A List from Romans 12 (taken from the New Jerusalem Bible):
Never pride yourself on being better than you really are.
Think of yourself dispassionately.
When you give, you should give generously.
If you are put in charge, you must be conscientious.
If you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.
Love without any pretense.
Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.
Let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression.
Regard others as more important than yourself.
In the service of the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.
Be joyful.
Persevere in hardship.
Keep praying regularly.
Share with any of God's holy people who are in need.
Look for opportunities to be hospitable.
Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.
Rejoice with others when they rejoice.
Be sad with those in sorrow.
Give the same consideration to all.
Pay no regard to social standing.
Meet humble people on their own terms.
Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.
Never pay back evil with evil.
To the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
Never try to get revenge.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
These are some difficult things to live out, but some of the absolute most important. What if we were to really take these instructions from Paul seriously? It's not easy.
It feels so natural to hate our enemy, and to look for ways to protect ourselves and get revenge. It's natural to consider a person's social standing and make judgments and decisions based on it.
It's natural to become so absorbed in your own life that you don't notice when others are rejoicing or weeping. It's natural to want to pay back evil for evil. It's natural to desire power. It's natural to let our relationships strain, rather than to lay down our agenda, gather up humility, and seek peace and reconciliation.
Jesus Christ himself shows us that there are richer and better ways of doing life. When he prays, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven," he's praying for us, his followers, that we will be the hands and feet that bring hope and new life to the nations--not just a promise of life in heaven, but a new life now. Kingdom life. Selflessness. Goodness. Mercy. Love. Peace. Healing. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Kingdom life is not just what we have to look forward to. It has come, and it is coming. Look around you; God is doing his work of reconciliation at this very moment. It's his passion. It's beautiful.
There are a few things that reading this Romans 12 passage made me think of. Yesterday, I read an article that re-inspired me to pray for the leaders of our nation. Sometimes I get lazy about it, because frankly, I just feel so disappointed in the choices they (and we the people) are making and I start to feel overwhelmed. What if we, the people and leaders of the U.S., actually took the things that Jesus taught seriously? What if our money and energy was spent "giving our enemy food when he is hungry; giving him something to drink when he is thirsty" rather than in defense of our (elusive) freedom? Rather than immediate retaliation against our "enemies" can we instead consider mastering evil with good? To be at peace with everyone, as much as we are able? I desire this for the leaders of our nation, but these things are grass root. They have to start at the most basic, individual level. Change happens from the bottom up, rather than from the top down.
Is being the most powerful and rich country in the world really a blessing from God? I once heard my professor explain that "to bless" someone means to put it in its proper place. We bless God. He blesses us. If we were truly in our proper place (where God desires us to be), then the fruits we would bear would be things like peace, love, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self-control. Does that sound like the way we use our power in the world? I do think it's possible to be in our proper place and to have some sort of position of power. Hierarchy is natural and helpful. But love and protection of power at others' expense is not from God. If we really believed that we were blessed by God, we would be so humbled and thankful that we could not help but be a blessing to others (didn't God bless Israel so that they could be a blessing to the nations?). Pass it on. Not horde it for ourselves. And we would live in a way that thought of ourselves dispassionately.
Maybe you can already see the conclusion I'm coming to with this. I don't believe that we are a powerful nation because God has ordained it this way. I believe we are a powerful nation because this is the way our broken world works. If we have money, we have power. If we have power, we feel safe. Everyone wants to be the powerful nation. Power is passed around, and trades hands throughout time. It's what we do with the power that matters. Whoever holds power also holds great responsibility to those who do not hold power. It seems to me that Romans 12 gives us some great guidelines for our relationship to others, and much of it has to do with valuing and loving the other more than you value and love your own life.
It's my prayer that we, the people who profess Christ as our King, will allow his peace and love to reign in our hearts, so that the Kingdom of God on earth (what is beautifully described by Paul in Romans 12) would truly come.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Kingdom Life (Version 2)
From Romans 12:
Never pride yourself on being better than you really are.
Think of yourself dispassionately.
When you give, you should give generously.
If you are put in charge, you must be conscientious.
If you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.
Love without any pretense.
Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.
Let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression.
Regard others as more important than yourself.
In the service of the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.
Be joyful.
Persevere in hardship.
Keep praying regularly.
Share with any of God's holy people who are in need.
Look for opportunities to be hospitable.
Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.
Rejoice with others when they rejoice.
Be sad with those in sorrow.
Give the same consideration to all.
Pay no regard to social standing.
Meet humble people on their own terms.
Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.
Never pay back evil with evil.
To the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
Never try to get revenge.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
In my own life, I feel that these are some of the most difficult things to live out, but also some of the absolute most important. What if I were to truly take these instructions from Paul seriously? How would my life be different?
It feels so natural to hate those who hate us, doesn't it? And to look for ways to protect ourselves and get revenge. It feels natural to consider a person's social standing and make judgments and decisions based on it. It feels natural to become so absorbed in our own life that we don't notice when others are rejoicing or weeping. It feels natural to want to pay back evil for evil. It feels natural to desire power. It feels natural to let our relationships strain, rather than to lay down our agenda, gather up humility, and seek peace and reconciliation.
Last fall in our chapel services we went through a phrase from The Lord's Prayer each week. Since then, I have been struck by many parts of the prayer, one of them being "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven." In my experience, this prayer has been avoided because we haven't been quite sure what to do with the phrase--hasn't the kingdom already come? Why should we continue praying that prayer? It seems to me that yes, the kingdom has come and exists in the hearts of his followers (Luke 17), but also that through his followers, the kingdom continues to come. The will of God is to make all things right; to reconcile all things to himself; to bring all things together through the redemptive work of Christ. This is as it is in heaven. When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray that the Kingdom of God would come, and God's will would be done on earth as in heaven, I believe that he's teaching them to look for ways to continue bringing the Kingdom of God right here on earth. They would be the hands and feet that would help usher in new hope and healing and new life to the people around them. And this was not just a promise of new life in heaven, but new life in that moment. Kingdom life. Selflessness. Goodness. Mercy. Love. Peace. Healing. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Patience. If we are not careful, we can over-spiritualize the Kingdom existing in our hearts, while people around us are hungry, angry, addicted, lonely, afraid. But as Christians, we must remember that the Kingdom continues to come in very tangible, familiar ways, and Jesus calls us to be a part of it all. Kingdom life is not just what we have to look forward to. It has come, and it is coming. Look around you; God is doing his work of reconciliation and restoration at this very moment. It's his passion. It's beautiful.
