Changing the Way I Think about Pink

(I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, since I was diagnosed and successfully treated for Stage 2 breast cancer earlier this year.  I know it's the last day of the month, but I wanted to get this one posted in October, because…)

October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” According to Wikipedia, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.”

Although my mother died of metastatic breast cancer in 1989, I’d never participated in a “Race for the Cure” event, or purchased anything (yogurt, laundry detergent, microwave meals, etc.) just because it had a pink ribbon on it. All that "pink stuff" seemed a little too commercial for my taste and, after all, what does laundry detergent have to do with breast cancer? (Corporate sponsorships can add dollars for research, awareness and treatment programs - but I didn’t know that until recently.) I had serious misgivings about chemotherapy (having seen two dear friends annihilated by “curing” lung cancer but killing the patient) and I wasn't sure if contributing to “pink” fundraising supported those kinds of treatments.  Actually, this month's issue of Marie Claire magazine includes an article by Lea Goldman entitled "The Big Business of Breast Cancer," which exposes some less trustworthy organizations that have jumped on the "pink" bandwagon - a solid warning to pay attention to where the money goes (good advice for any type of charitable giving).

A few months into my own journey through breast cancer - which started with a routine mammogram, then a sonogram that same day in December, referral to a breast surgeon who did a needle biopsy in January, ordered an MRI in February, performed a lumpectomy in March, followed by daily radiation treatments that spanned 8 weeks into early June, and an "all clear" MRI in August - I found myself defending "the pink stuff" to a friend who had lost several loved ones to cancer and wasn't buying into the all-too-cheery "cancer culture" she sees around us these days. I was beginning to understand a little better why many who'd been through breast cancer - their own, or that of a friend or family member - would want to support and encourage efforts toward awareness and cure... My friend also mentioned "Crazy Sexy Cancer" - a documentary film by cancer survivor Kris Carr, author of several books and a website www.crazysexylife.com, which promote a kind of boutique spirituality, raw foods and yoga - little comfort, I would imagine, to anyone with late stage cancer or terrible chemo side effects, but strangely appealing to me in the early months of my own diagnosis and treatment.  I found Carr's saucy blend of humor and realism deeply comforting, like having a good friend who understands exactly what you're going through, at a traumatic time when most of your "normal" friends have no idea what to say or do...

Shortly after I finished a couple of Carr's books, my sister (a nurse-midwife who has participated in several Race for the Cure events, and cared for my mother in the last years of her long battle) recommended Nancy Brinker's Promise Me, the story of how her sister's death inspired her to build the Susan G. Komen foundation, which has raised over $1.5 billion "for the cure" since 1982.  Brinker's book put "pink stuff" into a whole new perspective for me:  30 years ago, if I'd been diagnosed at all, I might have undergone a mastectomy and/or chemotherapy, with all kinds of horrendous (and some irreversible) side effects, none of which was necessary in my case.  Thanks to increased awareness and support for medical advances in breast cancer research and treatment, more than 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer this year will survive "long-term" (at least 10 years or more).

So, in spite of legimate misgivings about commercialism and not wanting to be superficial about the various complex and painful experiences of others, I still wanted to write this little article to say "thank you" to people like Nancy Brinker and Kris Carr, who have affected my life in some pretty important ways.  These days, when I see a pink ribbon on anything at all, I inwardly thank God all over again for people who've been brave and bold and committed enough to do whatever they could to change my world for the better.   And for the cancer survivors I know - like the receptionist who sent me a pink bouquet with a pink ribbon on behalf of my office, a few days after my last radiation treatment... Some of that "pink stuff" really means a lot to me after all.

Unity in Diversity

“Unity isn’t conformity, but the celebration of diversity.” ~ Kris Vallotton

About 15 years ago, I purchased an original watercolor (pictured above) by a young artist named Sara-Anne Wolgin (Caudle), a member of the church I attended at that time.  I liked the painting because it reminded me of two things that were significant to me: (1) the pastor’s mother, whom we all called “Grandma,” had a beautiful garden at the side of her house, with just this kind of not-too-tidy array of diverse plants and flowers; and, perhaps more importantly, (2) our church had held an outreach event the night before, where I saw an amazing display of various gifts & talents flowing together in harmony, which struck me as an equally beautiful sight.

