Where Are You God?

This article is a reprint of a post by Dena Dyer, author of Let the Crow’s Feet and Laugh Lines Come..

Jul 6, 2011

by Dena Dyer

Last week, a co-worker came into my cubicle, her face cloudy. Beside her stood a young girl who had recently arrived from another city. The child’s black pageboy framed a heart-shaped face with dark eyes.

“Hi, sweetie,” I said, even though I knew she couldn’t understand a word of English.

My co-worker told me about the girl’s family, and the story wasn’t fun to hear. Her mother and father had come on their own to our city, so they weren’t connected to an agency and lacked access to any kind of assistance. Thankfully, they were in our office now, so we could assign a case worker to them.

The family had survived unthinkable crimes and a journey across the planet, but now, they were just eking out an existence. This was the same story I had heard over and over the past few months.

Earthquakes.

Tornadoes.

Governments attacking their own citizens.

Floods, famine, war.

The Bible told us we’d go through this, but it doesn’t make it any less difficult to digest. My heart groans when I see all the suffering. I want to turn away, turn off the news, tune out the cries of dying people.

It’s all too much. I mean, what can I do about any of it – except pray? And yet, here was this family.

As the child’s father met with his new case worker, I gave my new friend a children’s book. She came towards me a tiny bit as she saw the colorful illustrations. I smiled and showed her how to open the pop-up flaps. “See? There are hidden pictures.”

“You can have it,” I said, longing to take her in my lap–or at least stroke her hair. Clutching the gift, she ran off. I followed. As I did, I noticed her clothes were dirty and her shoes were at least two sizes too big. They barely stayed on her small brown feet.

Suddenly, a big wave of sorrow crashed over me. The truth about the things she and her family had experienced threatened to drown me. Angry, I sucked in my breath.

Where are you, God? I thought.

Where.

Are.

You?

And then, as audibly as if He’d spoken it out loud to me, I heard: “I’m in you.”

The truth of it gave me my breath back.

Yes, I thought. Yes.

I nodded, sighed, and caught up to my new friend. Gently, I took her hand.

She smiled up at me and didn’t let go.

Forgiveness Can Bring Peace

I’m just getting back from a three-week break and haven’t had time to get to the blog yet. In the meantime, I would like to share the following article from The Oympian (out of Olympia, Washington).

“Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is it healed. … This is the ancient and eternal law.’     The Dhammapada

Forgiveness is a universal theme in both the spiritual and religious life. Every spiritual tradition recognizes the necessity to let go of past suffering and betrayal, and find a way to release the burden of pain and hate that we carry.

Theistic religions point to a practice of forgiveness that is rooted in relationship with God as well as our fellow travelers on the human path. Non-theistic religions recognize that the gift and process of forgiveness as an essential part of the journey toward awakening and enlightenment.

In a very practical way forgiveness is, as one author put it, giving up the hope of ever having a better past. Forgiveness allows us to be at peace right now, no matter what drama, crisis, trauma has happened in the past. It is simply the creation of peace in the present.

Studies by Stanford University and the University of Tennessee show that when we don’t forgive we may experience a strain upon our nervous and immune systems, elevations in our blood pressure and heart rates, and a host of other health-related problems.

Unforgiveness is a factor in all human conflict, whether in family or world relations. In our lifetime, the conflicts of Northern Ireland, the genocide in Rwanda, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, street gang violence and class warfare in our own country all point to the consequences of unforgiveness, of hanging on to past wrongs.

So if forgiveness is so crucial to the release of suffering, good physical and mental health and harmony with ourselves and others, why do we not practice it more?

Sometimes it is because we confuse forgiving with forgetting. Our brains are wired to perform some incredible tasks, but forgetting past trauma and abuse doesn’t seem to be one of them. The practice of forgiveness is a letting go of the emotional energy of past hurts and finding peace in our hearts in the here and now. In other words, sometimes we forgive for ourselves and no one else! After all, the one who hurt us may be dead and we are still carrying them around in our heart.

