Day 233 The Listening Gift

To answer before listening, that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13

Like most people, I have some significant regrets in my life! I have several verbal regrets. I’ve said things to people I wish I could take back, misguided words that have stung and wounded others. I feel terrible about those moments that I can’t take back. But I have no regrets in my life over listening!
I’ve never thought, “Why did I pay such good attention to that person? Why was I so patient and empathetic in showing them respect?” Why? Because listening does not lead to regret!
      
When I talk too much and don't listen well, I violate intimacy, community, and depth of relationship. It’s a problem that needs to be fixed. When I do this, I have to ask myself, “What’s behind all the words that violate the power of listening?”

Listening is a language of love. Listening creates value. Listening is a skill to learn. It’s a craft to master. It’s a gift to give. It’s a way to draw close and minister to others....No regrets.

Day 232 Appropriate Extravagance

Mmmm....I love dark chocolate. I love sitting down with a proper cup of black coffee, dark roasted. I love great food, and almost missed a plane flight once trying to get some pizza from a particular coal-fired oven in  NYC. What should I make for supper? Indian food? Italian? Thai? Chicken soup?

When I use the word “love” to describe how I feel about food, I know that I really should reserve it for talking about the people I’m closest to. But, given how much time and attention I devote to what I eat, “love” feels like an accurate descriptor for food, too.

As someone who works to serve the poor every day, there is tension in my selfish pursuit of gastronomic pleasure. Don’t get me wrong – I think one of the amazing things about Jesus’ first recorded miracle was the setting....He didn't feed  thousands of hungry people--He made wine at a wedding feast.

I think God was saying something about celebration, about appropriate extravagance. I think this is an amazing gift to humanity: we are created with the ability to appreciate a decadent dessert or a great party.

But, my interest in food has a downside....When most of my day is spent thinking about me — my wants, my desires, my preferences – I quickly lose my ability to care about others.

How would you define your relationship with food? Does eating simply change your perspective?

Day 231 Zoom Zoom

Restore to me the joy of your salvation..." Psalm 51:12

Learning to drive a stick shift often includes grinding, metallic sounds that are painful to hear--and a more or less patient statement that goes something like, "If it makes that kind of noise, something is wrong." :)

Psalm 51 says that if there's a nagging noise in your walk with God it indicates something is wrong...and if we're in disharmony with God, the joy of his salvation disappears: lack of joy is a grinding sound in our relationship with him.

When everything is working properly in a car, there is a quiet, powerful engine rumble. When everything is harmonious in our walk with God, joy is present. God created us to know him and to enjoy his presence. When we develop habits that help us walk in step with him, we know--and show--the joy of his presence in our lives.

Help Sarah to know the joy of your presence today and to enjoy the wonder of your grace and love! Amen.

Day 230 He Really Likes You!

  
How well God must like you—

you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,

you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.

You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

You're not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court, they are
unfit company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row.

Psalm 1, The Message

Day 229 Offensive People

Dealing with difficult people not only tests our faith in God, but it also puts our witness on display. One biblical figure who responded well to difficult people was David, who triumphed over many offensive characters to become king of Israel.

When he was only a teenager, David encountered one of the most intimidating types of difficult people—the bully. Bullies can be found in the workplace, at home, and in schools, and they usually frighten us with their physical strength, authority, or some other advantage.

Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior who had terrorized the entire Israelite army with his size and his skill as a fighter. No one dared to meet this bully in combat, until David showed up.

Before facing Goliath, David had to deal with a critic, his own brother Eliab, who said: "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." (1 Samuel 17:28)

David ignored this critic because what Eliab said was a lie. That's a good lesson for us. Turning his attention back to Goliath, David saw through the giant's taunts. Even as a young shepherd, David understood what it meant to be a servant of God: "All those here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:47).

While we should not respond to bullies by hitting them in the head with a rock, we should remember that our strength is not in ourselves, but in the God who loves us. This can give us confidence to endure when our own resources are low.

