spent time with many of the Karen people in the largest of those refugee camps in Thailand and there is a possibility that I may be given the blessing of actually meeting some of the ones I met over there. It's incredibily surreal.
Since I discovered a few days ago that I would have this opportunity, I've been begging the Lord for just the right words from Him to share with them. Having factored in some of the huge challenges they are facing with their transition to life in this country and the reality that they may be here the rest of their lives, I've concluded that He would have me speak to them from that letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to his own people who had been taken from their land and were then living in exile in a very foreign and strange country.
One of the verses from God's word that is commonly used as a word of encouragement is Jeremiah 29:11, (check it out.) That particular verse is actually just a portion of the letter that I mentioned above. I'm going to share with my Karen brothers and sisters what Jeremiah had written to these people regarding the attitude they should have, what they should be doing, and what they should be seeking and praying for as they were forced to adjust to life in a place that they never dreamed they'd be living in. The world has come up with a summary phrase for what Jeremiah instructs them to do: "Bloom where you're planted."
If the world gets the concept and the Word of God certainly teaches the concept, have we gotten a handle on it yet? Just wondering.
Blessings,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)