Wonderful counselor

Isaiah is often quoted during Advent season. One of my favorite texts in Isaiah is the one that prophetically talks about Jesus and His different roles during his earthly life: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6).

One of my favorite roles in my work is doing some informal consulting. Some of this is related to my 16 years in France. Other times, the opportunity to counsel & encourage comes just from being in relationship with someone. Technological advances make informal counseling & mentoring possible even from halfway around the world.

I woke up early this morning and came to the computer to do some work. I ended up having an IM conversation via Facebook with a former classmate of mine from 25 years ago. During the last month, we had some previous IM discussions after some marital challenges of his. We literally have not seen each other face to face since then, and only got back in contact in the last 1-2 months. Today he was doing much better, although we know that marraige is work and he needs to keep making progress. But it's been nice getting to accompany him, albeit through Facebook. But he's been seeking me out, rather than vice versa.

Later on today I got a phone call from a colleague living in another part of France. He's been having some relational challenges with the French pastor he's been working with. So I was able to lend a listening ear. I've been in similar situations in the past, so I could give some empathy and perspective.

Both these discussions were reminders of God using our previous & past struggles to teach us in order that we can help others. Part of why we go through certain trials is so that we can eventually help others go through similar ones.

By Faith

One of my projects today (or yesterday now) was learning how to use a new speaker I bought on sale in the U.S. last month. It's one that you just need to plug your IPod or IPhone into. The reason why this was more urgent to figure out is because I want to create some ambiance Christmas music by this Saturday for the first of our 4 Christmas cookie baking parties. I want to have a bunch of songs put together so I can have them played throughout the 2 hour event.

With 5 days before the first one, we already have 28 children and 4 mothers signed up to come over and make cookies. They are from 21 families, of whom only 2 are we aware of having at least one follower of Jesus in them. There may be more, but that's all that we know of.

One CD of ours that I ripped onto our IPod is a worship one titled "Living For You" from Gateway Church, a multicampus ministry in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Last night we watched their Christmas service on our computer, as our friend Holly was dancing in it. Begun in 2000, Gateway has experienced amazing growth. We visited it in July and we dazzled by it. It was the first time that we saw a high tech children's check in (like on an airplane), as well as church announcements done by video at the beginning of the service. It was mind boggling, especially after working in France for nearly 2 decades. Churches in France generally don't grow that fast.

My years in New Jersey, then in France, have developed some skepticism in me. When I was thinking about Gateway, I was thinking, "Yeah, it's easy to have a big church in Texas, where everything is big and it's in the Bible Belt section of the U.S. But this could never happen in Paris."

I then was struck by the song "By Faith" on the "Awaken the Dawn" CD I purchased in Wheaton last month. It challenged my skepticism about any rapid growth being able to practically happen in Paris. If we have the same God today of the Early Church in Acts, then this type of growth is also possible here. Just because I haven't seen it or lived it doesn't mean that it might not happen sometime.


By Faith video

"By Faith"

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

By faith we see the hand of God

In the light of creation's grand design

In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness

Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth

With the power of His promise in their hearts

Of a holy city built by God's own hand

A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise

We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward

Till the race is finished and the work is done

We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day

When the longed-for Messiah would appear

With the power to break the chains of sin and death

And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go

In the power of the Spirit to the lost

To deliver captives and to preach good news

In every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved

And the power of the gospel shall prevail

For we know in Christ all things are possible

For all who call upon His name

We will stand...

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas

I received this message yesterday from a contact in New Jersey named Greg. I think the letter's contents give some great suggestions about how to view & celebrate this Advent season.

Sadly, evangelicals are sometimes defined by what they are against, rather than what they are for. I was raised in this branch of Christianity and have much appreciation of these roots, particularly the emphasis on the Bible, as well as its action focused form of Christianity. However, with time and exposure to other Christian camps (and non-Christian camps as well), I've grown uncomfortable with the negative way that we sometimes define ourselves. Sometimes we see ourselves as not doing this or not doing that. We are against this or that. Yet the world isn't necessarily impressed by what we don't say or don't do. What the world needs to see is what good things we do say or do. Not stealing is a good thing, but working hard (as for the Lord, rather than for men) is something that is noticed over time. Not slandering or lying is good, but speaking the truth in love in ways that bring life, hope & joy to others is even better. Not committing adultery is good, but treating our spouses kindly and gently is even better.

Paul wrote that we are the aroma of Christ. This Advent season, what kind of aroma do we bring into a room and leave there after we leave? Is it beautiful, stagnant, or stinky?

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Christmas trees & other Advent traditions

I'm waiting again for my daughter to finish her dance course, so I have 15 precious minutes to write. Life is very busy this fall quarter, so my blogs pretty much have to be done in 10-15 minutes. This may be good, as it forces going right to business without too much reflection.

We purchased a Christmas tree last Saturday. After English Club then lunch, we got to IKEA. However, we discovered that IKEA had already sold out their whole stock that morning. The next stock would arrive Monday morning. Not having time to go back, we ended up going to Bricomarche next to it. I love the big stores out in the suburbs.

After some discussion, we ended up purchasing an artificial tree. The price was about the same as a normally priced tree in the Paris area (not including the IKEA super discounted ones). My wife & I had some discussion over this, as she grew up with "real" trees (which I call "murdered" trees), while I grew up with artificial trees. For her, her memory of Christmas has been highly associated with a live (or recently live) tree.

I've had some reflection already about the "morality" of live vs. artificial trees. Of course, I'm not going to adamently push for artificial ones, although I this year out of an economic & time interest. Practically, I like being able to put up a tree whenever I want to without having to go shopping for one every year. Economically, it's cheaper to have the same articial tree, as we don't need to dispense the time, gas, and money for a live tree. Even with the 2 euros trees at IKEA, you still have to make 2 round trips to get them, so the gas expense adds up over the years.

