Josi’s Story – a Lesson in Spiritual Math

Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. (Proverbs 1.8)

Proverbs 1.8 and 9 present us with a simple equation for a successful life. In it there are three and ideally four factors. The formula looks like this: Attentive Son/Daughter + Instructive Father + Teaching Mother + Caring God = Blessing and Success. Subtract anything from this formula and trouble is the result.

In missionary work we encounter “bad math” almost weekly. In fact we began to sum up the tragedy of sin when our lives factored into the lives of neighborhood kids here in Brazil. However, let me correct this story problem, broken families are not a product of Brazil alone. Fractured lives are the norm in our world.

One story that touched me in particular was Josi’s (not her real name). When I first met her she was wandering the street with her scruffy dog. She had a bag slung over her shoulder. She was wearing ragged gray pants, a filthy black and white checkered flannel shirt and a tattered and crumpled hat. The hat looked like she had stolen it from a little old man. It was definitely not feminine nor petite.

That day as I handed out invitations for our coming Vacation Bible School I approached a small group of four or five kids which included Josi. All willingly accepted my slip of paper but I skipped over Josi. She didn’t seem to fit the 7 to 12 age limit we’d proposed for our VBS.

But just as I passed her by she called my attention to her extended grubby hand. “Where’s my invitation?” she implored. “How old are you?” I asked. “Eleven!” was her belligerent reply. I’d misjudged her age by four years and she let me know it with a quick scowl.

Her’s was a sad story. Josi had been abandoned at birth, left on her “father’s” doorstep in a basket. Father, is in quotes because he never claimed responsibility for her birth. His was a one night stand with her mother. Josi’s mom gave birth and immediately rejected any motherly love, care and responsibility for her upbringing.

From that group of kids only Josi came to VBS. She came every day. In fact the first day she appeared at our door in a driving rain with a rumpled umbrella asking if she could come in. It was noon and VBS started at 2:00PM!

During the week Josi brought ten of her ruffian friends who all professed faith in Jesus in the coming weeks. Just after VBS she began coming to Sunday School. She asked Jesus to be her savior. Three times over the next three years! It looked like her story was going to be the perfect missionary story. It made for some great “Prayer Letters”.

Seven years have passed since my “chance” meeting with Josi. Solomon’s equation was never a part of her life. She had no loving instruction from her father. She had no mother to teach her. And Josi had a temper which negated her taking wise counsel from her pastors. With the equation compromised Josi was lost.

It’s not new math. Solomon’s advice is positive. Josi’s story is negative. My choice to follow Solomon’s advice or Jose’s story can make all of the difference in how my story problem turns out.

Who Are You (Part 3)

The LORD… layeth the foundation of the earth (Zechariah 12.1)

I’ve been commenting on this interesting passage for the last two days. It is found in Zechariah 12.1 and it has connotations for you and me.

The passage is a “comment” from Jehovah God to the nation of Judah. It is a brief introductory statement that we might breeze over in our daily reading schedules. It comes deep within the tiny book of Zechariah and if we are actually on a yearly Bible reading schedule we don’t get to it until December. Or at least in my case that is how it came.

In our hurry to get the passage checked off it is a split second read. However, within it God speaks incomprehensible volumes about his power and his relationship to man. Look at it again:

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Zechariah 12:1

God stretches out the Universe like a sheet. He lays the foundation of the earth. Stop!

How many of you have built a house? I don’t mean how many of you have had a house built. I mean how many have built a house with your own hands? I see that hand.

Building takes planning. It takes resources including money, tools and strength. A lack in any of this list of three and the house doesn’t get built. Building also requires a place.

One thing that I have learned as a missionary is that building, whether spiritual or physical is very difficult. The plan is necessary and needs to be executed precisely at all costs. Part of the plan must include a proper foundation without which the building is compromised.

My friend Celso and I started and finished the construction of the outer shell of Hope Baptist Church in Sorocaba. On the first day after the earth mover had done it’s work in leveling the lot Celso began to  lay out the building. He showed me how in the process as he staked off a corner and began triangulation. If we were off in this step the whole structure would be endangered.

Neither Celso nor I were builders. That is the scary part. However, God in his mercy helped us to be on target in this important step of the construction process. A builder friend who later came to look at our work said with a grin, “You guys were off! But just by a little.” I was happy.

