Imagination

As I have traveled to work with children in several countries, I have noticed that many do not know how to use their imagination. It has never been encouraged, so, it has never been developed. Oh, the children will do whatever you ask them. They are excellent at learning by rote, but, they have never been encouraged to think for themselves. They have been taught to listen to their elders and to learn whatever has been presented to them in the exact way it has been presented.

Many times, when given manipulative toys to build with, to play "pretend" with, the kids have no idea what to do with them. When I took some toys to the Lawra orphanage this happened. The children didn't know what to do. So, I built a cube. Then, everyone wanted me to build a cube for them or they built one themselves. I finally said, "No, now it is your turn. Think of something else to build." It took them quite awhile. Eventually, they did begin to use their imagination and built other things.

How sad not to have an imagination. When I am in Ghana and the temperature is over 100 degrees, I like to imagine one of those freezing days similar to many of the days this past winter. Using your imagination helps one think for themselves in a positive way. I pray that children everywhere will be given the freedom to use their imagination for fun, for good, and, I know that some will use it just to help them survive. Pray for these children!

"Logic will get you from A to B, imagination will take you everywhere."

~Albert Einstein

Create in Me a Clean Heart

This morning, while I was doing my Bible study time, I came upon the above scripture..."Create in me a clean heart O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 It caused me to reflect on what is a clean heart? I knew it did not mean that God was going to scrub my physical heart. No, it is much more than that. It is a prayer asking God to change me on the inside.to make it more like His. It is a prayer to remove the selfishness, the uncaring, the self pitying, the fearful, unbelieving part of me and to replace it with caring, serving, praying, praising and glorifying God in everything I do.

Some days it is hard for me to do. I want to enjoy my little world, believing that I don't belong anywhere else except in my flannel pajama pants and sweatshirt curled up with a good book. Some days I don't want to answer the phone when i am making a card or watching Judge Judy. But, I need to. I need to take every opportunity God presents me to reach out to others, to worship with others, to live for Him whether it is in the privacy of my own home or in public. I need to fill my head with thoughts that glorify Him.

Life is so exciting, so worthwhile, so enriching when I look to Christ, when I live for Him in all I do. Satan knows how to get to me. I'm learning to call out to the Lord more and more often. And, those times when the right spirit is within me is increasing. As I become closer to Christ, He brings to light the areas of my life that need to be given over to Him to be cleaned, to be redeemed for His work. I am so glad that God loves me just as I am, but loves me so much that He sticks with me and helps me to see what needs to change to live a fuller, more abundant life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." God is what is within me. Life in His Son, Jesus Christ is what matters in my life. And, through the power of the Holy Spirit I pray that I can live my days for Him.

The Cost of Discipleship

This morning I was reading and studying Luke 14. There is a lot of good stuff in that chapter. But, the one verse that has caused me to think about, to ponder over the most was verse 33. In the NRSV it says: "So, therefore, none of you can be my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions." I wonder, what possessions am I holding on to? My stamping stuff? The time period of 4:00 - 5:00 in the afternoon to watch Judge Judy? My root beer barrels? THE projector? My stuffed dog I sleep with or Mr. Mooey?

Am I willing to give up my time, all of it, to further His Kingdom, no matter what time of day OR night? If I need to spend time with God, or do something for Him and it is 4:15 PM on a Wednesday, would I do it? I hope so! Am I willing to give up all my stamping stuff? That's a little harder. I love making cards and sending them. But, again, if that is what is keeping me from following Christ, taking the time I should be spending with Him, then, it has to go.

In the past, I have given an awful lot to follow Christ, to be His disciple. But, I didn't look at most of those things as something that "costs." I looked at them as something I would gladly do. I embraced the opportunity. There was one thing, though, that was costly, very costly, and, it wasn't easy. But Christ was with me through it all. And, He chose to use me for His glory since then.

It all boils down to this: "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good bye, you can't be my disciple." The Message Mark 4:33

Mother's Day

Today is Mothers Day. And, as I sit here, I can't help but think of the children at the Lawra Orphanage. They have never known the love of a mother. They were very young when their mothers died of HIV/AIDS. Today, I long to be with them. Not, to "mother" them, but to love and nurture them with the love of Christ. I want them to know that they can have a hope for the future because of Him. They can be the change for the better in their community. If they live, if they are nurtured, if they are loved, if...

Communication

It's hard to communicate with people, to develop a relationship with them, if you don't understand their language and if you can't speak their language. You don't even have to be in a foreign country to misunderstand what is being said, a generation or two difference between people can at times be worlds apart in the vernacular!

When I live in Ghana, I will have to learn how to speak Dagaare in order to develop relationships with the children at the orphanage and with the people in the community. Dagaare is not a wide spread language. It is spoken only in the Lawra region and in southern Burkina Faso. You can't go to a school to learn Dagaare. You learn it by being totally immersed within that language group and by possibly hiring a language helper.

