Bud Simon

In the Bush

Walking to a church service along a small path thru the jungle

There is something distinctive about being out in the bush.  When I talk about the bush or the interior, I generally mean a location that is a considerable distance from town.  The location is usually isolated from electricity, running water, and transportation.  It is normally not along the river, but rather along one of the many jungle roads.  Although the distance from town (Altamira where I live) may be relative close (several hours), this is often because I have motorized transportation.  Those that live in the community normally are limited to traditional modes of transportation like walking or bicycling.  A distance of 25 miles on dirt roads quickly become a journey of a couple of days when combined  with hilly, muddy roads. 

Recently I visited such a community in the bush with a small team.  I was touch by the warmth with which they received us.  They opened their home, preparing a special meal for us, and honoring us in every way possible.  Later that night the small church building (about 500 square feet) was filled to overflowing.  The people of the community came out to hear the Good News. 

How is it that people that live in the relatively nearby regions are still unreached with the Gospel?  The difficulty in going out to such places can be overwhelming.  The lack of comfort, the overwhelming amount of insects, the dangers of malaria, dengue and other insect born diseases, the isolation from assistance in difficulties – all of these serve as reasons why people do not want to head out to the bush to share the Gospel. 

Yet every single life was paid for with the same blood that Jesus Christ sacrificed on the cross.  We want to see the Gospel arriving in each of these villages so that each person has the opportunity to understand the difference that Christ can make in their own context.  I appreciate your prayers as we continue to equip leaders and reach out to such communities.  

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Boards rough cut with a chainsaw from trees for the construction of the church building

Making new friends along the way.  

Heaven Smiles

At the church dedication with the main pastor who oversees the work

This last weekend I had the privilege of participating in a new church dedication.  A little church in a backward neighborhood where all the roads are dirt and there is no public water or sanitation system.  Yet, there are close to 5000 people living in that neighborhood.  Many of them are newcomers drawn to our town by a huge public works project (the project is the controversial Belo Monte Dam project). 

But as we sat in the little church building (about 1200 square feet), the manifest presence of God was very real.  The worship took us into His presence and as I knelt during the worship time, I could see God smile.  It was great to realize that the very act of having that church dedication was a pleasure to God.  It is easy to get caught up in buildings and construction but it is clear that the church is God’s people.  One quote that still resonates with me is “the single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is church planting” (Peter C Wagner, Church Planting for a Greater Harvest).   I can see that as we open new churches they reach out to the lives of new segments and groups of the population that are being overlooked, especially among the marginalized. 

I had the wonderful opportunity of preaching from 1 Peter 2:9.  It was great to be able to pray for those that are leading the church.  And most wonderful of all was to see new people giving their lives to the Lord at the end of the service. 

Thanks for your prayers for this new church and her leaders.  I believe that God will do great things thru that ministry.

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The Only Necessary Thing

Often in the morning I use different books as devotionals to help me focus on God and His plan for the day.  Besides the Bible, I find it helpful to learn from others who have walked in the same paths before me. 

One book that has been very helpful over the last year is Henri Nouwen’s The Only Necessary Thing.  This book is about living a prayerful life.  I love the short topics that prompt my thinking and challenge me to carry God’s perspective into and throughout my day.  One of the things that I really like about Nouwen is that he freely expresses his struggles.  I find it important to be able to relate to him as a normal person.  The challenge for me personally is to reflect on what God is doing in my life and what God wants me to learn. 

I highly recommend this book for those that want help in their day to reflect on the things of God . 

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Prisms of Truth

I have recently been reading James Plueddemann’s book, Leading Across Cultures.  This is a wonderful book from man who has several decades of cross-cultural experience.  In it he addresses one of the challenges that the church faces as they work across cultures. 

Why is it that a Biblically principle in one culture appears differently in another culture?  In the book, there is a discussion about how worldview impacts a culture’s perspective and interpretation of the Bible.  I see this clearly in my context in the contrast between Latin America (which values relationship over task) and the United States (which values task over relationship).  Ever culture has certain biases when they read Scripture. 

Some key questions are “What are my biases when I read Scripture?” and “What are the core Biblical values that are valid for ever culture?”  Even when understanding the core values, I must humbly come to the task of applying those values.  The way each culture interprets and practices values is often entirely valid because of the significant differences between cultures.  Each culture may be considered as a prism which reflects the light of truth differently.  The personal questions then become “Can I humbly learn new ways to practice the values that I understand from Scripture?”  and “As a leader, can I lay down my role to learn from others?”  God wants us always to be open to learning more about practicing His word and this often means humbly laying down our biases.

