“What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in Jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 1 Cor 4:5-7
What an amazing thing that God choose us to be his message bearers, not in spite of the fact that we are broken, fragile people, but because of it – so that he will get the glory and not us. Sometimes our brokenness can block us, prevent us from moving forward, other times it is the pathway that God uses to release us into the lives he has intended for us to live. We need God to enter into the areas of our brokenness, and safe community to support us.
God always chooses people who are “not good enough” to do amazing things for Him and for his Kingdom. Dallas Willard once said in reference to King David, “David certainly was not perfect, but he trusted God.” “And God can always do more through a person who trusts him than through a person who is perfect – and if you have ever met a perfect person, you know why.”
None of us is perfect, and not being perfect is the job description for disciple of Jesus, the onramp to a life of surrender. So, a couple of questions to ponder:
How are you broken?
- Are you stuck in that brokenness or moving forward?
- If you are stuck, who can help you get unstuck?
- Where do you see Jesus in your brokenness?
Can you think of a time where you felt called to something (where you acted or didn’t) that if God were not real it would be crazy?
What is God calling you to today – big or small – that would be crazy if He did not exist (that demonstrates His upside down economy where we look to lose our lives and thereby save them in Him)
Every day God provides ways for us to step into his upside down economy and demonstrate Him (at work, at school, in our family, while driving . . .) Keep your eyes open and try to spot the opportunities God made for you. When you see them, step into one: share what happened with at least one other person this week.
Shalom
Doug
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Day 7-8-9 Ukraine Update
Day 7
This was the second full day of camp and it was filled with many activities but more importantly we are getting to know the kids better. One of the kids that stands out is Nazar. The statistics for kids that graduate from Ukrainian orphanages are very bad but some still somehow succeed. It seems to me that Nazar will be among them.
Nazar is always happy, always smiling and playing around, and always ready to pitch in and help. He was orphaned at birth and had foster parents until he was ten years old when he entered the orphanage system. When asked what his experience was like being in foster care he will tell you that it was very good. When asked what it was like to be put in an orphanage he will tell you that it was fine. He says he’s very flexible. He graduated from the orphanage at age 16 and was pretty much on his own after that. He entered technical school and is now in his second year there. A year ago he came in contact with one of our translators here (Olya) who is a strong Christian along with her husband. Since then she has taken him under her wing and he asked her if he could call her his sister. She, of course, agreed. Nazar was baptized in February and is now her sister in Christ.
(Double-click on the photo below to see the larger pictures.)
Day 8
We all went to church today. The service ended sooner that we thought and our driver did not come to pick us up for some time after the service ended. This gave us some time to talk with the pastor there. About 13 years ago his church in Kiev began outreach work and providing economic assistance to the people in Ivankiv. Ivankiv is the nearest inhabited city to Chernobyl. That makes it not the most attractive place to come. The people there asked for a church to be established there. He was asked to take the position and reluctantly accepted thinking he would only be there for a few months. That was 13 years ago. He got his bible training from St. James Bible College in Kiev. The college was run at the time by a man named David Illian. That was in 1993. David Illian moved to Magadan Russia in 1994 and lived there for part of 1995. That was when Mike and Linda came to know David. We really do live in a small world.
We lost power again in the evening but it did not slow us down. We played our evening games by the light of flashlights.
Day 9
Power was restored some time mid day. When we awoke in the morning we had to start thinking about how we would make do with power and water (since the water system depended on water). We started to collect water from the local public wells for dish washing and toilet flushing. So generators were in place to keep the refrigerators and water system going.
The roads to the camp can be pretty treacherous to navigate. Someone got stuck today really well. It took us about 2 hours to free the car and get it to a real road. It was actually a lot of fun and good bonding time with the boys.
Storks and stork nests can be seen all around the village. It has been reported that the storks have been flying around Andrew and Jenny’s (directors of the camp) house for the last month. We have seen them flying around camp in the evenings. Today Andrew and Jenny announced that they are expecting their second child.
This was the second full day of camp and it was filled with many activities but more importantly we are getting to know the kids better. One of the kids that stands out is Nazar. The statistics for kids that graduate from Ukrainian orphanages are very bad but some still somehow succeed. It seems to me that Nazar will be among them.
