Who Loves You? 

While visiting the children’s home today with my wife Sky, we stopped by the baby room.  I used to go to the baby room often when I lived in the home, but after moving out at the end of 2008 my visits there became less and less frequent.  The dorm moms (social workers) changed and the little ones I had spent time with the most had grown older and moved to other rooms.  I would still visit from time to time, but it had been a very long time since my last visit. 

We came in to see a young woman with the youngest one in the baby room (he is a year and a half).  We found out she is his mother and he was crying a lot because it had been a while since her last visit and he didn’t recognize her.  It saddened me because I knew his mom likely had her own broken story, and the thought of having her own child cry in fear of her could hurt her and actually cause her to not even try with him in the future.  When I first came to the home I would get upset at the thought of how the parents of many of the kids could leave them in a children’s home, but soon I came to realize that many of the parents are just as broken as the children and are also in great need of love and healing.  It’s hard for the unloved to be able to love.

But despite it being a while since my last visit to the room, I was surprised when two of the two year olds immediately recognized me and with big smiles ran to me to give me high fives (I always react dramatically when the little ones high five me as if they are super strong… they love that =)).  I spent some sweet time with them including going to a nearby park with them and some of the other younger kids.  Another young girl in the home, now in kindergarten, was also with us and she noticed that Sky had cut her hair.  Sky was surprised because it had been even longer since she had been able to visit and yet the young girl had noticed her haircut. 

While it might just be coincidence that these kids remembered us so well, I do know that kids inherently know who truly loves them.  For new kids at the home it always takes time to establish trust, but once it is established, regardless of age, there is a safety and security they feel that is evident in how they respond and act around me.  There is never fear or insecurity, but instead joy and even silliness, even when it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.  

This is the same safety and security God desires for us to feel with Him.  Before we can effectively release true safety, security, and love to others we need to receive the truest safety, security, and love from God.  He wants us to know Him and spend time with Him.  And He wants us to know that even if we haven’t seen Him in a long time, He is still just as loving and joyful as before.  We can trust Him! 

The Lord loves you so!  God bless!

The Revelation of Jesus the Baptist… 

I was listening to the message “The Baptism of Fire” by Allen Hood recently and one of his points really hit home to me.  He shared how Jesus spoke of John the Baptist as the greatest of those born of women and how John the Baptist was indeed his forerunner.  No one ever thinks of John the Baptist as simply “John” or “John the Prophet.”  He was labeled “John the Baptist” because he started the ministry of baptism of repentace of sins with the Jews, something that would continue into Christian belief.  John’s sole purpose in life was to prepare the people for Jesus.  His purpose wasn’t to save souls or to spread revival or to evangelize to the nations… it was solely to prepare the way of the Lord and ready the people for their Messiah.  Ironically, while we call him John the Baptist more people actually ended up going to Jesus to be baptized than to John once Jesus started his ministry.  Jesus refused to baptize the people though and instead had his disciples do the baptizing of water for repentance.  This was extremely prophetic to the church.  His baptism was to come later.

John the Baptist spoke of Jesus in the same way in all four Gospel accounts, describing Jesus as one would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  If he had given Jesus a title it would have been, ”Jesus the Baptist.”  John was Jesus’ forerunner and demonstrated baptism, but he was clear in speaking to the people that Jesus’ ministry would be far greater.  John’s baptism was of water for the repentance of sins… Jesus’ baptism would be of fire and the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, “Jesus the Baptist” has been lost in the church.  We all know Him as “Jesus the Shepherd,” “Jesus the Savior, “Jesus Our Friend,” and “Jesus the King of Kings.”  But Jesus’ own forerunner chose to reveal Jesus as a baptizer.  Repentance of sins and water baptism are great, but Jesus had come for so much more.  He had come to baptize us with His fire and His Spirit.  We are meant for so much more than just forgiveness, we are meant for an intimate FIERY relationship with our God!!! 

So many people try to fight their sin and struggles through earthly means and methodologies.  But what we need more than anything is to be baptized by God’s Spirit and His fire.  It’s not by might nor strength nor by power but by the Spirit of God!  Rather than fighting sin in our flesh, when we are filled with God’s fire our desire and zeal for Him grow far greater than the temptations and distractions of this world.  When we are filled with God’s fire we can’t help but share Him with others… fire spreads!

Throughout Scripture whenever Jesus revealed Himself in His true being, He was always described as being on fire.  His love and His zeal for us is far greater than anything.  His desire is that we make this our prayer to Him…

Song of Songs 8:6-7 – Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding in the grave.  It burns like blazing FIRE, like a mighty flame.  Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Baptize us with Your Spirit and Your fire, Jesus!  Only You can baptize us in this way, and we want Your fiery love to consume our hearts!!!

