May 21, 2012

Twenty Cow Dinner

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under Blog From the Field, The Culture of Life
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Recently I was honored to join a group of over 100 world leaders in Hong Kong for a bi-annual meeting with our dear friends Reach Global. During the week I was invited to join different groups representing regions of the world for discussions on life issues and evangelism.

One evening I was invited to join a group of about 15 people for dinner in a restaurant overlooking the beautiful Hong Kong harbor at night. I was sitting next to a good friend from Kenya, Bramuel Musya, and across the table from another good friend, Tim Addington, the leader of Reach Global.

During dinner the topic of marriage came up and Tim mentioned to Bramuel that he heard that he was getting married and asked how are the wedding plans going? Bramuel responded by saying, “Not very well. I will get married when I have twenty cows”.

That was a response we were not anticipating so Tim just went with the most logical next question, “How many cows do you have”? “Three” he responded. Tim asked “How much is a cow”? “One hundred dollars” Bramuel responded. Tim pulled out a hundred dollar bill and said, “Now you have four”.

Of course now I’m feeling a prompting to get involved, not only personally but also to more aggressively help Bramuel reach his goal. So, after a few moments of contemplation, I looked at Bramuel and Tim and said, “I’m in for five cows”.

Now the rest of the table is paying close attention to the unfolding drama. Bramuel now has nine cows with eleven needed to reach his goal. People sensing the opportunity to be part of this story began to jump in. A friend from one end of the table said, “I’m good for one cow.” and directly following another friend from the opposite end of the table said, “Count me in for one cow as well!”

Now I was looking at Tim thinking, ‘you can do better than one cow!’ He sensed the prompting and said, “OK, I’m in for five cows. Bramuel, how many do you have now”? Bramuel said, “I need three more”.

I thought, let me text a friend back in the US and see if he’s good for three. Not really knowing what time it was back in the US I texted my friend with the question. Within minutes I got a response back. He said, ” I’m in for three cows.”

I leaned over and told Bramuel, you have your twenty cows. Then the celebration broke out as Bramuel texted his future wife.

When we came together for a meal that evening we never anticipated the twenty cow experience. But it became clear that when a goal or vision is clearly articulated, and you have a group of interested people who want to be part of something God is doing, given the opportunity they will respond and the goal will be reached.

Of course the price of one cow was within reach for everyone at the table. For some, five cows was really not a problem. Everyone gave what they were able to do and together we reached the goal together. This was so gratifying and it changed the whole atmosphere of the evening. All of us left with an anticipation of a great wedding that will now happen in the near future and we had a part in it actually becoming a reality.

There are principles of fundraising that we can learn from this event:

1. A relaxed atmosphere with like-minded people is ripe for opportunity.

2. A clear need presented will get a clear response.

3. A clear goal on how to reach that need leads to a clarified opportunity.

4. Real time monitoring of the progress towards the goal observed re-enforces the opportunity.

5. Opportunity to participate at different levels offered allows all to participate.

6. A celebration when the goal is reached creates a positive memory for future reference.

These are just a few observations that occurred that evening that may apply to other fundraising initiatives in the future. Of course the atmosphere that was created was full of life and the discussion itself was life-giving, not only to Bramuel but to all of us participating. That always is a great goal when coming together with others.

Somewhere along this process I was asked by Bramuel to officiate his wedding later this year. but, before setting the date I learned we need to meet with his future father in law and complete the final negotiations for the marriage. We need to negotiate the twenty cows. This will be a first for me!

Welcome to the adventure of life. I will never forget the twenty cow dinner.

 

May 10, 2012

Clif Bar Theology

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under God Loves Small Things | Tags: |
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While in Zambia, I was discussing ministry styles and corresponding effectiveness of those styles with key movement leaders. During the day I took a break and opened one of my favorite Clif Bars, a nutritional energy snack. While snacking I noticed an intriguing story on the wrapper of the Clif Bar. The writer was describing the contrast between a full expedition style of mountain climbers and a small, mobile and agile mountain climbing style.

