Jesus is My Life!

My TIE Value: Delight in the Lord [especially in His Resurrection]

The word "Value" is on my mind during this Easter season.

  

Webster’s defines value as, 

(1) The amount of money that something is worth or price or cost of something. 

(2) Something that can be bought for a low or fair price. 

And (3) usefulness or importance. 

My adult experiences have confirmed that all three definitions really do reflect our societal values.  If one is not worth much it is reflected in their wage, title, status, and on and on. There is no consolation in valuing people as bargains.  As a person who has chosen a theological education from Bible College and Seminary, people often told the 20-something me, “What value is your education outside the church?”

In 1995 this question was put to the test as a new graduate from Talbot School of Theology. Seven years of theological education was the only formal degrees that I held. Through a series of hardships, I found myself out of a pastorate job and into a world of temporary employment. I would not be in a ministry job until 1999. So what did I learn during these four years? 

(1) God gave me opportunities to serve Him outside the church

     My first job was given to me from a gracious church member who was going through struggles in life and in work. He brought me into his department in order to fulfill the internal education requirements for industry certification. My skills for study, auditing, and teaching was used on a daily basis. After this project was completed I got employment through a temporary agency. I was placed in a technology, insurance, and sports equipment industries in contracts that lasted anywhere from 3 weeks to 18 months.  

     The cool thing was that none of these companies knew my education background. They knew I had two degrees including a Masters and they could see the value in my work. I was offered 3 full-time jobs in these 4 years. One of them was for executive training for a large insurance company.  

(2) God showed me my daily mission

     More than utilizing my abilities to study binders of materials, teach, and organize work processes, I discovered there were people who had real life issues. Whenever, I stayed in a place longer than a week, people started talking to me about their problems. Perhaps at a human level, I was perceived safe because of being a temporary worker or because I seemed like a good person. But on a Divine level, I noticed that these conversations about work, family, and life only came up on days that I cried out to God about my frustration of not being in ministry. Then after I was finished venting to God, He would reveal my daily mission.   To my amazement, I learned that it is possible to listen to others while praying to God at the same time before I speaking!

(3) God revealed Himself in the workplace

     It is the reveal that is that makes the home shows fun to watch. Likewise it is most fun when God reveals Himself to people who have made up their minds about Him. Usually at the end of a contract or in a private conversation about future employment opportunities, I would be asked, “So what are your degrees in?” I would reply, “What do you think?” According to my supervisors and co-workers they guessed that I had degrees in business, psychology, sociology, political science, journalism and pre-law (I did earn a certificate in 1998 in legal studies at the UC-Irvine Extension).

     They were astonished when I revealed my degrees are in theology from a Bible College and Seminary. They were puzzled that someone had the ability to do well in a job outside of an education discipline.

  

     At this point I would answer, “It is God who loves all of us that gives us the ability to use our heart, mind, and strength to accomplish His mission in our lives. God’s living truth makes the sum of our education and experiences transferable and valuable.” It is fun to see people speechless but in awe of God.

My TIE Moment

     It was 1997 the exact middle of my ministry desert when God revealed the value of the His daily mission to me. I spent two years frustrated with God. My attitude was more like Jonah who loathed the thought of going to the undeserved people of Nineveh.

    A new employee had been processing work for a week after completing her two week internal training.   Her work was filled with errors. She was getting files back for correction and new files for processing at the same time. She would exclaim, “Jesus Christ!” every time a highlighted mistake and new file that came her way. The next day the other workers began to keep count how many times she would say, “Jesus Christ!” By noon she was averaging over 30 times per hour.

    As a file clerk, I had to deliver more files to her during this particular afternoon. Knowing the other workers had their score cards in hand, I asked her, “Do you know Jesus?” To my surprise she began talking about her church, being a Christian and loving Jesus. Then suddenly she realized that she had been profaning the name of her Savior.

Then God revealed Himself.

     I sat down with her and showed her how to solve some of the issues that were leading to mistakes. Then when I was done, another co-worker came to show her how to solve other more complex issues. And when she was done, there were two more workers who walked her through other work issues. By the end of the day, 6 of the 8 workers in this office revealed they are Christians too! While they were not outwardly profaning Jesus’ name, they realized that they were profaning His works of mercy, grace, righteousness and all His commandments to love.