The things Paul describes in Romans 12 are not natural for us. But I get chills as I imagine my life transformed by the spirit of Christ, being able to think of myself dispassionately; to give food and drink to the person who desires to harm me; to come outside of myself and rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep; to persevere in hardship; to give generously; to love with no agenda; to eagerly desire peace.
As people who profess Christ as our King, I pray that we can allow his peace and love to reign in our hearts so that the Kingdom of God on earth (as is so beautifully described in Romans 12) would truly come.
Never pride yourself on being better than you really are.
Think of yourself dispassionately.
When you give, you should give generously.
If you are put in charge, you must be conscientious.
If you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.
Love without any pretense.
Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.
Let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression.
Regard others as more important than yourself.
In the service of the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.
Be joyful.
Persevere in hardship.
Keep praying regularly.
Share with any of God's holy people who are in need.
Look for opportunities to be hospitable.
Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.
Rejoice with others when they rejoice.
Be sad with those in sorrow.
Give the same consideration to all.
Pay no regard to social standing.
Meet humble people on their own terms.
Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.
Never pay back evil with evil.
To the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
Never try to get revenge.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
In my own life, I feel that these are some of the most difficult things to live out, but also some of the absolute most important. What if I were to truly take these instructions from Paul seriously? How would my life be different?
It feels so natural to hate those who hate us, doesn't it? And to look for ways to protect ourselves and get revenge. It feels natural to consider a person's social standing and make judgments and decisions based on it. It feels natural to become so absorbed in our own life that we don't notice when others are rejoicing or weeping. It feels natural to want to pay back evil for evil. It feels natural to desire power. It feels natural to let our relationships strain, rather than to lay down our agenda, gather up humility, and seek peace and reconciliation.
Last fall in our chapel services we went through a phrase from The Lord's Prayer each week. Since then, I have been struck by many parts of the prayer, one of them being "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven." In my experience, this prayer has been avoided because we haven't been quite sure what to do with the phrase--hasn't the kingdom already come? Why should we continue praying that prayer? It seems to me that yes, the kingdom has come and exists in the hearts of his followers (Luke 17), but also that through his followers, the kingdom continues to come. The will of God is to make all things right; to reconcile all things to himself; to bring all things together through the redemptive work of Christ. This is as it is in heaven. When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray that the Kingdom of God would come, and God's will would be done on earth as in heaven, I believe that he's teaching them to look for ways to continue bringing the Kingdom of God right here on earth. They would be the hands and feet that would help usher in new hope and healing and new life to the people around them. And this was not just a promise of new life in heaven, but new life in that moment. Kingdom life. Selflessness. Goodness. Mercy. Love. Peace. Healing. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Patience. If we are not careful, we can over-spiritualize the Kingdom existing in our hearts, while people around us are hungry, angry, addicted, lonely, afraid. But as Christians, we must remember that the Kingdom continues to come in very tangible, familiar ways, and Jesus calls us to be a part of it all. Kingdom life is not just what we have to look forward to. It has come, and it is coming. Look around you; God is doing his work of reconciliation and restoration at this very moment. It's his passion. It's beautiful.
The things Paul describes in Romans 12 are not natural for us. But I get chills as I imagine my life transformed by the spirit of Christ, being able to think of myself dispassionately; to give food and drink to the person who desires to harm me; to come outside of myself and rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep; to persevere in hardship; to give generously; to love with no agenda; to eagerly desire peace.
As people who profess Christ as our King, I pray that we can allow his peace and love to reign in our hearts so that the Kingdom of God on earth (as is so beautifully described in Romans 12) would truly come.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Giving, Never Taking
You are the giver of all good things.
All good things are sent from heaven above,
rain and sun, day and night, justice and righteousness,
bread to the eater and seed to the sower,
peace to the old, energy to the young, joy to the babes.
We are takers, who take from you, day by day, daily bread,
taking all we need as you supply,
taking in gratitude and wonder and joy.
And then taking more,
taking more than we need, taking more than you give us,
taking from our sister and brothers,
taking from the poor and the weak,
taking because we are frightened, and so greedy,
taking because we are anxious, and so fearful,
taking because we are driven, and so uncaring.
Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed.
Give us well-being beyond our anxiety, and so end our fear.
Give us abundance beyond our drivenness,
and so end our uncaring.
Turn our taking into giving... since we are in your giving image.
Make us giving like you,
Giving gladly and not taking, giving in abundance, not taking,
Giving in joy, not taking, giving as he gave himself up for us all,
Giving, never taking.
From Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth
All good things are sent from heaven above,
rain and sun, day and night, justice and righteousness,
bread to the eater and seed to the sower,
peace to the old, energy to the young, joy to the babes.
We are takers, who take from you, day by day, daily bread,
taking all we need as you supply,
taking in gratitude and wonder and joy.
And then taking more,
taking more than we need, taking more than you give us,
taking from our sister and brothers,
taking from the poor and the weak,
taking because we are frightened, and so greedy,
taking because we are anxious, and so fearful,
taking because we are driven, and so uncaring.
Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed.
Give us well-being beyond our anxiety, and so end our fear.
Give us abundance beyond our drivenness,
and so end our uncaring.
Turn our taking into giving... since we are in your giving image.
Make us giving like you,
Giving gladly and not taking, giving in abundance, not taking,
Giving in joy, not taking, giving as he gave himself up for us all,
Giving, never taking.
From Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Embracing the Other
Yesterday, a Graduate School of Theology alumna from several years ago was invited to come and speak to the current GST students. The topic of conversation was "Believable Futures of Church of Christ." Her name was Kim. She grew up in a small Church of Christ in Texas (120 members... large for Nebraska, small for Texas). It was an older, more conservative church where there were not many others her age. Her experience in that church was very positive, as she was doted on by about 20 sets of grandparents every Sunday. When she entered Middle School, her parents put her into a baptist school--that was the first time she learned that different people read the bible and interpret it in different ways. She had some great teachers and great friends in that school. So, once in Sunday school at church, she asked her teacher who was one of the older men if her baptist friends were "saved." His reply to her was, "no, they are not."
