Tonight we had Papy (Grandpa) Alain and Tante (Aunt) Nathalie for supper. It had been far too long (sometime in September or October) since we last saw them. Unfortunately, that's often how it works in Paris, as you suddenly realize that it's been a year or several years since you last saw someone.
We met them in 2000 right after we moved back to Paris. In fact, he was one of the first ones to greet us when we visited a church that ended up being our church home for 8+ years. The friendship developed since that time. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but the friendship has continued. They have befriended our children over the years to the point where they call them "Papy" and "Tante".
Alain has been a counselor to us over the years, as well as a prayer supporter. He often has been the first one that we've called about very specific needs that came up right away, like some of our kids' problems at school. Nathalie has been a good friend to my wife and even practiced "coaching" my wife while training to be a life coach.
Relationships with French people like Alain and Nathalie are a primary reason why we're still in Paris today. They have been friends that we've been able to count on over the years. This has included things like watering plants and checking mail when we've been away.
I've been blessed with similar types of relationships over all my years in France. I'm thankful in many ways that I was very helpless during my initial period in France, as it forced me to become dependent on some French people. I really bonded with some of these people. I wonder if the development of the Internet in recent years has been a barrier to the bonding that I experienced in my early days.
One thing I would counsel new people coming to Paris is to try to look for these kinds of people. Rather than having one's needs met by one's own mission teammates, it would be good to have reciprocal friendships with some nationals. Jesus allowed the Samaritan woman at the well to serve Him water. In fact, He even asked her specifically for help getting water.
It can be hard & humbing to place oneself as the one asking for & needing help instead of as the expert & self-sufficient one. But it also can open up even further chances to build relationships with those who help us.
As our car is no longer working & may be permanently sent to car heaven, we've had to become more dependent on others here in order to be able to take turns doing runs with our daughter & other children who are in the same dance class. It will be interesting how these co-dependency relationships (in the good sense) lead.
vendredi 29 janvier 2010
jeudi 28 janvier 2010
Good Questions
Rick Richardson's book "Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey" (IVP, 2006) is a must read book for anyone serious about the witness of the Christian faith today. At the end of the book and before the appendices, he raises the following important questions for self-examination (pp. 143-144)
Will you commit yourself to becoming a more vibrant witness in the days to come?
Can you see yourself as a travel guide instead of a traveling salesperson? Can you pursue spiritual conversations with friends on the journey?
Will you become a better detective, looking for clues of God's Spirit at work in the lives of others? Can you become a better collaborator and partner with God in witness?
Could you give up a cookie-cutter approach to what a witness looks like, and instead contribute your particular gifts to the witness of the whole community?
Could you do what you love with people who don't know Jesus yet? Could you share with them your struggles and doubts and spiritual failures? Will you learn to minister to wounded hearts?
Could you learn to tell good transformation stories for each stage of your life? Can you talk about the real experiences and encounters you've had with the presence and authority of God?
Can you begin to talk about Jesus in some surprising and "rock my world" ways? Would you be willing to challenge the spiritual consumerism that is rampant in our culture, and often in our own hearts?
Do you know the Big Story? Can you tell the story of God's love affair with humanity and God's reclamation project to transform the whole world? Do you know where you fit into God's story? Do you know where you are?
Will you grow in the art of spiritual matchmaking and begin to ask God for opportunities to pop the question?
As we together begin to embrace these new images of evangelism and live into these questions, I believe God could pour out the Spirit and bring great renewal to the church and to the world.
Will you join me on this journey? Far more to the point, will you join Jesus? I still hear him say: "As the Father sent me, so send I you."
A challenge of being a musician
On Monday night I attended the monthly gathering for artists. I really enjoy these gatherings, as it's a good time to check in monthly with some artist friends whom I wouldn't necessarily get to see otherwise. I collected the money this time, which definitely allowed me to speak with everyone who came.
Of all the different types of artists in Paris, I probably have my most contact with musicians. I don't claim to be a musician. I've never ever taken a music lesson. The math side of me allowed to figure out some of the notes & timings as an elementary student. I've sung in several music groups, even though I don't really read music. I do have a musically gifted wife who made All State choir in her native state as a high school student. My kids all have picked up different aspects of music and enjoy singing. I enjoy music & know a lot of songs from the 70s & 80s (which I'm trying to introduce to my kids).
Thus, I don't write this as a musician, but rather as an outsider who is around musicians.
Each month, we try to have an artist share about his work and/or journey. It's generally a sharing among peers, rather than one artists trying to impress another.
The artist who shared is the young man who helps lead the bi-monthly jazz nights at our arts center. He's a gifted on the guitar, as well as in teaching & composing.
Someone asked him what were his greatest challenges as a musician. He has a call to do "secular music," although he has played in a worship band too. One challenge he said was with the lifestyle that often goes along with professional, non-believing musicians. It is important to try to fit in with the music groups he plays in. However, he is sometimes viewed like a martian for not going along with certain practices that often go with being a musician.
I have great respect for his trying to live with integrity, especially when others aren't. I think there is a huge need for musicians and other artists to work primarily in the "secular," rather than working in churches and/or Christian music.
Of all the different types of artists in Paris, I probably have my most contact with musicians. I don't claim to be a musician. I've never ever taken a music lesson. The math side of me allowed to figure out some of the notes & timings as an elementary student. I've sung in several music groups, even though I don't really read music. I do have a musically gifted wife who made All State choir in her native state as a high school student. My kids all have picked up different aspects of music and enjoy singing. I enjoy music & know a lot of songs from the 70s & 80s (which I'm trying to introduce to my kids).
Thus, I don't write this as a musician, but rather as an outsider who is around musicians.
Each month, we try to have an artist share about his work and/or journey. It's generally a sharing among peers, rather than one artists trying to impress another.
The artist who shared is the young man who helps lead the bi-monthly jazz nights at our arts center. He's a gifted on the guitar, as well as in teaching & composing.
Someone asked him what were his greatest challenges as a musician. He has a call to do "secular music," although he has played in a worship band too. One challenge he said was with the lifestyle that often goes along with professional, non-believing musicians. It is important to try to fit in with the music groups he plays in. However, he is sometimes viewed like a martian for not going along with certain practices that often go with being a musician.
I have great respect for his trying to live with integrity, especially when others aren't. I think there is a huge need for musicians and other artists to work primarily in the "secular," rather than working in churches and/or Christian music.
dimanche 24 janvier 2010
Give us this day our daily bread
Yesterday I heard a great sermon on the Lord's Prayer. It was given by a Brit who has been transplanted in France & whose French wife works at our church.
There are lots of nuggets worth meditating upon in the Lord's Prayer, as well as in the sermon. But what struck me were the ones about "give us this day our daily bread." It's a reminder of our daily dependence upon God to provide for our physical needs, including the very basic ones like food.
