One of my favorite daily devotions is Oswald Chambers' 'My Utmost for His Highest'. Oswald Chambers was an early pioneer of modern ministry to the military. Following years of preaching in Scotland and England, shepherding a Bible college and many revivals and prayer meetings he felt a call to serve the military during WWI. His assignment to the Y.M.C.As in Egypt was fraught with adventure for his young wife and baby daughter. They bravely trusted the Lord to build up a struggling mission to spiritually reach the thousands of United Kingdom soldiers from England, Australia and New Zealand who were assigned to the difficult combat zones of North Africa and Palestine. The impact the Chambers' had among the soldiers was powerful. If you're interested in learning more about Oswald and Biddie Chambers' lives I would recommend reading, "Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God" by David McCasland.
"My Utmost for His Highest" was edited by Biddie Chambers' after she and her daughter returned to England following Oswald's death in Cairo. After reading his biography I had a better context for the heart and spirit behind the writings and they've had a deeper impact on me as a result. During the hard years following Oswald's death Biddie spent tireless hours editing his writings and publishing them. A trained stenographer, she had well prepared to take the notes, but the pre-production work didn't compare to the post-production effort to accomplish everything. Just as during their time in Egypt, Biddie refused to take a salary from the earnings of the publications preferring to invest the money into ministries and more publications. Many of these works would become highly popular throughout the mid-20th century, but none would exceed "My Utmost for His Highest".
I would recommend it to anyone looking for a daily devotional.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Adopt-A-Jesus
Saturday night Mike and I spent a little time at the Scarlet Cord in downtown Brookville. The Cord is a teen ministry center that has been run for the last 20 years or so by a wonderful family in town, and throughout the years they've had many people come along side them to volunteer and provide financial support to it. It's a place where kids can find something to do on a Friday or Saturday night, hang out, eat, play games, or find a listening post. They'll also hear the Gospel. Every night. It's not a cuddly place, but Truth and Grace are in abundance.
Here's their blog: http://thescarletcordteencenter.blogspot.com/
Saturday night I learned a little about the game "Magic", and Mike joined a hoops contest on an old arcade game. We also had a chance to see the documentary, "Adopt-A-Jesus".
The subject of the documentary is Brandt Russo and his friends as they take a renovated school bus run on biofuel through the deep South to share of the message of not ignoring the poor, caring for homeless and hitchhikers, and hearing their stories. Brandt himself spent over a year on the streets homeless to learn to love like Jesus - completely without desire for return or credit. He's still working with the homeless, though now his ministry is on the infamous Skid Row in L.A. The night he came to the Scarlet Cord he talked about the many deaths on Skid Row, the disenfranchised people he meets, and the many, many people like you and me who never think twice of abusing or ignoring them.
I'm still thinking about the emerging church, and feel strongly about the lack of Truth and Justice many preach, but there are some within the emerging church who have strong doctrine and a challenging lifestyle to demonstrate it. I think Brandt is one of them. When I was going to school at Eastern College (now University) in the western suburbs of Philly a group of alum were living in the NE Philly neighborhood of Kensington to reach the homeless, the neglected, and extreme poor. This ministry is called, "The Simple Way". I was fortunate to have opportunities to spend time in the neighborhood to work with the younger kids over the course of a couple school years. Walking from the train station through trash strewn streets and run-down row homes to get to a dilapidated church for tutoring and other after school activities left a huge impression on me. This wasn't a third world nation, and yet it felt and looked like it. Since then I've learned we don't need to head into the urban neighborhoods to find the "least of these".
The documentary is worth checking out, though the film maker is not a believer, and unfortunately his emphasis is in areas that I wouldn't have emphasized (and Brandt wouldn't have either), but it's a poignant look the "least of these" (Mtw 25:31-46). Brandt was heavily influenced by The Simple Way, and so I've included the website for you to peruse. My disclaimer - this is not an endorsement of their politics, just the faith in action. TSW is a pacifist organization and I respect it, but do not endorse or attempt to promote its politics.
Be as the Bereans and read, examine, and wrestle through this with the Holy Spirit... (Acts 17:10-11, Phil 2:12-13)
http://www.adoptajesus.com/
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
Here's their blog: http://thescarletcordteencenter.blogspot.com/
Saturday night I learned a little about the game "Magic", and Mike joined a hoops contest on an old arcade game. We also had a chance to see the documentary, "Adopt-A-Jesus".
The subject of the documentary is Brandt Russo and his friends as they take a renovated school bus run on biofuel through the deep South to share of the message of not ignoring the poor, caring for homeless and hitchhikers, and hearing their stories. Brandt himself spent over a year on the streets homeless to learn to love like Jesus - completely without desire for return or credit. He's still working with the homeless, though now his ministry is on the infamous Skid Row in L.A. The night he came to the Scarlet Cord he talked about the many deaths on Skid Row, the disenfranchised people he meets, and the many, many people like you and me who never think twice of abusing or ignoring them.