The large expedition included over 200 porters traveling with at least 20,000 pounds of equipment, food and supplies. All of this effort just to put a handful of people on the peak summit.

The writer contrasted that style with what he and his friends prefer, which he entitles Alpine style hiking. That style requires very little. It is efficient, mobile, lightweight with minimal baggage and they leave their camp sites as if they were never there. No waste left behind. Their attitude is, every destination is beautiful in itself; not simply a means to an end. These hikers do not believe that they must reach the top at any cost, in life or in business.

I agree with this line of thinking and I believe it is a very good model for ministry that most reflects our Lord and King.

I have observed ministries that reflect more the first model of hiking rather than the second. They think in order to accomplish more, or reach the top, they must get bigger, gain more prestige, capture more recognition, accumulate more money, build an ever increasing staff, and make sure they leave as much baggage behind to assure that others know they were there. They grow so large that it prohibits quick responsiveness and mobility. They hope to control whatever they initiate so they brand their name on every project.

I contrast this approach with guiding a ministry that is able to respond quickly, influence, equip and empower and at the same time leaving nothing behind, apart from life and health itself. We do not need to make a name for ourselves. Our identity is not in our size, our accomplishments or our financial strength. Rather, our identity remains in the Life-giver Himself and we want to respond to Him as quickly and effectively as we possibly can. We want to move when He says move and go when He says go. The more we advance His nature, His culture, His name, the more we will accomplish what He has set before us. We will not accomplish His purposes by advancing our own. We travel light leaving no baggage or name behind. Its as if we were never there. All that remains is how He intended it to be and what those that we served want to keep.

We fully embrace and enjoy each ministry along the way that we are honored to partner with. The relationships we have are considered treasures and we deeply cherish every single one!

So, this is Clif Bar theology. Remember, travel light, enjoy the journey, keep Him as your focus. Its not a bad situation if you have a small ministry. It might even be better! In doing ministry this way you will keep your ministry simple and effective and you are on your way of developing a healthy ministry for the kingdom. Take a bite of this health bar and you will not be sorry.

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May 10, 2012

Four days and a Book

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under Intimacy Before Impact | Tags: |
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“Life is full” is often a response that I give to someone who asks how I’m doing. That’s a mild way to hide the reality of a life over the top rushed, hectic and busy. I don’t wear this as a badge of honor, it’s simply the reality of life right now, in fact if I’m honest,for the past thirty plus years. So God in His wonderful way of invading my schedule and plan, He re-ordered what I would be doing while in Nairobi, Kenya.

I landed on a Sunday night meeting a great friend and colleague at the airport for the pick up. We shared a meal together and he dropped me off at my hotel, the beautiful Fairview. We had plans to connect the next day and the following day. Some issues came up that required my friends complete attention for that Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday , and Thursday morning. I was stuck at the hotel for that entire time. What was I going to do? Each day I was hoping to accomplish something but the Lord wanted me to stay put and meet with Him.

Thru Gods grace he placed me in a wonderful and serene setting. I could walk garden paths talking with Him. I sat by waterfalls and listened to bird songs. When it rained I looked from my window in my room and marveled at the power of the storm and the replenishing of the earth thru the rain. On a cooler day I sat by a fireplace feeling the warmth of the fire and the heat of the sun resting upon me thru the large multi-pained classic arched window in a setting area.

God knew I needed this more than I was willing to admit. God gave me “Stop” as a gift of rest. He gave me quiet and silence so I could hear once again. God ordered these days to get a point across I needed Sabbath.

Play can happen during Sabbath as well. On the first day, after spending several early morning hours with the Lord, I went for a walk on a garden path. As I was walking I saw a man what looked like to me waving me to come to him. As I came closer, I discovered a good friend eating a late breakfast. I was shocked to see him. He was staying at a hotel behind the Fairview and I had no idea he was there. He missed the breakfast at his hotel so they sent him over to my hotel. He mentioned more of my dear friends were their with him and they would join me for lunch. God has a wonderful humor!

