Do you want to be great?

Dave Overholt speaking at the Allegheny conference. Photo by Donnie Rosie. 

Last week I learned of a very helpful exercise in determining how to invest my energy and efforts.

I was attending one day of the Christian Camp and Conference Association's Allegheny sectional (http://mmrm.org/manualcontent/CCCA-Fireside-2015.pdf) and thus got to hear the speaker during one main session.

Dr. Dave Overholt (as you will see on the brochure found at the above link) “is the founding and lead pastor of Church on the Rock (Hamilton, Ontario) which grew out of a cooperative of youth groups. For fun Dave heads up the Youth Family department at Tyndale Seminary, has written several Canadian bestsellers and speaks on the road to thousands each year.”

I had heard from other Joy El staff members (that's where I serve in ministry: www.joyelgeneration.org) that the speaker was good this year, but I got to confirm this Tuesday night.

Dave encouraged and exhorted us. He made us laugh uproariously and pause reflectively. He was scripturally sound and relevant to our audience.

Here is the point he made that will most stick with me:

Dave was once advised to list his activities and demands on his time, and then ask himself, "Do I want to be great at this?"

For example, you might ask,

I like to golf, but do I want to be a GREAT golfer?

I work at a pizza parlor, but do I long to make GREAT pizza?

I'm an accountant, but do I want to be a GREAT one?

I have three children, but do I truly want to be a GREAT mother?

When you find your heart resounding with a genuine “YES!” that is where you invest your energy.

When your response is closer to a shrug, then cross that activity off your list. You may now invest that valuable energy into the other things on your list that ask greatness of you.

As Dave challenged us in this, it resonated with what God has been doing in me. I did an exercise in creating a personal mission statement last year that really helped me better discern where I should be investing my resources (including emotionally). When something fits within my present purpose in life (which is determined by my unique gifting, circumstances and passions), I can more readily agree to opportunities presented to me. When it doesn't, I can decline with more freedom than in past.

Dave seemed to refine this even further for me.

While I have determined based on consistent feedback that I am gifted to teach, when I ask myself, "Do I want to be a GREAT teacher?" I can easily decide that, no, I don't. I will continue to use this gift when presented with opportunities that are clearly from God and relevant to how I'm already serving (such as teaching the Barnabas mentors in the program I coordinate, as well as homeschooling my children), but when asked to speak beyond that, I can be free to graciously decline. Because I know in my heart of hearts that, though I trust God and choose to teach through His power and Spirit, these opportunities are the ones that cause me more stress--only to be relieved when the event is over. Whereas writing is something I look forward to and can brainstorm about at leisure and with pleasure day or night.

(I feel the need to insert a couple clarifications at this point: 1) Prayer should cover this entire process. When presented with teaching opportunities, I will still pray about them, but this practice can help me discern how God is directing me. 2) Our purpose can change over time, so don’t permanently lock yourself into what you believe God is or is not asking you to do. 3) God certainly may ask us to do things outside of our comfort zone and gifting, but that is not usually where He has us for the long-haul.) 

So, especially if you are feeling spread thin, take a moment now to list your responsibilities, opportunities, and interests in life. Turn them into questions that include the adjective "great," pray, and ask God to speak to you.

How should I use my time, God? In what areas do You want me to be great?

^“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him” -1 Timothy 1:12

What ISIS reveals to us

The recent images have been haunting and extremely disturbing:

A young man caged like a beast, about to face a fiery death.

A row of young men on their knees, looking up with a mix of uncertainty, fear and courage—their executioners lined up behind them.

When I learned about Muadh al-Kasasbeh's gruesome death, I was deeply troubled. What could possibly motivate human beings to so callously discount, torture and destroy another person?

Al-Kasasbeh was a son, a husband, a friend, and a man with a bright future.

Why snuff out his life in such a revolting way?

We who don't live in the Middle East might feel pain or fear when we see these images, but we may also feel a little safe being this far away. These martyrs look different from most of us, speak a different language, live close to their enemies.

But this thing I know: we may not live near ISIS, but we are no safer than Al-Kasasbeh.

We might not be as likely (yet) to be dragged from our comfortable homes and workplaces to undignified deaths.