Nazar is always happy, always smiling and playing around, and always ready to pitch in and help. He was orphaned at birth and had foster parents until he was ten years old when he entered the orphanage system. When asked what his experience was like being in foster care he will tell you that it was very good. When asked what it was like to be put in an orphanage he will tell you that it was fine. He says he’s very flexible. He graduated from the orphanage at age 16 and was pretty much on his own after that. He entered technical school and is now in his second year there. A year ago he came in contact with one of our translators here (Olya) who is a strong Christian along with her husband. Since then she has taken him under her wing and he asked her if he could call her his sister. She, of course, agreed. Nazar was baptized in February and is now her sister in Christ.
(Double-click on the photo below to see the larger pictures.)
Day 8
We all went to church today. The service ended sooner that we thought and our driver did not come to pick us up for some time after the service ended. This gave us some time to talk with the pastor there. About 13 years ago his church in Kiev began outreach work and providing economic assistance to the people in Ivankiv. Ivankiv is the nearest inhabited city to Chernobyl. That makes it not the most attractive place to come. The people there asked for a church to be established there. He was asked to take the position and reluctantly accepted thinking he would only be there for a few months. That was 13 years ago. He got his bible training from St. James Bible College in Kiev. The college was run at the time by a man named David Illian. That was in 1993. David Illian moved to Magadan Russia in 1994 and lived there for part of 1995. That was when Mike and Linda came to know David. We really do live in a small world.
We lost power again in the evening but it did not slow us down. We played our evening games by the light of flashlights.
Day 9
Power was restored some time mid day. When we awoke in the morning we had to start thinking about how we would make do with power and water (since the water system depended on water). We started to collect water from the local public wells for dish washing and toilet flushing. So generators were in place to keep the refrigerators and water system going.
The roads to the camp can be pretty treacherous to navigate. Someone got stuck today really well. It took us about 2 hours to free the car and get it to a real road. It was actually a lot of fun and good bonding time with the boys.
Storks and stork nests can be seen all around the village. It has been reported that the storks have been flying around Andrew and Jenny’s (directors of the camp) house for the last month. We have seen them flying around camp in the evenings. Today Andrew and Jenny announced that they are expecting their second child.
Do I live like I believe it?
If instead of just "knowing" some of the truths in the Bible with our head, what if we actually lived like we believed them? Yesterday was asked that question. Of course, we didn't look at every truth in the Bible. We focused on five found in Romans 8.
Truth 1: You are not condemned. (Romans 8:1-3) Really...you're not. Not even a little. Not for something you did years ago that you won't let go of. Not for anything you did, thought, or said yesterday. Your sin does not define you. Your righteousness through Christ defines you. That's the truth. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 2: You are a child of a perfect Father. (Romans 8:15-17) You have been adopted into the family. You are a child of the King of Creation. You have been chosen. God doesn't just "let you in" because you say the right prayer or mentally ascent to the right ideas or concepts. He loves you and calls you His child. Not "acquaintance." Not "team member." No...He calls you "child." What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 3: You have a glorious future. (Romans 8:18-21) Your eternity is set. And the Bible's take on heaven is certainly way, way different from the picture we often have of the endless church service or sitting on a cloud playing a harp. An eternity filled with awe, wonder, exploration, learning, growing, relationships, joy, laughter - and all without the tainting of sin. Keeping an eye on eternity makes us more fully alive in the present. Jesus said He is preparing that place - just for you. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 4: You have a God who is for you. (Romans 8:28, 31-32) God is on your side. Cheering you on. Applauding you. Thrilled to know you...and be known by you. Your biggest fan. When your face appears in God's mind - He smiles. You bring the God who fashioned the heavens abundant joy. It's true. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 5: You are never alone. (Romans 8:35-39) Never. Ever. God is near. He loves you. There is nothing you can say, do, think, or feel that will separate you from the love God has for you. There is no power of hell that can separate you. There is nothing any other man, woman, or child can do to separate you. Every moment of every day - just as surely as there is air that surrounds you - the God who knit you together whispers in your ear, "I am here. And I love you...deeply. Forever." What if you lived like you believed it?
Yes...What if we all lived like we believed it?
