Luke Five Ten

The Miracle in Rio

2011-12-24T09:44:00.000-08:00

The frying pan spat microscopic bombs of olive oil as the smell of frying garlic and onions filled the air. Ana Paula added a cup of uncooked rice and stirred the contents, browning the grains before she would add water. Black beans simmered on the other burner of her simple electric stove. Each and every day she made arroz e feijão – beans and rice – for her family, but today would be different. She wanted the Christmas celebration to be perfect.

Ana Paula opened the single cloth drape to her kitchen window, looking over Santa Teresinha, one of Rio de Janeiro’s mountainside favelas. The slum was in the shadow of Cristo Redentor, the iconic statue of Jesus with arms open for a welcoming embrace. She closed her eyes and for an instant remembered a Christmas Eve from her past. She looked up towards the sky and said a prayer for a miracle from God.

It’s been fifteen years, she thought. I wondered if I will ever be able to forget, or to forgive myself.

For fifteen years she tried to envision where he was, who he was with, and how he was doing. Just once she would like to be able to give him a Christmas gift or send a card.

But there were too many things to get done before everyone would arrive. She needed to collect the clothes hanging on the roof, do one last sweep of her home, and go to the paderia. The tiny bread store would be closed on Christmas day and she needed to get pãozinhos – little French rolls baked fresh every day – for the morning’s breakfast.

In a matter of hours the small, three-room house would be transformed and filled with joy. Joana and João, Ana’s 11-year-old twins, were at the neighbourhood Assemblies of God Church, putting the final preparations together for the evening’s midnight Christmas pageant. Joana would play Mary and João the angel Gabriel. They looked forward to singing, reading the Scriptures, and telling the Christmas story for their extended family and friends.

Ana Paula’s husband Roberto would be home later in the evening, just in time to drop off a package and go over to the church. He worked at a hotel on Ipanema Beach, serving rich European and American tourists. Each year employees were given a special Christmas hamper, complete with a small turkey or chicken, a pineapple, some mangoes, and Panetonne, delicious, fruit-speckled Italian Christmas bread. Ana Paula prepared beans, rice, and farofa, a dish made of golden, gritty yucca flour, raisins, and pieces of bacon. The feast would be shared with everyone in the house. This was one evening when no one would go to bed hungry.

Gratitude flooded the house and sense that the Christmas celebration would be memorable came over Ana Paula. A song began to flutter like a butterfly, coming from somewhere deep in her soul. She remembered hearing the words of Handel’s Messiah at a missionary’s home, “for unto us a son is given” being played in English on an old cassette player.

Pastor Jaime, a tall African-American, came to Brazil to work with the street children of Brazil. He’d tried to teach her all the words, but all she remembered was the one line in English. She longed for the day when she could learn some English, and perhaps even be able to visit America. But the reality was that most people born in the favela lived their entire life in the concrete block houses that rose up along the mountain.

Ana Paula let her mind wandered, going back to her childhood. Life in Santa Teresinha was difficult, and most young girls didn’t go to school beyond the fourth or fifth grade. Her mother made her go to work in a restaurant in the business district, cleaning to dishes in the kitchen. She worked hard and was forced to turn her money over to her father, who drank more than he worked. At fourteen she ran away from home and began to live on the street.

It was on the street that she joined a gang of a dozen kids who taught her about the dark side of life. They claimed a corner of an abandoned factory building as their own. Cardboard was collected and piled to make a mattress. Food came from scraps and garbage bins. The boys in the gang learned to pick-pocket unsuspecting tourists, gathering at the beaches and close to the Cristo Redentor train station. The girls washed car windows on street corners, begging for a few coins for their service.

Some of the group sniffed glue, while others scraped together enough coins to buy drugs from older street kids. Ana Paula had to hide some money just to buy enough food for her and her closest friends.

In less than a year on the street Ana Paula was pregnant, expecting a child with one of the leaders of the gang. She was told to either get an abortion, or leave. She argued and fought with her boyfriend and was ready to abandon the gang when one of the boys told them about a man who offered to pay five hundred dollars for newborn babies. They would be adopted by wealthy foreigners, and live a life of luxury. None of the gang members had ever seen that amount of cash, and so it was decided that Ana Paula did not have to leave.

Only once did Ana Paula meet the man who took her baby. He met with her two weeks before the baby was born, asking her to sign documents. When the time came the man sent a taxi and she went to a small clinic on the outskirts of the city. The nurses were mean and upset with her, as it looked like they would miss their family Christmas celebrations. A baby boy was born on the afternoon of the 24th of December.

Ana Paula never got to hold the baby and left the clinic in with the same taxi driver two days later. She never saw a penny of the money paid for her child.
Upset with her boyfriend, Ana Paula left the gang and began to look for a place to stay. She heard about a place where street kids could spend the afternoon and sleep if they had no other place to go. The Lar Esperança – Home of Hope – became her safe haven from the cold reality of living on the street. Pastor Jaime was the first person she met when she walked through the doors, and her life began to change.

People said that Pastor Jaime once played professional baseball in the United States. His career ended when he was nearly killed in a car crash, and that is when he turned his life over to God. He came from a Christian home, but wandered far away from the ways of his family during his years of playing baseball. He promised God that he would live the rest of his life helping street kids if his life was spared. Then he met his wife, a Brazilian girl who worked in the hospital, and they came to Rio de Janeiro.

Two years after Ana Paula entered the home for street kids she met Roberto, another resident of the home. They both accepted Jesus and were part of the church youth group. Roberto loved to watch American movies and soon learned enough English to get a job working as a bell boy at a hotel. They were now off drugs, leading Bible studies for groups of kids who came off the street, and living a life with purpose and direction. They were married on New Year’s Eve and moved into a small, rented house in Santa Teresinha.
____

“Mãe, Mãe, Mãe!” João sprinted through the metal door into the tiny courtyard. Joana was close behind, frustrated for losing the race to her brother. “The lady missionary from the Central Church came looking for you! She says you must come to meet someone.”

Daniela appeared at the door, catching her breath before she added; “It’s very urgent, she says. There is a person who wants to meet you.”
Ana Paula tried to settle her children. “Wait, wait. Who wants to meet me?”

Both children began to speak at once, but Joana insisted to talk first. “Pastor Jaime brought the lady missionary to the Church. She met an Americano who found your name on a piece of paper. She says she has to talk to you!”

Ana Paula turned the stove off. The rice could simmer and she would prepare the farofa when she got back. “You kids need to stay here. I will come back as soon as I can.”
____

Pastor Jaime sat on a wooden bench, talking to his missionary colleague. He held a file folder in his hand. They both looked up as Ana Paula entered the sanctuary.

“Sister, how good of you to come. Do you know Carolina? She is a pastor at Central Church.” The two women greeted, offering two quick kisses on each cheek.

The tall American woman was in her fifties. She was called Sister Carolina by all of the pastors of the city. Her reputation as an evangelist and church planter was celebrated, as she came to Rio de Janeiro before it was popular to be a believer in Jesus. Stories were told of her standing up to drug gangs. Many people came to her for help with their addictions and were delivered from evil curses and spiritual bondage. She lived her life in the trenches of the poorest sections of the city and was respected by Christians and non-believers alike. She was gracious and caring, but the many struggles and disappointments of working with broken people were etched on her face. Yet her smile reflected something of heaven.

“My sister,” Carolina began in Portuguese. “It is a joy to meet you. Pastor Jaime told me something of your story, and your children were a delight to meet.”

Ana Paula nodded her head. “Yes, thank you.”

Jaime took a document from the file folder and handed it to Ana Paula. She froze when she saw the title, then her teenage signature at the bottom of the page. She began to sob and both missionaries held her in a warm embrace.

“Where did you get this? I don’t understand.” Ana Paula wiped tears from her eyes.

Pastor Jaime was the first to speak. “A lawyer from the United States contacted Sister Carolina and asked her if she knew anyone who lived in Rio de Janeiro, and if she knew anyone who worked with street kids. The lawyer represents a family that wanted to find a young girl – someone who gave up a baby for adoption. Sister Carolina told him about our work and out church, but didn’t make any promises. The chances would be far too small to actually find a person. It would be a miracle to find her in a city as large as Rio de Janeiro.”

“The lawyer sent me this copy of the birth certificate and I talked to Pastor Jaime this morning. We both couldn’t believe it when Jaime heard your name.” Carolina smiled from ear to ear.

“Where is he? Where is this family?” Ana Paula still could not believe what she was hearing. “Do they know about me?”

“The family lives in Ohio, in the United States. They do not know about you yet – we wanted to talk to you first.” Pastor Jaime took out another piece of paper from the file, with a picture of a beautiful family. A tall, young boy stood in the middle. He was darker than the others, with tight curly hair.

“Is that him? What’s his name?”

“His adopted parents called him Daniel – a name that is the same in English or Portuguese.” Carolina showed another document in English.

Ana Paula paused, collected her thoughts, and chewed her lower lip. “Can he ever forgive me for what I did? I was – I am – that boy’s mother. How can he ever forgive me?”

“There is only one way to find out,” said Pastor Jaime. “Would you like me to phone the lawyer in the United States?”

Ana Paula shook her head. “Yes. Please tell them that you have found the mother of their son, Daniel.”
________

The evening service went late into the night. The Sunday School presentation was flawless, with each child remembering their lines, and each song blasted at the top of the choir’s collective lungs. Joana beamed in her role as Mary. João bolted out his line, “Let’s go see this thing that the angel has told us about!” The church was filled with visitors and families from the neighbourhood, excited to celebrate together.

Pastor Jaime spoke on the miracle of Christmas; that a Son was given to be the saviour of the world. The birth of a little child born in Bethlehem was the hope of all those who would call on His name and look to Him for salvation. “Jesus is still doing miracles today” was the one line that Ana Paula cherished the most.

Roberto and Ana Paula sat in the front row, waiting to be called forward at the end of the service to give a special testimony.

“Brothers and sisters,” started Roberto. “Many of you know our story. You know that we were street children. We were much like many of the children that still roam our streets, abandoned and hopeless. We lived a life without Jesus and did things that displeased God, our Father. But we found Jesus; or maybe it is that He found us. We were like the child born in a stable, with no place to call home.”

Ana Paula stepped up to the microphone. “As children on the street we saw things that no child should ever see, and did things that today we are not proud of. Some people here know my story, so I won’t tell you everything, except that one Christmas, fifteen years ago, I ... I was all alone. I gave birth to a baby boy that was sold to a man who sold the child to a family in the United States for adoption. I had no idea what became of that child, but by a miracle from God, we spoke to him this afternoon.” People in the congregation were visibly moved, tears coming to the eyes of many.

“My prayer has been that one day I might find out what happened to him. Was he well? Did he go to a good family? I prayed that one day he would find Jesus. I thought that if we couldn’t be together on this earth, we could be together in heaven.” Now Ana Paula was crying.

Roberto stepped up to the microphone. “His name is Daniel, and I was able to translate for my wife. He is a young man, and his family are Christians. They want to come and visit us as soon as possible. God willing, in the New Year, they will be here with us and stand before you to testify to the goodness of God.”

“This is the second greatest gift that I could ever receive,” added Ana Paula. “The first greatest gift was to know Jesus and receive the gift of his forgiveness. The second greatest gift is for all my family – even a lost son – to know Jesus too!”

Pastor Jaime invited people to come to the front of the church to offer their lives as a gift to God. “At Christmas we often talk about the gift of Jesus, that God sent his Son into the world. But this Christmas, we can give our lives to him as the only gift that really matters to him; we can give him our hearts.”
________

Ana Paula, Roberto and their children walked back to their home, exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. They would gather around their simple kitchen table and eat a midnight supper that could only be described as luxurious. The small turkey was decorated with mango and orange slices, smothered in a rich, fruity sauce. One of Roberto’s aunts left earlier in the evening to have everything ready for the family when they came home from church.

Music and firecrackers battled for the family’s attention as they turned a corner and started up a steep set of stairs leading to their house. In the distance they could see the statue of Cristo Redentor lit brightly against the black, tropical sky. There were no words for the gratitude that Ana Paula felt in her heart, only a song that sprang up from within; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”

THE END

For five more Christmas Eve stories, see the December 2009 posting on this blog site.

A collection of eight Christmas Eve stories for Kindle readers can be found at Amazon.com. Type in Dwayne Buhler in the search and you'll find it! (unfortunately I am unable to put up a link on the blog)

To the End of the Earth: Introduction

2011-03-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Romans of Jesus' day referred to Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent) as the "end of the world." In their minds, this point along the southwestern coast of Portugal was the limit of civilization, and anyone who ventured beyond these rocky cliffs could expect to face certain death. It was from this point that the Portuguese explorers were commissioned to seek new lands "for God and country."

In the month of March and April, 2011, Rhonda and I will take a trip that leads us to the "end of the earth." Starting in Barcelona, Spain, we will visit friends and ministries along the way, stopping over in Madrid, Gibraltar, and eventually ending in Lisbon, Portugal. We will take the ferry across the 14 Km Straight of Gibraltar and spend a day in the city of Tangier, Morocco. Our trip is a part of our 25th wedding anniversary celebrations, and allows us time away from our daily commitmens and distractions to seek the Lord and hear God's voice.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told his disciples; But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This reinforce the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19, 20 - 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 that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

We believe that God will use this time to speak to us, comfirming that which we already know and revealing things that we need to know. As we go to the end of the earth we invite you to follow us on our journey. Weekly postings will be accompanied by photos of the places and people visited. Let us know if you've visited any of these places. Make your comments and keep in touch as we make this trip.

Dwayne & Rhonda Buhler - Surrey, BC, Canada

DAY 31: Behind Every Successful Woman

2010-10-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than riches. Proverbs 31:10

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Put on your hip-waders, I’m about to step into a bit of controversy. I hope that the waters won’t get too deep.

We’ve all heard it said that “behind every successful man is a good woman,” but let’s invert the equation. It’s one thing to use Proverbs 31 as a measuring rod for the ‘ideal woman,’ but how often have men stopped to think that about our role as husbands to give our wives the freedom to be this kind of person.

The first readers of this passage would have marvelled at two things: First at the wonderful example of what we have come to call a virtuous and godly woman, but secondly at the husband who treats his wife differently than the prominent view of the culture of the day. This was a radical thought in the culture of King Lemuel, the author of this chapter.

Paul’s understanding in the New Testament was equally radical for the culture of his day. After he encourages us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), he goes on to say that this filling will be worked out in a husband who will truly loves, cherishes, and encourages his wife (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Is Proverbs 31 an idealistic model for our wives to reach? Maybe. But it is also the standard of a man who sees the true value of his wife, seeking her advice in their decisions, and encouraging her to be all that she can be. This puts the shoe on the foot and asks; who can find a husband of noble character?

For further investigation, read David Sanford’s article by the same title:

http://www.crosswalk.com/1265037/

DAY 30: Godliness with Contentment

2010-10-30T06:55:00.001-07:00

Give me neither poverty nor riches ... Proverbs 30:8b

The context of Proverbs 30:8 is a request for contentment. Agur, a nebulous character who more than likely was an Assyrian Ruler, says:

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.

The fame of Solomon reached to many nations, and Agur is more than likely one of many dignitaries that visited Jerusalem during his reign. The Queen of Sheba (modern day Ethiopia) also visited and marvelled at the wisdom of Israel’s king. Solomon’s story of his dream (I Kings 3:1-15), was likely told to these visitors. For visiting rulers it was amazing to think that Solomon would ask for wisdom to rule, as opposed to long life, riches, or fame.

The Apostle Paul dealt with the same issue. He experienced the extremes of poverty and plenty, and came to this conclusion:

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Paul hits the nail on the head when he said, godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6).

It is one of those areas where once again we need the direction and filling of the Holy Spirit. Our sinful nature would lust after things or covet what our neighbour possesses. It is only through the presence of the Spirit in our lives, that we can learn to live content, not being caught in the traps of riches or rags.

DAY 29: Trapped

2010-10-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Did you ever go out to the woods as a kid and build a trap? It might have been the box with a string variety, or a noose in the middle of a path, or trip wire. You may have gone so far as digging a pit covered with a thin layer of twigs and grass. My traps never produced much in the way of animals (thankfully!), but they did teach me a thing or two.

The best traps are the ones that you don’t see coming. They are veiled and hidden from plain sight, or placed in the blind spot of an intended victim. They often entice you with a morsel of something that invites you in for a look, and then catch you unaware from behind.