     After this day, the office changed to reflect the light of the Good News. People helped and encouraged one another. They began to open up their lives to one another. And as for me, all they knew was that I was a Christian.

     What I experienced that day was not too much different than the disciples locked in a house fearing for their lives after the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet, somehow walking through the locked doors in His transformed body, Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:21). He forgave, and restored them. Then when He left them, He gave His Spirit to His disciples who gave them the ability to boldly proclaim the Good News even in hostile places. Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:18-23 that it is the same power of His resurrection that gives the church the ability to be the visible evidence of His presence in our world today.   

I wonder what delightful transformations await us when we value that Jesus is our complete Life!

Jesus is my Anger?

My TIE Value: Commit your way to the Lord

     I had the privilege to coach for two days (grades 7-9) at our local Teens Conference that is organized by Ambassadors for Christ East.  One of the hallmarks of this event (besides lives changed by God) is that teens come up with cheers that represent a God focused challenge to follow Him with our lives. My team was “Together.” We had a cheer based on the High School Musical song “Together” about how believers come together under Christ. My son was on “Sheep.” They had a cheer about Jesus being their shepherd.  

     While most teams had songs and cheers, one particular team had a chant that made me chuckle every time I heard it. This team was called “Anchor.” Their chant was about how Jesus is their anchor that keeps their faith stable during life’s storms. However, when 20 teens chant “Jesus is my Anchor” very loudly while jumping up and down it sounded more like “Jesus is my Anger!”

     Matthew 21 came into my mind as I was thinking through some possible lyrics to for a good Christian metal song. This is where Jesus entered into Jerusalem on a donkey to crowds cheering “Hosanna” meaning “God save us!” Jesus’ first order of business is to go to the temple where he cleansed the “Court of the Gentiles” from the money changers and restored that place for prayer and teaching.

     Jesus was intensely angry about the misuse, abuse, and corruption that took over such a sacred space. The money changing was a pyramid scheme that exchanged Roman currency for temple money that could be used for the purchase of sacrifice. The scheme made the priests wealthy. What I see as even worse is that this court was so cluttered with the tools of corruption that there was no space for people to pray or be taught about God. In effect, God was squeezed out of His temple! No wonder Jesus said, “You are making it a ‘den for robbers’” (Matt. 21:13b).

    Whenever I have talked to individuals about the chant in my head, “Jesus is my anger!” The most common reply has been, “Yeah but Jesus has righteous anger.” I know it is easy for us to sin in our anger by being caught up in our own selfish space, but is there anger that brings about God’s righteousness without sinning as we follow Jesus?

My TIE Moment

     I believe the answer is “Yes” but with caution.  In short we are not the instruments of God’s condemnation or wrath, but we can be angry about the unrighteousness that is first in our lives and churches before we can hope to lovingly introduce God’s righteousness to our world. We must commit our ways even anger to the Lord.

What kind of sin must anger us?

     First, we must be angry about sins of deception disguised as righteousness. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day made a big deal about tax collectors that they labeled them as “Sinners” who were beyond God’s reach of salvation. Tax collector gathered money by the governments and charged people on top so they could get paid. What made these people hated was they excessively collected money for their greed and not their need. That is why John the Baptist told the tax collectors to show the fruits of repentance by collecting only what they need (John 3:12-13).  The temple priests ran a similar scheme only they charged people a large mark up in sinful Roman currency to buy temple money that would then be used to purchase sacrifices for their sins. They disguised their inner greed with outer holiness. Which was the largest reason Jesus chastised this group the most when they confronted Him about the sins of the tax collectors.

     We are like the priests when we choose a church for the…

•           Career network instead of the best community to be equipped and serve God’s Kingdom.
•          People we like to be with instead of including or reaching the people God loves.
•          Comfort of our lifestyle instead being in the place where God will transform our lives.  
•          Having our friends’ back instead of helping them to be restored to holiness.

