Devotions

Faith by CBF Personnel/Partner

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:18:51 GMT

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." – 1 Cor. 9:24

Every day we are encouraged and inspired by the faith of the refugees/migrants. They have come through the fires of persecution and hardship on their journey and arrive in a place of persecution and
hardship. The apostle Paul (Romans 2:7) tells us that those who persevere shall be saved. Truly our refugee/migrant family has and is persevering in the midst of some of the most intense suffering this world has to offer. Could I do what they have done and are doing? Could I finish the race? I don’t think so. They live their faith every day. Many of us express our faith on Sundays and perhaps, in the most difficult crises, look to the Lord. Our Sub-Saharan friends cling to Him and to their faith every instant of their lives.

True, real faith is alive and vibrant. That is what we experience in our interviews. The faith of the refugees/migrants reaches deep into our souls–strengthening and moving us to be stronger in our own. Bright, a young man who lost both his legs in a train accident, asked me to pray for him one day. After I prayed he knelt on the floor on the stumps of his knees, pulled me down with him, and prayed the most incredible prayer for ME. Praise God! May the Lord continue to fill His people of Africa with great faith.

Wisdom: Then and Now by Lyndol Michael

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:16:40 GMT

Then was a corporate training and development (T&D) workshop, designed to give professional-level employees leadership and management training. An organizational behaviorist named Sierra taught the week-long course. She identified my presence by saying, “A close personal friend of mine is in this class, and if I do my job properly, you will never know who that person is.”

Sierra divided us into small groups and delivered to each, agenda #1 which had to be completed with the participation of all members in the group by the end of the day, regardless of the hour. We found our workroom and performed the first task: choosing a group leader. I volunteered because I needed the experience.

About 5:30pm, Yousuf, the only Middle Eastern man in my group, announced he was leaving. All of us were shocked, and the others looked to me for an answer. Yousuf continued. “This is the month of Ramadan and I’ve been fasting all day. I must leave and be home by sunset to break the fast with my family.”

As a person of faith, I realized I didn’t have a grasp of his. I was mute, staring into his face, hoping that the rapid flash of my life’s experiences would transform this moment. Finally I spoke.

“Okay.” It was the only word that seemed reasonable.

Yousuf departed, and the rest of us carried on. I took pleasure in our progress until Sierra stepped into the room two hours later, then exited after a brief stay. We completed the assignment, the rest of the group left, and I remained to prepare our materials for the next day. Sierra reappeared, asking what happened.

I retorted, “Yousuf left before sundown because it’s Ramadan. What was I supposed to do?”

Sierra seized my failure. “You were supposed to lead.”

I felt intimidated by her disappointment in me. “I’m not going to tell somebody they can’t practice their beliefs!”

“We’re not here to learn about how to serve Allah or any other god. We’re here to learn the science and art of leadership! Now. Not in heaven, not in another life.”

I paced. My mouth and throat were dry, a sure sign that my heart was bare.

Sierra continued, “You will complete the assignments because it’s my job to see that our employer gets its money’s worth – from both of us.”

“But organizational behavior by definition includes the whole person! If I can’t be empathic with a person who’s a Muslim – or a numerologist – how can I be the visible presence of Christ?”

Sierra stepped back, and smiled. “You never give up, do you.”

I said “No,” and sat down.

She circled me. “Do you consider yourself a formal or an informal leader?”

“I guess formal because I volunteered for the job.”

“Kudos for that, but who gave you the authority to accomplish the assigned tasks?”

“My colleagues did. No one else stepped up.”

Sierra put her hands on the table and leaned in. “You have desire and willpower. Qualities I admire in you. But your faith isn’t going to pull you out of this one.”

I felt attacked. “So I have all the responsibility and none of the authority?”

She headed for the door saying, “Figure it out because tomorrow is a new day!” Then she whirled around, “And you’re going to learn if you’re tough enough to be a leader!”

She left me. I felt acutely alone, and defeated.

*****

Then (early 1990s) – as a woman professional in a major international corporation – I had a slim-to-none chance of being promoted to manager. However, our T&D group pressed on and was able to complete the remaining assignments on time and with all hands at the table.