I think that the traps of sin are much the same. They promise “greener grass” or swifter returns, but end with devastating outcomes. They disguise themselves as good, but end in compromise.

The fear of what others think – living for the approval of those around us – is an example of the later. We can rationalize that it is wise to please our family, wife, boss, or friends. That’s good, isn’t it? But if this takes our eyes off of the Lord, or compromises our beliefs, it can become a snare to us and trip us up.

The focus of Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us to “keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” This is my prayer for today, as there are many other pressures and demands upon my life today.

Day 28: Ya Gotta Pay the Fiddler

2010-10-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

There’s a Texas saying that always reminds me that my actions have consequences. I can imagine an old, toothless cowboy saying this out of the side of his mouth as he haggles with a potential customer: “If you wanna dance ya gotta pay the fiddler.”

The problem is that we live in a world where many times it seems that the unrighteous prosper; that their actions don’t catch up to them. However, this is far from the truth. Listen to the words of the following verses:

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Prov. 28:1)

A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him. (Prov. 28:17)

He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. (Prov. 28:19)

But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sins will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

The Proverbs teaches that sin cannot be concealed. It will reap a harvest in due time. But the offer of the Gospel is that those who confess their sin and turn from their ways find freedom. This is the message of I John 1:9 when it says: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

This is not to say that there are no consequences of our sin, but the fiddler is paid from Another’s pocket. Jesus came to pay a price we could not pay, and erase a debt that was not his. This is the gift offered to those who will believe in Him and call on His name.

Day 27: An Open Agenda

2010-10-27T08:26:00.001-07:00

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

There are two extremes that seem to identify who we are in our approach to life: First, there are the laissez-faire types with the motto “Let go and let God.” Life happens to you and there’s not much you can do. Second, there are those who are planned and controlled, who reflect the mantra, “God helps those who help themselves.”

Somewhere in the middle is the possibility of planning, dreaming, and seeking God as we make plans and chart our course, allowing for the unexpected circumstances or opportunities that God may bring our way. Life is neither a predetermined plot from which we have no escape, nor is it a free-flowing river that’s never been navigated. Two truths are held in tension: There are choices we make that affect the outcome of our lives, but there is also One who walks with us and guides in the midst of our circumstances.

As I read this verse there were two other verses that came to mind, reminding me that I need to live with an open agenda:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Now then, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. James 4:13-15

Day 26: Barn Swallows

2010-10-27T08:24:00.001-07:00

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (Proverbs 26:2)

Two images came to my mind as I read this verse today: visiting my uncle’s farm and an Alfred Hitchcock movie called The Birds. The images reminded me of the truth of this verse, as a person of integrity does not need to fear the accusations of others. However, this does not mean that he or she does not take appropriate, prudent actions to make sure that there is no ground for them. Let me explain.

I watched the classic Hitchcock movie as a boy and was terrified of birds – especially cawing crows and tiny, darting barn swallows. If you’ve never seen the film, it is a case of nature gone wild, taking revenge upon mankind. Images of birds swarming and pecking away at person kept me looking over my shoulder for many years.

The other image is my uncle’s barn, a place where I spent hours building forts and secret hideouts in the hayloft with my cousins. It was a place where I had to deal with my fears and where I learned a valuable lesson.

The lesson was this: since barn swallows feed on insects in flight, the one way to make sure that they don’t come near to you is to make sure mosquitoes and other bugs don’t come near to you. A simple application of insect repellent helped to ensure that you wouldn’t have a swallow dive-bomb towards your face, veering off at the last second.

Integrity is the insect repellent that wards off the undeserved curse. It is not that accusations or verbal persecution will never come, but it won’t stick when a person’s reputation is one of trustworthiness in their words and deeds.

Day 25: The Upside Down Kingdom

2010-10-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

There are some instructions in the Scriptures that don’t seem to make sense – that is, if you take into account conventional wisdom and action. Loving your enemy is one of those things that we know we should do, but struggle with because we don’t understand how God could allow unjust people to take advantage of us, or to persecute us for our beliefs. But it does happen.

This truth - treating others like you would have them treat you, even if they are considered your enemies - is permeated in both the Old and New Testament. Listen to the words of Jesus and Paul:

You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbour and hate your enemy, but I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:34-44

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-19, 21

How can I do this? Does this make me a doormat, open to the abuse of each unjust, ungodly person who comes along and tramples upon me? How can I know when it is right to treat the undeserved with dignity and not react, trying to give them what they deserve?

Taking things into my own hands has never been the answer, even when treating the people well didn’t seem to give the desired result. As impossible as it is (in human terms), there are times when we are driven to our knees and call out, “God I can’t do this! You will have to do it through me.” It is one of the situations where we need wisdom, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help us turn the world around us upside down.

Day 24: When Trials Come

2010-10-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

... for though a righteous man fall seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16)

This verse echoes the message of the book of James, and the verses which precede the promise to provide wisdom for the person who asks God for it. James writes:

Consider it pure joy my brotherers whenever you face tirals af many testing of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. (James 1:2-4)

Last year I had the opportunity to attend a concert by Keith and Kristyn Getty, a married couple that call themselves modern hymn writers. Their music reflects the Irish ballads of their homeland, and the depth of their lyrics speaks of the pain Irish Christians experienced in the midst of trials. Much of their music can be summed up in the title of their song, When Trials Come.

One of the mysteries of the Christian life is the way God draws near to us in times of trouble. As followers of Christ we are not promised that trials will never come, but rather that when they do come, that God walks with us. Read the lyrics below and ponder your situation, whether it be times of trial (for they surely will come) or in times of great rejoicing.

When Trials Come Written by Keith & Kristyn Getty

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun
Till He completes the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old

Day 23: Do not get Drunk on Wine

2010-10-23T06:00:00.001-07:00

Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. (Proverbs 23:31-33)

It would be unwise to get off on a tangent with this verse, but the least you can say is that Solomon doesn’t mince his words. The bottom line is this: if you get caught in the trap of alcohol (or drugs or food or any other unhealthy addiction), you will pay for it in the end. It is a matter of control.

But isn’t it interesting that the same word picture is used by Paul in the New Testament? The issue of control extends to a person being controlled by the Holy Spirit. We read in Ephesians 5:15-18:

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Bob Dylan had a short-lived conversion to Christianity in the late 1970s, and wrote a song, You Gotta Serve Somebody. The fact that he slipped back into a life of fame, drugs and alcohol probably means that it will get lost in some historic time warp, but the words told a tale that repeats itself; either you control the appetites of your sinful nature, or you will be controlled.

The Proverbs speak of a control that is obtained through seeking wisdom, understanding, and God’s path. This same kind of control is spoken in the New Testament using the imagery of being under the control of God’s indwelling Spirit; not to make us perfect or without sin, but to give us forgiveness and replicate the character of Christ in us. In both of these (wisdom and the Holy Spirit), God offers power for living and a hope to live our lives under control.

Day 22: Danger Signs

2010-10-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Proverbs 22:3

83-year-old Harry R. Truman, who had lived near the base of Mount Saint Helens for 54 years, became famous when he decided not to evacuate before the impending eruption, despite repeated pleas by local authorities. His body was never found after the eruption. He had been warned of impending danger, but dug in his heels and was determined to stay.

Harry Truman was not alone. There were 57 others who died on May 20, 1980. They all lived in the area and worked at a paper mill located downstream from the mountain. If it was not for the fact that the explosion took place on a Sunday morning, many more would have been at work. One of the plaguing questions after the natural disaster was why the warnings of the US Geological Survey went unheaded by so many?

Perhaps it is because of a human condition that the Proverbs warns us about. We all like seeing how close we can come to the edge of the cliff. We want to know how far we can can go before we reach a point of no return or stumble off the edge.

The various warnings of Proverbs chapter 22 are signposts that need to be heeded. We are to seek a good name, rather than riches (v. 1). Sowing wickedness will reap trouble (v. 7). The sluggard will go hungry (v. 13). The adulterer will find himself or herself in a deep pit (v. 14). Those who oppress the poor will find themselves in battle against God (v. 22-23). The friend of a hot-tempered man will get ensnared (v.24-25). There are many other warnings that are to be heeded.

On the other hand, there are rewards for those who seek God's wise counsel. The prudent man is rescued (v. 3). Humility and the fear of the lord bring wealth and honor and life (v.4). The generous will themselves be blessed (v. 9). Those who love a pure heart will earn favor of rulers (v. 11).

We may condemn people like Harry Truman and others who did not pay attention to the warnings of Mt. St. Helens, but everyday choices are made that in big ways and small ways represent danger. There is a choice to be made; take refuge when we see danger in our lives, or keep going and suffer for it.

Day 21: The X Factor

2010-10-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

There is a Brazilian saying that describes this verse. It is the "X of the Question", or the X da questão. The literal translation of X (pronounced ‘sheesh’) of the question” is to get to the main point of a matter.

God is more concerned about who we are than what we do, especially when we easily fall into the trap of thinking that the things we do for God win us merit or favour. Our righteous acts are called “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), and never earn us forgiveness or right standing with God. God is pleased when we choose to live to please him out of loving obedience, and not for what we think we might gain.

This theme rings true throughout the Bible. Consider the truth of the following verses, and allow them to shape the way you live today:

Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. (I Samuel 12:22-23)

With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with a thousand of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8)

Day 20: Tough Stuff to Chew On

2010-10-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Proverbs 20:17

Have you ever been eating a delicious meal and sensed that you had a small pebble disguised as a grain of rice? I have - and I broke a tooth in the process. For some reason rice has a particular reputation to allow small pebbles to get through the screening process, and for that reason many people maticulously check each kilo before putting it to the cooking pot.

I doubt that any of us would come out and admit that we eat a meal that is the fruit of fraudulent behaviour, but like that one small pebble in a a package of rice, it is the small acts that come back to haunt their perpetrators. But the Proverbs warns that such actions will reap their harvest.

Galatians 6:7-8 puts it this way: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

I can't imagine that a mouth full of gravel would taste good; one pebble in my rice is enough to cause disasterous results. How much more a life filled with deceit and behaviour that doesn't reflect reverence for God's law. It is one more way to pass along the warning of Numbers 32:23: and you will be sure that your sin will find you out.

Day 19: Rushing In

2010-10-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. Prov. 19:2

"You rush in where angels fear to tread!" I can hear the words of my high school drafting teacher as if it were yesterday, spoken with a strong Scottish accent. Yet those words ring true, even to today.

There is also a Mexican saying that echoes this truth: La prisa es el enimigo de la perfeccion; Being in a hurry is the enemy of perfection (or a job well done).

There is a balance to be sought out, however, as the perfectionist is often paralyzed by his or her inability to act decisively. They can also be fearful, unwilling to try new things, and stayed in their tradition or practices. That's where wisdom come in.

The Proverbs uses the word 'prudence' to describe a person who is informed, calculated, and a good manager of risk (see 19:14 - the prudent wife is a gift from the Lord). A word picture which helps me to understand this is the train running on its tracks, or the power of a canon ball. Prudence is the tracks or the barrel of the canon which directs the projectile and gives direction and aim.

Zeal and passion need to be directed by knowledge and wisdom, otherwise they can disperse all their energy in a multitude of directions. Those who are spontaneous and risk takers (I include myself in this group) need to surround themselves with wise advisors who will give them balance. Otherwise they will fulfill the words of Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. The wise man seeks out God's wisdom through the written Word, and through the counsel of others.

Day 18: One Brick at a Time

2010-10-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Prov. 18:15

There is a construction project taking place accross the street from my home. We first heard about the possibility of the elementary school being built when we moved into the community five years ago. Last year we saw the first indication that the plans were finally taking shape when large machinery came in and prepared the land. Since then the site has been a constant reminder that buildings are the cumulation of planning and daily work, as we have watched the school grow one brick at a time. It has been interesting to see the project take shape.

The process of building our lives is not completely different. The pursuit of wisdom involves discipline and applying ourselves to learning what it means to fear the Lord. This will lead to a heart of wisdom and needs to become a part of our daily routine. It is what I see and learn from the Proverbs: that God rewards the heart of a person who earnestly seeks God and applies themselves to the goal that Paul expresses in Philippians 3:10: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship in his suffering.

This happens not in quick spirts, but in the daily acquisition of knowledge, seeking God's wisdom for one's life. It is a discipline that involves time spent in the Word of God, listening in prayer, and applying what we learn to the situations of life.

This morning I read a John Maxwell leadership blog that reinforced this idea:
"Growth happens daily, not in a day." - Drago

The elementary school accross the street will open its doors in the Fall of 2011; a climax to years of planning and construction. The time I spend in God's Word is a pursuit that allows the Master Builder to shape and form me, not overnight or in one magical moment, but one day and one brick at a time.

Day 17: Comparative Thinking

2010-10-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

I love the sense of humour, seasoned with a good dose of sincerity in Proverbs chapter 17.

The chapter begins with one of the great one-liners of the Bible (Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife). It ends with one of those “ah-ha” moments that causes me to reflect (Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue). These verses are funny; that is, unless you find yourself in one of those situations.

Then there are verses that ring true – like verse 17 – that make you thankful for the people around you. That is, unless you find yourself in a tough situation where there is no friend to walk with you in one of the valleys of life. Then you find yourself falling to your knees and asking God to send someone like that into your life.

As you read the Proverbs you will have one moment when you are laughing, followed by another which leads you to deep reflection. You will laugh at yourself if you consider what is said, but also see yourself in the word pictures that the author paints. You find yourself agreeing with the truths that are presented, but affected by the comparisons that reach down and touches your soul.

This is because the Proverbs deals with the real stuff of life. Topics like family, money, pride, sex, truthful speech, arrogance, and joy are all mentioned in a smorgasbord of pithy sayings and advice. What this teaches me is that God is concerned with all of life. He’s not just interested in making an appearance once a week on Sunday morning. The Holy Spirit, who lives in and through those who are followers of Jesus Christ, walks with us in all of life. This is both my prayer for today – that He be seen in me – and my cause for thanksgiving.

Day 16: A Blank Cheque?

2010-10-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:1-3)

The last time I checked, we’re not supposed to be able to order God around and use him like a magic genie – three wishes granted and then you’re on your own. But this verse seems to indicate that God grants our wishes. Another place where we read this is Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

It is important to remember that Solomon, the compiler and author of the book of Proverbs, is speaking from personal experience (see I Kings chapter 3:1-15). Solomon was a young man when God came to him in a dream and said, “Ask for me whatever you want me to give you.” We read that Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people, passing over the temptation to ask for riches, fame, or long life. God was pleased with Solomon’s answer, and blessed him beyond his declared wish.

There are two thoughts that help me understand the “black cheque” nature of these verses. First, the blessing of God rests upon the request being made from a pure, transformed heart, with motives that are weighted by the Lord, and in line with his will. Second, with our choices comes responsibility and consequences of our choices.

Wisdom is to be valued more than gold, fame, or long life. Each of these wishes, or “resources,” is of little value if not tempered with the gift of common sense and wisdom. We need to use them wisely, with the guidance of God, who is the giver of all good things and who rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Day 15: Ruling the Rudder

2010-10-15T05:12:00.001-07:00

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. .. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:1-2, 4)

The first couple of verses in Proverbs chapter 15 bring me back to the theme of controlling our speech, but this time with a positive bent. The impact of someone who knows how to use their words wisely produces peace, offers up timely knowledge and brings healing.

My thoughts went to the book of James: Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go (James 3:4). James compares the tongue to a ship’s rudder or a bit that controls a horse; small things that can give positive direction to large objects or animals.

This made me think of some of the small words or phrases that I can use to build up the people around me. How long does it take for me to mention to my kids that I’m proud of an action they’ve done or accomplishment? One kind comment goes a long way in making peace in the home. Thanking people for their service or generosity prepares the heart for a growing relationship. Of all the people who should know how to encourage people with their words, Christians should be on the forefront.

Proverbs 15:22 speaks of this when it says: A man finds joy in giving an apt reply -- how good is a timely word!

Asking God to fill us with his Spirit implies self-control, not only in a negative sense, but also the positive. This day I want to ask God to make me aware of situations where I can bring a word of hope or encouragement, and then act upon the opportunity with a word aptly spoken. Lord, help me to be a person who brings that timely word to people who need hope.

Day 14: Road Rage

2010-10-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

Have you ever witnessed or been the victim of road rage? (I won’t ask if you’ve been tempted or actively participated – that would get far too personal, wouldn't it?)

