Renate's Reflections

Christmas Lights

2011-12-10T12:13:00.001-08:00

One of the things I enjoy about furlough is seeing theChristmas lights and lighted decorations on lawns. People in Brazil may hang astring of lights on their upstairs window, but nothing compares to whatAmericans are able to do simply because they do not put a wall around theirhouses. Shrubs are covered with the lights that seem to form a blanket over thetop. Windows and doors are bordered with multicolored lights that outline thehouse. Some have the lighted reindeer and Santa lawn decorations. One housedown the street even covered a large anchor in the yard with white lights. Itseems there is no end to options if you want to put out some Christmasdecorations. And, I can best enjoy them while riding down the street at night.They can make a trip to the local Walgreens a pleasure and I’ll miss them whenthey’re gone.

It seems to me the lights take on a whole new measure of “prettiness”when they are covered by a blanket of snow. Last night was our firstsignificant snowfall and I did not venture out, but I would like to thisevening just to ride around and look at the lights under the snow. They glowdifferently and add an extra measure of beauty to the Christmas decorations. AsI was thinking about these lights I was reminded of the fact that our Saviorcame to this world as a light. John 1:4-5 say, “In him was life,and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, andthe darkness has not overcome it.”

I keep several flashlights handy. I even had one that had amagnet stuck to my refrigerator. I keep them in the kitchen and on a largedresser under the stairs. Anyone that borrows them has to return them to thosespots. Why? Because when the power goes out I want to be able to find them! Youcan imagine how irritated I get when they’re not where they’re supposed to bewhen I look for them. But, I digress… Anyway, I also use them when we are doingsmall repairs because sometimes you just need a little extra light when tryingto put something back together. These flashlights are indispensable to mebecause they guide me in the dark. When the power goes out it’s nice to be ableto see a few feet in front of me. I hate running into walls! I can save myselfa lot of time if I can see what I’m doing when I’m putting that appliance backtogether. The light is a guide.

However, this is not some great revelation on my part. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a lightto my pathCross references:.”(Psalm 119:105) God’s Word does the same thing and the Word was personified in the personof Jesus Christ. His Word guides me. He guides me. He lights the way so I cansee where I’m going and keeps me from getting myself in trouble. I’m kept fromrunning into the walls of sin and guided to not waste my time on trying todecide between right and wrong. What’s right is clearly illuminated.

When we are at camp the generator is turned off every night which plungesthe island into darkness that can be quite thick if the moon is not out. Beforethe lights go out, though, I usually have to make a trip from the canteen to mycabin or to the court. The path between these locations can be pretty dark andI get a little nervous if I don’t have my flashlight. Did I mention there aresnakes at camp? So, I focus on the light at my destination. The court lightsshine brightly ahead of me and I keep my head up and look at them as I walk. Itake comfort in the fact that I will be there soon and I will be safe. I knowthat the light is a refuge if for no other reason than I will be able to seewhat’s in my surroundings.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall Ifear?” (Psalm27:1) Again, I am trumped by the Word. I take great comfort inseeing the light at my destination or even the proverbial end of the tunnel.Why is that? Because I know that my salvation is there. I won’t be in thedarkness anymore and the uncertainty of my surroundings. The light reveals all.Jesus Christ has revealed all about how my life and practice should be. There’sno mystery there. It’s all in plain black and white and I take great comfort inknowing the certainty of the Truth.

As I think about these two great truths for my life I amchallenged to also be a light. Jesus told the multitude, “You are the light ofthe world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) When we arearriving in Petrolina at night at the end of a trip I can see the glow of thelights from a long way off. As we get closer I begin to distinguish the dots oflights. It can’t be hidden and it invades the darkness. When the Lord appliedthe metaphor of Christians being the light of the world He meant for me tostand out, to guide unbelievers, and to beckon them with the comfort salvationbrings. It’s both practical and profound and I have to ask myself if I amshining my light with enough dedication that it can be seen even under a blanketof the snow of this world.

Missions--Beyond Geography

2011-04-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law, a 60 year veteran of active missionary service, made an interesting comment in a recent conversation. He said, “In our day missions was about geography.” I’m inclined to agree with him. Fifty or sixty years ago missions was about geographical locations. Missionaries went from church to church and presented the need for the Gospel in Africa, South America and Asia. It was about geography. This got me to thinking about our role in missions today and made me wonder if we’ve lost sight of the true purpose of missions.

So, I went back to the father of New Testament missions, the Apostle Paul. He made three missionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts. My Bible even has a map of the route he took on each journey. We read the accounts of what happened in many of the cities. And, we logically conclude that missions is geography. We go to a location, preach the Gospel, build a church and then move on to another location.