But the evil that compels ISIS is real and has a name: Satan. Satan is the one who can so deceive men that they believe torture and rape are noble and right.

And Satan is not only the enemy of our non-Middle Eastern souls, he is the father of sin, and sin is quite readily available in each of our lives (see Genesis 4:7).

So if there is one thing ISIS has reminded me, it is this: “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:27). Because, although sin might look "prettier" in our comfortable, complacent cultures and churches, it is from the same source that fathered ISIS and its barbaric practices. It has come to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10), and it will continue to do so unless we--through Christ alone--stop it.

So, hate sin with me, and love Jesus. Forsake fleshly desires and choose righteous ones. Pray on your knees against ISIS and the dark forces in the heavenlies (see Ephesians 6:10-18), and teach your friends and your children that the way we live matters. 

Helping a friend whose spouse is away

One of the best ways to generate ideas for serving others is through recognizing your own needs. If you have a need, it’s likely someone else has the same one.

In recent years, my husband has started traveling regularly for missions. God is using him in powerful ways on the other side of the world. The kids' and my part is to send him with our blessing, to pray, to hold down the home front, and to live honorably while he's away.

That can sometimes be hard.

First of all, let me acknowledge that single parents do this all the time. They need help too. They need an enduring, reliable support system. Some differences between our situation and theirs might be that it is their regular mode of operation, and that they try to not get themselves in over their heads, because they probably know their limits. A two-parent family usually maintains a pace that can be handled with two parents, but is much more difficult to handle when one parent is absent.

So, back to what I’ve been learning: the first time my husband went to Russia for two weeks went great. I could feel the prayers of God's people sustaining us. Friends and acquaintances regularly checked in with me. I had lots of offers for help (which I didn't even need to use). All went smoothly.

The second time my husband went to Russia, I think people forgot about us. Aside from one friend who randomly stopped by to check on us (Thank you, Adam!), I felt alone.

During times like that, I resolve to learn. I decide things like, “When I know someone else in this situation, I will help, because I know how much the encouragement is needed!” And I think of very specific ways to help.

Helping someone in crisis is one thing. I have had to bring a child to the emergency room in the middle of the night while my husband has been out of town (several times, actually). It is not difficult to call a neighbor and say, “Hey, I need to bring my child to the ER. Could you come over and stay with the others while I am gone?” Rarely will someone reject a request for assistance when there is a true emergency.

The times that are a little more difficult involve subtler things, such as loneliness, a loss of perspective, or several days of dealing with cranky, busy kids with no assistance or emotional back-up. When a well-meaning friend says, “Just let me know if you need something,” it's a little hard to say, “Will you just take care of my kids for a few hours so I can find some peace?!” Because you love your children fiercely and this is just life and you wish you weren't such a wimp that you'd need to ask such a silly thing.

So, here is what I suggest if you have a friend whose spouse is away for a prolonged ministry or business trip.

Just help. Don't wait to be asked. Don't put the ball in her court. Consider it your ministry to just bless that family somehow. Here are some practical ideas (not in order of importance):

1.      When can I take you out to breakfast or lunch? I'll arrange a babysitter. You just pick a time.

2.      Which night may I run your kids around for you? I know they're involved in a lot of activities. I'd love to share the taxi responsibility with you for an evening.

3.      I've heard [insert family-friendly movie title here] is really good. I think your kids would enjoy it. May I take them to it? Perhaps you could catch up on some things around the house or have a little break while I enjoy the movie with them.

4.      I've got an online pizza order ready for you. Just tell me what I should enter for a delivery time. (You can do this even if your friend lives far away!)

5.      [Said from the front door:] I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to see how you're doing. [This may or may not involve holding a loaf of fresh bread, some fruit, or a gallon of soup. However, you don’t have to bring anything. This is what our friend Adam did – just appeared with empty hands – and it blessed the kids and me deeply, as well as my husband.]

6.      I thought I'd call to see how you're doing. When my husband is away, sometimes I just need someone to talk to. I know you can take your concerns to the Lord, but if there is anything you need to just release or talk about, I won't judge. I'll just listen and pray.

7.      Do you want to come over to watch Downton Abbey together? The kids can play together while we drink tea and watch. I'd love to hear what you think of Cousin Isobel’s decision to marry again. [Pick your friend's show, of course!]

