READY, SET, GO ... Making A Comeback ,Thoughts for a New Season

When I was in the USA just a little over a week ago and I was thinking of my return to Ethiopia, many things were going through my mind.  Is God really letting go back to Ethiopia, this beautiful land and people, to write another chapter in my story with theirs? Am I ready for another school year at two schools? What do I want to do better than this past year? What would the road ahead hold?

 

I thought about a ton of struggles and stumbles over the past year. Alot of wipe outs, opportunities missed. But there were also many great moments- where God made me laugh and even cry at His goodness and timing.

What would this new year hold? Not only was a new school year getting ready to start but also a new year (2010) will be celebrated in about ten days. Would it, could it, be my best year yet for God? I wanted and want it to be.

I think many of us have had these thoughts as a new year or new season or new chapter in life begins.

May it be our best… Ready, Set, Go.

God brought these things to mind…

READY-

Am I ready? As my break time in the USA counted down, I was trying to check everything off. Am I ready with the supplies I needed? Was my passport back from the renewal office? Did I check with my church? Go to the bank? Go to all the doctor appts, and yes, even the dentist?

I think as we “ready” for a new season or begin one, it’s smart to check things out. How’s our supplies? How’s our life overall doing in all areas? Checking things out can be scary even painful, but so necessary for a healthy new start.

Here are some key things to check… that affects our spiritual journey… that God was asking me about…

HEART…How is your heart? Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. What is your mouth saying about what’s in you? God says love Him, most. And love others. Is He my main passion, foundation, source of strength, confidence? Do I seek Him first? Is He my first Love? My hiding place, my security? Or have other things been my focus? Other people? God says to guard my heart. Hide His Word in there.   We need to check our hearts ALOT.

Matthew 22:37

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart, it is the wellspring of life.

Luke 6:35

Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden thy word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

John 14:1

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will make thy paths straight.

MIND… what are you thinking about? What’s your perspective on life? On yourself? We have responsibility to take every thought captive and surrender those to Jesus. May we be careful what we allow ourselves to think about, look at, and listen to. The mind can be Satan’s playground.  

Romans 12:2

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Matthew 22:37

Love the Lord your God with all your mind

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on things above…

BODY- (your own physical tent)… How is your physical health? Are you doing your best to take care of the tent God has given you to house His spirit in? Are you learning about how to best grow old gracefully? Are you keeping away from things you shouldn’t? Our bodies should honor God. What we dress them in. What we do with them. What we feed them. What we use them for.

1 Corinthians 6:19

Do you not know your body is a temple of the body of the Holy Spirit who is in you, therefore honor God with your body.

Romans 12:1

Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship…

BODY (spiritual- your place in the church)- Are you keeping connected to your spiritual family? Really connected? We’re part of a family and we have a role to play. We need to be together and stick together.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Now, you are the body of Christ and each of you has a part in it.

TIME… How’s your time management? What do you give the most of your time to? Your attention? Yourself? Entertainment? Others? God wants my first. My best. To honor Him with the life and breath and days I’ve been given. Am I being a good steward of the opportunities He gives, living fully with Him leading me?

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days.

MONEY… am I spending money on what I should? Being generous? Or buying stuff I don’t need

Can I do better? Be a better steward? Give more? Help more?

Matthew 6:24

You cannot serve both God and money

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your wealth

Proverbs 22:9

A generous person will be blessed

SERVING/SHARING/MISSION- Am I serving others? Loving others with the right motive? Sharing the love of God and the Good News of Jesus? We have work to do. It’s part of who we are in Jesus Christ. May we not forget the mission, the work, we have to continue and what an honor it is to be part of!

Matthew 28:18-20

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you and I am with you always, even to the end.

Matthew 19:19

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 5:14, 16

You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before men.

These I think are good READY-ing questions. God walked me through many of these.

THEN IT’s TIME to…

SET….

Get in place, into position, ready to start the season. To do that, you have to work through the ready questions. Adjust things. Reprioritize. Add things in. Let other things go. Connect back where connections are needed.  Say things that need said. This step can be painful, but it’s necessary to have a good start, a strong start, with eyes ahead and all systems set and aligned.

Hebrews 12:1-2

…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith…

GO…

Then it’s time to start. To jump. To leap. To GO. To BEGIN.

