Sundays are usually the busiest days for beggars coming to the door asking for food. This past Sunday was no different. In the morning one boy came and in the afternoon a boy of about 10 came with his 2 little sisters.
First they asked for food and I was able to give them some leftovers that we had sitting around. As it was raining and a bit chilly, they asked for t-shirts for each of them. And finally they asked for some toys for a little brother at home.
I asked them where they lived and the boy said they lived in a plastic house (which means a tiny shack covered with black plastic). I asked them where their parents were and he replied that they don't have a father and that their mother is sick and doesn't work.
After they left I was congratulating myself on my generosity and just I was to have given them all that stuff. Suddenly the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "But that gallo pinto (beans and rice) that you gave them was not what it could have been. You could have added that bit of cheese that you have. And the bread and cookies were old and you were not going to eat them anyhow. You were never going to wear those 2 t-shirts and the 2 of Zach's were his oldest, most worn t-shirts. The toys were not very nice that you gave. How are you any different than Cain; who did not give an offering that was pleasing to God?"
My self-satisfaction was quickly revealed for what it was, pride rearing it's ugly head. It made me think how much I am like the rich Pharisees who want all to see them put their huge offering in the offering plate.
I thank God that He does not miss an opportunity to teach me more about myself. I am also thankful that He is slow to anger and abounding in love and grace.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Justice and Fasting
If you read my blog last year you know that one of my favorite passages was (and still is) Micah 6:8. "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."
I have spent a good bit of time thinking about justice and searching the Word for revelation about what it means to act justly. I still have many questions about what justice really means, but lately another scripture has been on my heart, and I would like to share some of my thoughts.
For many years I have enjoyed some of the passages in Isaiah, but it was not until recently, as I was thinking about the subject of fasting, that I discovered Isaiah 58. In my Bible the chapter is entitled "True Fasting", and the early verses talk about what a fast should not be. I like to begin reading at verse 6, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
Some thoughts and observations:
We are told that this is the kind of fasting that God desires. However, reading on we do not see the "normal" fasting activities of abstinence from eating, and spending all day in prayer. Instead we are told to act with justice, help the needy, and set the oppressed free.
How, I ask myself, is this fasting? Perhaps because it means abstinence from our selfishness and apathy in the face of the needs around us.
In any case, there is something about this passage that speaks to my heart, as though to say, "This is what God wants you to do."
Recently I read a book entitled "A Seasick Doctor", about a doctor on one of the first Mercy Ships. I absolutely loved the book, not because it was an exciting tale, but rather because the calling of the doctor, to work with the poor and downtrodden, resonated with my heart.
I don't know yet what God has in store for us, but I am convinced that wherever He has us, we are called to minister to the poor, the needy, the sick, the orphans, the widows, and the oppressed.
I have spent a good bit of time thinking about justice and searching the Word for revelation about what it means to act justly. I still have many questions about what justice really means, but lately another scripture has been on my heart, and I would like to share some of my thoughts.
For many years I have enjoyed some of the passages in Isaiah, but it was not until recently, as I was thinking about the subject of fasting, that I discovered Isaiah 58. In my Bible the chapter is entitled "True Fasting", and the early verses talk about what a fast should not be. I like to begin reading at verse 6, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
Some thoughts and observations:
We are told that this is the kind of fasting that God desires. However, reading on we do not see the "normal" fasting activities of abstinence from eating, and spending all day in prayer. Instead we are told to act with justice, help the needy, and set the oppressed free.
How, I ask myself, is this fasting? Perhaps because it means abstinence from our selfishness and apathy in the face of the needs around us.
In any case, there is something about this passage that speaks to my heart, as though to say, "This is what God wants you to do."
Recently I read a book entitled "A Seasick Doctor", about a doctor on one of the first Mercy Ships. I absolutely loved the book, not because it was an exciting tale, but rather because the calling of the doctor, to work with the poor and downtrodden, resonated with my heart.