Dealing with Difficult People: Time to Flee
Fighting a bully is not always the right course of action. Later, King Saul turned into a bully and chased David throughout the country because Saul was jealous of him. David chose to flee. Saul was the rightfully appointed king, and David would not battle him. He told Saul: "And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds, so my hand will not touch you.' "(1 Samuel 24:12-13)

At times we must flee from a bully in the workplace, on the street, or in an abusive relationship. This is not cowardice. It's wise to retreat when we are unable to protect ourselves. Trusting God to exact justice takes great faith, which David had. He knew when to act himself, and when to flee and turn the matter over to the Lord.

Dealing with Difficult People: Coping with the Angry
Later in David's life, the Amalekites had attacked the village of Ziklag, carrying off the wives and children of David's army. Scripture says David and his men wept until they had no strength left.
Understandably the men were angry, but instead of being mad at the Amalekites, they blamed David:
"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters." (1 Samuel 30:6)

Often people take their anger out on us. Sometimes we deserve it, in which case an apology is needed, but usually the difficult person is frustrated in general and we are the handiest target. Striking back is not the solution:"But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." (1 Samuel 30:6)

Turning to God when we're attacked by an angry person gives us understanding, patience, and most of all, courage.  Some suggest taking a deep breath or counting to ten, but the real answer is saying a quick prayer. David asked God what to do, was told to pursue the kidnappers, and he and his men rescued their families.

Dealing with angry people tests our witness. People are watching. We can lose our temper as well, or we can respond calmly and with love. David succeeded because he turned to the One stronger and wiser than himself. We can learn from his example.

Dealing with Difficult People: Looking in the Mirror
The most difficult person each of us has to deal with is our self. If we are honest enough to admit it, we cause ourselves more trouble than others do. David was no different. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, then had her husband Uriah killed. When confronted with his crimes by Nathan the prophet, David admitted: "I have sinned against the Lord." (2 Samuel 12:13)

At times we need the help of a pastor or godly friend to help us see our situation clearly. In other cases, when we humbly ask God to show us the reason for our misery, he gently directs us to look in the mirror. Then we need to do what David did: confess our sin to God and repent, knowing he always forgives and takes us back.

David had many faults, but he was the only person in the Bible God called "a man after my own heart." (Acts 13:22) Why? Because David depended completely on God to direct his life, including dealing with difficult people. We can't control difficult people and we can't change them, but with God's guidance we can understand them better and find a way to cope with them.

Day 226: Restless People

Today is the second day of Lent. Take some time today to think about things in your life that make you restless, insecure, or distant from God....bring and give them to him. He already knows about them, and he loves you!

Day 226 Enough

How much stuff is enough?

I’m not part of the 1% of America’s wealthiest people--but I do fall into the top 15%  of the world's wealthiest--and my stuff probably does too.

I think that I already have enough--and what I have is good enough.

What if during Lent, I spend my time refocusing my treasure and my heart. What if I make relationships, gratitude, and service more important than stuff and trade the heavy burden of consumerism for the light burden offered by Christ?

Today is Ash Wednesday. How are you observing Lent this year?

Day 225 Unchanging.

Be encouraged today that you are a child of God and that His love for you will never change.

Day 224 Blech!

My daughter is sick, Lord, and she needs to feel better now! Make her body well and thank you for a driver who didn't want her throwing up in his car! :)

In Isaiah 55:9 God says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (NIV). God's timing is part of His ways. I may be tapping my watch, but He is never late. He may seem slow, but He is always right on time.

God is faithful, and you can rely on His perfect timing. Fix your eyes on Him and enjoy what you can until you are healthy again. There are things to be learned along the way that will enhance the joy of feeling well!

Lord, sometimes I don't understand Your timing. It's hard to wait, but I trust You. Help Sarah to rely on Your ways and Your timing. Help her to rest and recover as she waits for you to heal her. Help her translating tasks to go well this week, and keep her and her team safe! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 223 Chasing peace

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
  
1 Peter 3:8-11

Day 222 Give and Take

“He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.” (Psalm 105:16-17)

When it seems like the world is crumbling around you, God has a plan. He has a "Joseph" that He has sent ahead. We just need to seek him out.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and sent to Egypt. Because of his smarts, charisma, and God’s grace, he ended up being Pharaoh’s right hand man. When famine hit Israel, his father Jacob sent his brothers to Egypt to beg for grain....Guess who they encountered.