Truth 1: You are not condemned. (Romans 8:1-3) Really...you're not. Not even a little. Not for something you did years ago that you won't let go of. Not for anything you did, thought, or said yesterday. Your sin does not define you. Your righteousness through Christ defines you. That's the truth. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 2: You are a child of a perfect Father. (Romans 8:15-17) You have been adopted into the family. You are a child of the King of Creation. You have been chosen. God doesn't just "let you in" because you say the right prayer or mentally ascent to the right ideas or concepts. He loves you and calls you His child. Not "acquaintance." Not "team member." No...He calls you "child." What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 3: You have a glorious future. (Romans 8:18-21) Your eternity is set. And the Bible's take on heaven is certainly way, way different from the picture we often have of the endless church service or sitting on a cloud playing a harp. An eternity filled with awe, wonder, exploration, learning, growing, relationships, joy, laughter - and all without the tainting of sin. Keeping an eye on eternity makes us more fully alive in the present. Jesus said He is preparing that place - just for you. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 4: You have a God who is for you. (Romans 8:28, 31-32) God is on your side. Cheering you on. Applauding you. Thrilled to know you...and be known by you. Your biggest fan. When your face appears in God's mind - He smiles. You bring the God who fashioned the heavens abundant joy. It's true. What if you lived like you believed it?
Truth 5: You are never alone. (Romans 8:35-39) Never. Ever. God is near. He loves you. There is nothing you can say, do, think, or feel that will separate you from the love God has for you. There is no power of hell that can separate you. There is nothing any other man, woman, or child can do to separate you. Every moment of every day - just as surely as there is air that surrounds you - the God who knit you together whispers in your ear, "I am here. And I love you...deeply. Forever." What if you lived like you believed it?
Yes...What if we all lived like we believed it?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Day 5 & 6 Update from Ukraine
Day 5
The kids arrived today. This was a day of getting to know some of the kids and a day of reuniting with others. Some are freshly graduated from the orphanage and they are supposed to still be pretty rough around the edges. Some of the kids will be leaving the transitional homes this fall and they are pretty sad about it. The boys are particularly sad because once they finish their education they must enter the military. The ones that will remain are quite happy that they still have more time at the transitional homes. Some of the girls that were at camp last time could not come because they are working. This is sad but a good thing because they are working and are well on their way to a successful transition into society.
Day 6
This was the first day of a full camp program. There will be lots of crafts and games at camp but there will also be lot of biblical messages delivered through out our time here. The kids are aware of this and chose this camp over going to a government run camp. After breakfast there is a half hour program with songs and skits. This is followed by an hour long Bible message/discussion time and then there are evening devotions involving singing and testimonials.
The team will participate in all aspects of the programming as well as performing chores along with the kids. So we will be a busy team.
This morning Marina and Heather helped the kids decorated t-shirts that we brought for them while Mike and Barb lead the bible message/discussion time. Both went really well. Later we went to the nearby lake because it has been extremely sunny and hot. In the evening we had movie night and made it to bed a little before mid-night.
The kids arrived today. This was a day of getting to know some of the kids and a day of reuniting with others. Some are freshly graduated from the orphanage and they are supposed to still be pretty rough around the edges. Some of the kids will be leaving the transitional homes this fall and they are pretty sad about it. The boys are particularly sad because once they finish their education they must enter the military. The ones that will remain are quite happy that they still have more time at the transitional homes. Some of the girls that were at camp last time could not come because they are working. This is sad but a good thing because they are working and are well on their way to a successful transition into society.
Day 6
This was the first day of a full camp program. There will be lots of crafts and games at camp but there will also be lot of biblical messages delivered through out our time here. The kids are aware of this and chose this camp over going to a government run camp. After breakfast there is a half hour program with songs and skits. This is followed by an hour long Bible message/discussion time and then there are evening devotions involving singing and testimonials.
The team will participate in all aspects of the programming as well as performing chores along with the kids. So we will be a busy team.
This morning Marina and Heather helped the kids decorated t-shirts that we brought for them while Mike and Barb lead the bible message/discussion time. Both went really well. Later we went to the nearby lake because it has been extremely sunny and hot. In the evening we had movie night and made it to bed a little before mid-night.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 3 & 4 Update from Ukraine
Day 3
Day 3 was spent cleaning and planning for the camp. The interns that will work with us returned today. They worked with Andrew and Jenny to put on the first two camps here and took a few days off vacationing in another city in Ukraine. These are college students that plan to become missionaries. There are 4 interns and 4 members of our team. We will be joined later by another missionary family.