That conversation was a really important time for Kim in her journey of faith. Even at 13 years old, she wondered how it could possibly be true. I had a similar experience to the one that Kim described growing up. My church was loving, with lots of built-in parents and grandparents. And I learned in a Wednesday night class in middle school all of the ways that other traditions were not following the bible, as compared to how the Church of Christ reads and interprets the bible most correctly and therefore are probably the only ones who will be saved. I had a really good friend who attended the local Congregational church. I struggled with the statement my class teacher made, with this friend particularly in mind. I could not believe that she was not saved! It just didn't feel right.
A couple of things that Kim said stuck with me. First, as she continued to reflect on the answer her Sunday School teacher gave her, she was struck by the words of Jesus, that we are able to judge a tree by the fruit it bears. So many of her baptist friends bore the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. It was that realization, along with other events in her life I'm sure, that allowed her to explore the possibility that maybe different people read and interpret the bible differently; that things are not so black and white. I was refreshed to hear her recall that passage from Matthew 7, because it really does call into question (for me, anyway) the legalities that we expect people to submit to in order to be true Christ followers, and really... Jesus himself makes it much more simple and beautiful. A good tree bears good fruit! Instead of worrying about the label a particular group of Christians has on their building, and instead of worrying about where a particular friend or loved one worships on Sunday morning, wouldn't it be much more simple and beautiful if we all paid attention to the fruits we and others bear?
Kim graduated from ACU with her BA Biblical Studies and her MDiv. Along the way, because she had to take preaching classes, she realized that she was actually a very gifted speaker. Because she could not find her place in the Churches of Christ with this gift, she has since been ordained as a minister into the Episcopal church, where her gender is not an issue. This was one of the reasons she was invited to speak to the GST students. There are many women like Kim who are gifted beyond teaching children and cooking for potluck. Some of them who have realized this have the opportunity to blossom within safe contexts of people who affirm their gifts. They see hope for new possibilities for a partnership for women and men in the life of the church--but they wonder if they will ever find this partnership and freedom within their own Church of Christ heritage. So, some wonder, like Kim, if its best to find another place where their gender is not an issue. Others feel bonded to their heritage, like family, and they choose to stay, but perhaps with feelings of confusion, sometimes hurt, and sometimes hope for a better future.
Kim also mentioned the Church of Christ's strong-held conviction in the priesthood of all believers. We are adamant that we don't need a hierarchy of church offices, because all are equally ordained and have equal access to God. I wonder why we believe in the priesthood of all believers, but only certain parts of the priesthood apply to women? Priests had more duties than to be a mediator for confession of sins.
I think Kim had some great reflections to share. She really is gifted. The conversation about women and men partnering in the church (avoiding the term "women's roles") is something very close to my heart. I fall into the category of loving my heritage, and have no plans to "leave", for lack of a better term, but I do hope and pray that I and other women can navigate the waters with gentleness and love, and find ourselves in a place where our gifts can be valued and used for the building up of the church, right here in our own C of C heritage. Men and women need each other. Churches of all kinds need each other. May God give us grace and open arms to embrace the other.
That conversation was a really important time for Kim in her journey of faith. Even at 13 years old, she wondered how it could possibly be true. I had a similar experience to the one that Kim described growing up. My church was loving, with lots of built-in parents and grandparents. And I learned in a Wednesday night class in middle school all of the ways that other traditions were not following the bible, as compared to how the Church of Christ reads and interprets the bible most correctly and therefore are probably the only ones who will be saved. I had a really good friend who attended the local Congregational church. I struggled with the statement my class teacher made, with this friend particularly in mind. I could not believe that she was not saved! It just didn't feel right.
A couple of things that Kim said stuck with me. First, as she continued to reflect on the answer her Sunday School teacher gave her, she was struck by the words of Jesus, that we are able to judge a tree by the fruit it bears. So many of her baptist friends bore the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. It was that realization, along with other events in her life I'm sure, that allowed her to explore the possibility that maybe different people read and interpret the bible differently; that things are not so black and white. I was refreshed to hear her recall that passage from Matthew 7, because it really does call into question (for me, anyway) the legalities that we expect people to submit to in order to be true Christ followers, and really... Jesus himself makes it much more simple and beautiful. A good tree bears good fruit! Instead of worrying about the label a particular group of Christians has on their building, and instead of worrying about where a particular friend or loved one worships on Sunday morning, wouldn't it be much more simple and beautiful if we all paid attention to the fruits we and others bear?
Kim graduated from ACU with her BA Biblical Studies and her MDiv. Along the way, because she had to take preaching classes, she realized that she was actually a very gifted speaker. Because she could not find her place in the Churches of Christ with this gift, she has since been ordained as a minister into the Episcopal church, where her gender is not an issue. This was one of the reasons she was invited to speak to the GST students. There are many women like Kim who are gifted beyond teaching children and cooking for potluck. Some of them who have realized this have the opportunity to blossom within safe contexts of people who affirm their gifts. They see hope for new possibilities for a partnership for women and men in the life of the church--but they wonder if they will ever find this partnership and freedom within their own Church of Christ heritage. So, some wonder, like Kim, if its best to find another place where their gender is not an issue. Others feel bonded to their heritage, like family, and they choose to stay, but perhaps with feelings of confusion, sometimes hurt, and sometimes hope for a better future.
Kim also mentioned the Church of Christ's strong-held conviction in the priesthood of all believers. We are adamant that we don't need a hierarchy of church offices, because all are equally ordained and have equal access to God. I wonder why we believe in the priesthood of all believers, but only certain parts of the priesthood apply to women? Priests had more duties than to be a mediator for confession of sins.