Now, I have a keener perspective, more wisdom in this post 9-11 globalized world.

Then, I didn’t know why other cultures hated us nor how to overcome my own history of isolationism. Yousuf, a Muslim man, may have had a problem with my leadership.

Now, I’ve learned that I am tough enough to be a specific kind of leader. I’ve learned from scriptures such as James 3:13-18, Luke 3:16-17 and Galatians 5:22-26 that change, reconciliation and unconditional love are possible.

Then and now, as a child whom God created and loves, I am never a loser. Sierra was opposed to any form of organized religion. It was a filter that influenced many of our interactions, but I had grown to respect her and love her unconditionally throughout our friendship which ended in 2006 when she died after a lingering battle with breast cancer.

Photo Credit: Liz Kiefer

Hope by CBF Field Personnel

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:36:19 GMT

"'They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" – Revelation 7:16-17

One of the greatest challenges we face in our ministry is to offer hope to the hopeless. The Sub-Saharan refugees/migrants in North Africa have suffered incredibly on their journey and arrive in a place where they are not wanted and often mistreated. They cannot go forward into Europe because of the barriers before them and they cannot go back (through the Saharan desert where 1/3 of them have died coming). They cannot work to support themselves and their families. They are without hope. Where can they turn? Every day we listen to and respond to the tragedies of our brothers and sisters from Africa. They show us their wounds, express their frustrations and fears, weep from the depths of their hearts, and reach out for hope.

We have the privilege of sharing the love of Christ with them. It is in His love that they can find peace and hope. The Lord is there with His arms open wide saying “come to me”–ready to embrace them and hold them close. As the thief turned to Jesus and found salvation so can the refugees/migrants turn to Him and find hope. The Bible tells us in the book of Revelation 7:16 that in heaven there will be no more hunger, thirst, and no more tears. May the Lord Himself reach down to North Africa and wipe the tears of our brothers and sisters–refugees/migrants.

Migration by CBF Field Personnel

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:54:36 GMT

"Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)

Since the beginning of time people have migrated – looking for a better place to live, a place of peace, a place where they could feed and raise their families.

Migration is a basic human right. Sadly, the modern world does not see things that way. Man has placed political and physical barriers to this natural movement of peoples. As we study the Bible, we see many examples of “migrants” and “refugees.” Abraham was commanded by God to wander the land until He told him to stop and establish his people (Genesis 12–13). The times and travels of Abraham were difficult and dangerous but God was with him all of the way. He and his family suffered racism, violence and abuse at the hands of many he encountered.

The Lord Jesus (in the Gospels) was also a refugee – forced to leave His country, sheltered and protected by His parents on His travels. As He started His ministry, He was chased from His own village at risk of being killed by His countrymen.

In the end, we see that God accomplished great things through Abraham and also through His son Jesus. He gifted them and they used their divine gifts to bring hope and blessings to all who met them. In much the same way, the migrants/refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa can be and are a blessing to those around them. As with the Lord Jesus, they are rejected, abused, and even killed simply because they are there and are not wanted. May God bring down the human walls of separation that divide and destroy the human spirit – that all people may practice the basic human right of migration and have the opportunity to live.

Who is my neighbor? By Renee James

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:45:09 GMT

The expert in the law who was thinking to test Jesus on the nuances of eternal life probably didn’t think that he’d be asking Jesus that question. I’m not sure the expert was ready for Jesus’ answer.

For days now, I’ve been reflecting on the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37, NIV).

Today I’m realizing how hard and vast a teaching it is: how are we able to “do” mercy – love our neighbour – if we aren’t or can’t be merciful with ourselves? And being merciful with ourselves – loving ourselves rightly, only happens in and out of the context of loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and might. It happens when we connect with His divine mercy and unknowable love. It happens in worship.

But if this is so (and it is), I wonder how easy, or hard, it was for the priest and Levite (lead worshippers of their day) to pass by the wounded man. How could they? I confess that it’s easy for me to pass by. I’d rather pray than put out – money, a meal, my time.