This past week, I began. I started four new classes. As I sat in my office before each class, my knees were shaking, my voice wobbly as I reviewed my notes. I had readied. I positioned myself, I was set at the starting line. But could I go? I needed a new start. A different one, a fresh one. And I didn’t want to start alone. I needed God with me for impact. And before I went to each class, I remember whispering to God.. ready…set… and I heard Him say… LET’S GO.

The classes went great but it was because I wasn’t alone!!!!

1st day of school, before 1st class

 

It’s funny… I keep thinking of this old youth ministry game we used to rent. One person gets in a suite type thing and it has all kind of velcro or sticky stuff on it…. And the game is you run and jump up against a wall and try to stick. And I think that’s what I felt like I did. I walked to the front of the class and jumped on the cross and said- I’m sticking to this cross and with Jesus. This is for Him and by Him and because of Him to the end. May we stick with the One who sticks with us and never lets us go!!!

Maybe you just started a new season like me. Maybe you’re a teacher. Or maybe you’re beginning a marriage or maybe finding yourself single and that’s new for you. Maybe you’re a new parent or maybe an empty nester. Maybe you just retired or you’re just starting school or work.

Maybe you’re entering a hard season or a season that could have suffering, a mountain climb of some kind is before you. Maybe you’re facing a medical problem or losing someone you love.

Whatever you’re looking at as the next chapter, be encouraged, you’re not alone. With God you can pass through. He’s with you always. Just get ready, set, and then go With God.

Isaiah 43:2-5

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.. when you walk through the fires, You will not be burned… for I am the Lord your God, do not be afraid

Matthew 28:20

I am with you always, even to the end

And just a note… You might have already started a new season and you’ve already messed up. It’s okay. God is a God who gives us a new day, a new time, a new chance, you can get ready, set, and go again. And live life well and honorably with God’s help. No cause is greater. His hand is big enough to pick you up and help you have the most amazing comeback!!!

Please pray for me as I pray for you!!!

Onward!

Praises/Prayer Requests

-I had a wonderful few weeks in the USA with family, thank you so much for your prayers and support to help me get there.

 

-Please pray for my ETC classes that have started. That God will use me in the classes to speak His truth, Him with me.

-Please pray for Hope College as students begin soon to prepare to come back and start a new semester- in late September, that the final days of break time will be restful and that a good start will be had.

-Please pray for Ethiopia overall- there’s some tribal tension in some areas of the country.

-Please pray that I can have my best year yet for God, as I stick to Jesus!

-Please pray for the new year, 2010, beginning on September 11 here in Ethiopia- that God will give peace and His covering/blessing over this beautiful land.

-Please pray for many of my best students who graduated and are starting new chapters in the work force or graduate schools, may God bless them!

 

 

-Please keep my family in prayer as they continue in the USA, they are loved by me and so many of you. Thanks for that!!

 

Blessed READY, SET, GO to you all!

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW ...

The past weeks held alot of travel for me and I looked out many windows and thought about the way behind and the way ahead.

There was a busy finale to my school semester at Hope College.

As graduation day approached, an air of anticipation could be felt. Over 200 graduates prepared to take their diplomas and cross a large finish line. Many of these students I had known 3, 4, and 5 years. I remembered many of them as freshmen, giving speeches and writing papers. I remembered student trips, class discussions, cups of coffee, and just so much of life's ups and downs.  What an honor to be part of their lives!

 

 

I had the honor of standing at their finish line on July 8^th as they graduated. I felt tears in my eyes and pride in my heart as they finished.

 

I wish this very special graduating class the very best. These Environmental Scientists, Food Scientists, Managers, Marketers, Accountants, IS/IT Specialists and Architects will no doubt change the world.

 May God bless them!

Not soon after graduation, a team of six of us headed to the southern part of Ethiopia to do a training for pastors and church leaders about reaching youth.

 

There were 75 leaders who had gathered for the 2 ½ day training, these leaders representing over 250 local churches from six different tribes. As my team sat in a bouncing van for the 11 hour road trip to the training, we passed mile after mile of stunning Ethiopian countryside.

 

Though the way was beautiful, I felt some stress. What could my team really do? We were small. We were all tired from the semester’s end. But I was proud of this team, who spanned generations in age, for joining me in response to help train in youth ministry. I prayed God would help us.

In the last of eight teaching sessions, church representatives had to get up and share a 6 month to 1 year plan on how to reach youth based on our training. This was it, where we would see if they really understood what we taught and shared. I sat in stunned silence… as team after team… shared strategic and great plans to reach youth through their churches. It continues to amaze me that God backs us in our weakness. I’m so humbled to have been part of what God wants to do in the southern part of Ethiopia. May God breathe on this movement and bless it!