We visited the pediatric ward at the local hospital in Ivankiv. This is tradition for us now. There is no orphanage for kids 2 and under so they are dropped off at the hospital where they live until they are old enough to be sent to an orphanage. They spend all of their time in one small room. There is no budget for these kids. The hospital pretty much relies on Jenny and Andrew’s ministry to bring them supplies. Our Creekside team was the first to bring supplies for the kids that live there when we came 2 years ago. This is always a heart wrenching experience.
We took a walk in the evening and began to interact with the local residence. They seem very anxious to talk to us, tell about them selves, and learn about us. These people lead very simple lives as subsistence farmers. The very first camp this year was held for the children in this community. It was the first time these children used flushing toilets and took showers. The showers were a bit of a problem because once the kids got in them it was difficult to get them out. It was also the first time many of them saw a movie or rode in an automobile. Ukraine has a very rich history as the breadbasket of Europe. The land is very fertile here. Taking a few steps outside our camp is like taking a time machine into the past to see what life was like several hundred years ago in Ukraine.
Day 4
Not much to report. We spent the day preparing for the kids. We are now ready and the kids will arrive at 12:30 this afternoon (I am writing this on the morning of day 5).
Day 3 was spent cleaning and planning for the camp. The interns that will work with us returned today. They worked with Andrew and Jenny to put on the first two camps here and took a few days off vacationing in another city in Ukraine. These are college students that plan to become missionaries. There are 4 interns and 4 members of our team. We will be joined later by another missionary family.
We visited the pediatric ward at the local hospital in Ivankiv. This is tradition for us now. There is no orphanage for kids 2 and under so they are dropped off at the hospital where they live until they are old enough to be sent to an orphanage. They spend all of their time in one small room. There is no budget for these kids. The hospital pretty much relies on Jenny and Andrew’s ministry to bring them supplies. Our Creekside team was the first to bring supplies for the kids that live there when we came 2 years ago. This is always a heart wrenching experience.
We took a walk in the evening and began to interact with the local residence. They seem very anxious to talk to us, tell about them selves, and learn about us. These people lead very simple lives as subsistence farmers. The very first camp this year was held for the children in this community. It was the first time these children used flushing toilets and took showers. The showers were a bit of a problem because once the kids got in them it was difficult to get them out. It was also the first time many of them saw a movie or rode in an automobile. Ukraine has a very rich history as the breadbasket of Europe. The land is very fertile here. Taking a few steps outside our camp is like taking a time machine into the past to see what life was like several hundred years ago in Ukraine.
Day 4
Not much to report. We spent the day preparing for the kids. We are now ready and the kids will arrive at 12:30 this afternoon (I am writing this on the morning of day 5).
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Mike McAllister's Update from Ukraine
Day 1
The sound of roosters crowing could be heard this morning starting around 4:15 AM. The sound of a tractor passing close by came about 10 minutes later. The timing of the plane departure and arrival in Kiev resulted in a severely sleep deprived team. We arrived in Kiev at 9AM and stayed up until 9PM in an effort to adjust quickly to the local time. Most of the team went to bed last night with almost no sleep over a period of 48 hours. Despite the lack of sleep the team was in good spirits. The highlight of the day was a walk around the local farming community of 400 residents. We were lead by several cows walking several hundred feet ahead of us. Marina managed to step in several fresh cow pies along the way which lead to a lot of laughter amplified by sleep deprivation.
We are leaving today for some sight seeing in Kiev which is a one and a half hour drive away. It is good timing because there was a thunder storm last night and we lost power just before dinner. The power is still out today. Hopefully it will be restored before we return from Kiev.
Day 2
Not a lot of rooster crowing this morning. The weather turned a bit colder and it is fairly windy this morning. The electricity was finally restored around 10 PM last night along with the water which went out while the team was in Kiev.
The team went into Kiev for some shopping and sightseeing yesterday. Kiev is a very historic city with lots to see and good restaurants. This was the one scheduled day for sightseeing but there is too much to see in one day so most of the team plans to return today. They will venture out on their own this time and attempt to navigate the local transportation system into city. Mike will stay at camp to do some planning with Andrew and Jenny (the founders of Jeremiah’s Hope). Two days remain before the kids arrive.