In his words on love, Paul warns that speaking in the tongues of humans and of angels, or having gifts that operate in the context of worship like prophecy and faith, are nothing without love.

Here’s the rub for you and I though: “doing” the Good Samaritan is also not enough – if we are not compelled by love. Faith without works is dead, yes. Works without love, even more so. “If I give all I possess to the poor … but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13: 3 (NIV) We are not able to truly serve until we truly love.

Love is hard work; a work of will, surrender, humility. It is a renovation of your heart and mine that begins when we choose intimacy; when we choose to worship God and when we choose to love ourselves. It is work that enables us to stop and offer what we have to the next walking wounded we meet.

May you become a good neighbour as Triune God inspires your worship and your service.

Marc and Kim Wyatt capture the smiles of children in Canada as they receive new book bags and school supplies.

The Widow's Mite

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:28:16 GMT

Luke 21:1-4

“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”

In 1995, I lived in Bogota, Colombia, in South America and had the great privilege of serving in a ministry to street children. This ministry had three phases; a center in the heart of the city where the children could come off of the street for the first time, a home and school in the city, and a farm outside of the city. The entire ministry had a yearly budget of $8000 a year. A street child could go to school and have a warm meal for about $1.25 a day. When they did not receive enough money to meet their budget things had to go undone. The teachers at the school literally taught for love, as many times their salary was delayed for months and they would simply go on teaching each day.

In 1999, I lived in a village in Senegal called Fissel. It was a Sereer village. Among my neighbors there was one family made up of a grandmother and her two granddaughters. Astu was a precious 8 year old and Tekas was a lovely teenager. They lived in a hut across from me and worked in their field each day. Sometimes I would give them a small gift of food or clothes and without fail soon afterwards Astu would show up at my gate with a gift from them. I knew if they brought me food, their dinner was thinner that night. Once, Astu brought me a small jar of black eyed peas that she had picked from their field and shelled herself. Later, when the water in my cement brick house was all gone, the teenage girls in my neighborhood would help me by walking a mile to the well, hauling up water in buckets from deep in the well, placing large tubs of water on their heads, and walking a mile back to our neighborhood to my house. The going rate for this hard labor was only equal to about 25 cents in American dollars. One day three teenage girls showed up at my gate to carry water for me and among them was Tekas. I gave each of them the Senegalese coin for their work. Later that afternoon, I heard a loud knock on my gate and went out to find Astu and her grandmother who seemed a little miffed at me. The grandmother had the coin in her hand. She gave it back to me and said to me in the Sereer language, “We are your friends.” Even though I knew they could use that money to buy food for a week, she would not take it because they were helping me as my friends. What precious friendship is this!

By Joel and Tiffne Whitley http://whitleybananaboat.blogspot.com/

El Camino - Following "the Jesus Way"

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:25:31 GMT

When I lived in Bogota, Colombia, in South America I was involved with a ministry to street children. The center in the part of the city that reached out to the children directly off of the street was called “El Camino Real” – the real way.

When I lived in Fissel, Senegal, in West Africa I worked with the Sereer people. The few Sereer Christians referred to Christianity as simply following the “Jesus Way.”

As we were leaving the field in Africa to return to America, a coworker said goodbye at the airport by thanking us for being “Jesus followers.”

When Jesus asked the disciples to follow him they left their nets immediately and followed him.

He wants us to follow him in everything he asks us to do.

Matthew 4:18-22 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two others brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” NIV

Matthew 16:24-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul. Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’” NIV

By Joel and Tiffne Whitley http://whitleybananaboat.blogspot.com/

Absolute Surrender

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:22:54 GMT

John 10:10b “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

I am convinced that the way to this full life that Jesus talks about is found in absolute surrender of our lives to him. As we come to the point in our lives when we can say that we will do whatever God calls us to do, and go wherever he calls us to go, we begin the journey to abundant life. It may not be the life that we had planned for ourselves, but it will be God’s plan for us.

Before Jesus was born, his mother Mary said these words revealing a commitment of absolute surrender to the Lord.