“Under His [Christ’s] direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

[Ephesians 4:16 NLT]

Sometimes church leaders try to organize around a military model - discouraging “individualism” and “independence” in their (mostly well-intentioned) efforts to ensure unity, loyalty, respect, obedience, servanthood - to minimize internal conflict and pursue common goals… Scripture speaks about spiritual warfare – the fact that sin and evil “war against” our new nature in Christ - but the primary model for Christian relationships is family. Words like “soldier,” “war” and “warfare” are used to describe the Christian life just a handful of times in the entire New Testament, while Jesus used the word “Father” (referring to God), “brother” and “sister” (referring to one another, not just biological family) over 60 times in the book of Matthew alone.

In a healthy family, aren’t we glad that our children are different from one another and not little clones, exactly like us in every respect? Isn’t our goal as parents (and leaders) to raise up individuals who can handle God-given freedoms and make good choices? What loving father is offended by his child's questions or continually preoccupied with how his children are falling short of perfection? Do we think this is how God sees and deals with us?

Unity is not sameness, and God is not threatened by our multiple perspectives or points of view. He is willing to answer our questions, comfort us when we feel weak, pursue us in our waywardness, and forgive our mistakes (and we all make them).  Of course this doesn’t mean we don’t have any rules, or that we don’t respect leaders – but leaders also need to respect God’s people, and rules can be expressed kindly and clearly, without threatening an individual's God-given identity and freedom in Christ.  From the beginning of creation, God has given human beings the freedom to choose His way, or not - so that our love can be a genuine, voluntary response to His.

[For more on related topics, see books & audio teachings on relationships by Danny Silk, available at www.iBethel.org/store - especially Culture of Honor and Loving Our Kids On Purpose.]

In truth, we need our differences – consider the apostle Paul's description of God’s Church as Christ's Body, in which many different parts work together according to His design: 

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ...we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.  If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am only an ear and not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body?  Suppose the whole body were an eye -- then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything?  But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where He wants it.  What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part!  Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."  In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.  And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen,  while other parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.  This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally.  If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.  Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

[I Corinthians 12:12-27 NLT] 

Various perspectives, personalities, giftings, strengths, even the care with which we handle our "weak areas" - all are necessary and valuable to the overall health and functioning of the whole.

By the way, I recently met a few more members of my spiritual family in Guatemala, and was blessed all over again by the beauty of how God brings together diverse people, gifts & talents, causing them all to flow together in harmonious and loving unity in Christ.  Below is a link to my photo album - the captions tell some of what I experienced on this trip (9/16 to 9/24/11).  I worked as a translator for the medical team (including a doctor, 4 nurses, and a tax attorney who organized volunteers from upstate NY).  Other team members did plumbing repairs at the school, built a house for the family of one of the students, helped teach classes in sewing, crafts, and English.  Some were Lutheran, Catholic, charismatic, and… it was a beautiful thing to see.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1983851998872.97425.1320390486&l=9530665057&type=1

 Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church...It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

[I Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 NLT]

Spiritual Benefits of Laughter

A joyful heart is good medicine

[Proverbs 17:22a NAS]

Medical science has shown that laughter is good for you - laughter is reported to lower stress, blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and boost our immune systems in a variety of ways. What about the spiritual benefits of laughter?

Laughter is child-like.

Studies also show that children laugh an average of 400 times per day, while adults laugh an average of only 15 times daily. Considering Jesus’ statement below, we adults might consider deliberately increasing our daily dose of laughter:

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

[Matthew 18:3 NIV]

Joy is strong.