The sound of roosters crowing could be heard this morning starting around 4:15 AM. The sound of a tractor passing close by came about 10 minutes later. The timing of the plane departure and arrival in Kiev resulted in a severely sleep deprived team. We arrived in Kiev at 9AM and stayed up until 9PM in an effort to adjust quickly to the local time. Most of the team went to bed last night with almost no sleep over a period of 48 hours. Despite the lack of sleep the team was in good spirits. The highlight of the day was a walk around the local farming community of 400 residents. We were lead by several cows walking several hundred feet ahead of us. Marina managed to step in several fresh cow pies along the way which lead to a lot of laughter amplified by sleep deprivation.
We are leaving today for some sight seeing in Kiev which is a one and a half hour drive away. It is good timing because there was a thunder storm last night and we lost power just before dinner. The power is still out today. Hopefully it will be restored before we return from Kiev.
Day 2
Not a lot of rooster crowing this morning. The weather turned a bit colder and it is fairly windy this morning. The electricity was finally restored around 10 PM last night along with the water which went out while the team was in Kiev.
The team went into Kiev for some shopping and sightseeing yesterday. Kiev is a very historic city with lots to see and good restaurants. This was the one scheduled day for sightseeing but there is too much to see in one day so most of the team plans to return today. They will venture out on their own this time and attempt to navigate the local transportation system into city. Mike will stay at camp to do some planning with Andrew and Jenny (the founders of Jeremiah’s Hope). Two days remain before the kids arrive.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
James #4: What do I do with my ATTITUDE?
I really enjoyed Sunday. After a wonderful 4th of July, it was good to be with the Creekside family Sunday morning. Many, many Creeksiders were at Family Camp, lots of others were out of town, so we ended up having a nice, intimate gathering. Worship was simple (loved it!), and we ended up having a bit more of a "conversation" feel to the sermon than most Sundays.
We wrappted up our sermon series on the book of James by asking the question: What do I do with my ATTITUDE? Attitude is so important because it manifests itself in everything - work, relationships, home life, rest, finances - everything!
As I read through James there were four "attitude check" questions that bubbled to the surface for me. Rather than asking additional questions, let's just throw these questions out there.
1. What am I ultimately after?
This isn't just what we SAY we're after, but what we are REALLY after - deep down. It's important to look deeply at this (remember...this is about attitude) because what we are ultimately after will affect our current actions.
2. Am I others-focused?
You can't read through James without seeing how others-focused he is. In addition to the conversations about serving the poor, orphans, and widows, when we look at the description of "the wisdom that comes from heaven" in chapter 3 we notice that every one of the characteristics is others-focused.
3. Am I Other-focused?
This is "Other" with a capital O. Do we integrate a consciousness of God into everything we are and do? Our lives at home? Our lives at work? Relationships? Rest? Hobbies?
4. What am I telling myself?
What we tell ourselves has a tremendous affect on our attitudes. Am I telling myself what I "feel" about my circumstances, or what God has said is true? Am I telling myself I am in control or that God is in control? Am I telling myself that what I do with my money is really "my decision?" Am I telling myself that what I say isn't really that important?
What are some other "attitude check" questions you see as you read through James? And as an added bonus, here's a quote I found interesting as I prepared for Sunday:
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Victor Frankl
We wrappted up our sermon series on the book of James by asking the question: What do I do with my ATTITUDE? Attitude is so important because it manifests itself in everything - work, relationships, home life, rest, finances - everything!
As I read through James there were four "attitude check" questions that bubbled to the surface for me. Rather than asking additional questions, let's just throw these questions out there.
1. What am I ultimately after?
This isn't just what we SAY we're after, but what we are REALLY after - deep down. It's important to look deeply at this (remember...this is about attitude) because what we are ultimately after will affect our current actions.
2. Am I others-focused?
You can't read through James without seeing how others-focused he is. In addition to the conversations about serving the poor, orphans, and widows, when we look at the description of "the wisdom that comes from heaven" in chapter 3 we notice that every one of the characteristics is others-focused.
3. Am I Other-focused?
This is "Other" with a capital O. Do we integrate a consciousness of God into everything we are and do? Our lives at home? Our lives at work? Relationships? Rest? Hobbies?
4. What am I telling myself?
What we tell ourselves has a tremendous affect on our attitudes. Am I telling myself what I "feel" about my circumstances, or what God has said is true? Am I telling myself I am in control or that God is in control? Am I telling myself that what I do with my money is really "my decision?" Am I telling myself that what I say isn't really that important?
What are some other "attitude check" questions you see as you read through James? And as an added bonus, here's a quote I found interesting as I prepared for Sunday:
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Victor Frankl
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