Your Couch is on Fire

I don't know if I'm a slow learner or if it takes all of us well into our adulthood to know and figure out our spiritual gifts.

I'm trying to prevent this in my children -- and verbalize what spiritual gifts I see in them. I'm not much of a visionary, so it's up to them to hear how God wants to use it in their lives, but I do think identifying your own gifts is the first step.

Partly because some vague gifts we don't realize that other people don't have.

So it is with my own gift of discernment.

In trying to put words to how I consider this, I began to think about each of us as a house -- no, not AS BIG AS a house. But each of us, our beings, our souls, what makes us who we are, is a house.

I think most people spend most of their relationships on the front porch. Not in the “sit on the front porch and rock” good kind of way. In the “I don’t really want you in my house, so let’s stand on the porch and talk about the weather, my landscaping, good movies, other people, and how awesome my kids are” kind of way.

I'm learning that a few people don't ever go into their own homes at all -- too painful, perhaps, too disorderly... but they simply can't walk in there at all. Not even in the quiet of their own thoughts.

So there they are on the porch. I stroll by, seeing how our relationship is going.

This is where my discernment has gotten me in trouble more times than I care to think about.

Discernment allows me to see in your windows. Not necessarily all the way to your junk closet -- but I can tell if you have a junk closet or not, and if it's bulging at the hinges or if you clean it out periodically. I can peek into parts of your house you may already know but don't want to talk about... or you may have no idea because you don't want to know.

Being helpful, I think you should know:

"Um... your couch is on fire... would you like some help putting that out? I'll go with you to get water, call the fire department... I'll even help you pick out a new couch!"

"What??" you reply. "I don't have a couch! Don't be ridiculous! Hey, did you see the new flip flops I got? Did you hear about the awesome award my kid got? What about that new TV series? Aren't you watching it?"

"Uh... yeah... all those things are great. But, seriously. Your couch? Totally ablaze in there. Can I help you with that?"

And now I have crossed the line. Because people who don't go inside their own houses don't want to hear about what's going on in there. And they give me all kinds of reasons that I may THINK their couch may be on fire, but it actually isn't. And our relationship is quite icy from there on out.

Just as we have to teach children it's rude to look into other people's windows, so we must teach those with discernment to play the game and pretend not to see... until the person is ready to see. It's rude to look into other people's windows. Not everyone is ready for what is in there.

“Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” 1 Cor. 14:12

Sarah Stirman

McKinney, Texas

The Wheelchair: A Metaphor

My brother, Steve Greek, was a missionary to the deaf population in Kenya, East Africa for about twelve years.  He and his wife Claudia now live in Pioneer, Tennessee (I believe because the Appalachians in Tennessee are as close to Kenya as he can achieve in the United States), where they are school teachers.  Most summers, Steve and Claudia return to Kenya for several weeks to assist with the continued missionary work they began many years ago.  Following is a story from a culture not like our fast-paced United States but still recognizable world-wide by other Christians. I just received the story from Steve via email.  His accompanying email message was as follows:

“I am walking around rural Kenya with a laptop in front of me searching for a network signal as if I am looking for water with a divining rod.  People are polite, but I think they are thinking wazungu are crazy.”  The story followed and I am just attaching his message entitled The Wheelchair: A Metaphor because I believe it is important for all of us to realize the far-reaching effects of our efforts to spread the Good News.

Kimani gave me a bear hug.  A slight, middle aged man of about 115 pounds, he surprised me with this display of affection, or appreciation, or simple joy at seeing an old friend.  His wife stood beside him holding one daughter in her arms while her other daughter gripped her skirt and stared up at my Mzungu (caucasion) face.  Kimani took the child from his wife’s arms so she could greet me.  Hers was also a warm greeting.  I was surprised when she touched the left side of her face to my right cheek and repeated the action on the other side of my face.  This is a relatively new greeting that is used in Christian communities and among very close friends.  Both of them stepped back and reached for my hand to initiate a more traditional greeting of a very warm and aggressive handshake.