On Wednesday that week I ventured out and met another dear friend for a five hour fellowship. All of this was a spontaneous unwrapping of Gods design for my days.

The book I had hoped to read and reflect upon was a book on Sabbath. I never dreamed God would plan a Sabbath for me so I could really read and enjoy all that He had for me. God has a way of showing us our deepest needs without us knowing it. It took Four days and a Book to change course in my life. I pray that God will work in a similar way for you!

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July 5, 2011

Awakening the Image

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under The Theology of Life
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Because we are made in the very likeness of God we are created to be like Him and reflect Him in how we respond to those around us, including ourselves. Because God places such high value on human life, we are called to do the same. One way of awakening the image in us is responding to those around us the same way that God would respond to them. This way of living is key to the ministry of Life International. Being life giving as God is life giving to everyone around us. Lets explore this together!

First, to be like Christ, which is our best example of a lifegiving person, we are to respond to the Father as he did. This is life-giving to God the Father. Jesus sought to please his father in all aspects of life. This is our first priority if we are to be life givers. We are to be lovers of God obedient in all that he requests. Because this is a core reason for our existence we find our deepest fulfillment in this lifestyle.
Flowing out of this relationship with God we will develop a different perspective of ourselves and those around us

As we see so very clearly the world around us is in a global struggle. Those close to us as well as millions around the world are dealing with substantial pain and suffering.
As image bearers of God himself, we are not to run and protect ourselves from all this pain but, as a reflection of God himself dive heart first into it. I say heart first, not head first. God loved us so much that he did the most illogical thing by sending his son to die for our sin. His only son. Our minds have a difficult time trying to comprehend this kind of action. And when we have opportunity to act in even the slightest similarity, our minds tell us in a resounding way, don’t do it!
I do believe we need to use our minds as God has designed them and so I suggest we respond to the needs around us in this order, as our heart prompts us and then as our mind guides that prompting. This is a true reflection of being alive in the image of God. When we respond to the needs around us this way, the world will take notice and our Lord God will be glorified. So, together let’s re-awaken the image of God in us and make each day, each encounter count for the kingdom by reflecting him.-m

 

June 14, 2011

Image, Work and Rest

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under The Theology of Life
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Throughout the history of the Church a debate has occurred repeatedly concerning the practice of the Sabbath. Some practice the Sabbath on  the first day of the week and nothing but worship and rest occurs that day. Others permit recreation and family activity in addition to worship. And yet many others do not practice Sabbath at all and fill all seven days of the week to the brim with activity.

Recently at LIFE International I was compelled to bring a challenge to our staff. This conviction was prompted by the Lord speaking to me about how I was not recognizing the Sabbath as He wanted me to. So here are a few basic thoughts and I hope this prompts you to dig into the subject further and consider this age-old debate for yourself.

First, if we are made in the Image of God, it would make sense that we would conduct our life reflecting His example.  God created a work and rest pattern for us to follow as described in Exodus 20:8, which is a direct reflection of Genesis 2:2, which says God Himself rested on the seventh day after forming all of creation the first six days. So, one can clearly see that the pattern is, God worked six days and then rested on the seventh. Interestingly this pattern has formed the idea of a week which includes seven days. We practice this time span to this day and call it a week.

A very simple deduction and application from this passage would be, we work for six days and then rest on the seventh. If we work hard, rest is required physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. This is Gods design for us. Now comes the interpretation of rest. What rest means to one person can be something completely different for another. Regardless,  I do not think we can ignore this passage, after all it is one of the ten commandments. Given the fact that God created this design for work and rest by His own example, and He included it with nine other commandments, should give us enough indication that He was very intentional about this concept of Sabbath.

Here is the challenge, have you discovered what God intended when He created Sabbath? It seems He would guide us in a healthy lifestyle and He created us with a Heavenly Design for living so we could have a long and prosperous life. Is Sabbath a key part of your life every week? It does not matter overall what others are doing, what does matter is what design God has for you. Seek Him out and ask Him how He wants to define Sabbath for you. He created you and He knows what is best for you. And one of the things we need most in our lives is God Himself. Time with God creates rest for our souls.

