Five R’s toward Joyful Change (Repent & Redirect)

Our theme Scripture Luke 15:10: there is joy in God’s presence over one who repents (changes their mind and amends their ways). This is not a new year’s resolution but is being intentional and resolute to share the joy God in us by humbling ourselves, detaching from the world and being transformed in His love. Here are some things to examine as we participate in and are united with the body and blood of Jesus our Lord.

1. Red Flags: recognize “Triggers” and take a step that HALTS a pattern of sin. Example: if tired get better rest; if stressed exercise; take steps to get support.

H=hungry for love/satisfaction;

A=angry/frustration;

L=lonely/insecure;

T=tired;

S=stressed or depressed.

2. Reflex: interrupt the unhealthy habitual reflex. Stop/slow down/breathe/be still/meditate.

3. Ritual: instead of moving toward the unhealthy thing or sin pattern, substitute it with a phone call or visit for accountability or to do good for someone else. Practice God’s presence and receive and give God’s love.

4. Result: remind yourself of the negative result of the habitual sin (shame, guilt, humiliation, bondage or fearful consequence). Realize you can make different choices than the reoccurring bondage.

5. Repentance into mind renewal: Above are four steps of repentance but they are incomplete without change in both conscious and unconscious thought patterns. Biblical transformational change is progressive, one moment at a time. We gradually know Him better, love Him more and use our bodies and all created things for his glory. We participate in His likeness and image. True repentance moves forward from asking for merciful forgiveness into profiting from receiving the “power of his grace that teaches us to say, ‘No,’ to sin.” 
   
   
   
   
   -PD
   
   
   
   
    

Joy, Glad Tidings, Good News for all People

                

We think of joy in terms of things and relationships: home, presents, food baskets, meals, time together, visiting people, even going Christmas caroling to those who may be alone or ill.  But to a people oppressed, joy means the arrival of deliverance and justice.  The Jews had both a memory of a “golden age” of peace and prosperity (King Solomon), plus thousands of years of prophecy concerning the glory and dominion and abundant blessing that their Messiah would bring to them.  This week, step with them, out of their need into the joy of His coming.

Joy comes to those in trouble, who wait, devoted to the Lord

...your love, O LORD, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Ps 94:18-19 NIV).  Simeon was devout and just, lead by the Holy Spirit, waiting for the “Consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25).  Now, he could die in peace—for what do you wait?

Joy is a gift from God:  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?  26To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (Eccl 2:24-26).  To Zacharias, God promised joy, gladness and rejoicing for many, through the son he was giving to them (Lk 1:14).  Lord, forgive my lack of joy.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the babe in her womb leaped for joy, at just hearing the sound of Mary’s greeting (Luke 1: 41-44).  Fill us anew with Holy Spirit joy.

Joy is a choice, along with faith, hope and love—a choice enabled by the grace of God (diving enabling power).  I choose joy!

...through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… by faith into this grace… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God… we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance character; and character, hope.  5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom 5:1-5).  Lord, help us rejoice even in suffering—growing by faith in His grace.

Those who know pain, and embrace it, can understand true joy.  It is hard for us to comprehend the persevering desire of those who looked for Messiah to come.  Consider that in the face of her own suffering to come, Mary could rejoice, for all Israel waited in hope:  “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.  48For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant… 52He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the low (Lk 1:46-52).  Lord, fill my soul and spirit with joy in You, regardless of the circumstances?

Joy is brought to men through God’s News: I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings (Is 41:27).  God delights in using the poor, and outcasts as his witnesses (Lk 2:10).  How beautiful are feet bringing peace.

Share his joy by sharing with someone this week, the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and heaven’s joy of new birth.  (Lk 15:7)   