I think Kim had some great reflections to share. She really is gifted. The conversation about women and men partnering in the church (avoiding the term "women's roles") is something very close to my heart. I fall into the category of loving my heritage, and have no plans to "leave", for lack of a better term, but I do hope and pray that I and other women can navigate the waters with gentleness and love, and find ourselves in a place where our gifts can be valued and used for the building up of the church, right here in our own C of C heritage. Men and women need each other. Churches of all kinds need each other. May God give us grace and open arms to embrace the other.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
From Deadly Thoughts to Godly Virtues
We're at Monk's today, a local Abilene coffee shop, where Ben is working on a 3 1/2 hour take-home test for his Restoration History class, and I'm enjoying a latte and some quiet reading and reflection. Right now, I'm reading a book that's called Longing for God, by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe. I've just started the book, but there have been parts that have struck me as significant, so I thought I'd share some today.
You've heard of the 7 deadly sins, right? Well, before Gregory the Great (540-604) compiled that list, Evagrius of Ponticus (345-399) identified 8 deadly thoughts (later to be compressed into the 7 deadly sins). The 8 deadly thoughts are the various challenges we confront as we develop our life with God. They are:
Greed overcome by generosity. "The godly virtue of generosity overcomes greed by recognizing that our greatest good is found in sharing with others in community. It celebrates the contributions of others because we are content in the value and place of our own contribution" (59). Beautifully put. Generosity is not just about money; it includes graciously giving to help others in need, but generosity can also be shown by allowing a place for the other to succeed. Our desire for money and fame is overcome by our trust that God's provision is sufficient.
Melancholy overcome by wisdom. "Melancholy and depression arise from the belief that our very existence does not matter... It concludes that the priorities by which we have structured our life will have no lingering effect after we are gone" (60-61). I definitely desire for my life to be meaningful, whatever I do with it. It seems like such a daunting task to make a difference in the world that it can be overwhelming, and can eventually lead to the feeling that it's impossible. "Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to recognize the role our life plays in the greater affairs of the world. It is contentment with our individual contribution and recognizing that our priorities will affect the next generation and beyond. It is celebration of the past and anticipation of the future without being overly concerned about our particular involvement. It is to enjoy our legacy without feeling we must tidy it up before we're gone" (61).
Finally, envy and happiness. This is the one that resonated the most with me--maybe because I have such talented friends and family. :) I often find myself feeling inadequate in my own gifts and abilities, because I see others' abilities and wonder if they are making a greater impact on the world than I am. You would think the way to squash these feelings of envy would be to think of yourself more highly--afterall, isn't that the opposite of thinking of others highly? Yeah... tried it, it stinks. :) Rather, it turns out the opposite of envy, happiness, is found in the ability to celebrate the skills and abilities of others, AND to celebrate my own skills and abilities. "Happiness... arises from a celebration of the mutual contributions that we make together... true happiness is possible only when our egocentrism is controlled and our ability to be other-centered is fully developed" (59).
I like that Evagrius believed that the 8 deadly thoughts could be overcome, but not in a vacuum--they must be replaced with the 8 godly virtues. He believed that although the 8 deadly thoughts were strong and loud within the mind, the godly virtues, so weak and unobtrusive, have a power that is unseen to us.
The goal is to know God; not to know about God, but to truly know God. The more we learn to appropriately respond to any physical, mental, or spiritual stimulation, are the more we are formed into the image of God, by the mercy of Christ, the more our minds will be able to fully and purely contemplate God.
All quotes taken from Foster, Richard J and Gayle D. Beebe. Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
You've heard of the 7 deadly sins, right? Well, before Gregory the Great (540-604) compiled that list, Evagrius of Ponticus (345-399) identified 8 deadly thoughts (later to be compressed into the 7 deadly sins). The 8 deadly thoughts are the various challenges we confront as we develop our life with God. They are:
- Gluttony--insatiable desire to take things in, to consume and to attempt to satisfy desire through gorging.
- Anger--arises from a sense of violation of self, of agreements, of principles; arises when we feel a threat to our social status or when we desire to control other people's lives.
- Greed--grasping for money or fame; seeks to fill others' minds with ourselves, and leads to a lack of respect for the needs of others, because our own needs overrun all normal boundaries and limits.
- Envy--feeling inadequate about our own gifts and abilities and begin to resent the gifts and abilities of others; motivated by a fear of losing our place.
- Pride--a disproportionate sense of our own contributions manifesting in an inordinate belief in our own importance. Like envy, it's unable to recognize the contributions of others because this very recognition threatens the view we want to hold of ourselves.
- Lust or impurity--results from egocentrism, and that the other exists only to satisfy our desires.
- Indifference or impatient discouragement--result of believing that the daily affairs of life, and the way we spend our life, don't matter.
- Melancholy or depression--arise from the belief that our very existence does not matter. (58-61)
- Temperance (overcomes gluttony)--recognizes that there will always be more to come and that God will provide.
- Mildness (overcomes anger)--When we are "violated", we find that God totally satisfies our need to be valued and recognized, so we respond with self-restraint and confidence in God.
- Generosity (overcomes greed)--recognizes that our greatest good is found in sharing with others in community.
- Happiness (overcomes envy)--arises from a celebration of ours own competencies as well as celeration of the skills of others. It's possible only when our egocentrism is controlled and our ability to be other-centered is fully developed.
- Humility (overcomes pride)--allows us to see our role in the greater purposes of God's design without feeling threatened by the achivements of others.
- Chastity (overcomes lust and impurity)--works to properly balance love with the capacity to be loved.
- Diligence (overcomes indifference and impatient discouragement)--believing that the ultimate purpose of our life rests in the hands of God; maintaining confidence in the providence of God even when there is no immediate evidence to justify such confidence.
- Wisdom (overcomes melancholy and depression)--the ability to recognize the role our life plays in the greater affairs of the world; contentment with our individual contribution and recognizing that our priorities will affect the next generation and beyond; ability to enjoy our legacy without feeling we must tidy it up before we are gone. (58-61)
Greed overcome by generosity. "The godly virtue of generosity overcomes greed by recognizing that our greatest good is found in sharing with others in community. It celebrates the contributions of others because we are content in the value and place of our own contribution" (59). Beautifully put. Generosity is not just about money; it includes graciously giving to help others in need, but generosity can also be shown by allowing a place for the other to succeed. Our desire for money and fame is overcome by our trust that God's provision is sufficient.
