Carpe Diem! Seize the Day!

Last week I received the copy of Ray Pritchard's book, "Fire and Rain - The Wild-Hearted Faith of Elijah" that I won from his Keep Believing Ministries' Facebook page.  I confess, I'm only just beginning to read it.  However one the things that Pastor Ray says in the introduction has been resonating with me.  He asks, "How much are you willing to risk to become all that God wants you to be?"

It isn't too dissimilar to something that someone else said to me about a month ago, "How much are you willing to give up to get what you really want?"

2011 is just hours away.  Millions of people around the world are taking stock of their lives, evaluating their successes and failures, and making plans for the upcoming year.

God asks us to take a risk, to give up everything - to give up our lives - for Him.  When we do this, He says that He will care for us and bless us in more ways than we can even imagine.  In taking that "risk", we open ourselves up to being everything that God wants us to be.  Shouldn't that be what we really want?

So what do you say, How much are you willing to give up to get what you really want? How much are you willing to risk to become all that God wants you to be?  It's just your life and His will for it.

Faith & Freedom

It has now been a couple of weeks since I returned from China.  I'm now mostly asleep and awake at the appropriate times.  As is usual, it takes me time when I return from China (or other places abroad) to reflect on and process what I experienced.

Still a work in process, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to reflect on my thankfulness for faith and freedom - not something that everyone on our planet is blessed with.

This trip we visited a new part of China - a province and city to which I had never been.  It is a city of about 4.4 million people.

Following church one Sunday morning, we met with the Senior Pastor, as well as the head of the Red Cross and the head of the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) for the area.  (For those not familiar with China, the RAB helps to set, monitor, and enforce religious policy in China.  They help to decide who is/isn't in violation of policy and what the ramifications for their actions should be.)

It was an amazing meeting!

The pastor shared about all of the incredible things that the church is doing - building houses, donations to earthquakes, health clinics, helping those in the community find jobs, rebuilding schools in the rural areas so that kids can get back to school, etc.  They have received awards for their work.  "We're just doing it for God," is what he told us.  They have plans for building a rural church, want to setup a net training center to train co-workers, setup a community center for the elderly.  The government, we were told, has given them land and a lot of support.

Knowing that rural areas are frequently very poor and the people who live there lack resources, we asked the gentleman from the RAB if we could assist by providing Bibles to the poor Christians who will be attending the new church. "Sure, no problem," he responded. We were surprised and delighted as this has not always been the case (is continues not to be in some areas).

The gentleman from the RAB told us that his role is to maintain the rights of all religious people and, if conflicts arise between religions, to serve as mediators.

In their city of 4.4 million, we were told that there are 500 registered places of worship - this could be a church, a temple, or your mothers living room.  Of those, 200 are Christian, 200 are Buddhist, 100 Daoist, 9 Catholic, and 1 Muslim.  There are 150,000 people in the city who believe in any religion.  By RAB records, 60,000 of those are Christians.

 

In China, the children's belief is in accordance with their parents, as the focus for children is education.  According to law, under 18 a child cannot attend church without his/her parents.

Many of the first to come to the United States did so for religious freedom; for the ability to worship where they want, how they want, and who they want.  I am thankful that at this time in our history, we still have that freedom of faith.

and the constant is...change...

I leave for China on Monday.

One of the things that I learned early on in doing missions, ministry, and cross-cultural work (and I guess any work for that matter), is that one thing you can absolutely count on is change.  So we plan the best that we can, be as prepared as we can, and then know that something about our plans - sometimes something small, sometimes something big - is going to change.

Part of the plan for my time in China was to visit the rural orphanage shown in my previous post.  This trip would serve a significant role in my planning for the team I'll take there in June.  The orphanage has a great story and great need for its children.  Today, when the final confirmation call was made to them, we were told that apparently the local government has built a brand new orphanage, that this one will be moving, and that there won't be a need for us to come this time or in the future.  Hmmm...ok...

This isn't something that I really understand.  It wasn't in the plan - for next week or next June.  We'd planned; we'd communicated; we'd visited in August; we'd planned some more; and then the inevitable change...