I was riding on a city bus a couple of months ago when our driver got cut off by a black pick-up. Our driver raced after the vehicle, ignoring people at bus stops and the calls from others who wanted to get off. He finally caught up to the vehicle at a traffic light and clipped the truck’s rear-view mirror. That’s when the fight started, the police were called, we gave statements, and I spent the better part of an hour waiting until Translink could send another bus to take the place of the grounded driver. It was a foolish thing to do, especially with a bus full of witnesses that were already at the end of their patience.

I was among those who condemned the bus driver for giving in to his temper, but I saw something of myself in his actions. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought of doing the same, but held back because I didn’t want to dent my vehicle. I’ve had other times (not on the road) when I’ve given in to my anger, and immediately wished I could take back my actions.

Patience is a virtue seldom exercised on the road of life, yet it is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit and part of what the wise and discerning person displays. I don’t think it’s something that comes naturally to me, and once again it’s an area where I need the Spirit’s direction and control.

Proverbs 13:33 adds that wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. To repose is to rest, even when everything tells us to strike back with words or anger. To rest is to trust in God, despite the circumstances or actions of others. It’s being controlled by a power that is able to hold us back when it is wise to do so.

Day 13: Second-hand Smoke and First-class Friends

2010-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov. 13:20

I have a friend who struggled with quiting his smoking habit. He was a smoker for years and knew the danger to his health, and felt the pain in his wallet. He was aware that his second-hand fumes were dangerous to his wife and grandchildren. Just spending time with him warranted a good shower, as the invisible influence of the fumes permeated clothing.

However, that man is a first-class friend. He was vulnerable and open, always asking for help and wanting to be accountable. It took time - many years - but he is now free of his habit and helping others with addiction issues. He learned that as he spent time with people who could help him that he eventually became someone who could encourage and help others with similar issues. The people he hung around with eventually influenced and helped him to overcome the habit.

This verse is clear: who we spend time with will influence who we become, either for the good or the bad. It is a truth that I know as a parent, and a constant prayer for my children. It is something that reminds me to be careful as I decide who I hang out with. It is not that I avoid spending time with others who need a hand up, but that I also recognize the importance of walking with people who will influence me towards the paths of God.

One thing that I have learned over the years: as I rub shoulders with godly men and women, something rubs off on me. I need to seek this out as a person who learns to walk with the wise.

Day 12: Talk in NOT Cheap

2010-10-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

There are times when talk is costly, not cheap; times when what you’ve said in the heat of a moment hurts the people you love the most. You wish you could take your words back, but what has been said, has been said.

One of the areas that the Proverbs challenges me is that of self-control, especially in the area of my words. Some of the things we say in a moment are remembered for an eternity; painful words take a long time to be erased from the memory of those we love the most.

The New Testament also speaks of the taming of the tongue. James 3:1-12 is a passage full of stern warnings to the person unable to control his speech. Jesus said that “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” and warned that men will have to give account for “every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:34-36).

But there is hope! Hope that wisdom can make me person under the control and influence of the Spirit and that my words can bring healing. Hope that my speech can rescue me, together with those around me (Prov. 12:6). There is a transformation that allows my words to endure forever (Prov. 1:19), something which brings delight to the Lord (verse 22).

I need that kind of control in my life, and recognizing that part of the fruit of the Spirit we read about in Galatians 5:22-24 is self-control, and that includes the taming of the tongue. It causes me to pray the words of Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Day 11: Blessed to be a Blessing

2010-10-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another witholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:23-24)

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving - a day we set aside to consider the ways we are blessed. This is a day when the generosity I've seen is God's generosity expressed to me and my family.

It's interesting that today the verses that caught my attention were on generosity. On the day when we're introspective and count our personal blessings, the word to me was that I need to share these blessings with others - it's not just about me.

These verses reminded me of the promise of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 - I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing ... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

We are not generous and outward thinking to get more; we are blessed to bless others. We need to be generous to those who cannot give back; to those who God places in our path that may not normally be in our circle of friends.

That's where the economy of God sets in, where the one who loses himself, finds himself. It is where living for others is to be the norm, and where generosity is encouraged, not because of what we might get in return, but out of gratitude. This all enables me to be grateful, not only today, but each day. It is an attitude of gratitude that flows from the Spirit of God.

Day 10: The "No Wax" Guarantee

2010-10-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Prov. 10:9

The Greek word for integrity is a wonderful word picture of what it means to be a person of character that can be trusted. The word sincera literally means "without wax," and is often translated both integrity or sincere.

The word comes from the marketplace, and refers to the sale of marble statues. Artesians would carve figures of Greek gods, images that were often placed on display in the houses of aristocrates. Often a slight imperfection or slip of the hand would result in a chip or break in the statue, and would be covered up with a white paste or wax. The honest artist would place his piece of work in the direct sunlight, an act that would melt away any wax and reveal the imperfections. The work that was sin cera could stand the heat of the sun.

The book of Proverbs reminds us that crooked or imperfect paths will be found out. The Psalms tells us that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet, keeping us on the path of integrity (Psalm 119:105). That same lamp (the Word of God) is described in Hebrew 4:12 as a double-edged sword that divides soul and spirit, measuring our thoughts and motives. It is the Word of God that reveals who we truly are; whether we are living a selfish life or if we are reflecting the Lord. It is the light that shows the path we have chosen to walk on.

Day 9: Life Accumulated

2010-10-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. Prov. 9:9

The 9th chapter of Proverbs teaches that wisdom is an accumulated commodity; it grows with the life-lessons and application of our experiences. Wisdom builds a house upon a solid foundation (Prov. 9:1) and adds many years to life (Prov. 9:11).

The problem is that, while some people learn from their experiences, yet there are many others that seem to repeat their folly. They live without the direction and discernment that is promised to those who fear the Lord (Prov. 9:10). We are told that whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, and whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse (Prov. 9:7). What is the difference?

Wisdom is to be valued and sought after, as a treasure. It is like a well constructed house, built upon the foundation of the principles and guidelines of God’s Word. We are reminded that those who build upon this foundation will stand the tests and storms of time. Wisdom causes us to grow and affects many facets of our lives.

The fact that the wise and righteous maintain a teachable attitude reminds us that the wisdom of God knows no limits – there will always be areas in which we can grow and learn to apply this wisdom in our lives. The Bible calls this unfathomable riches and unsearchable judgements of God (Rom 11:33). In Christ are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Knowledge of our Creator is called wonderful and lofty, beyond what we can attain (Psm. 139:6).

The wise acknowledge their need for God’s direction and wisdom in life, knowing that in the end their pursuit of wisdom will reward them (Prov. 9:12).

Day 8: Finding Life

2010-10-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the LORD. (Proverbs 8:35)

Proverbs chapter 8 is one of the parts of the book which speaks most clearly about the link between the Spirit of God and wisdom. If you go back and insert the words “the Spirit” in each place where the words “I” or “wisdom” are used, it becomes even clearer. The Spirit was present at the beginning of creation (Prov. 8:22-32), and is the giver of life to those who earnestly seek him (Prov. 8:34-46).

Solomon declares a promise of God when he writes; I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me (Prov. 8:17). This promise goes hand in hand with Luke 11:13: If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

This truth is echoed in other parts of the New Testament. Romans 8:1-4 uses the same imagery as Paul speaks of “the spirit of life” that sets us free from the “spirit of sin and death.” The chapter speaks of life in the Spirit and inseparable link between finding life and victory over the sinful nature.

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6).

In the New Testament authors had two Greek words to describe life: bios and zoe. Bios is the functional aspects of physical or animal life; the living and breathing of life. Zoe is the qualitative aspects of life, of feeling or loving or enjoying life. It's quite clear whch word is used to describe the life that God offers.

Life in the Spirit gives us power for living a life that makes us complete; that allows us to be the people God created us to be. It is through his dynamic presence living in us and through us that the life (zoe) of God becomes a personal reality for those who seek him.

Day 7: Grace-Awakened Disfunctionality

2010-10-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commandments and you will live; guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. (Proverbs 7:1-2)

Have you noticed that the last three chapters had a reoccurring theme? For a book full of patchwork pieces of wisdom on a variety of topics, chapters 5-7 of Proverbs is the most focused part of the book and warns readers about adultery and sexual sin. It is important while reading these portions to remember the context of Solomon’s own family to understand some of his comments.

David and Bathsheba – his father and mother – were the main players in the greatest sex scandal in the Bible (See 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12 in the Old Testament). Their story would make the pages of the National Enquirer or any gossip column; yet God’s grace and forgiveness extended to them and their second son, Solomon, who would eventually become the heir to the throne. There was not only restoration, but grace enough for Solomon to honour his father and his mother.

This is where the Gospel begins; with broken people who come to the point where we know that we need a Saviour and acknowledge that we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But it doesn’t stop there; it leads to transformation that enables us to avoid the pitfalls of life. We don’t go on heading straight towards a life of sin in order that “grace may abound” (Romans 6:1).

One of the best ways I know how to do this is through storing up God’s word in my heart, either through reading it, or memorizing it. David’s words in Psalm 119:11 say it best: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. This seems to be a lost art in today's world; an art that needs to be recaptured. It is one way that grace awakens in our lives.

*The Grace Awakening is a book by Chuck Swindoll, and a term often used by Geoge Verwer.

Day 6: Rats and Bats

2010-10-06T05:48:00.001-07:00

My son (and daughter), keep to your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching ... For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. Proverbs 6:20, 23

Have you ever experienced complete darkness? Have you been in a place where you could hold your hand in front of face and not see it?

As a teenager our family visited the Lewis and Clarke Caverns in Montana. Our tour guide was a young, funny guy who explained the detail and wonders of that underground world. In one large room he warned us that he was going to turn off the lights, but that we needed to know something before he did it. He explained that the cave was infested with rats that liked to chew on the tips of shoestrings, and bats that got caught in the longer hair of women. He was obviously joking - or was he?

I've only been in darkness equal to that black hole on two other occasions. The lights went out and the numbing and deafening darkness enveloped us. Just then something brushed against my foot. I gave out a swift and certain kick in the direction of the intruder.

I'm not sure if my brother ever forgave me. He stumbled in the darkness and the guide quickly put on the lights. My reward for warding off the "intruder" was a stone-hard punch to the arm.

The scriptures uses the metaphore of light to describe God's Word. Light illuminates our path and shows us the stumbling blocks (or pebbles) that are in our way. A light exposes what is thought to be hidden in the darkness. The light reveals truth.

The book of Proverbs takes the reader down a light-enabled path, seeing not only evil in others, but also the darkness that lurks in the deepest part of our souls. I wouldn't be surprised if it also scatters a number of rats and bats that are out there, just waiting for the next unsuspecting victim.

Day 5: Curiosity Killed the Cat

2010-10-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

Keep to a path far from her (adulteress), do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel. (Proverbs 5:8-9)

We’ve got some great word-pictures in the English language, and for those of us who are not cat lovers, curiosity killed the cat is one of them. I think of it every time the neighbour’s cat comes and drinks from our dog’s water dish, just outside our back door window. She constantly dangles at the brink of danger and even flaunts her audacity with a flick of her tail. She goes from yard to yard and checks out all of the other pet’s dishes in our complex, but one day she’s going to get a surprise. You see the new neighbours down the road have a big, mangy, mutt and it’s not afraid of cats.

Proverbs chapter five speaks of one specific sin, but the principle applies to all others. What is common is our bent towards pushing the limit and seeing how close we can get to something without getting burnt. This chapter is clear; stay away from it!

I’ve been reading Drops from a Leaking Tap by George Verwer, the founder of Operation Mobilisation, a mission group with over 3,000 members around the world. He shares an honest struggle of how he as a leader has dealt with pornography and sexual sin, with what he calls a “grace awakened” approach to avoiding the traps set along his way. The first word of advice he gives about temptation is “don’t go looking for it, because if you do, it will find you.”

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to guide us in all truth, and to guide our feet, eyes, and ears. Submitting to the Spirit will make us sensitive to the places we shouldn’t meander, and those things which lead to destruction. My prayer today (and every day) is that He keep me to a path that is aligned with God’s will for my life.

Day 4: Heart Health

2010-10-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Have you ever spent time in a doctor’s office reading the pamphlets or posters on the wall? There are 3 pointers that are basic to a healthy heart: Get plenty of rest, eat properly, and exercise daily. Is it any surprise that a healthy spiritual heart requires the same three elements?

Get Plenty of Rest: The title of Mark Buchanan’s book, The Rest of God, is a play on words. As we learn to rest (or trust) in God, we learn that there is so much more to learn about God. Rest is more than taking an afternoon snooze or watching a movie, but it is the purposeful exercise to be quiet before God, allowing him to speak to us, observing His work in our lives and the world around us. Some call this Sabbath, but it’s just plain smart practice for our spiritual health.

Eat the Right Foods: There was an old saying when computers first came out: GIGO, or garbage in, garbage out. Simply stated, what you put into the CPU it spits out. It’s not a mystery that people who spend time reading God’s Word and study it with others (small group or at church) grow in their walk with the Lord. Far too many people try to live on spiritual junk food and wonder why they have no power or energy when it comes to the challenges of life.

Exercise Daily: Spiritual exercise means serving others and putting into practice that which we’ve learned. We can eat the right food, but if there is too much of it, we become blimps. There’s a need to put what we learn into practice in our daily lives, affecting how we treat others around us.

What are the benefits of having a healthy heart? Verses 24-27 gives us three hints, as the passages speak of our words, our eyes, and our feet. The consequences of a health heart affect the temptations of life. I need to take some time to contemplate my spiritual heart health and to pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Day 3: Sins of Omission

2010-10-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4:14

I've heard it said that there are sins of commission and omission; there is willful disobedience and passive indifference. Both are called sin.

As followers of Jesus we are taught that we ought to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are even told to go the extra mile and show love and kindness to those we would call our enemies. Our selfless actions are a result of our deep faith in the fact that God is a rewarder of those who follow his commands.

The direct co-relation of the book of Proverbs and the book of James is that faith that is not put into practice is not faith at all. Reading the two books together is a practical guide to the question posed by Francis Schaeffer: How then shall we live?

What I need to remember is that sin is not always the blatant heading for the doors of trouble (as we see later in the book of Proverbs), but it is also avoiding the opportunity set before us to show the love of God in a situation.

Note: For a devotional and comments based on Proverbs 3:5,6 see:

http://lukefiveten.blogspot.com/2009/10/line.html

DKB

Day 2: A Famished Soul

2010-10-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will undersatnd the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs. 2:4,5

"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!" Has one of your kids ever said that in desperation as they waited for something to magically appear on the supper table? Have you ever said it?

Perhaps the exaggeration that I see in my children helps me to understand the secret to gaining wisdom. The phrase "the fear of the LORD" is one of the keys to understanding the whole of the book, as the phrase or a version of it is repeated 21 times. Understand this concept and you gain a better chance of obtaining the wisdom promised.

Chapter 2 starts off by listing eight characteristics which describes a person who understands "the fear of the LORD." They are:

- Accept God's words.
- Store up God's commands within you.
- Turn your ear to wisdom.
- Apply your heart to understanding.
- Call out for insight.
- Cry aloud for understanding.
- Look for it as silver.
- Search for it as hidden treasure.

Each of the characteristics describe a person who is hungry for God; someone so desperate that they will do what it takes to obtain the promise. David expressed this heart attitude in the Psalms:

As the deer pants for the waters, so my soul longs for you. (Psm. 42:1)

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. (Psm. 63:1)

This is not different from the words of Jesus, when he said:

Seek first the kingdom of God, and all of these things (the cares and concerns of everyday life) will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:10)

The author of the Hebrews agrees with the principle that Solomon is teaching:

Without faith it is impossible to please God, but anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

This all leaves me with one question for today: am I hungry for God? If I am, I'm in good stead to learn what it means to fear God and gain a heart of understanding and wisdom.

Day 1: The Battle For My Will

2010-10-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Prov. 1:7

There is an amazing contrast that is highlighted in this, the first chapter of the Proverbs. It makes all the difference between having the ability to live in safety (v. 1:33), avoid temptation (v. 1:10), and doing what is right and just (1:3). Wisdom is accumulative (v. 1:5); a never ending pursuit of the person who truly seeks and desires to know God. Those who do not heed God's wisdom or seek Him are called "simple ones."