Maybe in your context, it is a question of learning from a signifcant sub-culture or immigrant culture.  Consider the new lessons that God may have for you in the future.

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Merry Christmas

The Simon family, Christmas Eve, 2011

What a wonderful time to celebrate God's goodness and grace in our lives.  We are thankful for the wonderful life that he has given us and we are delighted to be able to share that with others!

Thanks so much for your prayers, support and encouragement throughout the year.  May God bless you during this holiday season!

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Mornings

A full moon shines over Altamira

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus... went to a secluded place and prayed." Mark 1:35

There always has been a bit of controversy about what time of day is best to get alone with God.  I totally concur with the thought that the best time is the time that works for you.  Along with that, I am a strong advocate for mornings because it is always so nice to take everything that the day is bringing your way and hand it off to God... before it happens.  Life is crazy, life is busy, life is hectic, life gives you curveballs, the future is unknown and there are always unanticipated surprises.  I find it so much better to take a quiet time of Bible reading, prayer and meditation first thing in the morning to prepare my heart for the unexpected. 

Here are three reasons that I prefer the mornings as my time for meeting with God.

1)       It is quiet.  Normally there are no interruptions like phones ringing or kids clamoring for attention.  Occasionally my kids wake up early with me and I invite them to be with me in my quiet time.  However they must read or look at a book quietly.  Often they just fall back asleep.

2)      My mind is not distracted.  Nothing has happened to rob my energy or my attention.  I find it much easier in the morning to focus on God, to hear His voice and to reflect accurately on what He is saying.

3)      By spending time with God first thing in the morning, He never get’s squeezed out because of a busy schedule.  In the past, I have found that my busyness allows one thing to pile on another and then suddenly the day is over, the night is growing long and I am too tired to slow down and focus (I just slow down and fall asleep). 

This is what works for me and these are the principles that have given value to a morning quiet time.  And just like anyone else, there are seasons when this is easy and flows.  There are other times when it seems like everything in me is resisting that time with God.  But over the years, this is how God has worked in my life and how I have sought to draw close to Him.  I pray that God will bless you as you pursue Him.  

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Reasonable Expectations

The sun burns through the early morning mist over the Xingu River in brilliant colors

What should we expect of ourselves? We should expect progress rather than perfection. Our lives are a journey and it is not reasonable to think we have arrived before the journey is over.

In our lives, we generally think about perfection in the classic, Hollywood, airbrushed manner – that we should look, feel, act, respond, and anticipate perfectly.  Our teeth should be straight and white, our hair should be the correct color and highlights, our weight perfect as well as our muscle tone and emotionally we should anticipate everything correctly.  God never refers to us nor expects us to be perfect in this way.  This is a false projection of perfection that comes from our culture and from ourselves.  In reality, this type of thinking often frustrates what God is trying to work out in our lives because it is in conflict with His plan. 

There is “perfection” towards which we strive that lies within God’s plan.  It is in the context of being sinless.  Yet sinless is an overwhelming concept and it is much better to think of “sinless” as “less sin”.  This is progress.  Day by day I should continue on the path that God has for me to walk.  During that time, I need to allow the Holy Spirit to reduce my attraction to sin.  How can that happen?  I can make myself honestly accountable to others, I can read God’s word daily, I can take time to pray – in short, I can stick to the things that I know are the right things to do and follow through on those things. 

This is the way to make regular and consistent progress in my life.  This allows me to establish healthy boundaries so I mature and change, moving ahead in measurable ways.  I see in my own life that when I intentionally indentify small areas of sin that need to be rooted out, I see big results in other areas also. 

Think about how God wants you to progress today.  His path is life and will lead us to contentment.

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Dealing with Sickness

I was sick last week.  I was busy and I had a trip planned and bam!  Next thing I know is that I can barely stand up for a couple of days.  Some type of sinus infection – runny nose, weepy eyes, pounding headaches, interrupted sleep – yes, all of those fun things.  God sparked in me some thoughts about my reaction to sickness (I am talking about those short sicknesses and injuries that lay us low temporarily and not long-term life threatening issues).

So, of course, my initial reation was to get agitated because I had so many things to do and, clearly, I could not get them done.  I was feeling that old guilt feeling and thinking that if I just tried a bit harder, “bite the bullet” some more, that somehow I could overcome.  I often have that sense of self-condemnation that comes when I am sick because I know how much stuff needs to get done and how much others on the team are doing. 