So, we'll get on our various planes on Monday and fly to Beijing.  We know that there are others there who have significant need - some we've had previous discussions with but who didn't seem to fit "the (our) plan" as well as the orphanage in Fuyang did.  There will undoubtedly be many emails flying back and forth between now and then as we reset our plan...remembering that it isn't "our plan" but "His plan"...

Good thing I'm getting to be so laid back and flexible...

Heading to "the Other China"

In October I will be headed back to China - this time with chinaconnect.  We will be headed into what we refer to as "the Other China" - the China which is beyond the bright lights of Beijing and the hoopla of Hong Kong.  One of the places we'll visit is an orphanage where I will be taking a team next June.  Below is a rough video that I've put together from pictures and video clips that have been shared with me by friends who were recently there.  If after watching it there is something tugging at your heart, maybe you should consider joining me in June...if you can't, maybe you'd like to join us through the sharing of your financial gifts.  As you'll see, there is a lot to be done to help these kids - and that requires not only many prayers, but some dollars, too!

Giving Generously or Living Generously

There are many newsletters which arrive regularly in my inbox.  Frequently - admit it, you do this, too - I just hit delete.  When I do find myself opening and scanning down through a particular message, there will usually be something that jumps out at me.  Such was the case today as I was reading the current edition from Excellence in Giving.

The headline read, "Giving Generously or Living Generously - Generosity is not a one time action it is a constant way of life".  Interested in the topic and curious about what they were going to say, I clicked on the link.  The author, Jay Link, shared some thoughts and experiences which resonate with me.  Mr. Link says, "The lesson is this: I can be generous in how I give without being generous in how I live. Conversely, I have also learned that a person who lives generously always gives generously."  Hmmm....

Following snapshot shares a couple of his points (click here for the entire article):

Characteristics of those whose lives model "Living Generously":

"Characteristic #1:  Generous Living is Open-Hearted

Those who live generously are open-hearted and alert to find people who are struggling, hurting or in pain. They empathize with those whose world is difficult and they enjoy trying to make it better.

Characteristic #2: Generous Living is Open-Minded

The minds of those who live generously are always thinking about creative ways to bless and encourage others in both great and small ways. They are consciously engaged in their world and the lives of those around them, poised to show generosity to anyone whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Characteristic #3: Generous Living is Open-Handed

The resources of those who live generously, all of them – (time, talent, treasure [and torso]), are ready to be gladly given whenever a need or an opportunity is discovered. When it is within their power to respond, they relish the privilege to make a difference and bless the life of another – friend or stranger. They live out the extreme attitude, “What is mine is yours and you can have it.”"

I don't know about you, but while I work hard to give and live generously, I think I've got some work to do.  Let's all make it a goal to do so - just think how much better our world would be!  Thank you, Mr. Link, for your transparency and prompting to thought and action.

What do you see?

What do you see? Right now. What do you see? Stop looking at the computer screen and glance around you. What do you see?

I see...

• a photo of an old weathered Honduran man strapping some blankets to his equally old burro, preparing to go gather wood in the hills;
• a poster asking, "Does the Bible Provide an Adequate Answer for the Problem of Suffering?";
• a bunch of piles nearly out-of-control;
• Bibles in various languages, devotionals, books on fundraising, writing proposals, "Facing Your Giants", "Guide for Charity Board Members";
• blown up and framed photographs of energetic kids in China, blank-eyed babies in Ukraine, kids playing on a playground in Quinhagak, Alaska, my nephews, a friend & me in Beijing;
• a newspaper headline, "Status quo..." peering out from under a book;
• a partially written thank you note;
• a trash can greatly in need of emptying;
• materials promoting the great works of Back in His Arms Again, chinaconnect; Doma International, Eyes Wide Open International, Orphan World Relief, the CLiF Network;
• a dying plant;
• the bill from the unexpected and unbudgeted engine work on my car;
• a strategic plan for a new ministry;
• bags of Honduran coffee;
• a yard stick.

Every now and then I get into what  my mom refers to as a "funk".  When in one of my funks, I get out-of-sorts with pretty much everyone and everything, and I lack all passion and motivation.  These seem to occur at times which I have taken my eyes off those things which are important - those things which represent my faith, passion, and purpose - and have shifted to the "stuff" which surrounds me.