So, in order to get a "jump" on things, I decided to open up the language booklet to see if there is anything I can learn on my own. Of course, there are letter combinations I have never seen in English! I started out this morning with something simple, "Fo wa song," which means "I bid you welcome" when talking to one person. The response is a little more difficult, "Oo, sori waa maarong." I'll try that when I know the greeting without having to stop & think about it.

As I looked through this language booklet, I saw the heading In the Home. I thought that might be helpful, so I looked at the list of words:bedspread, brush, chair, fan...gun! Axe! Now, those are two things that I don't use here. The axe would be used to cut firewood. But, a gun? I'm thinking for hunting, maybe?

OK, I'll try the list In the Chief's House. The chief is kinda like the mayor, he is the head of the village. Here is part of that list: drum, servant, throne, palace, gong, head gear...executioner! Hmmm. I think I better make friends with the chief rather quickly!

Anyway, many times, communication is not easy. And, it may include words, phrases, idioms that we would not normally use. But, in order to have a deep relationship with another, communication is of the utmost importance whether you are speaking to your friend, spouse, or child. We all need to learn to communicate so that we can hear and respond appropriately, in love and help that person come into relationship with the One who loves us the most!

The First Senior Moment

Some days are just like this...

Patience

I don't remember praying specifically for patience lately. I know that when I do, there are situations in my life that arise and they give me the opportunity to practice patience. Today, one of those opportunities is before me. I need to book flights for a round trip to Colorado Springs in July. I will be attending Missionary Training International and, I need to get there!

So, this morning I went online. I visited Kayak.com, expedia.com. cheapflights.com, orbitx.com, delta.com, usairways.com, AAA.com, and on and on...My question is, when I put in a time that I have to be there by (2PM), why do they give me numerous flights that get to my destination eight or more hours later? Don't "the airline powers that be" realize that I would have check the "anytime" box if I could really fly anytime? Ugh!

Patience...at this point, I'm not sure of the meaning of the word. I am ready to throw my computer out of my window! But, then, I'd have to go & clean it up and it's cold outside.

So, I continue to look. But, I have realized I do know when I am out of my league. I called a travel agency, too. I know some of my limitations. I really don't want to destroy my computer or my day. I'll see what they come up with & compare it to what I can find. And, hopefully, before the day is done, I will have my flights booked. It won't be because of anything I have done, but by the grace of God!

Bible Study

I have been involved in a Bible study with a friend since last August or September. Even though I try to glean from it whatever God has for me, I often miss the point. Sometimes, it is because many parts of Scripture are so familiar, I miss the message of it for me today. Sometimes I'm not quite awake. And, unfortunately, sometimes, it is just the one thing I need to do before I attack the other stuff that needs to be accomplished that day. I don't always take the time I need to in order to have a close relationship with my Abba, my Daddy.

I have found that asking a few simple questions can help me immensely in my study of od's word. I would like to share them with you:

• Is there an example to follow?
• Is there a sin to avoid?
• Is there a promise to claim?
• Is there a prayer to repeat?
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a condition to meet?
• Is there a verst to memorize?
• Is there an error to mark?
• Is there a challenge to face?

I know that asking these questions will give more insight to Scripture. Try it yourself!

Leonard Ravenhill on Prayer

"Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent."

"Our spiritual immaturity never shows up more than in our lack of praying, be it alone or in a church prayer meeting. Let 20% of the choir members fail to turn up for rehearsal and the choir master is offended. Let 20% of the church members turn up for a prayer meeting, and the pastor is elated."

"A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men."

"Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life."

"Ministers who do not spend two hours a day in prayer are not worth a dime a dozen - degrees or no degrees."

"The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church...grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil."

"No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one’s talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off."

"If weak in prayer, we are weak everywhere."

"A sinning man stops praying, a praying man stops sinning."

"The secret of praying is praying in secret."

"The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer."

Bittersweet

Bittersweet. That is what Easter was for me this year. Bittersweet. That one word covers it all. No, I'm not talking about a type of chocolate. I'm talking about being here, in the US, not knowing exactly when I'll be with the orphans of Lawra, Ghana. I'm not packing up my apartment yet. I'm not selling my car yet. I haven't gone through tearful, but excited good byes yet. I do keep doing what needs to be done - praying, studying, calling, speaking, inviting...

The sweet part was that I was here, in the US, worshipping in my home church. I have spent Easter in Ghana and in Peru and it was so good to worship with my church family. I was also able to worship at a church just a block from where I live and able to have a culturally diverse worship experience there. It was nice to spend the day with friends who are like family to me. I am grateful for the time God has given me here.

I also look forward to the time I tell the children at the orphanage about God's love, about our heavenly Daddy and His faithfulness. I pray that time would come soon.