If you are in a place and you feel God has blessed you abundantly--store up. Continue in prayer, Bible study, and serving. Don’t take God for granted. Then, when bad times hit, your faith will be stronger. You will have the resources to see you through like Joseph did.

If you are in a bad time and your faith feels starved, look for the Joseph in your life. God is preparing someone or something as your relief. The thing is, you may have to humble yourself to receive it, just as Joseph’s brothers did.

It just may be that God will call you to be someone else’s Joseph – to be His messenger to them and to provide them with some of your faith to feed their hunger for truth, so share it. Give a smile to a frazzled neighbor or coworker. Open the door for someone who is laden down with bundles. Do a little something special for someone just because you love them. And above all else, pray.

Father, Help me to see your hand at work both in times of plenty and times of need. If I can help someone else, move my hands to do it. And if I need to accept your provision through the generosity of another, give me the strength to do that too. Amen.

Day 220 Longing for the light of grace

Lord God through the light of nature you have aroused in us a longing for the light of grace, so that we may be raised in the light of your majesty.

To you I give thanks, Creator and Lord, that you have allowed me to rejoice in your deeds. Praise the Lord you heavenly harmonies, and you who know the revealed harmonies.

For from him, through him and in him, all is, which  is perceptible as well as spiritual; that which we know and that which we do not know, for there is still much to learn.

Johannes Kepler, 1571-1630
astronomer

Day 219 The Place you are Standing

"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5

When Christians worship in India, they are asked to remove their shoes: no one enters the sanctuary unless they leave their footwear at the door. There is a biblical reason for it, of course--when Moses stood in the presence of the Lord at the burning bush, God commanded him to remove his sandals. In the ancient Jewish world, taking off your sandals was a mark of humility and respect.

But I think it goes further than that....I think that everyday you live your life, you are in God's presence, day and night. As you meet people, work with others, share morning coffee or ride to the office, you are and are in the presence of God--and you are the presence of God to others.

Help Sarah to delight in your glory, celebrate your majesty, and realize that she stands in your strong and loving presence always! Amen.

Day 218 It's all in how you look at it

I believe in Christianity as I believe in the rising sun; not because I see it, but by it I can see all else.

C.S. Lewis

Day 217 Hanging out, on purpose

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12)

What would an outcast say?

"We had a perfect right to be there. Matthew had invited us to dinner. Still the accusations got raised, why Jesus was hanging out with us. Some wondered what kind of example Jesus was setting. Others debated what He had in common with us. When others in society ignored us, Jesus looked us in the eyes, and talked and even ate with us outcasts.

"I know my life could improve. I wish things were different. I never wanted to live this way. Jesus didn't reject the others or me. I am sure it made people angry--why, it went against logical thinking, but that didn't sway Jesus. When the people asked Jesus why He associated with us, He basically told them that we needed Him. Some at the dinner table may not admit that they need Jesus, but it is evident they do.

"Speaking for myself, I want to find a better life, and if Jesus can help me get there, then I am grateful. Jesus treats me more as a human than a lost cause. "

Lord, Thanks for hanging out with me, on purpose. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

---

Day 216 Powerful Hands

This is what God the Lord says....
he who gives breath to his people
and life to those who walk on the earth:
"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
"I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for all peoples,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon
those who sit in darkness.
"I am the Lord;
that is my name.
I will not give my glory to another
or any prase to idols.
"See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I delcare,
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."

Day 215 Lovers (Do I have your Attention? ;)

"Our world is desperately in need of lovers--people who are building deep, genuine relationships with fellow strugglers along the way, and who actually know the faces of the people behind the issues they are concerned about.” Shane Claiborne

Thank you, God, that Sarah chooses to be a lover like you! Amen.

Day 213 New!