Most important, of course: pray. Pray for the spouse who is doing the direct ministry, and pray for the family left behind. Pray for them whenever you think of them. And let them know you are doing so.

Let me finish by stating emphatically: God is enough. He equips those He calls. It’s a privilege to be in a spot of utter dependence on Him to give us our daily encouragement (which is actually our situation every day, whether we are aware of it or not). But He has also created us to be a body—His body. So when we can share the load and function as a body, it is a beautiful thing.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. –Galatians 6:9,10

Continuing to pray for world-change

http://www.operationworld.org/

This journey of praying to change the world (see http://thebookoflifeblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/praying-to-change-world.html) has been a worthwhile one. Since December 17, 2014, I have created a daily prayer post for a need around the world that will impact those well beyond my immediate circle of influence. I have been surprised by the response. 

Friends and family members from around the country have noted how they have appreciated the posts--people I hardly ever hear from, as well as people I see weekly. 

A relative in Minnesota wrote, “It helps me to focus outside of my own little world,” which is exactly the point (or one of them, anyway)! Thank You, Jesus, and amen! 

At this point, I will no longer be posting daily prayers. Instead, I refer people to a similar email list provided here: http://www.operationworld.org/join-prayer-movement. I will be subscribing to that email list myself. 

I will post prayers occasionally for needs that arise around our world (along with my other posts). 

My biggest encouragement is for you to pray to change the world every day however suits you best. Revisit the prayers I posted, use the prayer list I mentioned above, buy a copy of Operation World, or just do what I did: pay attention to what's happening around you. When you read the news, consider and pray concerning the implications surrounding what you're reading. Ask your friends to join you. 

Praying to change the world is a lifelong journey, and I don't plan to get out of the habit. 

Thanks for reading. And, much more important: thanks for praying. 

Prayer for the ministry of Compassion International

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm

Lord, today we praise you for the work of Compassion International. We rejoice that 122,588 mothers and children responded to the Gospel over the past year! One million four hundred thousand children sponsored, 6,500 church partners around the world… there is so much to celebrate! Father, please continue to lavish your blessing on this ministry. We pray that people will rise up around the world to sponsor the 3,345 children who are awaiting help. We pray that current sponsors will send their children the letters they so anxiously await—letters filled with encouragement, Scripture and love. We pray for the various projects to be fruitful and safe places, where the leaders are able to not only effectively minister to the sponsored children, but also to their families. And may the local projects model the love of Christ to their broader communities. Thank you, Lord, for the ministry of Compassion International and others who serve children in this way. We thank you in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for Franklin Graham’s upcoming ministry trip

http://static.samaritanspurse.org.s3.amazonaws.com/email/2015/01.2015/7090/7090_email.html

Lord, soon your servant Franklin Graham is leaving for Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. Father, we ask for safe travel, for protection everywhere he goes, and for your guidance each step of the way. Please bless the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, which Graham leads. May this organization continue to share your Good News with people in these countries (and elsewhere around the world) as they meet physical needs and do relief work. Lord, we pray specifically for Graham to bring deep encouragement to the church leaders in Myanmar, where there is so much persecution, as well as human rights abuses. Lord, we pray for the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse in Cambodia and Vietnam, including their work against human trafficking. May the ministry be blessed, unhindered, effective, protected. May victims of human trafficking become victors within your Kingdom. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer against ISIS using children as soldiers

photo credit: Bare Naked Islam.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/14/new-isis-video-appears-to-show-child-executioner-killing-alleged-russian-spies/

Lord, we do not know if the recently released video is real, but we do have reason to believe ISIS is using children to assist in their acts of terror. Lord, we fervently pray against this evil. Again we ask that you disrupt the wicked plans of ISIS. Please cause disunity within their ranks. Open individuals’ eyes to the truth of what they are doing. May they start to see the humanity of the men and women of all ages that they are harming. Today we specifically pray that the older ISIS members would recognize how terrible it is to raise children for these purposes. May they be alarmed by the changes they see in the character of these young ones. For the children, Lord, we ask for rescue. We ask for healing, restoration, and rehabilitation. And may the gatekeepers to these children no longer allow these precious young lives to be dedicated to evil. We plead in Jesus’ name, amen.