How To Have The Best Dreams
Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.
James Dean
People are always talking and writing about dreams. I think it can be healthy to dream and to have big dreams for the future. But it can be discouraging when the dreams don’t come true. Maybe we don’t always have the best dreams.
What if I told you the secret to having the very best dreams?
A short-term missions trip can be the catalyst for developing a vision for the future.
Shortly after returning home from my last trip to Guatemala last summer, I took time to write down some of these visions or dreams in a post titled “Guatemala Dreams.” These visions and dreams are great, but they often fall to the wayside when we return to the pushes and pulls of everyday life off the mountain.
Keeping these dreams and visions alive can be a real challenge. I look at this list, and I remain hopeful that they will be realized over time.
And yet, I’m reminded that it is so important that these dreams are birthed out of a vision from God. Knowing God’s vision for me will only truly happen as I seek to know Him.
I still have these Guatemala Dreams, but I see how I must pursue Him first… then all these things will be added unto me….
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
And this is how you will have the best dreams!
What are you dreaming about? How do you know you are having the best dreams?
A Tribute To Grandma
On Monday, we said goodbye to my Grandma. During the funeral service on Monday afternoon, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts about her. Here they are:
I’m fairly certain we all have very special memories of Grandma. She was certainly an amazing lady, and I’ll remember many things about her, but one thing stands out the most when I think about her special qualities.
Grandma was a woman of prayer.
When I was a young kid, I remember special times of prayer at the meal table. Grandpa might read from a devotional. We would look at a missionary card to learn more about a missionary or an unreached people group. And then, Grandma would pray. Her prayers were always soft-spoken. It was obvious to me that Grandma knew God, and she was simply having a conversation with Him.
When I was in college, Grandma and Grandpa were visiting our home in New Jersey. I was out late with friends while they were there one night. When I pulled in the driveway, the house was dark. My bedroom was in the basement of my parent’s split-level house, and Grandma and Grandpa slept in the basement family room during their visits. I unlocked the door and quietly walked down the steps. As I approached the bottom step, I heard voices. At first, I thought Grandma and Grandpa were talking to each other. Then I realized they were talking to God. I sat down on the bottom step and listened as they continued the conversation. Together they prayed for Norm and Candy (my parents), Max and Elaine (my aunt and uncle), Lauren (my cousin), Jon, Jane (my cousin), David (my brother), Tom (my cousin), Helen (my cousin), and Erik (my brother). They prayed specifically for each of us mentioning specific concerns and even praying for our future spouses. They especially prayed that we would have a relationship with Jesus. This wasn’t an unusual occurrence. It was clear to me they prayed for us every night.
After Grandpa passed away seven and a half years ago, I had a few opportunities to visit with Grandma. These were always such special visits. After talking together for a while about my family, the Cubs, the Bears, our extended family, and about other details, we would always pray together before we said goodbye.
Last summer during my last two visits with Grandma, It was clear that her memory was starting to fail her. During my first visit in June, we talked for ten to fifteen minutes before she asked “What was your name again?” In July, she knew my name, but she couldn’t remember Leanne’s name. You could tell this was frustrating to Grandma who was always the smartest in the family. After spending a couple of hours together, we gathered in Grandma’s room to pray and say goodbye. I prayed, and as I said Amen, Grandma picked up the conversation with God.
In her final year, I understand it became more challenging for her to hold her thoughts together as she prayed. I’m sure this was a sign she was ready to go home to heaven soon. Nonetheless, Grandma would look up at the cork board hanging above her bed. It was here she displayed her family tree which included her two children and their spouses, her seven grandchildren, and her fifteen great-grandchildren. Even when she couldn’t hold her head up, she would pray for us as she looked up at her pictures.
Grandma will be missed by all of us. We will miss the conversations, the Swedish pancakes, and the Swedish meatballs. And I will miss hearing Grandma talking with her friend, Jesus. I’m so thankful for the faith legacy left by Grandma.
It was sad to say goodbye to Grandma this week, but it was great to be with family. And it was a privilege to celebrate the life of a saint – my Grandma.
How do you (or how will you) remember your grandparents?