Melancholy overcome by wisdom. "Melancholy and depression arise from the belief that our very existence does not matter... It concludes that the priorities by which we have structured our life will have no lingering effect after we are gone" (60-61). I definitely desire for my life to be meaningful, whatever I do with it. It seems like such a daunting task to make a difference in the world that it can be overwhelming, and can eventually lead to the feeling that it's impossible. "Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to recognize the role our life plays in the greater affairs of the world. It is contentment with our individual contribution and recognizing that our priorities will affect the next generation and beyond. It is celebration of the past and anticipation of the future without being overly concerned about our particular involvement. It is to enjoy our legacy without feeling we must tidy it up before we're gone" (61).
Finally, envy and happiness. This is the one that resonated the most with me--maybe because I have such talented friends and family. :) I often find myself feeling inadequate in my own gifts and abilities, because I see others' abilities and wonder if they are making a greater impact on the world than I am. You would think the way to squash these feelings of envy would be to think of yourself more highly--afterall, isn't that the opposite of thinking of others highly? Yeah... tried it, it stinks. :) Rather, it turns out the opposite of envy, happiness, is found in the ability to celebrate the skills and abilities of others, AND to celebrate my own skills and abilities. "Happiness... arises from a celebration of the mutual contributions that we make together... true happiness is possible only when our egocentrism is controlled and our ability to be other-centered is fully developed" (59).
I like that Evagrius believed that the 8 deadly thoughts could be overcome, but not in a vacuum--they must be replaced with the 8 godly virtues. He believed that although the 8 deadly thoughts were strong and loud within the mind, the godly virtues, so weak and unobtrusive, have a power that is unseen to us.
The goal is to know God; not to know about God, but to truly know God. The more we learn to appropriately respond to any physical, mental, or spiritual stimulation, are the more we are formed into the image of God, by the mercy of Christ, the more our minds will be able to fully and purely contemplate God.
All quotes taken from Foster, Richard J and Gayle D. Beebe. Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Friday, November 14, 2008
From Whom No Secrets Are Hid
お久しぶり！
I know it's been a looooong time since I've posted. I think about a lot of things, and want to post some thoughts quite often, but I find myself feeling nervous to let the world (or at least the 4 people I know of) read my random, sometimes disconnected thoughts. It's a lot of pressure to write something worth reading. :) But I would like to rejoin the blogging world, and let everyone keep up with what's going on in my mind and heart.
Recently, I've been reading Prayers for a Privileged People by Walter Bruggemann. If you've never read this book, I would highly recommend it. Ben and I have enjoyed pulling this book out sometimes and reading the prayers together. The language is so articulate, and the words are meaningful and rich. More and more, I'm appreciating prayers like this--written, poetic. When read slowly and purposefully, these prayers, though first prayed by others, have been my prayers too, and have been an agent of change and growth in my heart.
I know it's been a looooong time since I've posted. I think about a lot of things, and want to post some thoughts quite often, but I find myself feeling nervous to let the world (or at least the 4 people I know of) read my random, sometimes disconnected thoughts. It's a lot of pressure to write something worth reading. :) But I would like to rejoin the blogging world, and let everyone keep up with what's going on in my mind and heart.
Recently, I've been reading Prayers for a Privileged People by Walter Bruggemann. If you've never read this book, I would highly recommend it. Ben and I have enjoyed pulling this book out sometimes and reading the prayers together. The language is so articulate, and the words are meaningful and rich. More and more, I'm appreciating prayers like this--written, poetic. When read slowly and purposefully, these prayers, though first prayed by others, have been my prayers too, and have been an agent of change and growth in my heart.
The priest says, "Almighty God . . . from whom no secrets are
hid."
We rush to the next phrase but now linger there.
We are rich conundrums of secrets,
we weave a pattern of lies in order to be
well thought of,
we engage in subterfuge about our truth.
We carry old secrets too painful to utter,
too shameful to acknowledge,
too burdensom to bear,
of failures we cannot undo,
of alienations we regret but cannot fix,
of grandiose exhibits we cannot curb.
And you know them.
You know them all.
And so we take a deep sigh in your presence,
no longer needing to pretent and
cover up and
deny.
We mostlly do no have big sins to confess,
only modest shames that do not
fit our hoped-for selves.
And then we find that your knowing is more
powerful than our secrets.
You know and do not turn away,
and our secrets that seemed too powerful
are emptied of strength,
secrets that seemed too burdensome
are now less severe.
We marvel that when you find us out
you stay with us,
taking us serously,
taking our secrets soberly,
but not ultimately,
overpowering our little failure
with your masive love
and your abiding patience.
We long to be fully, honestly
exposed to your gaze of gentleness.
In the moment of your knowing
we are eased and lightened,
and we feel the surge of joy move in our bodies,
because we are not ours in cringing
but yours in communion.
We are yours and find the truth before you
makes us free for
wonder, love, and praise--and new life.
Walter Bruggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People
hid."
We rush to the next phrase but now linger there.
We are rich conundrums of secrets,
we weave a pattern of lies in order to be
well thought of,
we engage in subterfuge about our truth.
We carry old secrets too painful to utter,
too shameful to acknowledge,
too burdensom to bear,
of failures we cannot undo,
of alienations we regret but cannot fix,
of grandiose exhibits we cannot curb.
And you know them.
You know them all.
And so we take a deep sigh in your presence,
no longer needing to pretent and
cover up and
deny.
We mostlly do no have big sins to confess,
only modest shames that do not
fit our hoped-for selves.
And then we find that your knowing is more
powerful than our secrets.
You know and do not turn away,
and our secrets that seemed too powerful
are emptied of strength,
secrets that seemed too burdensome
are now less severe.
We marvel that when you find us out
you stay with us,
taking us serously,
taking our secrets soberly,
but not ultimately,
overpowering our little failure
with your masive love
and your abiding patience.
We long to be fully, honestly
exposed to your gaze of gentleness.
In the moment of your knowing
we are eased and lightened,
and we feel the surge of joy move in our bodies,
because we are not ours in cringing
but yours in communion.
We are yours and find the truth before you
makes us free for
wonder, love, and praise--and new life.