     And second, we must be angry about sins of clutter that pushes God out of our sacred spaces.   The priests cluttered the “Court of the Gentiles” for the purpose of being more effective in moving people on with their sacrifice. This space was supposed to be purposed for the teaching of God’s Word to all people regardless if they were able to offer a sacrifice.  Jesus daily taught in the temple after He cleansed it. What does this say about Jesus reclaiming space for the purpose of teaching us through prayer and His word?

We are like the priests when we choose to be…

•          Involved with numerous fun activities at the expense of gaining sound Biblical teaching.
•          More interested in our own opinions rather than learning sound doctrine.
•          Clutter in our churches with stuff and programs that there is no room for active prayer.
•           Busy at church rather than PRESENT with God and His people at Church

     Are we willing to clear the deception and clutter so that God can cleanse our sacred spaces?

I love the strong admonishment that Paul gives us in Colossians 3:1-5a as a way to prepare your room during this Easter Week:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature… (NIV)

Be Mercy-Full!? Not without God’s Mercy

My TIE Value: Be Still

Blessed are the Merciful for they will be shown Mercy- Matt 5:7

     We were making the familiar 12 hour trek to Colorado Springs to visit family during the March Break 1983. The trip was going quite normal until we got to New Mexico where the weather conditioned changed dramatically from spring to winter to blizzard. Just outside the fine town of Des Moines, NM population under 200.  White-out conditions caused the state police to shut down the highway. As the freak blizzard continued, snow drifts began to cover cars and the police began to funnel people to the local high school to stay overnight. Amazingly, within a few hours there were over 1,000 people in the high school.

     The locals were amazing. They helped people trapped in the storm make it to safety. They brought whatever food they could spare in order attempt to feed the large number of stranded people. Most of the food was in whatever came in a can. The school allowed people to use the classrooms, gym, and library to hunker down for the night. They heated the entire facility to a comfortable setting. The only doctor in town came and stayed at the school just in case any medical emergency should arise. The local officer gave updates on the road conditions as often as he received information.

     All in all the people of Des Moines showed mercy to travelers who would rather be somewhere else. They opened up their town and gave the stranded travelers all they could with their limited supplies and facilities. Yet, several travelers showed no appreciation to the mercy they were given. Throughout the night people complained about the money they were losing on their ski resort reservations. They made fun of the beans and hot dogs that were distributed in meager proportions. They criticized the facilities they were staying in because there were no provisions to make them comfortable.  They berated the officer for not letting them try to make it through the blizzard in their 4x4 vehicles. The town was nice but the travelers where mostly miserable.

     From this day forward I pondered this question. Why was there little or no gratitude given by those who received mercy?

My TIE Moment

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matt. 12:7-8)

     As the years have gone by, I am more and more convinced that it is humanly impossible to be mercy-full without appreciating God’s mercy. As people, we rather be on the side of giving than receiving mercy. We would rather provide shelter and protection to refugees in a war torn country than be made to live in such a tent city if the conditions were reversed. Most of us would rather give to a soup kitchen than depend on one. In fact, mercy in a human sense is mostly a top down relationship. Those who give mercy would rather not be in position to receive mercy. And those who receive mercy will take it but perhaps with less than a grateful attitude.  Therefore mercy is not even handed. There is a top and a bottom. It is better to be on top than the bottom any day

     Jesus tells us that we must learn what mercy is. I suspect that the reason we must learn what we do not fully understand. First of all we must respond to God’s mercy upon us. Only God can choose to whom is eligible to receive mercy (Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 9:12-13).  And I am glad to say that the people that God chose to extend His mercy to all sinners.  Sinners of all nations, races, and eras are eligible of God’s mercy. The worst of sinners as well as the not so bad sinners are eligible for God’s mercy. While all sinners are eligible for God’s mercy only those who HAVE received God’s mercy will be freed from their sins that will lead to God’s eternal judgment.