Sabbath is focused on God and the resting allows our body systems to settle for a short period so we can hear Him better. Many of us spend time on Sundays going to church, hearing Gods word proclaimed and worship. For some Sundays are full and busy. Pastors and church workers have very little rest on Sundays so they must seek another day for rest during the week. And, others, even though they do not have church duties, they fill the day with activity and when monday comes they are more tired than when the weekend began. This is what prompted my discussion with the Lord on this subject. I filled every day of the week with good things, mostly people activity. I care for others and when you’re in work that serves others, there is rarely enough time in the day or week that can address the issues adequately. I needed to change my pattern of work, rest and sabbath.

For me this meant looking at my Mind, body and soul. Rest for my mind I discovered meant allowing Gods word to renew my mind daily. I need to be in Gods word every day so my mind can find a resting place for its constant search for truth. My soul finds rest in only one place, that’s abiding with Christ as often as I can but being intentional in following Gods design was required. So, being much more intentional in how I was using Sundays needed to change. I took the first midday nap that I can remember this past Sunday. Wow, what a change! That addressed the third area, rest for my body. The best way to describe that would be, the couch.

The basic concept concerning Sabbath is, find a place of rest to meet with God every week and allow your schedule to slow down and give your body a rest physically as well. If you do this I believe you will begin to discover what God intended for you when He created this work/ rest pattern in the first place. I suspect you will see health increase in your mind, body and soul.

 

June 1, 2011

Awakening the Image

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under The Theology of Life
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Creation of Adam

At the very beginning of Gods letter to us we read a profound statement, God created us in His Image. We have read this as many times as we have read the Bible and yet I wonder have we fully comprehended what this statement actually means. I am on a current journey asking the Lord for a deeper comprehension of this intentional decision He made. God did not have to create man this way but this is what He wanted. Because of who God is this was not a bad decision and therefore we are not a mistake! Some of us may think in a self contemptuous way creating a desperate need of awakening the image in us because this not only impacts how we view ourselves but also how we view God and others around us. And, how we view God, self and others deeply impacts how we do ministry. My next few blogs will include thoughts along the way of this journey. Your comments are always welcome.

Genesis 1:26-27 clearly states that all of us, every human being was and is created in the very Image of God. Have you ever wondered how this impacts everyday life? Lets take a brief look at this passage. “Then God said, “26 Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all of the earth, and over all creatures that move along the ground. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
From these verses we clearly see that God placed man over all  creation distinguishing man from the rest of the  animal kingdom. Man (humankind/ male and female) being made in the very image of God imparts a unique and special meaning to the design of human life. Man stands uniquely apart from all other living creatures and creation because of mans relationship to God himself. The intrinsic value of each and every human life exists because God made it that way.
God created us with the capacity to interact with him and so he gave us a mind so we can begin to think as He thinks. He gave us a language so we could speak with Him. God had a plan and a purpose when He created man and placed him on this planet and it all leads to an incredible destiny if man chooses to step into why he was created in the first place. Of all of Gods wonderous creation only man was created in His image so that we could have relationship with Him.

Now what does it mean to awaken this image? First we must recognize that we were created with the capacity and purpose to communicate with a living God, our creator. We have the capacity to think like our creator and be able to respond to His communications with us. We were made to be in relationship with him. Every human being has this capacity within them and each person is desired by God to be in this kind of relationship with Him. It does not matter if you are a person not yet born or one who has walked this earth for 99 years. You could be someone from Russia, China, Iran or Detroit, your created purpose is the same. You could be in a wheelchair or you might be blind. You could be very wealthy or completely destitute. You could have HIV/AIDS or you could have the best of health it does not matter.  All of you are of inestimable value to God. All of us must come to full understanding of this incredible truth and apply it to our daily living. If we do our lives will change! We no longer will judge ourselves by what others think but rather by how our creator God views us. This is no small matter. All of us must take steps to awaken this truth in our minds, hearts and souls. This is “home” for our souls. So, what is God speaking to you now? Stop and listen and allow your soul to find home.