Walter Bruggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People
Monday, September 17, 2007
All In a Summer's Work
This is the final report I will be sending out concerning my 15-month mission internship in Sendai, Japan. It's so hard to believe how quickly 15 months flew right by! But, I have returned to my parents house in CO, now, and as I write this report, I can't stop thanking and praising God for the beautiful people I was surrounded by, and for the countless blessings he poured over Debi and me as we worked and lived in Japan. Praise God for an amazing, life-changing, faith-building 15 months! In this report, I want to share with you the highlights from the final few months of our internship, May-September. As you read, please know that God is working powerfully in the lives of these people, and each class, camp, or Bible study that they are involved in is just another step closer to knowing Jesus our Savior, and God is purposefully drawing them to himself. "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner or the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious." Isaiah 11:10
Cell Group
Our Cell Group time was one of my favorite times each week! This small group Bible study consisted of 4 college age non-Christians (Haruna, Yui, Kazuhiro, and M
ichiaki), 1 Japanese Christian (Yuko Kawamura), Debi and myself. In our earlier Gospel Singing classes, Debi and I found that these people were craving spiritual discussions, and wanted the chance to ask questions and think deeply together (see blog entry posted February 28, "God Moments").
Each Monday night, Debi and I would prepare a meal for them, enjoy 1 hour of eating and sharing together, followed by 2 hours of worship, singing, and studying the Bible. Our study focused on sin and grace, using Romans as a guide. One night, combined with Ben and Joel's cell group, Jonathan also shared an awesome, easy to understand overview of the Bible and God's covenant/plan of salvation from the beginning of time, carried out through Jesus.
1-on-1 Bible Studies
Two of my students, Haruna and Kayoko, have been deeply searching for truth, and my relationship with them had grown so much during the year that I was thankful to be able to continue our study through the summer. Kayoko loves Jesus, and wants to serve the true God of Heaven, but is struggling with making a clear commitment to become a Christian. Haruna was also involved in our cell group Bible study.
Let's Start Talki
ng
We were blessed to have four Let's Start Talking workers (Cami Towell (my younger sister!), Bethany Stanger, Brian Keller, and Simon Nading) and two Master's Apprentice workers (A Thao, and Kao Lee) serve the Lord in Sendai this summer for 8 weeks! Each of them showed unique gifts and abilities God has given them to reach their students. It was really a blessing to watch how God worked through them, and changed them from the beginning of the project to the end. They each did a great job teaching the Bible and spending time with their readers, and even several weeks after the team returned to America, the Japanese people were still telling stories about their teachers and experiences from the summer.
Camp
At the end of the summer, many of the LST readers were able to participate in Friends Camp. The camp staff, Saprina Howard, Holly Neeley, Jared Stark, Paul Neeves, Lance Lawrence, Walter and Shirley Straker, worked hard and did such a great job of creating a fun and spiritually focused weekend, where the readers could experience worship, group Bible studies, recreation, and Christian fellowship.
Coffee Shop
Jonathan dedicated lots of time this summer to making the coffee shop ministry an effective way to reach the LST students! And Debi and I were able to pitch in and help him 3 days a week. At the coffee shop, LST readers could come early or stay late after their lesson, and enjoy good coffee, conversation, and fellowship. It was a great opportunity for us to get to know them on a more personal level, and also a great way for the LST students to interact with each other and build communities of friendship.
Prayer ministry
"O you who hear prayer, all men will come to you..." Psalm 65:2
Together with the LST and MAP workers, our mission team, Japanese Christians, and sometimes even LST non-Christians... this summer's activities and people involved were especially covered over with prayer. Re-convicted by several verses and Bible stories (like James 5:15-16, Hezekiah 19:9-19), we wanted to daily and specifically bring each of the LST students before God, asking Him to work powerfully in their life and change them! Many hours were spent in prayer for the Christians in Asia to raise up and boldly share their faith in God. We prayed for the small churches in Japan, to be encouraged and challenged daily in their faith. And we prayed for God to make each of US more faithful and obedient to His will for our lives.
This time was powerful, not only for the people in Asia, but also for us, as we experienced changes and growth in our own lives of prayer and faith in God. Praise God that we can approach him with confidence, and that he hears and answers the prayers of his people! What an awesome God we serve!
Japanese language teacher
After studying Japanese for 11 months with Jonathan, Michiko, and Akiko (church member), this summer I went to the International Center and found a volunteer, non-English speaking, sweet woman who wanted to teach me Japanese! Of course her lack of English presented some interesting challenges, but I enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture AND becoming friends with her. May God use this friendship to make himself known in her life!
AMF
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This year as the grand finale to my internship in Japan, I was able to attend the Asian Mission Forum, August 4-8, hosted by the Sendai mission team in Bali, Indonesia! Asian Christians and foreign missionaries, about 102 total, all gathered together for 5 days of powerful worship, prayer, encouragement, and sharing about what each person is experiencing in their own country. The theme was "People Called By My Name", talking about our identity in Christ. Keynote speakers Kerry Holton and Steve Sikes, along with several different elective class teachers were used powerfully to challenge and encourage us to a deeper grasp of our identity as God's children. Following the forum, we spent 1 night and 2 days in Singapore with the Christians there. We enjoyed a devotional with the youth group, relaxing time spent with our host families, and a send-off in the early morning at the airport. Praise God for a family that extends all across the world!
Akiko Kawamura
One of our Christian friends and church members, Akiko, has made the decision to go to Thailand for a one-year missionary apprenticeship! We are all so excited for this decision and excited to watch her faith grow through this experience. Please pray for her as she is raising funds and preparing to go in November or December. Praise God for what he is doing in Akiko's life!!
Saying Good-bye
It was a bitter-sweet time saying good-bye to all of my friends and "family" during the last few weeks in Sendai. Through all of the good-bye parties and individual time spent with friends, God really showed me how blessed I was in this year, and how I was loved and taken care of by so many wonderful people. It was hard to leave the people I have grown to love so much, but during the hardest times, God faithfully answered prayers and gave me a Spirit of joy as the my friends and I reminisced, gave each other "thank-you"s and hugs, and said our final good-byes. What an incredible blessing to have spent 15 months in such a wonderful country with precious people! My heart is compelled to continue in prayer for them each day.