Luke 1:38 “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’…” NIV

Jesus said in Luke 24:26, 27, and 33, “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.” NLT

The NIV says in Luke 14:27, 33, “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus also lived out a commitment to do exactly God’s will, as he faced his own death on the cross.

Luke 22:41-42 “He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’” NLT

The NIV says “yet not my will, but yours be done.”

John 18:10 “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. But Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?’” NLT

Paul strives for this same commitment of absolute surrender in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” NIV

By Joel and Tiffne Whitley http://whitleybananaboat.blogspot.com/

Feeling out of Place

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:13:41 GMT

Have you ever felt out of place? I don’t mean just the uncomfortable feeling you get when you are underdressed for a church function. What I mean is, have you ever walked into a room and everyone looks at you like you are carrying some incurables diseases or they immediately think of you as a thief. People give you a wide berth and mothers pull their children away from you and you overhear them saying “don’t stare”?

In some instances, this is the reaction immigrants in your community receive when they visit local establishments, possibly including your church. Living overseas has caused me to be more sensitive to the lives of immigrants. After all, my family and I are immigrants to the country for which we serve.

Next time you see someone who does not look like you, speak like you, smell like you, dress like you, believe like you; please remember the biblical story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and cross the space between you and to offer your help or just your friendship. them

v.25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

v.30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

v. 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (NIV, Luke 10:25-37)

By Joel and Tiffne Whitley http://whitleybananaboat.blogspot.com/

How Churches May Face Population Shifts: A Case Study by David F. D'Amico

nell@cbfinternationals.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:58:00 GMT

HOW CHURCHES MAY FACE POPULATION SHIFTS:

A CASE STUDY

David F. D'Amico

Introduction

Churches of all denominations increasily in the Mid Atlantic and Southern regions of the United States are facing population shifts. According to updated US Census reports Hispanics have become one the largest minority in the population of some states. They used to concentrate in California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Now they are present in different proportions in the majority of states. In some states like Texas they have surpassed African Americans as the largest minority population.

Few years ago, the maintenance workers union in Los Angeles demonstrated their political and economic clout when they led strike and their union has membership for persons living in the area regardless of their proper legal status.

The governor of Iowa, pressed by the fact that there are plenty of jobs in certain areas of the economy and few workers, was ready in the early part of this decade, to take drastic measures to allow Mexicans to come and work in the state regardless of their legal status. Our political leaders have dealt with the issue of immigration and there is a deadlock in Congress that even the influence of President George W. Bush could not resolve. It is a “hot button” issue in the current presidential election campaign.

The national media covers these events when economic interests of corporations and religious institutions become involved, or when social problems such as child labor, families’ dislocations, drug trafficking, ethnic conflict and illegal immigration is observed.

I. Background and Purpose

The case study is based on my experience at different times in my life on different geographical settings. The names of persons used in the study are fictitious but their experiences are common in the life of churches and communities of the United States. The purpose of this hypothetical case study is to alert mission-minded Christians to reflect about some practical principles and tactics to minister to persons of other cultures living in the United States.

II. Autobiographical note

I have been involved as a missionary, seminary professor and pastor with issues of cross cultural evangelization and mission for the last forty-five years.

Ministering in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Kentucky and North Carolina, I have served as a consultant for churches in Houston, New York metropolitan area, Kentucky and North Carolina and lately for 10 years with my wife Ana

we served as NGO representatives to the United Nations in New York.

III. Case study narrative

Once visiting with some friends from Virginia, they told me this story. It is an example of what is happening in suburbs and small cities of America and provides an excellent example of a hypothetical case study. They said:

“We have had an influx of Hispanics coming to our community. They have found jobs and are beginning to rent houses in certain areas of our city. Our neighborhood is changing. In our schools, our teachers have difficulty in communicating with the children who speak little English.

Our community is seeing some adaptation from the merchants that are stocking some foodstuffs that the Hispanics (fill in the blank for nationality) wish to buy. Otherwise, they are going to the next town where a Hispanic store started several years ago and has plenty of merchandise for them to buy. Some Hispanic stores add pool tables halls to their shop to provide leisure activities to single men.