But then I read the books of Romans and 1 and 2 Corinthians. Paul is writing to established churches just like he did to the Ephesians, Galatians and Philippians. And what about the Pastoral Epistles? 1 and 2 Timothy are a pastor’s instruction manual. Most of these letters were written after he completed his missionary journeys. This was missions beyond geography. So, why the change? I mean, besides the fact that he was in prison.

Here are my thoughts. In the early years of missions in Brazil the missionaries concentrated on geographical locations because they were reaching people who had not heard the Gospel message. It had never been presented. They were starting from square one. Naturally, they chose to reach cities that had been neglected by previous efforts. In other words, it was about geography.

The following generation comes along and sees that the need for establishing new churches in a particular area is being conducted by the previously established ones that have grown to maturity and autonomy. So, what’s a missionary to do? Go home? Are we finished here? I’d like to think not. I’d like to think there is still something that can be done in these places where the Gospel is firmly planted and growing.

We’ve become creative now with our missionary efforts. We’re seeking new ways to further the Gospel efforts here in Brazil. One way is to mentor and facilitate the national missionary workers by raising funds for construction projects and encouraging them in their work. Another is by establishing a Bible institute for the men and women actively serving in our churches, but not called to full-time ministry. We serve our mission in administrative roles. We involve ourselves in camp ministry with our colleagues and area churches. We encourage and mentor the younger pastors. We partner with the churches in their efforts to reach new neighborhoods in the outlying community. We’ve gone way beyond geography.

I don’t think we’ve lost sight of the true purpose of missions, though. I believe we are where Paul was while he awaited execution in Rome. He was availing the time to encourage and exhort the churches he’d established during the geographical portion of his ministry. The advantage he had was he saw it all in his own lifetime. Many of our first missionaries have been called to Glory without seeing what their efforts have brought. It will be nice to meet up with them and tell them what we were able to do because of their desire to reach those unreached places.

However, I have to say that we have not lost sight of the fact that missions is also still about geography. As I write, a missionary colleague is house hunting in a city that has been untouched by our mission agency. Missionaries in the south of the country are attempting to reach the ever-growing populations. And we are striving to bridge a gap between two valleys that have seen the Lord’s blessing in establishing strong Bible believing churches. The cities between the valleys were not targeted for the Gospel until recently. The difference is that now the national churches are picking up the map and they are perceptive of the need. They’re also making the plans and carrying them out. What do we do? We encourage, guide, raise funds and sometimes even chauffeur them. What can I say? It’s missions beyond geography.

The Eternal Optimist

2011-03-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working with a personal trainer for the last several months. He’d been working with my husband for several months already and it was making a definite difference for him, so I decided I would try it. My initial emotions swung on a pendulum. They started with, “Are you kidding me? I can hardly move.” to “OK, I guess this is not so bad.” One day as Marcos was putting the weights on the leg press I gave him a dubious look and said, “You, my friend, are an eternal optimist.” There were 50kg of weight on it that he expected me to lift. He laughed and said, “Sit down.” Turns out I was able to do it and he probably could have added another 10kg. I keep this in mind as he barks at me like a drill sergeant while I do ab crunches on the mat.

The fact is that these few months with the trainer have made a difference in several areas. First, I’m losing inches fast. He targets the areas that need the most work and combines the right amount of weight with the ideal number of repetitions. Second, my posture has improved and pain is limited to the ache of just having not used a particular muscle for a long time. Third, he pushes me to do more than I would if I were doing it by myself. I would probably quit after one rep. And fourth, it relieves stress which has been the most beneficial effect of all.

My life is stressful. I know there are others who deal with stress and still others who deal with issues that are even more stressful than mine. Stress is part of life and it will always be there. But, let me give you a peek at my life for this week. My husband’s away taking care of business for a couple of days. I’m here taking care of my mother in-law who has some serious health issues. She fell trying to get to the bathroom the other night. There is a young people’s purity seminar this Saturday and we will be housing the guest speaker and his wife. I’m also cooking the meals on Saturday with another local pastor’s wife. My children are both in the States working and going to school and regularly have issues that need our attention. My in-laws and parents are both making some major decisions that may not directly affect me, but are on my mind. And so it goes…

A facebook friend posted the following quote by an unknown author, "Those who bless God in their trials will be blessed by God through their trials." I immediately thought of Job. He had some serious stress in his life compounded by grief. Job was a good example of righteous suffering. However, he was not without his low points. A Bible college professor once commented, “It did take him 42 chapters to get through it.” I sometimes feel a little like Job, but I also try to remind myself that many times I’m just feeling sorry for myself.