Faith – The Key Ingredient For Developing A Mission Mindset
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
Augustine
Even a step of faith can seem like a leap of faith.
What is faith anyway?
Faith is trusting in things we can’t see, in things we can’t control, and in power beyond us. Faith is about dreaming big. Faith is believing that everything will be okay in the end even when we can’t see the way right in front of us. Faith is being able to put aside our fears – or maybe to face our fears – and trust that God will take care of things. Faith can help us break the paralysis of analysis inflicted by life’s anxieties. Faith is more than just words – it’s followed by actions.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Developing a mission mindset requires faith. Without question, it can be scary to consider traveling to a foreign country to help others. Taking a trip of this nature requires faith. Having said this, it can be just as scary (maybe even more scary) to consider walking across the street to help out a neighbor. Taking a trip across the street or down the hall to a co-worker’s office requires faith.
If we are serious about getting outside our comfort zone, we will need faith.
What step of faith do you need to take?
Why do you think faith is such an important ingredient in developing a mission mindset?
Moving Forward Starts With The First Step
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
We’ve spent the last few days talking about the American Dream. This wasn’t supposed to be the focus. My real intent was to challenge (or stretch) readers to start thinking beyond themselves and the comforts of their everyday lives. My hope is that I might challenge readers to become curious and even eager about developing a mission mindset.
We can accept the status quo, or we can do something about it. In other words, we can keep going in the same old direction, or we can seek to cultivate a mission mindset.
It’s a scary proposition. As we discussed earlier, it’s not easy to break free from the patterns in our lives. And it’s natural to fear the unknown of what lies ahead when we consider acting on a desire for a missions.
Let me encourage you. Faith is not about knowing all the details about the steps in front of us. It’s about trusting God in the next step. We often want to know the whole path in front of us before we are willing to move. We over think, and we soon develop a paralysis of analysis. We allow our fear of the unknown to hold us captive in the confines of the “comfortable.” And we ultimately fail to act on the faith we profess.
Faith is nothing without action. I can believe until I’m blue in the face, but it’s nothing if I don’t follow through on it. James says it well:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17
In the coming days, I hope to share more of my own journey of faith. In addition, I will help you identify a way you can take a practical step forward in developing a mission mindset right where you are.
Tell me about a time when you took a step of faith not seeing clearly the final outcome. Why do you think it’s important to take steps of faith? What step of faith do you need to take in order to move forward?
God-Given Appointments
A Hispanic woman and her three small children set out on a long journey to a city forty miles away. They had one large suitcase with rollers which contained all their belongings. They didn’t have a car or a cell phone. They simply had their suitcase and their tiny legs. She had just enough money to pay a taxi to get to them to the city. She couldn’t call a taxi though without a cell phone, so they set out on their journey walking along an old railroad track that had been converted to a recreational path where bikers, runners, and walkers could be found in multitudes especially on beautiful, sunny days. Secretly, the woman hoped she would find someone who could help.
Shortly after beginning the journey, she saw a woman on a bicycle approaching from the other direction. As the bicyclist came closer, the Hispanic woman began waving her arms in an effort to get her to stop. It was not hard to miss the waving arms and the three small children, but the woman on the bicycle stared straight ahead and even appeared to speed up as she passed the Hispanic woman and her three kids.
Not giving up, the family continued down the trail. A third of a mile later, the woman noticed a runner coming towards them. He was drenched in sweat, but he was going slow enough that woman felt more confident that she could get his attention. She waved her arms, and the runner slowed to a stop. He removed one of his earphones which was connected to the smart phone which he held in his hand. In her broken English, the woman proceeded to ask the man for some help calling a taxi. The man was clearly perturbed – “How dare this woman interrupt his workout?” He made up some dumb excuse as to why he couldn’t help her. Then he put his earphone in and ran off in the other direction.
The woman was starting to get a little concerned. She still had a long way to go, and no one seemed interested or available to help her. The small family walked slowly down the trail toward the city. After walking a mile or so, they came to a small park. This was a good place for the family to take a break. The kids made their way to the small playground in the park while the woman found a nearby park bench where she sat down and began to pray. She needed to find help soon or she would be forced to find cover in the woods along the trail for the night.