God was not off by an inch. The Universe is immense but the placement of our earth is exact. We get just the right amount of sun to sustain life. The earth tilts in its rotation so as to heat and cool in the right season. Where there is too much sun there is little more than sand. The gravitational pull is enough but not too much.

What was the foundation that God used for this precise construction  project? Nothing less than His Word! Scientifically the earth is in what is called free-fall trough space. The book of Hebrews chapter one and verse three says, however:

[Jesus] being the brightness of his [God’s] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power…

And Colossians 1.7 adds the following: And [Jesus] is before all things, and by him all things consist. The word consist means to hold together.

Talking to a friend recently about creation she made a startling statement. She said that, “God spoke the Word in creation and that Word is what is still holding everything together.” I had never looked at creation like that before but Zechariah 12.1 proves her statement. Notice that the three verbs are gerunds! God is stretching the heavens, laying the foundations of the earth and forming man’s spirit! God’s word is so powerful that he not only built the house he holds it all together with just his word!

God who stretches out the heaves and formed the world love you and me. How do I know? Let’s finish our study tomorrow!

Did God Suffer from Empty Nest Syndrome?

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3.17)

The Holidays bring with them not only much anticipation of church programs, choir presentations and time with family and friends, they also bring anxiety. Those who are separated from aforementioned traditions find adjusting to their new surroundings difficult.

Soldiers, for example, find themselves a million miles from home and familiar holiday happenings. The “other-culture” of their new home away from home lacks the feel of Christmas and the hugs from loved ones. Not only do they fight a foreign enemy they fight their very foreign emotions and emptiness.

Missionaries too struggle with this drama. Their feelings are pacified some what when the whole immediate family is on the field together. When the nest becomes empty those feelings run raw. We’ve been through this choice experience for two year now and have earned a new facet on the jewel of our lives. We can identify with those who have or will soon experience these feelings.

With Christmas upon us once again a thought came to me, “What was it like for God when Jesus left heaven to be born in Bethlehem? Did the Almighty feel ‘Empty-Nest’ syndrome?”

I can hear the theologians who read my blog sighing collectively just now. All one of them! Or are they snickering? I don’t believe that there are many theologians who read my blog. And that is just fine with me.

A theologian would be quick to remind me that God cannot “suffer”. God is above suffering. He is outside of his creation and time. God is immutable, which is a theological term meaning, “unchanging.” God has no needs, he is unaffected by anything but himself. Our God is sovereign. He is in complete control of everything all of the time. He is never taken by surprise by any one, any thing or any circumstance. He is omnipresent. Which means that he is everywhere present in all of his being. How could God feel alone?

Amen! With my limited theological studies I would have to acquiesce to the learned theologians. But I still wonder. I hear God speaking in the Word at times and I wonder. I’d like continue this thought tomorrow? Hope that you’ll come back to hear the rest of my musings.

Feliz Natal

Wishing one a Merry Christmas often seems a trivial pursuit. “Wishing” seems so fantasy like. However, my WordWeb dictionary assures me that wishing is a valid way to Invoke upon you all the very best of this lovely day.

Wherever you find yourself remember to look to the Savior. He loves you and thus left Heaven to rescue you from yourself. He gave himself up for you so that you might give yourself back to him.

Think about that one. Jesus the Creator, King and God left heavens glory to be born into a fragile, limiting and humble body because he loves you. He suffered the weakness of infancy, the dependence of childhood, the awkwardness of the teen years and the poverty of adulthood to demonstrate his love.

He mounted a rude cross and let spike, whose molecules he was holding together, be driven into his wrists and ankles. Then he died. Why? It was the ultimate demonstration of his love.

Just last week a little girl from our church came up to me after Sunday school and shoved a roughly folded and crumpled piece of paper into my hand. I hesitated to take it at first but when she said, “Take it! It’s for you!” I couldn’t resist. I opened it and looked at the childish scribble. There was a sun between two clouds an ocean and scrawling words that read, “Feliz Natal Pastor Miguel.”

That simple act from the hands of a little girl who comes to church in rags was a tear-jerker. It was an expression of love. It probably took her all of five minutes to think it up and draw it out yet it touched my heart greatly.

