Radical Together

Radical: very different from the usual or tradition; favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions or institutions (Miriam-Webster)

In his book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, David Platt drew a line in the sand to show how the worldview of the US goes against God’s desires for His people seen in the biblical gospel. In his follow-up book, Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God (2011), Platt expands these principles to be applied to all of God’s people who are in fellowship and walking the journey of life together.

Platt presents six principles that are very different from the common viewpoints of the church in America today. The first is that often we settle for good things in the church, while missing out on what is best. We have the potential to fill our time with religious activity that does nothing for the spiritual growth of the body of Christ and the advancement of his Kingdom. Platt does not suggest getting rid of every program and building, but rather that we should put everything up against the measuring stick of God’s Word and seeing God glorified around the world to discover what is best.

Second, Platt tackles the concept of working for God’s Kingdom. He helps the reader understand that while we do not have to work for our salvation, the grace that God provides and our love for Him compels us to be a part of the work that God is doing. The third principle follows this, putting the burden of change on God and the transforming power of His Word. Sometimes in churches today we depend too much on an engaging performance and inspiring speaker, rather than filling our time with the study of God’s Word and letting His spirit speak through us.

God’s Word is transformational, but how can people hear unless there is someone to tell them? Platt reminds the reader that each one is called to make disciples as outlined in the Great Commission in Matthew 28. The work of sharing the gospel and helping believers grow in faith is not up to only the paid staff of a church, but it is the privilege of each believer. Platt said, “If you are a member of the church, start dreaming and strategizing. Consider where God has placed you, who God has put around you, and how God desires to use you for his glory where you live and work” (73). All of us have opportunities to love and serve those around us.

Our task of sharing and making disciples is bigger than just our community, although that is a great place to start. Platt says we must have the vision of seeing the whole world with access to the Gospel. Here he discusses unreached people groups, the distinct ethnic groups who have no way of hearing the Gospel in a way that is culturally relevant to them. Platt does not mince words by pointing out that we are not just called but commanded by Jesus to reach these peoples.

The final chapter of Radical Together looks at God’s desires for His own glory. It is God’s amazing glory and His worship around the world that compels us to move forward in sharing and making disciples. Platt says, “I know of no greater motivational tool for the church than a glimpse of the sovereign, holy, majestic God, worthy of all worship, who is high and lifted up. This vision alone will compel a church to radical, risk-taking, death-defying obedience to the purpose of God in the world” (119).

What does radical obedience look like for the body of believers desiring to walk in God’s path? Platt’s book is small and easy to read, and provides a great springboard for churches as they wrestle with this question. The principles he puts forth are backed up with Scripture and his experiences as a pastor of a large church. Coupled with individual study and a desire to seek God’s heart, the book can help churches understand God’s work in the world and how each of us can be a part of how He is working.

Simple Church

I have been reading a book by Felicity Dale called "An Army of Ordinary People" in which the author shares stories of regular folks who are engaged in starting churches around the US. This book has really challenged me because these people are finding ways to share Christ with those around them in simple and easy ways that any of us could do.

One story is of a couple who lived in a trailer court. They began to prayer walk around the neighborhood every night, and as they did, they stopped and visited with anyone they met. As they did, they began to find ways to meet needs and love people who were struggling. They invited many of their new friends over to eat a meal with them, and as they ate, the couple shared the Gospel and the group responded. People began to come to Christ and their meals became a church service as they broke bread together, discussed their life struggles and prayed for one another.

Another story told of a woman who called up a local nursing home and asked if she could start a Bible study there. It began to thrive, and she turned over the leading of the study to one of the women who lived there so she could start Bible studies at other nursing homes. This resonated with me as something I could try in my area.

This book has made me stop to think about the people I come in contact with every day. I may not know them, but how can I reach out to the postal workers, the men who hang out in front of the local convenience store waiting for work, the people in my neighborhood (many of whom do not speak English), the people in line in Wal-mart? I am still pondering and praying, but I encourage you to take a step back and look with fresh eyes at the people around you too. How can you love them? Is there somewhere you could start a Bible study for people interested in learning more? Are there people to whom you could open up your home for a meal?

"Most Christians today are trying to figure out how to bring lost people to Jesus. The key to starting churches that reproduce spontaneously is to bring Jesus to lost people. We are not interested in starting a regional church, but rather in making Jesus available to a whole region".
- Neil Cole, Organic Church

What is Worship?

I have been taking a class this semester called Global Worship. For one of the final projects we must each develop our own Philosophy of Worship, and then use that philosophy to evaluate a church that we visit that is very different from the one we normally attend.

We have plenty of ideas about what a worship "service" should look like- the type of music, the preaching, at what point the offering should be taken, should people sit or stand, kneel, jump up and down or wave their hands. But is this truly worship? Does worship have to involve singing? Is it a communal or individual activity? As I have been preparing for this paper, these are some of the questions I have been thinking about.

First and foremost, I believe worship is about a heart focused on God and reveling in His glory and being amazed at who He is and what He has done. Isaiah 6 paints a wonderful picture of this as the seraphim called out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven's Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" (NLT) I have mistakenly gone to church many times, or to prayer, with the desire to get something out of it. I'm tired and I need to be filled up. While God does refresh us in His presence, it's not about us! The focus is on God. Isaiah knew that he was unworthy to even be in God's presence, because of the holiness of God.