But, then I did something concrete and decisive (besides taking Advil).  I stopped my racing mind, I quieted the competing voices in my head, and I turned to God in an intentional quiet moment.  I clearly spoke out my concerns to Him, I confessed my sin in taking responsibility for something beyond my control, and I ask how He wanted me to use my time and energy during my sickness. 

I was pleasantly amazed how just that simple act took the anxiety out of the moment for me.  Turning it over to God in a concrete way relieved me of the (false) responsibility for circumstances that were beyond my control.  “…Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you...”  (Matt 11:28-30).  Laying things down takes a firm, intentional effort that means I realize the problem (difficulty, conflict, crisis, or fill in the blank) is not mine, but something I can give to my God. 

Can I leave it there?  Or will I run back and pester God about how to handle things and how to resolve things?  Tough questions that deal with a real issue.  With our belief in God comes an understand that He acts intentionally in our lives and can use each thing that happens for our good (Gen 50:19-21).  Choose to rest in Him and listen to His quiet voice which stills our fears.  

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Perseverance: Part 3

Dawn shines across these canoes and lights the sky behind the clouds that are so common in the rain forest.  

There is always a lingering temptation to give up when the going gets tough.  We often wonder about the value of continuing with the struggles that we face.  There is an inner battle to give up and quit.  

We need to constantly confront the desire to “give up” when we face difficulties – give up in the way of keeping the correct attitudes, the correct perspective, the right motivation, and a long term view in a world that is hooked on instant results. 

Here is another thought about perseverance from the Bible.

Maturity.  Healthy (emotional, spiritual, social) development.  Having everything we need.  Being well equipped. 

These are the fruits of perseverance. 

James 1: 2- 5 speaks about persevering thru our trials (difficulties, troubles, struggles, testings, & challenges).   Sticking to the right words and actions in our difficulties brings about maturity and healthy personal development.  Often the trials and troubles that we face place us in confusing situations and hard to discern places.  This is why God promises to provide us with the wisdom that we need in generous portions (v 5).  We will have access to understand and act with Godly perspective in a timely manner.   

Perseverance brings about the wisdom and the insight that come from walking in the right paths for long seasons of our lives.  It isn’t that we never make mistakes, rather we understand when we do err, we will seek to make quick amends and change the patterns that bring those mistakes into our lives. 

Do not give up on doing the right thing.  The emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual maturity that perseverance brings to our lives will help to guide us and those we influence along the right paths. 

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Perseverance: Part 2

Ripe coconuts on a tree that grows in our yard

Why do we give up?  Why do we quit? 

So often we stop doing the good things like dieting, exercise, we quit on family, in prayer and in other important aspects of life.  The “lazy gene” in us is strong, the desire to just buckle under when we face a bit of pressure.  Yet, in our hearts we know that good things normally come to those who “stick it out” and work hard. 

Allow me to share one thought about perseverance from the Bible.

Perseverance leads to growth and maturity.  The promise is that we will become effective (what you do will have impact) and productive (as in the context of “bearing fruit” in your efforts).  So often we need to find the internal fortitude that will produce the fire in our souls to see things through to completion (2 Peter 1:5-9).  We are in this life for the long haul and we want our lives to bear fruit until the end. 

On the back side, there are those Christians that never seem to mature.  And often, underneath it, we find that immaturity is the results of quitting on our personal time with God, quitting on prayer, quitting on healthy relationships, and quitting on church, among other things.  The path to immaturity is paved with quitting, excuses and lack of follow through.

Don’t be a quitter.  God wants us to see things through until the end and in that way experience the joy and good fruit that comes along with our faith.  

 

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Traveling

Dawn spills over the immense horizon of the Xingu River

I just spent the week traveling with my family on the river.  We had along a wonderful group of visitors and we had an excellent time visiting different villages and communities.  

However, I also came home sick.  I was suppose to travel again but essentially spent the last couple of days sick around the house.  I am making the most of the time reading the Bible and other books.  

Thanks for your prayers.

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Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Book Review

This book was written by Kenneth E Bailey.  The author spent 60 years living in the Middle East and provides an accurate and insightful look into many of the mysteries and questions that surround the Gospels.  The author helps to tear away much of the Western cultural projection that can obscure the message of the Bible.

I probably have read 50 to 60 books this year, maybe more.  But this is one book that I will come back to time and time again.  I read it slowly, over about two months.  I would read it like a devotional in the morning but then find myself so caught up in it that I would return to it to read whenever I had a spare moment. 

