On Being Influenced and Being Influencers

Those people who influence us most are not those who buttonhole us and talk to us, but those who lived their lives like the stars of heaven and the lilies in the field, perfect, simply, and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold us.

Oswald Chambers

On Reading the Bible

I am convinced that how we read scripture is as important as what we read. Do we read quickly or slowly? Sporadically or regularly? With reluctance or eagerness?

Do we read only for inspiration or for confirmation of what we already believe? Or do we read to be challenged and to expose our own weaknesses and flaws?

This morning I read from Psalm 28. Portions of it--the verses that previously encouraged or spoke to me--already were highlighted. Verse 3 was not marked because it's pretty negative . . . but it's the verse that spoke to me this morning.

"Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts."

I wondered, "How often do I do that?" Pastors are taught to maintain their cool and to always speak--and act--cordially, even when they may be seething inside. Given that training, then, it is especially tempting to speak cordially with a neighbor but to harbor malice in my heart. And even when I'm not harboring malice, surely a hidden, condescending attitude toward someone is not what God would want.

So I praise you today, O God, for the "unhighlighted" parts of my Bible, the parts that I don't always like and the parts that still search my heart for hidden sin.

Forgiveness Video

A few people asked me where they could view the "Forgiveness" video I showed Sunday as part of my message. Here it is. . .

Hawaii Favorite

Someone asked me what I most enjoyed about our trip to Hawaii this summer. There were so many things -- lollygagging beside the pool, the Wakiki sunsets, the Baptist World Congress, Pearl Harbor, spending time with friends,
hiking to the top of Diamondhead -- this was a tough question!

However, as I mentally reviewed our fantastic trip, one thing emerged as my favorite: our lunch at Bubba Gump's with Lyn, Glenn, Lucas, and Asher Arakawa.

Lyn was an active member of our church as a college student. After she finished her degree, she attended Golden Gate Seminary and assisted Kelly Nelson in our college ministry. She moved to Mill Valley, CA to work on her intercultural studies degree in preparation for service as a missionary. That's where she met Glenn, and it wasn't that long before 20 members of our church headed to Mill Valley for their wedding!

After graduation, they were appointed as missionaries to east Asia and served for a term alongside Otey & Cheryl Enoch. However, it had been years since Susie and I had talked with them, and we had not met either of their sons. Glenn is from Hawaii, so they decided to spend their stateside assignment (furlough) in Honolulu. They had only been there a couple of weeks, and Glenn had been sick almost up to the time we got together. Since all four of them had "cabin fever," they were delighted to see us!

We had a wonderful time catching up on each others' lives. One of their challenges has been raising Asher in a foreign country. He is four years old now and "developmentally delayed." They have not had a lot of the specialized support they might have gotten in the U.S. Since our time with them, Asher has been diagnosed as autistic, and the school system's special ed people are preparing a plan to work with him and their whole family.

However, they don't know what this means for the long-term. Will they be able to return to their ministry in Asia? Or will Asher's special needs require that they resign as missionaries?

Here is what Glenn wrote me recently: "It's fine to put our pictures on your blog. We would appreciate as much prayer for our situation as possible. It has been quite an emotional roller coaster ride for us. We try as much as possible to keep our eyes on Father. It is a bit scary to wonder what will be next for our family but at the same time exciting to see what God brings about through this situation. Please pray that we will draw closer and closer to Him."

Seeing Glenn, Lyn, Lucas, and Asher is my favorite memory from Hawaii! Will you join me in praying for them?