After a few minutes of prayer, she opened her eyes and looked up to check on her kids. They were still busy playing on the playground. Just past the playground, she noticed an older man resting next to his old ten speed bicycle. The man looked a little disheveled with tattered clothes and a face that hadn’t been shaved for several days. Tied to his bike were a sleeping bag and a black garbage back filled with who knows what. This was clearly not the person you’d expect to provide any assistance.
The Hispanic woman decided it was time to get moving again. She rolled the suitcase over to the playground equipment, and she began gathering her children. The old man stood up and walked toward the woman. Unsure how to respond, the woman froze and looked away. As the man drew closer, he removed his weathered hat, and he spoke softly, “Can I help you?” Startled, the woman looked down. Could this man really help? Could she trust him? Remembering her prayer just minutes ago, she explained her situation to the man. The man smiled, and he told her he could help. After a few more exchanges, the man asked the woman to stay in the park for fifteen more minutes. He explained that he would be right back. With few other options, the woman agreed and told the children to head back to the playground. The man got on his bicycle and rode away. Should the woman stay and trust this old man, or should she take her kids and walk on down the trail? She wrestled through with this question as she waited for the man to return. About fifteen minutes later, a yellow mini-van with the letters T – A – X – I prominently displayed on the sides and roof of the vehicle pulled into the park. The old man stepped out of the driver’s side, and he invited the young family into the taxi as he opened the side doors. He loaded the suitcase into the back, and they were on the way to the city.
This story has haunted me for a couple of months. I was the runner in this story, and this happened to me early in July before I went to Guatemala. I’m not sure what happened with this woman and her small children, but I trust they are okay. I kick myself, because I could have done something to help this woman and her children. I had a smart phone. I could have looked up the number to a taxi service and called on her behalf. I didn’t have any money on me at the time, but I could have run home, grabbed my wallet, and returned to give her money to help pay for the taxi service. But I didn’t. It was inconvenient at the time. I was late for something that probably didn’t matter that much, and I was in the middle of a long workout. I’m willing to travel to Guatemala to help those in need, but I miss out on opportunities like this right in my own area. When will I learn that these types of interruptions may actually be God-given appointments? The words of our mouth have to be more. If they don’t turn into actions, we are simply blabbering. I don’t want to be a “blabberer.” I want my faith to be real. I want it to be shown by my actions. I want to have a mission mindset right where I live and work. I can’t change the past, but I can look toward the future. May God keep my eyes open for these opportunities, and may I keep my hands ready to serve others right where I am.
Which person do you identify with in the story?
Have you had any “God-given appointments” recently? How did you respond?
When Are We Going Back?
When are we going back?
When will we return to Guatemala?
This is a question that is already running through my head, and it’s a question we are getting from our friends and family.
The truth is this – we don’t know yet.
I dream of going back to Guatemala twice a year. I’d love to go back this year between Christmas and New Year’s. But there are things that stand in the way: money, a need to travel to see extended family, family commitments at home, and a desire for a family vacation for the four of us.
And so the question of when we are going back remains an unanswered mystery.
We’d appreciate your prayers for discernment as we consider this decision.
What question(s) in your life is a mystery?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Outside The Safety Zone
My visits to Santo Domingo Xenacoj in Guatemala the past three summers have all coincided with the annual festival which takes place in the village each year. The festival which lasts for a week or so fills the town central park with food, games, and some crazy rides. Villagers fill the town each night to enjoy the festivities.
The Ferris wheel pictured above has been part of the festival each of the past three years, and it’s the biggest attraction at the festival. It is balanced by a series of wood blocks which keep the wheel level, and it is hooked up to a gas-powered tractor engine which spins the wheel at breakneck speeds. Fluorescent lights are fastened to the spokes of the wheel with electrical tape and wire ties. And the seats are hung at the far reaches of the wheel. Riders climb up a ramp and into their seats where they are taken on the ride of their lives without seat belts.
Is it safe?
Probably not – at least not completely. But it’s a good ride. Just ask my kids and the hundreds of villagers who rode this ride during this year’s festival.