The book was recommended personally by an outstanding theological academic and I thought it would be a dry, academic book – interesting, enlightening, but a struggle to read.  Was I wrong.  Middle Eastern Eyes delves into the birth of Jesus, the Beatitudes, the parables and other areas where it sometimes seems that the message is a bit hazy.  There is a strong reliance on ancient texts and translations from the Middle East which tend to follow closely with a cultural understanding of the reality in which Christ lived. 

Here is what really struck me – this book spoke to my spirit and moved my heart.  While written with incredible academic integrity, it animated me to go deeper in my relationship with God and with others.  I would recommend this book for anyone who teaches or preaches the Word on a regular basis and I would also recommend it for those that are looking for a deeper and more mature understanding of the Gospels. 

This book is a delightful way to take a new look at Jesus from a whole different perspective. 

 

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Perseverance

Sunset view from my backyard

Here are some thoughts from the field as I think about church planting this morning…

What is one of the key qualities that is necessary for a church planter?  Perseverance.  Planters come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of giftings, different backgrounds, and different abilities.  Strengths and weaknesses vary and you can be all over the board when you mix all of these items together.  There is a broad spectrum of different possibilities of what a church planter could look like. 

But one of the non-negotiables is perseverance.  Call it what you will – tenacity, a “bulldog attitude”, enthusiasm, stick-to-it-ness – at the end of the day we are talking about someone that keeps trying, doesn’t give up, and when something isn’t working, this person isn’t afraid to try something different, make adjustments, be a bit diverse in their approach.

Perseverance in having success in gathering people – that is the type of perseverance that is important.  A church planter is gathering people.  People are what count because the church is made of people, not buildings, not programs, and not traditions.  Perseverance is talking about sticking to the things that are right, being able to discern between what the Holy Spirit is saying compared to tradition or the expectations of others.  It is no good to stick to persevering in things that do not work or in wrong ideas.  But, more often than not, people give up because things are not working as they expect, rather than that they are doing the wrong things.  A key element in the path of maturity is perseverance and to realize what God is doing, we need to stick faithfully to that which He is calling us to do.

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Community or Control

When we think of community, we often think of all the upsides that come with it.  Positive feedback, encouragement, and friendship, among other things, are all aspects of community that we readily embrace.  When there are things that we do not want to hear, we figure that we will just “check out” from the community scene for a bit. 

However, God never intended that as an option. 

In our Western culture, one characteristic that we value highly is control.  We desire to control our schedules, our time, our climate, our transportation, our TV, our music selection, our work, our school, our children, our spouse, our church’s teaching, we want to control it all. And yet, community stands in stark contrast to our society’s desire for control.

How does the struggle for control manifest itself when we embrace community?

When we willingly enter into community, we willingly give up control.  We are yielding to the Holy Spirit and yielding to the church.   By willingly submitting ourselves to a body of believers, we find that sometimes the agenda and plans are "out of our control".  We want to do what we want to do, not what someone else thinks is best.

This is a huge step of faith for most of us because it also touches on our human fraility.  It is tough to be truly transparent with others about our weaknesses and sins.    Embracing community says that we are part of something, in both good and bad times, whether we agree or not, and that we will find a way to carry on… together.  To many in the Western world, this is downright frightening.  We just want somewhere to go on Sundays; we are not looking for some type of deep commitment. 

However, that is one of the reasons that church does not work for so many Christians… we lack commitment.  We want the benefits without the responsibilities.  It is time for many of us to reconsider how God is speaking to us in the context of the church life and reexamine what commitment really means. 

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What kind of community are you building?

Part of our community of pastors

Community (noun) – a unified group of individuals with shared values and vision

Community – this is a word that rattles around the Christian world.  We often hear about community, contributing to the community, being part of a community and other functions of community.  I want to share a couple of thoughts on community from some insights that God has given me over the years.

Community is essential to Christian living.  Christians do not exist in isolation nor is it possible to achieve what God plan for our lives outside of community.  Much of the Bible addresses how we should work together, treat each other, talk to each other and other social interactions that are fundamental to life. 

Community is for both good times and bad times.  Many people edge towards one of two extremes.  Either they like to be around everyone when everything is going well and running smoothly.  However, when there are difficulties or problems, these same people will isolate.  Or, there is the other end of the spectrum.  Some people seek out others when they are in difficulty or struggling, but when things are going well and running smoothly, they drift off into their own schedule and routine. 

