Optimistic China!

We’re down to the last three months on our sabbatical. We’ve enjoyed the fall, winter, and spring. Now summer is upon us. It too will go quickly, exuberantly.   It will be hard to leave this vision from our backyard, but leave we will.

We leave September 3rd for Kunming, China, a city of about six million. We’ve been able to rent a place from a family who are leaving in July and won’t be back until the end of the year. This apartment is a wonderful bridge into the city; we have a place to be for a while as we situate and get our bearings. Our apartment building alone contains about 10,000 people.

We plan to connect with a social action group called The Bridge (www.dawenchina.com). They offer marital, parenting, relationship, reconciliation, and social programs beneficial to the locals in and beyond Kunming. 
 
We’ve got a language software program thru Rosetta Stone in Mandarin. One of us has begun learning with that; the other is biding her time and will start when and with the Spirit’s nudging . We’re a great blend of apart togetherness, each respecting the other’s gifts and timing. We are moving ahead, one step at a time, trusting God to open the doors He has for us and keeping closed those He doesn’t want us to enter.

I just read an article on optimism in this week’s Time Magazine (June 6th, 2011). A good article. As it turns out, we optimists tend to live longer with less stress. Compared to pessimists, we take more vitamins, exercise more, earn and save more. We also underestimate risk. As Samuel Johnson said, we’re a triumph of hope over experience :).   It might be a little like this sign from a local slate quarry:

Practiced faith fuels optimism. We see beyond the grave and live out heaven well before we die. Faithful hearts are hard wired for optimism, resiliently turning lead into gold. We cheerfully live from approval, not for approval.   Much like this lightning-struck tree, perhaps, that didn't know it was supposed to be dead already.   All it knew was that God had planted it by a gurgling stream.

The UK has been delightful. China will be outrageously adventurous--a momentary faith journey. We’re confident there will be enough light for the next step in any case; that our faithful Father will get us Home before dark.

Thank you for providing us a canopy of prayer, keeping us safe from ourselves and the Devil. We need you to remember us as we travel through time and space, even as we remember you.

Hope for Persecuted Disciples

This past weekend we went to the annual conference for www.interserve.org.uk. The theme was “When Love Hurts.” We listened to a lot of speakers who moved our hearts and minds toward oneness with people who hurt. We learned that about 20 people are martyred for their faith every hour every day, about 450/day worldwide-- http://www.wordjourney.com/news/christian-news/contemporary-martyrs-christian-brethren/


We include a heart-breaking, heart-warming music video that will join your hearts with many-- 4.5 minutes long and worth your time to sit back and enjoy it.

One of the worst offenders is North Korea, the “Hermit Kingdom”. Self reliance is the state religion. Any other religion is highly subversive. If you don’t accept the Dear Leader as your supreme value you are likely to experience punishment. Life is about survival. Kim-Jong II, since 1994, has authority over all people; there is no freedom to speak.


We watched a video of a history high school teacher in Pyongyang as he talked about two of his students dying for hunger. He hugged them as they died and cried for them. After this he threw his text books on floor. Each of them had a picture of Dear Leader on them. The Party Secretary in the school walked by his office and witnessed this. She told him he was to be killed before day's end; he believed her. He fled, was arrested, beaten severely for days, escaped by jumping out of a 2nd story window, somehow made his way to the border, and swam the river into China. He's in South Korea now, a pastor; recently he learned that four brothers and his mother have been killed by government officials (see his video interview at www.releaseinternational.org/video

As he speaks there is no sense of this man feeling sorry for himself. He asks for prayer for food for the people there. Most Christians’ teeth are rotting, falling out due to lack of nutrition. He also asks we pray for  people might continue to have hope in Jesus--that they don’t give up. Pray North Korean guards would stop shooting escapees with high power rifles using sniper scopes as they climb out of the river in Chinese territory. Pray for effective lobbying for the North Korean ambassador in London by signing a petition for human rights improvements (sign it online by clicking on www.releaseinternational.org/current).

We listened to many other stories of people who are persecuted for their faith in countries around the world—Egypt, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Sudan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Prison, discrimination, loss of voting rights, property rights, rationing rights, death--this is the daily life of millions of Christians. We were told that among the persecuted there is a saying, “Every believer, a disciple; every disciple, a worker for Jesus”. We're reminded of our personal discipleship goals, expressed well by Ed Cole’s statement:

I am a Disciple

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line.