     Second, we must relate God's mercy to our world by following Jesus' mercy-full response. Matthew 12:1-14 demonstrates how Jesus revealed how we respond to our world even on the holiest day of the week. The disciples were hungry on the Sabbath and ate corn from a field. Jesus reminded his religious critics that seeking nourishment is not to be excluded on the Sabbath. Then as Jesus entered the Synagogue a man with a deformed hand came to Jesus. This man's deformity would have made him an outcast of sorts where his hand would have to be hidden from view. Again his religious critics challenged Jesus’ healing of such a man on the holy day. Jesus communicated that it was God’s will to show mercy more than sacrifice and to do good and merciful works even on the Sabbath. In this passage that both Jesus’ followers and the outcast who received his mercy. While the religiously proud criticized the mercy given when in fact they also were in need of God’s mercy as well.

     Therefore, until we can learn how to receive mercy we can never fully experience the blessing of giving and receiving mercy from one another. The only way we can be Mercy-Full is to learn to receive God's mercy then mutually live in a mercy-full community with other believers and give out blessings of mercy to our world.

How are you learning to be Mercy-Full as God intended?

Making Me Fireproof: Praising the Lord and Blessing Others in Extreme Conditions

Being on the front row of God's Transformation in the lives of our congregation is the biggest blessing of pastoral ministry. I welcome people who are learning how to Take It Easy in God's Blessing to be a guest on MY TIE. Lorraine is such a person who God is transforming everyday. I know you will be encouraged by the Lord through her story. - Pastor Tom Ford 

Introduction – Let the Transformation Begin

     The last time I gave a testimony on how God has worked in me and through me was in 2008 after I returned from a trip to Vancouver visiting a dying sister-in-Christ whom I was meeting for the first time.  It was an emotional experience that I had shared with the congregation, and it was also the first time I realized that God has given me a special gift in caring for the sick.

     Three years later in 2011, God had revealed another part of His plan for me. This was when He took away a job that I had loved and placed me in my current position in an extremely dark work environment that is filled with brokenness and sadness.  It has been over two and a half years since I had my first melt down at work, watching colleagues went on stress leave and returned still broken, many had left in bitterness, harassment claims filed against management; and the list of struggles continues to grow each day. Just not long before then, my mom was also diagnosed with a mixed type of dementia (one of which is Alzheimer disease) and my shoulders are getting heavier and heavier.

     I started looking for another job seven months into my current position and 80 job applications later as of March 2014; God has yet to open another door for me.  Looking back now it is becoming clear that God did not send me here to do what is on the job description from which I was hired.  He sent me here to increase my faith, and to prepare me to do His will. I said to myself a year ago: when I can finally come out of this, it will be time for me to give another testimony as to how God has helped me turn things around so that I can openly give thanks to Him and be an inspiration to those who are suffering. I waited and waited, and that day still has not come.

     Things have continued to go downhill at work day after day, more people are leaving and I am still feeling stuck, trying to figure out what more God wanted me to do here.  For those who know me, I have been keeping a spiritual journal since my trip to Vancouver in 2008. I write on a daily basis when I travel and have started to keep a weekly journal since May 2012 even when I am home.  This was when I had my very first counselling session with my pastor after I realized I can no longer handle the craziness at my current job.  This was also when God started to transform me.

     People say whatever did not kill you would make you stronger, and God does use challenges to stretch us and to strengthen us. After two and a half years, I did notice that I have become stronger and at times I do not even recognize myself.  I do however at times ask myself how much stronger can I really get with the situation deteriorating day after day (both at work and at home); but of course in God’s eyes, the answer is much more.

     Even though I know that this is a way God is testing my faith and that He wanted to turn this into a testimony for Him, my walk with God has been very emotional and painful.  I have since been praying, not for God to remove me from this fire, but for Him to make me fireproof.  Our God is an awesome and faithful God. He did not say “no” to my request for a new job, He is just saying “not yet.”  I know God does answer prayers; He just answers them in His way and in His time.

     The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” James 1:12 (NIV).  I look forward to sharing with you how God is using this journey of mine to bless others while trying to make me fireproof.

Lorraine Fung (March 23, 2014)

Mercy for Those Who Fail to Appreciate It

My TIE Value: Trust in the Lord

     We are often confronted in our college years with several difficult concepts of faith and life. One such concept is the Biblical understanding of mercy. My introduction to mercy unfolded during the course of a year and half when I joined a rescue mission preaching team from my Bible College.