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, they literally had to depend on God to provide manna 6 days a week. What didn't get eaten one day ended up getting rotten the next day. However, on the 6th day of each week, they were to gather enough manna for the next 2 days. Only in that situation did the manna remain good for the following day (the Sabbath).
The situation in Haiti the last 2 weeks has reminded many of us about the precarity of life. There already was much human need in that nation and it got exponentially worse during the earthquakes. Many churches and missions have already organized some type of sharing of finances and qualified people (doctors, nurses, rescue people, etc.) to help. After this initial period is over, then there will be a longer-term need to care for orphans, as well as recreate an infrastructure there.
Compared to the suffering in Haiti, I really can't complain. This morning, we have heat & electricity in our apartment, food for ourselves (& guinea pig too), money in the bank, and clothes on our backs and in the closet. My kids will go to schools with books and qualified teachers who care for them and their learning.
Over the years, our living and ministry expenses have been covered by the contributions of individuals, families & churches who support what we're doing. Some of them have suffered due to the global financial crisis. We've received word yesterday from one church that would no longer be able to continue their support. During the last few months, some have had to reduce or end their financial support.
Despite the financial climate, 2009 ended up being a good year in terms of contributions. However, we go into 2010 with some uncertainty about how it will go. On paper, it looks challenging. However, we've seen God provide in some expected and some unexpected ways. We work hard to try to raise support, but are aware that it's the Lord who moves in hearts and checkbooks. He's also provided for some hidden costs, like some clothes that people have given our kids.
In 2010, we are faced with several decisions that will have an influence on our financial situation. Sometime we'll need to do a 6-12 month U.S. Home Ministry Assignment. There's no convenient time to do so, particularly with the kids' school situations. We're also being presented an interesting ministry opportunity, but that might require another change in groups. I guess this is related to another part of the Lord's Prayer: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Got to close & get the kids ready for school.
There are lots of nuggets worth meditating upon in the Lord's Prayer, as well as in the sermon. But what struck me were the ones about "give us this day our daily bread." It's a reminder of our daily dependence upon God to provide for our physical needs, including the very basic ones like food.
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, they literally had to depend on God to provide manna 6 days a week. What didn't get eaten one day ended up getting rotten the next day. However, on the 6th day of each week, they were to gather enough manna for the next 2 days. Only in that situation did the manna remain good for the following day (the Sabbath).
The situation in Haiti the last 2 weeks has reminded many of us about the precarity of life. There already was much human need in that nation and it got exponentially worse during the earthquakes. Many churches and missions have already organized some type of sharing of finances and qualified people (doctors, nurses, rescue people, etc.) to help. After this initial period is over, then there will be a longer-term need to care for orphans, as well as recreate an infrastructure there.
Compared to the suffering in Haiti, I really can't complain. This morning, we have heat & electricity in our apartment, food for ourselves (& guinea pig too), money in the bank, and clothes on our backs and in the closet. My kids will go to schools with books and qualified teachers who care for them and their learning.
Over the years, our living and ministry expenses have been covered by the contributions of individuals, families & churches who support what we're doing. Some of them have suffered due to the global financial crisis. We've received word yesterday from one church that would no longer be able to continue their support. During the last few months, some have had to reduce or end their financial support.
Despite the financial climate, 2009 ended up being a good year in terms of contributions. However, we go into 2010 with some uncertainty about how it will go. On paper, it looks challenging. However, we've seen God provide in some expected and some unexpected ways. We work hard to try to raise support, but are aware that it's the Lord who moves in hearts and checkbooks. He's also provided for some hidden costs, like some clothes that people have given our kids.
In 2010, we are faced with several decisions that will have an influence on our financial situation. Sometime we'll need to do a 6-12 month U.S. Home Ministry Assignment. There's no convenient time to do so, particularly with the kids' school situations. We're also being presented an interesting ministry opportunity, but that might require another change in groups. I guess this is related to another part of the Lord's Prayer: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Got to close & get the kids ready for school.
samedi 23 janvier 2010
Friendships
This afternoon we went over to the home of H & M and their daughter M. We've known them since 2000, when we returned to Paris. We ended up in the same church where they were involved as singles. We were there when they started dating. They were married around 8 years ago, just 2 days before our son was born.
We've been cordial to each other over the years. We even had the the mother and daughter over for Christmas cookie baking this year. But today was the first time that we had this much uninterrupted time with them.
It was nice to be in their home, which happens to be in an apartment where we used to go when other friends used to live there. Our kids enjoyed playing together. What started out as an afternoon dessert snack ("goûter") led into a pizza supper once we realized that it was 7:00 p.m. already.
They raised the question about what kind of support & encouragement are we getting here in Paris. My wife & I have different answers to this question. Another friend, the director of another organization in France, asked me a similar question several days ago.
Over the years, my response has been different. It often depended on the particular ministry situation I was in and if that happened to be spiritually & relationally nourrishing. After having been in some particularly nourrishing situations for a few years this past decade, the last few years haven't really provided that. I know that sometimes, part of the sacrifice of ministry is not having that. But while one can get used to it, it doesn't mean that it is helpful or healthy for the long-term.
I'm not sure if these questions the last couple of days are signs that this is a season where I will particularly need these kinds of friendships in Paris. But it well may be the case. They might some of the missing pieces of the puzzle for this season.
I definitely don't feel isolated or abandonned. But I do miss the camaraderie that has sometimes been there are other sections of the past journey.
Jesus seemed to need friendshp during his earthly ministry. He was disappointed when his friends couldn't stay awake with Him in the Garden of Gethsamene. That type of disappointment or sadness is a risk that comes when one gets dependent on other people. But that's a risk that Jesus, Paul, David, and others took.
May the Lord give wisdom in knowing what to do. I'm certainly feeling the need for His wisdom & direction in a lot of different areas.
In closing, one encouragement in recent weeks is seeing growth in our son. He's making positive steps academically, socially, & spiritually. For all our kids, the choices of friends are crucial.
We've been cordial to each other over the years. We even had the the mother and daughter over for Christmas cookie baking this year. But today was the first time that we had this much uninterrupted time with them.
It was nice to be in their home, which happens to be in an apartment where we used to go when other friends used to live there. Our kids enjoyed playing together. What started out as an afternoon dessert snack ("goûter") led into a pizza supper once we realized that it was 7:00 p.m. already.
They raised the question about what kind of support & encouragement are we getting here in Paris. My wife & I have different answers to this question. Another friend, the director of another organization in France, asked me a similar question several days ago.
