Selfless Serving

Mulling over the ministry reports of the missionaries our church supports helps me to put my life in perspective. As they log their life for accountability, they relay information about their day, and it is evident that these servants stay busy. But it's not the busy we often know best , busy running here and there: shopping, exercising, playing. It's busy self-giving: prayer, teaching, discipling, relationship-building with those who don't know Jesus. So often when someone in America says, "Maybe I should be a missionary," the return comment is "Why, you can be a missionary right where you are." Yes, we can be; but Lord, help us to see we have a long way to go. "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

Housing Hopes

What began as a home for an aging parent became a home away from home for missionaries. A small house tucked behind another house, barely visible from the road, serves as a place for missionaries who are in the U.S. on furlough or for other reasons to live and rest and restore. A living area, a dining area, kitchen, bed and bath. A plaque hangs on the wall honoring the mother who had lived there, and tucked away in the corner a bookcase holds items from countries all over the world, left behind by the missionaries who have been blessed by this little lighthouse. As I sat on the well-worn sofa and heard the voices of the saints that had prayed in this little place, I dreamed a big dream to have a missionary house someday, a haven that can be a a little slice of heaven to those who are carrying the Gospel to the unreached people groups around the globe. What a beautiful way to serve the feet of those who bring Good News.

Fleeing Football

I recently read about the raunchy ads that were played during the Super Bowl. An urgent plea was sent out to write to the NFL, to the network, and the FCC telling them that we had seen enough of this type of advertisement. I understand the reasoning behind this type of action, and I do think we are to fight against the things that our precious Lord died to save us from. But at the same time, I am not surprised when sinners sin; I am only saved by grace and would have no desire to do right but for the blood of Christ. So, why should I expect the secular to conform to my standards? An alternative to writing and urging them to change is to change ourselves and stop watching. Spend the time seeking the greater joy that's ours in giving. We have found that international students or neighbors have little interest in American sports, but they greatly enjoy dinner and some conversation. Also, single women often find football less appealing than a evening shared with your family. "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." (Ephesians 4:1)