     We carpooled early each Saturday morning with our small team. Each week we were greeted by a joyful man named Andrew who opened the large security gate as we entered the East L.A. location. He would greet us with hugs and praises. Then when we left after preaching and visiting with the community during lunch, Andrew would pray with us as we journeyed back to our campus.

     Andrew’s joy was refreshing. His love for the Lord was contagious. He was getting his life back together after a life long battle with the ugly traps of sin. When he was on the progressive side of his recovery, and spiritual renewal, Andrew had been given the opportunity to work and board at the rescue mission. This was an essential step in getting him experience to lead to new opportunities.  

     In support of Andrew’s focus on life, the members of our team thought to bless Andrew with a new leather bound Bible about the time I started on the team. He received his Bible with great joy. Each week he would talk about how great it was to read God’s Word from his Bible. We felt that our bond with our brother was growing deeper week by week.

     Then a year and a half later, there was another individual who greeted us at the gate. We asked about Andrew and this new individual simply replied, “He has moved on.” We assumed that Andrew moved on to greater opportunities. However, after the worship service and visitation, the pastor who led the day to day operation of the mission told us that Andrew went back into his old life. This pastor gave us a Bible box that was found in Andrew’s room.  Then, to our surprise, we open the box to find the Bible that was given more than a year before. Not only was the Bible in the box, it was in new and unused condition.

     As we were trying to get our heads around what had happened, the pastor exclaimed to us, “They never appreciate nice gifts!” As we were driving back to campus it did not seem to us that there was anything wrong with giving a nice Bible even when the recipient left it behind unread. Matter of fact his lack of appreciation for an opportunity to move away from his former life and embrace a new life was also disturbing to us. However, Andrew’s lack of appreciation for all that was done for him by Christ, the mission and our team should not have rendered the opportunities that were given as a loss.

MY TIE Moment

     This story has never been far from my mind every time the concept of “mercy” has risen to the forefront of ministry.

    The meaning of mercy according to Webster’s dictionary is to:

         (1)    Be kind or have forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly.

         And (2) Kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad situation.

     Mercy is an undeserved gift in order to spare people from the imminent harshness they are about to endure. However, what is the appropriate human response if those who are shown mercy do not appreciate the mercy given?  

    There are several situations that come to my mind where mercy was unappreciated. Such as:

   - A hungry person throws away a sandwich given by the youth group

   - An impoverished family buying $100 worth of lotto tickets instead of needed food

   - An unemployed person failing to show up to a job that was given by a generous business owner

     And the list goes on and on.  

     I have also seen people not impoverished show lack of appreciation for mercy given by them from those who could have fired, sued, and made their lives miserable but chose to give a blessing. Is it any worse for the affluent to be picky at the church luncheon or leave their Bibles unopened? Of course we all from time to time trample upon the gifts of mercy given to us as well.

     Unfortunately, many Christians adopt the attitude of the world and simply stop giving gifts of mercy based on the people do not appreciate it. We are not called to have mercy the way our world defines mercy. We are called to be “Merciful” as Jesus admonished in Matthew 5:7.

     Mercy in the Bible is always a precious gift from God. He shows mercy on whoever He chooses (Exodus 33:19). And everyone whoever receives His mercy never did anything to deserve it. I find it awesome that the place of atonement on the most holy altar was called the “Mercy Seat.”  There are people who reject God’s mercy and will find themselves left to the consequences of their own sins. Still God does not withhold the blessings of His mercy because of people’s rejection or lack of appreciation. Therefore, should never stop being merciful if we are following God’s character of mercy.

     Another brief thought about mercy. Our call to have mercy on other people is not to be with the attitude that we are above those who need our mercy. Only God occupies this place. We are to be merciful in order to receive mercy from one another. We need to realize that at a time we have been:

     - Given opportunity, there was a time we had received opportunity.

     - Forgiven someone of their offenses against us, there was a time someone had forgiven our offenses against them.

     - Sacrificed for the good of others, there was a time someone had sacrificed for our good.