Over the years, my response has been different. It often depended on the particular ministry situation I was in and if that happened to be spiritually & relationally nourrishing. After having been in some particularly nourrishing situations for a few years this past decade, the last few years haven't really provided that. I know that sometimes, part of the sacrifice of ministry is not having that. But while one can get used to it, it doesn't mean that it is helpful or healthy for the long-term.
I'm not sure if these questions the last couple of days are signs that this is a season where I will particularly need these kinds of friendships in Paris. But it well may be the case. They might some of the missing pieces of the puzzle for this season.
I definitely don't feel isolated or abandonned. But I do miss the camaraderie that has sometimes been there are other sections of the past journey.
Jesus seemed to need friendshp during his earthly ministry. He was disappointed when his friends couldn't stay awake with Him in the Garden of Gethsamene. That type of disappointment or sadness is a risk that comes when one gets dependent on other people. But that's a risk that Jesus, Paul, David, and others took.
May the Lord give wisdom in knowing what to do. I'm certainly feeling the need for His wisdom & direction in a lot of different areas.
In closing, one encouragement in recent weeks is seeing growth in our son. He's making positive steps academically, socially, & spiritually. For all our kids, the choices of friends are crucial.
vendredi 22 janvier 2010
Reachout out across generational & geographic borders
The name of this blog is "just walk across the room," taken from the title of Bill Hybels' book. The idea is of some type of intentional movement toward someone whom we might normally not reach out to. However, the notion of "room" is more figurative than literal. For today's communication technology, particularly e-mail, skype, Facebook, Twitter, etc. somtimes allows this movement toward others without necessarily having to go there geographically.
I found a great example of this today in a story on the ESPN web site. The link is http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/ncf/news/story?id=4846399&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
The story is titled "Mark Herzlich's Fight Continues."
A year ago, Mark Herzlich seemed to have everything going for him. He had completed a very successful junior football season for Boston College. During that amazing season, he had 81 tackles and 6 interceptions. He won the Atlantic Coastal Conference Defensive Player of the Year award and was a finalist for the Butkus Award given to the top linebacker in college football. He was expected to be a very high choice in the NFL draft after his senior season.
Then his world caved in this past spring. He was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a very rare and malignant form of cancer in one of his legs. He went from being a possible top 5 NFL draft choice to wondering if he would have 5 months to live. He underwent chemotherapy.
A 75 year old woman named Sister Barbara Anne Hallman heard about his situation. She was a cancer survivor and was living in a St. Francis Convent in Indiana in the Midwest. She wrote letters (the old fashioned, snailmail way) to 21 year old Mark and said that she was praying for him daily. She regularly prayed for and wrote Mark. Despite their age & geographical barrier, a friendship developed between the two. She seeked to harness a powerhouse of daily prayer for him. Mark described Sister Barbara Ann as "a voice I could hear from and lean on." Her letters were a part of his treatment like his chemo.
He was recently diagnosed as being cancer free.
They actually got to meet in September. From what I saw, she seems like a very joyful, positive person. That also is very powerful in being a witness.
This is a great example of being a witness today. I am aware of some seniors who feel isolated due to a decreasing ability to get out. However, letters provide a way to that they can reach out. I've heard of some seniors writing to many prisoners.
I'm not sure of where Mark stands with the Lord. On the one hand, it does matter, as he and Sister Barbara Ann share the common experience of cancer. If Christ-followers would reach out to others who have are going through trials that they have gone through, then they are able to express Christ's compassion to them. I think this is why God allows us to go through certain trails, so that the comfort and experience that God gives us can be a comfort to others. For those that aren't yet Christ-followers, this often provides the open door necessary.
On the other hand, I hope that this friendship helps draw Mark to Christ if he isn't yet a Christ-follower.
The story asks the question "If prayer is a wish delivered from heaven, can a letter be the same?" Absolutely yes! Being able to tell people that we're praying for them (and actually do so) is another way of reaching out to people.
I found a great example of this today in a story on the ESPN web site. The link is http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/ncf/news/story?id=4846399&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
The story is titled "Mark Herzlich's Fight Continues."
A year ago, Mark Herzlich seemed to have everything going for him. He had completed a very successful junior football season for Boston College. During that amazing season, he had 81 tackles and 6 interceptions. He won the Atlantic Coastal Conference Defensive Player of the Year award and was a finalist for the Butkus Award given to the top linebacker in college football. He was expected to be a very high choice in the NFL draft after his senior season.
Then his world caved in this past spring. He was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a very rare and malignant form of cancer in one of his legs. He went from being a possible top 5 NFL draft choice to wondering if he would have 5 months to live. He underwent chemotherapy.
A 75 year old woman named Sister Barbara Anne Hallman heard about his situation. She was a cancer survivor and was living in a St. Francis Convent in Indiana in the Midwest. She wrote letters (the old fashioned, snailmail way) to 21 year old Mark and said that she was praying for him daily. She regularly prayed for and wrote Mark. Despite their age & geographical barrier, a friendship developed between the two. She seeked to harness a powerhouse of daily prayer for him. Mark described Sister Barbara Ann as "a voice I could hear from and lean on." Her letters were a part of his treatment like his chemo.
He was recently diagnosed as being cancer free.
They actually got to meet in September. From what I saw, she seems like a very joyful, positive person. That also is very powerful in being a witness.
This is a great example of being a witness today. I am aware of some seniors who feel isolated due to a decreasing ability to get out. However, letters provide a way to that they can reach out. I've heard of some seniors writing to many prisoners.
I'm not sure of where Mark stands with the Lord. On the one hand, it does matter, as he and Sister Barbara Ann share the common experience of cancer. If Christ-followers would reach out to others who have are going through trials that they have gone through, then they are able to express Christ's compassion to them. I think this is why God allows us to go through certain trails, so that the comfort and experience that God gives us can be a comfort to others. For those that aren't yet Christ-followers, this often provides the open door necessary.
On the other hand, I hope that this friendship helps draw Mark to Christ if he isn't yet a Christ-follower.
The story asks the question "If prayer is a wish delivered from heaven, can a letter be the same?" Absolutely yes! Being able to tell people that we're praying for them (and actually do so) is another way of reaching out to people.
jeudi 21 janvier 2010
Being a witness today
I was raised in a Christian "bubble." My parents were both born-again, Bible-believing, church-going folk. In the Presbyterian background where I was raised, I was baptized as an infant, which meant to my parents that they were to raise me as a Christian with the hope and faith that I would come to my own personal faith as I grew to understand the basics of the Christian faith, with the Holy Spirit opening my eyes to these truths. The Lord honored the faith of my parents & grandparents (3 of whom were also believers).
My father was a full-time vocational pastor, with a specialty in Christian Education and Youth Ministries. Thus, I was raised in "the business." That is, I grew up in and around church. I attended lots of church activities, including Sunday School, children's church, Christian Service Brigade, Vacation Bible School, youth group, etc. My mother was an active leader of the weekly Bible Clubs at the public grade school I attended. I'm thankful for all these opportunities to get grounded in the Scriptures, to be taught by many caring followers of Jesus, and have good friends of the same faith.
