Did you ever think about how much easier life would be if you didn't have to deal with people? I jest, of course, but one of my old adages is - "Ministry would be a piece of cake if it weren't for the people."
Yes, yes, I know -- ministry is about people. But there have been many periods in my ministerial career that have frustrated the snot out of me because of the human factor. People can be such jerks!
Now when it's me who is under attack, it's difficult. But when it's a friend or especially a family member -- that's the time when you just want to flank the attacker and take him out, or at least divert his attention from his intended target.
I can't go into details, but it's happening. It's distressing when you see Christians attacking their brother or sister. It saddens me because there is no good that comes from a broken relationship that is left unmended. Are we not one body? "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!'" (1 Cor. 12:21)
It angers me because I see the enemy accomplishing his purposes without having to do a thing but sit back and watch.
Too often, the first thing to be tossed aside is the love that we are expected to have for one another -- that which Jesus Himself says we need for the world to know we are His disciples. "Speak the truth in love." Okay, a paraphrase, but is this not a command for us as followers of Christ? First - "the truth"...
Know that what I am saying is the absolute truth and not assumption or speculation. Second - "in love"...
What is love?
Patient
Kind
Doesn't envy
Doesn't boast
Not rude
Not self-seeking
Not easily angered
Keeps no record of wrongs
Whew
Doesn't delight in evil
Rejoices with the truth
ALWAYS:
Protects
Trusts
Hopes
Perseveres
Never fails
(1 Cor. 13)
Yeah - we're human. We won't always get it right. But that shouldn't keep us from trying, and allowing each other the grace to fail us.
Again, Paul:
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph 4:2-3)
Christ is our example. Did He hold anything against any of those whose rumors nailed Him to the cross, or those who carried out the execution? No - it was for them and each and every one of us that He died.
His only motivations were love and the desire to glorify the Father.
All of our actions must be to this end.
Period.
Jun 17, 2007
Jun 11, 2007
Boldness
Listening to Erwin McManus the other day, I was blown away by a statement he made. It had to do with boldness in personal witnessing. You know -- that thing that causes most of us to get hives when faced with it.
I don't recall his exact words, but if I may paraphrase...
The boldness that is most important is not the boldness to share the Gospel with another in the moment that the opportunity presents itself.
What is most important is the boldness to live one's life in such a way that those who observe it want to know more about what makes it different and special. That's what opens the door to natural conversations in which one can then share one's faith without the pressure of "witnessing".
Simple.
I don't recall his exact words, but if I may paraphrase...
The boldness that is most important is not the boldness to share the Gospel with another in the moment that the opportunity presents itself.
What is most important is the boldness to live one's life in such a way that those who observe it want to know more about what makes it different and special. That's what opens the door to natural conversations in which one can then share one's faith without the pressure of "witnessing".
Simple.
Jun 4, 2007
Left behind
So in the past 6 weeks, two families from our orientation class have moved overseas to their respective fields of work with GEM. I'm thrilled for them, but it makes us long all the more for that day when it will be us.
Of course, as most of you who read this know, part of our delay in getting to the field full-time is out of deference to our daughter Molly, as she has only finished her first year at university and, while getting closer all the time, isn't quite ready for us to move overseas.
We are also still in the midst of raising the funds that we need to live on while we're there and to cover all of the costs associated with the move. We have this feeling that the pledges of support will be there at the same time that Molly is ready. So far, God's timing has been perfect, although not exactly what we had planned. He sees it all, beginning and end, and knows what's best for us.
But the one really cool thing is the fact that He has made it possible for us to be in Ireland several times during the year and begin our work. In fact, this method will make our transition to life overseas much easier, as the groundwork is being laid and relationships are being formed. Now, when we do move, we'll just pick up what we've started in our work and won't have to worry about that while we're trying to acclimate ourselves to a new culture and way of life.
The truth of the matter, however, looks us squarely in the face. The sooner we have the money, the sooner we will be moving. So now it's just a matter of connecting with those who are supposed to be supporting us financially on a monthly basis and having them begin their giving. It's simple -- just not that easy. God knows who they are and it's our job to find out.
So we haven't really been left behind by our colleagues. God's plan for them was a little different than for us.
We'll get there soon enough.
Of course, as most of you who read this know, part of our delay in getting to the field full-time is out of deference to our daughter Molly, as she has only finished her first year at university and, while getting closer all the time, isn't quite ready for us to move overseas.
We are also still in the midst of raising the funds that we need to live on while we're there and to cover all of the costs associated with the move. We have this feeling that the pledges of support will be there at the same time that Molly is ready. So far, God's timing has been perfect, although not exactly what we had planned. He sees it all, beginning and end, and knows what's best for us.
But the one really cool thing is the fact that He has made it possible for us to be in Ireland several times during the year and begin our work. In fact, this method will make our transition to life overseas much easier, as the groundwork is being laid and relationships are being formed. Now, when we do move, we'll just pick up what we've started in our work and won't have to worry about that while we're trying to acclimate ourselves to a new culture and way of life.
The truth of the matter, however, looks us squarely in the face. The sooner we have the money, the sooner we will be moving. So now it's just a matter of connecting with those who are supposed to be supporting us financially on a monthly basis and having them begin their giving. It's simple -- just not that easy. God knows who they are and it's our job to find out.
So we haven't really been left behind by our colleagues. God's plan for them was a little different than for us.
We'll get there soon enough.
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