God intentionally created us in His very Image and this my friends means everything. Apply this magnificent truth to your life today and experience the awakening of your true Image.

 

April 21, 2011

Trust: The Commodity we Trade in

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under The Culture of Life
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Recently LIFE International staff discussed the subject of trust as central to our relationships globally. We concluded that a great way to describe this aspect of our ministry was the statement , “The primary currency we ‘trade’ in is TRUST”. The trust relationship is founded and built upon our relationship first with God.
Trust between Man and God was what was broken when Adam and Eve believed the serpent rather than God. Since that time until Christ died on the cross there has been a continuous breaking down of trust. A breakdown of trust between brother and brother, father and son, and man and woman.  Jesus came to restore the relationship between man and God – in doing so he prepared the way for trust to be restored. Thru Christ it is possible to establish and enjoy a trust relationship between people, family members, co-workers and ministries even though great harm has been experienced in these relationships in the past. This is the transforming power of the message of the cross.

For example, the most profound harm caused by a man or woman’s choice to abort –outside of the death of the child – is the violation and subsequent loss of trust. The choice to abort is a lack of trust in the sovereignty of God and his decision to give life to an individual in the womb. It reflects a lack of trust in God’s capacity for goodness, provision and protection. After an abortion, the person intuitively understands that they have violated this trust – but ultimately start believing Satans lies and begin to view God as being untrustworthy.

For a man, abortion is a betrayal of his innermost self.  A man’s choice to subvert his God given mandate to provide and protect his own child in order to flee responsibility informs their own spirit as to their own lack of trustworthiness.  For a woman, she has violated the God given expectation of her child to receive her protection and nurturing and her failure to fulfill this role shatters her trust in herself to choose the honorable and good going forward.

To those who seek to minister in life-giving ministries, we must first show ourselves to be trustworthy before the message we seek to bring can be received, contextualized and integrated by those we serve. In our posture, our message, our interactions, we must humble ourselves, reflect the character of God who made himself like a servant, and show ourselves trustworthy.

In order to receive trust from others, LIFE International must establish a strong relationship with our God first. We must establish a culture of trust based on our relationship Christ before we focus our efforts with others. We must stay the course through failure and success, joy and sorrow in relationships formed. We must keep our promises, protect God’s reputation, and put people ahead of tasks. We must take the time to enjoy those whose lives we celebrate. By virtue of these behaviors, postures, and communication, we will prove ourselves trustworthy. And trust is the currency in which we trade.

 

March 31, 2011

What We Have is What We Give

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under Blog From the Field, The Culture of Life
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CLT participants in Nairobi, Kenya

In March we were invited to conduct a Church Leadership training (CLT) in Nairobi, Kenya with our Kenya partner ministries “Straight Path Resources” and “Unite4Africa”.  Together as a team we were challenged, inspired, heartbroken and compelled to press on. The needs are so immense it is hard to describe because here in America there is only a rare comparison and for most of us there is no comparison or point of reference.

During our short stay we were blessed with over 72 key leaders from over 40 different areas of Kenya. All but 4 of the attendees were actually from the huge city of Nairobi. Those who came were eager to learn and ready to apply to their own lives the truth they were absorbing. The training included content on the sanctity of human life, human development from conception to birth, Biblical World View, Biblical sexuality, and becoming a life-giving leader.

After four days of training, praying and worshiping together the Lord was moving powerfully in our presence. One of the key leaders decided to open up and communicate his own journey that included fathering a child outside of marriage. His genuine heart of brokenness before the Lord and all of us ushered in a time of prayer and repentance in mass. One after another came for prayer and reconciliation opening up the door for healing and release for them  to become the life-giver that God was calling them to be in ministry.