For some reason, as I thought about this Ferris wheel, I kept going back to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
If you remember the story, Lucy is talking to the Mr. and Mrs. Beaver about Aslan. Aslan is a lion who has special powers and authority over the land of Narnia. He has a tremendous compassion and love for the creatures of Narnia, but he is also dangerous. Here’s how Mr. Beaver describes Aslan:
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Aslan represents Christ in the story. As part of the story, C.S. Lewis reminds readers that Jesus Christ isn’t safe, but he’s good – He’s the King!
When you choose to follow Christ, you never know what path you may travel. It may be dangerous, but you can be sure it will be good. As Americans, we tend to strive for comfort and security. We want to be safe. What if comfort, security, and safety are the wrong target?
Maybe we’re called to live life more dangerously. You may not be called to go to Guatemala, to Liberia, or to another strange land, but you may be called to get out of your comfort zone. Maybe it’s simply walking across the street to talk with your neighbor or visiting a local nursing home to spend time with a lonely resident. Whatever it is, don’t settle for safe. Climb on board your Ferris wheel and hang on for the ride of your life!
When has your faith led you something that didn’t feel safe? When was the last time you journeyed outside your comfort zone?
Right Place, Right Time
We built two houses last week while we were in Guatemala. The first house was for a widow named Betty, her five children (Marcos, Wendy, Fernando, Jose, and Rosita), and the widow’s father who we referred to as El Abuelo (which means Grandpa).
Betty was selected to receive one of our houses based on a search criteria which included need. She was chosen out of a list of 50 or 60 widows. Why Betty? I’m not completely sure, but I get the sense that God knew what he was doing.
Betty’s oldest son, Marcos, is blind. He lost his sight as a young child when a surgical procedure damaged his optic nerves. In a town like Santo Domingo Xenacoj, there is little hope for a blind person. They don’t have Seeing Eye dogs. They have little opportunity for finishing school or for getting a job. And there is not a government-funded welfare system to support blind people (or other disabled people). It’s sad to think about what could or will happen to Marcos if something happens to his mom, his grandfather, or his aunt.
Marcos who is 14 does not go to school. School’s in villages like Xenacoj are not set up to educate the visually impaired. This means Marcos spends much of his time in the confines of his home – the small “yard” and the house. Marcos listens to music and plays with a cheap plastic recorder most of the day.
As we were building his new house, we were blessed by the beautiful melodies coming from Marcos and his recorder. Marcos clearly has a talent – a gift – for music unlike most others. Our team commented to each other several times during construction that Marcos should record his music.
Our missionary partner, Dave, had the same thoughts after hearing Marcos’ music for the first time. He started talking with Marcos, and he soon began dreaming about using Marcos’ music to support Marcos. He began vision-casting a way to record, produce, and sell the music.
Shortly after this, we learned that this is actually the dream that Marcos has for his music. It’s unlikely that Marcos could make this happen on his own, but Dave could probably find a way. It’s amazing when life converges or even conspires to reveal something beyond our intentions.
We wanted to build a house for a widow and her family. We knew this would provide protection from the elements, a concrete floor, and beds to sleep. We believed this would lead to other tangible benefits. But we didn’t know how else this home might change things for this family. A recording opportunity for Marcos may just be the tip of the iceberg – the beginning of change for Betty’s family.
Did this happen by accident?
I don’t think so. Being in the right place at the right time starts by following God’s callings in your life. Our family felt the call to serve in Guatemala, and we responded by going. We want to be in the right place at the right time. How about you?
How have you heard God’s calling in your life? How have you responded? When have you experienced being in the right place at the right time?
Lost and Found
Yesterday, I went to Island Beach State Park in New Jersey with some great friends. We traditionally go camping as families, but we had to settle for a day trip this year as we are all dealing with busy schedules which seems to come with growing children.
It was a very enjoyable day. The temperature was perfect in the low to mid 80s. The water was a little cold, but the sun was out.
Our kids quickly came up to speed and started to play together making sand sculptures and splashing in the surf. Our kids now range in age from 9 years old (almost 10) to eighteen years old. It’s hard to imagine. When we started this tradition, two of the kids hadn’t even been born.