The chicken processing plant cannot find steady workers who do not wish to work in conditions that may be deplorable but local authorities do not take time to inspect. The owner enlisted Hispanics who are working well and who are passing the word to their friends and relatives. We do not know whether these Hispanics are here legally or illegally. It seems that the owners of the chicken processing plant do not care about it except that the workers keep the plant going. It seems that special provisions are granted to farmers and merchants. An elderly person, a retired bank president, reflected: “What blacks used to do as migrants in the 1930s Hispanics have done from the 1960s to the present.”

The community hospital has been in a bind. There are many Hispanics young adults and some of the women are expecting. None of the physicians and nurses speaks Spanish and are limited in communicating with the patients. Some of the families have limited financial resources, some are on welfare. Others can pay because the chicken processing plant is providing limited medical insurance.

The civic leaders of the community have been trying to face the realities of the marketplace. Few of the low skilled workers of the community wish to do menial jobs. The children of long time farmers who go to college seldom return to the community. It seems that the only ones interested in yard work are Hispanic. In our few restaurants most of the secondary help are Hispanic. The waitresses are still local women but the bus boys and some of the cooks are Hispanic. The restaurant owner has introduced some "Mexican" entrees in the menu.

Joe Smith is a retired missionary. He has kept up with his connections with fellow missionaries in Mexico and because he and his wife served in that country for more than twenty-five years, they are still fluent in Spanish. He has a heart for missions and tells the missions committee of the church that "the church ought to do something to minister to the Hispanics in the community."

The pastor of the church, Rev. Brown, is at a loss. In seminary, there were few courses he took on missions and evangelism and none had to do with how to minister to persons of other cultures living in the US. Most of the courses, when they dealt with missions, related to how to do missions in China, Nigeria, Latin America or the Philippines but nothing about ministering to Chinese, Filipinos, Nigerians or Hispanics in the US.

Rev Brown shares the concern of former missionary Smith. Because the church has been in a plateau during the last two years, he is considering relocation and is discussing with his family whether to send his resume to other places. His wife Dotty is a school teacher. As a youth she committed her life to missions. She comes home daily telling the stories of the children in her school who cannot learn because the school district does not have a budget for a bilingual education teacher. She feels a social and educational responsibility that coupled with her mission commitment makes the pastor's life somewhat uncomfortable.

She tells him that she would like him to stay in the church. "Why don't we start a class of English as a second language for adults?" she suggests. "May be our teenagers, instead of going to town to have ice cream at the Dairy Queen, can tutor some of the children during Wednesday evenings while the choir rehearses." She volunteers her daughter Betty, a junior in high school who last year said that she wishes to be a missionary after the church summer camp.

Some of the lay persons of the church are worried that the community that has been homogenous, monolingual, and patriotic, may be invaded by some foreigners who may change the peace of the community. "You know," they say "when Hispanics come to the city they bring beer, marihuana, drugs and it is trouble all around." The finance committee chairman is proud that the church has a savings account in the bank for $50,000 “for a rainy day.” When the pastor hints that it could be used for a new mission initiative, some deacons are not enthusiastic.

After talking with his wife, Rev. Brown is convicted and the next day calls the regional denominational executive. He is somewhat defensive as he approaches Brother Wilkinson who has been director for more than ten years. Wilkinson, when he supplies the pulpit occasionally, tries to work in his sermons, besides the loyalty that the church ought to have for the support of the association and state convention, some missionary challenge.

Wilkinson says to Brown: "I am so glad you called me. I have been praying for a long time that FBC would consider some mission project." He says that he will call the state convention office to get the language consultant to come and to provide some guidance as to what the church can do and how the association and state convention can help with resources and perhaps some funding for an initial ministry to the Hispanics at FBC. Wilkinson suggests that perhaps the state consultant ought to come during a Wednesday evening and meet with the Missions Committee so that the laity would be involved from the beginning of the work and the ministry would not be "a pastor's project."

IV. Analysis

Amid all the economic, political, social, educational forces that a large population of Hispanics brings to the country, churches are awakening to the reality that Hispanics are a ripe mission field for the gospel. Many are already doing great work among them. Others are pondering how to do it. What is the congregation in your community doing?”