Have you ever thought that? "It's always something!" Murphy is supposed to have said that, "If anything can go wrong it will go wrong." It's been repeated so much people now call it a law - Murphy's Law.
Does life really seem like that? Or, is it just our limited perspective of what occurs in, to and around us. My guess is that the problem is in us - in me. I don't see far enough. I don't see deep enough. I can't understand all that's going on and that keeps me from believing that the things that happen are part of a plan being worked out according to His perfect will. If God is able "to do abundantly above all we ask or imagine," and make "all things work together for good for those who love him," then He is able to take those small - or large - things and use them for us and not against us. God help me to have your perspective.
We just heard that the legislation to bring new controls and restrictions on religious practice that was pending has passed and awaits the President's signature. We will have to do much work to discover how God wants us to proceed from this point. We're believing that this didn't come as a surprise to Him and that he already has a plan for us. We just have to discover it.
Usually, when we hear that expression, "It's always something!" it's used in a way that indicates some bad thing happened. For God's child we could/should be using that for the way God blesses us. "It's always something" could mean something good. PTL!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Connections
What a surprise we had at church last Sunday. We attended a nearby Russian church where there was no interpreter. It was a very small congregation (I think Suzanne and I made nine) but we were given a hymnal and the pastor told us the numbers in english. We sang a couple songs that we knew in English and followed the scripture. The pastor's wife knew a little English and shared some prayer requests from the congregation. Low and behold she asked for prayer for Texas in regard to the hurricaine! Here we were on the opposite side of the world and this small congregation of Russian speaking Christians was praying for the residents of Texas! What a great God we serve!
We've been here over three weeks and have begun some of the normal emotional ups and downs. There are things (and people) we're missing from home, as well as experiencing an onset of frustration when supposedly simple tasks become complex due to the conditions. We've learned from our limited experience to treasure the times things go well and just sigh when they don't.
We've gotten a little more adventurous in taking busses. (I mean a little more.) We've taken another bus route and had a bit of a walk today to our friend's home. We have high speed internet access and they're very accomodating in allowing us the opportunity to use their connection. In fact, we're sitting in their living room right now.
Our area of service is still working hard at meeting the government requirements to teach. We're working on a plan that would allow us to grant a BA degree. This will be a huge step for us for two reasons. The first is our orientation as a Christian institution. The second is that the government leaders would rather not have small schools. We're pressing on and seeking God's wisdom for who to contact and how to adjust. We're also working on some options that might be available should our attempts fail. Please pray that God will open all the doors that should be open and our eyes to see the open doors.
I began by remarking about how great God is. In the midst of this culture we're confronted time and again by reminders of how great he is, how much he loves and how needy these people are for the gospel. Back in the 60's Elton Trueblood described the American society as a "cut flower generation." His point was that a freshly cut flower retains all of its beauty for a while, but then death sets in and the decay is evident. I've thought often about his description of America over these last years and believe that he was right. My point is that this culture doesn't even have that background. I have not only appreciated America more, but understand better the impact the gospel can have on a culture as it changes the people.
Pray for Central Asia. There is a great lostness here. There is also great opportunity and richness.
We've been here over three weeks and have begun some of the normal emotional ups and downs. There are things (and people) we're missing from home, as well as experiencing an onset of frustration when supposedly simple tasks become complex due to the conditions. We've learned from our limited experience to treasure the times things go well and just sigh when they don't.
We've gotten a little more adventurous in taking busses. (I mean a little more.) We've taken another bus route and had a bit of a walk today to our friend's home. We have high speed internet access and they're very accomodating in allowing us the opportunity to use their connection. In fact, we're sitting in their living room right now.
Our area of service is still working hard at meeting the government requirements to teach. We're working on a plan that would allow us to grant a BA degree. This will be a huge step for us for two reasons. The first is our orientation as a Christian institution. The second is that the government leaders would rather not have small schools. We're pressing on and seeking God's wisdom for who to contact and how to adjust. We're also working on some options that might be available should our attempts fail. Please pray that God will open all the doors that should be open and our eyes to see the open doors.