I'm still thinking about the emerging church, and feel strongly about the lack of Truth and Justice many preach, but there are some within the emerging church who have strong doctrine and a challenging lifestyle to demonstrate it. I think Brandt is one of them. When I was going to school at Eastern College (now University) in the western suburbs of Philly a group of alum were living in the NE Philly neighborhood of Kensington to reach the homeless, the neglected, and extreme poor. This ministry is called, "The Simple Way". I was fortunate to have opportunities to spend time in the neighborhood to work with the younger kids over the course of a couple school years. Walking from the train station through trash strewn streets and run-down row homes to get to a dilapidated church for tutoring and other after school activities left a huge impression on me. This wasn't a third world nation, and yet it felt and looked like it. Since then I've learned we don't need to head into the urban neighborhoods to find the "least of these".
The documentary is worth checking out, though the film maker is not a believer, and unfortunately his emphasis is in areas that I wouldn't have emphasized (and Brandt wouldn't have either), but it's a poignant look the "least of these" (Mtw 25:31-46). Brandt was heavily influenced by The Simple Way, and so I've included the website for you to peruse. My disclaimer - this is not an endorsement of their politics, just the faith in action. TSW is a pacifist organization and I respect it, but do not endorse or attempt to promote its politics.
Be as the Bereans and read, examine, and wrestle through this with the Holy Spirit... (Acts 17:10-11, Phil 2:12-13)
http://www.adoptajesus.com/
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Pumpkin!
I love so many things about the fall season, and pumpkins are one of those things. Given our travel schedule for the last couple months we weren't able to pick up pumpkins for carving and baking, but I'm not being stopped by this little detour. No, no...I'm relying on my trusty Libby's pumpkin puree and baking up some bits of fall goodness!
Recently I found two pumpkin recipes that I'd like to pass along.
From www.allrecipes.com: Pumpkin Bread
I'm a fan of quick breads, but often they require milk and that doesn't appeal to me. The coconut milk might sound scary, but it doesn't affect the flavor so even folks who aren't into coconut can enjoy this one. I omitted the walnuts and added 3/4 cup raisins. Also, instead of using the nutmeg and cinnamon I included about 1 1/2 tsp of homemade pumpkin pie spice mix.
Instructions
From http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/ -- Pumpkin Pancakes
The Sisters Cafe blog also has an apple cider syrup recipe that looks like an amazing complement to these pancakes, but we stuck with trusty Maple syrup. Also, rather than buttermilk I mixed coconut milk and regular milk...sounds strange, but it turned out fine - the can of coconut milk from the pumpkin bread was open and begging to be used. To make the batter a little thinner I added a little extra milk. I also substituted a 1 1/2 tsp homemade pumpkin pie spice for the spices listed. These are hearty pancakes! I served them with cheesy scrambled eggs that were seasoned with a 1/2 tsp Coriander, 1 tsp Oregano, and salt to taste.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground all-spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
Recently I found two pumpkin recipes that I'd like to pass along.
From www.allrecipes.com: Pumpkin Bread
I'm a fan of quick breads, but often they require milk and that doesn't appeal to me. The coconut milk might sound scary, but it doesn't affect the flavor so even folks who aren't into coconut can enjoy this one. I omitted the walnuts and added 3/4 cup raisins. Also, instead of using the nutmeg and cinnamon I included about 1 1/2 tsp of homemade pumpkin pie spice mix.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup flaked coconut
- 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, coconut milk, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. Mix until all of the flour is gone. Fold in the nuts and flaked coconut. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cover loaves with foil tightly. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent lightly with the foil and allow to cool completely
From http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/ -- Pumpkin Pancakes
The Sisters Cafe blog also has an apple cider syrup recipe that looks like an amazing complement to these pancakes, but we stuck with trusty Maple syrup. Also, rather than buttermilk I mixed coconut milk and regular milk...sounds strange, but it turned out fine - the can of coconut milk from the pumpkin bread was open and begging to be used. To make the batter a little thinner I added a little extra milk. I also substituted a 1 1/2 tsp homemade pumpkin pie spice for the spices listed. These are hearty pancakes! I served them with cheesy scrambled eggs that were seasoned with a 1/2 tsp Coriander, 1 tsp Oregano, and salt to taste.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground all-spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
In one bowl mix together the buttermilk, pumpkin, eggs, oil and vinegar. Combine dry ingredients separately and them stir into pumpkin mixture just until combined. Heat your pan or griddle (lightly butter or oil if it is not seasoned), using about 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with syrup.
