Motivations

I'm living life on the fly this week with a speaking event on Friday and one of my bestest college friends coming to visit. How about you? What are you up to this week as Christmas approaches?

I wanted to share with you this interesting email that I received from Debbie Berho, one of my bloggie friends who is currently serving in Ecuador. We've been chatting back and forth a little about service and why so many Americans (including me!) feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by our schedules.

Here's what Debbie had to say:

I had an interesting conversation last night with an Ecuadorian pastor who is outside of the immediate circle of people we've been working with while here in Ecuador. I have heard him preach a few times and I think he is a mature, biblically sound, honest man. I asked him about my observation of all the over-committed people here, from the leaders on down through the seminary students (who pretty much have no say in their over-committed schedules).

He said that he believes it is part of a culture of a desire to be important- the more over-booked you are, the more important you feel. He considers it a flaw in the leaders, a sign of immaturity or pride.

I think I agree with him. I know that sometimes when I have over-committed, it is due to paying attention to that little voice in my head that wants to be noticed, to moved into leadership, to stand in front and have the mic, etc. I also think most of the NT indicates specific, focused ministries according to one's gift and calling, and the case of some disciples turning down "opportunities to serve" in order to better carry out their calls.

I'm not as sure about Jesus' spending himself. He certainly did focus on training the disciples and pull away in prayer often, to renew himself. But he was nearly always available in diverse ministries - teaching, healing, feeding, etc., and in the end, his obedience to the Father's plan cost him everything. He didn't say "Excuse me, this is exhausting me and I just need to take care of myself." In fact, in Spanish Bibles, when Peter rebukes him for telling them of Calvary, Peter says "Have compassion on yourself, Lord" instead of "Never, Lord!" (I hate that when the Spanish is different from the English . . .sends me into long fits of study :) ). I guess one could say that Jesus was absolutely clear about His purpose, and he didn't avoid it (but the hard part is that he did so much else along the way).

I've been doing some heart examination just like Debbie. Although I don't think pride is always my motivation for over-busyness, that's definitely an element. What are you thinking as we slide into this very busy season? How are you battling over-commitment?

Count 'Em!

Happy Thanksgiving, Ya'll!

Unending Thankfulness

When we're asked to list thing for which we're thankful, I'd start the list just like you. I'm truly and deeply grateful for my family, my friends and my home. I'm thankful for the job I have and for the country I live in. I'm thankful for the safety I've experienced and food on the table. I'm especially thankful for those things after visiting a country where so many people don't have these basic human needs.

On Sunday, our music director reminded us about the frailty of life and the fact that we live in a fallen world. She challenged us to list things that can never be lost. I'll start, and I'd love to hear your thankful thoughts...

I'm thankful for the never failing, never ending love of God.

Your turn!

Lessons from India--Four Generations

Years ago, my friend Christie, a campus ministry staffer, shared her vision for discipleship with me. It's a vision that has grabbed hold of my heart and embedded itself.

She told me,"It's my desire to develop three generations of believers in my lifetime. Women who not only love Jesus but who are mature enough to win and teach another generation."

That vision of spiritual generations captured me on so many levels. Although it's my desire to share my faith, it's so much easier to do it on a missions trip or in my church. I often fall far short in my neighborhood or in Target or at school meetings.

I also know that as an American church, we generally do a poor job of challenging Christians to grow to maturity and multiply. We have a Sunday morning Christian mentality that keeps us in an extended infant stage.

I saw a very different model in the church in India. These beautiful women represent four spiritual generations.



(From left to right) Rita led Babita to the Lord as a teenager. Rita and her husband Bobby had started a youth club in the slum area where the school is, but they had decided to end it because of low attendence. The next week, Babita knocked on the door of their home with her brothers trailing behind.

"Why aren't we having youth club?" she demanded. Rita said, "We didn't have enough kids coming, so we cancelled it." "Well, I'm here!" Babita declared.

That's where it started. Rita is the principal of the school,and now Babita is her vice-principal. Each woman is brilliant and both challenged me spiritually.

Babita led Merry to the Lord. Merry now teaches at the preschool, interprets, speaks on missions trips and is one of the most annointed praise and worship leaders I've met. Merry in turn led Jaya to the Lord and is sharing her life.

Seeing four spiritual generations is such close proximity is a challenge to me to prayerfully and intentially begin to build generations of mature women who love Jesus.

Are you part of a lineage of spirtual generations? I'd love to hear about it.

Lessons from India--Countercultural Service

I've been writing quite a bit about the hardships of women in India, but today I want to talk about some of the most moving service I've seen.

In the churches at both Siliguri and Kolkata, the young men of the congregation served the women during the conferences. They did everything from sorting and straightening the women's shoes (you should have seen them flying as they entered the santuary!)....

to cooking and serving lunch.
It was truly beautiful to see. In a place where many of the women were suffering hardships at home, the young men are being trained to be servants to all.

The young man below is one of the young leaders that Barry and Peggy Lane have known since he was 14. This man is a tae kwon do champion, but he lives in a room at the school and serves with his whole heart. His pastor told us that this young man is available day or night when he's needed and every morning he calls his pastor and asks, "How can I serve you today?"

I was so challenged to examine my own heart. Are there places where I'm resistant to service? Is there anything that I feel too good to do? Do I use fatigue, status or convenience determine my willingness to serve?

Lessons from India--A Time and a Place

Sometimes it's just the perfect timing.
Pastors plan.

A pastor's wife joins.
Teenaged girls come.
Women travel in all their finery. (This is the same all over the world!) The praise of Jesus' name begins!

A women's conference is held, and who knows how far the effects will reach?

Our first Treasured conference was held in Siliguri, a town that we later learned is considered a gateway city. It is less than 100 miles from four other nations--China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

After the conference, we were stunned to learn that a Nepali pastor's wife had attended. She and her husband were weary. They had been beaten down by persecution and were exhausted by the demands of ministry. Our team listened with tear-filled eyes as we heard that this woman had gone home refreshed, re-energized and re-filled with love and devotion for Jesus. She was ready to face the harsh realities of her life and serve Him whole-heartedly again.

What difference does our obedience make? Knowing our proximity to 4 nations and our location in a fifth, seeing the faces of women ready to charge into their worlds with the name of Jesus on their lips and His love in their hearts, hearing the passionate praise and worship of their Creator and Father made me know with wonder that obedience could truly be world-changing this time.

You may be like me and think that every day decisions of obedience often don't count for much, but my time in Siliguri convinced me otherwise. We're in a time and place specially designed for our acts of obedience. If those acts come out of our overflowing love for Jesus, there's no end to the ripple effects that our one little act may start. Even nations could be changed.

Lessons from India--A Sense of Place

It never changes. Just when you really desire to be a blessing, God pours out more than you can ever contain. That's exactly what happened on our team's trip to India, and I have been chomping at the bit to tell you the stories...

Except first I had to sleep.

We got home on Tuesday evening, and I've been comatose ever since. I think that's the difference of a 32 hour trip when you're 34 vs. a 32 hour trip ten years later. Let's just say it's kicked my tooshy! Hopefully my 12 hours last night has me caught up.

Before I launch into stories, I want to give you a sense of where we went. Here's our team...



..and here's what we've learned. India is a place...


With more beautiful women than any other country in the world.


With bright colors and passionate worship.


Where you get to play with your food and eat with your fingers! :)


Where there's some quiet traffic...

But mostly crazy traffic!!! Enjoy these "taxi cams" for a taste of travel through the streets and a little color commentary.