Christmas Musings

It is common to talk about the shepherds or the angels... But, the thing that really caught my attention this year is from Matthew's account of  Jesus' birth.  "Mary and Joseph took the baby to Egypt to fulfill the prophecy, ‘out of Egypt I called my Son.’"  And, in contrast, I was reminded how reactionary Satan is. His response is one of great anger seen through Herod’s decree to kill all the male children born in Bethlehem – 2 years old and younger. The rage and anger seen in Herod is Satan’s response to the birth of the Savior of the World.


God is faithful.  He is deliberate and He keeps His promises.  Satan is reactionary.  How many times do we see this throughout scripture?  How often do we get caught up in the reaction of Satan and fray of the immediate rather than the deliberateness of God in our own lives?  It is so easy to do.  This year, may I focus on God's faithfulness and know that whatever circumstances, He is at work.

He wants my all...

I just wrote this for an online course with ReachGlobal.  I thought I'd share it.

He wants my all...

Matthew 28:18-20, a passage we all know well…”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”


James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

In Matthew 25:34 – 40 Jesus states, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 22:36 – 40 The Pharisees ask Jesus, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Matthew 23:1 – 4 says, “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.’”

I’ll respond to these quotes one at a time:

"There are a number of mission leaders, particularly Americans, who are frightened that we want missionaries to give themselves to social-political work, which is none of their business and would distract them from their primary role in evangelism. I have no wish for missionaries to change their role. There is a real need for evangelists who are not engaged in holistic mission because their calling is evangelism. I don't criticize Billy Graham because he simply preaches the gospel and doesn't engage in social-political work—well, he does a bit, but not much—any more than we don't criticize the Good Samaritan for not preaching the gospel to the man assaulted by robbers. It's partly our existential situation that determines what we concentrate on, partly our vocation. Everybody cannot do everything, as I keep saying to myself."

Rev. John Stott from in an interview in Christianity Today 9/5/03

We are each uniquely created in the image of God. We have different strengths, gifts, abilities and thus weaknesses as well. There are some things we are more naturally drawn to and bent towards. However, is it a fair question to ask, as I become more Christ like and reflect my creator, do I become more balanced? Can I be an evangelist who is also concerned about holistic ministry? I may still use much or most of my time to be an evangelist…but I cannot simply walk by a person in need. Isn’t this practicing what I preach? I’m not being critical of Billy Graham or others. I have great respect for him and am thankful for his part in building God’s Kingdom. However, practically speaking, isn’t both speaking God’s love and serving in His love commanded of me from scripture?

I think it’s a dangerous divide when we start separating the two.

"John Stott sees evangelism and social concern as equal (independent) partners: This seems to detach ministry too much from the ministry of the Word. It opens the possibility of it standing on its own without the preaching of the gospel. I propose something else, an asymmetrical, inseparable relationship. We must be ever wary of collapsing evangelism into deed ministry as the social gospel did, but loving deeds are an irreplaceable witness to the power and nature of God's grace, an irreplaceable testimony to the truth of the gospel."

Rev. Timothy Keller

I love that, ‘asymmetrical, inseparable relationship’! One without the other is empty and pretentious, no matter how you divide them. The Pharisees are an example of people who preached with words but didn’t back it up with their lifestyle. James talks explicitly for the balance of faith and deeds. In James 2:26 he gives us such a clear picture, “As the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

Backing up to the great commission in Matthew 28, if we all recall the many sermons preached on GO and make disciples… But, how would it transform each of our lives if we understood a clearer translation and the command to be, As you are going, make disciples, teaching others to obey… all under God’s authority! As I am going, as God brings people into my life, I am to speak God’s truth and love and show His love and truth as well. I am to support God’s ministry and build His Kingdom as I am going… As I am going makes going, sending, supporting with prayer and finances, telling people about what God has done and is doing in my life, and tangibly helping people with physical needs all fall into place. It’s completely all encompassing of my life. God is YAWEH. Everything that I could every need! In return, He wants my all. My all is that beautiful asymmetrical, inseparable relationship that Tim Keller refers to. It’s a true reflection of my King. It’s a daily struggle, but how can I respond any differently?

Crystal Clear

There is a time of day, mid-evening actually, where all the colors are extra crisp and everything seems crystal clear.  I've always loved this.  Everything is super vivid.

I think this is how God sees our lives.  We get caught up in the mire and mist of everyday.  God sees the bigger picture, crystal clear!

Storm CLouds

The storm clouds are moving in again this afternoon...I can hear the thunder in the distance.  Yesterday it stormed on and off all day.  It's fun to watch from inside; not so much fun when you are running from point a to point b. 

The thing that struck me today was how green everything is.  The beauty of that haze. The colors are crisp and the earth is fertile as it has just had a large glass of water.

I still look out the window or at my surroundings while walking and am struck that this is home now.  It is differant but similar, familiar but new and friendly but cold.  Today I thought about the storm clouds in my life.  Some loud and thunderous; some quiet and dark; but, all bring new life.  They somehow bring new light to my surroundings and breath new life into me each day.

