I must admit...I'm a blog stalker! Ok, there, I've said it. I'm truthful and open about it though. About once a week I go to the sidebar of my blog and check in on all of the blogs that I follow. I put that sidebar over there mainly for my own use to be honest. It's easier for me to follow my favorite blogs that way. However, I do hope that many of you follow some of them as well. When the Lord called us to a third world country as missionaries I figured that I'd try to learn as much about the jobs, people, and culture as I could. Well, what better source than the actual missionaries who are there (or who have been there). So, I began stalking. I really think it's a harsh term. I mean, isn't that why a blog is there in the first place? Nonetheless, I love learning about ABC and Malawi.
I just stumbled upon a GREAT post by the Carlisles family. The Carlisles just moved to Malawi this past August and they are serving in the ABC Academy (where I will be teaching). They just wrote a wonderful entry on what they are doing in Malawi and the purpose of us being there. I thought I'd share part of it with you:
"So, I've been wanting to let you know what we do here--both how we serve and what life is like.I remember the first time as we were referred to as "missionaries." It seemed really strange. It still is, as what we do isn't what I think of missionaries doing. We have not yet had an opportunity to visit a village or go evangelizing like my sisters talk about from their time in Uganda. (Though we're going to a refugee camp later this month). That's not even what we're primarily here to do. I guess you might say that we serve in a support role. I'll explain.Malawi was evangelized by Presbyterians long ago (the Dr. Livingstone you've heard of). So many Malawians will call themselves Christians. There are many, many "prayer houses" all over the country. But there are very, very few pastors. Most pastors here cover a number of these small churches and may have thousands of parishioners. Of course they cannot preach in 20 places each Sunday, so when a pastor is not present anyone may "say a word." As you can imagine, with the level of education, particularly theological education, here, what is said may not be AT ALL Biblical. So you end up with lots of dangerous mixtures of old superstitions and religious beliefs. (Baptisms being thought of as magical, lots of health and wealth type gospel. There was even one church--or anti-church that was telling people and Jesus was just for white people and a new type of religion was needed for Africans). This was why African Bible College was begun, to train pastors and lay people in theology and communication, so that as they go out into their country they are leading others in the right direction, whether as pastors, teachers, leaders in their churches or in businesses, or government (and ABC graduates are everywhere here and being a positive leaven wherever they have influence--I know, I teach with one). So, then those who were teaching and running the college needed to have somewhere to send their children to school. Local schools were not a terrific option. Home schooling was going on, but there were getting to be a lot of children and so a school was begun. At first it was only children of ABC missionaries, but soon there was a desire that it be serving Malawi as well. So, now each class is kept at 50% Malawian and 50% Non-Malawian. Now, this is where we come in. This is where in begins to make sense for us--Brian and Scharlie--to be here. Brian's been working in schools for over 10 years and has had a lot of different experiences that help him with this one. I like teaching and being a part of a school community. Education, and yes, Christian education is something that's been important to us for a long time. We're really encouraged about how self-consciously Christian this school is. It knows it is Christian and evangelical. There are (of course) nominal Christians mixed with true ones, and there are also a few atheists, Muslims, and Hindus sprinkled in. We respect that their beliefs are different, but students are not excused from Bible classes, or chapel, or Scripture memory. So, in that sense, we are evangelizing, just not in the same way. I love being so free in the way I'm able to pray and speak about the Bible. Brian's Bible class had a pretty good discussion recently on the problem of suffering. I'm thankful He's their teacher. He made those older kids think. This brings me full circle, I guess--We don't always understand why we have difficult things to go through. We don't always know why God calls us to certain places at certain times or away from others at times, but we can know that He is good and that if we are in Him, he has our best in mind at all times. We are glad to be here. There are hard things (though, not really in the areas you might imagine or we expected). But, just pray for us. We will learn what we are supposed to from those things, I trust (sometimes)."