So, I think back to the personal trainer and the benefits of working with him. Is there any correlation? Is there any way to handle stress in a manner that is pleasing to God? Well, I’m losing interest in the enticements of the world and a carefree life. He never said life would be easy. My posture and dependence on God are improving and becoming stronger. It’s only by His grace I’m not in the psych ward of the hospital. God is pushing me past the limits I had perceived for myself. It’s at those times I am reminded that I’m not alone. And, when I give the burdens and stress to Him there is a peace that comes that I cannot explain.

Last night I thought I was at the end of my rope. I really thought that the Lord had handed me more than I could bear. I spent a lot of time in prayer and it would be nice to say I slept like a baby. I didn’t, but I can make it through today. I did ask Him to please bring verses to mind that would help me get through this crisis. This morning I remembered this. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3, NKJV) OK. I’ll do it, but as I face the leg press of life I can’t help but send a dubious look toward Heaven and say, “You, Lord, are an Eternal Optimist.” I picture Him smiling and saying, “Sit down.”

Chasing the Peace and Quiet

2011-01-29T05:37:00.000-08:00

I live in a noisy country. There is no snow and all the buildings are made of concrete so sound bounces all over the place. And while I don’t necessarily miss the cold and snowy winters of Michigan and New York, I do miss the silence a good snowfall brings. It’s always been one of the things I noticed first thing in the morning after a snowstorm; the silence. It just makes everything seem so peaceful and it gives me pause to reflect on what the Lord has done in my life.

Silence and Solitude is another spiritual discipline I have recently worked to develop in my life. The concept was new to me in the sense that I did not realize it could be developed for the purpose of spiritual growth. Then, of course, I had that moment when the palm hits the forehead and I said, “Well, duh! It’s all right there in the Bible.” Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (NKJV). The psalmist understood that knowing God better and exalting Him in one’s life is best achieved through silence and solitude. Elijah learned the value of silence when he listened for God’s still, small voice in 1 Kings 19:12-14. However, the example of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane is probably the most profound. Matthew 26:36 states, “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’” (NKJV). The Lord Jesus knew His hour of suffering was at hand and felt the need to be alone with His Father in a place apart from the others. The incident served to give Him the strength He needed to endure the terrible ordeal that was to come. It’s also what I need to do to face whatever the Lord may have for me. Facebook is enjoyable but it is not where I should run first when looking for strength and courage to press on in life. Comments from my friends about my status are fun and often uplifting, but it is the still small voice in my garden of Gethsemane that will give me the strength I need for the day.

Let me define the words before I go any further. According to Whitney, “silence is the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual goals might be sought” (p. 184). I can see my mother choking on her coffee on this one. I was not known for holding my tongue when I was younger and I still have a hard time keeping quiet. A few pages later Whitney makes a statement that brought me up short. He says, “…the one who doesn’t know how or when to be silent doesn’t know how or when to speak” (p. 193). I think he just said a mouthful.

“Solitude is the Spiritual Discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes” (p. 184). This was illustrated in the example of Elijah and Jesus above. They felt the need to get away from everyone and spend some time alone with God.

Now, in my defense, I was making an attempt to practice these disciplines in my life. I’m usually the first one up in the morning and try to make the most of that time. The outside noise is still at a minimum, the inside noise is manageable with the gurgling of the coffee maker, the dogs crunching on their food and the refrigerator humming. It’s the time I use to read my Bible—I’m working through the book of Isaiah a few verses at a time—I spend time in prayer and just mentally prepare myself for the day. And I don’t say much other than, “Knock it off,” to the dogs. Oh, and I am always sipping a cup of coffee from the heart shaped mug my mother gave me. This quiet time has made a difference in my perspective on life and been like that deep breath we take before we forge ahead with the day’s demands. It’s been good.

So, I’ve found that even with all the noise with which life in this country bombards me, I can find peace and quiet. It’s in practicing the disciplines of silence and solitude and it makes life seem a little more like that snowy morning in New York. It’s just quiet…

Source:

Whitney, D. S. (1991). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

Para os meus amigos Brasileiros:

Changing it Up

2011-01-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

Pursuing a master’s degree in education is a dream that is becoming reality. I’m about 2/3 of the way through the program and it’s been challenging, often frustrating, but in all, an extremely rewarding learning experience. My most recent class was a side step from all the education courses. It concerned the Dynamics of Spiritual Growth and reading Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life was one of the textbooks. Over the next few blogs I would like to highlight some of the disciplines I found most meaningful.

Not surprisingly, Bible intake was the first discipline treated in Whitney’s book and took up two chapters. Whitney says, “No Spiritual discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word” (p. 28). What had not occurred to me before reading the book were the many ways in which I could “take in” Scripture and it wasn’t that the concepts were new or even radical. I just hadn’t stretched my thinking beyond reading and studying. So, I was encouraged to think outside the parameters I had created and develop the discipline of Bible intake further. Now, I am paying better attention to the messages in church, I’m seeking to do some memorizing, and I’ve recently changed my daily Bible reading format.