Just as I'm thankful for the fruitfulness of the earth today, I'm happy for the fruitfulness in life that personal storm clouds bring as well.

Bread Basket

As you travel outside of the United States, you realize that most of the world's diet depends heavily on bread.  The whole anti-carb craze has not hit here like in the States.  And, I also appreciate Jesus' words in Matthew more.  Matthew 4:4  "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  and in Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread".  The first reference is when Jesus is being tempted in the desert.  He had been fasting for 40 days and 40 nights.  The second is where He teaches us to pray.

In the US there are many things that I just do.  I feel empowered in my own regard and am comfortable with my surroundings and have common language abilities.  Often it is hard to rely on God.  My head knows that my abilities, oportunities and everything comes from God, but when I get caught up in the busyness of the day it is sometimes easy to take God forgranted.

While in Ukraine, it is much easier for me to rely on God because I am not as used to or comfortable with everyday things and curcumstances.  I depend on Him for safety and health.  I rely on His provision through people's support.  I know that I cannot make it here without Him.  Every day I am conscious of my need for Spiritual daily bread.

So, a few weeks ago I was reading a random blog that I clicked on through another friend's link and I read about their bread basket.  It took me a few minutes to catch on that it was where they stored all of their families bibles, journals and devotional materials.  What a fabulous idea!!  This inspired me on Wednesday to buy 2 identical bread baskets.  One for bread made with flour and water that sits on the kitchen counter and one for my Bibles, journal and a couple of devotional books that I am reading that is in the living room.  One of the first steps in making our new apartment my home!

One of those days!

I should mention that this whole week I've been battling one of those head colds that lingers... doesn't really do anything but continues to be a dull ache and an anooyance.  For the first two days, I laid pretty low, but can only tolerate that for so long... Perhaps it lingers because I walk around in 15 - 20 degree snowy weather.  Oh well.  It will end.  Someday.

Yesterday I was ready to jump in the shower, turned on the water and this concoction of brown muddish substance sputtered out of the pipe!  EWW!  Jumped out of the way and moved on with the morning.  Waiting to hear from the realtor about the apartment we fell in love with and want to rent.... Still waiting.  Keep praying with us to land in the right apartment.  I'm sure there are others out there we would love also.  Just time and effort to be expended.

Somehow last night after a very good Russian Language class I got it in my head that I should be WAY farther in the process.  Process is something I've never really been good at, by the way.  I've been here 3 weeks.  I have yet to meet anyone who 'masters' Russian in 2 years, let alone 3 weeks.  :) 

We got about 5 inches of snow yesterday so the ice is blanketed with lots of white stuff to cushion the falls! :)  Actually, I've been fortuante, and diligent about using my 'stabilicers' - ice cleats on my boots and have managed to stay upright!  I'm looking forward to spring.

God continues to teach me about balance.  My life was incredibly busy immediately before coming to winter Ukrainian lifestyle.  I'm learning to appreciate the moments and, I'm making some pretty awesome soups!

KarmaTube: Amazing Grace, by Wintley Phipps

KarmaTube: Amazing Grace, by Wintley Phipps


A friend forwarded this to me.  Every time I hear this song I remember the first time I went to a drug rehab center just outside of Kyiv.  I was so overwhelmed with how much the people there understood God's grace and how little of it I could grasp.

This is a wonderful and powerful rendition of Amazing Grace.  Remember how truly amazing God's grace is in each one of our lives today...

Two of my favorite people in the World!

Babushka's breaking up the ice with shovels

lots and lots of ice on the sidewalks

A few pictures of the ice and those trying to break it up!

snowy Kyiv

Two Weeks

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in Ukraine for two weeks now. Most mornings it feels like two days, then once in a while like two years… I guess that feeling will last a while! It’s been brutally cold since my arrival, so I’ve had very little distraction from studying Russian. Last weekend I got so much accomplished in my lessons and memorizing things that my teacher said she’s going to start praying for more cold weather. Ha ha… please, no!


This weekend I will start the daunting task of looking for an apartment of my own! There seems to be quite a few to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too bad of a process. It also helps that my flat mate is a Ukrainian, so I am not nearly as easy of a target to be taken advantage of with her around and making the initial phone calls for me. (Thanks Marina!!)

Please pray with me that we’ll end up where God wants us. He knows the neighbors, the landlord, etc… And, for now, I trek back and forth through the ice and snow to language school.

video

Settling in

I arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday evening. Flights and travel went very well. As I begin to unpack and settle in to my new surroundings I think about what it means to call somewhere home. I feel comfortable here, but it still takes a while to get unpacked and have it feel like second nature. Time will help to settle me in...

I will post a video tour of my apartment. My videography skills aren't the greatest, but you'll get the general idea of where I live and I'm certain that my video skills will increase with time as well! Thanks for your prayers as I traveled. Now, please pray with me for diligence in learning Russian!