Basketball Tournament Pics and Overcoming Fear

Pure Giving

Today at the children’s home I received a bunch of random little things from my kids, with none of them being connected to the other.  At dinner one of the 2nd grade girls ran to get me a cup of water when she saw I was going to sit at her table.  While eating one of the junior high boys came to me and gave me a drink mix pack he had gotten (random!).  After dinner a boy who had a bad outburst the last time I was at the home came to me and apologized for what he did.  After I gave him a hug he smiled and handed me a small pack of garlic crackers.  Later in the evening while teaching in one of the boys’ rooms, a younger elementary boy slipped into the room and without a word set a piece of gum in front of me before slipping back out.  So random!  And cute.  =)

Today was definitely an exception.  I don’t usually receive so many things in one visit.  But I do treasure the small things the kids will do for me now and then.  There is a purity in their giving. 

I did similar things when I was little.  At night now and then, after getting ready for bed, I would go into my parents’ bedroom and pull back their bed covers for them.  And I would put a nickel or a quarter or whatever small change I had onto their lampstands on either sides of their bed.  I don’t know why I did those things looking back, but I know my actions were pure.  My mom still remembers those times well. 

I want that pure, childlike heart again.  A heart that will do spontaneous things for others based on a simple, pure love… without expecting anything whatsoever in return.  I never expected my parents to say thank you for those little things I did for them, and I know my kids aren’t needing or expecting a thank you from me either when they do little things for me.  That’s how pure the love is… no expectation or entitlement whatsoever… they are satisfied simply in showing the love.  And their love is so beautiful it makes me smile whenever I think about it.  =)

Bless us with such pure love, Lord!

Hopeless Freedom

Recently I had the privilege to speak with a high ranking army officer who had served in Iraq and in Afghanistan.  He shared about how his heart broke for the kids he would see in both countries who were so poor and unhealthy.  And what hurt him more was that he was told that the poor kids he was seeing were actually the better off, and that there were many poorer and more unhealthy kids in other areas.  It killed him because part of America’s goal in going into both countries was to free the people from oppressive governments/terrorist groups, educate the people, and stabilize the nations.  But despite freeing the people and educating them, they’ve actually found the nations to be even LESS stable than before!  What’s resulted is a hopeless freedom in both nations.  While the oppressive governments in the physical had been dealt with, the oppressive spirits over the nation are still just as active as before. 

It’s the same for so many justice groups that try and rescue girls who have been sex trafficked.  A majority of the rescued girls, unless they receive deep inner healing and a strong family like support, will return to the sex industry.  The truth is that even though they receive freedom in the natural from the sex industry they are still in bondage spiritually and emotionally from all the trauma they had endured.  And without receiving full deliverance, they too are also living in a hopeless freedom… freedom in the physical but still oppressed in the spiritual.

You cannot educate the bondage out of people.  You can break the physical chains, but if the spiritual chains remain then they are not truly free.  Education is a good thing, but it isn’t the key for deliverance.  The key is the truth in Jesus.  “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” John 8:32. 

I’m blessed by so many activists who have hearts for the victims of injustice and desire to make a change.  But unless activists are fighting in both the spiritual and the physical, I’m afraid their efforts will only accomplish so much.  For this reason I really believe that when North Korea opens up many people with beautiful intentions will try and go into the nation to help the people, but in the end most of them will give up because they’ll find they can’t fully set the people free working only in the physical.  It will be when people who are equipped with prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit enter the nation that we will see true healing and change among the people.

Life is made up of body, soul, and spirit.  Freedom is made up of the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual.  We want to see all three in complete freedom.  Jesus spoke clearly when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10. 

God bless!

Soccer Camp Video!!!

July 23 – 25 of this year we had 47 boys from six different homes along with 42 volunteers gather for our 5th soccer camp.  Our objectives were to build the kids’ confidence, build their teamwork/unity among each other, and give them a joy filled time.  The volunteers did a phenomenal job and you can see how they connected with the kids and how the kids responded through this video.  The kids went from insecure, distant, and new to each other on the first day to smiling, encouraging, and unified with each other on the last day.  It’s a great glimpse into the long term vision that we have for the children.  Enjoy!  =)

Living to the Fullest…

Recently I’ve had two different friends share with me about their struggles with money.  One lives in America while the other lives in Korea.  My friend in the America had a very well-paying job and lived pretty extravagantly.  My friend in Korea has a basic teaching job and had been spending nearly every cent of his monthly salary, enjoying whatever he wanted.  But then my friend in America lost her job and is now working at another place at a much reduced salary.  And my friend in Korea, because of some different issues, had to take only half his salary for three months.  For both, their lifestyles altered quite a bit.  Neither had saved much at all, so their monthly budgets shrank considerably.  They’re not poor, they just don’t have as much as before.  And both, separately, shared with me that they feel “choked” by their lack of spending money.  They used the exact same word: “choked.”

Our generation is spending more than any generation before, despite the world’s economy struggling.  And I’m okay with spending because it helps the economy and we should be able to treat ourselves, but there has to be moderation.  I’ve discovered more and more that people my age aren’t saving.  Many of them have college debt and credit card debt, and they are only putting down the minimum monthly payments, meaning it will likely take years and decades for the debts to be paid.  Many of my friends have learned how to tithe and some are giving generously to missions or charities, which is excellent, but they are living off of the rest and aren’t saving anything.  Because they haven’t met their spouse yet, or because they aren’t considering having kids yet, saving isn’t a priority. 