Sometimes we can’t forgive because we have too much emotional energy invested in being a victim of someone else’s bad behavior. To be free of the past though, we must find a way to transcend it and this may very well mean grieving the past and finding a way to rest in a present state of well-being.

These are but two of the many reasons we feel that we can’t forgive. Regardless of why we haven’t yet forgiven, the good news is that there are ways to step into this freedom now. Whether through work with a spiritual companion or a therapist, there a is way we can release the hold of the past and find peace and happiness now. I hope you begin this journey today.

David C. James, Ph.D., is an author, spiritual companion and the Animator of the Olympia Forgiveness Project.

Perspective is coordinated by Interfaith Works in cooperation with The Olympian. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Interfaith Works or The Olympian.

The Role of a Board Member

Like so many other Board of Directors of Non-Profit Organizations, Life Journey is seeking to add additional members to our Board, as well. We don’t take this action lightly. We never seek just warm bodies; but we look for people we feel have the distinct talents and passion for the mission and ministry God has given our organization.

Recently we came across Wes Roberts’ six roles of any good Board Member. I think they are important roles that we all need to share and utilize as we work with any Board of Directors. I share them here for your benefit and use:

1. Intercessor … as men and women of faith in the good news of Jesus Christ, there is the real need to give both spiritual direction and significant prayer for all facets of the ministry.
2. Encourager … of the ministry teams and the other members of the board.
3. Governor … one who takes part in approving and owning the policies and plans of every category and division of the ministry.
4. Ambassador … interpreting the mission of the whole ministry in every category, defending it when necessary and representing the ministry in their own spheres of influence, in their community, state and region and sometimes nationally and internationally.
5. Consultant … bringing the wisdom of their own gifting, skills and talents to what we want and need to be about within the Kingdom of God in each area of ministry.
6. Sponsor/Gatekeeper … one who would help open many doors to see needed resources come to every category of this ministry.

As I think of Christmas, it automatically draws me to memories and thoughts of thanks – especially for people who make a major difference in my life and that of Life Journey Ministries. So, for me, I want to take this opportunity to especially thank my own Board of Directors – as well as past board members, Candy Kilpinen, Helen Hanson, and LeAnn Wilson Mcjuire.

My Board is a great group of people! Thank you and God’s special blessings to:

• Carol Hofelmann (Chair)
• Nancy Bergman (Finances)
• Lynnette Campbel (Information Technology)
• Debbi Butner (Administrator)
• Tom Schoenborn (Theological Advisor and Technical Assistant)

We also thank and praise God for Tom Norris and The Crossroads Radio Network!

Human Resources in the Afterlife!

One day while walking down the street a highly successful Human Resources Director was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.
“Welcome to Heaven,” said St. Peter. “Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we’ve never once had a Human Resources Director make it this far and we’re not really sure what to do with you.”
“No problem, just let me in,” said the woman.

“Well, I’d like to,” replied St. Peter, “but I have higher orders. What we’re going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in.”
“Actually, I think I’ve made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven,” said the woman.
“Sorry, we have rules…” And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends – fellow executives that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times.

They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil, who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and she found St. Peter waiting for her.
“Now it’s time to spend a day in heaven,” he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.

“So, you’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,” he said.

The woman paused for a second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell.” So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.

“I don’t understand,” stammered the woman, “yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is, is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.”
The Devil looked at her and smiled. “Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you’re staff.”

From a Congregational Discussion Guide on Occupy Wall Street!

The Occupy Wall Street website says, “We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked out of our homes. We are forced to choose between groceries and rent. We are denied quality medical care. We are suffering from environmental pollution. We are working long hours for little pay and no rights, if we’re working at all. We are getting nothing while the other 1 percent is getting everything. We are the 99 percent.”

I have no idea where you stand on Occupy Wall Street; but it seems to me this – along with the fact that we have just finished with Thanksgiving and celebrated the first Sunday in Advent today – is a very good time to just ask a few questions and get into good conversations with one another about how we’re working and living in today’s society.

1) Do you know people in your family or congregation or neighborhood who have been hurt by the current economic downturn? How have you, personally supported them? How have we supported them as the Christian community?