Monarch or Mascot?

Do you attend church on Sundays? I do. Most of the people I know also attend church on Sunday, some even go to services or Bible study during the week. What I am wondering is what is your motivation for attending church, attending worship, attending a Bible study? What is my motivation?

I hate to admit it, but my motivation for attending church last Sunday was guilt. I wanted to stay in bed. I didn't want to get up & get ready to be seen in public! Nevertheless, I went to church.

It seems like we to church to hear good music, sing uplifting songs, to hear a message that will make us feel good so we leave the sanctuary full of new vision and vigor. We want to be cheered up by the time we leave. We want God to rebuild our confidence, to reinforce for us the great things that we are doing for God. We want to feel good and God makes us feel good. He confirms for us over and over that all must be well. We are so proud of Him and we are happy to be identified with His name...But, what happens the rest of the week? Do we need to go back to church to feel good again? Does all that is within us crash when things don't go our way or a crisis happens? Do we really rely on Him daily or just on Sundays, like a mascot at a football game?

It seems contradictory, but many of us have redefined Jesus as someone we can both admire and ignore at the same time! We see Jesus as praiseworthy, but overall, we keep Him in reserve calling to Him as needed, when it's convenient. We see Him as our helper in our adventures and in life. But, isn't there more to Him?

Psalm 110 is the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage by New Testament writers. It's because it speaks most clearly about who and where the ascended Jesus was, and at the same time, it speaks clearly about who they were as His willing servants in the midst of a tremendous conflict. The reality is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In Psalm 110, we can see that peoples and events everywhere are being woven into Christ's reign. This psalm makes it clear that Christ has been exalted to rule even in the midst of tremendous opposition. We serve Him every day not because He makes us feel good, but because we are being obedient. Because we want to see His mission purpose fulfilled, no matter what the cost.

Why do I go to church? Ultimately, I go to church because I serve a risen Monarch who has a wonderful plan, to bring all the nations to Him. And, He loves me enough to give me a place in it. I go to Church to worship, praise and adore Him and I continue that during the week, so that when I receive my marching orders, I am ready and wiling to go, not holding anything back.

Enabling or Empowering?

Yesterday I read an article by Glenn Schwartz entitled Dependency. This article has really challenged my thinking. As a Christian, and as a cross cultural witness, am I helping or hurting the nationals that I work with in other countries when I give the ministry a monetary gift? This article stressed that as we teach new believers to obey Biblical commands, we can't forget the command to give. Even if in my eyes they are "too poor to give," Scripture teaches that we are to give out of what we have. The amount doesn't matter...it's the obediance that does. So, if a person has little, they give little, if a person has much, they give much. All of this is for God's glory, not personal glory.

When people in a village give to build their own church, their own school, to provide whatever they have identified as a need to be filled, they take ownership of it; they take pride in it. They take care of its needs as they arise. Plus, if a building is made with local money, local labor, local supplies, many people benefit from it. They avoid depending on outside help.

This has caused me to wonder..."What about the hospitals that have been built in villages? What about the schools? What about the libraries?" Do we enable the nationals or do we empower them with such things? It's a tough question. Is there a plan for leadership, ownership, money to sustain this type of building/ministy to be transferred or given to the nationals? Or is money always going to be "pumped in?" How much is enough? How much is too much? Is seed money a good thing as people get started on their project? There are so many things to consider.

I have had Ghanaians tell me that Europeans and Americans have given their country so much that now they expect it. "The funds have always come from outsiders so why should I work and worry about it?" is a common belief. If they wait long enough, people will come and do it for them.

Then I wonder, "What about matching funds at the beginning to start the project?" The nationals will have worked for and provided for part of the expenses. And, some have been donated by others. What would you do?

I know, I want to empower people, not enable them. I pray God will lead me as I prepare to move to and while I am living in Ghana. I pray that He will show me what to do.

When Did It Happen?

Lately I've been wondering, when did it happen? When did I become so obsessed with achieving a good grade that I've quit enjoying the class? When I first signed up for Perspectives, I wanted to audit it. But, you can't do that with an online class. So, I'm taking it for a certificate. At first, I was so overwhelmed with it. Then, I got to the point to where I really liked it. I still do. There is such good stuff in this class. It has changed my way of thinking forever.

But, now, as I do my homework, I am so focussed on getting the "right" answer, that I second guess myself & what I read. Does the question mean what is obvious, or is there an underlying focus, one that isn't so obvious. It's these kinds of things that I'm starting to do instead of just reading and letting the thoughts and information sink in.

What I need to get back to is enjoying the class for what it is and that's all. Accept it at face value. Ask God to use it to change the way I think about and act on the subject of world mission. And, as I complete the assignments, I pray that the Lord will show me how I can apply the information to my ministry.