How does this influence how we worship? Colossians 3:16-17 says, "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God, with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father" (NLT). There are different ways that worship is lived out in these verses. There is the music element, singing praise to God and expressing what is in our hearts. There is the element of teaching, and encouraging one another in our faith walk. But above all, everything we do is to honor and glorify God. This includes the time that we gather with other believers, but also how we live our lives at work, at school and in our everyday lives.

What do you think? There are many aspects of this I'm still pondering and I would love to get your input.

Ready, Set...Wait

I have been reading through 1 Samuel lately. When I think of King Saul, I picture the guy who tried to kill David and in general was not really a nice guy. It has been so interesting as I have been paying more attention to see how he started out.

Israel wanted to be like the nations around them and so they asked God for a king to rule them. Basically they were saying they didn’t want to answer to God as their Ruler but wanted a human ruler. God’s prophet Samuel met Saul through an interesting series of events and Samuel told Saul he was to be set apart as Israel’s first king. Samuel also gave Saul several instructions and signs that would show Saul what to do. Saul started out with a heart for God, even prophesying in His name (1 Samuel 10:10). But then, Saul rushed ahead of Samuel and God. Samuel had told him to wait at Gilgal and he would come and make a burnt offering and then give Saul more instructions. Saul grew impatient and made the sacrifice himself. Perhaps it seemed simple to Saul, but it was the beginning of the end for him.

1 Samuel 13:10-14 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came”.

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.

It is so easy sometimes to rush ahead of God and make our own plans. Yet, God wants our obedience. This means sometimes following His instructions even if they don’t completely make sense. Sometimes it is hard to wait! That has been my stage in life the last few months. I was pretty sure God was calling me to Cambodia once I returned from helping with VBS in August. Yet, I knew that I needed to take the right steps in the right order so that I ended up in the spot the Lord had for me. There were times when I wanted a decision right that minute, but the workers on the field were not ready yet to make that decision. And, in the time of waiting, God has been drawing me closer to Himself, He has been working on the heart of a potential teammate, and He has been confirming core principles that need to be in place for the Cambodian missionaries and workers. Instead of being like Saul and taking things into my own hands, I want to walk in obedience to the Lord and be ready for action when He says “Go!”, rather then when I want to say, “Go!”.

School Review

This is my third year in graduate school and I was asked by someone recently if it was all that I thought it would be. It was a good reason to stop and ponder the last 4 semesters as I look at my last two and what I have taken away from this experience.

I know that I have enjoyed the other students in my classes and what I have been able to learn from them. I have had classmates from South Korea, Brazil, Japan and China, as well as many from various parts of Texas and the US (even one currently living in Nebraska in one of my online classes). My professors are experts in their fields and many of them have a number of years in missions or full-time ministry work.

There have been those classes and assignments that challenged me to think outside the box, or at least outside my normal realm of thinking. There have been classes that affirmed things I already knew, hopefully deepening that knowledge and understanding. There have been times along the way that I have questioned if this is really what I should be doing. Once I get to the field, will it really be helpful to have a Master's degree? Will that make it even harder for the local people to relate to me? Will I set a precedent that school is needed before one can start ministry?

I have wrestled with these questions and have come to the conclusion that God led me to DBU and to this program. While I would not suggest that additional schooling is at all necessary for following God's heart in missions, for me it was the right decision. I have seen many examples of missionaries from the past that have served as an encouragement to me, or shown me what not to do. I am excited to graduate in the spring and look forward to how God continues to teach me and further develop the lessons I have learned.

Encouragement for the Day

I Am Covering You

My Princess Bride,

My love covers you like an umbrella on a rainy day. When you walk with Me you are never alone, My beloved. I hear your whispered prayers and answer in ways you are not aware of. When you are in need of comfort, I hold your heart in My hands.

When you sing, it is Me who puts the song inside your soul to give you unspeakable joy and powerful peace. I came to cover you and bless you.

You are my beloved bride, so look up towards the heavens today and allow yourself to breathe in the joy of knowing I have always covered you and will continue until I return for you.

Love,
Your Prince and Sole Provider

~

"You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!"
~Psalm 139: 5-6~

From His Princess Bride by Sheri Rose Shepherd

The Glory of the Impossible

Much of my time and effort over the last 3-4 weeks has been preparing for our Plano Office Open House. I was part of a team that planned and orchestrated this event, which was held on Sunday, September 25th. Although it was a lot of work, it was really an awesome time of celebrating what God has done.

When I arrived in Plano 3 years ago this month, there were 3 of us in the back corner of the First Baptist Church. The rest of the staff was in Seattle, although it felt like we were two separate entities. I loved my work with Kent and Erika, and we definitely made do with what we had.

Two years ago the Board voted after much research and prayer to move the home office to the Dallas area. There was greater access to donors, volunteers, and other like-minded organizations here, plus the cost of living was lower. I got to be part of the team that explored the Metroplex to find the best location and building for the new MUP office.

I remember the first time we saw the building that is now our office. It had been vacant for quite awhile, but there was something exciting about dreaming of what could be. From the very beginning I knew this would be "our building".

Office staff from Seattle started to make the move and we expanded our little space in FBC as more and more were added. Plans moved forward to lease our new building but then roadblocks came along that prevented us from moving in. It was over a year after we signed the lease that we finally got the clearance to move in, in May of this year. We went from having 3 people in each office at the church to each having our own space as well as lovely training and meeting areas.