The kids kind of take care of each other with the older kids keeping an eye on the younger kids. Naturally, the adults enjoyed talking to each other as the kids played. I was talking to one of my friends when he suddenly popped out of his beach chair and ran towards the shore line. He had seen his wife looking up and down the shore line and into the water for their son. After a minute, the rest of our crew began the search for their son. We stretched out northward and southward looking for this young boy. The mother spoke with a life guard who immediately radioed all the other life guards with a description of the lost boy.
Within minutes, they found the missing boy a few lifeguard stands down the beach. My friends quickly ran down the beach to retrieve their son.
Their panic turned to relief as they discovered their lost boy had been found.
There are several stories in the gospel of Luke about the search for things that are lost – The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32), The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10), and The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7). These stories are worth reading. In each story, Jesus tells about the all-out search for something lost. He uses these parables to describe the Father’s love for His children who are lost.
My friends would have done anything to find their son. They love him so much. They would have turned over every blanket on the beach just to find their little boy. This is the same way God feels about you. He is willing to conduct an all-out search mission just for you. And this is why He sent His Son – to seek and save the lost.
When have you lost something very important to you? How did you go about searching for the thing you lost? How did you feel when you found it?
6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives
We have two wonderful teenagers.
They aren’t perfect, but they are still pretty great in our eyes.
Last week, they were both away in Tennessee at Milligan College to attend the CIY Move youth conference with the high school youth group from our church. I know it was a life changing experience for both of our kids, and I’m excited to hear more stories about their adventures during this week.
In the middle of this past week, I received a phone call at 8:15PM from our son. I could sense from his voice he was tired and a little emotional. I asked him how he was doing, and he quickly responded by apologizing for not always talking nicely to Leanne and me. Initially, I was taken back. After all, Isaac is a pretty good kid. He can be moody sometimes, and he could be more prompt in obeying his parents, but he’s generally a good kid.
I told him I appreciated his apology. I told him he was a good kid. And I reminded him a few times how much he his loved by us.
We exchanged a few more words before he informed me he needed to get back into the evening program.
This conversation has haunted me (in a good way) ever since.
Isaac was speaking to me out of a spirit of conviction. It was obvious the Holy Spirit had spoken to him. His confession was prompted by the Holy Spirit in his life. I am so thankful he his open to God’s voice.
We don’t talk about the Holy Spirit very often, yet this is the gift we have been left by Jesus Christ when He left the earth. The Holy Spirit is quite active in our lives, and I think it’s important to see how the Holy Spirit takes action today.
6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives
- The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s Word. There are many times in my life when I have gone through challenges. I am amazed when God’s Word comes to me during these times. This isn’t by accident. This is the Holy Spirit in my life. Jesus tells us in John: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“ John 14:2 I love the word advocate here. We need an advocate for sure!
- The Holy Spirit provides life. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are under the curse of the law. Since we are all sinners, this means we are destined to punishment in hell. But there is good news for those who make Christ the head of their lives. Paul tells us in Romans: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s sentence. I am now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit. That law gives me life because of what Christ Jesus has done. It has set me free from the law of sin that brings death.” Romans 8:1-2
- The Holy Spirit gives us gifts. This isn’t a general gift. These are specific gifts just for you and just for me. When we decide to follow Christ, we are promised gifts. Paul shares about these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians: “There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways to work. But the same God makes it possible for all of us to have all those different things. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All of the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives them to each person, just as he decides.” I Corinthians 12:4-11 If you don’t know your gifts, talk to your pastor who can help you in discerning your gifts. Then go find ways to use them.
- The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We don’t always know how to pray or how to respond. God knew our ability to articulate our thoughts, feelings, and response to life would be impossible without the help of someone in our lives. This is part of the reason He gave us the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us in Romans: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
- The Holy Spirit comforts us. This doesn’t mean we won’t endure trials and tribulations. We will. In fact, these things will still cause us great sorrow and pain. But God promises to be close to those who are brokenhearted. This should be a comfort for us. “The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
- The Holy Spirit convicts us and ultimately convicts the world. I think this is what my son was dealing with last week. We need the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us see the areas of our life that need attention. Jesus explains in John: “When he [The Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8