I attended public school from Kindergarden through high school, as well as 2 years at a public university. Thus, I wasn't in a complete Christian "bubble." I had friends who weren't all Christians. However, the bulk of them were. After 3 years of Bible College (which was a real time in the "bubble"), I worked a couple of "secular" jobs before doing grad school, then heading overseas for the "mis*ion field" in 1988.
During the past few months, I've been stimulated & challenged by a growing number of relationships with some neighborhood people who could fairly be described as outside of the Christian faith. In the process of raising children, we've met many others in the same process.
One of my favorite authors is Andy Stanley, the founding pastor of Northpoint Church in the Atlanta suburbs. I think he has a good grasp of where a lot of "outsider" people are today. I was able to watch a couple of his messages in November and really appreciate his way of communicating.
In his book "Visioneering" (an must read book on leadership), I read a section this morning that really resonates with me. I know from many years of personal experience that it's easy to focus all our energy on "church" and making the institution go. I've done that.
But in more recent days, what has burned on my heart the most has been reaching out to those who aren't part of the "bubble." Certainly, there is the need for people to be in "full-time professional ministry" to help the church grow & minister. However, I'm concerned when I see some Christian friends who are so focused on this that they are completely out of touch with those who aren't part of the "bubble." For too long, I've been like this.
I'm going to copy the section of Andy Stanley that resonated with me this morning. It's under the title "Building Block #16: There is divine potential in all you envision to do."
Stanley continues (p. 226):
Stanley describes 3 of the things that consistently attract the attention of those outside the faith:
1. Peace
2. Healthy relationships
3. Character
\\\\\
My father was a full-time vocational pastor, with a specialty in Christian Education and Youth Ministries. Thus, I was raised in "the business." That is, I grew up in and around church. I attended lots of church activities, including Sunday School, children's church, Christian Service Brigade, Vacation Bible School, youth group, etc. My mother was an active leader of the weekly Bible Clubs at the public grade school I attended. I'm thankful for all these opportunities to get grounded in the Scriptures, to be taught by many caring followers of Jesus, and have good friends of the same faith.
I attended public school from Kindergarden through high school, as well as 2 years at a public university. Thus, I wasn't in a complete Christian "bubble." I had friends who weren't all Christians. However, the bulk of them were. After 3 years of Bible College (which was a real time in the "bubble"), I worked a couple of "secular" jobs before doing grad school, then heading overseas for the "mis*ion field" in 1988.
During the past few months, I've been stimulated & challenged by a growing number of relationships with some neighborhood people who could fairly be described as outside of the Christian faith. In the process of raising children, we've met many others in the same process.
One of my favorite authors is Andy Stanley, the founding pastor of Northpoint Church in the Atlanta suburbs. I think he has a good grasp of where a lot of "outsider" people are today. I was able to watch a couple of his messages in November and really appreciate his way of communicating.
In his book "Visioneering" (an must read book on leadership), I read a section this morning that really resonates with me. I know from many years of personal experience that it's easy to focus all our energy on "church" and making the institution go. I've done that.
But in more recent days, what has burned on my heart the most has been reaching out to those who aren't part of the "bubble." Certainly, there is the need for people to be in "full-time professional ministry" to help the church grow & minister. However, I'm concerned when I see some Christian friends who are so focused on this that they are completely out of touch with those who aren't part of the "bubble." For too long, I've been like this.
I'm going to copy the section of Andy Stanley that resonated with me this morning. It's under the title "Building Block #16: There is divine potential in all you envision to do."
God's ultimate plan for your life reaches beyond the vision he's given you for your family, business, ministry, and finances. He has positioned you to your culture as a singular point of light. A beacon in a world that desperately needs to see something divine, something that is clearly not of this world.
Above and beyond the achievements associated with your vision, he wants to draw people to himself. Our visions are means to a greater end. Namely, the glory of God and the salvation of men and women. This is his ultimate objective, his ultimate desire.
I'm afraid the majority of believers have never seen this important relationship. Consequently, our churches are filled with men and women who compartmentalize their lives. They differentiate between the religious and secular. The religious being all those duties that have to do with God; the secular being their other pursuits.
To make matters worse, they underestimate God's interest in their secular pursuits--after all, there wasn't anything very "religious" about rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem--and they overestimate his interest in their religious ones.
The truth is, our secular pursuits have more kingdom potential than our religious ones. For it is in the realm of our secular pursuits that secular people are watching. The marketplace, the club, and the salon are the environments that so desperately need a brush with the divine. It is there that God desires to demonstrate his power through those who are willing to be used in such a way. It is in the context of those arenas that the "awe factor" is potentially the greatest.
For that reason, men and women who this broader potential for their visions see no distinction between the religious and the secular. Both their sacred and secular duties are played out on the same stage with the same goal in mind. They see themselves as lights at all times in all contexts. For those unique individuals, every role, relationship, and responsibility carries divine potential.
These are the unique few who have not substituted gimmicks and tradition for the real thing. I'm afraid too many of us our content to set ourselves apart by bumper stickers and schedules. I've yet to hear a story of a Christian motorist being flagged down by another driver who was pierced to the heart by the sight of a fish on the back of a car. And our Sunday morning routines certainly haven't left the world standing in awe of our God.
Stanley continues (p. 226):
I have been privileged to know dozens of men and women who understand the relationship between the visions God has given them and what he ultimately wants to do through them. Of the people I am thinking about right now, not one of them is a professional minister. However, all of them view themselves a ministers.
Stanley describes 3 of the things that consistently attract the attention of those outside the faith:
1. Peace
2. Healthy relationships
3. Character
\\\\\
mardi 19 janvier 2010
Daniel: an example of good cultural adjustment
Earlier today I read the first 6 chapters of Daniel. It's been awhile since I've read it, although we did see an excellent cartoon version of it on Sunday.
As I have 3 kids in French public school, I've sometimes asked people to pray that they would stand firm like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did against some of the pressures that they faced to compromise.
But it struck me today how they are good examples of what people living in other cultures should seek to emulate. I was struck by God's sovereignty throughout all these stories. God intervened, even in the lives of Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar & Darius. Certainly I have some friends stateside who are concerned about the current presidential regime & some of the directions being pushed. Daniel is a reminder how God works through kings, even those who don't initially acknowledge Him. In fact, these 4 men are examples of God putting his people in influential places so as to move kings toward His ways.