I am thankful that the Lord has called us and that He is providing the means for us to follow Him to Malawi, Africa. I pray that we will be able to glorify Him in all that we do. God bless!
Jill
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Missions is Optional? Missions is a calling for some?
As Jeremy and I were feeling the Lord's call in our lives this past Spring we were looking into different missions opportunities. One of the groups was through the North American Mission Board involving families and short term trips that they can do together. I still get the emails from this organization occasionally and this is the one that I received today:
It is with great sorrow that I write to notify you that the North American Mission Board has decided to eliminate the ministry of Families on Mission. This decision has come as a result of dramatic changes that have been and will be made for the future of NAMB. As of November 8, all programming will cease immediately.
The work we have been able to do in the last two years has been significant. ...
This is sad to me. It's sad that missions organizations are cutting back their missions opportunities. It's sad that there is no support for missions from our fellow Christians.
In his book, Radical, David Platt says that "the purpose of the church is to mobilize a people to accomplish a mission." We are here to serve a purpose and all that we do should be directed towards that purpose. The church, the Lord's people, all are called to this purpose. The Bible doesn't say that "some" are called. Matthew 28:19 is not a call to just the disciples. It is a call to all who know and proclaim the Word of the Lord. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." David Platt goes on to say, "but where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program in the church? We have seen that we were all created by God, saved from our sins, and blessed by God to make his glory known in all the world. Indeed, Jesus himself has not merely called us to go to all nations; he has created us and commanded us to go to all nations. We have taken this command, though, and reduced it to a calling- something that only a few people receive."
Where in scripture do you find that anything is more important than proclaiming His name throughout the world? Leading others to saving grace through Christ Jesus is our main work while we are on this earth. Luke 12:34 says, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Where is your heart? Where are your treasures? And compare them to the treasures you are storing up in heaven. What's your priority?? Are our priorities tied up in birthday parties, going out to eat, and relaxing at home with our pj's on? Is this what it's all about?? What missions opportunities have we missed recently because we chose the world and it's comforts??
David Platt ends his book with these words, "...the key is realizing-and believing- that this world is not your home. If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly thinking, worldly pleasures, worldly dreams, worldly ideals, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world. Though you and I lived in the United States of America now, we must fix our attention on 'a better country-a heavenly one.' Though you and I find ourselves surrounded by the lure of temporary pleasure, we must fasten our affections on the one who promises eternal treasure that will never spoil or fade. If your life or my life is going to count on earth, we must start by concentrating on heaven. For then, and only then, will you and I be free to take radical risk, knowing that what awaits us is radical reward."
It is with great sorrow that I write to notify you that the North American Mission Board has decided to eliminate the ministry of Families on Mission. This decision has come as a result of dramatic changes that have been and will be made for the future of NAMB. As of November 8, all programming will cease immediately.
The work we have been able to do in the last two years has been significant. ...
This is sad to me. It's sad that missions organizations are cutting back their missions opportunities. It's sad that there is no support for missions from our fellow Christians.
In his book, Radical, David Platt says that "the purpose of the church is to mobilize a people to accomplish a mission." We are here to serve a purpose and all that we do should be directed towards that purpose. The church, the Lord's people, all are called to this purpose. The Bible doesn't say that "some" are called. Matthew 28:19 is not a call to just the disciples. It is a call to all who know and proclaim the Word of the Lord. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." David Platt goes on to say, "but where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program in the church? We have seen that we were all created by God, saved from our sins, and blessed by God to make his glory known in all the world. Indeed, Jesus himself has not merely called us to go to all nations; he has created us and commanded us to go to all nations. We have taken this command, though, and reduced it to a calling- something that only a few people receive."
Where in scripture do you find that anything is more important than proclaiming His name throughout the world? Leading others to saving grace through Christ Jesus is our main work while we are on this earth. Luke 12:34 says, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Where is your heart? Where are your treasures? And compare them to the treasures you are storing up in heaven. What's your priority?? Are our priorities tied up in birthday parties, going out to eat, and relaxing at home with our pj's on? Is this what it's all about?? What missions opportunities have we missed recently because we chose the world and it's comforts??