I don't think that I'm all that unusual.  How often do our eyes get distracted from what is really important and on to the "stuff" which only seems important? How often to we allow ourselves to get frustrated by those things which are really not a big deal, but seem to have the ability to skew our attitudes and outlooks?  Probably more often than we'd like to admit.

The next time you feel yourself sliding into a funk, I'd like to encourage you to take another look around.  While there may be lots of stuff in the way, work hard to look through it and really see and focus on those things which are really important, which give you your faith, passion and purpose.

The Impact of a Single Life

Have you ever wondered if you're making a difference?  When you look around the corner, around the world, at all the people in pain, all the kids without parents, all the people who are struggling with their lot in life?  Have you ever asked "what impact can I make?"  I have.

Last week a dear friend of mine lost her father too quickly to the villian known as cancer.  As I had the honor of serving her family and being by their side during this difficult time, I was continually humbled at the outpouring of love from not just friends, but from the Carmel, IN community to the entire family.

Mr. Akin was the principal of an elementary school for more than 20 years.  For almost as long he helped coach the girl's high school soccer team (who in 12 of those years won the state championships).  He was a mentor; he was a friend; he was an influencer and impacter on thousands of lives, and so much more.

Last week those students and parents from the last 20+ years, and people who had crossed his path just through living life, poured out their appreciation and respect for this single life.  For more than six (6) hours a steady line of people flowed through the funeral home saying their thank you's and farewells.  (I don't think the funeral home knew what hit them!)  For the trip to the cemetery, additional police escorts were called in to accommodate all of the cars.

I can't even begin to share how many stories I heard of the difference that this single life had made in the lives of so many. From hopping on a plane to visit injured players to "just" being a shoulder to cry on - this was an impact player in the game of life.

The name "Into the Field" came to be because we believe that we're all called to go out into the field and serve, and that the field for each of us is going to be different.  For Mr. Akin, the first priority field was his family.  Right behind that were his school and the soccer field (many, many, many soccer fields).

Whether you're serving around the corner or around the world, please don't forget the impact that YOU, a single life, can make.  Thank you, Mr. Akin, for reinforcing that to me!  You will be missed.

People of Action

At times it can be very overwhelming to me to see all of the need and hurting in the world. It makes me wonder if there is anything that I as an individual can do to make a difference, what impact can I have? As I was thinking about this and feeling, well, insignificant, the story of the little boy and the starfish came to mind. Those who know me well will tell you I'm not a great storyteller, but here's my take on it.

A little boy and an old man were walking down a beach. Occasionally the boy would bend down, pick up a starfish, and toss it back in the water. After watching him for a period of time, the old man said to the boy, "Why are you doing that? There are so many! You can't make a difference!". With that, the little boy bent down, picked up another one, tossed it back in the water, and replied, "I made a difference to that one."

Maybe it isn't about making an impact on huge numbers of people - maybe it is. But what kind of impact can you make on the life of one person? And what kind of impact can that person make on another?

I'm reading a book called The Travellers Gift by Andy Andrews. It is not only easy to read (it's a story), but it is filled with many great lessons and reminders. One of the comments in the book says, "Jehovah can move a mountain, we just need to be able and ready to move ourselves."

Will you choose to be a person of action? What kind of impact will you have on the life of another? You can do it. And so can I.

Come Together Now

In January the Nashville music community gathered at Ocean Way Studios and recorded this special song in support of Haiti! Check this out...sooooo powerful! You'll hear from Michael W Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Wynona, Mark Hall, Nicole C Mullen, Matt Maher, and MANY more!

100% of the proceeds of this song are being donated directly to Haiti relief efforts through The American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse.

Thank you to David Emmerson at 104.9 The River for sharing it with me via Facebook!

Come Together Now (Music City Unites For Haiti) from Music City Unites For Haiti on Vimeo.

Hope Hope Hope for Haiti!

I love it when a plan comes together!  Part of the vision of Into the Field is to be a facilitator between ministries, and that is exactly what is happening!