After swinging our hands back and forth for about thirty seconds with prolonged eye contact, Kimani motioned to his two daughters.  After releasing our hand clasp, we were able to communicate through Kenyan Sign Language.  Both parents are deaf.  One of the daughters speaks Swahili, Kikuyu, and is now learning English in preschool.  Her twin sister was deprived of oxygen at birth, and some profound mental and physical impairments have become apparent since her traumatic entry into the world of her hearing impaired parents.  When I grabbed Kimani’s daughter’s palsied hand with a Swahili greeting of “Habari!” she smiled a bright, beautiful smile that spoke her answer, “Nzuri! (Good!)  The whole family was attending the annual KDPL (Kenya Deaf Prayer and Learning) meeting being hosted by Sam’s Place near Rongo, Kenya.  

They were excited to see Claudia and me for a number of reasons.  We are old friends! We have known Charles Kimani for over twenty years having worshiped together at a deaf church in Eldoret, Kenya years ago.  But also, they associate us with the purchase of a wheelchair for their daughter.  Ironically, Claudia and I did not pay for the wheelchair, but we received all of the thanks!  Last year, when we received the request for this assistance, we mentioned it to a few people, and within days, funds were available to buy the marvelous machine.  

It seems this story is a metaphor for most of the work that missionaries do.  We have the privilege of standing beside dear people from faraway lands, sharing good news and delivering loving gestures of kindness.  We also learn and benefit in amazing ways through extended time in these host cultures. We are able to enjoy a depth of relationship with God’s children in other lands which comes from shared experiences that are made possible by a sending church, loving friends, and dear family.  Yet those who make these interactions possible may never be able to exchange handshakes, or share meals, or sing and worship under the same roof (or tree) with all the beneficiaries of their expressions of love.  

So on behalf of Kimani and his wife, their children and their friends, and our new brothers and sisters in Kenya, we give thanks to all those who have supported the work among the deaf and hearing people of this beautiful country.  Thank you for the wheelchair! Thank you for supporting the National Meeting of the Deaf and sharing the financial burden of a Gospel Meeting in Marera. Thank you for your participation in a women’s meeting in Bwaliro.  Thank you for 200 Bibles that present holy scriptures to people in their native language (Dholuo). Thank you for feeding hundreds of people, caring for widows and orphans, facilitating employment possibilities, and sharing Good News of eternal life through Jesus the Savior.  You are vessels of mercy, the instruments through which Christ-like love is flowing to the people of Kenya and all of God’s creation so that Jesus will be “a blessing to all nations.”  Asante Sana!  (Thank you very much!)

Steve and Claudia Greek

Steve and Claudia are not supported by Graham Street Church of Christ, but several other missionaries do receive assistance for their special works.  We rarely witness the changes in lives that result from our monetary contributions, but they are extensive.  I love seeing the children give their “Coins for Cargo” each Sunday morning. The children are sharing their blessings.

Dear God, Please be with us each day.  Help us to share our blessings with others who are in need!

Sherilyn Svien
Stephenville, Texas

What's the "Normal" in Your Home?

I recently read what happens everyday in your home defines what normal becomes for your family.  Things that become part of the daily rhythm are things our families will come to believe are most important.

In Deut. 6:5-9 it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The bible is full of examples of how God used families to tell his story.  Today the Father's love can be developed through the rhythm of our busy schedules to become a normal part of our daily lives in our homes by how we pursue God, how we love our spouses and children, how we treat each other, how we spend our money, how we work, and how we communicate.

Our responsibility is to point our household in God's direction.  If we prepare our children to leave home as faithful and responsible servants, God will do the rest.

So how you doing in keeping God normal in your home?

Carla Henson
Tuscola, Texas

Patience

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

Our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture often makes us feel there’s something wrong with waiting and that we shouldn’t have to. Within seconds we can order a hamburger, Skype with a friend across the country and text our loved one. No wonder waiting can be hard to do.

David, the author of the verse above, was no stranger to waiting and knew its difficulties full well. Out of nowhere, Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be chosen from David’s family. Only one of Jesse’s sons would be anointed as God’s chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son elected was David.

Scripture tells us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV). With such an anointing, we might expect David to run to the throne. But the only running David did was back to the pasture and his job as shepherd. Thus his wait began. In the wait, God prepared David to be king. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or have the support of the people or armies. Instead of taking the position he was promised, David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace.
Waiting in the present is beneficial to our future. This is something David learned, along with many other lessons that we can find hope in during the difficulty of waiting.

1. Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
2. God’s ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on “his” throne.
3. God doesn’t waste time … He redeems it. The time of waiting will be used to prosper us in each season of life.
4. If we allow it, our waiting will bring us an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not otherwise have. Most of David’s beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns and the wilderness, waiting on God.
5. God doesn’t ignore the cries of His children. David cried, and at times begged God for help, invention and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn’t he?
6. Our waiting has a purpose for someone other than ourselves. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope and healing of his amazing poetry. 

What awesome instructions David’s life gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.

Dear Lord, grant me patience. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can’t do this without You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Casey Dacus
Graham, TX

Bulletproof

I want to share a story in American history that shows the hand of God working to shape a person, to lead a nation, as recorded on pages 11-13 of Toby Mac and Michael Tait’s book, “Under God” (2004).

The French and Indian War: Account of a British Officer-- July 9, 1755

    The American Indian Chief looked scornfully at the soldiers on the field before him. How foolish it was to fight as they did, forming their perfect battle lines out in the open, standing shoulder to shoulder in their bright red uniforms. The British soldiers—trained for European warfare—did not break rank, even when braves fired at them from under the safe cover of the forest.  The slaughter at the Monongahela River continued for two hours. By then 1,000 of 1,459 British soldiers were killed or wounded, while only 30 of the French and Indian warriors firing at them were injured.

    Not only were the soldiers foolish, but their officers were just as bad. Riding on horseback, fully exposed above the men on the ground, they made perfect targets. One by one, the chief’s marksmen shot the mounted British officers until only one remained.

    “Quick, let your aim be certain and he dies,” the chief commanded. The warriors—a mix of Ottawa, Huron, and Chippewa tribesmen—leveled their rifles at the last officer on horseback. Round after round was aimed at this one man. Twice the officer’s horse was shot out from under him. Twice he grabbed a horse left idle when a fellow officer had been shot down. Ten, twelve, thirteen rounds were fired by the sharpshooters. Still, the officer remained unhurt.

    The native warriors stared at him in disbelief. Their rifles seldom missed their mark. The chief suddenly realized that a mighty power must be shielding this man. “Stop firing!” he commanded. “This one is under the special protection of the Great Spirit,” A brave standing nearby added, “I had seventeen clear shots at him… and after all could not bring him to the ground. This man was not born to be killed by a bullet.”

    As the firing slowed the lieutenant colonel gathered the remaining troops and led the retreat to safety. That evening, as the last of the wounded were being cared for, the officer noticed an odd tear in the arm of his coat. It was a bullet hole! Amazed he took off his coat and he found three more holes where bullets passed through his coat but stopped before they reached his body. 

    The 23 year old officer went on to become the commander in chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States. In all the years that followed in his long career, this man, George Washington, was never once wounded in battle.

    Fifteen years later, in 1770, George Washington returned to the same Pennsylvania woods. A respected Indian chief, having heard that Washington was in the area, traveled a long way to meet with him. He sat down with him and discussed the events of that day recalling his orders to have the officer shot and then his orders to cease fire as he realized he was under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit. He then said, “I am old and shall soon be gathered to the great council fire of my father’s in the land of the shades, but ere I go, there is something bids me speak this voice of prophecy: Listen! The Great Spirit protects you and guides your destiny—you will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail you as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

    This story of God’s divine protection and of Washington’s open gratitude could be found in many school textbooks until the 1930’s. Now few Americans have read it. Washington often recalled this dramatic event that helped shape his character and confirm God’s call on his life.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

Though ten thousand are dying around you,

These evils will not touch you.

Psalm 91:7 NLT

Holy Father, it strengthens our faith to hear this story of a man who you prepared to lead our nation, as you prepared Abraham to lead the Israelite nation. Thank you for your protection of our nation’s freedoms. We ask that you continue to choose men to lead this great nation and that you grant them the wisdom and the courage to lead this nation in ways that you desire.
In the name of Jesus,  Amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, TX.

I Wonder...

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:12-15

I wonder how many people would know the good news of Christ if they were approached with the virtues listed in verse 12 instead of a spoonful of “right doctrine?”  I wonder how many marriages could be reconciled if the church approached the spouses with the virtues listed in verse 12 instead of their opinions and interpretations of what God says about divorce and remarriage.  I wonder how many alcoholics would choose Christ instead of the bottle if they were overwhelmed with the virtues listed in verse 12 instead of a lecture on the dangers of drinking too much.  I wonder how many non-believers would think about believing if they were overwhelmed with the virtues listed in verse 12 instead of overwhelmed by what awaits them in hell.  