There are consequences for not seeking God. These are people who cannot call out His name when disaster strikes (v. 1:27). They will eat the fruit of the ways and fall into their own traps. They will be lulled to sleep by complacency; destroyed by their own schemes. In some ways the author of the Provebs says that they will get what they deserve (v. 20-32).

The call to wisdom in the beginning of this book is clear: there are consequences for our choices. It is not that God plots schemes and punishment, but the natural path of our decisions will bear fruit, either for the good or the bad. It is like the command of the Lord to the people of Israel when they were told: Be sure your sin will find you out. Deut. 32:23

Which path will I choose today? Will I seek God's wisdom and ask Him to make His thoughts known to me in my decisions and actions? Or will I love my simple ways and ignore His advice? This is a battle for my will that takes place daily; a battle for my heart and soul that determines who I will follow.

Take the Proverb-a-Day Challenge

2010-10-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

The book of Proverbs offers a wonderful opportunity to look at what it means to walk daily with Christ, or to live the Spirit-filled life. We considered two verses that are invitations from God:

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven not give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

While there is not an etymological root between the Hebrew word for wisdom and the filling of the Holy Spirit as described in the New Testament, they both refer to the ability to live out what we believe.

The Hebrew understanding of wisdom is not quantitative head knowledge, but rather heart knowledge, or know-how, or the power for living. Wisdom is not the accumulation of knowledge, but the application of knowledge to our daily lives. In the same way, it is not enough to know about the Holy Spirit, but we need to experience His power for living as we face the challenges and tests of life.

This is summed up in Ephesians 5:15 and followed by the command in Ephesians 5;18:

Be careful how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

I want to extend an invitation to anyone who would follow this blog: Read a Proverb a day during the month of October and jot down your comments about that verse, or on another which spoke to you. I’ll post my comments between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. and will look forward to hearing form others who are taking the challenge. I believe that we’ll see that there is an amazing correlation between the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:22-23) and the wisdom described in the Proverbs.

Hockey as Missions: A Canadian Perspective, eh!

2010-01-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

(With apologies to the 3.7% of the Canadian population that are not hockey fans.)

One of the trends in the world of missions has perked my thinking. “Business as Mission” (a.k.a. BAM) describes the tentmaker’s strategy of using professional skills to reach to the difficult corners of the world with a visible, vibrant witness. Could a uniquely Canadian version of this movement be called Hockey as Mission?

It is hard to imagine the Apostle Paul skating down on a breakaway or standing at the face-off circle at centre ice, but allow me some creative leeway. Let’s think about our faith and sharing it with others through Canadian cultural expressions from the rink. It’s one of those things that you can do on a cold, winter night, after the final highlight reel has been shown and the reruns of the Leafs loosing another game come on for those who make this their late-night antidote for insomnia. Hockey as Mission (a.k.a. HAM) could be a Canadian expression that helps us to understand our role in the global church.

Hockey as Mission would help the average pew sitter to understand that the world of spiritual and physical hunger is much like living in Winnipeg or Hamilton. There is only one thing that will satisfy the hungry souls of those NHL-starved fans; a franchise that is their own. But how long will it take for the league to actually consent to sending a team and unthawing the relationship between head office and their cities? How long will it take the church to understand that Christ’s commandment is for his followers to bring a relevant expression of his body to every corner of the earth?

Canadians have a rich history in sending both their hockey players and missionaries into the arena of global impact. Jonathan Goforth’s ministry in China was marked by Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered evangelism; he was a leader with the determination and heart of Gretzky. A.B. Simpson’s world-wide movement began with a small band of German and Italian immigrants; their passion to reach the world birthed the Christian and Missionary Alliance and left a legacy that rivals the Montreal Canadiens. Robert Jaffray had the skill and grace of Bobby Orr as he stick-handled his way around various political encounters, using his upbringing as the son of the owner of the Toronto Globe and Mail to influence governments and open the countries of Vietnam and Indonesia to missionary activity. Like “Sid the Kid,” Don Richardson spent hours honing his skills as a teenager talking to Portuguese sailors on the wharfs of Victoria’s harbour; here he developed his ability to listen to the stories of others and began to form the concept of redemptive analogies as a vehicle to share the Gospel. Canadian missionaries and hockey players share a determination and sense of destiny that drives them to become world leaders.

And what would Don Cherry have to say? He’d be wearing an odd-coloured sports coat with a tie that blazed a stylized fish circling the words of the fruit of the Spirit. He’d rip into the worship leader for including an anthem that breaks from the traditional HNIC hymn. He’s point out that the ushers in church are the real heroes, mucking it up in the corners and always ready to pass off to the superstars. He’d pull out a long-forgotten story of when he was a coach and the heroic ways that he led his group of ordinary boys into an impossible battle; a tale of victory that deserves a volume in Canadian history. His analysis of how Canadians are doing in the task of the Great Commission would be controversial, yet to the point.

Canadians have something to offer the world that goes beyond hockey. Our rich history in missions and the faith of our fathers needs to be celebrated. Our multi-ethnic make-up provides tools and skills for a new generation of young Christians to listen, understand, and share Christ with an increasingly global community. We as Canadian Christians have something unique and special to offer.

When God called Moses he asked him to use what he had in his hand; a rod or a stick. When God calls Canadians, it just might be that we can learn from one of the tools we have in our hand. We need to be in the game and bring what we have to offer to a world that needs to know Christ. We need to be participants – not just observers – of the Great Commission. In the words of Red Green, a man who is known more for his comedy than his theology, we need to “keep our stick on the ice.”

Here am I Lord - Send Moses!

2010-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

There is no excuse for making excuses. That’s the basic gist of the conversation between God and Moses in Exodus Chapter Four. God had called Moses to a specific task, but Moses spent time laying out his list of excuses as to why he is not the one to lead the people of God out of slavery into the promised land. In the end we’re told that the Lord’s patience came to a limit and His anger burned against Moses (Exodus 4:14). That must have been like a deafening roar of a lion and a terrifying experience, because in the following verses we see Moses change his mind and begin to follow God’s orders.

In the days of Jesus people gave their excuses to put off His call to discipleship. The old chorus “I Cannot Come” lists those excuses: “I have bought a field, I have bought a yoke of oxen, or I’ve just taken a wife” (see Luke 14:15-24). To others who justified their disobedience Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead,” and “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (See Luke 9:57-62). It is nothing new that the call to follow Christ was met with excuses.

Things have not changed much. Today when we hear the call of missions and global impact, but we also hear a disheartening number of groups that tell us that we should stop sending Western missionaries. “North Americans are expensive and just mess things up (either culturally or with their sense of superiority),” they say. “Don’t you know about the history of Western missions and their connection with the sins of colonialism?” And then there’s the argument that “it’s much cheaper and more effective to pay for a national worker or evangelist without having to send ‘expensive’ Western missionaries.” Such arguments encourage us to use surrogates that will go in our place, but it’s an example of how we are content to throw out tidbits of cash, but unwilling to invest what really counts; send our flesh and blood to train those national leaders and walk alongside them as living examples of Christ’s love. It’s nothing more than veiled excuses and blatant disobedience to the Great Commandment.

Remember this: Justified disobedience is still disobedience, no matter how good the excuse.

In the past the Church measured its health and zeal by its passion to send out people into the world. People like Oswald Sanders, A.B. Simpson, and many others knew that there was a dynamic link between vibrant spiritual life and personal involvement in Great Commission ministries. If we are honest and look at the Church in North America, we would have to say that world evangelization has dropped a notch or two. In some cases it has been taken off of the agenda, and the excuses listed above are given as a justification. Is it any wonder that the North American church has begun to sag, and now begins to sit sadly on the sidelines as it watches a vibrant missionary Church in the developing world take up the torch?

I’m struggling with this. How can I mobilize a generation and culture that is saturated with comfort and complacency? How do I balance the need for missionary supporters and prayer warriors with the equally weighty need to send out workers into the harvest fields? How do I communicate that the primary motivation to responding to the Great Commission is loving obedience, not guilt or other devices of manipulation? But perhaps the most important question that I must always ask myself is this: Am I obedient to the voice and calling of God in my life, or do I settle for passing this off to another?

They Were No Fools

2010-01-05T05:37:00.001-08:00

“He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot loose.”
Jim Elliot, Missionary Martyr

Over fifty years have passed since Jim Elliot penned the prophetic words which describe the sacrifice he and four others made along the banks of Ecuador’s Curaray River. The world called Operation Auca a failure and tragic loss of life, but the Church responded by sending many others who took up the challenge of the missionary martyrs.

Ethnographic Media and Bearing Fruit Communications produced three films in recent years, telling the story from different perspectives. Beyond Gates of Splendor told the story in documentary form, hearing from the widows and survivors of the martyrs. End of the Spear told the story from Steve Saint’s point of view, first as a young child, then as a grown man. Those who come to Missions Fest Vancouver this year will be able to watch The Grandfathers, the third part of a trilogy that considers the story of the Auca martydom. The film follows Jamie Saint as he goes back to live among the people who helped kill his grandfather, Nate Saint.

As I watch these films and review the events of January 8, 1956, I cannot help but ask some questions. How will the sacrifice of the five men be remembered? What impact does this have upon us today?

The climate in the church in the 1950s was one of rebuilding and triumphal optimism. The world was recovering from World War II and the economies of the West were bursting at the seams. There was a race to get into space, Elvis Presley and other rock and rollers shook up America, and the generation known as the “Boomers” was born. While the church faced challenges from modernity, evolution in the public school system, and philosophical liberalism, it was also enjoying a season of growth and reasonable comfort.

The death of five young men in Ecuador shook the Church from its perch of comfort and complacency. The exact numbers are not known, but thousands accepted the call to missionary service in response to the story of the sacrifice of the Auca martyrs. The growth in the number of Christian missionaries sent out from North America in the late 1950s and early 1960s was measurable. The events of January 1956 took place on an isolated sand bank in the Ecuadorian jungle, but they had an impact upon the world.

What became of the many who joined the ranks of the global missionary family? They planted churches and translated the scriptures. They started Bible Schools and equipped national leaders. They brought practical relief and development to millions of needy people. They made a difference and touched the lives of an untold number of people who today are a part of the world-wide body of Christ.

But where is this army of missionaries today? They’ve returned and are either in retirement homes, or gone on to glory. If you do the math you will realize that the decrease in numbers of missionaries going out from countries like Canada and the USA in the last decade is partially due to the homecoming of this group.

Allow me a couple of final questions. If it is true that the events of January 1956 resulted in a mass movement of young people in obedience to God’s call to world missions; and if it is true that this group today finds itself in either their national or heavenly home; then may I ask, what will it take for the next generation to take up the standard and finish the task of the Great Commission? Will it take another tragic martyrdom? What will God use to move us from a sense of complacency and comfort which rivals that of the 1950s?

While it is good for us to remember that Jim Elliot and his companions were not fools and that they made an incredible sacrifice for the advance of the Gospel, will their example move us beyond awe and reverence to action and obedience? Each generation must answer that question as it continues to address the call to serve God in the midst of a world that does not know Christ.

For those who live in the Metro Vancouver region, I invite you to come to Missions Fest 2010 (January 8-10). This is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with people who are making a difference in the world.
www.missionsfestvancouver.ca

Finish the Race

2010-01-02T07:57:00.001-08:00

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Missions Fest Vancouver 2010’s theme is “Finish the Race;” a fitting metaphor that matches the atmosphere of our city in the days leading up to the Winter Olympics. It is also fitting because Paul’s declaration encompasses two timely and important aspects of Christian missions. These aspects are seen in the two principle characters; the author of the book (Paul) and its recipient (Timothy).

Paul as a Finisher

The obvious reference of the 2 Timothy 4:7 is to Paul himself; he wants to finish well. His attitude to serve God as long as he is given life and breath is seen in some of the books he wrote in the last months and days of his life:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:21-26

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will awarded to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

My work at Missions Fest allows me to work with many people who embody this attitude. It’s my privilege to work with those who see their “golden years” as a time to serve God and be involved in ministries around the world. I enjoy working with these people and helping then find a place where they can find significance in the global work of the Kingdom of God. But simple demographics would tell me that they are in the minority.

The so-called “Boomer Generation” is entering their retirement years as the best educated, richest, and healthiest generation ever seen in history. In Canada alone there are an estimated 200,000 Evangelicals that entered retirement, and unfortunately many of them are more concerned about their golf score or next trip to Florida, than the state of world evangelisation or the plight of the poor. I don’t think that I am the only one that would question if they are truly finishing well.

Timothy as a Disciple

Paul is able to make his declaration about finishing well because he already began the process of passing along the torch of leadership to Timothy and others. He is concerned with the on-going work of evangelisation and the health of churches that he is planted. Paul says to Timothy:

You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction ... do the work of an evangelist. (2 Timothy 4:2, 5b)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift ... Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

One of my mentors, an older pastor whom I worked with, once told me, “Never measure success in ministry in the moment; either for the good or the bad. Measure your impact 2 years or more after you have left, because then you will see the fruit that lasts. The only thing that matters is lasting fruit.”

Camille F. Bishop, a long-time YWAM leader and author of We’re in this Boat Together: Leadership Succession between the Generations, states that the “face of leadership is changing across America, and the stakes have never been higher.” This is true in the business world, but it is especially true in the world of evangelical mission agencies. Many organizations are facing the challenge of passing the torch from founders and their supporters, who are comprised of builders and boomers who were part of the formation and development of the organization.

There is a double-sided irony that disturbs me in the world of North American Evangelicalism. First, I see a generation of people interested in making an impact for the Kingdom of God who founded movements and worked hard, but have done little or nothing in terms of passing along this torch or preparing younger leaders. Then there is a generation that is known as the most digitally connected group of people to ever enter the work force, yet they are starving for relationships and mentors that will guide them. Someone has to bring these two groups together. Someone has to help these two groups see that “finishing the race” includes identifying, equipping, and releasing the next generation of leaders. This will result is an impact and lasting fruit that will.

Conclusion

There is a need in the North American Church for both groups of people – those who are like Paul and are leaders and visionaries, and younger leaders like Timothy who will take up the torch and run with it – to be aware of the mandate of Jesus in Matthew 24:14:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Followers of Christ are all invited to run a spiritual race in obedience to the commissioning of God and to engage in the work of making Christ known through word and deed. We are all encouraged to run that race with perseverance. We are all called, no matter at what stage of life we are in, to finish well.

Missions Month

2010-01-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

In the month of January I will be posting weekly editorials which speak of trends and movements in Evangelical Christian missions. It is my hope that this will spark conversations and challenge people to consider their participation in the work of the Kingdom of God both at home and abroad.

Dwayne K. Buhler

The Refugee

2009-12-25T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hatred oozed from the eyes of the young man as he stared into the camera. He wore a balaclava that hid his identity. He spoke in slow, angry tones. “I am the son of a refugee. In 1967 the Israelis, backed by their supporters in America, took my home and country from my people; the Palestinians. For the last 40 years we have lived as refugees, ejected from our homeland by Jews and Christians, and rejected by our Arab brothers. Tonight, if it be the will of the Almighty, they will all be judged for crimes against my people: The Israelis for taking our land; The Americans for providing the weapons of war; and those in Egypt, who, for the greatest part, have turned a blind eye to our plight and sided with our enemies. After this evening – a holy night to some – you will all pay a price. Praise be to Ala!”

The click of the camera signalled the end of a second message that would be included in a brown envelope. The two suicide messages would be dropped off at Ahkbar al-Adab, the state-owned newspaper, shortly after the cataclysmic event.

Massar Sayad and his childhood friend, Mohammed al-Wada, had a simple plan. They would go to the Maadi Grand Mall in the ex-patriot sector of the city of Cairo. They would enter the ornate building individually to pass by security guards. They would meet with a shopkeeper who had secretly smuggled explosives into his store with another shipment. The three would assemble and detonate a bomb large enough to bring down a corner of the five-storey shopping mall. Filled with Christmas shoppers, dozens of store owners and hundreds of foreigners would be among the casualties. The two men were willing to give their lives for this cause.

The men hid in a small house in the slums of Coptic-Cairo, one of the oldest sectors of the city. The owner of the home was known to the police, and suspected of hosting illegal Palestinians and Lebanese immigrants. He was under the watch of the local police because of his suspicious links to a terrorist organization, but his position as a leader in the local Shiite Mosque shielded him from any accusations of local authorities.

