Overjoyed by Friends, Family, and The Body

I'm not good at receiving help.  I sometimes refuse help because of pride.  Other times, it's because I like to be in control. Then there are times where I feel like I don't deserve it and there are others that need the help more.  Finally, there are a few times where people want to help and it's something that I really enjoy and so I want it for myself.

God has been using the last few weeks to grow me in receiving help.  In some situations, I have to swallow my pride and simply say 'thank you'.  Other times, I have to learn to simply trust others.  In other situations, I explain that the offer for help isn't needed at this time, but the offer means so much.

I am also learning that if I don't accept offers for help, I rob them of the joy and blessing it is to give.  I'm learning these lessons in new ways.

We have been so blessed by our friends, family, and the body of Christ (the Church).  Here's just a glimpse of what we've experienced to date:

• Literally hundreds of offers of help in all shapes and sizes.
• Non-stop meals every day with enough for leftovers for lunch the next day.
• A freezer that went from being one-third full to overflowing.
• A constant stream of people letting us know they are thinking of us and praying for us.
• An extended family that is praying and fasting for Angela on a regular basis.
• Professional weekly house cleaning given by friends.
• Amazing love and help for our kids from our families and close friends.
• .... plus, so much more.

In fact, even as I wrote this we were interrupted by a door bell.  Standing at the door was Chris K. with Angela's favourite dinner... chicken souvlaki from Elleni's.  I think our kids have forgotten that food can be made in the kitchen.  It just "magically" appears each day at our door.

On Friday night, a friend stopped by to let me know that their Church (of a different denomination and town) had heard about our situation and wanted to help our Church in a physical way during this time.  He gave me an envelope and inside was a cheque for $10,000 to bless our Church.  This gift proved to be the last hurdle of a two year process of getting our Church out of debt and operating in the black.

We feel incredibly blessed and look forward to getting back in a position where we can take what we've experienced and be a blessing to others.

Today was a lot of fun.  Our kids sang in the Church service for a mini-Christmas performance, then we had a bake sale, and lots of good connections with others.  Angela's parents came over for lunch and we feasted on all our leftovers.  Ruby and I installed our token string of Christmas lights on the house.  We are tired this evening from everything and will be resting.  I'm sad to miss the Christmas concert tonight.

I hope you have a great week, following Jesus and allowing the joy that comes from the Good News to change the way we live.

What Joy

I'm preaching this Sunday on joy.  It's the third week of advent and we are lighting the "joy candle".  A week ago I wasn't going to preach as I didn't feel up for it, but over the last couple days, my heart has grown with anticipation to share the joy I have been experiencing in the midst of a horrible situation.

I've realized that the tears I have shed haven't been out of despair or pity, but out of a deep gratefulness for the hope I have in Christ.  To know that nothing this world throws at me has the power to change my destination feels like being in a bunker while bombs are going off outside.  To know that God has and is experiencing my pain allows me to embrace Him in the same way I embrace my wife.  To know that God is just gives me peace by realizing that healing will come, whether it be on this side of life or the other.  To know that God knew about this situation before either of us were born brings an ability to trust Him and His ways.

The bottom line is that no amount of darkness can consume the light we have in Christ.  The hope we have in Him out shines every trial.  In fact, the trials we face help us realize this to a greater degree.  I can honestly say that my hope in Christ is greater in and through this than it was before and for that reason I feel blessed and experience true joy.

It's similar to how I feel about our Church and family.  I loved them deeply before, but now I realize to an even greater degree how awesome they are, and I love them even more.  This makes me smile.

Thank you to everyone who is praying and fasting for us.  Your love and involvement means a lot.  Your faith is inspiring.

I've asked Carmen D. to sing this song at Church this Sunday as it has been an encouragement to me and goes nicely with our focus this Sunday (see "video" below):

Joy

December 12-18, 2010
Advent: Week 3

KNOW | Study
Read Luke 2:8-11; John 15 & 16; Hebrews 12:1-2.  Take time to read these portions of Scripture.  Observe each time you see the word joy/rejoice and reflect on the cause and effect of joy in the life of a Christ follower.

GROW | Discussion Option #1
What makes good news, good?  What is it about a news story that makes it good or bad?  What good news have you had in your life?  What emotions did it evoke?  Did your good news ever overshadow the bad things in your life?

GROW | Discussion Option #2
How can a Christian rejoice in all sufferings endured for the sake of the cross even when it seems unnatural (in a worldly sense) to do so?  Read Romans 5:2-5 and Hebrews 12:2  to get greater perspective on this question. 

SOW | Application
Rediscover the Good News of Jesus.  Take time this week to come before Jesus and invite Him into your life.  Repent of the damage you have done in your life and caused in others.  Ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive you.  Ask Him to baptize you in His Spirit.  Begin to sing personal songs of praise to Him rejoicing not only in the good work He has done in your life (i.e. forgiveness), but also in expectation of His return and our eternity with Him.  Ask Him to lead you and follow where He guides.