God is looking for us to have some “sticky-ness” in our community life.  We need to be there in good times and bad times.  We need to be available to help out others as well as seek help when we are struggling.  And we need to consider how God wants us to contribute and build community and not just take away from the community.

Each one of us is helping to establish the atmosphere of the church, youth group, or whatever Christian group where we meet, share life and build into each other.  So, what kind of community are you looking for?  Start being that type of person.

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Book Review: Under The OverPass

Book Cover

What is this book about? 

Let me set up the story.  It is about two Christian, college age, young men that decide to put themselves in a place of full reliance on Christ.  They move to the streets and live as street people for five months.  They visit Denver, Washington D.C., Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego.  They commit to living off what they earn by panhandling and living in the context of street people.  I found the story extremely moving as they take you onto the streets with them. 

One of the realities of our world is that we rarely encounter people from the street – they just usually are not in our social circles and we don’t make an effort to reach out to them.  The story is very realistic in the way that they meet street people, entering the reality of their world.  The story stirs my heart of compassion as I understand a sliver of the reality they face.  The book shares some keen insights into American society and the reaction (and lack thereof) of the Evangelical community to the homeless reality.

Here are some quotes from the book:

“Where I had known excess, I now only saw need.  In my heart I sensed attitudes of entitlement being replaced by thankfulness.”

“Something critical is missing in places that care for the broken and needy if the only people there are also broken and needy… If we are the body of Christ – and Christ came not for the healthy but for the sick – we need to be fully present in the places where people are broken.”

“Too often money is insulation – it conveniently keeps us from ever having to come face-to-face with a man or women with whose life is in tatters.”

 “An ongoing struggle to find safety, a place to sleep, a bathroom, and food becomes dehumanizing for anyone.  One experience at a time, a person’s sense of dignity and sense of self-worth get’s stripped away.  I don’t know what the experience would be like for someone who has lived on the streets for thirty years.  But I do know this: blithely allowing this terrible stripping to occur is a blot on the conscience of America, and especially on the conscience of the church.”

“As C.S. Lewis wrote: ‘Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it.’”

This is a great book.  I highly recommend it to get a glimpse into the life of the homeless and also as a point of reflection on our attitudes.

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Who is Visiting?

One of the many simple homes that mark the region where we work

I was in the Sunday worship service.  Very enjoyable, very intimate, very energetic.  Then I heard the new visitor.  He was slurring his speech, but obviously enjoying himself and his surroundings.  For some reason, he picked me out of the crowd.  I don’t know why – just one of those things. 

He came to my seat near the front of the church, I gentle talked with him and prayed with him and lead him back to his seat near the back of the church.  This scene repeated about two or three times – he is one of those people you can smell, so I knew he was coming even before he spoke or I turned around. 

The final time, he wanted to talk to me outside.  We went out and had a small discussion.  Of course, since half of the group was inebriated (not my half), the discussion wandered a bit.  I interjected into his personal life by asking his name (Chico) and a few other details.  He did want prayer for freedom from his alcoholism. 

Part of me is still a bit repulsed by these types of encounters but the other part realizes that this man is made in the image of God and the blood shed on the cross was poured out for him as well as for me. 

I have also learned through the years that it is better to err on the side of compassion, patience, and generosity. 

Do we look at the marginalized, whether by choice or not, as people to avoid or as an opportunity to show the love of God?  The power of God is available to all and I want to be used as a conduit for that power rather than ever be held accountable for stifling that in someone's life.  

Who is God putting in your path today so that you can bring hope to that person?

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Changes

The sun breaks through storm clouds as I travel down the Xingu River (the tall trees are Brazil Nut trees)

 I have been thinking about this blog for awhile. What I find is that I have a number of issues on my heart. These issues have to do with family life, church life, regular preaching topic stuff, leadership issues, mission work, missionary life – a random cross section of the life that God has given me to live.

Of course, I know people come here to see what God is doing in the ministry and to see pictures of their grandchildren.  I am also aware that I can over analyze what others expect.  In any case, this will open it up much more.

So, here is the plan for the blog.

I will continue to write about what God is doing here. And I will add in much more, a wider variety of topics that may be pleasing, or may not. The categories at the bottom of the blog will become more important. It is not always possible to see how things will evolve and in a few months the blog may just move back to where it currently is.

Part of my reasons for doing this is that as a pastor I have much more to say than I generally share currently but I feel slightly constrained with my current parameters.  I want to continue to improve what I write. Also I often share on Facebook a very brief thought for the day and this will expand on that.  Besides that I have a wide variety of interests and I considered open a variety of blogs but it seems more prudent to keep it all here for now since it mostly focuses on spiritual life for right now. 