Massar and Mohammed synchronized their watches; it was 7:03 in the morning. They thanked their host. They would go to another friend’s house for a martyr’s meal, then take separate taxis to the international zone shortly after noon. They planned to be ready for the operation by the late afternoon, when the mall would be teeming with last-minute shoppers and merchants. If anyone had second thoughts about what they were going to do, it was too late.

The streets of the oldest quarter of Cairo were buzzing with people making purchases in the open air markets. It was Christmas Eve for those who followed the Western calendar, and although most Egyptian Coptics would not be breaking their 43-day fast from meat and other foods for another two weeks, this evening was a festive occasion. Sweet breads and halwah, a sesame paste candy that was common in Israel and the Middle East, would be added to the post-sunset supper that families served. Christian churches would hold services, observing the Roman Catholic tradition of midnight Mass. Egyptian Christians and Muslims alike knew that the rest of the world was celebrating the coming of the Christ child; the One who came to the land of Egypt as a refugee.

Massar and Mohammed stopped for a moment and watched a group of Western tourists that stood outside of the Abu Serga, the site of St. Sergio and St. Bacchus Church. The ancient Coptic Church was built on what was reported to be the site of the house where Joseph and Mary lived when they fled the slaughter of King Herod. Some even said that it was here that the wise men from the East came to present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This was a holy place that was to be respected. Muslims recognized Jesus as a prophet and their holy book, the Koran, spoke of this place and of palm trees that bowed in the wind as Jesus entered the city. Massar and Mohammed would never dare to desecrate a place as revered as Abu Serga. But they knew that the irony of the situation was that some of the tourists, now standing in front of this place of worship, could be the same people that would be in the shopping mall later that day.

“He was a refugee,” mentioned Mohammed as he spoke in sarcastic tones. “The one they call their Messiah was a refugee. They tried to kill him, just like they’ve tried to kill our people.”

Massar didn’t want to reveal his ignorance about Jesus, so he added the little he knew about the Christmas celebration. “My father, when he was a boy, lived outside of Bethlehem when it was a part of Palestine. It was a place where Christians and Muslims and Jews all lived. It was the place where the prophet of the Christians was born.”

“And they took that land from us in the Six-Day War,” interrupted Mohammed. “Ever since the oldest of days they have been taking away our land and sending us away as retched, rejected people. They did it to their own prophet and they are doing it to us today.”

Massar could see through the open doors of the ornate church and watched as people inside knelt before a cross. Some crossed themselves and others sat on simple wooden benches, contemplating the many icons placed on the altar before them. A priest in robes carried a long gold standard with a large cross and another followed him, carrying incense that was billowing from a small pot on the end of a swinging chain. He had seen Christian worship in other places, but this sight was something that was out of the ordinary.

“We will be remembered and worshiped, just like him.” Mohammed pointed to a large painting in the back corner of the church. The print depicted a young Middle Eastern man leading a donkey, with his wife and child aboard. In the background fires leapt from buildings in the distance.

“I did not know that Christians worship a refugee,” said Massar. “How could this be?”

“And he was not only a refugee, but a pauper.” Mohammed enjoyed his upper hand and shared the knowledge he had of the Christ-child. “He was not like our prophet, who was the son of an aristocrat, but grew up in the home of a carpenter and fled his homeland like a hunted animal. How these Christians can stoop themselves to worship one such as this, I will never understand.”

Massar stood and looked to the ground. He didn’t say anything, but he couldn’t help himself from thinking; “No, we will not be remembered like him.” He noticed another picture on the other side of the church. It was called “Jesus, the Prince of Peace.”

Three hours later Massar and Mohammed parted ways, each taking a different taxi as they began the lengthy trip to the other side of the city. The supplies they carried in their daypacks contained enough explosives to cause major damage and inflict many casualties.

Massar noticed the Coptic cross hanging as a good luck charm from the rear-view mirror of his taxi driver. English music blared on the radio and he thought he heard the word ‘Christmas’ in the lyrics of a song that played. The driver was jovial and tried to strike a friendly conversation. Massar sat silently listening to him, but he was in no mood to chat.

“It’s strange, you know,” said the driver. “The word ‘Christmas’ is an Egyptian word, but people don’t know this. It is from our ancient language; from the word ‘Christ’ and our word ‘mas.” It means “to be born, or birth.” That’s what it is – Christmas – the birth of the Christ.”

“Interesting,” muttered Massar. “And why would Arabs be concerned with Christmas?”

The driver looked into his rear view mirror, his eyes penetrating the Massar’s tough façade. “You are Palestinian, yes? You Palestinians should be the Arabs who most celebrate Christmas. It was your people who first embraced Jesus when the Jews rejected him. It was the Palestinian people who helped him escape to Egypt.”

Unmoved, Massar crossed his arms and grunted. This did not deter the taxi driver.

“I know a man – he’s Lebanese – who is a Christian. He says that the Palestinians were the first people to embrace Jesus. The Holy Scriptures tell us that there were shepherds near Bethlehem that went to visit the baby. They were tending sheep – that’s a job that Jews despised. You’ll never guess what nationality he thinks they were?”

The taxi driver did not wait to hear Massar’s objection. “There were others who visited the Christ-child. They were not Jews, but magi that came from the East. We like to think that they were Egyptians. But one thing is true – the first people who recognized Jesus as God’s sent Messiah, were our forefathers, and not the Jewish people.”

Massar’s patience was running thin. “And the next thing you will tell me is that those shepherds and kings wore the clothing of PLO soldiers.” He pulled his black-chequered scarf out from his daypack and put it around his neck. The driver noticed and immediately sensed danger in the air. He did not utter another word until they pulled up to the Maadi shopping district.

Massar arrived about an hour before he and Mohammed were to rendezvous in the watch shop in the mall. He noticed a heavy police presence near the mall, so he decided to look for a small cafe in one of the nearby side streets. He found a quaint, isolated coffee shop near the end of a cobblestone street. The employees all wore red Santa hats and a CD of Andrea Bocelli singing Christmas songs played softly. It was unreal to hear an Italian tenor singing English songs about a Jewish baby in an Egyptian cafe.

The Maadi district of Cairo is home to the largest population of foreign workers and embassy staff. A group of American teenagers, most likely the children of rich business people or diplomats, huddled around a laptop computer in the corner of the cafe. Several European languages could be heard in the conversations of the patrons that packed the coffee shop. There was a mixture of excitement and joy that filled the air, but Massar sensed an emptiness that he could not explain. He felt like he was the foreigner in this place. Then he remembered that it was true; he was an illegal refugee and foreigner with no rights.

“Is that seat available?” smiled a tall, black man as he approached the table. There was no time to respond and the youth sat down. “My name is Samir,” he said, extending his hand.

Massar was relieved to hear that the stranger had an Arab name. He knew that Cairo hosted one of the world’s largest Sudanese refugee populations; the result of a long civil war that ravaged the African nation. There could be no harm in spending some time with this fellow.

The young Palestinian introduced himself as Massar Matta. He lied about his family name. He did not want to draw attention to his Palestinian heritage or to leave any evidence that could be traced back to his family. He remembered the problems that families of the New York bombers had experienced, being heralded as heroes by some and villains by the others in the Arab world. Some become targets of foreign governments. The plan was to remain anonymous, carry no identification, and not bring additional problems upon their families. He smiled as he invented a new identity. He said he was an Egyptian university student at the American University of Cairo, enrolled in the Political Science program, and history was his major.

Samir was impressed. He was a first year English student at a small school with an obscure name. He was an orphan of the war and hoped to join an Uncle and Aunt that had fled to Canada, but he must first pass a comprehensive English exam.

“How did you come to Cairo?” asked Massar. He loved to compare escape stories with other refugees.

Samir smiled. He sensed an open door for a conversation that would not be normally be granted to a stranger. The young Arab student had not seen the small cross which hung on a beaded necklace. Massar spent the next ten minutes listening to Samir’s story.

Samir, like many other Sudanese, was from a tribal group that spoke Arabic as a second language. He was from the Nuba tribe, a poverty-stricken group that was located in the central mountains of the country. They were officially a Muslim tribe, but most people followed the magic of their ancestors. They had been isolated from the civil war in the south, until petroleum had been discovered in the western foothills and his people found themselves in the middle of an immense struggle for control of the resource.

“Ten years ago soldiers from the National Army came into my village. They took all men 15 years and older. They said, ‘Join the army or you will die.’ Some say they went to become soldiers, others say that they were sent to a camp to die. My father left me with my mother and four younger brothers and sisters. I was a boy of 12 and knew that I would be next.”

The raids on Samir’s village continued and his mother was abducted and forced to become one of the wives of another man, taking the three youngest children with her. Samir and his brother were left to fend for themselves and began a dangerous trek towards the Nile River. For nearly two years they had only the food they could get from begging. They joined hundreds of displaced people that began to walk four hundred kilometres towards the Egyptian border, only to find that it had been closed. They were forced to set up wretched camps along the banks of the Nile River. When a person died they were thrown into the river to appease the appetites of the crocodiles that infested the area.

“One day my brother and I heard about a U.N. camp that was set up on the Egyptian side of the border; on the other side of the river. Fifteen of us found tree trunks and other pieces of wood and made a raft. We slipped into the Nile at midnight, knowing that if we survived the river we would also have to swim by Sudanese patrol boats to get into Egypt.”

The story captivated Massar’s interest, but it wasn’t until this point that he realized that Samir had not mentioned his brother’s name. It was the custom of the tribal people to never speak of a deceased person by name, with fear that their spirit might come back to torment them if a wayward word was spoken.

The current swept the group downstream, and as they came to the border they saw floodlights and an army post along the banks of the river. They dove under the water to avoid the watchful eyes of Sudanese troopers, but were spotted. Samir told of a hailstorm of bullets and hearing his brother scream “They hit me! They hit me!” The evil laughter of the soldiers was broken as they called out “Take that! Now you are crocodile bait.”

Then everything went black and Samir woke up the next morning in Egypt. He only knew of one other boy who survived.

Massar could not contain himself. “Those soldiers, they must pay for this injustice; for killing the innocent people of your tribe. They are infidels and deserve to die!”
Samir waited for Massar’s anger to subside. “Those soldiers were African Muslims; the ones who taught the Koran in our schools.”

It took a minute for Massar to calm down. By now his tea was cold, but he was hot with anger. He knew very well, that as a Palestinian, he too had been despised by own people.

“When I was in the river – after the soldiers shot at us – I can only remember a dream. Some people say that it must have been an angel, but I think it was Son of God himself, Jesus. He came to me and told me that people of the book – the Bible – would come to me and help me. He told me that I would live and that people in Cairo would teach me how to forgive those who killed my family. He said that when he was a boy that he had been a refugee in Egypt. All that happened to me would be for my good and the good of others.”

The events of the day began to swirl in Massar’s mind. He started the day with a plan, knowing exactly what he and Mohammed must do. But then he saw the two pictures in the Abu Serga Church; the flight of the holy family into Egypt and the description of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Then he heard the words of the taxi driver, telling the story of shepherds and magi - their ancestors – who were among the first to worship the baby as the promised Messiah. Now he sat with Samir, a young man who like him was displaced, dejected, and despised – but he was speaking of forgiveness, not revenge. What did this all mean? What was he to do?

Samir sensed a change come over his new friend and felt the courage to ask a heart-piercing question. “Please do not be offended, my brother, but God’s Spirit now lives in me, and I sense that I must ask you a question. You did not tell me the truth, did you? Something tells me that you are a Palestinian, and not an Egyptian. Are you not a refugee, just like me and Jesus?”

Massar sat speechless. The only thing that he knew at this point was that he needed to know more about this Jesus. What seemed like a certain plan of action was now thrown into a sea of doubt. He needed to find Mohammed and tell him that the attack was off. In his haste, he left Samir, his daypack, and a life of anger behind.

The next day Cairo newspapers reported a skirmish outside of the Maadi Shopping Mall. They reported a disagreement between two illegal Palestinian immigrants. One of the men took out a gun and shot at the other, just as the police moved in to stop their discussion. The man took a bullet to the leg and was under the watchful eye of the police. The unidentified man would be returned to the Gaza Strip once he recovered.

The second man then turned on the police and began to fire and was killed in a gun battle. The newspapers reported the incident as a conflict between police and the unwanted refugees.

What the press did not say was that the dead man carried a daypack with bomb-making materials. It also did not mention that another daypack had been found in a nearby coffee shop. In it the police found materials which would have complemented the contents of the other pack. Investigators had not identified the owner of the second daypack.

Danger Pay

2009-12-18T15:47:00.000-08:00

Each week I will be posting a different Christmas story. Our family tradition is to read these stories on Christmas Eve. I hope you enjoy this story from the SE Asian country of Laos. - DKB

Five days had passed since Carl first stared, then looked around to see of other students were receiving the same text message. He let the words of his father’s message sink in as he tried to remember the next step he was supposed to take. The message read, "Evacuation Order in Effect. This is not a drill." There was no way this was going to be an ordinary Christmas.

Carl was one of 15 students in the tenth grade at Vientiane International School, awaiting the final bell to signal the beginning of the Christmas vacation. The youngest son of Stuart and Jean Graham, the British CEO of the SE Asia Development Bank in Laos, Carl was enrolled in a class which represented a dozen nationalities. The collective worth of the parents of these students was at least a half a billion dollars. As one of the children of diplomats and business people in the area, he knew that other students around him would be receiving similar messages. The twins from France were reading something. Henrik, the obnoxious son of the Danish ambassador, motioned from the back of the class. He told his teacher what most of the students already knew; the government had been overthrown. Everyone knew what to do.

Mr. Lance Parrish saw the look of concern grow on his students faces. Only the day before he had told a colleague that no amount of preparation at university could prepare a High School Geography teacher for a military coup. He’d also asked in jest if there was a “danger pay clause” in effect. For a teacher in his first international job posting, he was going to earn every penny of his salary. He tried to stay calm as he addressed the class.

“I believe we may be dismissing class early. Let’s close the shutters and I’m going to ask everyone to remain seated until we hear from the office.”

The teacher’s manual called this “Procedure No. 18 – Evacuation in cause of Political Disturbance.” It clearly stated that students were to be kept in a safe place, usually in their classrooms, until a Director of the school indicated that they were allowed to move. Windows were to be closed and he was to send an email to the office indicating that all students were present and accounted for. Most students would receive calls from their parents and a driver would be on the way to pick them up. Some might even be airlifted by a helicopter which would land in the school’s outdoor basketball court.

The sound of trucks arriving at the school gate, followed by the sudden cut of electricity confirmed the fears of many. Thirty balaclava-clad soldiers poured out of jeeps and trucks, yelling orders as they pointed high-powered machine guns at the two unarmed guards who watched the front entrance. The school, much like the rest of the city, was under siege.

Two weeks earlier the American Embassy ordered that all families of diplomats be removed, and urged citizens involved in business in the country to prepare for evacuation. They were told that school-aged children of officials could be primary targets for kidnapping by the rebel army which threatened the security for the nation. Many heeded those warnings, but Carl and the others in his class chose to wait until the Christmas vacation.

That was five days ago and now it was Christmas Eve. Carl and seventy other students, teachers, and school staff members were held by the rebels. Cell phones were confiscated and broken. The group slept on the hard floor of the gymnasium and ate meals of cafeteria leftovers and vending machine snacks. They knew little of what was going on outside of the walls of their school and were only permitted to step outside into the courtyard to read prepared statements and pose for a cameraman. They were hostages.

________

Fortunately the elementary school had left the grounds early to attend a Christmas party put on at the French embassy. That left only the High School and Middle School-aged students. Most of the students were the children of embassy personnel or business people. There was a small group of Christian missionary kids, and an even smaller group of Lao children whose parents were among the elite and wanted their family to receive a British education. To the rebels all of them were the enemy.

A minimum of three soldiers guarded the entrances to the gymnasium. They were heavily armed with machine guns and grenades. Soldiers took turns on guard duty and Carl counted at least twenty-five different men and three or four officers in the squad. The group of teens and their teachers was forced to sit in the centre of the gym, with groups of two or three at a time chosen to help bring food from the cafeteria. Everyone was thankful for the washrooms in the changing rooms, but wished that the air conditioning could be turned on. The hard floor wasn’t the best place to sleep, but it was clean and didn’t have many cockroaches.