Laughter flows from a position of spiritual strength and victory. Remember: “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  [Nehemiah 8:10b]. The Bible says that God laughs when nations, peoples, even kings and rulers, try to oppose Him:

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

[Psalm 2:4 NIV]

In Christ, we, too, are positioned to laugh at ungodly opposition:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

[Ephesians 2:6 NIV]

Filled with godly strength, the woman in Proverbs 31 “laughs with no fear of the future" [NLT]:

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

[Proverbs 31:25 NIV]

Pastor Steve Backlund (author of Possessing Joy) suggests that laughter is the appropriate Christian response to lies and intimidation by the devil – in fact, he says he regularly takes time to laugh at specific negative, threatening or unscriptural thoughts being presented to him, such as, “God won’t meet your needs this time,” or, “nothing happens when you pray.”  HA HA HA !!!  :)

 

Promises Fulfilled

Sarah named her miraculous son of promise “Isaac,” which means “laughter” or “he shall laugh.” I thought Sarah named Isaac because she and Abraham both laughed when God told them they would have a child in old age (Genesis 17:17 & 18:12), but God gave the name “Isaac” (Gen. 17:19).  Laughter is an expression of Sarah’s joy at the fulfillment of God’s promise to her, and also points to the future joy of God’s covenant promise of salvation through this son’s descendant, Jesus.

Sarah said, God has blessed me with laughter and all who get the news will laugh with me!

[Genesis 21:6 MSG]

Laughter and joy are related to answered prayer and fulfillment of God’s promises - Jesus said:

“…Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full."

[John 16:24b NAS]

Why wait? Jesus found strength by looking beyond temporary pain to what God had promised:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[Hebrews 12:2 NIV]

Why postpone our joy until we see fulfillment? Can we trust Him enough to laugh by faith?  :)

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

[2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV]

It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.

[2 Corinthians 5:7 MSG]

Winnie’s “Crazy” Laughter

Some people call Winnie Banov “crazy.” When I first met her at renewal meetings in 1997-98, I rarely heard her speak – she does speak and teach beautifully from the Word of God, but back then it seemed like all I ever heard her do was laugh.  :)  I’d been through a painful divorce after many years of abandonment and abuse, then further rejection and misjudgment by religious people. Winnie’s “crazy” laughter sounded heavenly to me. One evening after a church service, I said to her, “I want what you have!” – to which she replied, “You can! you can have it all!” - then she laughed some more.  :)  Winnie is a living demonstration that God has plenty of joy for all of us!

This past summer, I was in eastern Europe on a mission trip with Global Celebration, and Zhoro Penchev – a Bulgarian pastor and long-time friend of the Banovs – told us a story about what he thought of Winnie when she first began to manifest this kind of laughter. He told us he said to Georgian, “Your wife has gone crazy. You should just take her to the crazy doctor!”  :)  Until…

One day Georgian, Winnie, Zhoro and his wife Merry and some other Bulgarian missionaries were doing an outreach in a gypsy neighborhood. Zhoro was watching the van, because they were in a dangerous area, with lots of drug-related crime. A female addict, half out of her mind on drugs, hit him in the face and tried to steal his cell phone out of his pocket.  Zhoro is a big, beefy guy with a wrestler’s physique, and he said it took him quite by surprise that this woman would attack him! So the next day, when he saw her coming in the neighborhood, he warned Winnie to watch out. Winnie said confidently, “Get behind me!” Zhoro was puzzled – Winnie is a slender woman, too.

The drug addict approached with the same look in her eyes as when she hit Zhoro the previous day. And Winnie began to laugh… glorious, Spirit-filled laughter. Zhoro told us that little gypsy woman froze right in front of Winnie, who took her hand and began to dance with her, and the two of them danced and laughed together for the rest of the afternoon. Now, that’s crazy anointed laughter!  :)

So… feel free to laugh!   Laugh, because it’s good for you – spirit, soul, & body. It’s healthy for God’s children to laugh, liberally and often.  Laugh, because your heavenly position in Christ is one of spiritual strength and victory. Laugh, because the promises of God belong to you already.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

[I Corinthians 1:25 NIV]

“God is in a good mood.” – Bill Johnson

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Bonus: link to Winnie Banov's "Bliss Report"

(in case you didn't know that "bliss" is a Bible word :))

http://www.globalcelebration.com/media/coco-s-club-house/bliss-report/

"Laughing Jesus" by Sue Morrissey
To donate or purchase prophetic art (including this image)
http://www.suemartist.com/paintings-inspirational.html

God is Joyful!