All along the way God provided exactly what we needed. We have had to buy very little furniture, but churches, organizations and individuals have donated very nice furniture and every office is filled! At our worldwide conference in February, our field staff brought items from their areas that represented their faith in what God was going to do in their people group. These items have added a beauty to the home office and daily reminders of God's faithfulness. We prayed for a stove and refrigerator for the kitchen, we prayed for chairs for the training room, and God has answered those prayers exactly in His timing and to fit our needs.

Sunday as guests came through our building, it was an opportunity for them to celebrate with us all that God has done. While they admired the many lovely things that we have, people saw God's goodness and provision shining through it all. It is exciting to be a part of seeing God's Word and Truth shared around the world with those who need to hear about His grace and love. I'm so thankful for the part He has allowed me to play in His overall story.

Journal from the Heart of Cambodia #3

Entry dated Friday, August 18th

Today we started VBS in Ou Thmaa (pronounced oo t-ma). It's a village east of Sompavloun where the church here has been working. We didn't go to breakfast but had granola bars and french bread. The plan originally was to take tuk tuks and motos but then the drivers doubled the price they had originally quoted so Sophan hired a cart type thing to take all of us and our things. It was crowded and bumpy and I didn't have the best attitude, but the scenery was beautiful- the mountains and fields. We passed a few houses along the way and there were various modes of transportation. It took longer than we had planned so we arrived and got started a bit late.

The kids definitely aren't used to seeing foreigners so they didn't swarm around us and give us hugs and hold our hands. We met in the school, which was a 3-sided lean-to with a thatch room and wood floor a couple of feet above the ground. Lots of parents came and sat around the edge. Gayle said at first the parents were very cautious and didn't trust those who came from Kilometer 13 with their "foreign" religion. Yet even though Buddhism is the main religion in Cambodia, its basically in name only. While they are very aware of the spiritual realm, they saw that Buddhism did nothing for them during the Khmer Rouge years and many of the wats were destroyed. Many in Cambodia are searching and wondering and so believers have many opportunities to share about Christ.

I'm not sure if its the emotions of the trip but I'm feeling a bigger tug toward Cambodia, particularly the rural areas. Perhaps even Western Cambodia, but I don't know. I have felt so at home here this week. I don't know if being with people who speak my language all the time and having some comforts distorts that, but I know I have more of a burden for these people to know Jesus and for each aspect of their lives to be transformed.

We actually broke down on the way back so we had to walk about 30 minutes and then got motos the rest of the way. Everyone was so sleepy at lunch! I haven't felt like I have gotten good rest even though we've been going to bed at a decent time.

I wasn't sure how English would go since I was so tired and we skipped yesterday but it went really well! Paula and I had YoLa and Dee. Thankfully Pastor Sophan was there to translate but Dee also had a Khmer-English dictionary which helped too. They enjoyed when we talked about emotions and opposites.

Gayle told us the story of Khru Map, the teacher in Ou Thmaa. He isn't a believer but he has had a dream about Jesus several times. He told Sophan that he wasn't even looking for God, and Sophan said, "God is looking for you". He would open a lot of doors I think if he became a Christian.

Journal from the Heart of Cambodia #2

Entry dated Tuesday, August 16th

Yesterday was our first day of VBS! The kids were lined up and waiting when we got there after breakfast. The first part is the singing and Bible story time. We acted out the story of Ruth and Naomi (I got to be Naomi) while Pastor Sophan told the story. He tied it in with the theme of honoring one's parents, which is an important issue because people who become believers seem to not honor their parents wishes and religion. Gayle told us later he did a really good job of making it applicable to the kids.

Then we split boys and girls and taught them how to make the friendship bracelets Megan had taught us to make on Saturday. Some of them got it and others just made up their own pattern but I think they had fun. Next was the skills development time. It went better than I thought it would! We each had a table of about 5-6 girls. First they marked off their seams and got everything pinned. The girls at my table had sewn before so they just needed help with the pattern and what to do next. The time went by really fast, at least for the first day.

After lunch and some down time we headed back to the Center for English lessons with some of the young people. Ben and I had a group of 3 beginner students. I was nervous but once we got going it worked out okay. We had a lesson plan thankfully and we made it through the first day's lesson. Mostly Ben worked with the two guys and I worked with the girl going through the different activities. The first hour went pretty fast and the rest kind of dragged but it was a good experience.

The son of a friend of Gayle's had a pickup and so he came and gave us a ride to supper because it was raining. All the "kids" rode in the back covered with a tarp which was cool.

While Betsy and Megan were doing their English time they were able to talk with Meng about faith. He said his worries and pride are getting in the way but he's really close to accepting Christ. When we had our prayer time and meeting we prayed he would step across the line and be ready. There are no other Christians in his family, but his mom was a believer.

I hope the kids and our English students see that its not just about learning how to sew or about verbs but about Christ.
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It's been raining a good portion of the night and this morning. Some braved the muddy roads to go to breakfast but Kristin and Jeff and I just stayed and had a granola bar. It's been nice to catch up a little bit and put off getting wet and muddy.
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I think the adrenaline has worn off, I was lacking in energy and just wanted to fall asleep today! We had to meet inside the Center because it was still muddy outside. The kids were wound up and I didn't have enough energy to correct them. Sewing went well, at least I know how to tie knots and point out where to stitch. I have one little girl who is just precious. She is so animated when she gets to the end of a row or to a new part.

We split up into different groups to prayer walk after lunch. Kristin, Micah and I went to Kilometer 12 with Thal, one of the youth. The village is a really small area where people live on the west side of the main road. We were walking pretty fast but I was praying that God would make Himself known to each person and that they would experience His mercy and grace. God is beginning to transform the whole area and I know He wants more people to come to Him.

