As the years have passed, I have become more and
more aware that I’m getting older and I need to do my best to stay healthy. And I've learned that it definitely takes more
strategic focus than ever before to maximize my health and keep things from
falling apart.
I’ve been chuckling the past few days thinking of the all the ways I’ve tried to stay “fit”- in the different places I’ve lived and worked.
I’ve been chuckling the past few days thinking of the all the ways I’ve tried to stay “fit”- in the different places I’ve lived and worked.
I thought of my time living in Haiti. Our intern team
made weights (dumbbells) of concrete. We’d lift and have step aerobics sessions
on our mission roof. I’m sure those in
the community who were watching thought the “missionaries” were crazy.
I also remember running around different sport fields in
a skirt and up and down mountain paths in different lands. I know the locals got a kick out of that. I’m sure it was a sight.
In Youth Ministry in Ohio, my Dad used to come up to our youth building and would take big walks with me around our church’s parking lot. Some of our staff would toss a football over our lunch break or join aerobics classes together . These were ways to try to relieve stress and stay healthy. They made for great memories too.
And of course, here in Ethiopia- it’s been a ton of
walking and trying my best to figure out healthy ways to cook.
I’ve also found a small local gym where I try to keep in shape.
Why does it matter? Why make the effort for good health?
Why should I keep working to build my body and keep it conditioned? As my fall schedule has largely kicked in the
past few weeks here, I’ve been thinking about these things. (Maybe many of you
are experiencing the same…working to adjust to a new fall schedule and
trying to strategically include things for good health)
I’ve been remembering that we’ve actually been given TWO
“bodies” to take care of and be part of.
1.
One is our own physical body, our earthly
tent.
2.
and the other … is the Body of Christ, a
large, diverse, and wonderful family in Jesus.
How are you physically? How is the condition of your “earthly
tent”- your body?
How is your activity in the Body of Christ? Are you
active in God’s family work?
Why does good health in both of these bodies matter?
YOUR PHYSICAL
BODY
Our earthly tents, our physical bodies, are basically
where we live. We weren’t given a wish list to pick what our tents would look
like or feel like. We just have to do
the best we can with what we have.
Our tents are temporary, but so important. They’re vast, wonderful, miraculous! Yet, they are also aging and dying. We have to bathe them, feed them, and take them to the doctor. We have to manage them the best we can. Why? It's not just because they are where we live. The Bible also tells us it’s where God has said His Spirit takes up residence. That’s a big deal!!!
1 Corinthians
6:19-20
Do
you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a
price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Our “tents” are also observed by others. We are often
judged on first look or glance at the appearance of and health of our physical
bodies. This may not seem fair, but it is a reality. We are ambassadors, part of a kingdom,
representing a King. Can people tell the qualities and values of your King and
His kingdom by your physical appearance?
I don’t mean your bodies should be covered with “what would Jesus Do”
clothing, etc. Jesus didn’t wear things like that. But our tents should
reflect a holy God and our physical bodies should show that we recognize God’s
Spirit lives in us and we're trying our best to take care of our earthly tents.
I believe the building up of our bodies is worth the effort. WHY? …so we can serve God at our
maximum ability wherever and whatever He calls us to do. For example, if tomorrow…
God would tell me to “go tell it on that mountain”- I would want to be able to
climb to the top without falling over in a heart attack because I’m out of
shape. If God calls me to swim to a nearby island, physically- I want to be
ready- able to do that. That requires keeping
the body in good health.
Romans
12:1-2
Therefore,
I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies
as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship. Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do
you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict
training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a
crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run
like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for
the prize
I had the privilege of getting trained as a personal
trainer this past August while home in the USA. This training was offered
through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and the course’s main manual was called-
Fit to Serve. It talked about a biblical base for a healthy lifestyle and how
we can help others maximize their health as well.
 |
| Certified as a Personal Trainer |
I learned so much about how to maximize my health and why it matters. Learning to understand our own physical bodies and keeping them built up and healthy- is simply good stewardship.
May we honor God with our earthly tents…taking care of them so we’re fit to serve at our maximum strength in honor of our God!!!
May we honor God with our earthly tents…taking care of them so we’re fit to serve at our maximum strength in honor of our God!!!
We also have a place in the BODY OF CHRIST, we’re in God’s family.
1 Corinthians 12:12
Just
as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so
it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit
so as to form one body
In God's family, in the Body of Christ, are you active? Contributing?
This one is difficult. Sometimes we forget that we have a
larger body we’re called to contribute to and look after.
Often on this one- we neglect to do our part- not
realizing the impact on ourselves and others if we’re not there.
If you see a team missing several players, it would cause you to wonder what is up. If you see someone’s body- and several parts are missing or not working- you also realize something is not healthy.If you're not at your place and doing your part in the Body of Christ, it's noticed and felt.
