Reflections of Praise

Back in my ad agency days, we had a client whose current slogan is, “Come Hungry, Leave Happy.” Know who they are?! That’s kind of how February has felt. I came into it hungry for more of God. Unlike the second half of the slogan, though, I didn’t just leave the month happy: I left it even hungrier! More than leaving me happy, it’s been satisfying in a challenging way, which is my favorite kind of way. As you prayed for last month’s requests, God has been faithful to reveal Himself…but not in the ways I had anticipated. Building relationships has been a lot more fun than I expected, but some doors have slowly closed in other areas, guiding me toward new options to explore in terms of strategic partnerships and organizational systems. Through it all, I’ve been challenged to take hours, not just moments, to seek God’s direction and pleasure. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon! Things aren’t turning around miraculously or instantaneously, but “slowly by slowly”. It’s been an awesome opportunity to grow in a life of faith as we take one step at a time toward our hope.

Please continue praying this month

• for wisdom about who and how we send internationally this summer: since it doesn’t look like key details are going to fall in to place in time, we’re working on a “Plan B”
• for clear organization and next steps as we make plans to test-run a domestic worship mission program
• for divinely-appointed meetings with strategic partner organizations…and that I’ll bring abundant spiritual blessing to those I interact with
• for God to continue connecting me with people who serve as channels and messengers for His ways and ideas (please thank Him for already doing this last month!)

Looking Ahead

Sometime during the day yesterday, I was working my way through the task list when I felt the Lord impressing the idea of “timing” on me as a theme. The more I tossed that around with Him, the more I wanted my life to be characterized by perfect timing. Not “just in time,” which is always a little stressful, but “at just the right time.” Both of them require patience and waiting (neither of which I am a big fan ), but I think I am supposed to switch my mindset from patiently waiting for His salvation to actively (yet, patiently) waiting for His perfection. I know His salvation has already come and is complete in Christ’s work on the Cross. What I don’t know in an experiential way is the perfection of His salvation in me.

As my small groups have been studying our way through the Gospel of John, the thing God keeps pointing out to me is how Jesus was very clear about when it was not yet his time (2.4; 7.6, 8, 30; 8.20) and when it was his time (13.1, 17.1). Whether it was going to Judea to raise his friend from the dead or dying to extend salvation to every sinner, He didn’t stress out when He needed to wait, and He was ready to move when it was time. Look how eternally perfect His life turned out! I don’t know how many times I’ve said this is my one prayer request (we’re only allowed one in one of the groups): to be so aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence that I wouldn’t act or speak without His direction, just like Jesus was.

Closed doors and re-routed plans for this ministry aren’t just about fulfilling the Great Commission, although that’s huge in itself. I suspect it’s also been part of God’s training course for me all along as He builds me for joyful submission to Him when we’re face to face. At just the right time.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5.6

Reflections of Praise

Regardless of how smooth or bumpy the road is, God is always praiseworthy! A few years ago during a particularly rough patch, worshiping God through corporate singing seemed to take tremendous effort of the will. God taught me during that period what a “sacrifice of praise” meant. So…one of my praises for this month is that it hasn’t been like that time a few years ago! There have been some challenges – the normal stuff that comes with the rhythm of life – but you know God has been faithful over the years to transform you when what would have discouraged you a few years ago is…well, less discouraging. Don’t want to be in denial and say things don’t bother me, but at least I can say they don’t bother me as much.

I also don’t want to give you the wrong impression of this past month! It’s actually been quite cool to see God start to connect a few dots. Granted, it’s probably more like several connect-the-dot pictures combined to make one big picture, and we’ve only connected a few in each little sub-picture, but it’s looking hopeful for the long (like years-down-the-road long) run. He’s been challenging me to take steps of faith, including a week-long trip to the Bay Area, and as I do He meets me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s difficult to go into detail here without writing a novel, so let me just say…

Please pray this month

• for wisdom about who and how we send internationally this summer: key details need to fall in to place within the next month
• for open doors and favor among the people we will work with as we make plans to test-run a domestic worship mission program
• for relationships (personal and organizational) to grow deep and bear eternal fruit as we take intentional steps to more aggressively develop a strategic partnership network
• for God to open His storehouses of resources (not just material, but relational and spiritual, as well) so we will be well-equipped and unhindered to follow hard after Him through this ministry

Looking Ahead

We just had one of our rare stormy weeks. Only in Southern California would we cancel small groups and other regularly scheduled indoor activities on account of heavy rain, but I enjoyed the extra time I had to sit by the windows with a hot drink and catch up on some reading and studying. I especially love what my nephew used to call “funderstorms”: the louder, the better! (That’s also how I like my music. ) During that week, I used one afternoon to read through the Revelation of John in one sitting. I’ve been wanting to see its big picture presentation of how worship will be for eternity. Just as I was reading chapter 4, there was a bright flash immediately followed by an unusually loud clap of thunder. As much as I appreciate those moments in nature, this one caught me off guard and brought on a split second of fear. What I anticipated would bring me pleasure was also what made me uncomfortable.