Please bear with me in this season of change. I appreciate your feedback and any ideas that you may want to pursue in discussion. I do appreciate all of you that come here to read from time to time and share in what God is doing in my life journey.

God bless!!

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Is that God or is that God?

“I only know in part, I can’t see things clearly the way that God sees us and our situations… but one day I will, clarity will come and I will see God just like He sees me.”  1 Cor 13:12 (paraphrase)

You know, I never had surgery.

That’s right – no surgery. We were all gratefully surprised (for those that are following along, I was suppose to have surgery to reattach a torn tendon).  

Here’s the story. After a visit with an orthopedic surgeon and also having an MRI scan of the elbow in Altamira, it was decided that the best course of action was to travel and have surgery on my elbow. I was diagnosed with a complete tendon rupture at the elbow, a painful and potentially debilitating injury. We were stressed because of the cost, the time pressure (the sooner the surgery, the better the success rate), and about leaving our kids. Yet, God seemed to be working it all out, providing us with places to stay, doctor contacts and competent people to take care of the kids.

We took an overnight flight, leaving Altamira at 9pm and arriving at 6am in Brasilia where we have Christian friends in the medical community. We rested for about 90 minutes and then headed off to see our first doctor.

Making a long story short, after consulting with three orthopedic doctors, one MRI specialist, one sports medicine doctor, and two physical therapists over the course of several days, it was concluded that the arm would heal best without surgery. One physical therapist charged $70 but all of the other input was free. We were afforded great hospitality and care while in Brasilia. Even with all the free help, we spent several thousand dollars on plane tickets and the original MRI.

Now honestly I struggled a bit with all of this. Did God really do a miracle and heal my arm? Or was it simply a misdiagnosis? Or was I just crying “wolf” about my injury and it really wasn’t that bad? Those questions, tossed in with a few others, like “what about people that pray for healing and nothing happens?” and “how does faith work into all of that?”

I believe that God did a miracle and I am thankful for His healing mercy. I have a tremendous peace and confidence that God knows exactly what He is doing. I essentially spent the last month without driving and out of my regular routine. Just now I am starting to get back into normal activities. I also realize that my spiritual vision can be extremely narrow. My little thoughts can be “Oh my elbow, my arm, oh the pain, the expense”. God is so much bigger and doing things on such a grander level that often we miss the forest for the trees. I do have a few thoughts about God’s possible bigger plan – praying together, building faith, showing interdependence, showing His healing power, showing that He is always in control, providing encouragement, these are among many other possibilities.

I appreciate everyone that prayed for me – thanks for the words of encouragement, the prayers and the willingness to help carry our burden. God bless.

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The Questions We Ask God

My right arm in a sling after a painful accident while doing some work in our yard

I am here with my arm in a sling, feeling the pain, struggling to get things done and wondering how it will all turn out. I suffered a painful injury in an accident in my yard that had no rhyme or reason. I blew my elbow out last week - not sure if it is a tendon tear or muscle tear. I did a number of exams and this week I will go back to the doctor for a verdict. For now, no driving, no lifting, no activity with my right hand (including typing)... I appreciate your prayers for God's healing.

When we encounter difficulties, we often ask “why” – “Why did this happen?”, “Why did it have to happen now?”, “Why does it have to happen to me?” We can think of dozens of questions to ask that are based on asking “why”. However, over time, I have realized that this is often probably not the best question to be asking God. When we read the Bible we see that many times there is no answer to the “whys” of life, even in retrospect, why God is doing things and why He is doing them in a certain timing remains a mystery.

I have found a couple questions that are serve to keep me on track in a much better way.

I ask “How?”

How should I act? How should I react? How can I honor God in this situation? How can I show love, peace and joy?

I also ask “What?”

What should be my attitude? What should I do in this situation? What is God working out in my life? What am I suppose to learn?

Both the How and What question focus more on what God is doing in me – in my heart, in my attitudes, in my actions and reactions and how those things can bring me to a deeper place of relationship with Him. God is always interested in revealing how we can mature more deeply and put down deeper roots. This is important rather than focusing on the Why of a situation and expecting that God explain Himself and justify His actions, or lack thereof… to me.

Think about the situations you are facing and how God is working and what He wants you to learn at this present moment. It helps to keep the focus of my relationship in the right direction.

God Bless & thanks for your prayers!

 

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