For English Paula and I were together and we had two different students: Dee and YoLa. Both have a hard time understanding so it took a while to explain each thing. Yet they were trying so hard!

We sang several songs after our team meeting tonight which was great. Josh brought a guitar back from the Center which added a lot.

I was about ready to shower and get ready for bed when Megan came to ask if I could show several people how to play Nerts. I helped Ben out, and then played one round. Then all the "kiddos" including Micah played Spoons. It was great to have some down time and I almost won. :)

Journal from the Heart of Cambodia #1

Entry dated Saturday, August 13th, 2011

What a long but incredible day! We left the guesthouse at 5:15 a.m. to begin our journey to the village. The van was pretty spacious and nice actually. The 6 "kids" were in the back and we all started talking and sharing more as we went along (even me!). We stopped for breakfast at this nice little spot that actually had fancy coffee- yay for fried rice and an iced latte to start off the day! Toward the end Megan spilled her coffee and I happened to have a clean shirt in my backpack plus a little bag to put her wet shirt in. It had seemed like she had been a little unsure of me but after that we've been buds all day.

We went through passport control, immigration, and visa application and everything went smoothly. Gayle had hired 3 cars to take the group to the village. She, Kristin and I went together which was fun. I wasn't sure what to expect with the roads but except for a couple muddy spots it was about the same as last time. It was great seeing the little villages and the countryside go by. I love this place so much! We all made it safely to K13 and after depositing our luggage at the guesthouse we went to lunch- more fried rice!

We worked at the ministry center this afternoon learning to make friendship bracelets so we can teach the kids on Monday. Kids started coming in to watch and we gave finished ones to them. I am hoping that through our smiles and care they will see Jesus.

Father, thank you for answering my prayers for a day of encouragement. I pray that we would continue to enjoy You and enjoy each other as we love these kids and these people. Show me how I can be a bold witness for You and how to show Your love. Amen

Cambodia VBS

I hope to share many stories over the coming days of my experience helping out with Vacation Bible School, but I thought I would get started with some of the basics! I had an amazing time seeing God at work in the kids and others in the rural area of western Cambodia.

We started out each morning with the pastor's wife and one of the local young ladies leading prayer, singing lots of fun songs, and learning the memory verse. Then Pastor Sophan provided a practical lesson and story from the Bible. He did a great job of making it applicable for the kids.

Next we split up and the girls learned and perfected their hand sewing skills by constructing a knapsack, and the boys did a woodworking project, making a stool. I enjoyed getting to work with the girls on their sewing!

In the afternoons we taught English to some of the young people in the village. We had a Very Beginners class, two Beginners classes and two Intermediate classes. It took a lot of creativity and work to keep thinking of new ways to explain vocabulary and grammar, but it was a blessing to get to know the students.

The last two days we did VBS in a new village about 45 minutes away. There are no known believers but God is at work there! Although it was short it was great to get to know another set of kids.

We had an amazing team and I so enjoyed getting to know them!

• Jeff and Betsy were the "adult leaders" from Seattle who have been taking VBS teams to Sompovloun for several years
• Kristin (26) is a music teacher from Kearney, Nebraska. She and I roomed together in Cambodia and were a lot alike, it was great to get to know her!
• Ben (20) is Kristin's brother. He is a storm-chaser and is amazing at photography!
• Josh (18) is also from Nebraska, and he entertained the kids with his harmonica playing skills. He also played guitar during our team worship times which was awesome.
  
• Paula (19) is from Idaho and is a college theater major. She was so sweet with the kids!
• Megan (16) is from Seattle, and she was the life of the team! She really helped draw all of us and bring us together.
  
• Gayle is the missionary who works in western Cambodia and her son Micah (22) also joined us
  

Adding a Little Spice to My Life

On Saturday I took the DART train downtown to the Dallas Museum of Art. I loved wandering through the different levels of paintings from Europe, gold jewelry from ancient Egypt, tapestries from Indonesia, sculptures from Japan, and teapots and dishes from the last century of the US. There was a great variety, and it was nice and cool inside.

This weekend I also fixed a new dish called Curried Quinoa. Quinoa is kind of like rice or barley and has lots of health benefits. It was a fairly simple dish to make and I love anything with curry so I enjoyed the taste. It was a bit different though so I'm not sure I would make it again very often! I added some of the leftover chicken sausage one day and then some grilled chicken with the leftovers to add some additional flavor.



Here's the recipe:

• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro

Directions

• In a large saucepan, bring water and orange juice to a boil. Stir in beans, tomatoes, red pepper, quinoa, onion, raisins and curry. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with cilantro. Yield: 4 servings.

Editor's Note: Look for quinoa in the cereal, rice or organic food aisle.

Be Still

It's pretty quiet around my house this week. I am not used to living alone, so I normally have music going or the TV on. I don't mind being by myself, but I guess there's something about stillness that makes me uneasy.



Yet, God calls us to stillness. Not just silence, but pausing and being still before Him. That's how we know God and know He is good, that He has us under his wing.



Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.



Henri Nouwen said, "In solitude, I get rid of the scaffolding; no friend to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend, no music to entertain, no books to distract, just me- naked, vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken- nothing. It is this nothingness that I have to face in my solitude, a nothing so dreadful that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions so that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something... Solitude is not simply a means to an end. Solitude is its own end. It is the place where Christ remodels us in his own image and frees us from the victimizing compulsions of the world. Solitude is the place of our salvation".