David Platt ends his book with these words, "...the key is realizing-and believing- that this world is not your home. If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly thinking, worldly pleasures, worldly dreams, worldly ideals, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world. Though you and I lived in the United States of America now, we must fix our attention on 'a better country-a heavenly one.' Though you and I find ourselves surrounded by the lure of temporary pleasure, we must fasten our affections on the one who promises eternal treasure that will never spoil or fade. If your life or my life is going to count on earth, we must start by concentrating on heaven. For then, and only then, will you and I be free to take radical risk, knowing that what awaits us is radical reward."
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Dealing with Disappointment as a Christian
We all deal with disappointments differently. The Lord is truly growing our family in many amazing (and difficult) ways. We have ups and downs. We have highs and lows. We are being humbled and taught by Him in more ways than we ever imagined. And we are learning that our faith and trust can only be in Him! "Praise the Lord!...I will praise the Lord as long as I live;...Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation....Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth." (parts of Psalm 146)
While I was searching for different verses on disappointment I ran across this article. I did not write this but I wanted to share parts of it. Please pray for our family as the Lord is teaching us to trust not in man but in Him alone!
Jill
The Christian Response to Disappointment
If you're a Christian (or a human), you're well-acquainted with disappointment.
All of us, whether new Christians or lifelong believers, battle feelings of disappointment when life goes wrong. Deep down, we think that following Christ should give us special immunity against trouble. We're like Peter, who tried to remind Jesus, "We have left everything to follow you." (Mark 10:28).
Maybe we haven't left everything, but we have made some painful sacrifices. Doesn't that count for something? Shouldn't that give us a free pass when it comes to disappointment?
You already know the answer to that. As we’re each struggling with our own private setbacks, godless people seem to be thriving. We wonder why they’re doing so well and we’re not. We fight our way through loss and disappointment and wonder what’s going on.
After many years of hurts and frustration, I finally realized that the question I should ask God isn't "Why, Lord?" but rather, "What now, Lord?"
Asking “What now, Lord?” instead of “Why, Lord?” is a hard lesson to learn. It's hard to ask the right question when you’re feeling disappointed. It's hard to ask when your heart is breaking. It's hard to ask “What now?” when your dreams have been shattered.
But your life will begin to change when you start asking God, "What would you have me do now, Lord?" Oh sure, you’ll still feel angry or disheartened by disappointments, but you’ll also discover that God is eager to show you what he wants you to do next. Not only that, but he’ll equip you with everything you need to do it.
In the face of trouble, our natural tendency is not to ask the right question. Our natural tendency is to complain. Unfortunately, griping to other people rarely helps solve our problems. Instead, it tends to drive people away. Nobody wants to hang around a person who has a self-pitying, pessimistic outlook on life.
But we can't just let it go. We need to pour our heart out to someone. Disappointment is too heavy a burden to bear. If we let disappointments pile up, they lead to discouragement. Too much discouragement leads to despair. God doesn’t want that for us. In his grace, God asks us to take our heartaches to him.
If another Christian tells you that it's wrong to gripe to God, just send that person to the Psalms. Many of them, like Psalms 31, 102 and 109, are poetic accounts of hurts and grievances. God listens. He'd rather have us empty our heart to him than keep that bitterness inside. He is not offended by our discontent.
Complaining to God is wise because he's capable of doing something about it, while our friends and relations may not be. God has the power to change us, our situation, or both. He knows all the facts and he knows the future. He knows exactly what needs to be done.
When we pour out our hurt to God and find the courage to ask him, "What do you want me to do now, Lord?," we can expect him to answer. He will communicate through another person, our circumstances, instructions from him, or through his Word, the Bible.