2) How does the economic downturn hurt those who have not lost their jobs? How have you been impacted?

3) One in every four children in the United States is now living in poverty! What does our faith call us to do around questions of fairness and sharing?

4) What more could we, our congregations, and our places of work do to see that all people have the opportunity to fairly share in all of God’s abundant resources that He gives to society?

I don’t know what the best answer is for each of these questions; but I believe that answers can be found in our taking the time to prayerfully participate in the conversation!

Delight-full Giving!

This week is Thanksgiving. Hard to believe, isn’t it? The first of this week our trees were in full Fall regalia. Today (just five days later) the leaves are all gone and our weather is alternating between rain and snow! I am just not ready for the dreariness of winter. This is also that time of year when – hoping to either ride the spirit of giving or maybe twist a few arms, or heighten a few sob stories – the donation requests start coming. (Yep! You can include Life Journey Ministries in that list of requests.)

But, I did something this year I’ve never done before. I was reading 2 Corinthians 9 during one of my devotional times. The following message really spoke to my heart: “I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” [Italicizing is mine!]

Simultaneously, I came across a blog by Paula Hendricks speaking of the same experience. She had taken Paul’s advice seriously and made three lists. I decided to do the same. On the first list, I used 2 Corinthians 9 and described a giver who pleases God, a giver who “Delights in Giving.”

• Eager to help
• Enthusiastic
• A cheerful giver
• Give intelligently and thoughtfully
• Doesn’t give reluctantly or under compulsion, but generously on every occasion

I then did a second list of some of the blessings that 2 Corinthians 9 says givers experience from their giving:

• A lavish planter gets a lavish crop (v. 6)
• Our most generous God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done (v.8)
• He gives you something you can then give away…so that you can be generous in every way (v. 11)
• It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God (v. 13).
• Moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. (v. 14).

After looking at these two lists, we have to ask ourselves, “Why do we hang on to God’s money so tightly when God makes such grand promises about how he’ll provide everything we need as we give cheerfully and generously to others?” I admit it … fear makes me doubt He is that good. So, I’ve been asking God to make me (and I hope you will join me) one crazy generous giver.

I was then ready to compile my third list: a list of people and organizations I’ve thought of giving to, or wanted to give to; . Then, I proceeded to have one of the most fun days ever! I got creative and gave every way I could think of. I made a loaf of bread for my neighbor. I took time to smile and chat more personably with the clerk at the store. I gave a donation to a group of veterans stationed outside the grocery store. I wrote checks to several organizations whose ministry is important. I wrote several personal emails and letters to (and even called) people I hadn’t spoken with or encouraged in a long time – or ever. It was a GREAT day!

How can you begin a pattern of “delightful giving”? Is there an organization or an individual God has prompted you to give to in the past, but you’ve made excuses or delayed embracing? Do you find God’s delight in a cheerful giver enticing? Together, let’s take every opportunity we can to use just one day this month to give to others.

Christians Are Better When Mixed With Unbelievers!

I have been a Christian all my life. I’ve been a Pastor’s Wife for years and worked with multiple denominations. I’ve worked extensively in the community volunteer sector establishing food and clothing banks, and supporting family and child services. I’ve worked in the semi-conductor industry from the front-line to the corporate level; and as a private organizational management consultant as well. In other words, I know BOTH the world of Christianity and the so-called “Secular” world. I have experienced tremendous joy and extreme agony in BOTH settings.

You know the biggest lesson that I have learned out of this experience? Christians are simply much “better” when mixed with unbelievers.

When there are too many of the same thing in any organization (whether the same gender, the same faith, the same function) -  they tend to become small-minded, focusing on themselves and their opinions; debate and controversy abound. Discrimination begins to occur. Sometimes they even begin to attack and tear down each other. We Christians are no exception to this malady of reality!  Put too many of us together in one organization and our “seed” power of contribution that our faith is to bring to the larger world often becomes drawn back into itself and an ethnocentristic culture begins to form in which the ”in-group” begins to behave more like they are in a storage silo than a seed spreader.

