The last four or five days have been filled with some big decisions that we have had to make. After much prayer and discussion, we believe it is God's will for us to be in Ireland before July 1 of this year. Of course, that is very soon and we began to realize just how much needed to be done for that to happen.
We were facing 2 major obstacles:
1) What to do with our house? - as you know, the market in Vegas is unbelievably bad.
2) How to continue our support raising efforts with my more than full-time job occupying most of my time?
I was reminded of King Jehoshaphat's prayer in II Chronicles 20:6-12. He is standing in the the court at the temple in Jerusalem having just learned that a great multitude of foreign armies is massing against his people.
...O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying "If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house - and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save." And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy - behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
What a beautiful prayer!
Jehoshaphat reminded God of how he had brought His people this far and all that He had done for them. He trusted that God would keep His promise. Even though he did not know what to do, he was going to keep his eyes on God and trust Him to provide.
I found our current situation to be very similar. God has provided many affirmations over the last year that we are to serve His purpose in Ireland. I could not believe that He has brought us this far along only to not be able to go because of our housing situation. Or to let us fail in our support raising because my work schedule is not allowing me to spend time meeting with people.
So we went to God in prayer many times over the last few days, telling Him that "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
And we believe God will answer our prayer and deliver us, just like he did for King Jehoshaphat. We are trusting Him and have taken some steps that we feel are following His leading (even though it may seem crazy to us!)
Our house is currently listed for sale and we are trusting God to take care of the details. I also gave my 2 week notice at work so that we can have time to make our final push with our support raising. We are currently closing in on 50% of our goal and will spend the next few weeks here in Las Vegas meeting with friends who may be interested in helping us. Then we will be making a trip to San Diego and to Oregon to connect with more friends and churches to talk about our ministry.
So, that's the latest! Please be in prayer for us to continue to listen to God's call and direction.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Being Called
I heard a great quote today in church from a visiting missionary who used to serve in Mali (West Africa).
"God does not call those who are qualifed, He qualifies those who are called."
Amen!
I know that I have wrestled so many times with feelings of inadequacy when I think about being a full-time missionary. There are so many others who are more educated, more articulate, or more mature in their faith than I. How is a sinner like me qualified to share my faith with others?
That quote above forces me to remember that is not about me - it is about what the Holy Spirit does through me (or maybe even in spite of me). I can only try my best to diligently share Christ with others and live my life in a way that allows me to be ready to witness when opportunities arise. No matter what I say, it is God who takes that experience, shapes it, and helps the person remember it along the way.
Most people do not come to Christ in a single moment. There is not usually a dramatic conversion story where lightning strikes, the earth trembles, and the voice of God is heard (Paul on the road to Damascus exluded).
More often, someone comes to Christ as a culmination of events and people who have played a part in their life. You never know how God may use what you say or do to influence someone a year or 10 years from now. And that is worth remembering when you pass by someone who you know could use encouragement, or you choose to hold your tongue when you know that taking a stand is the right thing to do.
I am so thankful that I do not have to be "qualified" to be called! God is qualifying me along the way and I am happy to be along for the ride.
"God does not call those who are qualifed, He qualifies those who are called."
Amen!
I know that I have wrestled so many times with feelings of inadequacy when I think about being a full-time missionary. There are so many others who are more educated, more articulate, or more mature in their faith than I. How is a sinner like me qualified to share my faith with others?
That quote above forces me to remember that is not about me - it is about what the Holy Spirit does through me (or maybe even in spite of me). I can only try my best to diligently share Christ with others and live my life in a way that allows me to be ready to witness when opportunities arise. No matter what I say, it is God who takes that experience, shapes it, and helps the person remember it along the way.
Most people do not come to Christ in a single moment. There is not usually a dramatic conversion story where lightning strikes, the earth trembles, and the voice of God is heard (Paul on the road to Damascus exluded).
More often, someone comes to Christ as a culmination of events and people who have played a part in their life. You never know how God may use what you say or do to influence someone a year or 10 years from now. And that is worth remembering when you pass by someone who you know could use encouragement, or you choose to hold your tongue when you know that taking a stand is the right thing to do.
I am so thankful that I do not have to be "qualified" to be called! God is qualifying me along the way and I am happy to be along for the ride.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
St. Patrick - Missionary to Ireland
With March 17th, just around the corner and our "open house" St. Patrick's day party this Saturday, I've been doing a little research on Patrick. Here are a couple of thoughts from what I have learned...
St. Patrick is undoubtedly the most famous missionary ever to be sent to Ireland. While there are many famous stories and legends surrounding the life of Patrick, there are two lessons we can draw from his circumstances that every believer can take inspiration from.
At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. He was transported to Ireland where he spent six years as a prisoner. He later escaped back to Britain (after a 200 mile walk to the nearest seaport), only to return to Ireland as a missionary fifteen years later.
I doubt that Patrick knew what God had in store for him when he was kidnapped from his family and was held for six years in bondage. However, during his captivity, he became familiar with the Irish/Celtic language and pagan belief system. This knowledge helped him find broader acceptance and allowed him to be more effective when he returned to share the gospel. The important thing we can learn here is that God, in his divine providence, can prepare you to serve Him in ways that you can’t even imagine – often during times of great suffering and strife.
Patrick used his familiarity with the Irish language and culture and chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. Legend has it that he used the shamrock, a 3-leaf clover, to highlight the concept of the Trinity. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross, so that the Irish would more fully understand the significance of the cross (we know this as a celtic cross today).
The important thing to learn here is to be able to understand the culture you are in and to be able to share Christ in a way that means something to people. For example, I have heard the phrase “the Bread of Life” that we are so familiar with be translated in to “the Rice of Life” in different cultures where that makes more sense. Certainly the integrity of the message should never be compromised, but every effort should be made to present the good news in a way that is true and relevant.
Missions is simply sharing the love of Christ with others – no matter where you live. The mission field begins right outside your own front door. I encourage you to look for ways to apply these lessons from the life of Patrick as you go forth in to the fields that are ripe for the harvest.
St. Patrick is undoubtedly the most famous missionary ever to be sent to Ireland. While there are many famous stories and legends surrounding the life of Patrick, there are two lessons we can draw from his circumstances that every believer can take inspiration from.
At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. He was transported to Ireland where he spent six years as a prisoner. He later escaped back to Britain (after a 200 mile walk to the nearest seaport), only to return to Ireland as a missionary fifteen years later.
I doubt that Patrick knew what God had in store for him when he was kidnapped from his family and was held for six years in bondage. However, during his captivity, he became familiar with the Irish/Celtic language and pagan belief system. This knowledge helped him find broader acceptance and allowed him to be more effective when he returned to share the gospel. The important thing we can learn here is that God, in his divine providence, can prepare you to serve Him in ways that you can’t even imagine – often during times of great suffering and strife.
Patrick used his familiarity with the Irish language and culture and chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. Legend has it that he used the shamrock, a 3-leaf clover, to highlight the concept of the Trinity. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross, so that the Irish would more fully understand the significance of the cross (we know this as a celtic cross today).
The important thing to learn here is to be able to understand the culture you are in and to be able to share Christ in a way that means something to people. For example, I have heard the phrase “the Bread of Life” that we are so familiar with be translated in to “the Rice of Life” in different cultures where that makes more sense. Certainly the integrity of the message should never be compromised, but every effort should be made to present the good news in a way that is true and relevant.
Missions is simply sharing the love of Christ with others – no matter where you live. The mission field begins right outside your own front door. I encourage you to look for ways to apply these lessons from the life of Patrick as you go forth in to the fields that are ripe for the harvest.
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