How much more should what Christ did be received and cherished. If you have the privilege of holding a baby today or in the coming week, think of Jesus the Christ child. He was that frail for you. If you know Him cherish your relationship. If you don’t know Him, why not? He couldn’t have done anymore than he’s already done to help you to have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas. So then, Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Follow the Man with the Bucket (Part Two)

Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: Follow him (Mark 14.13)

Yesterday we left Evangelist Bill Bathman and his small group of Bible smugglers stranded in an icy Russian city. They were there to deliver precious cargo to Comrade X. An unknown man in an unnamed city. Let’s pick up where we left off.

Entering the city limits on that cold, damp evening the Americans noticed something that caught all of them by surprise. There along one of the narrow, dingy sidewalks, trudging slowly but deliberately was a young man. What shocked everyone was that this shadowy figure was carrying what looked to be a bucket of water! It was an unusual scene especially in light of the Bible passage that the group had just read.

Bill looked in amazement and glancing at his friends he whispered, “Let’s follow him!” So, off they went trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. They kept their distance but made their way steadily creeping along the twisting icy streets of this unknown Russian city.

What riveted their attention to this young man was that water bucket. Carrying water in Bible times was virtually unheard of. It was thought to have been “woman’s work.” The same was true in 1960s Russia. Men did other things. They didn’t carry water! But here they were. A small car full of Americans in Cold War Russia with a trunk full of precious heavenly cargo following, of all things, a water toting Russian man.

The trek seemed to take an eternity as the tiny entourage snaked along. They finally rounded a corner and noted that the young man had entered a narrow and darkened doorway. Cautiously, Bill exited the tiny car. He made his way to that entry and lightly tapped its frozen surface with his bare fist while holding his breath and whispering a prayer for protection.

As the door opened Bill noticed that the entry led up a set of narrow steps that disappeared into the darkness, apparently to an “upper room.” The slender figure that had answered the door asked, “May I help you?” with his heavy Russian accent. Bill whispered, “I’m looking for Comrade X.” The man’s reply stunned him as he whispered back, “I’m Comrade X.” “We have Bibles” Bill stuttered. “Come into my apartment.” came Comrade’s reply. Bill climbed those weather worn steps with anticipation and as he stepped into a large sparsely furnished “upper room” he nearly broke into worshipful tears of praise to God. 

God had sovereignly directed this tiny group to the exact house and one individual in that vast tundra called Russia.

Bill ended his talk to us that night by meditating on a phrase from Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, “ But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God… as unknown, and yet well known” (2Corinthians 6:4,9).

Do you feel like a number, a statistic, a nobody? To this world you might be. But if you are one of God’s blood bought children you are, “Unknown and yet well known” by the One who matters. So, carry on with the understanding that you labor in the Lord is never in vain nor unnoticed.

Private Acts

Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Matthew 26.13

Our tiny church of twenty-five has tiny everything. We have a tiny orchestra, a tiny kids choir and even tiny hymnbooks. Saturday we took our tiny production on the road to present our Christmas Cantata in front of the bakery across the street from our house.

The kids did a very nice job. The music was lovely and the play was adorable. The story of Christmas was presented clearly and plainly.

The only problem that I noted was that there was nobody there to hear and watch it all. Sure the baker was there; his helper was there too. But in the end it seems that it was bad timing on our part. 2:00 PM is not the busiest time to be at a bakery.

Usually our street is so busy that one fears for their life as they try to cross it on foot. Both Dawn and I have almost been hit by speeding cars. Saturday however, during our twenty minute presentation, only four cars passed. It was as if our Cantata was a private act. How could it have any affect. How could any good come from it?

In Matthew 26 we read of a private act that gained historic and worldwide recognition. Just after dinner with his disciples and while still reclining at the table, Jesus is approached by a woman. In the presence of his men, the home owner and his family, she anoints Jesus with costly perfume.

You know the story. Though it was a relatively private act of worship it became a historic event. Why? Because Jesus brought attention to it. Jesus said, roughly translated, “Where the Gospel is preached what this woman did in worship will be shared.” Her private act rings through the corridors of History. Her act was recorded by the Holy Spirit inspired Gospel writers and now, where ever one goes in our busy world, the story is familiar.

What about our choir presentation? We’re just a small church of twenty-five people. On Saturday we presented to a baker and his helper. I am certain that we will not get world wide recognition. Unless of course Jesus calls attention to our simple private act of worship. What affect will that private act have? I don’t know yet. But one thing that I do know, you’re reading about it! And where are you in this BIG old world?