     Failure to understand that mercy should be mutually given to one another will lead to our false justification to stop being merciful. Broken mercy is ailing our world and sadly the church as well. As Christians we ought to bless our world with God’s mercy by extending mercy to our church on way to fulfilling our mission in the world.   

     Just one more thought from Jesus, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:13 – NIV)

     How has Biblical mercy impacted the way you serve God in our church and world?

Middle School Creatures Can Praise God

My TIE Value: Commit our way to the Lord

     Middleschoolers are interesting creatures. I have been watching them for two years at my son’s school. They come in all sizes, shapes, and proportions. There are students over 6 feet tall while others are under 5 feet tall. There are students with either long bodies and short legs or long legs and short bodies.  

     Middleschoolers are fun to watch. They can be loud and silly. They are able to mull and squirm like a hybrid bees with worms. Those with the out of proportioned bodies were move around like baby Giraffes trying figure out their long legs and necks can possibly work together.

     Middleschoolers have other mutations as they are transitioning from being a child to a teen. Their voices at times can squeak as they begin to develop their high and low vocal ranges. They can mysteriously disappear in a crowd when they do not want to be noticed. Then suddenly reappear full of life and spirit when something they love is offered.

     Middleschoolers are amazing young people with big and creative dreams. I love the multi-dimensional corporations they can dream up. They can combine video gaming with grocery shopping. They can understand sports fundamentals in terms of Mario games. Indeed their minds go different directions all at once.

     However, middleschoolers need to discover that their God is on their side as they grow to discover His way of life. Romans 8:31 states, "If God is for us then who can be against us?” I love how God answers this question in this passage (Romans 8:28-39) God is for people who live Him and are called according to His purposes. God sent His Son to change one’s destiny from being condemned to being justified. Nothing can separate one from God’s Love. And no matter how one’s life unfolds in their highs and lows, God makes one more than a conqueror. This is an amazing passage that middleschoolers need during their stage of awkward transitions.

My TIE Moment

     This week I was fortunate to attend the middle school portion of Teens Conference here in greater Toronto (Ambassadors for Christ Canada – East). For two days I was surrounded by middleschoolers who were reluctant to share their lives at the beginning of day one to sharing their challenges, hopes, and desires in their walk with God throughout day two.

     The success of a conference depends on key people surrendering to God. Our team had two grade 10 captains who dedicated six months of training and spiritual preparation for just two days. A few college students from my current church drove back and forth for training from their respective universities each weekend. Even the aunties and uncles who served the food bathed the hotdogs, rice, and noodles in prayer. Their prayers weren't to make the food taste better but that lives would be transformed as the various teams ate together. God really made Himself known as I would estimate 8/10 attendees deepened their relationship with Him either by entering the way of salvation or dedicating themselves to God’s way of living. They Got the Message of the theme that “God is with us.”

     As I was sitting in the middle of almost 500 middleschoolers praising God, I was hearing loud praises being lifted up. Their voices sounded strong and bold. Their heart was full of passion. They even cheered at the beginning of the sermon. I was amazed that many were listening to the sermon! For this night, this could have been a church named, “The Church of the Middle-Schoolers.” I was experiencing that middleschoolers can be interesting creatures who can come together to praise God as they surrender to Him. I felt the truth that God is not only with us, but He is also for us!

     Then in the moment, I remembered how God came to me as a middleschooler who needed a Savior and thus begun a crazy life’s journey along the way to adulthood. In the aftermath of this week, I realize that people of all ages are interesting creatures too. We all feel awkward, insecure, and strange in all of life’s transition. However, the basic truth that those who daily surrender to God and take up their cross or purpose in following Him will have no doubts that God is with us and for us.

     I praise God that He created middleschoolers who can praise Him!

Notes: 

(1) Thank you Kristy and Grace for your creative poster.

(2) I am referring grades 7-9 as middleschoolers in order to emphasize their common experiences of life development. I realize that I am writing to both Canadian and American audiences who have different classifications for this curious age group.