God's hand was on these young men. He gave them knowledge and wisdom beyond that of their peers. For Daniel, he gave the capacity to interpret dreams. God made them succeed. It struck me that I should be praying that for my children, as well as for my wife & me. The success of these 4 men didn't get to their heads (and Nebuchadnezzar's 7 years of madness are a reminder to not let God's blessings make us proud). But success sometimes brings opportunities to positively influence. Bono in U2 is an example of this.
I was quite encouraged by this reading of Daniel today. It is possible to get culturally & linguistically proficient in a new culture. But it's probably important to ask God to supernaturally guide this, in addition to working as hard as possible.
It only took 4 men to influence the Babylonian & Persian kingdoms. When skimming 1 Chronicles 12 today, verse 32 mentioned 200 men from the tribe of Issachar. They "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do." For all the other tribes mentioned before & afterwards in this chapter, there are larger numbers: 6,800 from Judah; 7,100 Simeonites; 4,600 Levites; 3,000 Benjaminites; 20,800 Ephraimites; 18,000 from one half of Manasseh; 50,000 from Zebulun; 38,000 from Naphtali; 26,800 Danites; and 120,000 from Reuben, Gad & the other half of Manasseh. 200 is much less than the other figures, but they knew what to do. Daniel, his friends, Joseph, and others lived in other lands, but knew what to do.
May we have the supernatural wisdom of God to know what to do in our times.
As I have 3 kids in French public school, I've sometimes asked people to pray that they would stand firm like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did against some of the pressures that they faced to compromise.
But it struck me today how they are good examples of what people living in other cultures should seek to emulate. I was struck by God's sovereignty throughout all these stories. God intervened, even in the lives of Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar & Darius. Certainly I have some friends stateside who are concerned about the current presidential regime & some of the directions being pushed. Daniel is a reminder how God works through kings, even those who don't initially acknowledge Him. In fact, these 4 men are examples of God putting his people in influential places so as to move kings toward His ways.
God's hand was on these young men. He gave them knowledge and wisdom beyond that of their peers. For Daniel, he gave the capacity to interpret dreams. God made them succeed. It struck me that I should be praying that for my children, as well as for my wife & me. The success of these 4 men didn't get to their heads (and Nebuchadnezzar's 7 years of madness are a reminder to not let God's blessings make us proud). But success sometimes brings opportunities to positively influence. Bono in U2 is an example of this.
I was quite encouraged by this reading of Daniel today. It is possible to get culturally & linguistically proficient in a new culture. But it's probably important to ask God to supernaturally guide this, in addition to working as hard as possible.
It only took 4 men to influence the Babylonian & Persian kingdoms. When skimming 1 Chronicles 12 today, verse 32 mentioned 200 men from the tribe of Issachar. They "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do." For all the other tribes mentioned before & afterwards in this chapter, there are larger numbers: 6,800 from Judah; 7,100 Simeonites; 4,600 Levites; 3,000 Benjaminites; 20,800 Ephraimites; 18,000 from one half of Manasseh; 50,000 from Zebulun; 38,000 from Naphtali; 26,800 Danites; and 120,000 from Reuben, Gad & the other half of Manasseh. 200 is much less than the other figures, but they knew what to do. Daniel, his friends, Joseph, and others lived in other lands, but knew what to do.
May we have the supernatural wisdom of God to know what to do in our times.
dimanche 17 janvier 2010
Time
It's Monday morning already & the start of a new week.
Last week raced by between the preparation & execution of last Tuesday night's "A Taste of California" event for neighborhood moms & my wife's training day on Saturday in the French Alps. It was a time of working with my wife to help these events happen, while keeping our children healthy & happy.
I met with a new appointee couple who hope to spend a 1-2 year short-term stint in France doing ministry. They are in their mid-20s and a couple of years out of university. After we met in our apartment, we walked to Jim Morrison's & Frédéric Chopin's tombs in the Père Lachaise Cemetary near our home. Both these famous musicians spent some time in the Paris area.
Strolling through this cemetary is a good reminder about time. Our lives are relatively short in the overall scheme of time. Life is a gift. Every day and every breath that God accords us are gifts. What kind of legacy will our lives leave on this earth after we're gone?
While walking through Pere Lachaise, I was reminded that our stillborn daughter's body was cremated there. It struck me for the first time that part of our family is linked with that place. In that way, part of my legacy is already tied with Paris.
This weekend I was privileged to spend a good part of it with my 3 living children. At this point, they still like sitting on my lap and climbing on my back. But it won't always be this way. Each day of life provides additional opportunities to invest in them.
As I can, I'm ripping some of our CDs onto our Ipod. Some of these songs from the 60s & beyond are like old friends. As I hear them, they bring back memories of times with friends from those eras. Ephesians 2:10 says that "we are His workmanship." The Greek work is "poiema" or "poem." The songs of Jim Morrison & Chopin live on today. What kind of poems or songs will our lives leave after we're gone?
Recently my wife & I have enjoyed the movie "The Holiday" that stars Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. One of my favorite scenes is when the 90 year old legendary screenwriter Arthur (Eli Wallach) enters the auditorium for the gathering to honor him and it's full of applauding friends & fans whom his life & work have influenced positively. That's the kind of legacy that I want to leave.
In the meantime, I have this day in front of me. May it be guided by the hand & voice of the Lord and may it make a difference somehow in the lives of those around me.
Last week raced by between the preparation & execution of last Tuesday night's "A Taste of California" event for neighborhood moms & my wife's training day on Saturday in the French Alps. It was a time of working with my wife to help these events happen, while keeping our children healthy & happy.
I met with a new appointee couple who hope to spend a 1-2 year short-term stint in France doing ministry. They are in their mid-20s and a couple of years out of university. After we met in our apartment, we walked to Jim Morrison's & Frédéric Chopin's tombs in the Père Lachaise Cemetary near our home. Both these famous musicians spent some time in the Paris area.
Strolling through this cemetary is a good reminder about time. Our lives are relatively short in the overall scheme of time. Life is a gift. Every day and every breath that God accords us are gifts. What kind of legacy will our lives leave on this earth after we're gone?
While walking through Pere Lachaise, I was reminded that our stillborn daughter's body was cremated there. It struck me for the first time that part of our family is linked with that place. In that way, part of my legacy is already tied with Paris.
This weekend I was privileged to spend a good part of it with my 3 living children. At this point, they still like sitting on my lap and climbing on my back. But it won't always be this way. Each day of life provides additional opportunities to invest in them.
As I can, I'm ripping some of our CDs onto our Ipod. Some of these songs from the 60s & beyond are like old friends. As I hear them, they bring back memories of times with friends from those eras. Ephesians 2:10 says that "we are His workmanship." The Greek work is "poiema" or "poem." The songs of Jim Morrison & Chopin live on today. What kind of poems or songs will our lives leave after we're gone?