For years, the Lord has been reminding (warning?) me a life of faith is not comfortable. For years, I’ve also anticipated Heaven to be more relaxing and less stressful – more comfortable – than it is here, though still very dynamic and active. While that’s probably true, I hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like being in the presence of God. I wouldn’t be surprised if the thunder and lightning coming from His throne is so much more impressive than what I saw this month. And so much more fearful. And so much more exhilarating. That appeals to the thrill-seeker in me.

It was a great reminder (not warning) to not grow weary of my temporary (in an eternal sense) role with WFI. Yes, it seems daunting some times, and the goal is so much bigger than we are. Still, our biggest hopes for what this ministry can accomplish will never be bigger than God, the One for whom we want to accomplish these things.

At once, I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. … From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. … Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who  lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

From Revelation 4 [I encourage you to read the whole chapter!]

Reflections of Praise

Happy New Year! Hope you were able to enjoy the Christmas season as much as I did! In His own way, God taught me a little more about celebrating His presence and intentionally seeking Him out during a packed schedule and during times alone when I don’t know what to do with myself. Definitely feel refreshed and ready to face the new year at His feet and by His side.

Please Pray

• for clear vision and greater faith for the next step: get the sense this year isn’t going to be easy, but not in a bad way! He’s given general direction toward which to move, but it might not be a straight shot from here to there. Just another reminder to us He is not just about results, but also about spiritual growth. That usually happens one step at a time…
• for 2010 participants: with Urbana just finished and Passion 2010 happening right now, we need to position ourselves to receive from God His ways to connect us with the ones He has chosen from these venues to send through WFI to the nations…while they are still thinking about it!
• for big picture vision in the “little things”: any organization needs to cover a lot of little details in order to grow and move forward…need to use our time wisely to balance the stuff people see with the foundational tasks people don’t see
• for Martin (WFI president), who is in India: here’s his first post…please pray for his health and safety as he travels, fellowship among his team, and spiritual eyes and ears to observe and receive what God is doing there

Looking Ahead

The day after Christmas, our worship team was hanging out while we were waiting for people to arrive for practice. Having just finished the Christmas Eve service less than 48 hours prior, we started talking about how it went, and then about other Christmas Eve services we had before we were on our current property. The one most of us remembered was the one we stood outside as we lit the candles (and how we didn’t even know each other at the time even though we were all there!).

Besides being really cold , I remember that service because the speaker put forth an idea that has stuck with me ever since: based on distance and the speed at which light travels (and some other stuff I don’t know), the star the wise men followed to Bethlehem was estimated to be birthed about 6000 years ago, right around the time of Creation and the Fall. Not being an astronomer or even remotely scientifically gifted, I have no idea how to validate that suggestion, but the concept instantly captured my imagination. Doesn’t that just sound like our God to infuse a natural occurrence with so much intention and to time it so perfectly? From the moment we first sinned, God had every detail of His salvation plan worked out.

Whether or not this can be a scientifically proven fact is not nearly as important as the fact our God has perfect, creative, intentional purpose in things we often take for granted. Sometimes the hardest thing for me to do is realize God in the little things. As we look ahead into 2010, as we make our plans and surrender them to Him, isn’t it a relief to know He is able and desiring to infuse Himself and His heart into what may seem like just another day (even when it is “one of those days”!)? And to know this life, too, is a part of His salvation plan for us as He prepares us to be face-to-face with Him.

May God bless us as we live each day with an ever-enlarging view of Him!

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32.27

Reflections of Praise

It’s actually been a pretty quiet month…and I’m grateful for that! Quiet, but busy doing a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff. We’ve gotten a few requests for trips shorter than two weeks, but given the cost and the goal of building relationships that point people to Christ, going overseas for anything less than two weeks (with additional days for training and re-entry to make a total of a three-week minimum commitment) doesn’t really make sense or good stewardship of time and resources. While it’s been difficult to not be able to make everyone happy, God has been quietly giving His affirmation about this and encouraging me to explore other options for U.S. based missions as a complement to international efforts. As much as I love being involved in God’s global purposes, developing home-based opportunities actually falls in line with my understanding of our Great Commission strategy.

Please pray…

• for a bold peace and clear thinking as I move forward with the strategic and operational development of a U.S.-based option
• for God to raise and encourage the ones He has chosen to send through WFI to the locations He has prepared
• for a sensitivity and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit to make shifts or changes in what I think are my wonderful plans , especially when it would be more comfortable to stick with what I know or have already experienced

Looking Ahead

It’s crazy to think I’ve been at this for almost a year. It’s been such fluid process so far, lots of changes and learning as we go along. While it’s exciting to be in on the ground-breaking stage, it has also been more challenging than I expected. Or maybe it has been challenging in ways I have never experienced before. And given my attraction to a good challenge, you can imagine how much I’ve been enjoying it.