The prayer and worship time continued for over three hours including a stirring message from our partner in ministry Okongo Samson, the head of Unite4Africa. In addressing the 72 leaders he challenged us to consider what they were giving to others. He suggested that what we have within us is what we have to give to others. If we have brokenness, we give brokenness. If we have unforgiveness, we offer unforgiveness. If we have bitterness we give bitterness. If we have greed we give greed. If we have grace we offer grace. If we have love, we give love. If we have joy we give joy. He carried this theme on for some time in order to get his point across. There is a fundamental truth at the core of what Okongo was communicating. It caused all of us to consider what we were offering the world around us. As a result of the Holy Spirits work in us that day, and truly all week, heart and head transformation took place in all of us who participated. Many communicated to Bramuel, our partner and founder of Straight Path Resources, ‘Kenya will never be the same’.

At the conclusion of our time together each participant received a certificate indicating the successful completion of the CLT. As each one came forward a song would erupt in their tribal language filling the space with joyful worship of our Lord and Savior.

Unite 4 Africa and Straight Path Resource Leaders

I was asked to bring a final word from scripture which was, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit.” II Timothy 1:14  That message was fully embraced by everyone and I’m confident the Life-giving message that we deposited in Nairobi will spread throughout Kenya and beyond. This is what we have and this is what we want to give to others. Thank you so much for supporting this ministry and releasing us to go and bring this life-giving message to the nations!

 

December 21, 2010

Abundant Fruit and Personal Cost

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under Blog From the Field
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Okongo (right) and his Kenya ministry partner Rauf Okal

Recently we were blessed and challenged by a friend in ministry who told us his story. Over the years he has paid significant costs and has experienced deep personal pain, but–to date–he has also borne an abundance of fruit. My hope in sharing his story is that you will be challenged in living out your faith as I have been through knowing him and hearing his story. More often than not the things most valuable in life cost us the most!

Okongo Samson, born in Kenya, knew from age 14 that he was called by the Lord to go to the utmost parts of the world and share the Gospel, no matter the cost to him personally. As he clearly says, “God put me in the path of serving Him.”

As Okongo was growing up in Kenya, he came to understand more and more that his desire to go into exceptionally challenging situations was part of who he was. His father would challenge and caution him from going into certain countries because he feared that Okongo would be killed for being so bold in his faith. But Okongo’s response always was, “I must go where God is calling me.”

Over the past 17 years he has been thrown in jail 15 times in just as many countries, mostly in places where the Gospel is not permitted. Every arrest was over trumped-up charges, and they were never proven. Even so, while in jail, he was beaten nearly to the point of death, electrocuted, punctured, whipped, drilled and stuck with metal rods, sexually assaulted, and starved–all in the effort of forcing him to denounce his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In telling us his story, Okongo was humbled by the truth that he felt he had not done enough for his Lord. The first eight times he was in jail and tortured for his faith he was not affected very much. The last seven times he was deeply affected. He tells of the time when they drilled holes in his legs and placed metal rods though the holes and then hung him upside down by these rods. While hanging there upside down he was beaten, whipped, and screamed at for hours on end. He states that in the moment of his deepest pain he proclaimed responses that he doesn’t fully recall today, but still wonders about. He also says that he came to know God more deeply while experiencing his greatest pain.

Because of the intensity of the torture during his last seven times in jail, he began to have doubts–and so did his friends. In fact they counseled him to change his ways because this kind of experience could not possibly be of the Lord. Okongo was greatly discouraged and deeply hurt by what he went through during the last seven paths of torture. He was struggling to find the place of healing in his soul for what was done to him.

During this time the Lord was faithful, and prompted him to go back to each of these persecutors and–in person–forgive them for what they did. Okongo understood that the only path to healing is forgiveness. Each of his persecutors had a different response. Some hated him for coming back because they were now faced with his kindness. Others opened the door for more discussion, and Okongo was given the opportunity to share the Gospel.

To date over one thousand seven hundred churches have been planted in the regions where Okongo was persecuted. Out of the very places of torture and death have come places of worship and life. Through all of this Okongo says, “I have learned what forgiveness is all about.”

At LIFE International we are truly blessed to be a friend of such a faithful partner in the Gospel. Okongo has invited us to go with him and bring the life message to many of these places where churches are now growing. He feels they are in desperate need of the life message. Please pray with us as we go!