The Bible is such an important guidebook that we should immerse ourselves in it regularly. It's call the Living Word of God because its truths are constant yet they apply to our changing situations. You can read the same passage at different times in your life and get a different answer--a relevant answer--from it every time. That is God speaking through his Word.
Seeking God's answer to "What now?" helps us grow in faith. Through experience, we learn that God is trustworthy. He can take our disappointments and work them for our good. When that happens, we come to the staggering conclusion that the all-powerful God of the universe is on our side.
No matter how painful your disappointment may be, God's answer to your question of "What now, Lord?" always begins with this simple command: "Trust me. Trust me."
While I was searching for different verses on disappointment I ran across this article. I did not write this but I wanted to share parts of it. Please pray for our family as the Lord is teaching us to trust not in man but in Him alone!
Jill
The Christian Response to Disappointment
If you're a Christian (or a human), you're well-acquainted with disappointment.
All of us, whether new Christians or lifelong believers, battle feelings of disappointment when life goes wrong. Deep down, we think that following Christ should give us special immunity against trouble. We're like Peter, who tried to remind Jesus, "We have left everything to follow you." (Mark 10:28).
Maybe we haven't left everything, but we have made some painful sacrifices. Doesn't that count for something? Shouldn't that give us a free pass when it comes to disappointment?
You already know the answer to that. As we’re each struggling with our own private setbacks, godless people seem to be thriving. We wonder why they’re doing so well and we’re not. We fight our way through loss and disappointment and wonder what’s going on.
After many years of hurts and frustration, I finally realized that the question I should ask God isn't "Why, Lord?" but rather, "What now, Lord?"
Asking “What now, Lord?” instead of “Why, Lord?” is a hard lesson to learn. It's hard to ask the right question when you’re feeling disappointed. It's hard to ask when your heart is breaking. It's hard to ask “What now?” when your dreams have been shattered.
But your life will begin to change when you start asking God, "What would you have me do now, Lord?" Oh sure, you’ll still feel angry or disheartened by disappointments, but you’ll also discover that God is eager to show you what he wants you to do next. Not only that, but he’ll equip you with everything you need to do it.
In the face of trouble, our natural tendency is not to ask the right question. Our natural tendency is to complain. Unfortunately, griping to other people rarely helps solve our problems. Instead, it tends to drive people away. Nobody wants to hang around a person who has a self-pitying, pessimistic outlook on life.
But we can't just let it go. We need to pour our heart out to someone. Disappointment is too heavy a burden to bear. If we let disappointments pile up, they lead to discouragement. Too much discouragement leads to despair. God doesn’t want that for us. In his grace, God asks us to take our heartaches to him.
If another Christian tells you that it's wrong to gripe to God, just send that person to the Psalms. Many of them, like Psalms 31, 102 and 109, are poetic accounts of hurts and grievances. God listens. He'd rather have us empty our heart to him than keep that bitterness inside. He is not offended by our discontent.
Complaining to God is wise because he's capable of doing something about it, while our friends and relations may not be. God has the power to change us, our situation, or both. He knows all the facts and he knows the future. He knows exactly what needs to be done.
When we pour out our hurt to God and find the courage to ask him, "What do you want me to do now, Lord?," we can expect him to answer. He will communicate through another person, our circumstances, instructions from him, or through his Word, the Bible.
The Bible is such an important guidebook that we should immerse ourselves in it regularly. It's call the Living Word of God because its truths are constant yet they apply to our changing situations. You can read the same passage at different times in your life and get a different answer--a relevant answer--from it every time. That is God speaking through his Word.
Seeking God's answer to "What now?" helps us grow in faith. Through experience, we learn that God is trustworthy. He can take our disappointments and work them for our good. When that happens, we come to the staggering conclusion that the all-powerful God of the universe is on our side.
No matter how painful your disappointment may be, God's answer to your question of "What now, Lord?" always begins with this simple command: "Trust me. Trust me."
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