Myths about refugees...

I'm reading this article from the Washington Post as I am finalizing travel in Europe in a few days. I will primarily be in and out of the areas where these dear people are traveling. It is humbling to understand the freedom that I have to live in a city that is not being destroyed and in a nation where I do not fear for my life. It is also humbling to comprehend that I can travel in & out of nations like Croatia without fear of the cold, land mines, separation from my family, or the rejection by a government. I simply show my passport, step on a plane, and return to the safety of my home country. So as I sort through travel arrangements, I am praying for ways that I can be involved in sharing God's love during this trip. 

If we find ourselves complaining about being "persecuted" or fearing what an influx of refugees will mean for our nation, or for Europe, please remember that each person that gets on a boat, swims, walks, or rides in a train or bus has a story. They have a family. They had a job, a home, a daily routine that has now been disrupted and they are on a quest to live in peace. They are not out to get us. Islam is not taking over. God is bringing yet another nation to us, perhaps because we have not been willing to go to them. The Gospel is being preached. With words, with water, with blankets, with time, with care. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE REFUGEES. See the faces. Read their stories. Pray for those that are sharing God's love with them daily through compassion. And please, ask God how you can help be the love of Jesus in a time of crisis to someone that is suffering. 

If you want to be involved through giving, Convoy of Hope Europe​ is on the ground, planting churches, and loving people. You can give to them here: https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/600001-410946?Class=44&Comments=Europe%20Refugees


Here's a video from VOX about the History of the War in Syria:

Community & Relationships

Recently I have been reading a book called "Soulcraft: How God Shapes Us Through Relationships" by Douglas D. Webster. (Thanks to my friend Joy for the recommendation!) It has been a great read so far and is speaking to me in a variety of ways about relationships, how we disciple others, and how we build true, authentic community.  

Here's a quote from the the chapter called "Wholeness": 

"Does today's evangelical emphasis on the ideal Christian life match with the biblical picture of costly discipleship? Or have we created a false recipe for Christian happiness, which includes falling in love, sexual intimacy in marriage, a successful career and having well-adjusted children? "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" looks suspiciously like the American dream. Often it is hard for us to accept that God has in mind a greater agenda than our personal peace and happiness." 

So what are your thoughts on this topic?

I've been reading much about the single life and promoting a Biblical theology of singleness, only to come face-to-face with a non-Biblical view of the single life among churches and Christians. Instead of promoting authentic community, we have become individuals that oftentimes want to change others to be as we are. We no longer accept people for who they are, but accept them in light of who they will become based upon what the world has deemed "normal." 

I am afraid that we are placing more value upon our own peace & happiness than upon authentic relationship that comes only from Jesus Christ. We care too much about what others think of us, and far too little about what God thinks of us. We have placed marriage & family, success & money, and habits & locations, far above true obedience and sacrifice that should be the "norm" for those who are called to follow Christ.

Let's make a difference in the world, not because we conform to it, but that we leave a lastly impression of God's light, love and acceptance.

I am not single...

I am not single

• Because something is wrong with me.
• Because God has called me to be single
• Because I've never had opportunity to be married
• Because I don't want to be married
• Because I am picky (well, maybe!)
• Because I am in transition to marriage
• Because little old ladies haven't tried to set me up with grandsons

I am single 

• Because it is Gods plan for me at this time of my life. 
• Because I trust God with every area of my life
• Because no one but God can make me complete.
• Because God has equipped me with the gift of singleness
• Because he has entrusted me with great responsibility
• Because God says I am whole in Him alone
• Because God has called me to be His.

All singles have different situations for their singleness. For me, I am single because I took a step of obedience to God to serve him completely. At age 27 God spoke to me to stop trying to be complete by searching for a mate and to be whole by finding completeness in Him. Through my singleness, I found the fullness of obedience to God.

Sometimes the language we use implies assumptions we have that everyone is in transition to marriage or that we are missing out on an essential of life because we are single. We then can isolate or neglect the needs of those who are single that work with us or are in our churches. We can exclude, marginalise, and minimalise their calling & capacity. 

We were all born into community and family must be seen as much more than immediate family or spouse or children.

If you are single, embrace it. Allow God to use you in it. Don't live your life in transition to the next great thing, because it may not be all that great. God has a plan for you and he wants you completely.

I am not single because of anyone or anything or any problem.

I am single because God loves me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been inspired recently to embrace my singleness, thanks to my friend, Suzanne, and a couple of books that have helped me to read & interpret scripture accurately on this topic. 

If you want to read these book, I encourage it and here are the links:

Redeeming Singleness: How the storyline of scripture affirms the single life by Barry Danylak

Singled Out: Why Celibacy Must be Reinvented in Today's Church by Christine Colón & Bonnie Field