The 7 Experiment

I wonder if I should point out that my last blog posting was 5 months ago.  Bringing that fact to your attention is probably poor blogging strategy. But since I obviously am neither an experienced nor consistent blogger, I will start there because confession is good for the soul (if not the reputation).

The honest reason I am writing today is because I am spending this week on a media fast (no TV, Netflix, Facebook, Words with Friends or extraneous internet surfing). I have shut down the cyber world except for family and ministry related communication, and I have realized that I miss staring at a screen. Sad, I know.

I have decided to use the freed up free-time for some other more noble activities, like turning the pages of an actual book, memorizing Scripture, taking my mother to lunch, prayer walking through the neighborhood and playing a game or two with people who are physically present in the room with me.

Why the media fast? For the last few weeks, I have been engaging with some church members in The 7 Experiment by Jen Hatmaker.  The tagline of her book reads, "staging your own mutiny against excess." She and her pastor husband identified 7 critical areas of life where we as over indulged Americans are tempted to, shall we say, over indulge.  Food. Clothing. Possessions. Media. Spending. Waste. Stress. Anybody see a personal pattern of excess in any of those areas? I see those hands!

We are only 4 weeks in, but each week of our study, we have participated in a fast of some kind.  The first week, I "fasted" from grocery shopping for 7 days and used up what we had in the fridge and cupboard.  It was amazing how creative I got in making do.  I also realized that I waste way too much food.  I tend to buy more and shove it in the front of said food spaces while the back row goes bad or expires.  (I pulled out a can of pumpkin to make a pie for our home Bible Study group and noticed that it had expired in 2011.  Oops.  Plan B was substituted.) I was able to give away the money I saved from not entering my usual stores and help some precious children in Uganda who live on one meal a day.

The second week involved taking a look at my clothes closet. I honestly don't buy a whole lot of clothes as a rule.  I gladly receive people's cast-offs when they are offered to me and I would rather buy other things when I have the money. However, I have still managed to fill up my closet. So, in week two, I chose just 7 items of clothing and I wore them all week (not including underwear...just because I knew you were wondering.) One t-shirt, 2 sweaters, 2 pairs of pants, a skirt and a pair of shoes. No accessories. And you know what? No one even noticed my repeating outfits.  And when I say no one, I mean even my fashion conscious daughter or my own husband.  I know because when I asked them if they were tired of seeing me dressed in the same clothes, they said. "Why? Are you wearing the same clothes?" What I learned was that I can get by on significantly less and it doesn't affect my ministry or "reputation" one bit.

That leads me to the week 3 challenge of taking stock of my possessions. I chose to give away 7 items a day. 49 things in a week.  I could have come up with so much more if I had had the time to deeply purge every closet and storage space. However, since I knew I had surplus in my own clothes closet, I chose 49 clothes items to give away.

Almost all of these clothes were things I didn't wear anyway, but while I was picking through the surplus, the Holy Spirit whispered that He wanted me to give away that new outfit that I had just bought to wear to church. (Remember when I said I rarely buy new clothes? Well, that's true.  So yeah.) A sweater, a skirt, a belt and even the matching necklace.  Really, Lord?  Sigh. I knew that our women's ministry was collecting clothes to give to a low-income apartment complex in town where we had served every Wednesday night this summer with cook-outs and games for kids and get-to-know-you conversations with adults. The Spirit informed me that there is someone there, size Cyndi, that needs it more than me.  So, I carefully hung it separately from the rest of the boxed items and delivered it the church for give away.  I did not die.

This brings me to the 4th week where we left off most recently, the media fast. I am on Day 3.  I'm not going crazy or even missing it all that much.  Last night I talked Janae and two of her friends into forgoing Friday movie night and playing Catch Phrase with me.  We actually had some hilarious fun! I might be itching for a peek at Facebook if we get an ice storm as predicted and I am stuck at home for the next couple of days. but I will survive.

I am learning that the premise of the book is accurate, "If we are willing to offer these blind spots--indulgence, extravagance, greed, excess--to Jesus, we can believe Him for freedom on the other side. There is a bigger story to live, and God is drawing us into it.  It is thrilling and good and radical; the gospel life has no equal."

3 weeks to go after this one.  But something is happening in my soul.  I am able to pray with more faith, speak truth with more boldness and hear God's voice more clearly.  There really is more with less!

I want to begin with a report on my last blog regarding Carl. Happily, we are now a couple weeks post surgeries and Carl can see, better than ever!  In fact, he said to me just last Sunday morning as he sat on the couch and looked out the window into our back yard, "The colors outside are beautiful...I had forgotten how colorful the world is! I am so thankful that I can see!!" For all who prayed for him,  thank you so much.  

photo by Jamiriquai

Blessed are the pure in heart...for they will see God. (Matt. 5:8)

Recently, I had a discussion with some friends at church about the beatitudes.  In Hebrew, the word "blessed" (from which the word beatitude is derived) means "to be envied with desire". In Greek, it means "happy, approved by God."

So what did Jesus consider enviable? Certainly not what we tend to envy.  (Hint: money, beauty, athletic ability or intelligence are not mentioned.) No, Jesus said, the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the gentle, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemaker, the persecuted...these are the truly blessed.