I shared in my last blog post about two missionaries who had
contracted the Ebola virus while serving in Liberia. I was touched by their
willingness to be in the hard places for God.
I was thrilled to learn of their recovery- when a team came around them
and helped them recover. Team-family
matters. And each one has a part to
play.
 |
| Dr. Brantly being released from the hospital and the "team" that helped him recover |
Sometimes- we get busy judging the other parts of the Body of Christ- pointing out weaknesses or failures- when actually the Body of
Christ- is part of our OWN BODY- it’s reflective of our King and kingdom. The image of Christ suffers when there’s
disunity among the body. When one part is hurting, the whole body feels
it. We need each other! No man was made
to be an island. God gave us family, each other, to encourage each other and be
part of His work together. And we need each other.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
…Even
so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the
foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it
would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if
the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it
would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If
the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole
body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But
in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he
wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would
the body be? As it is, there are many
parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need
you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary,
those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we
treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with
special modesty, while our presentable parts need no
special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to
the parts that lacked it, so that there
should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern
for each other. If one part suffers,
every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with
it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of
it.
Romans 12:3-8
Do
not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each
of you. For
just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all
have the same function, so in Christ
we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the
grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith; if
it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if
it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it
diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 14:10-13
You,
then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with
contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is
written: “As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.” So then,
each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore
let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to
put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
1 Thessalonians
5:11
Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up
Galatians 5:13
…serve
one another humbly in love
1 Peter 1:22
…love
one another deeply, from the heart
Hebrews 10:24-25
And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as
you see the Day approaching.
Also, when we connect in the Body of Christ, we are also
impacted! Connecting in your place brings fulfilment.
My Dad is a great example of this.
 |
| My Dad- Jim |
I love seeing my Dad serve. His physical body has had a
lot of added aches and pains over the past few years. But he has done his best
to keep healthy and strong. He still walks and exercises even though it’s not
as easy as before. And amazingly- my Dad HAS NOT LEFT HIS POST- His place of serving in the Body of Christ. Every Sunday
morning- he is at church- high-fiving children and shaking parents’ hands in
the Children’s Ministry area. He gets a spiritual zing- great joy and
fulfillment in doing his special part in God’s kingdom work. If he’s not there,
He’s missed. If he can’t be there, he misses it too. He is a hero and example
to many because of his humble example!
May we also do our part in the Body or Christ- in honor of our God!!!
I’ve also been remembering that staying connected to Jesus is KEY for good
health in the physical body and in the Body of Christ.
If you’re physical body is in good shape, but you’re
disconnected from Jesus- you still won’t feel good. Connection with the giver and perfecter of your life and faith is essential!
Also, when you’re connected to Jesus, the work you do and part you play in the Body of Christ will also be on target and done in love.
John 15:5; 9-17
“I
am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will
bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
As
the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you
keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s
commands and remain in his love. I have
told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this: Love each other as I have
loved you. Greater
love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant
does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for
everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed
you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that
whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This
is my command: Love each other.
May we stay connected to Jesus! And may we work to build-keep healthy the bodies we've been given- so God's glory may be known and seen in the world!
Onward in His Strength!
Prayer Requests
-My sister has arrived safely in Ethiopia and is getting
used to life in Africa. Pray for her as she serves with some different
organizations here and also gets training in church planting to help our church’s
Sudan Project. It’s been great to have her here.
 |
| My sister- Noel |
-I’m now in Amharic language school. I’ve loved my
classes so far. I have class three times a week with a personal instructor named Mekdes.
Please pray for this time of learning- that I will be a good student and learn
quickly.
 |
| My language instructor- Mekdes |
 |
| learning Amharic |
-I’ve started teaching two fall courses at the
Evangelical Theology College in Addis, the seminary where I taught an intensive
English course in June. I’m teaching Intro to Missions and Intro to Youth
Ministry. I’ve loved my classes and new students so far. Please keep these
classes in prayer as we continue through the fall- that I will share stories
and experiences from my time in these areas with great wisdom and will help
encourage and build up the students.
-I will begin teaching English again at Hope University College when school opens in early October. Please keep this work in prayer- as it’s an excellent place to share God’s love with new and former staff and students. I'm excited to work there again.
-I was part of a wedding last weekend of an Ethiopian friend Abraham and his new wife- Caitlin. Pray for them as they begin their life together.
-Next week is a big holiday here in Ethiopia. On Thursday, September 11, a new year will begin, 2007. Pray for a great time of celebration and a blessed New Year as the fall season gets underway, rains stop and sun returns, and schools get back in session.
May God be honored in and through our lives always!
Thanks so much for your love, support and prayers. Keep
in touch!
Happy Ethiopian New Year 2007!
