Avoiding Drift

Just thought I'd share a great quote this morning from a book I'm reading about the importance of spending time DAILY in God's Word:

"Know this: All of us drift somewhat, because we still wear human flesh. We must contend with and abate a warped and sinful nature that will accompany us on our journey throughout this lifetime. However, meeting with divine mentors on a daily basis will allow us to make the necessary corrections in smaller increments, so we don't have to go through the shock of a major adjustment. We must make frequent stops. Without consistent compass checks to assure our direction, we can drift and drift and discover too late our miscalculations. (Wayne Cordeiro in "The Divine Mentor")

The "divine mentors" Cordeiro refers to are those in the Scriptures through whom God has worked out His divine purposes throughout Biblical history, and in whom we see the revelation and application of His truth. I am really being challenged by this book. Whether you choose to read it or not, I would encourage you to examine your own "drift", and be convinced again that being steeped in God's truth is the best way to avoid the pain of sinful choices.

Western Canada Trip

We've just returned to London, Ontario, from a wonderful time out in Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta). We visited 7 different churches, spent time with family and friends, and were refreshed by God's goodness. It was exciting to able to share with many what God is doing in Taiwan, and the vision SEND Taiwan has for reaching the least-reached peoples there (more on that soon).

Now we settle into some "routine" for the coming year. This will be a year to rest, recover, reflect, recharge, renew, and respond to what God has for us. A big "hurdle" for us is the additional financial support we need to raise in order to return to Taiwan next summer. I say "hurdle" for us, but it's not a hurdle for God. We are trusting for His provision, as He always has provided for us in the past.

"O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?"

- Deuteronomy 3:24

Praying for a Friend

Last week a good friend of mine was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He and his wife were actually taking care of our kids while my wife and I got away for a weekend by ourselves. He had gone out to run an errand and upon returning to our house was struck by a young Taiwanese kid going WAY TOO FAST down a narrow lane behind our house. In the 3+ years that we have lived here I have witnessed at least 6 accidents at that particular cross-alley. It is a dangerous place to cross, especially for those that aren't aware of it. I never thought a close friend of mine would be one of the "statistics" of that crossing.

I, along with several friends, visited him in the hospital today, and prayed for him. We question why this had to happen to him, why now; especially since he and his wife lost their oldest daughter earlier this year in a motor vehicle accident in America in January. What we do know is that God is not finished with him yet. God still has plans for him. Please pray for my friend, Scott, and his wife, Leslie. Pray for God's grace to overflow in their lives at this time. We are all in the war together.

How's Your Marriage?

I'd thought I'd share this video and song. It's from the movie "Fireproof", which many people have seen already, especially if they are in the Christian faith. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It is a lower budget movie, and there are some slightly cheesy moments, but it is a powerful film with a message that hits right at the core of what is needed in a marriage relationship.

My wife and I first watched it about a year ago, and then we watched it again last week. I got more out of it the second time. I was also very blessed by this song that is featured in the movie. It deals with a major theme and lesson that God has been teaching me over the past 3 months, that of moving ahead in obedience, even as I WAIT on Him. Too often I go to one extreme or the other; confusing waiting on God with doing nothing, or, on the other hand, simply taking control of my own life to the exclusion of any consideration of His will and purposes for me. I am learning that it is both/and; the Divine will working in concert with my will. This song has been a special encouragement to me, and I hope it can be to you as well.

Even if you are not a Christian, if you are committed to your spouse and want to build a better marriage, I would recommend watching the movie and discussing it together with your spouse. I hope the "romance" of Valentine's Day will not be lost too quickly, but translate into an ongoing, growing love and commitment in your marriage.

Grief and Hope

Yesterday we received the tragic news that the oldest daughter of some dear friends of ours here in Taiwan had been killed in a car accident in North Carolina. Aimee was 25 years old, and just at the beginning of her career as an elementary school teacher in the U.S. My wife and I have known the family since we first came to Taiwan in the early 90's, when Aimee was only 7 years old. We deeply feel the sense of loss and grief that Aimee's parents, sister, and brothers are feeling at this time.

Aimee Elisabeth Powell

1984-2010

Aimee's death was sudden and unexpected, unlike the passing of one of our neighbors, a Taiwanese grandmother who was well into her 90's and had been ill for some time. Today they are holding a funeral service for her across our lane. Family has gathered to "meditate" as prayers are chanted for the departed soul.