On the other hand, an organization or business also suffers if there are too few Christians because then there is not enough spiritual “horsepower” to create a healthy, more balanced environment. Christians do not need to be the majority. In fact, I’ve experienced that we can make significant contribution when our membership is as little as  10-20% of the organization or business. But every organization definitely functions better when they have the influence of Christians because:

• The love in their hearts can turn their work into an expression of love for God. As they do all their work as for the Lord, their passion sparks everyone else and can initiate a motivational chain-reaction that produces a positive work culture and spiritual oasis.
• They can help the organization be people-oriented (which promotes mentoring, learning, launching and growing) rather than a driven environment (which is characterized by striving and fear). God cares about people as individuals. To treat them as work-units is to miss the reality of who they are in His sight. Jesus cannot inhabit a workplace where people are devalued or mistreated.
• They can model an environment that is open and unashamed about their faith, but never used to compel someone or be disrespectful.
• They can develop honest yet safe environments where mistakes can be admitted AND addressed because of their security in God’s love.
• When they include God in the simple daily activities of their work, God can more visibly dwell in their presence and bring new meaning to the work being done.
• They see the workplace as a place of ministry – the workplace as their “field” and their coworkers and customers as their “flock.” By doing so, they step out of self-concern and become others-oriented.

Believers are meant to be seeds spread throughout the workplace (Matthew 13:33), not gathered in a silo! We’re simply much better when mixed with unbelievers than when we are in a silo existing for ourselves! And, when we’re spread around, God’s presence grows!

Thank God for This Gift, His Gift!

I was reading 2 Corinthians 9 this past month during one of my devotional times. The following message really spoke to my heart:  “I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” [A paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7]

Simultaneously, I came across a blog by Paula Hendricks speaking of the same experience. She had taken Paul’s advice seriously and made three lists. I decided to do the same. On the first list, I described a giver who pleases God, a giver who “Delights in Giving” (using 2 Corinthians 9 as a guide).

• Eager to help
• Enthusiastic
• A cheerful giver
• Gives what he or she decided in her heart to give
• Doesn’t give reluctantly or under compulsion, but generously on every occasion

I then did a second list of some of the blessings that 2 Corinthians 9 says givers experience from their giving:

• A lavish planter gets a lavish crop (v. 6)
• Our most generous God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done (v. 8)
• He gives you something you can then give away…so that you can be generous in every way (v. 11)
• It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God (v. 13).
• Moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. (v. 14).

After looking at these two lists, I thought, “Why do I hang on to God’s money so tightly when God makes such grand promises about how he’ll provide everything I need as I give cheerfully and generously to others?” I admit it … fear makes me doubt He is THAT good. So, I’ve been asking God to make me (and I hope you will join me) one crazy generous giver.

I was then ready to compile my third list: a list of people I’ve thought of giving to…wanted to give to…but never have (or hadn’t done so in a long time). Then, I proceeded to have one of the most fun days ever! I got creative and gave every way I could think of. I made a loaf of bread for my neighbor. I took time to smile and chat more personally with the clerk at the store. I gave a donation to a group of veterans stationed outside the grocery store. I wrote checks to several organizations whose ministry is important – both here at home and over-seas. I wrote several personal emails and letters to (and even called) people I hadn’t spoken with or encouraged in a long time – or ever. It was a GREAT day!

How can you begin a pattern of “delightful giving”? Is there an organization or an individual God has prompted you to give to in the past, but you’ve made excuses or delayed embracing? Do you believe God’s promises for those who cheerfully give? Together, let’s take every opportunity we can to use just one day this month to give to others.

An Opportunity

Would you prayerfully consider placing Life Journey Ministries, Inc. on your list and giving a gift to us? We’re trusting God for $5,000 this month, which will enable us to provide:

• Weekly half-hour internet radio broadcasts related to faith and daily work;
• Free down-loadable-upon-demand podcasts of our Redeeming Work internet radio ministry;
• Weekly free webinar discussions intended to support you in your daily work;
• Free support to congregations wishing to make faith and daily work a major part of their ministry;
• The ability to begin designing free downloadable small group study materials for congregational and co-worker ministries;
• Weekly blog and facebook entries;
• Retreat and conference programs and materials – especially regarding faith and daily work.