The love of God controls me. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple

of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning,

smooth and ease, colorless dreams, mundane talking, cheap giving, and

dwarfed roles.

I no longer need prosperity, position, promotion, preeminence, or

popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or

rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk in patience, live by

prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is the Kingdom of God. My road

is narrow. My way is rough. My companions few. My guide reliable. My

mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,

deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of

adversaries, negotiate at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of

mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up until I've stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up, for the cause of Christ.

I must go until He comes, give until I drop, teach until all know, run

until He stops me.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

        As I was thinking of posting this blog today this rainbow at the top of this page appeared in the sky over our backyard, the Good Shepherd statue from near this week's conference came to my mind, and the lambs below cuddled next to their mom outside our window. Hopeful, I’d say.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Higher Ground

Gaining perspective comes at a cost. Typically it means getting to higher ground. Small minded managers put their heads down and clear low-lying swamps. Visionaries climb hills, gains perspective, and say, “hey, that’s the wrong swamp!”

Higher ground mostly is harder ground.   Once gained, easier to hold.  But to get it?   Effort, courage, sacrifice--all the stuff that separates out good folks from great folks.   We're called to greatness.   So I listen and walk up, best I know how.

Today was spent in part climbing up through gloriously green forests, listening.  memorizing John 17.  Tucking away new perspectives from Jesus’ own lips.  He was certainly locked into a march of obedience up a steep Calvary hill in that chapter and beyond.   He had to hang on to his Father like this tree to its rock.

Just as Eskimos have many words for snow, folks here in the Lake District have many for green. Jesus had many words for growth: abiding in him, eating him as living Bread, following him as Good Shepherd, obeying him as Lord.

I’m aware that as I spend a lot of time listening to him—thru scripture memory, podcasts, spoken books stored on my phone, prayer—that if I don’t listen with a view toward obedience, my listening is delusional. I begin to hear things very clearly that are not so.

As I listen with an eye forward toward Obedience Pasture, with the sheep below, then commandments become songs that I actually like to sing. “And it came to pass that as he went he received his sight….”

Can Ewe attach?

Not all mama ewes, not all mamas, accept their young.


A full measure of longing has filled my heart and mind for months. The longing has impregnated my heart over the past several years. It’s grown bigger within me as I revisit dates I inserted alongside passages in my Bible. These passages were promises that one day I’d spend a year in the Lake District of England during lambing season.

I look out the windows of where I live. Green pastures beside the still waters. Mama sheep and their young, right there before my eyes. He restores my soul. The Spirit of the Living God dwells in the fulfillment of these promises, giving birth to these pregnant longings. Gratitude fills me. His name is Faithful One, the Great Shepherd who tends all we like sheep who have gone astray. Seeking and then finding us. There’s great joy in being found.

              You know these moments, too. You recognize the expressed moments when you are discovered. You and I both grow in knowing and being known. We also grow in faith when given an experience through no effort of our own! These few months, which He has permitted, make me feel known by my Father.

Joy giggles out of me as I watch newborn and toddler lambs run top speed in little gang groups, going so fast, their little bodies lift off the ground with all four legs wriggling in the pure air On Higher Ground. Gaining new heights every day! Their mamas seemingly enjoy the freedom to graze and chew their cuds as their lambs busy themselves with the pack-to-play, in so doing, learning the skills in becoming a flock that works together.

Yet, alas. There are other heart captivating moments. Like the mama who refused to give her body and milk to her newborn. David, the Scottish shepherd who lives in the flat over us, placed them in a smaller pen just outside our windows. All day the mama chewed away at the dwindling bits of grass tucked between rocks. Each time the lamb moved toward her she furiously ate more, moving away from her lamb. Hours this went on.

Late in the day I walked out to the fence. I chatted with mama and lamb; but knowing how little good this would do, I began to sing and pray over her, her fearful and defiant reluctance. “Shepherd of Love bring peace to this terrified mom, settle her with the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit.” “Little lamb, press on, don’t give up,” as she sat down, bleating in hunger. Nothing changed.

The shepherd moved them into the barn, tightening the boundaries even more, and four times a day, he’d strap the ewe, and by so tethering her, the lamb could suck. I found myself waking in the night, “Father, please, make a way, remove all obstacles, and bring mama and baby lamb together. I ask it in Jesus’ name!” “And, God, while You are at it, please do this for many human moms and their infants and toddlers… even if those are grown people now. Bring Your Mercy and Kindness to bear fruit for them as well.”