Not long after my return to Addis, I traveled the long journey home to Ohio in the US.  It’s been a great break time so far being with my family. I love my family so much.

 

We’ve enjoyed taking walks and sharing stories.

One story that came up with my family very early was about my I-phone. It had major problems the past few months- which had caused communication challenges with my family.

I explained to them that the connecting cord didn’t seem to be working. And the screen kept going blank. On the road trip south, our driver plugged my I-phone into his van charger to see if that would turn it on, and well- it was down for good after that. Later I learned that the battery had actually melted in the phone. Goodness.

It’s fixed now, but God reminded me through all that about having the right connection. And He’s continued to challenge me on that.

Is my life connected to God, really connected? Is the screen of my life a story of God’s love and grace, or is there a blank screen or a confused blurry screen that people see when they look at me? What does my connection to God reflect?

God has been reminding me of some of the incredible truths about my story and yours … we have this amazing ability to connect with God. God is the source of all we need. In Him and from Him comes joy, peace, direction, purpose, love … so much.

And the way we connect with God is through Jesus.

John 14:6

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We can know our connection is strong because our lives change in that connection. Our words, our actions, our ability to withstand …. comes from connection with Jesus. It’s shared journey with Him.

 Is there evidence of that in your life, in mine?

John 15:5

…If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If your life is a blank screen or dark screen, if your words and actions don’t reflect the character and love of God, there’s a connection problem.

How do you connect to God? Again, it’s through Jesus. Spending time with Jesus is key. You connect by listening to Jesus, talking to Him, looking for Him, watching Him, learning from Him. He’s speaking in the Word of God- the Bible. He speaks through nature. Music. Through so much, He’s there speaking. Do you seek Him, listen for Him?

Yet, we often connect to other things first or most.  We may look to our own ability, or to money, jobs, other people… before looking to Jesus .… and our connection gets off.  We fix our minds, our hearts, our foundations on other things. Our connection is then disrupted. We have to keep Jesus in focus, first and most.

John 15

Remain in me and I will remain in you.

Matthew 28:20

I am with you always, even to the end…

We try to get in good with God in other ways too… through good actions, or religious activity or generous giving maybe. But the connection to God comes from connecting to Jesus… He’s the only way…

 

 

When you’re connected in the right way, God’s Spirit can be felt. There’s conviction of sin, power in words spoken at the right time, wisdom and peace and joy and hope that can’t be explained. There’s light. Transformation happens, power can be seen, if the connection is working. An inner light shines that other people notice.

 Acts 4:13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Are you connected? Are we connected as His people, the church?

If you don’t know, ask a trusted friend or family member. I’m sure they can tell you. What do they see when they see your life? Is there evidence of connection to God? Is there evidence of a relationship to Jesus- is His leadership and character seen in you? Or do you sound like a TV show? Or something weird that no one can understand?

 Churches today have to continue to talk about Jesus.

 

Many churches focus on the love of God, which is important. But JESUS has to be explained and preached. Connection with Him is key. We’re not invited to a party on this side of eternity, but we’re invited to a movement, a call to follow, a family that is led by Jesus and ready to serve and love and sacrifice for His work in the world. Every church has to talk about this. This Gospel needs preached EVERY week.

 

 

As summer winds down and school starts soon, may we look out the window at the road behind our lives. Where did you go? Were there any roads you took that you shouldn’t have? Any detours or missed places? Did your connection get offline?

As you look ahead, where is the road leading? Are you on the right road, is your connection to the right source? Who or what are you looking at the most, leaning the most on? Is it Jesus?

 

If you’re a church leader….or member… are you talking about Jesus all the time? Focusing on Him in your personal life and in the messages you give? We have to focus people on Jesus.

In ten days, I jump back to Ethiopia… and these are questions God is asking me of my own journey.

I have to stay connected to Jesus!!!

May this connection be evidenced in my words, actions, in all I do and say, in the life I live, in all that I am, may Jesus be seen in me and with me. He is the good news we have to share!  He’s our great Shepherd and the friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is the way, the truth and  life.. He’s a leader that is worthy of our loyalty and our allegiance. He can be trusted! The journey with Him is like none other!

Blessings to you as Summer Ends and Fall Begins!

Let me know how I can pray for your journey, your family, and your connection to Him. And thank you for your  continued prayers for me and my family!

So grateful for each of you!