Wherever God leads you to give, let’s continue to be people who love praising God through our giving!

Rethinking Faith and Work

David Kinnaman recently wrote a book entitled You Lost Me. It looks at the reasons why young adults are leaving the church. In an interview by Charity Singleton, Kinnamon  stated that the Barna Research data clearly showed that ”Many young people said their church taught them little about how to connect their faith and work.”

So, how can churches use vocation and calling to reconnect generations and give young people a renewed sense that everything they do matters to God? Personally, I think it would be extremely refreshing to talk at church about our work. I don’t want the church to tell me how to run my business; but that is the setting where we need to be able to talk more specifically about our personal vocational callings and ministries in the world – and not just from an evangelistic or teaching  perspective (as important as I think that is). I need the church to affirm both me and my work calling – and that is not done as a once in a while statement in a sermon. We need to share with our young adults not only how faith matters, but how it brings real meaning and purpose to our daily work and vocational callings in all its arenas – whether in the home, community, church, or society at large.

This week I had an opportunity to participate in a luncheon, tour, and discussion with US Digital in Vancouver, Washington. They design and manufacture motion sensors. Its CEO is an engineer who is a wonderful Christian following his faith in Christ in every aspect of life. He views his company’s profits as belonging 100% to God, so his big question is always asking God how God wants the money utilized.  It has led him and his company to provide over 17,000 square feet of free office space (75 small offices) and other services to non-profit (predominantly Christian) organizations in the Vancouver community. They also have access to the company’s health center, healthy fruit and sandwiches and salads, and a great coffee house.

When hiring, the CEO does not look at an applicant’s faith affiliation. He does, though, look at their C.A.S.H. – their character, abilities, skills, and habits.  He wants a good employee, not necessarily a Christian employee. However, once they come on board, he wants them to see and experience Christ in action through him and other Christians within the company. Through that, he especially wants them to experience real meaning and purpose in their work, as well as other’s respect. That, he says, is what opens the door for natural conversations regarding faith, beliefs and the Kingdom of God. (I might add, it also provides the healthiest work environment and the most creative work outcomes.)

Every person – but especially the younger people – in our congregations would benefit from a tour of this kind of faith and work example. This is the sort of stuff that lets a person visibly see and experience faith and work in action.

5 Rules for Faith and Politics in 2012

I saw the following 5 rules for faith and politics 2012 published in USA Today (10/23/2011):

1. It is never appropriate – explicitly or implicitly – to impose a religious test for public office. (See Article VI of our Constitution.)
2. Religious leaders should refrain from using religious authority or threats to coerce the political decisions of American citizens or candidates.
3. Candidates should refrain from citing religion as the exclusive authority for their position on issues.
4. Politicians should try to be inclusive of all citizens when – in their public capacity – they choose to speak religiously.
5. Religious organizations have the constitutional freedom – and we would argue moral duty – to speak out on the great issues that confront our nation; but as tax-exempt entities they should never endorse or oppose candidates for public office.

The article ends with the comment: “There is a religious, as well as civic, principle at stake here. It is the third of the Ten Commandments: ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.’ Most Americans think it’s as simple as not saying the words ‘g– d—,’ but they are wrong. The heart of the commandment is about using religion for personal gain – Such as votes.”

Personally, I would choose five other religious rules that I would like to see all Christians abide by:

1. The 3rd Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (See above!)
2. The 6th Commandment: You shall not kill…through attempts to destroy at all costs another person’s reputation, opinions, or their contributions of service .
3. The 8th Commandment: You shall not steal…especially your opponents dignity and good name.
4. The 9th Commandment: You shall not bear false witness…especially when we present possibilities as absolute truth; or purposely put the worst construction on other’s ideas.
5. The 10th Commandment: You shall not covet…such as wanting the power of the office so bad that you publicly state that your sole political purpose is to remove the existing leader at all costs.