I've shared before about both Wild Olive Tees and Eyes Wide Open International, and how much of a fan I am of both. 

Now they're teaming up to make an impact on the lives of those surviving the devistating earthquake in Haiti!

Wild Olive Tees has designed a FANTASTIC new shirt!  100% of the proceeds from this "HOPE" shirt will go to Haiti via Eyes Wide Open International!

You also have the ability to purchase a shirt and have it donated to be taken down and delivered to a much deserving Haitian!

The shirt features Matthew 12:21: "...and His name will be the HOPE of all the world."

Check it out!

God in Motion!

There's a song that some of my friends will remember which goes, "It's a world that's changing faster everyday..."  Do you ever feel like that?  That the world is going by faster and faster?

What about the speed that God moves?  Sometimes I feel like I'm waiting and waiting and waiting for Him to do something - ANYTHING - and then all of a sudden BAM He kicks things into such a high gear that I'm afraid that there's no way that I can keep up. 

That's how I'm feeling right now.

The last 36 hours He's been working overtime - and its incredible!  As just a sample...

• Into the Field now has a fund - The Into the Field Servant Fund - with the Columbus Stewardship Foundation which allows us to receive cash as well as non-cash (i.e. stock, etc.) gifts.
• A significant gift that we were expecting for one of our Ministry Charity Projects ("MCP", a ministry we're working with that utilizes the 501c3 status of Into the Field for it's fundraising, support, etc.) not only came, but was DOUBLE the amount that we were expecting.
• Wild Olive Tees - which is an incredible t-shirt ministry started by an amazing friend of mine and two of her friends - has decided to design and sell a shirt whose proceeds will all go towards children in Haiti, and they've decided to donate the funds (and t-shirt donations) through another one of Into the Field's Ministry Charity Projects (Eyes Wide Open).  Not only will this generate important funds for the children of Haiti, but it will also increase the exposure of Into the Field and Eyes Wide Open International to a much larger and broader audience (which means we're now scrambling to get the EWOI website done by TOMORROW.
• I entered the last year of my 30's and am excited about it.
• Was able to connect Wild Olive Tees, Orphan World Relief (another MCP), and a local Christian media outlet...there may be some great and HUGE opportunities in front of us!
• Suddenly we're getting a lot of interest from people in participating in Team Up 4 Orphans - a charity running team (participating in the May 1 Cap City 1/2 Marathon in Columbus) raising money to benefit Doma International and orphans worldwide.
• Was offered an opportunity to promote chinaconnect (another MCP which is sharing the love of Christ to the people of China through service and relationship) to a group of servant-minded people.

And that's not even all of it!  WOW!  He's been busy and I'm exhausted and energized all at the same time!

Keep bringing it on, God!  I've got my XS Energy Drink and my Rhodiola and am ready to run!

Take a Stand

After college I traveled for a year with Up with People. During that amazing time we did a significant amount of work in schools - across 6 different countries.

One of the activities that we did was called "Take a Stand". Everyone began by lining up down the center of the room and we'd start of by saying "Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi?" Each preference would then step off the line and to their respective "side". Individuals where then given the opportunity to share why they took the stand they did. From the "Coke or Pepsi" question, depending on where we were and what topics were appropriate, the discussions went much deeper.

As a part of the "rules", there was no negative talk of "the other side", only a sharing, starting with "I like" or "I believe", of their position. The purpose was to 1) help reinforce that sometimes in life you can't live in the middle, and must take a stand for what you believe; 2) there is a right and wrong way to communicate your position; 3) in life there will always be people who believe differently from you, but it is possible, when all involved share the commitment, to build a relationship and communicate with each other; and, 4) you must be willing to "own" and provide a reason for why you believe what you do.

As we start a new year, I've been doing a lot of watching of the world around me, wondering why there are so many people who simply refuse to show respect for others (I'm kind of thinking that we need to do one big round of "Take a Stand"), and reflecting on what I believe.  During this season of new goals and resolutions, I encourage you to take the time to reflect and remind yourself what you believe, know why you believe it, and be willing to "Take a Stand" - the right way. 

"...always being prepared to make a defense to any who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15b