When I think about what I really want out of all of this, I know my goal is partly shaped by what I’ve been studying this past year in the Gospel of John. Within the first 6 chapters, I’ve been struck in new ways by how powerful Jesus really is and how much He must have held back in order to not obliterate the people hanging out with Him. Just a fraction of the fullness of His deity was enough to change the properties of water and heal life-long infirmities. More powerful (but probably less appreciated) than the physical miracles were the spiritual ones: people believing in Jesus, sins being forgiven, and eternal lives beginning.

We’re about to get into the “I am” statements Jesus makes, and the Lord reminded me of something He told me the last time I studied those statements with a group. While it is great Jesus can say, “I am the door” or “I am the bread of life,” His most powerful “I am” statement wasn’t spoken; it was His incarnational life with us: “I am here.”

That’s what I want out of all of this. For people to know in their spirits and in their experience the presence of God in growing measure among us in WFI, in our communities and churches, and in our cultures. I know we can’t know the fullness of that until we get to Heaven, but I want to taste more of that with each passing year, each passing event, and each passing moment.

“Immanuel” is such a great name of Jesus. I need to remember to use it more often than one month a year. I hope you have a Merry Christmas! As we look back at His coming, let’s look forward to His return and enjoy the presence of God among us now.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.14

Reflections of Praise

This month seemed to go by a lot quicker than usual. I guess changing your clock (even within the same time zone, thanks to daylight savings) can really play with your perception. Or, you could say I had a lot of fun (time flies when…). It truly was entertaining to see God work out what I thought was impossible. Even though there were some stressful moments, as I look back I can still see God putting it all together according to His perfect timing. [Sometimes, though, I wish He didn't like to live so close to the edge. ] We’ve been able to confirm 5 hosts for 5 countries in 2010. That’s one more than I was anticipating just a month ago and 500% growth over this past year! That sounds really impressive if you are willing to overlook the fact we only had 1 host in 1 country.

All joking aside, that truly is the hand of God at work. It has been a major personality stretch for me to be on the front lines of making connections with people I don’t know in places I have never been for something so much bigger than I am. There have been times I would take a step back and ask Him, “Are you sure you want me here?” He was always faithful to remind me it isn’t my ability that will get any of this done; it’s His.

Please Pray

• our recruiting process. It’s great to have hosts. Now we need teams to send to the hosts. Pray God will be preparing the leaders and members He has already chosen to use next summer. This is also going to be a major personality stretch for me. Please pray I will be willing to work at growing in one of my areas of weakness. Pray especially for Martin, who will be going to Dallas to recruit at the LeadNow/Fusion conference this Thursday-Saturday (Nov 5-7). Thanks, Martin!
• a solid communications strategy. This is a job in itself! In fact, it used to be my old job. I’m learning how true it is that ministry is a communication function and how important it is for Christian ministries to communicate well internally in order to bring the most important message to places and people who need it. Pray we will follow God’s strategy for His message through us. Pray we will also follow Him in developing the resources needed to communicate.
• supernatural productivity. You think I’m kidding, but I’m really not. There is so much more to do than I have time to do it. Until we are in a position to bring in more hands in some organized manner, you’re stuck with just me! Please pray along the lines of Psalm 90.17.

Looking Ahead

Lately, I’ve been thinking about love. Don’t get too excited…no major status changes. I recently heard a speaker claim he was so sure God loved him. This guy had no doubt if anyone could ask God whether or not He knew him, God would say, “Oh, yeah…of course I know him! I love that guy!” He wasn’t being cocky or boastful. He just knew where he stood with God because he loves God intensely, and his life naturally (and supernaturally) bears the fruit of that. What an incredible picture of security!

Having heard bits and pieces of this guy’s journey, I’m pretty sure that kind of love didn’t just happen because he chose it or committed himself to it. It takes some effort and discipline to get to that position, but you can’t make that kind of love materialize. It isn’t the result of doing stuff for God or in His name, as good as that is. I’m starting to suspect it is quietly built over time in those private moments when no one is looking and no one but you and God know what is happening. You can’t even share it with anyone because He is doing something during those times that you can’t quite explain, not even to yourself. You can only share — in fact, you can’t not share — God is real. Doing the good stuff then become inevitable; you can’t not acknowledge God before others through your words, your actions, and your presence because you love Him too much to do otherwise.

I want to get to the point where I go through my days knowing God and anyone else can look at me (not just my actions) and say, “yeah, God knows her. He loves her, and she knows it.” It’s not something anyone has to explain. Maybe they simply can’t, but they will know it undeniably. “Good deeds” might be a clue, but they aren’t the core. The root of it all will be a desire to “show off” the God I love. Please pray even as I grow in serving God and His Kingdom purposes through WFI, I’ll ultimately grow more in love with Him.

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10.32