Recently my wife & I have enjoyed the movie "The Holiday" that stars Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. One of my favorite scenes is when the 90 year old legendary screenwriter Arthur (Eli Wallach) enters the auditorium for the gathering to honor him and it's full of applauding friends & fans whom his life & work have influenced positively. That's the kind of legacy that I want to leave.
In the meantime, I have this day in front of me. May it be guided by the hand & voice of the Lord and may it make a difference somehow in the lives of those around me.
mercredi 13 janvier 2010
Follow Up to a Taste of California
Yesterday we were still basking in the joy of seeing how well A Taste of California went on the previous night. We had many opportunities to connect and follow up with some of the participants.
Yesterday morning 3 of the participants dropped off their children at English Club. They seemed tired, but happy about the party.
I dropped off our 2 older kids at the home of one of their school friends. His mom happens to be one of their public school teachers & attended one of the Christmas cookie baking parties. She had lived in California for a year. While she couldn't attend the California party, she appreciated the burritos that my wife sent for her. Our kids had a fun time playing with her 2 children.
I had to exchange a train ticket at the Gare de Lyon. While there, I ran into the team of 6 California women who helped create the party. It was a nice surprise to see them again. My wife will be with them in the French Alps this Saturday for a women's leadership training event.
In the afternoon, two women came by to pay for the CD of Erin, who played at the party. One is a retired former elementary school principal who lives in our building, while the other is her daughter (who is about my wife's age & has 2 kids a little older than ours). They ended up staying for afternoon snack and inviting us to spend Easter with them in Bretagne (western France) at their family home.
A little bit afterwards, I got a call from a woman who couldn't make the party, but whom lent us a music stand for Erin. She asked if I could pick up her daughter this morning & bring her to the school where our younger daughter attends. Of course, I said yes.
Finally, we got an e-mail from a friend whom we've known for 4 1/2 years. Our kids have been going through school together. She wrote the following, which I've translated into English.
In thinking about the last 2 days, I'm reminded that ministry takes place in the midst of relationships. Intertwined lives can be messy & time-consuming & energy-consuming. But that's what it's all about. John 1:14 states that "the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us," which has the literal translation of "tabernacling among us." It's about incarnational ministry. God with us.
There is a tension of "being in the world, but not of it." Some have taken this as a call to just be around Christians. Sadly, many Christians I know (including myself for a good part of my adult life) have been of this practice, whether intentionally chosen or not. This tends to lead toward legalism & nit pickiness over pretty insignificant stuff in the big picture. We go to Christian schools, fill our schedule with church activities, play in church sport leagues, go to the Christian barber, etc. But where is our impact & testimony to the world in the midst of this mindset?
Jesus was criticized by the religious elite for spending time with "sinners and tax collectors" We're all going to criticized for something. I guess it's better to be criticized for doing something significant than for other petty stuff. May God wake us up out of our sleepy fog to the needy people around us.
Yesterday morning 3 of the participants dropped off their children at English Club. They seemed tired, but happy about the party.
I dropped off our 2 older kids at the home of one of their school friends. His mom happens to be one of their public school teachers & attended one of the Christmas cookie baking parties. She had lived in California for a year. While she couldn't attend the California party, she appreciated the burritos that my wife sent for her. Our kids had a fun time playing with her 2 children.
I had to exchange a train ticket at the Gare de Lyon. While there, I ran into the team of 6 California women who helped create the party. It was a nice surprise to see them again. My wife will be with them in the French Alps this Saturday for a women's leadership training event.
In the afternoon, two women came by to pay for the CD of Erin, who played at the party. One is a retired former elementary school principal who lives in our building, while the other is her daughter (who is about my wife's age & has 2 kids a little older than ours). They ended up staying for afternoon snack and inviting us to spend Easter with them in Bretagne (western France) at their family home.
A little bit afterwards, I got a call from a woman who couldn't make the party, but whom lent us a music stand for Erin. She asked if I could pick up her daughter this morning & bring her to the school where our younger daughter attends. Of course, I said yes.
Finally, we got an e-mail from a friend whom we've known for 4 1/2 years. Our kids have been going through school together. She wrote the following, which I've translated into English.
Bonjour ...
Je voulais te remercier pour cette soirée franco américaine très sympaI wanted to thank you for the very enjoyable Franco Americaine evening.Your friends are adorable and spoiled us.
Tes amies sont adorables et nous ont gatées.
C’était une super idée
It was a super idea.
A très vite
See you soon.
C
In thinking about the last 2 days, I'm reminded that ministry takes place in the midst of relationships. Intertwined lives can be messy & time-consuming & energy-consuming. But that's what it's all about. John 1:14 states that "the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us," which has the literal translation of "tabernacling among us." It's about incarnational ministry. God with us.
There is a tension of "being in the world, but not of it." Some have taken this as a call to just be around Christians. Sadly, many Christians I know (including myself for a good part of my adult life) have been of this practice, whether intentionally chosen or not. This tends to lead toward legalism & nit pickiness over pretty insignificant stuff in the big picture. We go to Christian schools, fill our schedule with church activities, play in church sport leagues, go to the Christian barber, etc. But where is our impact & testimony to the world in the midst of this mindset?
Jesus was criticized by the religious elite for spending time with "sinners and tax collectors" We're all going to criticized for something. I guess it's better to be criticized for doing something significant than for other petty stuff. May God wake us up out of our sleepy fog to the needy people around us.
mardi 12 janvier 2010
A Taste of California
The party for mothers in our neighborhood is still going strong in our living room. I'm in the office, which is next to the living room. It's very interesting eavesdropping on different conversations there, as there is a wall of bookshelves separating me from them.
We've been blessed yesterday and today by a team of 6 women who have come from different parts of California to help out with a women's leadership conference this Saturday in the French Alps. We met 3 of the team last May when they came through Paris after a women's retreat my wife attended. We've been trekking with them since then.
When we learned that they had a team member named Erin who is a singer/song writer, we wanted to create some type of event. We were thinking of a concert. However, the Lord gave us the idea on Friday to have an event for mothers with a California focus and a short concert by Erin.
We probably invited 40-50 women with very little lead time. Some who would have wanted to come couldnt because of previously scheduled engagements. But it looks like there were 12-15 women who came, in addition to the 6 Californians, my wife & 2 helpers.
We're calling this a "Matthew Party." After Matthew turned to Christ, he had a party that included Jesus & the disciples, as well as Matthew's tax collector friends. For our Matthew parties, we try to invite both believing & non-believing friends. Our goal is to have an enjoyable event with good food & good conversation. Like at our art center, we want to help build relationships and start conversations. We want Christ to show himself in the midst of these events.
