Big Investment Opportnities

I was recently assisting my parents at a preschool English class.  There were over twenty children there- all under three years old.  They were active, noisy, and so interesting.  Some were fighting for their independence.  Some wanted no part of independence.  Occasionally one would get out a sound which came close to an English word.  At that point everyone cheered.  Most of the time they did not speak or even seem to be listening. 

As I watched I marveled that any learning could occur with each child doing his own thing.  At some points it seemed a waste of time.  But was it?

No, it was doing what God asked us to do.  It was about so much more than English.  It was about obeying God.  It was about delivering the love of Jesus to both the children and their mothers.  It was about establishing a safe haven for the mothers and children.  It was acknowledging the value of each human life, and saying, “We care about you.”  It was about listening to moms who are tired and working hard to do a good job.  It was about telling them Jesus knows you and loves you. 

 I came away thanking God that I had the privilege to be in that room being part of God’s work.  Rather than a waste of time, it was a big investment in The Kingdom.

Living Through the Holidays

The holidays have run into the past.  I enjoyed them much, but not without incident.  One of my early Christmas presents was a Christmas cold. It did not interfere with my celebrations much, but was an annoyance poking at me day by day.  It made me tired and sometimes grumpy.  It meant I needed more rest, but it was not a big problem. 

I was able to breeze through Christmas shopping this year because I prayed.  My inflexibility always becomes a path to disaster.  This year I gave thought to what I thought my family might want or need.  I worked hard to not be very specific about my Christmas list.  Then to go to the store or online in prayer soaked thought.  It worked.  I actually had fun and I think my parents did, too.  Amazing!

We entertained friends and family.  We had my sister and brother here for a celebration.  We made pizza that was too good!  My mom is such a great cook.  We opened presents and laughed and visited until we were so tired. 

This year we read some advent essays provided by Wheaton College.  It prepared our hearts for each ministry event.  Even though we were all tired from our colds, because we were so focused on why we were celebrating, it was enjoyable.

 Now we are working on being intentional in our living each day.  This is challenging, but we are successful because God is with us.  I do not make resolutions each year. However, this year I am working at being God’s faithful warrior.  I want to be faithful even when I am tired, stressed, and overwhelmed.  I can only do that by prayer.  I want to make a difference.  So, I am praying, praying, praying!

Sunday Praise

We occasionally get to minister as a Fellowship of Three.  I do not think people are always ready for that.  They are used to the husband preaching and his family sitting quietly on the front row, smiling and looking and acting perfect.  Our family is different.  Oh, we are glad to sit on the front row.  We sit there because it frees up more desirable seats elsewhere.  We do not sit there because I am so well behaved.  We do smile sometimes.  My mom is quiet, but I struggle with that.  We are not usual. 

Then Dad ends sooner than expected and Mom and I join him.  Mom gives a brief testimony to illustrate the point.  Then they turn to me.  I get to finish it all off with a challenge.  I can be more direct in this culture than my parents.  I usually call for some action. 

Over the last few years this has become an effective way to minister.  It reaches hearts none of us could do alone.  It is a gift God has given us. 

Sadly, this is almost always very difficult for me because I get nervous, then act more strange.  It exhausts me to expend all the energy to do it well.  Usually I hit the car and am asleep in minutes. 

I have found however, that my weakness allows it to be all God and not Jeffrey.  I was made perfectly for my ministry.  I was not made for your ministry.  You were!  Embrace your ministry using your uniqueness to do faithfully the ministry God gave you.  Let God shine through you.

Away We Go!

There is always excitement in taking a trip.  Going somewhere to see friends and make new friends.  Oh, and the car ride to the destination gives time to listen to music, stories, and conversation.  You see God’s handiwork in the interesting nature that glides by. You may even may get to take a nap if you are not driving. 

We took a short four hour trip over the weekend.  We were at a gathering of our network churches.  We had great music, good messages, and precious time with friends we see once a year.  Then there was good imoni, a potato soup that is so good.  There was time for discussion over dinner.  It was a fun-filled time with God’s family.  

The rub for me always comes when I must sleep at night.  My parents and I headed to our room, and I was tired.  I even slept a little bit at first.  Then I woke up and I could not sleep. I kept my parents awake, even though I did not want to do so. The more I tried to sleep, the worse it got.  I was excited about the next day’s activities.  I could not wait.  Of course the next day I was so tired that I could not really enjoy the activities.

The moral of this story is to rest in the Lord at all times, even on a trip.  Even when you are excited, or eat different food, or are in a strange bed it is always best to rest in the Lord. 

Imoni

The Winding Road of Change

Where I live it is autumn.  Autumn here is usually warm weather, cool nights, and a busy schedule.  It means we plan for Christmas ministry events so we can take the Gospel to as many as possible at a time of higher interest in Jesus.  I sometimes find it all overwhelming.  I thrive on routine and sameness, not change.  Change takes more effort.  I have to think more to navigate the torturous winding road of change.  I prefer to be lazy and float along on the same path, in the same rut.  Now that is neither healthy, nor scriptural. The Bible commands me to put the old behind me and press on to the higher calling.  I have to scold myself and say, “Wake up Jeffrey!  Reach for new exciting horizons.  Do not fight it, but embrace it.  See the thrilling surprises God has prepared for you.”  He has prepared beauty for me. He has prepared cool days for me.  He has prepared me to minister this season.   God says to me, “Do not be afraid.  I, your Creator God, have made this change, this autumn, for you.  Trust Me!  I am worthy.”  Hmmm, I wonder what is around that next corner. 

Thoughts from God's lap

Last night one of my young friends came for a visit.  I was glad to see her, but she was very tired.  She did not want to play and do things.  When she did start doing things she did not make good decisions.  She did things she should not.  I was worried for her because she was soon to get herself in trouble.  Her mother was more lenient than mine.  I was at a loss to help her.  It was stressful.  I believe she was in stress because she needed rest.  After dinner she crawled up on my dad’s lap and fell asleep. 

I thought that at those stressful times I need to crawl onto my Heavenly Father’s lap and rest.  The comfort will help refresh me and lead me to act appropriately. The hard part is making the decision to crawl into my Heavenly Father’s lap before the stress overwhelms me.  I need to operate from my Heavenly Father’s lap, and respond to His gentle touch in the despairing times.  The closer I get to Him the easier it is respond to His admonitions. So Jeffrey, get in His lap and really live.

Jesus the Bridge

How do I refrain from sinning when the sinning comes so naturally?  I want to be righteous, but in moments of deep stress out comes sin in all its ugliness.  I hate it but am powerless to hold it at bay.  I am far from perfect, but I seem to have times when sin just pushes to the fore, embarrassing me and those around me. Autistic meltdown could be argued to be unavoidable, yet it is out of control behavior.  Jesus was not out of control in His behavior, but often out of control off the circumstances. Yet He displayed grace at every turn.  I cannot hide behind the wall of autism to justify sinful behavior.  You see, when I stand before God there is no excuse for sin.  When I stand before God I better not be standing at all, but be flat on the ground before Him.  I must acknowledge His holiness and my unholiness. 

How do I then shrink the gap?  The gap is wide!  No way can I cross it.  How can I accomplish it?  The very key is that I cannot.  Only Jesus can bridge the gap.  I must give up my puny self and fall on Jesus who will provide all I lack.  He is the Wonderful Counselor.  And that is all I need.  I must hide behind Jesus who will guard me from Satan.  To avoid sin get closer to Jesus.  Oh, to be able to remember that!