Carl stayed close to two of his good friends. Terrance was the son of the Australian ambassador and Lisa was the daughter of the Director of a Christian relief agency which helped fund work projects for the rural poor. They had spent the last five days playing “The thing I miss the most about …” They talked about their families, their countries, the food they ate, and a million other things. Today, to help commemorate Christmas Eve, they were engaged in a round of “The thing I miss the most about Christmas is …”

They were joined by “Betsy,” one of the Lao cooks at the school. She was selected to be the chief translator and means of communication between the rebel captain and the principal of the school. In her broken English she explained that the soldiers promised not to hurt or mistreat any of the students, but it was quite clear that the band of ruffians were angry and unpredictable. Betsy would leave the gym for hours at a time and come back crying and disheveled. There were rumors that Betsy might be on the side of the rebels, but her care for the students and insistence that none of the girls be taken out of the gym alone spoke for her character. Betsy was interested in hearing what each child missed about Christmas.

Terrance, who went by Terry for short, spoke of Australian beaches and the “barby” which made up their non-traditional Christmas meal. Unlike the stifling heat and humidity of Laos, his family spent Christmas day with his uncles and aunts at a beautiful resort town along the Gold Coast. His Christmases were spent surfing and swimming in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Carl spoke about Christmas in Seattle, the place he called “home.” His grandfather owned a house on Whitbey Island in Puget Sound, and his family would take the Mukilteo Ferry across on Christmas Eve and spend the day at his grandfather’s seaside cabin. Most of the time Christmas was spent indoors playing board games, as the Pacific Northwest is infamous for its rainy and grey skies. But two years ago he remembered when the skies opened up and glorious views of Mount Rainer and the Cascades filled the eastern sky.

Lisa, whose father was American and mother was French-Canadian, told of her family’s ritual of traveling between New York City and Quebec City, spending either Christmas or New Year’s with each set of grandparents. In New York she would skate in Times Square and attend the Nutcracker ballet. In Quebec she would build snow forts and take long walks through the woods on her grandparent’s farm.

Lance Parrish – the teen’s teacher – joined the conversation. He had grown up in Cairo, Egypt, where his parents taught at the American University. His favorite Christmas recollection was taking a trip into Israel and visiting the many Biblical sights, including the town of Bethlehem. He told of the many vendors which filed the streets and sold manger scenes and other trinkets which told the story of the first Christmas. But he also remembered the political instability in the area, and told how a bomb blast happened only blocks away from their hotel. He called Bethlehem one of the most beautiful, yet dangerous places in the world.

Betsy leaned into the circle the five had formed and whispered, “Can anyone tell me more about the real Christmas? Please, can you tell me more about the story?”

Mr. Perrish smiled and added, “It’s been a long time since I’ve even graced the doors of a church. My family used to go every week, but …” He stopped, realizing that the details were not important.

Both Carl and Terrance looked at each other and shrugged. “My family’s not much for religion,” said Carl. Terrance nodded in agreement.

Everyone’s eyes fell on Lisa. Surely she would be able to tell Betsy what she wanted to hear.

It was not that Lisa did not know the Christmas story, but for many years she felt lonely and looked down upon by the other students of her international school. She was one of the only Christian kids in her grade and felt different from the others. While the rich kids of the embassies and international companies went to Europe or the exotic beaches of Bali for their vacation, Lisa went to a church camp for Missionary kids in Thailand. While others were promised schooling at the best universities in their home countries, Lisa’s parents were scratching up all they could put away in order for her to go to school in a community college in upper New York state. Everyone knew that her parents were Christian missionaries, but she didn’t talk much about it and rarely had friends over to their humble home.

Lisa looked down to the ground and asked, “Just exactly what do you want to know about Christmas?”

Betsy looked around to make sure others were not listening. “It’s not me. It’s the Captain of the rebels. He asked me to find someone who would talk to him about the religious holiday. He told me – ‘find someone who can tell me about the story of the baby. Not food, not family, not what they do. Find someone who can tell me about the God-baby.’ Can you do that?”

Carl, Terrance, and Mr. Perrish all looked at Lisa. Betsy seemed to plead with eyes. Something told Lisa that this was important.

“I can, but not alone. They’ve got to come with me.”

“Just wait here,” Betsy said as she rose to her feet. I come back soon.”

________

Negotiations with rebel forces were going nowhere and the President’s chief spokesman announced that all foreign news services must leave the country. Reporters from CNN, BBC, and thirty other television networks were confined and crammed into one hotel. The story of the hostages at the International School was now broadcast to the world. The press was to leave the country before midnight – before the 25th of December.

Five days had passed since the attempted coupe by the rebel army. The confidence of the reigning Communist government was shaken, but the revolt had been crushed in its initial stages. The only thorn in the side of the government was the presence of the teenage hostages and their teachers. The handful of rebels which controlled the school compound could easily be subdued, but the situation would be easier to deal with if it were not for the world watching through the lenses of dozens of cameras. If it wasn’t for the reporters the army would have moved in on the first day. Now the press must go, despite the complaints of foreign governments and multi-national corporations.

________

Betsy returned from a meeting of the captain and other soldiers fifteen minutes later. She walked directly to the four who were huddled in a corner and pointed them out to the guards who accompanied her. The group had discussed what they should do if the Captain got angry or violent, as well as some coded phrases which they could include if asked to make a statement. They would try to tell the world that they were unharmed and awaiting their rescue.

Lisa caught the eyes of two older students, both who were part of the missionary community in Laos. She gestured in a praying motion, catching the attention of her friends. She would need all the help she could get.

It was strange to come out into the light of the late afternoon. The sun was setting and the sky was ablaze with reddish tones interrupted by golden rays. The air was fresh and the crickets signaled that night was about to fall.

There were guards gathered in small groups around the perimeter wall. The front entrance had been barricaded with teacher’s cars and other vehicles. Soldiers with guns stood at strategic posts around the compound. There were other soldiers gathered around a smoldering fire in what used to be the elementary school’s playground. The place looked like a war zone.

The group needed to walk along a cobblestone path across a courtyard to get to the main administration offices. As they walked one of the guards stopped and jabbered orders to his companion, sending him and Betsy ahead to the other building. He looked over both shoulders to make sure others were not watching, and drew a half-circle in the dirt with his foot.

Everyone stared, not sure what this meant. Then, without making any sudden motions, Mr. Parrish stepped forward and drew another half circle in the sand, completing a symbol which looked like a fish. The sullen-eyed soldier nodded slightly and erased the symbol in the dirt.

“It’s going to be OK,” Mr. Parrish whispered as the group continued on toward the admin offices.

The guard was actually the captain of the squad. He had installed himself in the principal’s office. He was a man in his early 30s, but was aged after spending many years in the jungles of the mountain region. There was a concerned look on his face as he dismissed the other soldiers and stood behind the desk, Betsy at his side.

Betsy looked to make sure the guards were out of hearing distance. She then spoke to the captain in Lao, motioning to Lisa. When his eyes met Lisa’s he did not have a look of hatred, but he reminded her of a lost, sad puppy. There seemed to be little evil in his gaze.

The captain surprised everyone by speaking in broken English. His name was Buong, and he pointed to Betsy, introducing her as his sister, Ming. This confirmed some of the rumors and the first thing that came to Lisa’s mind was that Betsy was a spy.

“When I a boy,” began the captain, “I live in village, in mountains. I very small child when missionary come. My mother very sick. Witch doctors pray and …”

Betsy filled in the word for him, “chant.”

“Missionary bring medicine. He give medicine and pray and make mother get better. He tell story of God-baby. He visit our village for two years before the revolution. We have big celebration at Christmas. All children make play. I dress like king and bring gift to baby. I don’t remember more of story. Communist soldiers come and say ‘no more missionary stories.’ Say we must follow our leader.”

The four looked in amazement. “What would you like us to do,” asked Mr. Parrish?

The captain looked around to make sure no others were near enough to hear or see him talking to the foreigners.

“Revolutionary army in city no win. Many rebel soldiers dead. Soon government come with many soldiers and kill us all. Missionary who visit our village talk of heaven. I not good man, kill many people in mountains and government soldiers. But I no want kill students and children at school. I put you in room and surrender. We no live and they kill us all. But first I want hear story about the God-baby.”

Lisa was about to talk when once again Mr. Parrish stepped forward. He spoke in simple English and told of how Jesus came to earth. He talked about how God loved the world – Ming and Boung included – and that He sent his son, so that those who would believe in Him could have eternal live. The students looked on in amazement as he led them through a simple prayer, asking for forgiveness and thanking God for sending His Son at Christmas.

________

“That was amazing,” Lisa said to her teacher as they spoke freely in the gym. Betsy stayed with her brother in the office, and the four had been escorted back to the gym. They were told not to speak a word to anyone. “I didn’t know you were a Christian.”

“And what was that fish thing,” asked Terrance.

Lance Parrish took a deep breath and told his story to the three students. He told them about the sign of the fish, a method used by early Christians in the times of Roman persecution, when Christian believers could identify one another through the simple drawing of a fish in the sand. He told of his upbringing in a Christian home, and how through his years in university he began to doubt his faith. He told them how he chose what looked like a dangerous job – coming to a country in political turmoil – as a wager for God to show Himself to be real.

________

It took less than an hour for Captain Boung to organize his men and call for a meeting with the National army, but there would be no meeting; only a battle. He entered the gymnasium with six soldiers and through Betsy's translation ordered that all the hostages be confined to the washrooms. He told them that a battle was about to take place. They would not be hurt if they remained in the concrete enclosed room, and the walls should keep all the students and teachers safe.

________

When the machine gun fire began it was obvious that the rebel army was outnumbered. The battle raged for about 10 minutes before government soldiers entered the washrooms and found the teenagers and their teachers huddled in the small rooms. Not one student was injured, which would later be reported as a great accomplishment for the army. Not one rebel soldier was left standing, another triumph which the government heralded to the international press, which was now allowed to stay to cover the story.

________

In the hours that followed their liberation, Lisa, Terrance, and Carl sat with their teacher, Mr. Parrish. The students and school staff were not permitted to leave the gymnasium. They were first interviewed by American and British security staff which arrived half an hour after the battle. Those who spoke to the four were intrigued by the story of Captain Buong and his sister. After a couple of hours, parents – escorted by Embassy security staff – were allowed to come and pick up their children. There were hugs and tears as families experienced a wonderful Christmas reunion.

The families were then led out to the school yard, which by now was cleared of bodies. All that remained was the rubble left after the skirmish.

In a gesture of peace, Captain Buong had written something on a whiteboard visible through the window in the principal’s office. The three teens and their teacher all looked at each other as they saw the message. In words that only the three would truly understand, he scribbled “Mery Crismas.”

Salzburg Silence

2009-12-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

During the month of December I will be posting a Christmas story each week. These stories are part of our family tradition, taking a look at how people around the world celebrate Christmas. I hope you enjoy them.

Dwayne K. Buhler

Salzburg Silence

The clickity-clack, clickity-clack, and the swaying motion of the train as is sped across the Austrian countryside had a hypnotizing effect. Seppe Walcher tried to pay attention as he passed small villages and familiar landmarks. He couldn’t help but close his eyes and enter a world of silent reflection. He was riding the midday special; a non-stop train; a speedy bullet which left Vienna and would soon be in Salzburg. It was full of travelers looking forward to arriving home for their Christmas Eve festivities. However, he was uncertain about the reception that would await him as he stepped off the train. Usually he would have listened to some rowdy music on his headphones, but he closed his eyes and concentrated on being still.

It didn’t take long and in Seppe’s mind he was back at Lake Louise. It was the third race of the season, only a few days before the Christmas break. Seppe had the best time of the 52 contestants after the first of two runs in the Super-G – the Giant Slalom for men. He was an eighteen year old sensation and was now posed to win his first race as a professional; the first step towards being considered for the Austrian National Ski Team at the upcoming Olympics in Italy.

His heart pounded as he watched the other skiers take their second run. Their times came in considerably slower, as snow began to fall, almost guaranteeing his victory. He would race last, and only have to push himself if one of the other racers bettered his time. His heart nearly pounded out of his chest as the final four – three experienced professionals and himself – prepared in the warming shed at the top of the hill. The snow had let up and conditions were near to perfect. He wished the others good luck, but secretly he cheered for slower times.

Seppe watched carefully as the three other skiers took their turn. Klaus Bremmer was the first of the final four to step into the starting gate. He was a Swiss veteran of the World Cup ski circuit, and beat Seppe’s time by two one-hundredths of a second, catapulting himself from fourth position to first. He was followed by Gunther Weiss, one of Seppe’s Austrian teammates. He did not finish the run and fell to fourth place when he missed one of the gates near the top of the course. Then the American, Bobby Richards, a kamikaze on skis, lost his balance at the entrance to the final S-curve and ended his hopes of bettering his position in the safety netting. It took forever for the first-aid personnel to get to him and make sure everything was OK.

The track was finally cleared and Seppe stepped up to the staring gate for his chance to try and better Bremmer’s time. He would have to set the course record. It would have to be the run of his life if he was going to win.
Seppe knew he could do no worse than second place, but winning this race would seal a place for him on the Austrian squad for the Olympics. He needed to go all out. There could be no holding back.

Seppe probably would have won, but as he entered the final S-curve he saw the hazard which caused the American’s fall; a patch of ice which formed as the new fresh snow had been smoothed into ice as the other competitors made their second runs. He compensated, trying to take the first corner tighter than usual, but this threw him off and he was in a poor position to take the outlet of the curve. There was a drop-off at the end of the curve and he would take more air than if he attacked it in the middle of the course. He took a deep breath and hoped for the best.

Those who watched knew he was in trouble. The buzz of the crowd turned to a deafening hush as he took flight. Seppe could recall the eerie sense of silence as he tried to maintain balance and keep his feet and skis in position for landing the jump.

The TV commentators would later estimate that he flew 100 meters. He landed on one foot and was thrown to the ground by his momentum. He remembered the sound of the red safety netting tearing and the domino effect of wood breaking and shattering as he tore through the safety fence which separates the on-lookers from the slope. Then everything went black.

Seppe stared in unbelief and silence as the Canadian doctor first told him that his recovery time would be two to three months. Seppe had suffered some cuts and scrapes, as well as two fractured ribs. But it was the severe cartilage damage in his right knee that would require surgery. The fall also shattered his dream of racing for his country at the Winter Olympics. His coach suggested he go back home to Austria, take some time off at Christmas, and think about his future. Three days after the accident he found himself at the airport trying to get a ticket to Salzburg.

As Seppe’s train entered the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof – the central train station – he was not surprised to see a crushing mass of people awaiting the arrival of their relatives for Christmas. What did surprise him as he hobbled out of the train was the absence of the press. They knew he would be arriving, but perhaps they were expecting the local prodigal at the airport. They obviously did not know of the last-minute change which saw him unable to get a flight into Salzburg, and taking a seat on a flight to Vienna. Perhaps he and the travel agent were the only people who knew that he was arriving on Christmas Eve, and not the next day. The press could wait.

A couple of school-aged children did recognize him. They greeted him and politely asked for his autograph. No one dared to ask him the question he dreaded to answer: How was he? He asked a porter for help to carry his baggage to the taxi stands as he walked on crutches. In spite of the hundreds of people around him, Seppe felt alone.

The taxi driver greeted Seppe with a hearty “Grüß Gott, Herr Walcher.” While it was good to hear the traditional Austrian greeting, it was odd to let the phrase - “God is great” – sink deep into his soul. It was also odd for an eighteen-year-old to be called Mr. Walcher by an older gentleman.

“Franz Gruberstrasse, bitte,” he said as he directed the taxi driver. Everyone knew this famous street, named after Franz Gruber, the composer who wrote the music to Stille Nacht; Silent Night. The streets were bustling with men and women coming from the markets with last-minute shopping for their evening feast. The chestnut vendors were on each corner, their pot-bellied stoves warming those who stopped to chat as they enjoyed the hot treat. In homes, the scent of Gluehwein, a heated, spiced wine served during the Christmas season, competed with the smell of Gebackener Karpfen – the fried carp dish which would be the main course of the Christmas meal. Seppe preferred the smell of freshly baked Weihnachtsbaeckerei, the special shaped sugar cookies his mother made at Christmas.