Hope you're enjoying fall baking as well! Bon apetite!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Starting with the end in mind
It feels as though the phrase, "start with the end in mind", has followed me for years, however, the wisdom of it is truly just sinking in for me. It seems simple. How many situations, events or daily appointments do we face with the end already in mind? Grocery shopping, checklists, yard work, letter writing, road trips, interviews, appointments, staff meetings...the list is varied and long. We typically move forward toward a specific goal or result, and make lists, jot notes on sticky pads, set alarms, and request follow-up phone calls or emails to ensure we stay on track and feel a sense of satisfaction when we're accomplished the "end".
I recently read a quote in Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love", that caused me to look at the admonition to "start with the end in mind" through a different light.
"Our greatest fear as individuals and as the church should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don't matter." Tim Kizziar
Take a second and let it sink in. I had a stop reading the book for a little while when I first read this quote from Tim Kizziar, a pastor at Sisters Community Church in Sisters, OK.
Why do we start with the end in mind? To ensure success at a task. To guarantee an efficient use of energy and resources. To prioritize efforts. To see goals accomplished. Grand reasons, one and all, but what is the value of this type of success? Mr. Kizziar's statement is not intended to push us away from success, but to guide toward the right kind of success. What eternal value is in success by promotions, pay raises, upgrading neighborhoods and cars, or maintaining a certain social or professional circles? Or even accomplishing a checklist? There are many people who are specifically blessed to be financially successful to fund the Great Commission and invest in the Kingdom of God, there are those who are called to work full time in the efforts toward the Great Commission beyond our neighborhoods and familiar streets - yet the things that matter should be the same for both groups of people. Loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people.
Mike and I recently attended a memorial service for one of the directors at Military Ministry who passed away and went home to Jesus last week. I was struck by how well he lived his life, and what a legacy it proved. Paul lived his life in such a way that he truly succeeded in the things that should matter most - loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people. Each person who spoke, echoed how well Paul lived and that his legacy was of loving well. Rather than a sorrowful service, this memorial was lively and full of praise to the Lord. I left drawing closer to God and praising Him for what He did through Paul, and also wondering how well I'm doing at succeeding at things that matter. For years I pushed on driven by deadlines, checklists, and chains of command, and having been newly reminded of the temporary nature of most of it I'm spending a little time reconsidering these things.
It doesn't mean I'm throwing away my calendars and notepads, but it does mean I'm working to hold them lightly and sensitively so I can be open to the prompting of the Spirit to work without them from time to time.
What about you? Have you taken time recently to consider your drive for success and its motivations? Perhaps it is time to let the Spirit also prompt you to new direction.
I recently read a quote in Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love", that caused me to look at the admonition to "start with the end in mind" through a different light.
"Our greatest fear as individuals and as the church should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don't matter." Tim Kizziar
Take a second and let it sink in. I had a stop reading the book for a little while when I first read this quote from Tim Kizziar, a pastor at Sisters Community Church in Sisters, OK.
Why do we start with the end in mind? To ensure success at a task. To guarantee an efficient use of energy and resources. To prioritize efforts. To see goals accomplished. Grand reasons, one and all, but what is the value of this type of success? Mr. Kizziar's statement is not intended to push us away from success, but to guide toward the right kind of success. What eternal value is in success by promotions, pay raises, upgrading neighborhoods and cars, or maintaining a certain social or professional circles? Or even accomplishing a checklist? There are many people who are specifically blessed to be financially successful to fund the Great Commission and invest in the Kingdom of God, there are those who are called to work full time in the efforts toward the Great Commission beyond our neighborhoods and familiar streets - yet the things that matter should be the same for both groups of people. Loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people.
Mike and I recently attended a memorial service for one of the directors at Military Ministry who passed away and went home to Jesus last week. I was struck by how well he lived his life, and what a legacy it proved. Paul lived his life in such a way that he truly succeeded in the things that should matter most - loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people. Each person who spoke, echoed how well Paul lived and that his legacy was of loving well. Rather than a sorrowful service, this memorial was lively and full of praise to the Lord. I left drawing closer to God and praising Him for what He did through Paul, and also wondering how well I'm doing at succeeding at things that matter. For years I pushed on driven by deadlines, checklists, and chains of command, and having been newly reminded of the temporary nature of most of it I'm spending a little time reconsidering these things.
It doesn't mean I'm throwing away my calendars and notepads, but it does mean I'm working to hold them lightly and sensitively so I can be open to the prompting of the Spirit to work without them from time to time.
What about you? Have you taken time recently to consider your drive for success and its motivations? Perhaps it is time to let the Spirit also prompt you to new direction.
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