Vance inquired of David, the shepherd, “can I go in and help? My wife is praying they will accept each other.” “No!” he grumped. “It’s okay, God; You work while we trust and pray.”

One week ago, as I walked near the newly appointed newborn pasture, across the road, I stopped to talk with our shepherd. As we amiably talked, he offered, “See that one there? She’s the one who wouldn’t let the lamb suck. She’s fine now… look at them. I chained her down and she finally got used to it.” I added, “well, I’ve been praying, too.” Chuckling, he turned and walked off saying, it was the chaining her down that worked. I said, “Well, between all you did and what God did, they made it.” Off he walked enjoying his part of the success.

And, for me? “I praise You Father, I praise You, Jesus! You did it. You did it! They are making it.” “I’m so proud of You, God! You answered prayer and saved the mama and the lamb. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!”

“She’s okay now.” I just praised God that “between David’s expertise and prayer, and singing, the two bonded “enough” and the little lamb is growing. And, the little lamb that I am is glowing! What a tough go it was for them. How it broke my heart. How much I learned about myself as I leaned into this story and truth… how much I learned about my Lord as well… how He lays down His Life so we can live. That we must reduce ourselves to be very little, “humble,” that we can live off Him and His nourishing life-giving work for us. Only trust Him. Only trust Him. Only trust Him now. He will save you… He will feed you… He will save you now.” --bjs

The Lamb of God

Today was typical spring Lake District weather—rain, fog, clouds, sun dancing in and out.   Bethyl and I went for a long ramble in the emerald valley between Hard Knott Pass and Wry Nose Pass.   We watched a ewe drop the second of her two lambs right in front of us.  The farmer was passing as we were watching, asked if there was any trouble, and I said, “maybe so; she just dropped another lamb, but it’s not moving yet.”   He went over, swung the lamb around by the hind legs, and laid it out in front of the mom.  She started licking off the birthing sack and the little lamb just raised its head up to greet its mom and the new world. 

  Not only are lambs popping out, but also God’s magic of waking up what was once dead under winter snows.   The once imaginary hope for the flowers is now sensible, tangible, fragrant.   Faith in the seasons comes from faith in the Creator, that Lamb of God shown so poignantly by Michael Belk in his work (http://thejourneysproject.com/ ).  Look carefully at the Main Course.

Thank you, Jesus, for not quitting on us, for your work of atonement even in the midst of my frequent unbelief or inattention.   Happy Easter, folks.  Truly, Happy Resurrection Day.

Spring in Grasmere

The land is mirrored by His hand



The lake is colored by His land


Eyes closed to Love less beauty see


And live less joy to get self free.


Yet in His yoke, the Shepherd King,


Can this lamb jump and join the Spring.

 

"A loveless world," said Jesus, "is a sightless world.  If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him--we'll move right into the neighborhood!" John 14:23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The resurrected I-phone

Yesterday God resurrected and morphed my I-phone into his God-Phone. I’d dropped it by mistake into a creek during a rainy ramble a few days ago. After I let out a shout (lacking in praise), I fished it out and blew it out best I could, but to no avail. Dead duck in the water. I brought it home, plugged it into a charger, put it in front of a hair dryer, etc. Only then did I google, “what do you do with a water damaged phone?” I found I’d done all the wrong things. I didn’t take out the sim card, didn’t take out the battery, didn’t leave it unplugged, didn’t do this and that and the next thing. Only thing I did right, at that point, was to put it in a bag of rice and let it sit. It sat in the bowels of the earth 3 days and 3 nights.




And then, low and behold, after much prayer on my wife’s part (because I was an unbeliever), it resurrected! God saw Bethyl’s faith and healed something in me. Thank you, Spirit of God, thank you, faithful wife. So from now on when I look at this extension of my right hand, I’ll praise God and be thankful for my praying and believing wife.  When she's not busy looking at ewe's lambing, she's praying for you and for me. (And, by the way, lambing season is upon us, with white fluff on pogo sticks bouncing around emerald pastures.)

I too have a mustard seed of faith, but this iphone business felt too selfish to pray for with confidence. Pray for others, God’s kingdom work to advance, healing for sin—but an iphone?

He gets the glory for his grace to us all, in spite of our casual contempt for His sovereignty with grumbling worry & disbelief.