Here is a verse to chew on though…

Proverbs 13:22 – A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

They say that one of the best cures for someone who is depressed is to have them serve the needy, such as elderly people, the mentally disabled, or the homeless.  Usually when the person begins to do good deeds and invest in others’ lives, not only does their condition not seem so bad anymore but they also find more joy and purpose in life.  There is a truth that by investing in others we are filled up the most.  And it’s the same with money.

Jesus came to die for others.  He came to take up His Cross.  He came to live life to the fullest, even though that meant death.  And He told us to do the exact same.  He commanded us to also take up our cross.  1John 3:16 says we also should lay down our lives for others, because that is what love is.  And in doing so, we too would be living life to the fullest. 

I’ve seen families struggle to get by at times and have to live frugally.  But I’ve never heard a loving parent say they feel “choked” by their lack of spending money because of their kids.  Rather, they have so much more joy in their children that they’re willing to make more sacrifices than they were before they were parents. 

Saving becomes easier when you’re doing it for someone else’s sake.  I’ve witnessed guys who had lived extravagantly with no savings suddenly live frugally in order to save up for an engagement ring, and I never heard them complain during the process.  Life is truly lived to the fullest when its lived for others. 

Save up.  Save up for your spouse, your kids, and even your grandchildren.  No longer will you feel “choked” by your budget, even if it means not eating out as much or shopping as much.  The joy you will have in thinking of the ones you are saving up for will outweigh the desires for just spending it all now.  You won’t regret it.  =)

God bless!

 
Stages of Love

The book Song of Songs is interesting because it can be interpreted in three ways…

1.  Spiritually as a picture of God’s love for the church (see IHOP’s Mike Bickle)

2.  Emotionally as a story of romance between two lovers with guidance for how to care for one another (see Denton Bible Church’s Tommy Nelson)

3.  Physically as clear depictions of the sexual love life between two lovers

And in the same way, when we experience love for someone we should feel it for them on all three levels:  spiritually, emotionally, and physically… and in that specific order. 

The physical attraction, just like the act of sex, has a limit of time to it.  And, just like sex, it tends to be what catches peoples’ attention the most, even though it shouldn’t.  Once desires are met for this attraction, it tends to die quickly unless it has the other two attractions as its foundation.  Physical beauty is fleeting. 

The emotional attraction, just like dating, also has a limit to it but is longer and goes through different stages.  Lovers need to connect emotionally much more than they need to connect physically.  Without the emotional connection their physical love is just a spark that dies quickly.  The emotional connection establishes a friendship that allows two peoples’ souls to connect more and more deeply.  Just like dating/getting to know someone is an important step toward marriage, so is emotional connection important to the foundation of a marriage.  But it still isn’t the most important.

The spiritual attraction, just like marriage, is an eternal fire that is the most important of the three.  Worship to the Lord is eternal and only grows stronger with each day.  It’s a commitment of a lifetime, and fosters a joy and a security that nothing else can rival.  If there is a spiritual attraction of someone else (respect and admiration for another person’s love for God), the emotional and especially the physical aspects of that person will shine much more brightly.  Because each lover already has made an eternal commitment to God, their commitment to one another is so much stronger.  Their dreams are able to combine and be fully achieved because they are truly one in the Lord and are led by Him alone.  The emotional attraction might help form a solid connection, but the spiritual attraction is the glue that holds them together.

Emotional and physical attraction are important, but usually if a person has a strong spiritual attraction to someone their need for the others lessen, and if their emotional attaction is strong as well, the physical attraction will be strong regardless of however society labels the person.  When someone is seen spiritually, they glow and even the most homely of people are seen as far more beautiful than any model or celebrity.  They’re seen in the same way God sees them… made in His beautiful image and fashioned by His amazing hands.

Interestingly, the stronger the attraction is physically usually the more blind the person is to the deficiences of the other two areas.  The attraction should always start spiritually, and then emotionally, and then physically.  Without respect and honor (spiritual attraction) the relationship is typically doomed.  Friendships (emotional connection) may last a lifetime, but friends don’t usually live with each other or make every decision together for the rest of their lives.  A deeper commitment and a deeper maturity is needed for that. 

Just some reflections after briefly teaching on Song of Songs during Bible study today.  God bless!  =)

More Soccer Camp Pictures!!! =D 

Please read below to see some sharing about the camp.  God did wonderful things during the three days of the camp.  =)

Kids playing dodgeball during games time

Boys cheering on the side

Lunch!

Team Germany getting a pep talk after lunch

The joys of camp

Team Germany in their huddle before their match

Handshakes before the match

GOAL!!!

Immediate reaction

Celebration!

More celebrating

Penalty kick tournament time (every kid gets a shot)… with me as one of the goalies!

A little guy from Argentina shooting a penalty kick, and crushing it!

Coach Calvin with his kids during compliment/affirmation time at the end of one of the days

God is good!!!