He Made Us

it is he that hath made us [we are his] Psalm 100.3

If I come to the understanding that God made me the battle is won. I recognize that the owner has exclusive rights over the direction and future of his creation. He made and owns the product.

In the States this right is called a copyright. A copyright says that a specific item has been placed on the market in a certain format and that format cannot be messed with. A copyright protects the consumer’s purchase and the manufacturer’s investment.

Here in Brazil there are problems with copyrights. The phrase, “Made in Paraguay” has similar connotations to the phrase, “Made in China” and it usually means that an item has been cloned with inferior material. You can buy a brand new pair of Nike tennis shoes and they look authentic but they are very cheap and won’t last long because they are imitations.

There are imitation believers too. They come to church looking pretty with their bibles and their offerings but they are not the genuine article. They won’t last very long either because God didn’t make them. They are copyright infringements. They are Christian clones.

When I recognize God’s authorial rights I understand that I have certain obligations to him. I am God’s creation and I owe him my heart, my being and my all. I allow him total rights. I am his.

There is a guarantee there. I can’t be messed with. I have a future and it is no imitation, imagination nor dream. My future is real and is protected by much more than a copyright. My future is sealed with God’s Holy Spirit. It cannot be changed, cloned nor negated. With God there is NO junk. He made me and I am His. I like that!

Water Walk 3

Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14.25)

I’m still thinking about Jesus Water Walk. The actual account in Matthew 14 is short but it is a fascinating account that needs to be pondered by more than just Sunday school teachers using flannel-graph.

I was on a boat in Michigan’s north years ago. Do you know Hubbard Lake? It is amazingly about the same size as the Sea of Galilee. My family was making an early fall visit to the in-laws. They had a speed boat and so we decided to take it for a spin.

That was a big mistake! The waves were huge and the wind was bitter. It started to rain and we got soaked. The choppy water jarred our bones and we were all whipped by the time that we got back to the cabin. Imagine that same scene with out a 100hp Johnson motor pushing you through those rough seas!

These memories bring me to another thought about Jesus amazing miracle.

• Progress on our own can be slow and seemingly futile.

Jesus sent his disciples by boat ahead of him. In fact it seemed as if he was rushing them to go. However, he knew all along that they would spend the night in a futile effort. Why did he do that?

He is the Master pilot. Jesus does nothing by accident. He does nothing without knowing why he is doing it. His purpose for my life is to mold and make me into someone who will bring glory to him. He knows the steps or oar strokes that it will take to get there.

What actually happened because of the trouble that they went through? I can see three things.

• They had time to think about the miracle of the loaves that Jesus had preformed and their part in it.
• They worshiped him and
• They recognized for the first time that he was the Son of God.

Have you ever heard of “foxhole religion”? It often happens in wartime. In fear of dying a person comes into a better understanding of who God is. It happened with the miners in Chile. During the seventeen days before their first contact with the outer world they came to a realization that they were in God’s’ hands. They realized that they might never see family and friends again and they began to think seriously about God.

Did you realize that there is not a person on earth that doesn’t know that God exists? Take a look at Romans 1.19,20. But at times it takes a bad storm to get people’s attention. God in his mercy sends us into the storm so that we might recognize his power, presence and person. And that brings me to the next thought but I’ll hold it until tomorrow.

Water Walk 2

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea (Matthew 14.25)

Yesterday I spent some thinking about the Water Walk that Jesus took just after feeding the 5000. No one before nor since has accomplished such a feat. Though not too long ago I saw this really cool huge blow-up clear plastic ball.

A person can get into the ball and when it is inflated they can actually try their hand, or feet as the case might be, at water walking. The demonstration that I saw looked hard. The girl had a tough time keeping her balance and kept falling on her face.

Mentioning balance, this thought has crossed my mind from time to time, was Jesus making the water hard or did he make himself light? If the water was hard was it difficult to go up and down the waves? If he was light my question is the same. I’m sure that I’m getting too detailed, or maybe too silly, but these questions have puzzled me.

Here are some of my more serious thoughts about what we can learn from this miracle. I’m going to be adding some of my ideas over the next few days. If you’ve pondered this miracle’s lessons add your thoughts as comments.

• Jesus doesn’t keep us from all of life’s storms. In fact some times he compels us into them.