For instance, the pure in heart are promised that they will see God. Our discussion focused on why Jesus coupled that trait with that particular blessing. It occurred to me that Carl and his cataract surgeries illustrate the answer.

An  impure heart is like a cataract. Carl's had been coming on for years, so gradually, in fact, that he wasn't even aware it was happening.  It was just that one day, he couldn't see anything but cloudy images anymore. 

Similarly, when we let sin have its way in our lives, when we live for self and and follow the world's prescription for happiness, our vision of God fades. It may be so gradual that we don't even know it is happening until one day we feel totally disconnected from fellowship with the Father.  We can't see Him at work in our lives, and we certainly don't see Him in the pages of Scripture.

The only option becomes "surgery"of the heart to remove the cataract of sin and self-will.  This is done primarily through humble admission of guilt and agreement with God regarding our sin.

However, this alone does not cure the problem.  If the doctor had only removed Carl's cataracts and stopped there, not putting the new lens in place, Carl would have been worse off than before. In the same way, we need a new lens put in place or our confessions, no matter how sincere, will simply be an ugly reminder of our failures and we will be worse off than before too.

So, how does someone who wants to see God clearly receive a new lens?  The "surgeon" is God's Holy Spirit.  The lens He gives us allows us to accurately see God. First and foremost, the pages of Scripture provide this clear view. But we also see God in our circumstances, in the lives of His people and in the beauty of His creation.

I have been needing some spiritual cataract surgery myself of late.  I can easily slip into the slough of self-pity regarding my circumstances.  My husband has been ill for years with no hope of recovery, all our children have been struggling financially, our youngest has had a really difficult year in school, I have had back pain and headaches. When I wallow in that slough, I can't see God. My vision becomes cloudy.

But, by the kindness of God, He is helping me see life with His lens. In a recent quiet time I wrote:

Today, I have been overwhelmed with sorrow over life situations that seem so far beyond my ability to endure... And then I read these words in Psalm 118, "His faithful love endures forever." When I can't go on, God sets me free. I can defeat the enemies in my life with the authority of The Lord. He gives me victory. "This is the day that The Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it."

So, how has your vision been lately? Are you blessed and seeing God? I am praying for you!

Update on Carl...

Some of you may be wondering what is happening with Carl since he was forced to retire from the ministry due to his illness. He is unable to write anymore, but he can still talk so I decided that perhaps I should interview him and have him fill you in...

Me: I bet some people don't even know or remember what the name of your disease is or how it is affecting you physically.  Want to fill them in?

Carl: It's a mitochondrial myopathy that is a genetic and progressive neuromuscular  disease.  The main symptom is muscle atrophy and it gradually affects eyelid function, speech, swallowing, weight loss (last time I checked, I weighed 79 lbs.) balance,  gait and probably other things I have yet to experience...basically everything that is controlled by a muscle.

Me: What is the prognosis and is there any treatment?

Carl: The prognosis is slow, steady decline and there is no known treatment or cure.

Me: Maybe you could let people know what you do every day, now that your physical activity is limited...

Carl: Much of the day is spent in taking care of my personal needs, like eating, cleaning myself, and dressing--each one is done slowly and methodically. I  spend the mornings in prayer.  Afternoons usually involve a nap and a 1/4 mile walk up and down the street in front of our house.  I still try to keep track of our finances, but recruit help in writing checks and paying bills online. I also supervise maintenance on our cars and mowers and house repairs but have to hire the work done.

Me: What is the hardest thing you are facing?

Carl: Seeing my independence and mobility ebb away.  It is also hard to watch my family suffer as they experience my decline.

Me: What is God teaching you as you walk this road?

Carl: He has used my illness to lessen the grips of sin patterns in my life, enabling me to focus on Him.  I have memorized several passages of scripture with Rev. 5:11-14 being one.

Me: Want to quote it now?

Carl: "And I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne. And the living creatures and the elders and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." And every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in it, I heard saying, "To Him who sits in the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the living creatures kept saying "Amen!"And the elders fell down and worshiped.
(Note: Feel free to check his accuracy.  I just typed while he recited. )

Another memorized passage that God has used to transform my heart is Psalms 9:1-4. It says, "I will give thanks to The Lord with all my heart.  I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and exalt in you.  I will sing praises to your name O Most High."

I have changed from being activity oriented to being more worshipful. It has increased my joy many fold.

Me: Is there anything you wish you would have done when you had the capacity?

Carl: Visited Alaska and bought a Jeep. (Haha). Seriously though,  I wish I would have memorized more Scripture when I could still see to read. And, I wish I had taken Janae camping. Oh yes...one more thing.  I wish I could have driven a NASCAR.

Me: Very funny. What is the greatest joy in your life right now?

Carl: Of course, my family. But Jesus Christ, who is a great King, is also my friend. When I call to Him, He listens. I have many stories of answered prayer. If you'd like to hear one, just give me a call!

Me: As your wife, I have observed your prayer life and I know that intercession is a regular and frequent activity.   If others want to, how can they pray for you?

Carl: Pray that I don't start feeling sorry for myself and that I apply Psalms 9:1-4 to my life.  Also on May 1st, I am having cataract surgery on one eye with the second to follow 2 weeks later. We are hopeful that it will restore a good deal of my sight. Right now, I see only cloudy images. Please pray for successful surgeries.

So...there you have it.  Sometimes people ask me how I manage to carry the extra load for the family that keeps increasing in pace with his illness.  Carl's attitude of gratefulness and his commitment to not being a complainer makes each new task he must hand me, so much easier. God's grace explains the rest.

Carl also wanted me to tell everyone that he is so grateful for all the faithful prayers and support that we have consistently been on the receiving end of all these years. I concur. Hoping this blog posting will spur you on to keep it up!

Disciples, make disciples...

I have a problem with focusing...my mind is always bouncing from one thing to the other. This age of technology seems to be the culprit...Facebook, emails, texts, and internet searches are calling my name. Its a blessing and a curse. Staying in touch with people has never been easier...and can be done with the least commitment of time or effort.  But the ease comes with a price. Communication is often reduced to a few words in a text message or a mass email that no one reads.

Probably not big news here, but Jesus had something different in mind when he spoke his final words to His disciples a couple millennia ago. He was commissioning His followers to undertake a time-consuming, labor-intensive commitment...called disciple-making.

In January, I gathered about 30 women together one Friday evening to hear a webcast from Francis Chan (Crazy Love) and David Platt (Radical).  My goal was to challenge each woman to embrace a fresh resolve to fulfill Jesus'  command to "go and make disciples" according to Matthew 28:19-20. David and Francis exhorted us to remember that a commitment like that is costly and it is not comfortable.  But if we are truly followers of Jesus Christ, it is what we do. Disciples, make disciples.

I didn't realize I needed to be challenged as well. I thought I had this disciple-making thing down.  I have been doing it for decades, after-all.  But what I heard that night was this: Disciple making is not about taking the typical American church-goer who has heard it all before, in a hundred different ways, and spoon feeding them one more Bible Study. It is about...well, making disciples!

For instance, when I say that I am making bread, you probably believe me to mean that I am going through the time-consuming, labor-intensive, but, oh-so-satisfying process of mixing bread making ingredients, like flour, honey, yeast, water, salt and oil, and then kneading, and baking them together for a tasty result. You probably didn't believe me to mean that I opened the already-made package I just bought at the store.

When Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples, I am sure He envisioned them taking the good news to people who had never heard and then laboring to help those who received it, to understand it and to follow Christ in such a way that they would commit to do the same. What if they had been content to stay in Galilee for the rest of their lives, hanging out in fellow believers homes, reminiscing about the miracles they remembered Jesus did. If they had, the message would have never reached my ears and I wouldn't be writing this blog!

The full process of disciple making must include finding someone whose heart is ripe to hear the good news, telling them, and then walking alongside them as they learn to obey everything He commanded...

Granted, I may not have the privilege of being a part of every stage of that process, since it is a long one.  But I want to be!  I want to be intentional about opening my eyes to see the needs of people I come in contact with everyday and asking God to help me respond with compassion and humility.  I want to be there when they ask honest questions and then be able to point them to the honest truth. I want to love them even when they don't get it and when they do! I want to watch, first-hand, the redemption and sanctification miracles take place in someone else's life.

If I have been guilty of anything in the past, it has been to be content with finding like-minded church friends to "disciple" when I know they will never challenge anything I say.  It's so easy to sit down with them with our Bibles and coffee and discuss principles that we are never pressed to live out.  I am asking God to help me change that mindset this year.  I want to love people who don't love Him and be there to watch when God wins their hearts.

One simple way I have begun is to start noticing people.  What do I mean? I realized recently that almost everyone who serves me, whether at a restaurant, a grocery store, a department store, or a Quik Stop is wearing a name tag. How hard is it call them by name, along with a smile and a thank you? Try it.  You will see people light up.

The other day, I was at Wal-mart and Michelle was my checker. I commented that she had a pretty name and I wondered if she knew what it meant?  She said she had no idea. I looked it up on my phone as I was leaving and decided to go back and tell her.

"Your name means 'close to God'".

She sighed, "Oh oh. I am not living up to my name..."

I asked her if she went to church anywhere because the church I attend would love to have her visit and we were located right behind the store. She asked me if that was the church on Old Decatur Road .

 "That's the one!"

She smiled as she said, "Well, some of your high school students were in here last week, and they invited me too.  Maybe God is trying to tell me something..."

I love it when God engineers "coincidences". But it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't taken the time to notice Michelle. It is a small step, but I am excited to see how God expands that first step into a marathon with someone. Maybe with Michelle!

How's it going with the disciple making in your life? What has been your experience as you have followed Jesus' command in Matthew 28? I'd love to hear from you!

(If you need a place to start, check out www.multiplymovement.com. David Platt and Francis Chan provide some free, downloadable material that will give you solid tracks to run on as you take Jesus command to make disciples seriously. Another resource is found on www.ministrycatalysts.com where you will find some more free, downloadable material titled "Launching multipliers".)