I wonder.  Do you?

As I see a friend wandering further from the church because of accusatory and self-righteous text messages after hearing of a mistake he has made, I can’t help but be disappointed as people ask what he needs and I simply respond with “love and prayers.”  

Let me encourage you this day to love people freely, to show compassion freely, the show kindness freely, to express humility and gentleness in abundance and to exhibit patience freely and abundantly.  In doing so, whether they realize it or not, they will simply see the love of Christ pouring out of your words and actions.

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Beloved of God....Period!

I'm working ACU Leadership Camps this summer. The theme of our high school camp, Kadesh, is "Identity." The theme centers on the idea that our identity is found in being the beloved of Christ. Sounds pretty simple, right?

Our staff spent the entire week before camp started prepping for the events that we put on for the campers. My friend, Mitch, and I were put in charge of one particular event that involved writing some poetry. The event basically consists of a group of people reciting poems that they've written about lies that satan makes them believe about their identities. At the beginning of prep week, we had zero poets and needed at least four. We were getting pretty nervous. To be honest, we didn't think anyone would have any interest in (or the talent for) writing these poems.

The day that we needed our poems arrived and Mitch and I waited to evaluate our potential poets. Six girls and three guys walked in, poems in hand. Needless to say, we were thrilled to immediately have more options than we needed. We sat down in a circle and had each person read his or her poem.

The first poem is about a little girl whose father beat her mother, who told her she wasn't pretty enough, who told her she could never do enough to make him proud, who abandoned his family.

The second is about a guy who felt empty, whose facade says that he's happy, who smiles enough and laughs enough to make you believe that everything is okay.

The third is about a girl who has a little brother. Her little brother had a fatal illness for years. She got put on the back burner. She was expected to be strong. No emotions, no needs, no nothing. Just her brother, all the time.

The fourth is about a girl who grew up in a wonderful family, who had many talents, who had many friends, who had many reasons to be content, and who abused her body with an eating disorder.

The fifth is about a girl who survived leukemia, who doesn't understand why she survived and so many others don't, who doesn't understand why she had to experience something so brutal in the first place.

The sixth is about a girl who is enmeshed in American culture, in a church tradition, in media that says all she will ever be is weak. Because she is a woman.

The seventh is about a guy who made the decision to drink underage and drive, who got arrested, who is still reaping the consequences of that. Who believes that that one mistake is the only man he'll ever be.

The eighth is about a guy who is going into ministry when he graduates from college, who is passionate about the Lord, who deeply loves and serves people, and who suffered from an addiction to pornography for years.

The ninth, and last, is about a girl who wants to be perfect, who is defined by her achievements, who believes that if she didn't have her achievements, no one would have any reason to love her at all.

We listened to poem after poem. After the last poem ended, we sat and stared at each other for awhile. The weight of all those lies was almost tangible. I wasn't expecting nine people to walk in the room and lay their hearts on the line. In that moment, I felt so vulnerable. I could feel the tears pressing against my eyelids. These were my friends, my fellow counselors. So many heartbreaking experiences, but not very much life lived, yet.

I know their hearts, I know their struggles, I know how much they love the Lord. The part that's so hard to swallow is the fact that satan knows all those things as well as I do. He knew exactly how to attack every single one of us. If he chooses the right lies, it's so easy to ditch the belief that we're the beloved of Christ and succumb to his lies.

Each of us have been delivered from the things that we wrote about in our poems. But it's still so easy to let the past creep in and redefine us, stripping away our worth and making us into whatever it wants us to be. This is dangerous, because the past will define who we are in our future, if we can't move past the past.

We are the beloved of Christ in our past, present, and future. He rose and conquered the grave so we could wear that name. The lies in those poems already hung with Him on the cross. Continuing to live in the midst of those lies would be death. But “death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

After we prayed and thought about it that way, the poems stung a little less. We are the beloved of Christ.

Father,
Thank you for calling us Your beloved, despite the ways that we fail. Thank you for being strong where we are weak. Thank you for letting us find our identity in who You are. We love you.
Amen.

Erin E. Daugherty, Abilene Christian University