Last night I turned everything off and tried to listen, to process and reflect. It takes practice! My mind would wander off to my to-do list, to things I wanted to do before I went to bed and the next day and next week. People I hadn't thought of and wanted to write to, or situations needing attention. I tried to pull my mind back to pray for these things and to focus on God and what He might want to speak to me through those people and situations. It takes discipline, but I think it is vitally important to practice solitude, to pause. We have filled our lives with so many wonderful things, but we get so busy that we miss out on the peace that God wants to give us. I think we put so much on ourselves that we aren't even able to do those things well, and are probably hurting ourselves in the long run. How are we using our time? How can we take more intentional time for solitude?

Another Installment of Cooking with Sarah

Last night I made Tomato Basil Pizza, combining a recipe for homemade pizza crust with a recipe on the tub of Italian and Herb Cooking Creme. Salad and cottage cheese rounded out the meal.

¼ cup water

1-1/2 tsp. yeast

2-1/2 tsp. sugar

¾ cup whole wheat (or white) flour (I had to use a lot more flour, more like 3 cups I think)

2 tsp. olive oil

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. cornmeal

1 tsp. olive oil (I used the Cooking Creme instead)

4-6 slices mozzarella cheese

4-6 slices tomato

3-4 fresh basil leaves, torn

Preheat oven to 375. Combine water, yeast, and 1 tsp. sugar. Mix well. Add rest of sugar, flour, oil, and salt. Add more flour if needed to make a soft dough. Knead; let rest 10 minutes covered by a towel. Roll out to desired shape and thickness. Place on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal; brush with 1 tsp. olive oil. Top with mozzarella and tomatoes. Bake 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves. (I added the basil leaves at the beginning rather than after baking)

1 serving (This actually made two personal pizzas)

A Fresh Twist

The picture probably doesn't do the meal justice. :) Last night I made Creamy Green Spaghetti, a yummy and fresh version of the regular spaghetti sauce. I used whole wheat pasta which added an interesting flavor as well. Again, I cut the recipe in half and it was perfect for supper and my lunch today.

• 3/4 lb. spaghetti, uncooked
• 2 tsp. oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves
• 1 tub (10 oz.) Philadelphia® Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 cup Kraft® Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

Directions

• Cook spaghetti as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add onions, peppers and garlic; cook and stir 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Stir in lettuce; cook 2 min. or until wilted. Transfer to blender. Add cooking creme, milk and cilantro; blend until smooth. Return to skillet.
• Drain spaghetti. Add to sauce in skillet; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until heated through.
• Remove from heat. Top with mozzarella; cover. Let stand 2 to 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each.

If you are curious...

While we were gone in February to Thailand, Lena had the guest bathroom (and one I normally use) redone. She had a new bathtub put in and a shower head. Here are a few pictures. :)

Lovely shower curtain and the shelves next to the sink (notice my pretty white and blue basket for toiletries)

Inside of the shower with the new tile

Tile inside the shower area

Closeup of the tile and the accent trim near the top

Fun Meal #1

Lena is away for a couple of weeks and I decided to try out some new recipes while she is gone. My first meal was Chicken Sausage Gyros. I cut the recipe below in half and used flat bread instead of the pita bread. I also added a sprinkle of dill weed to the sour cream mixture. For the chicken sausage, I used Johnsonville Italian Chicken Sausage (which I got at Tom Thumb, a local grocery store here). It had a good flavor and is much better for you than regular sausage. This was super fast and even after I cut it in half it has lasted for several meals.

• 1 package (12 ounces) fully cooked spinach and feta chicken sausage links or flavor of your choice, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber
• 1-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 whole wheat pita breads (6 inches)
• 1 plum tomato, sliced
• 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced

Directions

• In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook sausage over medium heat until heated through.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, cucumber, vinegar, oil and garlic powder. Serve chicken sausage on pita breads with tomato, onion and cucumber sauce. Yield: 4 servings.

Lessons from a Crochet Hook

Somehow I missed the memo and was not one of the students who learned how to crochet and knit during my college days (which was quite popular at my school). My friends would pull out their hook and yarn while we were watching a movie, chatting or when their brains needed a break from the books.

Well, now I'm heading to Cambodia in August to the village I visited in February. I am joining a team to help out with VBS there and in a neighboring village. Each year the boys learn a woodworking project and the girls learn a sewing project. This year, the leaders decided to teach the girls how to crochet a dishcloth. In order to teach the girls, it would be advantageous for me to learn to crochet.

I got several books from the library, some yarn and a hook and have been trying to teach myself how to crochet. One of the reasons I never picked up the art in college is that these kinds of things don't come naturally to me. But, I think I got the hang of the basic slip knot and chain stitch so I thought I was off to a good start.

But for some reason I have been lacking the motivation to keep going and learn the next step. Am I just lazy? Maybe. But I have been wrestling with this whole idea of teaching the girls to crochet. Perhaps it is a valid skill and could help them make money (by selling the items), or get a job more easily, or just furnish items they need in their homes. Okay, that works. But we are bringing in the yarn and hooks. So where are they going to get supplies once the ones we are bringing run out? Is yarn readily available in the village area, or would someone need to bring them supplies from the "outside", from Phnom Pehn or Bangkok or even the US? Is this a skill that can be reproduced: can they teach others and continue to develop their skills? Who will refresh their memories of the different stitches if they forget? Does this make them dependent on outsiders? Do they really want to learn this skill or are we deciding what is best for them?