The California team was invaluable for today's event. They funded a good part of it, even though we weren't expecting that. They also brought some of the foods from the U.S. They helped brainstorm over the menu via telephone last week. They helped with set up, cleaning, cooking, clean up, music, etc. They set up a coatroom as well. Without them, the event would have been very different.
We'll see where the Lord leads after this. But we do hope that 2010 is a year when many of our neighborhood friends turn to Christ and that we can be part of the journey with them.
One change in roles for me was that my wife was the lead person and I was her helper. I did the school pick ups and drop offs today so she could focus on the event. I watched the kids & put them to bed during the beginning of the party. It's great listening to her say goodbye to guests as they leave and hearing how much they enjoyed the party.
She did a terrific job coordinating the whole thing. The California team was incredibly supportive of her, which really helped.
I look forward to seeing her continue to grow as a leader, particularly with other women. It's not necessarily comfortable or natural for her to be the point person. It helps to have someone more administratively wired to help her with the correspondance & spread sheets & stuff. But she has good people skills and a big heart, both of which are essential for having a leader who is good.
I'm grateful for all the prayers behind this event. After we went out our e-prayer request about 3:00 p.m., we had a record number of opens.
We've been blessed yesterday and today by a team of 6 women who have come from different parts of California to help out with a women's leadership conference this Saturday in the French Alps. We met 3 of the team last May when they came through Paris after a women's retreat my wife attended. We've been trekking with them since then.
When we learned that they had a team member named Erin who is a singer/song writer, we wanted to create some type of event. We were thinking of a concert. However, the Lord gave us the idea on Friday to have an event for mothers with a California focus and a short concert by Erin.
We probably invited 40-50 women with very little lead time. Some who would have wanted to come couldnt because of previously scheduled engagements. But it looks like there were 12-15 women who came, in addition to the 6 Californians, my wife & 2 helpers.
We're calling this a "Matthew Party." After Matthew turned to Christ, he had a party that included Jesus & the disciples, as well as Matthew's tax collector friends. For our Matthew parties, we try to invite both believing & non-believing friends. Our goal is to have an enjoyable event with good food & good conversation. Like at our art center, we want to help build relationships and start conversations. We want Christ to show himself in the midst of these events.
The California team was invaluable for today's event. They funded a good part of it, even though we weren't expecting that. They also brought some of the foods from the U.S. They helped brainstorm over the menu via telephone last week. They helped with set up, cleaning, cooking, clean up, music, etc. They set up a coatroom as well. Without them, the event would have been very different.
We'll see where the Lord leads after this. But we do hope that 2010 is a year when many of our neighborhood friends turn to Christ and that we can be part of the journey with them.
One change in roles for me was that my wife was the lead person and I was her helper. I did the school pick ups and drop offs today so she could focus on the event. I watched the kids & put them to bed during the beginning of the party. It's great listening to her say goodbye to guests as they leave and hearing how much they enjoyed the party.
She did a terrific job coordinating the whole thing. The California team was incredibly supportive of her, which really helped.
I look forward to seeing her continue to grow as a leader, particularly with other women. It's not necessarily comfortable or natural for her to be the point person. It helps to have someone more administratively wired to help her with the correspondance & spread sheets & stuff. But she has good people skills and a big heart, both of which are essential for having a leader who is good.
I'm grateful for all the prayers behind this event. After we went out our e-prayer request about 3:00 p.m., we had a record number of opens.
mardi 5 janvier 2010
The Danger of Simplistic Responses
I started reading Job this morning. Job lived with integrity and was blameless, but still suffered great loss. At first, God allowed the Evil One to touch Job's family & possessions, but Job still didn't blame God for this. Then the Evil One touched Job's health, which God also allowed.
Certainly this can be disturbing, especially when reading from a Western, science focused, middle-to-upper class background. For we tend to feel that we control our own destinies. We're "self-made" men. Even in the Western Church, there can be this tendency.
We feel that if we do the right things, we will succeed. Sometimes we credit God for this & sometimes we don't. Even in ministry, this tendency can yield its head. If we follow this or that technique, then we'll have a fast-growing, large, "successful" church, ministry, group, etc.
Certainly we need to be wise and discern our times, like the men of Issachar in the Old Testament. We need to meditate on Proverbs and try to live by its principles. In general, people, groups, churches, teams, and countries that live by Proverbs principles will prosper.
However, there are exceptions, such as Job. It's disturbing that God somehow allows the Evil One to take away Job's riches, children & health. It doesn't seem fair that this man who always did the right thing suffered in such a way.
Then his 3 "friends" who comforted him with their silent presence for a week then "attacked" him with their simplistic words and perspectives. We can do the same today. Sometimes the best and wisest words are those that are not said.
The first friend insinuated that Job must have sinned or done something wrong, as God rewards the righteous and punishes the unrighteous. It's easy to do the same today. When someone suffers a great loss, we look for some evil in his life that is the cause. In the story where Jesus healed the blind man, it was asked whether it was the man or his parents who sinned.
Certainly we are to praise God during the good days and the bad days. I so much appreciate that in the example of Job's initial responses.
May 2010 be a year of rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. I was struck on Sunday by the line "we had to rejoice" from the Prodigal Son parable. Sometimes I don't think that Christians know how to rejoice together very well.
At the same time, we also need to learn how to weep with those who weep. Certainly presence is a key part of helping those going through mourning. Words are often necessary at some point, although not simplistic solutions to complex situations. God help us to choose our words wisely.
Certainly this can be disturbing, especially when reading from a Western, science focused, middle-to-upper class background. For we tend to feel that we control our own destinies. We're "self-made" men. Even in the Western Church, there can be this tendency.
We feel that if we do the right things, we will succeed. Sometimes we credit God for this & sometimes we don't. Even in ministry, this tendency can yield its head. If we follow this or that technique, then we'll have a fast-growing, large, "successful" church, ministry, group, etc.
Certainly we need to be wise and discern our times, like the men of Issachar in the Old Testament. We need to meditate on Proverbs and try to live by its principles. In general, people, groups, churches, teams, and countries that live by Proverbs principles will prosper.
However, there are exceptions, such as Job. It's disturbing that God somehow allows the Evil One to take away Job's riches, children & health. It doesn't seem fair that this man who always did the right thing suffered in such a way.
Then his 3 "friends" who comforted him with their silent presence for a week then "attacked" him with their simplistic words and perspectives. We can do the same today. Sometimes the best and wisest words are those that are not said.
The first friend insinuated that Job must have sinned or done something wrong, as God rewards the righteous and punishes the unrighteous. It's easy to do the same today. When someone suffers a great loss, we look for some evil in his life that is the cause. In the story where Jesus healed the blind man, it was asked whether it was the man or his parents who sinned.
Certainly we are to praise God during the good days and the bad days. I so much appreciate that in the example of Job's initial responses.