As I listened to the monotone chanting, I wondered what hope our neighbors have for the eternal destiny of this woman's soul. I believe it is quite unlike the hope that Aimee's family has, knowing that Aimee loved Jesus and lived with the assurance that one day she would live with him in heaven, as she now is. There is still the pain of loss, of course, but Aimee's family, and everyone else who knew Aimee and knows Jesus, live in confidence that we will see her again one day. And Aimee, like her missionary parents, had a burden to share that hope in Christ with others. May many come to know the hope found only in Christ.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Paul's Letter to the Romans

Chapter 8:38-39

Christmas 2009 Activities

Well, the 2009 Christmas season has come, and is almost gone. Here is a summary of what the holidays held for us as a family this year:

• No H1N1. Well, we did get it, but fortunately well before the holidays started, and we could enjoy the Christmas season knowing we were now immune to it and didn't have to live in fear of picking it up at some point during the holidays.
• Getting together with my English students for a special lunch. We went to McDonalds. Yes, McDonalds. Does that mean it wasn't so special? It was fun anyway.
• Going bowling and a trip to Costco. Bowling is always a fun thing to do as a family, and the highlight of going to Costco is getting to eat there (usually their hotdogs).
• Outreach activity with local elementary students. I helped lead singing Christmas songs, and the pastor shared the Christmas story.
• Singing Christmas carols on Christmas eve at the CCT church. Though we don't attend CCT regularly, this has been a "tradition" for our family. Props to Lillian Dwight and friends for leading a great service this year.
• Sharing with the teachers at Da Peng Elementary School. I was able to share (in Taiwanese) the background/history of the song "Silent Night", and then lead them in singing it.
• Caroling and sharing the true meaning of Christmas with Patients at China Medical Hospital. Our church, along with about 5 other church groups, met at the hospital on Christmas evening, and sang carols in the main lobby, and then near the emergency waiting room area. We also went up to the 6th floor ward and went room by room, sharing about Christmas, handing out gift bags, and praying with patients.
• Having a great Christmas meal with friends, and playing "Ticket To Ride". Sharing holiday food with friends, of course, is one of the best things in the world. We hope our friends enjoyed our company this year as much as we enjoyed theirs. Thanks, Jon & Beth, for introducing us to the "train game".
• Visiting my friend A-Hong. I met A-hong in the hospital over a year ago. He is now in a physiotherapy recovery center. My son and I went to visit him yesterday, hoping to bring some Christmas cheer into his heart. He was very glad for the visit and the Christmas cookies I brought.

There are other activities we still have planned before the end of the holidays (going to the Flying Cow Ranch, going out for a special meal at a favorite restaurant, etc.). As you can see, though, we didn't go too far afield this year. Good to just spend some time at home as a family, too.

A Jackhammer Christmas

I grew up on a farm outside of a small town on the vast expanse of the Canadian prairies. It was quiet at night (except for the occasional dog barking), but it was super quiet at night at Christmas time, especially when a fresh blanket of snow covered the ground. I will forever have memories of standing outside on the nights leading up to Christmas, being lost in the silence. I wondered if the night was as still and quiet for the shepherds just before the angels crashed on the scene.

Stillness and quiet is not part of Christmas here in Taiwan. In fact, this year seems especially full of noise pollution as the neighbors have taken to renovating their house the past few weeks. Renovating a house in Taiwan invariably means the use of a concrete drill day after day, sometimes as early as 8:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the evening. When the drill is not being used, there are still various noises of tapping, banging, hammering, grinding, tearing, crashing, and ripping. And since the houses are all basically built in the same concrete block, the noise vibrates seemingly as loud in our house as it does 2 doors down.

So, the challenge, for those that typically like to spend a quiet Christmas, is to find peace in the noise, stillness in the vibrations (which we also had from a recent 6.8 earthquake). One has to find a quiet inside oneself, because it doesn't exist in the air around a Taiwanese city.

In closing, I offer the Taiwanese version of "Joy To The World" (with apologies to Isaac Watts):

Noise to the world, the work's begun

Let men their drills employ

While hammers and saws, grind ceaselessly each day

Repeat the clanging tools

Repeat the clanging tools,

Repeat, repeat, the clanging tools

Quiet or loud, may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!