 

November 30, 2010

Groaning, Grumbling and Gratitude

Posted by Kurt Dillinger under The Culture of Life
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Gail and her Dad

As I reflect on this past Thanksgiving time with our family, I am very thankful for their willingness to carry a very robust and sincere discussion on what we are thankful for as we sat around the Fondue dinner table. The past year has been full of very challenging, difficult and painful experiences including the death of Gail’s father, our father and our children’s grandfather, Richard Anderson on October 9, 2010. This loss has effected all of us differently and is fresh emotionally, still. But as we sat and talked several things came to mind.

First, I was reminded of Romans 8:22-23 which reads, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning, as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the  first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

Here Paul paints the picture clearly that the whole earth is subject to the consequences of human sin.  God created earth, the environment of human life with perfection. The entire planet was effected by the curse of sinful behavior. But his order was overturned , leaving the world subject to disasters, disorder, disease, disappointment, disillusionment, and death. (Gen. 3:17-18)

Today, the whole earth is struggling, pushing and pressing on for the day of delivery from the groaning, the intense labor and daily toil created by the fall of man. Included in this daily struggle are Gods children. All of as believers are not immune from this struggle. In fact, more times than not, how we conduct ourselves in the struggle communicates to others how strong our faith is. We have two options as far as I can tell, to struggle well, or, struggle poorly. We can choose to turn to Christ in our struggle and ask for strength from him to face situations that we normally could not deal with or, turn to our own resources without him. Struggling with him is struggling well, struggling apart from him is struggling poorly.

So, we can’t get rid of the groaning. It’s all around us, in front of us, behind us, upon us. Given this reality we make our choice. We can begin grumbling about the situation which eventually leads to grasping for control. Trying to control everything around us to relieve us from the groaning. Unfortunately that never seems to work for the long run. It may relieve us for a few days our weeks or possibly a few months, but it does not have the power to last over time. Groaning, Grumbling and Grasping never creates a heart of Gratitude and Thanksgiving! It creates a prison of continual grasping with an unquenchable appetite for more.

As believers, we are encouraged to turn to Christ in the middle of hardship and struggle. (Matt.11:28-30) When we do he provides the way for gratitude to settle into our soul and we leave grasping behind and turn to a lifestyle of giving to others, even when we ourselves are weak and in need. This is the miracle of Gods transforming power. We become overcomers like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and a whole Bible full of examples of overcomers. In addition History is full of overcomers like Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, William Wilberforce, Amy Carmichael and a cloud of witnesses that cheer us on today.

Secondly, I observed during our meal, the overwhelming attitude of everyone was that of gratitude and thanksgiving. Mom was with us and shared the deep loss of Dad and the reality of living alone, but she concluded with an expression of thanksgiving for having experienced 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband and friend.  That opened the door for others to share their heart of thanksgiving in the middle of struggle.

We discussed as a family the actual power of a heart that is thankful. How it transforms our thinking. How it frees our soul to focus on the good that God is doing. How it becomes contagious to all those around us. And, how its focus is outward, not inward. We discovered as a family how to worship God in the midst of struggle. And in fixing our eyes on him leads us to serve others no matter what our personal challenge is at the time.

Finally, my daughter Abby reminded me of the many discussions we have had over the years on “the Cross” and the reality that what Christ did for us on the Cross is more than any of us deserve. Truly the Cross is enough! Anything else in life that we receive in addition is icing on the cake. We discussed the question, “are we thankful enough for what Christ did for us on the Cross?”

Wow, what a wonderful day. As a father I was so blessed to have such a discussion with my family. Thank you Father for guiding my family towards a heart of gratitude this year, even though it has been full of groaning, hardship and struggle.

I’ve included a picture of Gail and her incredible dad who she only has good memories of. She is so thankful for the 56 years she had to live life with him! He deeply influenced my life as well modeling for me consistently for 33 years what a Godly man, husband and father in reality is like. And I am so thankful for the time he poured into our family. We learned from him what a heart, soul and life of gratitude looks like.

 

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