I began by remarking about how great God is. In the midst of this culture we're confronted time and again by reminders of how great he is, how much he loves and how needy these people are for the gospel. Back in the 60's Elton Trueblood described the American society as a "cut flower generation." His point was that a freshly cut flower retains all of its beauty for a while, but then death sets in and the decay is evident. I've thought often about his description of America over these last years and believe that he was right. My point is that this culture doesn't even have that background. I have not only appreciated America more, but understand better the impact the gospel can have on a culture as it changes the people.
Pray for Central Asia. There is a great lostness here. There is also great opportunity and richness.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
We're Here!
We attended a minister's conference some years ago and the main speaker shared a jewel of wisdom he'd learned over his many years of pastoral ministry: "Wherever you are - be there."
Well, we're here! We arrived in Asia in an uneventful manner - Whew! (When traveling, uneventful could be associated with boring, but I'll take it since the opposite of boring can terrifying.) We were met at the airport by our partners, Kris and Sarah. They have been a blessing and continue to be a blessing to us.
There are, of course, many new things to experience. The people of our new country share two different cultures and languages. Everything is interpreted unless one knows two languages. That's not us. We're going to begin working on language training in a week. We're still processing what language to learn since both have advantages. We might decide to each do one and hope to cover both bases.
We've enjoyed the food so far. We know that there may, will be surprises coming, but to this point it has been good. We've been shopping and found a store that does have many of the basics of home, if not the brands we're used to. (I noticed today that Suzanne had found Heinz Kechup.) We have found a couple brands from the States that we had never heard of, though our partners were familiar with them from the East Coast. It's been helpful having a "taste of home" now and again.
The situation at our place of service is delicate. There are some legal issues that we're working through and there are signs that restrictions on our line of work may increase. Hence, you'll notice a little more circumspection than in the past. If you think about some of this you'll figure it out - or just pray for us and the situation in our organization.
We appreciate those who keep up with what we're doing and support us in prayer and finances. We couldn't do this without you. Feel free to leave comments if you'd like. It would be good to see if anyone reads these.
We're looking ahead to the future. There are many ways in which God is working in this country. I attended an early prayer meeting totally run by some of the young people here. It went for about an hour and a half with prayer and scripture. It was really encouraging to see their hearts for God and the dedication they have to seeking his face. I don't know about everyday, but I'll join them again.
Well, we're here! We arrived in Asia in an uneventful manner - Whew! (When traveling, uneventful could be associated with boring, but I'll take it since the opposite of boring can terrifying.) We were met at the airport by our partners, Kris and Sarah. They have been a blessing and continue to be a blessing to us.
There are, of course, many new things to experience. The people of our new country share two different cultures and languages. Everything is interpreted unless one knows two languages. That's not us. We're going to begin working on language training in a week. We're still processing what language to learn since both have advantages. We might decide to each do one and hope to cover both bases.
We've enjoyed the food so far. We know that there may, will be surprises coming, but to this point it has been good. We've been shopping and found a store that does have many of the basics of home, if not the brands we're used to. (I noticed today that Suzanne had found Heinz Kechup.) We have found a couple brands from the States that we had never heard of, though our partners were familiar with them from the East Coast. It's been helpful having a "taste of home" now and again.
The situation at our place of service is delicate. There are some legal issues that we're working through and there are signs that restrictions on our line of work may increase. Hence, you'll notice a little more circumspection than in the past. If you think about some of this you'll figure it out - or just pray for us and the situation in our organization.
We appreciate those who keep up with what we're doing and support us in prayer and finances. We couldn't do this without you. Feel free to leave comments if you'd like. It would be good to see if anyone reads these.
We're looking ahead to the future. There are many ways in which God is working in this country. I attended an early prayer meeting totally run by some of the young people here. It went for about an hour and a half with prayer and scripture. It was really encouraging to see their hearts for God and the dedication they have to seeking his face. I don't know about everyday, but I'll join them again.
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