I shared with Juan that my mother passed away in August.  In fact pretty similar situations.  We talked about death and pain and sons losing mothers.  He remarked that death was a part of life.  Though I sensed he was trying to convince himself.  ”Yes”, I said, “it doesn’t make it right.  Death is the enemy of us all.  It the common enemy of every person on this plane and this planet.  And the pain of death is greater for those left behind.  They experience pain but we grieve and feel there loss.”  I also shared with him why i was in Mexico City and why I was involved in helping end injustice.  The conversation wained and I started reading a book.

Later in the flight he asked me if  I was a Christian.  I would like to say that he saw my compassion and felt I must be a follower of Christ.  But I think it was because of the book I was reading.  Juan said, “I used to believe in God but he hasn’t answered my prayers for my mom.”   He was not argumentative, or angry.  He said it as a matter of a fact.

In turn I didn’t argue or try to push my beliefs.  I felt for him thinking of what it must be like to go through this without faith and losing your faith.  I asked him about his prior belief and whether his mom believed in God.  ”Yes, she believes in God and is very devout.  I have believed in God all my life but I don’t anymore.  My brothers and I prayed and cried to God to heal our mother and He didn’t.  So He must not really exist.”  Juan also lost his first wife and his father in recent years.

I explained to Juan that I understand.  But I also shared with him what helped me.. helps me.  I told him that I believe we were not created to die.  That there was no death in the beginning when God created man and women.  We were not made to die,  to experience pain or injustice.  But the world is broken.  We are broken.  Death is the enemy of us all.  And God sent his Son to take on that enemy.  I told Juan that I believe He is real, that He cares and that He will make all things new.  That one day in His kingdom there will be no more death, no pain, no sorrow, no horrific injustice.  And that Juan’s mother who believes and trusts in God, she will soon see His face and be made whole.

We had some more good conversation afterwards.  Mary and he talked too while I excused myself to the facilities.  Coming back before the plane landed, I told Juan that I would pray for his mom – Maria Guadalupe –  and him.  We exchanged emails.  Juan faces a period of grieving and his life will be different without his mother but my prayer is that he will experience the reality of a loving God even in the midst of this suffering.  I hope that Juan will sense His presence, goodness and love.

Maybe some of this happened even on that flight as Juan said to both Mary and myself before he left, “I think God had me sit next to two angels today.”

Fun little version of a Rube Goldberg Machine version

Carrie Underwood singing “Temporary Home”
Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein’ alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that’ll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

“This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passin’ through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home.”

Young mom on her own
She needs a little help got nowhere to go
She’s lookin’ for a job, lookin’ for a way out
Because a half-way house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
Someday we’ll find a place here in this world

“This is our temporary home
It’s not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we’re passin’ through
This is just a stop, on the way to where we’re going
I’m not afraid because I know this is our
Temporary Home.”

Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers don’t cry for me
I’ll see you all someday
He looks up and says “I can see God’s face”

“This is my temporary Home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passin’ through
This was just a stop,on the way To where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home.”

This is our temporary home

Faith > Heb 11:6  ”And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” This is the one we might most know.  Faith is not only what pleases God but its also a prerequisite. It’s absolutely impossible to please Him minus faith.  I must believe that He is.  Yahweh!  Creator.  Real.  Personable.  Powerful.  All-loving.  All-knowing.  Able.  Present. He is who He says He is.   He, and He alone, is God.

I must also believe that He is rewards those who sincerely seek Him.  Rewards.  Now there is a word skewed by my 21st Century American perspective.  I am reminded by something I read in one of my favorite books: Hope Lives.  The poor have something I don’t.  The poor in this world live in a state of desperation that allows them to more likely live a life of dependant faith.  When I am more keenly aware of need, my own desperation, I am more likely to live by faith.  God is rewarder.  He is good.  He provides.  How can I ignore all of Jesus promises on prayer? He gives.  He is a good Father.  He’s not a Genie at my beck and call.   But He is still God.  He still rewards me when I sincerely seek Him.  And yes, if I read the whole of chapter 11, I know that the rewards are not always given when I want and in the way I want.  But that doesn’t change reality that He is a rewarder of those who sincerely seek Him!

In 2010, may I believe in Him and His character.   May my faith please Him.

Worship > In Heb 12 :28-29, we read, ” Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.” Worship pleases God.  Not some self-gratifying-put-on.  Not playing church.  But real worship.  A worship that is based in gratitude.   As I live in a world that is teetering on the brink of destruction, I am receiving an unshakable Kingdom.   Wow!  Therefore, I should worship Him in holy fear, in awe and wonder.   He is a devouring fire.  What an incredible description of God!   He is just.  I  am not worthy to stand in His presence.  And yet He is giving me a Kingdom.  How crazy is that?   I should fall on my knees.  I should be in awe of Him.  I should live in awe of Him.  How do I have this life?  How could He bless me so?  How could He love me so?  How could He forgive me?  Who am I?  How does He even know my name?  I am not worthy.  He is.

In 2010, may I live in awe of Him and His goodness.  May I respond out of gratitude.  May my worship please Him.

Service > “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God”.  – Heb 13:16 Sharing with those in need both in word and deed.  Do I do good by the way I live and interact with my fellowman?   Do I share with those who don’t have the blessing I have?  Or do I horde and just spend on my own foolish pleasures?   Am I greedy with the grace and goodness given to me like I earned it? Do I see Jesus in others?   Do I please God through sacrificing for others?

While completling this passage, the words of Shaun Groves’ song “Jesus” from the Twilight album rank through my earbuds:

When we love the least When we love the weak When we love these We love Jesus

Jesus brings a meal for tips Jesus trying hard to quit Jesus raising two alone Jesus drives a heavy load

Chorus: When we love the least When we love the weak When we love these We love Jesus

Jesus with worn wrinkled hands Jesus sows a patch of land Jesus hides a tattooed arm Jesus keeping dinner warm

Chorus

Jesus waves a foreign flag Jesus wrings a washing rag Jesus leans on prison bars Jesus swinging in my yard

Chorus

In 2010, may I not forget to do good and share with those in need.  May I live sacrificially as unto Jesus and thus please the God sacrificed all for me.

2.  A job doing the things I am passionate about and love.

3.   A cup of coffee from beans that I roasted myself.

4.   A sweet, lovely wife and three little boys with infectious smiles.

5.  A Savior who loves me in spite of my sin and and extends mercy & grace to me.

6.  My MacBook Pro.

7.  A home on a cul-de-sac with open space and an unobstructed view of the mountains behind us.

8. Our ministry partners, 90%+ of whom were able to make the switch to Global Service Associates with us.

9. Our extended family even as we celebrate this Thanksgiving with just the 5 of us.

10.  The opportunity to serve those in need as its more blessed to give than receive.

And I think these folks have something to be thankful for too.  (Thanks to A Non-Quotidian Existence for this.)