Ecologically, I don't think that the Christmas tree sales help the planet. They might help economically in terms of the people that their sales employ.

But the bottom line, no matter what type of tree that one has, is that Christmas shouldn't be so indelibly linked to traditions like trees, snow, sleighs, Santa Claus, mistletoe, holly, egg nog, mulled wine, poinsettias, foie gras, smoked salmon, etc. Certainly, these can be nice and beautiful things to enjoy.

I struggled with this my first Christmas in France in 1988. I was away from "home" and all the traditions that I had grown used to. I remember walking around the streets of Albertville feeling very sad. I intentionally decided to reach out to the classmates and others who had reached out to me the previous months. I ended up getting invited to Morges, Switzerland and spent the holidays with Claude & Judith, a sweet couple about the age of my parents.

During my 2 years in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, I experienced some tropical Christmases in shorts. I learned of my enjoyment of being around children those 2 Christmases. That's part of the fun nowadays of having my 3 children around to celebrate this Advent with. Their excitement helps me get excited about it.

Over the years, I've celebrated Christmas day in Switzerland; Albertville & Paris (France); Vienna (Austria); Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; South Dakota, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey & Colorado. All very interesting.

Now it's time to get my daughter.

The bottom line is that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, God become man. As for the externals, it's fun to discover different ways to celebrate this. More to come in future blogs.

Finlandia / Be Still My Soul

In October I got to hear the musician Jason Carter play his harp guitar and talk about his music. It was a rare opportunity to get to sit up close to such a world renowned musician. He has had the opportunity to live in a number of countries, including in France now (although he's on the road a lot). He's had the chance to play in many different countries, including some that are often hard to get into. Skilled artists have these kinds of opportunities.

My favorite song that he played is one called "Finlandia." It was written in 1899 by the Finnish classical composer Johan Christian Sibelius (1865-1957). If I understand correctly, it is like the national anthem of Finland. I knew the tune from it being used for the English hymn "Be Still My Soul."

Carter plays it masterfully on this clip
Here are the lyrics, which are a translation from German to English by Jane Borthwick of the German hymn by Katharina von Schlegel.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Advent

We're now in Advent season full speed ahead. December holds lots of activity, both personal & ministry.

My wife & I sat down with our calendar to plot out the visit of her parents December 15-29. This visit has suddenly come up and we're happy that they'll be with us. But it's a good reminder that December will be a full month.

We even had to plot out when to pick up a Christmas tree. It's likely to be an IKEA run after English Club tomorrow and before we look a Paris Christmas windows and have supper with some friends. Sunday will be digging out our Christmas decoration boxes from the basement and then decorating the tree.

Tonight we'll need to start printing out invitations for the Christmas cookie baking parties that we'll be doing. It will either be 3 or 4 afternoons during the Christmas break. We'll probably give out 40-50 invitations, although not everyone will be able to come. But it provides a good opportunity to connect with friends from the neighborhood.

The last 2 days, I've been doing lots of work on sending publicity for December events at the arts center. There is a lot going on this month.

In the midst of all this, we need to make time for the core event of this season, the commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We hope to teach our kids more of the traditional Christmas carols this season.

Earlier today I accompanied my son's class to their weekly swim class. It's a lively group of kids. Somehow we want to have Christ's presence break into the lives of this group.

At lunch, my older daughter asked about our daughter who was born stillborn just over a year ago. I showed her some photos of her baby sister for the first time, as she seemed like she needed to see them. It's interesting the perspective of a 6 year old on all this. I pray that God will help her understand it in a way appropriate for her.

Now it's time to get my younger daughter & go to her swim class.

Wednesday wildness

I'm at a local sports center about a 10 minute walk from our place. It has free wifi--woo hoo! My older daughter is at her weekly modern dance class and I've been doing computer work in the lobby. It's nice to have a virtual office.

Our children don't have school on Wednesdays. However, it is just as busy, if not busier, than a normal school day for our family.

My wife had 7 preschool/kindergarten aged children at her weekly Wednesday morning English Club. They started the theme of Christmas. We'll be inviting the children in both English classes, plus many of our children's classmates & neighborhood friends to 3 or 4 cookie baking & decorating parties over the Christmas break. This will be our 3rd year doing them. They provide a good opportunity to connect with people with no strings attached. We hope to have occasion to speak to some of them about the history & meaning of Christmas.

After English club ended at 10:30 a.m., I did some homework with my older 2 kids. In French 2nd grade, what my son is in, there is lots of vocabulary, spelling, reading, and math. So he has lots of basics to learn & review, and in French to boot.

We then did lunch, then my wife took our son to a local sports store to buy sweat pants, as he has to walk from his school to the sports club (also here) for his Wednesday afternoon soccer practice. He's in his 1st year of soccer and really enjoys it.

I dropped him off at his school at 1:30 p.m. for soccer, then came home & worked on computer work in the afternoon. This included receiving and posting a Christmas party publicity piece on the web site of the arts ministry.

I also worked on a letter to some on our ministry's leadership team about a philosophy of short-term interns. It's easy to get on the short-term bandwagon, as everyone is doing it. However, it needs to make sense and fit in with the overall ministry direction & philosophy. So that is something that we need to work through this year.

Then it was off to the sports club for my daughter's 5:30 p.m. dance class. I'll now run up to get her, go home, and have supper, before putting the kids to bed & trying to get a little more work done before bedtime.

It's good the kids are getting these opportunities to do soccer & dance, even though it makes for a busy Wednesday for the parents. But parenting is about sacrificing for the future of the kids. In many ways now, the future of my kids is my future. One good thing about becoming a father is that it forces us to think about the future and build into it.