May 2010 be a year of rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. I was struck on Sunday by the line "we had to rejoice" from the Prodigal Son parable. Sometimes I don't think that Christians know how to rejoice together very well.
At the same time, we also need to learn how to weep with those who weep. Certainly presence is a key part of helping those going through mourning. Words are often necessary at some point, although not simplistic solutions to complex situations. God help us to choose our words wisely.
dimanche 3 janvier 2010
We had to celebrate
During the worship service this morning, the text of the Parable of the Prodigal Son was read. I've read this story a lot of times over the years, as well as some books on the story. Henri Nouwen and Tim Keller both have excellent books on this story.
What stood out to me today as the line "We had to celebrate" that the father said to his elder son in describing why the festival happened after the return of his younger son.
Many things & events are celebrated today. Some are part of our annual calendar, like Christmas & New Year's Day. We celebrated my wife's birthday today, even though it nearly slipped by us due to the busyness of the past few days. Some are special events, like a wedding, a birth, a promotion, a graduation, and a retirement.
One special event that I would like to celebrate often in 2010 is the return of prodigal sons & daughters to the Father's House.
What stood out to me today as the line "We had to celebrate" that the father said to his elder son in describing why the festival happened after the return of his younger son.
Many things & events are celebrated today. Some are part of our annual calendar, like Christmas & New Year's Day. We celebrated my wife's birthday today, even though it nearly slipped by us due to the busyness of the past few days. Some are special events, like a wedding, a birth, a promotion, a graduation, and a retirement.
One special event that I would like to celebrate often in 2010 is the return of prodigal sons & daughters to the Father's House.
samedi 2 janvier 2010
Cookie party #4 report
Earlier today (or now yesterday), we had our 4th Christmas cookie baking party. We ended up having 12 children from 6 different families. All the mothers except 1 stayed the whole time & helped, which made a huge difference in the atmosphere. Despite the large numbers, it was one of the calmest of our parties.
A N African friend came and helped. She's a former M* who now follows Jesus. Her coming was providential, as there were at least 2 woman from N African backgrounds, as well as another married to a man from that background. She had a chance to informally share her journey with several of them.
Another believing friend of Japanese heritage helped keep the party flowing, then helped with dishes.
In a few hours we'll be heading to our church, as my wife & I are both doing children's Sunday School. The lesson is on the Magi who brought gold, frankincense & myrrh as gifts to Jesus as a child. Our car is out of commission, so we'll be taking the bus.
Then it's back to school for the kids on Monday. Life will get back to our normal schedule then. It's been a good, but busy Christmas break.
A N African friend came and helped. She's a former M* who now follows Jesus. Her coming was providential, as there were at least 2 woman from N African backgrounds, as well as another married to a man from that background. She had a chance to informally share her journey with several of them.
Another believing friend of Japanese heritage helped keep the party flowing, then helped with dishes.
In a few hours we'll be heading to our church, as my wife & I are both doing children's Sunday School. The lesson is on the Magi who brought gold, frankincense & myrrh as gifts to Jesus as a child. Our car is out of commission, so we'll be taking the bus.
Then it's back to school for the kids on Monday. Life will get back to our normal schedule then. It's been a good, but busy Christmas break.
vendredi 1 janvier 2010
New Year 2010
Today our family gave away some of the surplus from the 3 previous cookie baking parties of this season. We went around our apartment building of 14 floors and gave away 8 plates of cookies to people whom we know here. All 5 of us went, including myself, which was new for me, as it's been just my wife & kids in the past.
We were warmly welcomed by each person. One couple whom we didn't know well, but whom we've seen for the last 9 1/2 years, invited us in for a cup of champagne. He was one of ones who tried to help me get our car started this past Monday. We discovered that he comes from a Protestant family, while his wife is from a Catholic background. They married in a Reformed Church in Paris, but at least he doesn't appear to be practicing his Protestant heritage.
This morning I was playing DJ at home with a couple of my favorite CDs from the 70s and 80s. One was a 40 year anniversary greatest hits of Chicago, one of my all time favoite groups. My favorite Chicago songs tend to be ones I learned when in Middle School some 30 years ago.
God seemed to speak to me through the poetic words of a song I learned back then. Its title is "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?"
Written by Robert Lamm
Lead Vocals by Robert Lamm
The words appear to be a criticism of the rat race type of life in New York or Paris or other large cities. This type of busy lifestyle is prevalent in a life in the 21st century.
As I was thinking about this song, I was struck by the title. Does anybody know what time it really know what time it is? In each of our lives, we don't know the "time," as only God knows the duration of our lives.
I do desire that 2010 be a year of salvation around us. A year of sowing & reaping. May the Lord draw many of our neighbors to Himself.
We were warmly welcomed by each person. One couple whom we didn't know well, but whom we've seen for the last 9 1/2 years, invited us in for a cup of champagne. He was one of ones who tried to help me get our car started this past Monday. We discovered that he comes from a Protestant family, while his wife is from a Catholic background. They married in a Reformed Church in Paris, but at least he doesn't appear to be practicing his Protestant heritage.
This morning I was playing DJ at home with a couple of my favorite CDs from the 70s and 80s. One was a 40 year anniversary greatest hits of Chicago, one of my all time favoite groups. My favorite Chicago songs tend to be ones I learned when in Middle School some 30 years ago.
God seemed to speak to me through the poetic words of a song I learned back then. Its title is "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?"
Written by Robert Lamm
Lead Vocals by Robert Lamm
As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what
The time was that was on my watch, yeah...And I said
(I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is
(Care) Does anybody really care (about time)
If so I can't imagine why (Oh no, no)
We've all got time enough to cry
And I was walking down the street one day
A pretty lady looked at me
And said her diamond watch had stopped cold dead...And I said
(I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is
(Care) Does anybody really care (about time)
If so I can't imagine why (Oh no, no)
We've all got time enough to cry
And I was walking down the street one day
Being pushed and shoved by people trying to
Beat the clock, oh, no I just don't know
I don't know, and I said, yes I said
(Background:)
People runnin' everywhere
Don't know where to go
Don't know where I am
Can't see past the next step
Don't have time to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why
(I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is
(Care) Does anybody really care (about time)
If so I can't imagine why (Oh no, no)
We've all got time enough to die
Everybody's working (I don't) I don't care (About time)
About time (Oh no, no) I don't care
The words appear to be a criticism of the rat race type of life in New York or Paris or other large cities. This type of busy lifestyle is prevalent in a life in the 21st century.
As I was thinking about this song, I was struck by the title. Does anybody know what time it really know what time it is? In each of our lives, we don't know the "time," as only God knows the duration of our lives.
I do desire that 2010 be a year of salvation around us. A year of sowing & reaping. May the Lord draw many of our neighbors to Himself.
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