Snow Delight

My TIE Value: Delight in the Lord

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again. Rejoice!” - Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

     Here in Toronto we are tired of mucking around snow by the time we get to March. We are now suffering from snow fatigue. Normally our winters have 6-7 snow storms with a full or partial melt in between each storm. This makes snow much more delightful because there is always somewhere to put the snow during a good shovel. However, without a snow melt all winter, there are rather large mountains of snow in our yards and parking lots. We pray for no more snow mainly because we have nowhere else to put it.

                                     

     As I was shoveling a trench around my house in preparation for March’s massive melt (avoid a massive flood into the house), I discovered a layer of solid ice at the bottom of the snow from our massive December 22 ice storm. That storm left many residences without power for weeks. We even cancelled church. The trees were bent and breaking under the weight of the ice. All these memories were flooding through my thoughts as I was breaking and removing the ice and snow away from my house. However there was one thought that brought me much delight.

     On that icy December 23 Sunday, my oldest daughter started our massive puzzle project that would take almost a week to finish. This puzzle was the Bavarian version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs who appeared to also be inside on a snowy winter day. There was much delight in the process of completing this puzzle with high fives for every piece fitted together (as noted in Blog #3). There was also much more delight in completing the puzzle with cheers. Then for a week, I found myself looking at this picture with many delightful thoughts for the next week.

This puzzle showed the ever so radiant Snow White was holding a freshly baked pie. She was surrounded by the seven dwarfs who were lighting lights, preparing a table, getting wood, making repairs, and showing appreciation for Snow White. It is a beautiful picture that depicts everyone was contributing to the well-being of the household. 

     After getting reacquainted with the story of Snow White, I was reminded how she came to live with these seven dwarfs. She was put in the woods by her step-mother queen to die when she found her way into this house while the men were out. After Snow White was discovered by the seven men, she had to agree to cook, clean, iron, and care for the seven dwarfs in order to have a place to live.  Snow White did all these chores even though she was a princess! Not only did she keep a great house, she also baked desert. She took delight even in her situation.

     Her life as it was portrayed was anything put delightful even though she was a princess. Her mother died shortly after naming her with the affectionate name. Her father took another queen who was self-absorbed in being the most beautiful in the kingdom. And when her trustworthy magic mirror revealed that the young princess was the most beautiful in the kingdom. This queen sought to have Snow White killed by having a huntsman abandon her in the forest. How could a princess possibly survive in the wild? It was ultimately by this new community on the fringe of their society that Snow White was spared. So somewhere in between her abandonment and the twist of the queen’s cursed apple, there is this picture of a caring household depicted in the puzzle.

My TIE Moment:

     As I thought about ministry in the context of this Snow White puzzle, I began to ponder the kind of picture we portray in God’s narrative as a church. At times ministry in any church can seem like a fairy tale about how a community ideally should be. We all know Jesus said something about serving each other, loving our enemies, abiding in Him, going out into the world and much more. Paul and Peter write about how we are to be sacrifices, and holy people who are able to live out God’s purposes during our times. Can we really expect this type of community among imperfect people? For many reasons, I believe the answer is a resounding “YES!” The Bible is full of examples and exhortations that God’s calling upon us is real and not a fairy tale.

How are we to live in such an ideal narrative with imperfect people in our churches who all live in an increasingly sinful world?

     Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again. Rejoice!” (NIV) We ought to bring an active component of rejoicing to our church communities the same way Snow White baked desert for her dwarf community. Here are a few Biblical references that show the kind of people who again and again rejoice in the Lord:

-          Those who are righteous and upright rejoice in singing (Ps 32:11)

-          Those who delight in their salvation (Ps. 35:9)

-          Those who dedicate their thoughts to God (Ps. 104:34)

-          Those who are humble enough to need God (Isa. 29:19)

-          Those who are spared from God’s judgment (Isa. 41:6)

-          Those who are thankful for God’s provisions (Joel 2:23)

     In the light of God’s Good News and after reading the end of Revelation where we know God will include His church among the victorious, we too are people with much rejoicing to do now and forever. We may be tired of the trudging through the muck of our world. However, if we dig through the layers of God’s blessings we will find many real life examples that will compel us to delight in our God.

How can our church gatherings portray a genuine snapshot of a rejoicing community?