I’ve been reading through the Bible every year for the past five years. I started this practice because I really needed something that would get me into the Word every day. Before that I was not disciplined enough to find time every day to read. Reading through the Bible following a year plan really helped. However, the last couple of months I found my mind wandered to things I needed to do while I was trying to read. As a result I was getting nothing from it. It was time for a change. This year I’m starting with the book of Isaiah and a commentary as a companion. I’m reading fewer verses, but getting much more from them. This has increased meditation on the Word and prompted prayers in the middle of reading. The most significant change, though, is there is no set time frame to finish. This will be the real test of my resolve.

There is one habit as it relates to this discipline that has not changed. Reading my Bible is not the very first thing I do in the morning. It’s the third or fourth. The reason? I would not be able to concentrate otherwise. When I get up in the morning the dogs need to be let out and fed. There are usually a few dishes in the sink that I want to wash up. I also look at e-mails and a few other things on the computer. And I cannot function without a cup of coffee. When all that is done I’m ready to sit, read, meditate and pray without interruption. It’s what works.

Actively pursuing the spiritual disciplines has been an interesting process. I’m required to think about what I am doing and why I am doing it. Rethinking Bible intake in order to make it more profitable forced me to set aside the status quo I had established. I was determined to continue with diligence in daily Bible intake without the benefit of the clearly spelled out plan. It’s only January 5^th, but I have seen the benefits already. I look forward to what God’s Word has to teach me this year, not to increase my knowledge only, but “for the purpose of godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7).

Source:

Whitney, D. S. (1991). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

2010-12-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

There are no presents under the Christmas tree this year. We’re doing things a little differently. Because the kids will not be here with us, we’re making up packages for the pastors and their families. There are six in all. So, there are no presents under the tree which is fine.

It’s been claimed that commercialism has taken over the Christmas season and taken all the meaning out of it. I’m not so sure about that. Recently the idea of gift giving has gotten a bad rap. Our Christmas giving list gets longer, the children’s list gets more expensive and the lines at the mall become unbearable as shoppers literally fight for their places. Then, there’s the inevitable “must have” item that was launched just in time for the Christmas season. Some families resort to drawing names or giving to charity instead because there’s just too much stress involved in the holiday shopping experience. I know, I’ve experienced it too.

I decided to read through the account of the wise men who presented their gifts to Jesus in Matthew chapter two. According to O. Henry who wrote the short story, The Gift of the Magi, this is where the tradition of gift giving got its start. I’m inclined to agree which got me to thinking about this whole idea of gift giving at Christmas time. Does it really have to be so stressful? Where is the joy in giving anymore? I resolved to follow the example of the wise men.

The first thing I noticed in verse 10 was the joy the wise men felt when they finally reached the end of their long journey. They stood in front of the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived and “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” They were ecstatic! They knew the One for whom they had brought gifts was in that little abode and could not wait to get in there and meet Him. This ecstatic joy was invariably on my daughter’s face every Christmas morning when she proudly delivered her gifts to each one of her family members. As a matter of fact, she pulled all the presents she bought out first for us to open. Hers could wait. I’ll miss that this year, but I’m willing to let my parents enjoy it for a change.

Verse 11 explains that their gift giving was an act of worship to the Lord. When they saw little Jesus sitting on his mother’s lap they sank to their knees. They knew this young boy was someone of great significance and was worthy of the gifts they had brought. My daughter’s excitement at our opening the gifts she so carefully picked out and paid for demonstrated to us how much she loves us. She considered us to be worthy of her gifts.

And then, there were the gifts themselves; very valuable and noteworthy gifts. These wise men put a lot of thought into these gifts and each one was worthy of the recipient. In other words, they were not cheap. The gold signified Christ’s deity, the frankincense His purity, and myrrh was foretelling of His death on the cross. These wise men in choosing their gifts well in advance of their journey from the east did so with care. It seems they knew they would find someone who was to be a significant political leader. Taking my daughter Christmas shopping was also a momentous event. She usually had her list all made out and put quite a bit of thought into what she wanted to get for each person. She is an observant child, always taking in the details of a person’s life and paying attention to their likes and dislikes. She never misses with her presents for this very reason.

So, even though Doug and I have chosen not to exchange gifts to each other this year, we’ve decided to put some thought into what the pastors and their families would like—something worthy of who they are; faithful servants of the Lord. The men will receive a devotional book, the women some nice smelling soaps. The children will get clothes and a little something to play with. The tradition of giving gifts will go on in this family. And we’ll do it with joy.