 -PD

A Life of True Compassion WORKING WITH MOTHER THERESA Published article in Connection Magazine (2001) The train was crammed. I crouched together with the local Indian people, pigs, chickens and fleas on the floor for 2 days. There were no benches in 3rd class. I was just 18 years old, thirsty to discover what real spirituality meant, as I travelled on my own from Germany to Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. For many years I had wanted to work with Mother Teresa in the slums. I was very impressed with this remarkable woman, who started with a penny to serve the poorest of the poor, and dedicated her whole life uncompromisingly to God and humankind. After my arrival in the city of Joy and Hell, I walked at 4am toward the nunnery. The sun was just rising over the city. What I saw shook me. Everywhere on the sides of the streets people lay sleeping only covered with ragged loincloths, some were washing themselves in muddy rain puddles. Many were skinny to the bones. Some were severely crippled. They had nothing. As I walked into the nunnery my heart was pounding. I went up the stairs toward the prayer chapel and met a small woman. I asked her where I could find Mother Teresa. She held out her hands and I burst into tears. With a warm smile she simply said: "Welcome. It’s me. "Her obvious love, simplicity and purity touched me deeply. For several months I worked alongside the joyous nuns and Mother Teresa. Every day we went to the slums to offer food and medicine. I saw that even though these people had nothing, they shared their little bit of rice with each other. They were there for one another and had faith. The hunger and illnesses had left marks on their faces, yet their eyes shone with an inexplicable joy. Who really is poor I wondered? We in the West with our excessive wealth, isolation from each other and loss of soul--or they? We have a different kind of poverty that may be harder to heal though, than the one in India, where basic necessities make life possible. A little 5 year-old girl in the orphanage, where I worked offered Mother Teresa her only toy to take to the children in the slums. I could see how precious this doll was to her and yet how happy she looked to be able to offer her gift. Mother Teresa did not want people to give from their abundance, what they did not need, or a left over. What matters, she always said, is how much love is put into the giving. That is where joy is found. When I entered the house of the dying, I felt enveloped in a real sense of peace. The sisters tended so lovingly and respectfully to the ones close to death. They felt loved, may be for the first time in their lives. It was hard for me in the beginning to wash oozing wounds and to face all this suffering. How could the sisters bear to live and serve in the midst of the worst of human suffering? What was it that made them capable to do this work daily with such apparent love, joy and dedication? I remember, whilst praying beside Mother Teresa in her small chapel, when she said to me as if answering my unspoken question: "My lover is Christ and he is in everyone. In serving the poor we love, feed, wash, and clothe him. In giving love we are loved. Treat everyone like you would treat Christ." There was a handwritten paper pinned on the wall of the chapel, which read: "When I was homeless you opened your doors. When I was naked you gave me your coat. When I was in prison, you came to my cell. When I was lonely, you gave me your love. Searching for kindness you held out your hand. When I was happy, you shared your joy. "Every person, often the ones closest to us, is offering a gift--a chance to love. This humble and strong woman had changed my life. Mother Teresa is more than a Christian saint. Her life of true compassion can speak to all of us with a profound and universal message: to simply act from love every moment of our lives.

Copyright, © 2004-2013, Lotusheart and Nicola Amadora. All rights reserved.

Imagine Being A Missionary

Imagine Being A Missionary:

Support them, Be With them, and Be one where you are.

By Dwight Cunkle

   Allow me to describe briefly what it can be like to be a new missionary family, alone in a third world country...

   Can you imagine being thankful you can use a bathroom with running water instead of an outhouse. What feels like 99% humidity and being glad to take a cold shower? Imagine in April and May not only does everything turn brown and it is 100 degrees, but water is so rationed that you may not even have any to use all day? Imagine rolling blackouts (we sang worship songs and hymns then played almost an entire board game in the dark) and never know when the lights will go out let alone come on again.

     Imagine no Stop signs, traffic lights, and the roads often are shared by cars, farm trucks, bicyclers, walkers of all ages, plus dogs, cows, goats etc. Can you imagine having to travel several hours including riding on the ferry across a huge lake just to go to the grocery store or get mail? And the road that you use to go to the main part of the island is rock and mud and often you must crawl and bump along in low gear.

   Imagine not being able to talk on the phone with friends and relatives here in the states and having to drive at least five minutes to get on the Internet. The sad part of that is hardly ever does anyone write you emails or Facebook messages and almost never a letter.       

    Imagine the need to be so frugal you wash sandwich baggies so you can reuse them because you want to have extra money to serve and give people in need around you, and you don't know if it may be weeks before you can go to a store to buy them. Imagine having to learn a foreign language while trying to relate with people with whom you cannot communicate.

Imagine the loneliness... The silent pain.