These two facts when understood will help me not to loose heart or faith when trouble comes. Life can bring hardship and difficulty and few people are sheltered from trouble. However, if we keep Jesus’ words in mind Be of good cheer. Be not afraid, it is I we will be better able to weather the storms that come our way. He helps us in ways that only he can.

I remember one time during the construction of Calvary Baptist Church where this fact hit me. It was a very hot day and we were working on the steel trusses for the new building. I had volunteered to be one of the guys who tightened down the bolts as the trusses were hoisted into place by a huge crane.

As I hung there, twenty feed above the concrete floor with my arms hugging the quickly warming steel, I noticed that I was beginning to sweat profusely. My sweating, the heat of the sun on that steel and my fatigue spelled TROUBLE. I tried to grip the steel tighter but the hot metal was broiling my arms.

I whispered a quick prayer, “Father, I am one of your children. I am here to do your work. Please protect me from harm and help me not to fall!”

A thought quickly popped into my head, “I sent my own Son to die a cruel death on the cross.” I was not comforted with that reflection and gripped the beam tighter. If God sent Jesus to die why should he save my life? It was a sobering moment.

God doesn’t owe me anything. The fact that he has let me live, come to know him in a personal way and allowed me to serve him is enough. These are all gifts of his grace. When trouble comes he is with me. That is all of the comfort that I need.

Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 12.9 when speaking about his thorn in the flesh, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Paul’s response was a classic and should be adopted by me when life’s storms come. He said, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If you are God’s child he is with you. He may not always protect you from every trial or trouble but he will help you through each. If you are not his child he is not with you. Psalm 1.6 tells us that. That is something to think about.

Mission Impossible (Send in the Mercenaries)

These twelve Jesus sent forth (Matthew 10.4)

I’m thinking that the list of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10 is given in the order that they were paired for their first mission. I may be wrong but if this is fact take a look at the last pairing, Simon the Canaanite and Judas, who also betrayed him. What a pair of mercenaries!

Jesus called his men and gave them instructions. They were all given great powers. They could and would heal the sick, raise the dead and cure lepers. All of that power and we hear precious little of the miracles that they did during this campaign (cf Mark 6.13, 30 and Luke 9.10).

What were Simon and Judas like? These two men were chosen by the Lord for specific purposes and both were in the inner circle, the twelve. Yet both had ominous designations.

Simon the Zealot is mentioned rarely. In fact his occupation as a disciple is described only in the listings of their names in Matthew 10.4, in Mark 3.18, Luke 6.15 and Acts 1.13. In three of the lists he can’t escape being coupled with Judas (Matthew, Mark and Acts). Even after the betrayer’s death Simon is paired with Judas son of James (Thaddeus).

Judas the betrayer is always last on the list of the disciples. Judas speaks a few times in Scripture; the first time in John 12.5 where both he and the Apostle John reveal his true character as a thief. The remainder of his words come as a part of the betrayal evening.

These two mercenaries traveled together as a team of miracle workers. Imagine the wonders that they wrought. Imagine the thrill of raising a dead one or healing a paralytic! Imagine the banter between them as traveled from village to village. When things are exciting teamwork is fun and exhilarating. When things go right there are glories and stories to share and tell.

Let’s set God’s sovereign purpose aside for a moment and think about these two men. God’s chosen. What drove them apart?

At the end of their mission we know that Judas betrayed and Simon stayed. What made the difference in the paths that they chose? We know that both had a destiny to fulfill but what was going on in their minds that drove them to two extremes?

I accepted Jesus as my Savior on October 30, 1960. This year will mark my fiftieth spiritual birthday. Back then I heard a Bible lesson, wanted to ask Jesus into my heart and did so. Why was I so privileged? Good parents? Good church? Free country? Freedom to hear the Gospel preached? Yes five times over. But why this interjection into our thoughts about Simon and Judas? Because God was at work in all of our decisions.

All three of us had decisions to make along our life’s journey. The end results of those decisions lead us to different extremes. Simon and I to the extreme of following Jesus. Judas to the extreme of his audacious betrayal. The tree of us made choices and we will all suffer the consequences of those choices.

Now, back to God’s sovereignty. All three of us were destined to complete an impossible mission. That mission? To bring God glory.

You too are on an Impossible Mission. You too will bring glory to God. The question is, on whose team will you end up, Simon the zealot’s or Judas the betrayer’s? Your mission, should you decide to accept it (or not) is destiny.