Maybe I am over-analyzing this whole thing. Maybe I just need to buckle down and be diligent and learn how to do the single crochet. Or, do I need to mention something to the leaders of the VBS or the missionary there? Is there always going to be this tension when working with those in another culture (um, yes, I think so)?

Any thoughts?

Out for Tea

Sometimes it is nice to have a break from the craziness of life to laugh and be a kid again. This week the ladies from the office went to a tea room in Plano to celebrate a couple of birthdays. We were about the only ones in the place, and they had some fun hats and accessories for when they host little girl teas. We decided to each try on a hat, and wore them through lunch. It was a blessing to share this time with the ladies and to "pretend" we were living in another era as we dressed up. Above are a few pictures from our time at the tea room.

Restoring Relationships

I have been reading an interesting book in preparation for my trip to Cambodia called When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. I know poverty exists. I have seen it in the US and in just about every country I have visited. So far I have been of the school of meeting the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs. Someone won't listen to the hope of Jesus if they haven't had a decent meal in days, but if we feed them and don't tell them about Christ, what good are we doing? Corbett & Fikkert offered some very interesting insights and questions in dealing with this issue.

Here's how they define poverty:

Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meaning.

This makes a lot of sense if you think about it. We are all broken by the effects of the fall and our own sinful nature, out of relationship with God except through Jesus' saving grace. Because of this, we deal with breaks in relationships with each other. We lack the confidence or the dedication to continue on in the face of difficulty. The world is broken too. All of these factors contribute to the poverty in the world.

There's more to poverty than a lack of resources, but that is a very real aspect of it. It goes back to the brokenness of the relationships. A husband and wife encounter issues, and without the strength and wisdom of knowing Christ, the husband leaves. The wife is left to care for the children on her own and lacking the skills and confidence to find a good job, she struggles to provide adequately for her family.

As believers, how do we respond to issues of poverty? We often rush in, providing whatever needs are on the surface, and not taking the time to learn about the community and individuals. We provide relief to "stop the bleeding" when that might not be the appropriate response. There are definitely times when it is, such as immediately after a natural disaster or catastrophe. But once that short time of relief is over, the focus should be on rehabilitation and development of skills and discipleship so the people in poverty can move forward and be able to grow and go out on their own. The authors emphasized that people should get to the place where they are bringing glory to God and enjoying Him, through their work and life. It is about bringing restoration to people and bringing them back into right relationships through God's power (and not ours!).

Poverty is a very real issue and one that we as the church have often ignored or not responded to properly. I think we need to really think through how we are encouraging those currently in poverty, not in a paternalistic way, but showing the amazing love of our Heavenly Father who is already at work.

Question to Ponder...

What is poverty?

Platforms

I have never really gotten into American Idol, but I caught the tail-end of this last season’s show and saw the last four contestants. Last night, Scotty McCreery took the top honors as one of the best up-and-coming performers in the nation. He will now have the opportunity, and already has, to influence young people and many others around the US as he furthers his musical career.

Most of us will never stand on a stage and be showered with confetti and be given such an opportunity. Yet, we each have a platform, some area in which we have the power to influence another person and make a difference. Sometimes we can take these opportunities for granted and portray a poor example to follow. Whether it’s with our family, friends, the younger generation, the older generation, the lost, whatever, we need to take the gifts and experiences and wisdom that the Lord has provided and seek to influence those around us in a positive way.

1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NIV) Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young [or old], but set an example for the believers in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

God at Work

We can definitely see God at work in the world, drawing people to Himself and holding all things together. Yet, I think God also wants us to know that He is working in the little things, giving us glimpses of His grace in the minute details of our lives.

I had such an experience this week. It seems minor, but in the midst of the craziness it was a wonderful encouragement. This week we are preparing for our May board of directors meeting. At our old office, on the door to the conference room we had a copy of our Mission and Vision on 11 x 17 paper as a reminder of why we were doing what we were doing. Kent asked if we could get that reprinted and framed to go in our new conference room in time for the board meeting. I wasn't sure what would be available for frames, so I readjusted the document to fit in an 8 x 10 frame, although not liking how small the font became. When I uploaded the document to get it printed, the company didn't accept that paper size and I had to choose either a standard sheet of paper or the 11 x 17. I decided to go with the latter and hope I could find a frame. I did some quick checking online but it seemed that the only way to get it was to have to order the frames online and have them shipped. We didn't really have time for that, but I figured if nothing else the paper could again go up by itself on the wall.

I picked up the documents and was very pleased with how they had turned out. The font size on the 11 x 17 paper was really the best for being able to easily read it. I decided to run by Michael's just up the road and see if they had anything on hand. I really just wanted something black and simple.

When I walked in the door, at the very front of the store they had a bin of 11 x 17 frames, exactly what I was looking for. They were inexpensive but sturdy and the black really looked sharp with our logo. I was so excited that I had been able to find exactly what I needed and I didn't even have to roam up and down the picture frame aisles in order to find it. I knew that God was giving me a little break in the midst of the craziness to show me that He was in control and taking care of things! Although it was really minor, it was a huge blessing to me and it was cool to see God at work!

Think About It...

Here's a quote to chew on:


"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done".
~Hudson Taylor

Stepping In

It has been a busy last few weeks (or month since that's how long it's been since I last blogged)! I celebrated twenty-five years of being alive, we got moved in to our new office building and are getting settled and I wrapped up another semester at DBU. In one very short year, in two short semesters, Lord- willing I will be walking down the graduation aisle to receive my Master's degree. I'm excited, but nervous too, because in my mind graduation marks the jumping-off place, the time when I will head off to the next adventure the Lord has in store.

Change happens, that's for sure. As I started to box up my belongings in the church office, I was sad to be leaving that place. Two and a half years ago I pulled up in front of this seemingly massive church building and Erika met me in the parking lot, a welcome site after a 12 hour drive all the way from Nebraska. For the next year and a half, the 3 of us shared the day-to-day aspects of a remote office, and then we began to welcome a whole staff from the Seattle office as they moved to Plano. Finally, we have settled in to a spot that we can call our own. While I have so many amazing memories from the church office, I'm so excited for this new place and the opportunities that are opening up to our organization because of this. I'm ready to move on to new things here, and to look forward to what changes might be coming in the next year.

In order to be ready for what changes God might bring, we have to be willing to step out in faith. When the Israelites were ready to follow Joshua into the Promised Land, they encountered the flooded Jordan River. God told Joshua that the priests carrying the Ark were to go down into the river and remain in the middle while the rest of the people walked across. Just as God had parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to leave Egypt, God promised that He would make a way for the people to go across on dry ground. But, the waters would not part until the feet of the priests touched the river. The purpose of all of this was to show the greatness of the Lord, and to help the people trust Him. I was really challenged by this story (found in Joshua 3) in thinking about change. Sometimes God gives us instruction, but then says "Take a step" without giving us all the details. We can't often see how things will turn out, yet this is an opportunity to hold fast to God and really lean on Him. When we do, He has the opportunity to work through us and help us grow, as well as proving how amazing and faithful He is.

I am sure that in the coming months God will have the chance to grow me as I learn to trust Him more completely. It's a little scary but so exciting to believe that He will be at work!

Lives Given, Not Taken

Tuesday in my Biographies class we talked about missionary martyrs from the last century. My professor told us story after story, some of people who have made the news as they gave their life, and others who were friends of his that most people probably wouldn't have heard about. Some of the people went through great torture before they were killed by rebels or terrorists. Others stayed behind instead of evacuating the country when violence or unrest erupted. I have always known that being killed is a very real possibility for missionaries. All of us will die at some point, though, and so I had never been discouraged or overwhelmed by it before. But as my professor listed each story I just kept wondering if it is worth it.

I was thankful that Dr. Garrett ended with some verses that helped put things in perspective for me. He talked about the two witnesses that appeared in Revelation 11. They are to preach and prophesy in the streets of the city for 3 years and during this time no one will be able to harm them because God will protect them. It is not until they have finished their testimony that they will be killed. I am trusting that if God has our days numbered, then we will not die until we have completed the work here on earth to which He has called us. Even in our death, God can be glorified and his Kingdom advanced.

One verse I read while I was in Cambodia also came to mind and it was encouraging as well.
Revelation 12:11: "They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death".

As believers, we have eternity to spend with God and so we should not fear death. Rather, we must be willing to put our lives on the line in order to share the hope of eternity with those who have not heard.

Musings on the Quarter life Crisis

You've probably heard of the midlife crisis. This often hits people as they see their kids off to college and experience the empty nest, causing them to reevaluate their careers and goals for the latter part of their lives.

A rather new term is the quarter life crisis, which hits young adults as reach their 20s and enter into the real world. I am about a month away from my golden birthday- 25 on the 25th of April- and suddenly I have been feeling old. A friend had mentioned the term quarter life crisis last year, so I decided to do some research this week. Here a few of the characteristics I found:
- Confronting one's own mortality
- Insecurity concerning ability to love oneself, let alone another person
- Insecurity regarding present accomplishments
- Disappointment with one's job
- Nostalgia for college or high school
- Loss of closeness to high school and college friends
- Financially-rooted stress

Many college students and high schoolers are not prepared for all of the responsibilities that hit them as they enter the adult world. It makes sense that this would cause some anxiety and questioning. We haven't done much to prepare young people, protecting them and allowing them to enjoy freedoms without the responsibility. While I felt fairly prepared for life as an adult, even I have paused to look at the last 25 years of life rather critically. I think it's good to evaluate in order to avoid growing stagnate, but we shouldn't dwell on our "failures" as compared to other people.

My professor reminded us today of Jeremiah's picture of clay in the hands of our Potter. He is molding and shaping us, if we allow ourselves to be pliable and soft, willing to go where He wants us. Sometimes God has to smash down the pot only to rebuild it again to be more in line with what He wants. I was struck with how this fits in with our "crises" moments. These are times when God can smash down the pot and help us seek new direction, new passion, new excitement for what He wants to do. He can show us what needs to improve in our character. No matter what stage in life we are in, we must be continually open to what God wants to teach us!

Roots

Often when I go home to Nebraska I am reminded about the legacy that has been left for me, and also the huge part of who I am that has been shaped by growing up in the rural Midwest. I love Texas and enjoy seeing new places and often feel settled when I am in a new place for any decent amount of time. But there is nothing quite like going home. During this last visit, my grandpa showed us some old pictures of his family growing up and his siblings and their wedding pictures. He came from a family of 11 kids so there were plenty of pictures! After the visit, my dad drove my siblings and I around to see the farmland that belonged to my great-grandpa Hilkemann. He was pretty well-off for his day and a good manager. During the Great Depression he was able to buy up quite a bit of land surrounding their home place, and as each son grew up they were given a piece of land to call their own. The brothers did a lot of their farm work together. Most of the land is no longer in the family, but there is still evidence of the hard work that has gone into those acres. All of the land is just a few miles from where my family currently lives. It might not seem important to most people, but for me the fact that my family's history is deep in the soil of Pierce County, Nebraska is amazing. This is part of me, part of where I come from and who I am. Even if my immediate family were to move off the farm or even out of Nebraska, our legacy is still there. I think that having roots like this is important for being able to go on and do new things, explore new areas. There have definitely been challenges, but I wouldn't trade my heritage for anything.

Not Forgotten by God

Isaiah 49:14-16 (NIV)
But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me".

In our daily office prayer time, we focus on a particular unreached people group. Most often these groups of people have no missionary working among them, and because they do not have local believers there, they do not have a way to hear the gospel in a culturally relevant way. It might seem like they have been forgotten by the rest of the world.

Yet, God still cares about each of these people groups and longs for them to know Him personally. Just as he does not abandon us, He has not forgotten these people around the world. Through His miraculous means, God reveals Himself to these peoples who do not have a witness. He also stirs on the hearts of His children to go and reach out to these groups of people who need to know that Jesus saves. Our job is to respond, and to pray for more workers to listen to God's voice calling to go to those the Church has forgotten.

Rainstorm in Cambodia

Check out this video of the rainstorm that Gayle and I got caught in one evening while we were in Cambodia. Dusty dirt roads quickly turned into muddy streams! You can also view the video on You Tube by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-qsrxXkls.

A Heart for China

Lottie Moon was a pretty amazing lady. You may have heard of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering that Baptists collect annually to support their missions efforts. Honestly, before I had to do a presentation for my Biographies class, this was all I knew about Lottie Moon. That, and she worked in China and was single her whole life.

There is so much more to her than a Christmas offering. She was born in 1840 to Christian parents in Virginia, but it wasn't until she was in college that she really began to think about the condition of her soul. She went to an evangelistic meeting to scoff at those who were there, but she came back to her room later a changed women and she began to be very involved in church and prayer meetings on her college campus. Lottie was feisty, spirited and determined, and she did not lose these qualities when she accepted Christ.

Her younger sister went to China as a missionary in 1871, in a time when single women missionaries were frowned upon and often not allowed to go unless they went to work with another already-established missionary family. Lottie began to be convicted about her own call to China, and she sailed in 1873. Her sister didn't last much longer, and had to return home because of poor health and overwork. In those days missionaries were often not allowed to come home on a furlough except in extreme cases, and there was frequently no funding to send them back. In China, Lottie worked in the schools teaching girls. She also traveled out into rural areas, teaching and bringing the gospel to the women and children there. She was creative and determined, not letting anyone stand in her way when she had a plan. There were many issues with the other missionaries in her area who had antiquated and often negative ideas about how best to reach the local people. Lottie stood her ground, putting into practice methods for especially rural ministry that are still in practice today. She did suggest in 1887 that a collection be taken before Christmas and that same time be set aside for prayer for missionaries, and in 1888 the first Christmas offering was taken.

Lottie died of starvation in 1912, because she gave away her own food during the famine in China rather than taking care of herself. She has left a wonderful legacy for all of us who have come behind her. Although she remained single, she was engaged to a man prior to her leaving for China and then almost came home later on to marry him. He could not commit to coming to China, and she could not give up the people that God had called her love. Later on in her life, she was asked if she had ever been in love with someone, and she answered, "Yes, but God had first claim on my life, and since the two conflicted, there could be no question about the result". I so enjoyed getting to learn more about Lottie Moon and her life and legacy!

Make Me An Instrument

My professor used the Prayer of St. Francis (below) in one of devotions before the lecture in my online class. I had seen parts of this before, but was really struck reading the whole thing. It was a great reminder that we as Christians are to be a light to the world, which is often in stark contrast to the darkness and hopelessness of the world. I really loved the devotional words that my professor added after the prayer. I hope that you will read and be encouraged by this prayer and devotional.

~Sarah

The Prayer of Saint Francis

"O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

Francis of Assisi, the presumed author of the above prayer, challenged his generation to a life of complete submission to Christ. Following the lead of the humble, mendicant from Assisi, Franciscan friars fanned out across Europe proclaiming a simple Gospel and calling Christians to a deeper walk with Christ. Francis espoused a lifestyle of trust, submission, humility, love, and peace in a violent era. His life stood in stark contrast to the force of the Crusades and coercion of the emerging Inquisition.

Francis' prayer calls to my mind Paul's admonition in Colossians 3:12-17.

¹²Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

―Colossians 3: 12-17 (English Standard Version)

Like Francis, we live in a fractured, contentious world where compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and peace are in short supply. As disciples of Christ, we are called to be witnesses to His grace, His love, and His peace in word and deed.

May the words of the Apostle Paul and the prayer of a wandering beggar for Christ challenge you and me to demonstrate Christ-likeness in all we do, in word or deed.

My Kiddos

I got to travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand on February 12-18 for our organizational worldwide meeting. I went as staff, but I also got the opportunity to help out with the childcare team that came from my church in Plano to take care of the kids while their parents attended the meetings. I helped Judy with the 3 to 5 year olds, and had a wonderful week getting to know the kids and just playing with them and reading to them. We were also joined by John, who came with a volunteer team from Oklahoma. Here are a few pictures of the kids from the week!