Making Transitions
In the next several weeks, our the team will be making transitions into different areas. Will you please be praying for all of us during this time?
Debi has already started her new job as a kindergarten English teacher in Sendai! I had the chance to see her classroom and meet her kids before I left for the States, and I was so amazed at her passion for teaching, and her love for each of the children she works with. Heavenly Father, thank you for providing Debi with a job! Please give her many opportunities to share your love with the kids each day, and please give her strength in You and through friends and family as she continues her life in Japan.
Ben and Joel have been busy saying good-bye to 10 years worth of friends and packing up their house as they prepare to leave Japan for a short time. Joel plans to return to Canada October 4 for a furlough and then travel to several Asian countries for short-term internships and missions equipping/training. Ben also plans to return to the States October 2 for a furlough and then to Abilene Christian University to pursue graduate work. Father, we praise You for the relationships that have been built over the past 10 years through Ben and Joel! Will you please give them strength and energy to finish up their tasks as they prepare to leave, and bless their finals minutes with the people they love in Japan.
Jonathan, Michiko, and Hijiri Straker are also planning to return to Canada for a furlough, and then to ACU for graduate work. They are in the process now of receiving Michiko's visa. God, thank you for this Christian family who has been a light to the people around them! Will you please allow Michiko's visa to come in soon and give them a smooth transition into Canada and Abilene. Please surround them with your protection and love, and bless their time with family and friends.
Sasha
Sasha Ingle, a former Sendai L.S.T. team worker is planning to do a one-year internship in Japan, and will be joining Debi after receiving her visa. God, thank you for creating in Sasha's heart the desire to love and share Jesus with the Japanese people! Please bless her transition from the States, and bless her year in Sendai with deep relationships, and open doors to share the Good News with the people she meets.
Crimsen
For the time being, Crimsen plans to continue living in Minnesota with her family, helping support her family and take care of her mother. God, you are surrounding Crimsen and her family with your love and peace, and we want to thank you for being our loving and faithful Father! Will you please continue to give strength and peace to Crimsen, and give her wisdom as she makes decisions about her future.
My plans are to join Ben, Jonathan, and Michiko at Abilene Christian University, and possibly begin graduate school in the Spring semester. God, I want to thank your patience, grace, forgiveness, guidance, protection, and most of all for your love! Thank you for calling me to Japan, and thank your for surrounding me with a team who has been my family for the past 15 months. Please continue to give me guidance and wisdom about decisions for my future.
Thank you!
None of this could have been possible without the loving and faithful God that we serve, and without YOU! With all of your prayer support, letters, emails, and financial support, I always felt like I had everything I needed, and never had to worry about being taken care of! Thank you so much for helping make this experience in Japan life-changing, and faith building, and thank you so much for your hearts for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:9-10
Shelley Wheeler
Several weeks ago, we received news from Crimsen, a Sendai mission team member who has lived in Minnesota for the past year, that her mother, Shelly, has developed stage three Ovarian cancer. The doctors feel confident that in her recent surgery, they removed all of the cancer that they could see, but Shelley will begin her first treatment of chemotherapy Monday, October 1, and will continue for an estimated 6 months. We ask that you would please be lifting up Shelly, that God will completely heal her body and restore her health. And also pray for strength and peace for Crimsen, Shelley's husband Ray, and the rest of their family and friends. You can visit Shelley's website www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelleywheeler to see updates, and to leave encouraging messages and prayers. Thank you!
Cell Group
Our Cell Group time was one of my favorite times each week! This small group Bible study consisted of 4 college age non-Christians (Haruna, Yui, Kazuhiro, and M
ichiaki), 1 Japanese Christian (Yuko Kawamura), Debi and myself. In our earlier Gospel Singing classes, Debi and I found that these people were craving spiritual discussions, and wanted the chance to ask questions and think deeply together (see blog entry posted February 28, "God Moments"). Each Monday night, Debi and I would prepare a meal for them, enjoy 1 hour of eating and sharing together, followed by 2 hours of worship, singing, and studying the Bible. Our study focused on sin and grace, using Romans as a guide. One night, combined with Ben and Joel's cell group, Jonathan also shared an awesome, easy to understand overview of the Bible and God's covenant/plan of salvation from the beginning of time, carried out through Jesus.
1-on-1 Bible Studies
Two of my students, Haruna and Kayoko, have been deeply searching for truth, and my relationship with them had grown so much during the year that I was thankful to be able to continue our study through the summer. Kayoko loves Jesus, and wants to serve the true God of Heaven, but is struggling with making a clear commitment to become a Christian. Haruna was also involved in our cell group Bible study.
Let's Start Talki
ngWe were blessed to have four Let's Start Talking workers (Cami Towell (my younger sister!), Bethany Stanger, Brian Keller, and Simon Nading) and two Master's Apprentice workers (A Thao, and Kao Lee) serve the Lord in Sendai this summer for 8 weeks! Each of them showed unique gifts and abilities God has given them to reach their students. It was really a blessing to watch how God worked through them, and changed them from the beginning of the project to the end. They each did a great job teaching the Bible and spending time with their readers, and even several weeks after the team returned to America, the Japanese people were still telling stories about their teachers and experiences from the summer.
Camp
At the end of the summer, many of the LST readers were able to participate in Friends Camp. The camp staff, Saprina Howard, Holly Neeley, Jared Stark, Paul Neeves, Lance Lawrence, Walter and Shirley Straker, worked hard and did such a great job of creating a fun and spiritually focused weekend, where the readers could experience worship, group Bible studies, recreation, and Christian fellowship.
Coffee Shop
Jonathan dedicated lots of time this summer to making the coffee shop ministry an effective way to reach the LST students! And Debi and I were able to pitch in and help him 3 days a week. At the coffee shop, LST readers could come early or stay late after their lesson, and enjoy good coffee, conversation, and fellowship. It was a great opportunity for us to get to know them on a more personal level, and also a great way for the LST students to interact with each other and build communities of friendship.