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

[Psalm 16:11 NKJ]

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice!"

[Philippians 4:4 NLT]

Thesis: "God is joyful, and He wants us to be joyful in Him."

Considering that words like "joy," "rejoice," "gladness," "delight," etc. are used multiple hundreds of times in the Bible, you wouldn't think it would be necessary to prove a statement like this, but... considering many people's perception of God and religion, I thought it might be helpful to refresh our awareness of the subject. I've broken this down into three simple statements, giving just a few of the many scripture verses that support each thought.

1. God is joyful, and
2. He wants us to be joyful
3. in Him.

1. God is joyful

In God’s Presence, there is “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11, quoted above). Zephaniah 3:17 says that God rejoices over us “with shouts of joy” [NAS] or “with singing” [NIV].

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

[Zephaniah 3:17 NAS]

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

[Zephaniah 3:17 NIV]

Jesus – described in Hebrews 1:3 [NIV] as “the exact representation” of God’s being [see also 2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15, etc.] - is pictured in Luke 10:21 [NIV] being "full of joy through the Holy Spirit."  This is consistent with the description of Him (the Son) in Hebrews 1:9 (which quotes Psalm 45:7):

“You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."

[Hebrews 1:9 NLT, emphasis added]

2. God wants us to be joyful.

Jesus linked obedience to God’s commandments, abiding in His Love, and being filled with joy:

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

[John 15:10-11 NAS]

"I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"

[John 15:11 NLT]

"… I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them."

[John 17:13 NIV]

He also indicated that fullness of joy is one of God’s purposes in answering our prayers:

"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full."

[John 16:24 NAS]

"Ask in my name, according to my will, and He'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!"

[John 16:24 MSG]

And then there are all those New Testament commands to rejoice – like Matthew 5:12, Luke 6:23 & 10:10, Philippians 2:18 & 3:1, I Peter 4:13, and…

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

[Philippians 4:4 NIV]

Joy is part of the apostle Paul’s “job description” for Christian leaders:

“Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy…”

[2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV]

And likewise for healthy relationships and attitudes toward spiritual leadership:

Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?

[Hebrews 13:17 MSG]

We could look at many Old Testament verses showing that the commandments, feasts and promises of God were expected to bring joy to His people (e.g., Deut 26:11, Deut 12:7 & 18, Nehemiah 8:10), the fact that the birth of the Savior was “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10), and that “great joy” followed the preaching of the gospel by the apostles (Acts 8:4-8, 16:34)… hopefully, you’ve got the idea by now.  :)

3. God wants us to be joyful in Him.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, second only to love [Galatians 5:22] – it flows from God, not circumstances (see 3 other blogs about Joy, posted on 3/12, 3/19 & 3/26/11).

“Knowing Me intimately is like having a private wellspring of Joy within you. This spring flows freely from My throne of grace, so your Joy is independent of circumstances.”

-- Jesus Calling, devotional by Sarah Young

Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say,

"All my springs of joy are in you."
[Psalms 87:7 NAS]

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

[Isaiah 12:3 NIV]

Psalms 16:11 and 21:6 speak of “joy in God’s Presence.” In John 15:11 and 17:13 (quoted above), Jesus expressed His desire that we would have His joy in us.

“Delight yourself in the Lord…”

[Psalm 37:4a NIV]

"Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice!"

[Philippians 4:4 CJB]

Well, I hope this gives you a clearer picture of how much God wants you to share His joy...  :)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

[I Peter 1:8 NIV]

"When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you."

[John 16:22b MSG]

“I’ve got news for you: God is in a good mood!” – Bill Johnson  :)

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"Laughing Jesus" by Sue Morrissey
To donate or purchase prophetic art (including this image)
http://www.suemartist.com/paintings-inspirational.html

"Come Away with Me"

Morning "quiet time" with God is my favorite time of day.

I wasn't always a "morning person" - in fact, before I knew Jesus as Lord and Savior, late-night lifestyle and unhealthy habits made getting up in the morning (at any hour) a less-than-pleasant experience.  Older & wiser now :)  I enjoy a morning espresso  while sitting outside on my little patio (weather permitting) or snuggled into my favorite recliner, reading scripture and spending the first moments of my day with God.  Naturally, the whole day goes better when I put Him first.

This past Sunday morning began with the following devotional reading from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (written as if by God):

July 17

COME AWAY WITH ME for a while.  The world, with its nonstop demands, can be put on hold.  Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Me.  But the longer people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder it is for them to find Me.

You live among people who glorify busyness;  they have made time a tyrant that controls their lives.  Even those who know Me as Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world.  They have bought into the illusion that more is always better:  more meetings, more programs, more activity.

I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest Joy.  It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised.  However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you.  Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.

"The fig tree forms its early fruit;

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Arise, come, my darling;

my beautiful one, come with me."

SONG OF SONGS 2:13

"But only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

LUKE 10:42

One of the lessons I've been learning this year is that God's "pace"  is a lot more peaceful and patient than most of us experience in our daily lives.  We don't always recognize how much we've been influenced, to varying degrees, by worldly patterns of thought and behavior (see "Learning to Rest," 5/11/11 posting). http://holy1fire.blogspot.com/2011/05/learning-to-rest.html

Some Christians seem to think that pressure and busyness are necessary for productivity "in the Kingdom."  Scripture tells me that Jesus is building His Church [Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:47], "He is our Peace" [Ephesians 2:14], and that God isn't "in a hurry" [2 Peter 3:8-9].  As Heidi Baker often says, "Fruitfulness is born out of intimacy."  We need to spend significant "quiet time" with Him if we really want to hear His heartbeat, move at His pace,  empowered by His Spirit to live and work with Him.

In John 15:4-5, Jesus says:

  "Stay united with me, as I will with you -- for just as the branch can't put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can't bear fruit apart from me.  I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can't do a thing." [CJB]

In the rest of this chapter, Jesus goes on to talk about friendship with God (vs. servanthood), not belonging to the world, loving one another, and testifying of Him.  All of these things are possible if we "stay united with" Him (Complete Jewish Bible translation, above) - in the King James Version, it's the word "abide."  Synonyms include:  remain, continue, stay, dwell, reside, endure, sustain, wait for, await, tarry, persevere, and live.  Doesn't sound like "hurry" or "busyness" to me...

I enjoy my "quiet time" with God in the morning, but - whatever time of day you choose - remember to "come away" with Him.   :)

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Bonus Track:  "Come Away with Me" - song by Brock Human, performed by Jesus Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IduHRMRcy9A

Every Day, Good Gifts!

"All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory.  He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions."

[Psalm 84:11 MSG, emphasis added]

Just before I left for “In the Steps of Paul” missions internship (June 12-24, 2011) – a fabulous combination of learning, outreach and sightseeing through Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey & Paris with a team of 70 wonderful people assembled by Global Celebration* – a friend who was praying with me said she felt the Father had gifts for me to “unwrap” each day during this trip, and encouraged me to remember that it gives Him joy to see us enjoying the gifts He has prepared for us.  As she spoke, I "saw" (in my mind) a wall of presents, all wrapped in similar paper but of different shapes and sizes... Wow!  I thought.  What an encouraging word!   :)

I believe God was giving me, in that "word picture," an analogy I could personally understand & relate to:  when I was growing up, my parents put a lot of effort into preparing a huge pile of gifts for each of their six children to open on Christmas morning.  They shopped for weeks in advance, with each child's specific desires and interests in mind, then stayed up most of the night on Christmas Eve - wrapping, assembling bikes, "quietly" carrying everything downstairs while we "slept" :) - then carefully locked the door of the family room until a specific moment on Christmas morning when we were finally allowed to enter, one by one, squinting past the bright lights of my father's 8mm movie camera, then diving in to our "wall of gifts" (each of us had a section of the room with our own pile of presents).  In retrospect, I realize how much my parents' enjoyment must have been wrapped up in watching our anticipation, excitement and delight as we opened and responded with joy to each gift they had prepared...