As Seppe stepped out of the taxi he could hear a brass quartet preparing for the performance at the evening service at the Church on the corner, just four doors down from his mother’s apartment. His mother was the organist, and religiously played for all services. She would already be at church. Seppe didn’t plan on attending any service that evening. His mother, like the press hounds he had avoided, wasn’t expecting him until the next morning. He knew she would go to his aunt’s house after the service, and perhaps not return to the flat until much later that evening. He wished for a quiet, solitary night. It seemed like everything had worked so that Seppe could slip into his home unnoticed. He paid the taxi driver, giving a full Euro as a tip, and bid him a lukewarm Frohliche Weihnachten – Merry Christmas!

Christmas is undoubtedly the most important family holiday in Austria, and Seppe wanted nothing to do with it. He knew all that would take place, and only months earlier he had vowed he would not pass this Christmas with his mother.

By the 24th of December Saint Nicolas has come and gone in Austria. On the 6th of December he “visits” towns to give sweets and small gifts to children, while his devilish assistant, Knecht Rupnecht, brings a lashing with a willow switch to punish them for their evil deeds. In past Christmas seasons Seppe would dress up as Santa’s dark helper, and together with other teenage boys, sought out the prettiest girls of the neighborhood to give a “kindly” beating.

Seppe knew that on December 24th families would attend church services and sing carols. This is followed by the special Christmas meal. Finally, late into the night, Kriskindl – the Christ Child dressed as a golden-haired baby with wings – would come. He would bring presents and a Christmas tree for the children.

But this was exactly what Seppe wanted to avoid. The idea of a whole family being together and enjoying the joys of Christmas, was something he felt he didn’t deserve. And now, he came home as a battered and wounded athlete with an uncertain future. He didn’t want to face the questions that would be asked because he didn’t have any answers. He was glad that the only thing which greeted him as he turned the brass key and entered the apartment was the fragrance of a freshly cut and decorated Christmas tree.

“Two years ago,” thought Seppe to himself, “we had the worst Christmas ever!” This year he had planned to celebrate Christmas with the ski team in Canada, but after the accident his mother insisted that he come home and spend it with her.

Seppe took three trips to take his luggage to his room. His mother had prepared everything, including a plate of Christmas cookies placed beside his bed. They were star-shaped and wrapped in plastic. He sat down on his bed, un-wrapped the cookies, and ate three. He was tempted to put some of his favorite punk rock, but he threw himself back on the fluffy down-filled pillows. It took no time before he was in a deep sleep.

In his dream Seppe could see his family. He was transported at least three years back in time as he watched the four of them, together with his grandparents, gather around the Christmas tree. Father had just finished reading the Christmas story from the family Bible and his older brother Stefan was trying to sneak a couple of chocolate drops. Mother sat happily in the rocking chair which her father had made for her gift. Two large packages, exactly the size of skis, sat under the tree. Seppe and his brother’s names were on them. They were all together, getting ready to open their presents, and enjoying every minute of it.

But Seppe’s pleasant dream was interrupted by a dark shadow. The playful sounds of his family at Christmas and wonderful smells of cookies and gluehwien, gave way to a deep silence and darkness. One moment Seppe was at home with his family in their Austrian winter wonderland, and the next he was in a barren hallway. The room was just like the hospital waiting room where the doctor came in and told him about the horrific accident which took his father and brother early two years earlier. His mother was seriously injured, and if it had not been for the fact that he was riding in another vehicle, he would have been in the car. They were all on their way home from one of his races, one week before Christmas. Seppe woke in a cold sweat, unsure where he was. He lay awake in the dark room, thinking of all that had passed in the last year. His heart was heavy and the silence of the moment seemed to press in on him.

This was the second Christmas where there would be no father, no joking older brother, and no joy for his mother. There were times that Seppe blamed himself for the accident. If he had not been involved in skiing, the family would not have been on the highway on that blustery afternoon. If his father had not been so insistent on watching each and every competition, perhaps their family would still be together. His mother had not been able to bring herself to come see one of his races ever since, and even when he won the National Junior Championship, he had been on his own. He knew she didn’t blame him, but he couldn’t help but feel like it was worse for those who survived.

To complicate matters, Austrian TV had made comments about the boy who skied “out of control.” One sports columnist called him an unbridled brat; an accident looking for a mountain to crash into, and one who had lost his bearing since his father’s death. Coaches told him that his foolish risks were not good for the rest of the national ski team. He was accused of never listening to anyone, always knowing better than the others, and not being a positive member of the team. As long as he kept on wining it was more of a game he played with the press, but now his accident only served to add weight to the critical comments.

Seppe had slept for two or three hours. Church bells began to signal the top of the hour and in the background Seppe could hear the sound of grand finale, the singing of “silent night.” He could only remember the words to the first two verses.

Like any Austrian child, Seppe knew the history of Silent Night. It was first sung in 1818 in Oberndorf, a small village outside of Salzburg. The song was presented by Franz Gruber, the modest choir director, and Joseph Mohr, the assistant to the priest. Some said it was composed because mice had eaten through the pipes of the church organ, others claim it grew out of a Gruber’s love for guitar music.

The irony of Silent Night struck Seppe as he listened to the words of the six German verses. The street below, which now bore the name of the composer of the song, was anything but silent; anything but calm. The song itself celebrated the Christ Child, yet that first night was probably just as busy. For Jesus it would have been a night of uncertainty – and of sharing a confined space with animals. The visit of unruly shepherds wouldn’t have been exactly welcome at a modern maternity ward. Then one had to consider the circumstances of being under Roman rule. Not exactly the best way to enter the world if you wanted to make a difference.

Seppe thought about his circumstances as he sat quietly and listened to the singing coming from the church. He struggled to accept all he had been through. He didn’t know if he was going to be able to deal with it – especially without the help of his father and brother. The question which gnawed at him was how God could allow this to all happen to him. But then he thought that if God allowed a night of confusion and uncertainty to be a silent and holy night, could he not do the same for an Austrian boy?

Then the words of the fourth verse in German gave him an answer:

Silent night, Holy night
By his love, by his might
God our Father has graced
As a brother gently embraced
Jesus, all nations on earth
Jesus, all nations on earth

Seppe longed for his father’s gracious smile and his brother’s bear-hug embrace. He missed them both. In that silent moment a hope came to his heart. Maybe there could be a way that God wanted to become a father and a brother for him. In his heart he said a quiet prayer; a silent prayer which no human ear could hear, but a prayer which reached the ears of God.

People spilled out onto the streets from the church and made their way home for their celebrations. Large flakes of snow now formed a cotton candy carpet which scrunched as cars and passengers passed by. Seppe made his way to the window and sat down in a comfortable char. He watched as families noisily made their way to their celebrations.

The silence of the night was broken with the turning of a key in the lock and then the doorknob. Seppe was surprised to see his mother and aunt walk through the door, brushing snow from their overcoats. They had forgotten a package and stopped by on their way to the Christmas celebrations. At once they noticed him, and smothered him with hugs and kisses. They touched the cast on his injured leg, as if they finally believed all the news about his accident.

“You must come with us!” invited Aunt Gertrude. “No one should spend Christmas Evening, by themselves.”

“Please come, Seppe. It won’t be the same without you,” added his mother. “I was so worried that you would spend Christmas at an airport or on a plane. And now you’re here!”

“I wasn’t expecting to see you!” exclaimed Seppe. “I have so many things I want to say to you. And you may not believe me, but as I sat here this evening I prayed that if God was real, he’d send you here so I wouldn’t have to spend Christmas alone.”

Seppe Walcher faced the Austrian press three days later. He had spent several days in quiet reflection, and asked his coach’s forgiveness for his recklessness in the past. He asked for a second opportunity to prove his skills. He thanked his mother and expressed how much he missed his father at this time. He declared his determination to work hard, and God willing, to be back on the mountains by the time of the Olympics.

THE END

Gold, Common Sense and Myrrh

2009-12-04T15:04:00.000-08:00

by Dwayne K. Buhler

Everything went as planned until one of the shepherds - Walter Krahn to be specific - turned around and bonked the Virgin Mary on the head with his shepherd’s staff. It might have gone unnoticed, but when he bent over to see what happened, he knocked off two of the crowns of the wise men. One crown fell onto the manger and nearly wounding the baby Jesus. Thankfully the pale-looking, plastic doll didn’t feel a thing. The foil-covered crown only suffered minimal damage, breaking off one point. It made the wise man look more like a court jester than a regal king. The children’s choir and biblical characters all snickered, Mr. Lepp the Sunday School Superintendent scowled, and the audience broke out in laughter.

Maybe the people at church needed the comic relief which Walter Krahn added with his wild, swinging shepherd’s crook. 1944 had been a difficult year on the farm. The nation was at war and people were recovering from the hard times of the Great Depression. Grain prices were better this year, but a late summer hail storm flattened most of the wheat crop and left farmers in the area scrambling to make it through another winter. In “Next Year Land” – the name many give to the Canadian prairies – it seemed like Christmas was the time which signaled a change from complaining about last year’s losses and the beginning of hope for a better times. While the children onstage understood little of these things, they did know that for most of them this Christmas Eve presentation was one of the few flickers of brightness in their holiday season.

This year 10-year-old Johnny Martens sat on the pew beside his grandparents. Mother was playing piano and his father was “out back” preparing the candy bags which the children would receive after the service. Johnny was glad to be home for Christmas, especially because the doctors were saying that the worst was over. He spent the last four months at St. Boniface’s Hospital in Winnipeg, fighting for his life and recovering from polio. He wished he had something special he could add to the Christmas pageant, but he was thankful to just be there, enjoying the sight of the flickering candles, the shimmering tree, and watching his friends, cousins, and brothers and sisters enact the Christmas scene.

The rest of the evening went without a hitch. Everyone who was supposed to show up at the manger scene found their way to the stage. The adult choir bellowed a heart-rendering version of Handle’s Hallelujah Chorus. Pastor Hiebert closed in prayer and before the “n” in amen could be pronounced, the children were off and running to claim their candy bags. That is, everyone except Johnny.

Adults stood and laughed and hugged. A few of the quicker children were already sorting through their bags, setting their mandarin oranges aside while they picked through the peanuts to find licorice and hard candies. For the first time in the evening Johnny felt alone.

Just then Punch and Edwin - two of Johnny’s cousins – showed up. “Look what we got ya!” they both said in unison. Punch and Edwin were Johnny’s favorite cousins.

Both boys extended a single, brown, paper bag. In the other hand they gasped their own treasures. “Your dad gave it to us for you,” said Punch.

Punch’s real name was Peter, but somewhere, sometime, he was tagged with “Punch.” He claimed it was because he was destined to become a great boxer and that it was given to him by a preacher – a former heavyweight something or other - who spent a week in his parent’s home. But his older brothers said it was because he had “taken one too many” – whatever that meant. Punch’s mother was the older sister of Johnny’s father. Punch was the youngest child in his family and was the brunt of his brother’s teasing.

Edwin handed Johnny his bag and offered a mock bow. “Royal treatment. Fit for a king!”

Edwin was only two days older than Johnny and liked to be called ‘Edwin,’ not ‘Ed,’ because that was the name of his mother’s father. She died giving birth to Edwin, something that people in his family would say was “the way God intended it to be.” Edwin’s father remarried two years later. His stepmother was a nice lady, but she seldom had time for him.

The three cousins sat in a row facing the front of the church. Johnny’s two bags were placed to one side. He peeled a mandarin orange, taking special care to take off all of the “white stuff,” making a neat pile within the green china-paper wrapper. Punch and Edwin were in the middle of negotiating a trade: two raspberry candies for one of Edwin’s licorice sticks seemed like a fair bargain. The three didn’t notice the stranger who approached them.

“Looks like a treasure fit for a king,” said the tall man. “But the story’s not over. Would you three be able to help me?”

The boys thought they might know the man. He wore a kind smile and was dressed the same as one of the three kings in the pageant. He held a tin-foil crown with a broken point in his hand. His golden hair seemed to glimmer in the light. “There’s still one scene left in the play. Please come with me.”

The three boys, candy bags in hand, stood obediently and followed the man through the side door of the sanctuary. Johnny didn’t even notice that he walked with ease, taking each step without a limp. There was something about the stranger which emitted confidence and hope.

As Edwin, Johnny, and Punch stepped through the door they walked onto a large stage. They had never noticed the large auditorium before, and wonder filled their hearts. Their clothes changed from that of poor farm children to the rich garments of oriental kings. The paper bag in their hands changed in an instant to small, hand-carved, wooden chests.

From somewhere in the darkness a children’s choir began to sing. We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we travel so far. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

The man led them to the front of the stage. Johnny’s parents, grandparents, and uncles and aunts all sat in the first row. Johnny’s doctors and nurses from the hospital sat a few rows back. The place was filled with smiling men and women, boys and girls. It seemed everyone the boys ever knew was there, together with strangers dressed in elegant clothing. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. They stood with their mouths open, dumbfounded by the spectacle.

O-o-oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

The man began to speak. “And there came to Jerusalem kings from the east. They had followed a star in search of the one who was born, king of the Jews. When they came to the place where he was they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” He motioned for Edwin to step forward.

“And what gift do you bring?” he asked, half speaking to the audience, and half speaking to Edwin.

“Ah, gold sir,” stuttered Edwin. “I have gold to give to the king.”

“Yes, the riches due a true king. Let us see.”

Edwin opened the lid of his wooden chest. To his amazement he saw dozens of gold coins, each one with the head of a Roman Emperor. Lights focused on the box and the audience all said “Oooh” in one voice. No one was more surprised than Edwin.

“And so it shall be with your life, young king. You shall be given riches, but they are not for your own benefit. You are to employ them in service of your king to help others.”

The man motioned for Johnny to step forward. “What gift would you give to the newborn babe?”

Johnny was lost for words as he struggled to say the word ‘frankincense.’

“Need not fear, young king. What does your grandmother call it?”

Now Johnny was embarrassed. It was a family secret that Oma Martens sometimes mixed up her English and had her own version of the Christmas story. “What good is all that gold without a little common sense,” she would say.

Reluctantly Johnny began. “She calls it …” He paused for a moment. “She says the wise men brought ‘gold, common sense, and myrrh.’”

“A wise woman, to be sure,” said the man. “Frankincense was used to anoint a king. It was a symbol of his position of power, destiny, and right to rule the people. But what good would all that be without wisdom? Your grandmother was right. A little common sense is a suitable gift for the king.”

The man looked at Johnny, then at the box. He nodded slightly, encouraging him to open the box.

As Johnny opened the box random letters began to fly upward. They floated around his head, circled and formed words, then phrases. Sayings of wisdom and of insight then appeared – all glorifying the Living Word who became flesh.

“As it is with your companion, so shall it be with you,” interjected the man. “These words are to be used in service of your King to build up others; to draw them to Him.”

The swirling words once again flew apart and formed individual letters. In a reverse tornado of motion they swirled back into Johnny’s box. The man then looked at Punch.

“And you, my fine young king? What is it you bring?”

“Myrrh,” replied Punch. “But I don’t know what it is for.”

“Spices, from the most exotic places you could dream of,” answered the man. “Herbs used to embalm the dead, but also used as medicines for the living.”

Punch opened the lid to his box. A sweet fragrance filled the air; sweeter than any perfume in the world. “What do I do with it?” asked a perplexed Punch.

“You are to be no different than your companions, my young prince. Use your gift of healing to serve others. May your good works glorify the One you call your King.”

The three young kings stood speechless. The audience, sensing the end of the production rose to their feet and cheered. “Glory to God in the highest,” yelled one observer. “Take your gifts and use them to serve the King,” encouraged another man. “Merry Christmas,” said the man as he motioned the boys to follow him offstage. The crowd roared and gave them a standing ovation as they left.

“I don’t understand,” Johnny said to the man. “Who are you?”

The man flashed a broad smile. “My name is Evangellion, but no one calls me that any more. My friends call me Gabe.”

Punch impatiently added, “How can we know that this will all happen to us?”

“It is not yours to fret,” whispered the man. “We still have one quick stopover before we go back. There you will receive a sign of things to come.”

The man opened another door, this time leading to a brightly lit auditorium. The three boys entered, noticing the beautiful Christmas decorations. It was some kind of a church, but not the old, country church the boys knew. It was larger and brighter and more like a fancy city church. They stood along one of the side walls, invisible to the people who watched the pageant as it was presented by a large group of children. “Where are we?” whispered Edwin.

“It’s a place you know, or rather, will know,” said Gabe. “Do you see those three gentlemen up on the left-hand side - on the third row?”

The four drew closer for a better look. Three older men sat together and we’re obviously enjoying the play, watching their grandchildren.