I don't know yet what God has in store for us, but I am convinced that wherever He has us, we are called to minister to the poor, the needy, the sick, the orphans, the widows, and the oppressed.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Church difficulties
Being part of an assembled, cohesive body of believers has been an important part of our lives here in Nicaragua. We have, at times, felt fed, supported, challenged, and useful as part of a small Assembly of God church here in Matagalpa. We have had opportunities to contribute financially and serve alongside the members in the various ministries of the church.
Some of my personal growth has come by walking through difficult times with this church. We have seen the departure of two pastors due to corruption and greed. The upheaval during those times was draining, but God used them to show me that my peace cannot be based anywhere but in Him.
Just before we left for the States we began to feel with this third pastor that, as with the other two, there is a spirit of greed and a vision that does not place God above all else. It appears that he is only interested in having a big, beautiful church building, a large congregation, and overflowing coffers. Meanwhile, the hearts and spirits of the people are dying or being crushed by the pastor in his zeal to accomplish his mission of building another church (he has told us often that he has planted and grown at least 13 churches from nothing).
So that is the background. Now fast forward three months and we have returned. What do we do? Our hearts are not in returning to that church, even though our best friends are there. We do not feel that we can support the pastors vision and know that simply by being there we are seen as such.
Providentially, three days ago I took the same bus as a dear friend and brother in the Lord on the return trip from Managua (2 hours away). He is a leader in the church and has gone through much pain and turmoil through all of this. We were able to catch up on many subjects, and as we walked the few blocks from the bus stop to our house I finally found the courage to tell him that I wasn't sure we would be returning to the church. I thought that perhaps he would try to convince me otherwise, but was surprised when he said, "Jesus did not come to build a denomination, but to bring Salvation. It is not necessary to attend the "correct" church, but to worship God wherever we are." (paraphrased translation)
I have spent the last couple days mulling this over and thinking about what the Scriptures say on the subject. Hebrews 10:25 says: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...". Why exactly are we told that? So that we can exhort, correct and pray for each other. So if I accept the idea that we need to be part of a body; that leaves two options: return to the old church or find a different one. As much as I do not like looking for a new church home that is probably what we will do.
Please be in prayer that God would direct us in this journey.
Oh, have I mentioned how much I dislike the idea of denominations. Wouldn't it be so great to simply say that I am a member of the body (church) of Jesus Christ!
Some of my personal growth has come by walking through difficult times with this church. We have seen the departure of two pastors due to corruption and greed. The upheaval during those times was draining, but God used them to show me that my peace cannot be based anywhere but in Him.
Just before we left for the States we began to feel with this third pastor that, as with the other two, there is a spirit of greed and a vision that does not place God above all else. It appears that he is only interested in having a big, beautiful church building, a large congregation, and overflowing coffers. Meanwhile, the hearts and spirits of the people are dying or being crushed by the pastor in his zeal to accomplish his mission of building another church (he has told us often that he has planted and grown at least 13 churches from nothing).
So that is the background. Now fast forward three months and we have returned. What do we do? Our hearts are not in returning to that church, even though our best friends are there. We do not feel that we can support the pastors vision and know that simply by being there we are seen as such.
Providentially, three days ago I took the same bus as a dear friend and brother in the Lord on the return trip from Managua (2 hours away). He is a leader in the church and has gone through much pain and turmoil through all of this. We were able to catch up on many subjects, and as we walked the few blocks from the bus stop to our house I finally found the courage to tell him that I wasn't sure we would be returning to the church. I thought that perhaps he would try to convince me otherwise, but was surprised when he said, "Jesus did not come to build a denomination, but to bring Salvation. It is not necessary to attend the "correct" church, but to worship God wherever we are." (paraphrased translation)
I have spent the last couple days mulling this over and thinking about what the Scriptures say on the subject. Hebrews 10:25 says: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...". Why exactly are we told that? So that we can exhort, correct and pray for each other. So if I accept the idea that we need to be part of a body; that leaves two options: return to the old church or find a different one. As much as I do not like looking for a new church home that is probably what we will do.
Please be in prayer that God would direct us in this journey.
Oh, have I mentioned how much I dislike the idea of denominations. Wouldn't it be so great to simply say that I am a member of the body (church) of Jesus Christ!
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