Prayer ministry
"O you who hear prayer, all men will come to you..." Psalm 65:2
Together with the LST and MAP workers, our mission team, Japanese Christians, and sometimes even LST non-Christians... this summer's activities and people involved were especially covered over with prayer. Re-convicted by several verses and Bible stories (like James 5:15-16, Hezekiah 19:9-19), we wanted to daily and specifically bring each of the LST students before God, asking Him to work powerfully in their life and change them! Many hours were spent in prayer for the Christians in Asia to raise up and boldly share their faith in God. We prayed for the small churches in Japan, to be encouraged and challenged daily in their faith. And we prayed for God to make each of US more faithful and obedient to His will for our lives.
This time was powerful, not only for the people in Asia, but also for us, as we experienced changes and growth in our own lives of prayer and faith in God. Praise God that we can approach him with confidence, and that he hears and answers the prayers of his people! What an awesome God we serve!
Japanese language teacher
After studying Japanese for 11 months with Jonathan, Michiko, and Akiko (church member), this summer I went to the International Center and found a volunteer, non-English speaking, sweet woman who wanted to teach me Japanese! Of course her lack of English presented some interesting challenges, but I enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture AND becoming friends with her. May God use this friendship to make himself known in her life!
AMF
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This year as the grand finale to my internship in Japan, I was able to attend the Asian Mission Forum, August 4-8, hosted by the Sendai mission team in Bali, Indonesia! Asian Christians and foreign missionaries, about 102 total, all gathered together for 5 days of powerful worship, prayer, encouragement, and sharing about what each person is experiencing in their own country. The theme was "People Called By My Name", talking about our identity in Christ. Keynote speakers Kerry Holton and Steve Sikes, along with several different elective class teachers were used powerfully to challenge and encourage us to a deeper grasp of our identity as God's children. Following the forum, we spent 1 night and 2 days in Singapore with the Christians there. We enjoyed a devotional with the youth group, relaxing time spent with our host families, and a send-off in the early morning at the airport. Praise God for a family that extends all across the world!
Akiko Kawamura
One of our Christian friends and church members, Akiko, has made the decision to go to Thailand for a one-year missionary apprenticeship! We are all so excited for this decision and excited to watch her faith grow through this experience. Please pray for her as she is raising funds and preparing to go in November or December. Praise God for what he is doing in Akiko's life!!
Saying Good-bye
It was a bitter-sweet time saying good-bye to all of my friends and "family" during the last few weeks in Sendai. Through all of the good-bye parties and individual time spent with friends, God really showed me how blessed I was in this year, and how I was loved and taken care of by so many wonderful people. It was hard to leave the people I have grown to love so much, but during the hardest times, God faithfully answered prayers and gave me a Spirit of joy as the my friends and I reminisced, gave each other "thank-you"s and hugs, and said our final good-byes. What an incredible blessing to have spent 15 months in such a wonderful country with precious people! My heart is compelled to continue in prayer for them each day.
Making Transitions
In the next several weeks, our the team will be making transitions into different areas. Will you please be praying for all of us during this time?
Debi has already started her new job as a kindergarten English teacher in Sendai! I had the chance to see her classroom and meet her kids before I left for the States, and I was so amazed at her passion for teaching, and her love for each of the children she works with. Heavenly Father, thank you for providing Debi with a job! Please give her many opportunities to share your love with the kids each day, and please give her strength in You and through friends and family as she continues her life in Japan.
Ben and Joel have been busy saying good-bye to 10 years worth of friends and packing up their house as they prepare to leave Japan for a short time. Joel plans to return to Canada October 4 for a furlough and then travel to several Asian countries for short-term internships and missions equipping/training. Ben also plans to return to the States October 2 for a furlough and then to Abilene Christian University to pursue graduate work. Father, we praise You for the relationships that have been built over the past 10 years through Ben and Joel! Will you please give them strength and energy to finish up their tasks as they prepare to leave, and bless their finals minutes with the people they love in Japan.
Jonathan, Michiko, and Hijiri Straker are also planning to return to Canada for a furlough, and then to ACU for graduate work. They are in the process now of receiving Michiko's visa. God, thank you for this Christian family who has been a light to the people around them! Will you please allow Michiko's visa to come in soon and give them a smooth transition into Canada and Abilene. Please surround them with your protection and love, and bless their time with family and friends.
Sasha
Sasha Ingle, a former Sendai L.S.T. team worker is planning to do a one-year internship in Japan, and will be joining Debi after receiving her visa. God, thank you for creating in Sasha's heart the desire to love and share Jesus with the Japanese people! Please bless her transition from the States, and bless her year in Sendai with deep relationships, and open doors to share the Good News with the people she meets.
Crimsen
For the time being, Crimsen plans to continue living in Minnesota with her family, helping support her family and take care of her mother. God, you are surrounding Crimsen and her family with your love and peace, and we want to thank you for being our loving and faithful Father! Will you please continue to give strength and peace to Crimsen, and give her wisdom as she makes decisions about her future.
My plans are to join Ben, Jonathan, and Michiko at Abilene Christian University, and possibly begin graduate school in the Spring semester. God, I want to thank your patience, grace, forgiveness, guidance, protection, and most of all for your love! Thank you for calling me to Japan, and thank your for surrounding me with a team who has been my family for the past 15 months. Please continue to give me guidance and wisdom about decisions for my future.
Thank you!
None of this could have been possible without the loving and faithful God that we serve, and without YOU! With all of your prayer support, letters, emails, and financial support, I always felt like I had everything I needed, and never had to worry about being taken care of! Thank you so much for helping make this experience in Japan life-changing, and faith building, and thank you so much for your hearts for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:9-10
Shelley Wheeler
Several weeks ago, we received news from Crimsen, a Sendai mission team member who has lived in Minnesota for the past year, that her mother, Shelly, has developed stage three Ovarian cancer. The doctors feel confident that in her recent surgery, they removed all of the cancer that they could see, but Shelley will begin her first treatment of chemotherapy Monday, October 1, and will continue for an estimated 6 months. We ask that you would please be lifting up Shelly, that God will completely heal her body and restore her health. And also pray for strength and peace for Crimsen, Shelley's husband Ray, and the rest of their family and friends. You can visit Shelley's website www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelleywheeler to see updates, and to leave encouraging messages and prayers. Thank you!
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