“The one on the left is Dr. Peter Braun. His friends call him “Punch” because he always has a joke to tell. He served as a medical missionary in Africa and established three hospitals. His two grandsons are the two shepherds on the right and are about to knock the crown off one of the wise men.”

Sure enough, one of the boys turned to look in their direction and ‘plop,’ knocked the crown to the ground. Once again children snickered, the Sunday School superintendent scowled, and the audience laughed.

“The gentleman on the right is Mr. Edwin Martens, owner of Ed’s Grocery stores. He bought a small store in the city, which grew into a national chain of stores. He is known for his generosity, and is the Chairman of the Board of an AIDS orphanage. His daughter is playing the piano and his grandson is Joseph.”

“And the man in the middle?” asked Johnny.

“Well, I think you already know,” said Gabe. “He’s none other than J.R. Martens. He became a writer and a teacher at the National Institute of Literature. He’s one of the best-known Christian authors in the country. His granddaughter is Mary. The other two shepherds are his grandsons, and another grandson is the front half of the donkey.”

“At least he’s not the back half,” interrupted Punch.

Edwin was unconvinced. “But where’s the sign?”

“Look closer,” said Gabe. “Look really close.”

Then they saw them. The elder Peter Braun and J.R. Martens were wearing a brass ring on the pinky finger of their right hand. They had been enlarged through the years. A similar but smaller ring hung on a gold chain around Edwin Marten’s neck. Each brass ring contained the engraved symbol of the star of Bethlehem. “Each time you come to give him your gift, remember the star,” said Gabe.

As soon as Gabe finished his sentence everything went black. There were no more children onstage, no lights, no people, and no church auditorium. Gabe had vanished and Johnny called out the names of his cousins. “Punch, Edwin! Are you there?”

“Johnny, Johnny,” said his mother. “It’s me, mom!” He lay half asleep on the pew. “It’s time to go home. Here, let your father carry you.”

As Johnny woke from his slumber he looked around. He was back in the little country church. Punch and Edwin were also being led away by their parents. The three of them had fallen asleep on the pews, but when Johnny looked at them he could see in their eyes that it had been more than a dream.Somehow he knew that they knew.

The trip home to the family farm was mostly quiet. Johnny’s parents, brother, and two sisters all jammed into their old Ford. The children thought aloud, trying to guess the presents they would receive the next morning. They would be placed on the breakfast table, together with more peanuts, candies, and oranges; neatly arranged at each person’s plate. Father would read the Christmas story from the Bible, they would all sing a Christmas carol or two, and then give thanks to God. Then Johnny began to think, knowing that the most important thing was not a present he would receive, but the one he would give. This Christmas would be a Christmas to remember.

Outside the wind swept snow across frozen ponds and formed sail-shaped drifts along the country roads. As the family drove home Johnny noticed that if you reclined your head as the car drove along you felt the sensation of the high seas, blasting through the white-capped waves on the road. The tires scrunching on the newly formed snow sounded like the heave-ho of a ship on the high seas. The full moon glistened and made the vast, flat prairie look like a never-ending ocean of ice and snow.

Then, all of a sudden, Johnny began to wonder if all that had happened was only a dream. Silently he stared out into the darkness and raised his head towards the heavens, but the shining stars gave no answer. He slipped his hand into the brown paper candy bag and began to search. There were peanuts, candies, and the crumpled orange wrapper, moist from the peels which were in it. Then he found it! He pulled out a small, brass ring with the symbol of the Bethlehem star.

He looked upward once again. The howling north wind was pushing back the clouds and revealed a dark, clear sky. A million stars shone from above. In Johnny’s mind he was sure that one of them was the “star of wonder, star of night.”

December Postings

2009-12-04T14:58:00.001-08:00

In December I will post an original short story each week. These stories have become a family tradition for my family and I, reading Dad's new story each Christmas Eve. Each story is from a different time and geographic area of the world. I trust that you will gain an appreciation of the ways people celebrate and observe the coming of Christ. - Dwayne Buhler - Surrey, BC, Canada

Pride vs. Humility

2009-11-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6b

The last two chapters of the book of James offer yet another contrast; that of proud boasting and planning pitted against a person who has bowed their hearts in humble submission and prayer. There is a sense that God uses the difficult things in life, or the circumstances that we strive to avoid, to produce Christ-likeness in our lives.

Chapter 4 speaks of submission to God. There are many things that can take the place of trusting in God. We are warned of “friendship with the world and its ways” as a source of intense envy on God’s part (See James 4:4-5), and is one way that we break the first commandment by placing other things in the place of God (Exodus 20:2). Our self-sufficiency is another way that we can let things slip in and take the place of God, as are good planning (James 4:12-17) or our trust in riches (James 5:1-6). God opposes these things.

Chapter 5 speaks of ways and circumstances that God uses to work in our lives, often bringing us to our knees in prayer. Suffering and sickness can do this. Shifting circumstances and situations where we know we are not in control magnifies our need for God’s presence in the hard stuff of life. They all show us that we are not masters of our own destiny and that our times are in God’s hands.

The interesting thing is that the things God uses to bring us close to Him can also run the risk of leading us away. They drive us to a prayer of Moses recorded in Psalm 90:12; a prayer from a man in the midst of changing, seemingly uncontrolled circumstances:

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Heavenly vs. Earthly Wisdom

2009-11-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

The book of James is a collection of contrasting faith themes; an opportunity to know true faith in the contrast to the false or phoney practices of people who do not live out a life of faith in God. James speaks of godly wisdom that goes beyond head knowledge. He speaks of humble works of service that draw attention to the Creator and not the creature. The third chapter of the book of James reveals another such comparison.

James tells us that there are two kinds of wisdom: a false or earthly wisdom that flows from a heart of envy and selfish ambition, and a true or heavenly wisdom that comes from a humble, serving heart.

But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)

The two kinds of wisdom are prefaced by a question and a statement:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

The contrast is striking. Godly wisdom is learned in the school of humility and suffering. While the world looks for pedigree and titles, God looks for brokenness and submission to reveal heavenly wisdom. God looks for the ordinary person who understands the truth and contrast of 2 Corinthians 4:7:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Faith vs. Works

2009-11-14T05:26:00.000-08:00

You see that his (Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. (James 2:22-23)

Why is it that we Evangelical Christians are unable to put two things together that are natural partners? The argument that has circulated in our circles for years – salvation by faith versus a salvation borne from works of goodness – has at its root a flaw. The two do not conflict with each other, but walk hand-in-hand, not in a tug-of-war of opposition.

Faith that does not show itself in a changed life and works of righteousness deceives no one. Faith in God changes the character and actions of a person, causing him or her to look to the needs of others, not just their selfish ambitions. James put it this way: But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do (James 2:19). It is ridiculous to think that a life changed by the saving grace of God will not be reflected in words and deeds that reveal the character of our Saviour.

In the same way, works that does not express itself in words of faith becomes selfish, seeking its own gain or fame. The author of Hebrews reminds us that: Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) and good works alone do not save a person. All of our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and it is by faith that you are saved, not of works, lest no man can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). It is equally audacious to think that salvation can be gained without taking the step of faith and trusting in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The arguments over history – which did not just start with Martin Luther or the onset of Protestantism or Evangelicalism – have polarized and made either faith or works the central point of salvation. But the point is this: Salvation is not an either / or proposition. This is just as true for Paul as it was for James, the two biblical authors most often quoted in the debate. Faith will produce works of righteousness, and the good done in the name of Jesus will result in greater faith in the One who works in us and through us. The question of faith versus works is a both / and proposition, and must be seen working together, not in opposition.

Wisdom vs. Knowledge

2009-11-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

After reading through the book of Proverbs in the month of October, it was refreshing to read through the book of James a number of times this week. The five chapters present a faith that is lived in such a way that comes from a person who lives what they say they believe.

This is better understood the Greek word used in this passage. James had two Greek word he could chose from: the word gnosis or sophia. Gnosis is a word refering to special knowledge, and is the root from comes from which we get the word knowledge and the term use to describe the mystical ancient Greek philosophy known as Gnosticism. The word James chose was sopia, the same word that we get our English word sophisiticed. It impies applied knowlegde, and not just intellectual consent.

Our understanding of God's type of wisdom is enriched when we remember that James wrote from a Hebrew-Aramaic cultural background. He would have understood the Hebrew meaning of the word wisdom, which is best translated "know-how" versus knowledge. The wisdom God gives is applied knowledge; a faith that is lived out in each and every situation we face.

This basic understanding helps us to appreciate the highly practical nature of the five chapter book of the new testament. It helps us to understand that faith that is mere intellectual assent, is not faith at all. Faith must be worked out in the way we live, treat others, and the ways we seek to please God. If any of us lacks wisdom, or that power to live out that which we believe, he or she should ask God and He will give liberally to those who seek Him.

POST-SCRIPT: A Note to those who took the Proverb-a-Day Challenge

2009-10-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

This ends our month-long journey through the book of Proverbs. I trust it has been encouraging and that you will continue to daily spend some time in God’s word. I’ll be adding weekly postings throughout the month of November (posted on Saturdays) that look at the book of James.

Behind Every Successful Woman ...

2009-10-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than riches. (Proverbs 31:10)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

Put on your hip-waders, I’m about to step into a bit of controversy. And since I’m talking mostly to guys in this posting, I hope that the waters won’t get too deep.

We’ve all heard it said that “behind every successful man is a good woman,” but let’s invert the equation. It’s one thing to use Proverbs 31 as a measuring rod for the ‘ideal woman,’ but how often have we (as men) stopped to think that about our role as husbands to give our wives the freedom to be this kind of person.

The first readers of this passage would have marvelled at two things: First at the wonderful example of what we have come to call a virtuous and godly woman, but secondly at the husband who treats his wife differently than the prominent view of the culture of the day. This was a radical thought in the culture of King Lemuel, the author of this chapter.

Paul’s understanding in the New Testament was equally radical for the culture of his day. After he encourages us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), he goes on to say that this filling will be worked out in a husband who will truly loves, cherishes, and encourages his wife (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Is Proverbs 31 an idealistic model for our wives to reach? No way! Rather, it is the standard of a man who sees the true value of his wife, seeks her advice in their decisions, and encourages her to be all that she can be. This puts the shoe on the foot and asks; who can find a husband of noble character?

For further investigation, read David Sanford’s article by the same title:

http://www.crosswalk.com/1265037/

Godliness with Contentment

2009-10-30T05:21:00.001-07:00

Give me neither poverty nor riches ... (Proverbs 30:8b)

The context of Proverbs 30:8 is a request for contentment. Agur, a nebulous character who more than likely was an Assyrian Ruler, says:

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.

The fame of Solomon reached to many nations, and Agur is more than likely one of many dignitaries that visited Jerusalem during his reign. The Queen of Sheba (modern day Ethiopia) also visited and marvelled at the wisdom of Israel’s king. Solomon’s story of his dream (I Kings 3:1-15), was likely told to these visitors. For visiting rulers it was amazing to think that Solomon would ask for wisdom to rule, as opposed to long life, riches, or fame.

The Apostle Paul dealt with the same issue. He experienced the extremes of poverty and plenty, and came to this conclusion:

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Paul hits the nail on the head when he said, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6).

It is one of those areas where once again we need the direction and filling of the Holy Spirit. Our sinful nature would lust after things or covet what our neighbour possesses. It is only through the presence of the Spirit in our lives, that we can learn to live content, not being caught in the traps of riches or rags.

Trapped

2009-10-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

Better Late than Never

2009-10-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Wow - someone actually noticed! To those who were asking, I ran into a glitch this morning - no web access via my home computer. Hopefully it gets fixed by tomorrow.

Ya Gotta Pay the Fiddler

2009-10-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

There’s a Texas saying that always reminds me that my actions have consequences. I can imagine an old, toothless cowboy saying this out of the side of his mouth as he haggles with a potential customer: “If you wanna dance ya gotta pay the fiddler.”

The problem is that we live in a world where many times it seems that the unrighteous prosper; that their actions don’t catch up to them. However, this is far from the truth. Listen to the words of the following verses:

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Prov. 28:1)
A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him. (Prov. 28:17)
He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. (Prov. 28:19)
But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sins will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

The Proverbs teaches that sin cannot be concealed. It will reap a harvest in due time. But the offer of the Gospel is that those who confess their sin and turn from their ways find freedom. This is the message of I John 1:9 when it says: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

This is not to say that there are no consequences of our sin, but the fiddler is paid from Another’s pocket. Jesus came to pay a price we could not pay, and erase a debt that was not his. This is the gift offered to those who will believe in Him and call on His name.

Living with an Open Agenda

2009-10-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

There are two extremes that seem to identify who we are in our approach to life.

First, there are the laissez-faire types with the motto: “Let go and let God.” Life happens to you and there’s not much you can do.”

Second, there are those who are planned and controlled, who reflect the mantra, “God helps those who help themselves.”

Somewhere in the middle is the possibility of planning, dreaming, and seeking God as we make plans and chart our course, allowing for the unexpected circumstances or opportunities that God may bring our way. Life is neither a predetermined plot from which we have no escape, nor is it a free-flowing river that’s never been navigated. Two truths are held in tension: There are choices we make that affect the outcome of our lives, but there is also One who walks with us and guides in the midst of our circumstances.

As I read this verse there were two other verses that came to mind, reminding me that I need to live with an open agenda:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)
Now then, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. (James 4:13-15)

Barn Swallows

2009-10-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (Proverbs 26:2)

Two images came to my mind as I read this verse today: visiting my uncle’s farm and an Alfred Hitchcock movie called The Birds. The images reminded me of the truth of this verse, as a person of integrity does not need to fear the accusations of others. However, this does not mean that he or she does not take appropriate, prudent actions to make sure that there is no ground for them. Let me explain.

I watched the classic Hitchcock movie as a boy and was terrified of birds – especially cawing crows and tiny, darting barn swallows. If you’ve never seen the film, it is a case of nature gone wild, taking revenge upon mankind. Images of birds swarming and pecking away at person kept me looking over my shoulder for many years.

The other image is my uncle’s barn, a place where I spent hours building forts and secret hideouts in the hayloft with my cousins. It was a place where I had to deal with my fears and where I learned a valuable lesson.

The lesson was this: since barn swallows feed on insects in flight, the one way to make sure that they don’t come near to you is to make sure mosquitoes and other bugs don’t come near to you. A simple application of insect repellent helped to ensure that you wouldn’t have a swallow dive-bomb towards your face, veering off at the last second.

Integrity is the insect repellent that wards off the undeserved curse. It is not that accusations or verbal persecution will never come, but it won’t stick when a person’s reputation is one of trustworthiness in their words and deeds.

The Upside-Down Kingdom

2009-10-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

There are some instructions in the Scriptures that don’t seem to make sense – that is, if you take into account conventional wisdom and action. Loving your enemy is one of those things that we know we should do, but struggle with because we don’t understand how God could allow unjust people to take advantage of us, or to persecute us for our beliefs. But it does happen.

This truth - treating others like you would have them treat you, even if they are considered your enemies - is permeated in both the Old and New Testament. Listen to the words of Jesus and Paul:

You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbour and hate your enemy, but I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:34-44)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-19, 21)

How can I do this? Does this make me a doormat, open to the abuse of each unjust, ungodly person who comes along and tramples upon me? How can I know when it is right to treat the undeserved with dignity and not react, trying to give them what they deserve?

Taking things into my own hands has never been the answer, even when treating the people well didn’t seem to give the desired result. As impossible as it is (in human terms), there are times when we are driven to our knees and call out, “God I can’t do this! You will have to do it through me.” It is one of the situations where we need wisdom, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help us turn the world around us upside down.

When Trials Come

2009-10-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

... for though a righteous man fall seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16)

This past week I had the opportunity to attend a concert by Keith and Kristyn Getty, a married couple that call themselves modern hymn writers. Their music reflects the Irish ballads of their homeland, and the depth of their lyrics speaks of the pain Irish Christians experienced in the midst of trials. Much of their music can be summed up in the title of their song, When Trials Come.

One of the mysteries of the Christian life is the way God draws near to us in times of trouble. As followers of Christ we are not promised that trials will never come, but rather that when they do come, that God walks with us. Read the lyrics below or go to the link that will take you to this song as you ponder your situation, whether it be times of trial (for they surely will come) or in times of great rejoicing.

When Trials Come
Written by Keith & Kristyn Getty

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun
Till He completes the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old

If you want to listen to the song, follow this link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB1cFQcBC7g