The strangeness of this new environment…

Then imagine the gladness to receive suitcases full of blessings to give others and some to share yourselves. Imagine the sweetness of being able to receive news from the states, share your stories, and be encouraged because people came so far to be with you and to help you in your work.

Imagine that despite the difficulties and hardships you love the Lord Jesus Christ and you give to those around you without expectation of seeing change or accomplishing anything in the eyes of men. Imagine being received with favor by these simple people who sing joyfully out of tune and treat church like it is a high point of the week. Imagine riding a bicycle 20 km just to come to a meeting. Imagine people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, welcoming teachings on worship and prayer, listening like never before to sense how and what God is communicating with them. Imagine being so appreciative that someone came so far teaching you some new songs and helping you experience the peace and the joy of God in a fresh new way. (One young man testified that he received healing in his heart when we sang the song that God gave me for them).

But also imagine what a difference you can make by praying, writing, giving, going... Imagine doing your part of the Great Commission-by giving your life in small ways through the day to serve others and be a witness for Christ. Imagine offering your life and your family to God for his will to be done. Imagine  not giving up when you can't see clearly what difference you are making? Not quitting everyday. Not feeling sorry for yourself because you have work to do today-living for Christ and being an example of the gospel and love of God together. Imagine seeing your family minister to others and choose Christ over the material things and superficial things of culture controlling their time and desires. Imagine lives being impacted for eternity as you simply do the next task and serve the next person in need God brings near you. Imagine Great Grace and beauty and growth and love and a wholly different way of life. Imagine quiet while looking daily up to the mountains to God from where your help comes from. Imagine peace and contentment in simple things and a slower and simpler lifestyle. Imagine you and God, living as One, with all your weakness but all his fullness and love as a sweet gift in some present moment.

Imagine all you can but then go and love Christ and love your neighbor do the task before you with simple faith and devotion.

FASTING AND FEASTING

FASTING AND FEASTING

By William Arthur Ward

Lent should be more than a time of fasting.

It should be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we should:

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling them.
Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontentment; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
Fast from self indulgence and “disordered love”; feast on acts of kindness, compassion, and mercy.

Isaiah 58

Joy, Glad Tidings, Good News for all People

Joy, Glad Tidings, Good News for all People

    We think of joy in terms of things and relationships: home, presents, food baskets, meals, time together, visiting people, even going Christmas caroling to those who may be alone or ill.  But to a people oppressed, joy means the arrival of deliverance and justice.  The Jews had both a memory of a “golden age” of peace and prosperity (King Solomon), plus thousands of years of prophecy concerning the glory and dominion and abundant blessing that their Messiah would bring to them.  This week, step with them, out of their need into the joy of His coming.

    Joy comes to those in trouble, who wait, devoted to the Lord
...your love, O LORD, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Ps 94:18-19 NIV).  Simeon was devout and just, lead by the Holy Spirit, waiting for the “Consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25).  Now, he could die in peace—for what do you wait?
    Joy is a gift from God:  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?  26To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (Eccl 2:24-26).  To Zacharias, God promised joy, gladness and rejoicing for many, through the son he was giving to them (Lk 1:14).  Lord, forgive my lack of joy.
    Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the babe in her womb leaped for joy, at just hearing the sound of Mary’s greeting (Luke 1: 41-44).  Fill us anew with Holy Spirit joy.
    Joy is a choice, along with faith, hope and love—a choice enabled by the grace of God (diving enabling power).  I choose joy!
...through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… by faith into this grace… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God… we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance character; and character, hope.  5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom 5:1-5).  Lord, help us rejoice even in suffering—growing by faith in His grace.
    Those who know pain, and embrace it, can understand true joy.  It is hard for us to comprehend the persevering desire of those who looked for Messiah to come.  Consider that in the face of her own suffering to come, Mary could rejoice, for all Israel waited in hope:  “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.  48For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant… 52He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the low (Lk 1:46-52).  Lord, fill my soul and spirit with joy in You, regardless of the circumstances?
    Joy is brought to men through God’s News: I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings (Is 41:27).  God delights in using the poor, and outcasts as his witnesses (Lk 2:10).  How beautiful are feet bringing peace.
    Share his joy by sharing with someone this week, the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and heaven’s joy of new birth.  (Lk 15:7)   

                                 -PD