"The nations will walk by its light, and the kinds of the earth will bring their splendor into it." Rev. 21:24

One of the delights of worship is sharing it with believers from different cultures. Our songs, music, and styles differ, but God made all that variety because he enjoys it!

This verse says that when Christ returns, he will usher in a new creation. We will gather into the city where God dwells through 12 gates -- open to all nations and his people from every corner of the world. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into the new creation, and "the kings of the earth will bring their splendor."

God's new creation will have continuity with the life we live now....The purified cultural gifts of every people will find their place in God's new world.

Remember that the work you are doing today will show their results in this new creation. What you are doing now, in your own culture and in others, makes eternal difference--one you will get just glimmers of until you get there!

Day 212

The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven. And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth. There are no slums up here.'

Mother Teresa

Day 211 Patience is Powerful

So. Are you by nature a patient person? Me neither! In our everyday lives, it's the loudest, most impatient people who often get what they want. But God says patience matters....and thankfully, he's patient with us!

Proverbs 16:32 says, "Better a patient person than a warrior." Huh. God says that the strength of a patience exceeds that of fighting. Maybe because waiting for God is tougher than taking things into our own hands. "Waiting on the Lord" and his timing takes real strength!

Help Sarah not to run ahead of you, God. Give her the gift of patience to align her life with your intentions for her. Amen.

Day 210 What IS Safe?

"...those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." Proverbs 28:26b

A mission worker was rushing to catch a flight out of Brazil. Rain was pouring down the hillsides and made the road into a river. His driver refused to slow down. "Don't worry," the driver said, "my car has good tires."

When you work internationally you often find yourself in the hands of others. Sometimes you just have to rely on eachother as the people God has given you.

Not only do things often not go according to schedule, they often also don't need to. "It is what it is" can be an apropriate motto. Ultimately it means raising your trust in God and looking for his leading in unexpected twists on your journey.

Ultimate wisdom comes from God. He gives us "many advisors" for the work he has given us to do. Who has God given you to help steer your way this year?

Thanks for being in charge of Sarah's life, God, and for providing people to help her chart wise and thoughtful paths. Amen.

Day 209 Good Memory

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me!"

Psalm 103:1-2

Day 208 Balancing Scarcity and Excess

So, I got this magazine in the Calvin FIDC packet this week called, "Reject Apathy."  It has an article in it called, "Post-Missions Cynicism," by Curt Devine. This part reminded me of our trip to Meijers over Christmas....

"My first day home, I went to the grocery store and found myself overwhelmed in the cereal aisle with its endless array of General Mills cartoons.....The conflict between excess at home and scarcity abroad is a lot to handle. The temptation can be to hate America's abundance, or forget the poverty overseas....The key is living within the tension. The book, Unearth, says, 'There is a balance beteween the humility of scarcity and peace within excess.'

"Jesus' brother James writes that every good and perfect gift comes from above. So, the first response we should have to excess is...thankfulness! God has given us food, water, malls, and Venti Mocha Frappuccinos even though we don't deserve them.

"Our second response should be wise stewardship. If your closet, fridge, or bank account is full, look for wise opportunities to give to others and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

"One other important thing to remember is that the grass is always greener on the other side. If you live in a developing country, you think you'll find more of God in America. If you live in America, you think God's presence will be more abundant in Africa. While most of us fall into this misconception, Luke 17 says that the kingdom of God isn't "here or there," it's "in our midst."

"Experiencing God's presence has nothing to do with where you are--and everything to do with how you live with those around you. (And, I think, you already know this. :)

"So, here are a few questions to ask your (and my) self...
- If you had all the time and resources to make an impact, what would you do?
- Now. With the limited resources you do have, what impact can you make on your current community?
- What small steps can you take now toward making a global change?

"America is not your enemy: it's another opportunity. Our mission is to experience God and share his love where ever we are."

Day 206 Unexpected Sources

Spiritual insights can come from surprising places.... God might want to teach you a lesson of faith, so look to be taught from a source you don't expect.

Open Sarah's eyes to see the new faith lessons you intend for her today. Amen.

Day 205 Small Counts

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa