Mistakes to learn from:)

The following list was in the church bulletin this morning, and really stuck home in many ways for me (and made me appreciate again the church I go to!).

John writes that the following list was presented by Dr Ralph D Winter, who shares 12 past mistakes made by Western mission agencies that Asian missiologists and churches should avoid. Some had never occurred to me, but others, such as short/long term people going out... that really struck home, as did the last one on partnering sharing the Gospel alongside social action. They need to go hand in hand, and people are needed to take hold of, and carry the vision to see the long term change and growth.

All of it is well worth thinking through and taking hold of, and we can all help in one or more of these areas, no matter where we are at!:)

- The mistake of starting Bible schools, not universities
- The mistake of only "Salvation in Heaven" not "Kingdom on Earth"
- The mistake of congregations sending missionaries, not using mission agencies
- The mistake of whole congregations in direct involvement, not professional missions.
- The mistake of insisting that devout followers of Jesus call themselves "Christians" and identify with the western Church.
- The mistake of sending only money, not missionaries.
- The mistake of sending only money, not missionaries
- The mistake of sending short-termers,, not long termers
- The mistake of not understanding business in mission and mission in business
- The mistake of healing the sick, not eradicating disease germs
- the mistake of thinking "peace" not "war"
- the mistake of assuming science is a for, not a friend
- the mistake of an evangelism that is not validated and empowered by social transformation.

Thank You!

Thank you is such an amazing word! Saying thanks is an amazing exercise, of looking towards something nice that someone else has done and acknowledging it in some way... Someone left a note for me recently, with a big THANK YOU written on it. Every time I look at it, I get a small shock, that someone took the time to say thank you.


Today is thanksgiving, an American celebration, but one we should all really take part in. Something special happens when people stop, take the time and say thank you, not in passing, but with purpose, direction, and specifically. We took some time to say thanks to God for all he had done for each of us over the last year last night. It was amazing! It seems that once you start, it just multiplies. Once you think of a few, you think of more, and more and more, and one thing generates many more things to give thanks for. Sometimes it is impossible to start, but even then, once you finally do start to think of things to give thanks for, even do they start to multiply!

What an amazing thing to be a part of a thank filled community, and group of people! And to have a God who asks us to stop and give thanks!

Leaving a fragrance

Random events caused me to be thinking about dying the other day. Not what happens after(I know about that one!), but the process of dying. How do we go about the business of dying, of tidying up, and leaving a space behind. Because no matter what, we do leave a space, where we used to be. And while it isn't something the whole world feels, it is felt like those around us.

Now, often we don't have a choice. Things happen, God calls us home, and we go. At other times there is time, illness, something that gives a chance to wrap things up, so to speak.

But whether we have a longer time, or no time at all, we still have the opportunity to leave something behind. Something of God, of a blessing, of sowing into the lives of those around us. I guess, I was left with the question in mind... if I lived in the light of Heaven, and that one day I was going to die, and didn't know when, what would I do now. How would I live now, and how I treat people? How would I invest my life, my time, the gifts that God has given me, the things he has given me for his purposes. How would I be God's light to those around me now.

A few other options came to mind too of how I could live, but they don't seem nearly as fun, enriching, or fragrant, so will see. Anyway, there is hope, and much opportunity to bless, and be that sweet fragrance of God to others!

Responding to God's call...

What makes us run away from what God is calling us to do? When God speaks, doesn't it make sense to answer, to run towards him, and all that t holds, because, obviously God has the absolute best in mind for each one of us!

I have seen people go into the things they know God has for them, kicking and screaming, or flighting, then accepting, then fighting some more. Others have wondered and waited, or walked to see. Some have watched to see how things unfolded and walked gently towards God has held. Others have run full throttle in at the first moment of hearing without stopping and listening all the way, or have gone, sure of what God would have in store and of his purpose in it all, having heard his voice in their lives clearly.

I wonder what our response really should be though. Should it be running full tilt in either direction? Or stopping to listen and then respond, walking faith... or hearing, listening, praying, seeking, watching and stepping out in faith at the right time....

But when we do step out, even that is a testimony to how God is working in us, I would suppose. Do we do it joyfully, or dragging our feet the whole way, or complaining and griping, or peacefully, or in great excitement, no matter what.

And then what if we can't go out as we would like? what then? and what if it just doesn't seem to be working as we think it should...?

As I have continued to think about how we, God's people react to his call, I was reminded of Jonah- who ran, then turned and did what God wanted...but wasn't too impressed at all about it, Then there was David who was sure and calm, and knew his Lord, and went out to face Goliath in God's strength and courage. And Moses, who wasn't sure, and didn't think he had it in him to lead God's people to the promised land, yet look at him go!:)

Yet, in all these examples, I am encouraged to see God working in each of these circumstances and people, times, places and events. And while not everyone may have had the attitude we might consider to be the best, most helpful, right and appropriate, God still worked in and through each person:)

Different tastes....

I have been struck recently by just how different our tastes are. Tastes in food would be a major one! Where one person's loves one thing.. another person might loathe it, or be obsessed with it, or can't go a day without it, or can't stand the smell of it. For some, there are flavours that are their absolute favorite, that are evocative of a certain time, place, or people, that are more than the flavour itself. Or, it's just a flavour and it's great:)!

For others, they might like that same taste, but could take it or leave it. Others again have an entirely different taste that is their absolute favorite (take, for example, Chocolate- it's a fave of many!, or cheese, or something...).

This extends to preferences and choices in general, and how we make them. Some, are defined and clear to different extents, whereas, we can take or leave other things. They don't really fuss us, one way or another.

Then, back to food, you have kids who won't try different foods, saying they don't like it.. but they haven't tasted it, so they don't even know! Taste is a proactive thing... we have to go out of our way, take a step and see what happens...

And then when it comes to being a Christian...for some... they look at it and turn up their nose, but for others.... it's Psalm 38 that says it best: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." How awesome that in taking that step, we can learn something new! About God, and about ourselves, and in taking that step, see once again, how good our God is!

Dessert Pasta

Huh..? I hear you all wonder???

Well...:) I was given a pasta machine over the weekend, and couldn't wait till next weekend to use it, so, as I was cooking a dessert tonight, I decided to branch out into Dessert pasta! I had never heard of this, but a friend had... and it made sense.. you can make British dumplings, crepes- which are great, savory or sweet. So why not pasta too!

So, ours tonight was stracci (rolled out pasta, cut into random shapes), Fair trade maple syrup, and fresh bananas, and for a first go, it wasn't too bad at all! The pasta was rather well cooked, and the syrup, yes, runny, but will defiantly see what else I can make!

It also brought to mind something else I have been thinking about recently! I love hanging out with my friends over a meal, and that has been decidedly lacking this year! So, was thinking on this sad state, when I was given the pasta maker.... so hopefully, hopefully it will bring about some change! My mum used to make fresh pasta all the time when I was growing up, and yes, it is dead easy, and sooo much fun to make! So am going to have to start having some pasta nights, as well as having people over again in general. I am not sure when, but do like the idea!!

My amazing friends!

I have a particular group of friends who are just great, and I totally adore! How they became my friends totally baffles me, and the original person who introduced me, one by one moved on looooong ago! Anyway, I am sooo sooo grateful for this long standing randomness in my life, for their friendship, and each of their journeys along this path of life. Why am I saying all this now?:) I received a completely lovely email from one of them tonight, and I have been so hopeless in staying in touch, yet they still care, and are so, so special!

It’s moments like those, esp when it’s been my birthday, that I really do stop and wonder at some of the incredibly amazing people who I know, and that they are my friends! Birthdays are such a funny thing, and I may possibly say something about that another time, but for now, I am feeling very, very blessed, and full of gratitude for each of my friends, both near, and far! So, thanks!!

I have an amazing few days, and a wonderful birthday, altogether! So much so that it has been all too much for one day alone! I have been amazed at the touches, thought that has gone into it all, and very glad that we are a ‘body, with many parts’ full of such richness and diversity! And while I have had a great time, even in hassling people who I know don’t give gifts(just for fun:)), I do know that I have been completely lavishly blessed in more ways than I can count, so thanks!