I have to acknowledge, that word about my recent trip was true:  each and every day, our team woke up in a new city or country (we stayed 2 nights in Athens & Istanbul, but spent each of the other 10 nights in different places), with wonderful new experiences to enjoy... I've included links to two of my photo albums below (representing less than 20% of the photos I actually took!  as I tried to capture so many delightful moments and faces of those we came to cherish), as well as a beautiful summary (with more photos) written by one of our extraordinary team leaders... hopefully, these express at least some of the joy we felt on this trip!  And it was truly a glimpse into our heavenly Father's joyful heart to experience His lovingly extravagant generosity in so many different ways over those 12 days...

Toward the end of the trip, I began to think:  what if we woke up every day, looking for the good gifts God has prepared for us that day?   Because, you know, God is just as good here at home as He is in Europe... it may be beautiful and exotic to vacation overseas, but - what if we learned to appreciate the beauty of so many simple yet wonderful things He has provided every day?  What if, instead of waking up with a sense of foreboding, anxiety or boredom at the start of another "ordinary" day at work or home, we began to enjoy and anticipate God's good gifts with the same kind of excitement and expectation with which my siblings and I used to enter the family room on Christmas morning?  :)

Interesting - on June 25 (the first day I woke up in my own bed at home after this trip), the daily devotional I've been enjoying this year - Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young (I highly recommend it!) - included the following, written as if from God's point of view:

"Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me.  I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence.  By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you.  I eagerly await your first conscious thought.  I rejoice when you glance My way.

"Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me. Because I am God, from whom all blessings flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me...Remember that I take great delight in you;  I rejoice over you with singing. [Zephaniah 3:17] 

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

[Psalm 118:24]"

So, wherever you are today... ENJOY!   :)

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link to "In the Steps of Paul 2011" travel photos w/ captions

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1762397382645.88845.1320390486&l=51d218ae1f

additional photos of Hotels & Meals :)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1796797962638.89208.1320390486&l=2560a3b777

"Sweet Kisses from Europe" by Jenn Yesilonis

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1320390486#!/notes/jenn-yesilonis/sweet-kisses-from-europe/10150234380922508

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

[Matthew 7:11 NIV]

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"

[Romans 8:32 NAS]

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* for more information on Global Celebration mission trips and conferences (which I highly recommend - I would go with them anywhere! :)) - click here  www.globalcelebration.com

 

 

Serious Joy! (Part 4)

The following is Part 4 of my trip report from "Party with the Gypsies 2009," which I'm posting on 6/8, 6/15, 6/22 & 6/29 while traveling to Bulgaria, Greece & Turkey with Global Celebrations again this year. For 12 days, we shared God's Love, food, clothing, music & prayers while reaching out to poor gypsy neighborhoods in 3 countries; Georgian & Winnie Banov also taught a "School of the Cross" missions internship as we traveled "In the Steps of Paul" to historic sites of New Testament Christianity including Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus & Smyrna... Thank you for remembering us all in your prayers!

June 2009 - "Party with the Gypsies" - Itinerary



jumping for joy :)
by the Black Sea

 We flew into Bucharest, Romania, for the sake of a small enclave of gypsies who live near a junkyard there; then drove across the Danube into Bulgaria, stopping at Shumen and Varna, where we stayed our 2nd night. Saturday was a much-needed day of rest (the jet lag was pretty rough at first!) in Nesebar, by the Black Sea - that night we had dinner in Burgas, and boarded the overnight train to Sophia... Sunday was a long drive up to the northwest corner of the country, where we ate Bulgarian pizza before heading into two new villages for outreach, staying overnight in Vidin. In Sophia, we stayed two nights in a row at the same hotel (yay!), visited the boxcar neighborhood near the city (Global Celebrations is looking to buy land to relocate this group), had a half day off for sightseeing, and participated in a festival at Brestnica, which has a growing gypsy church. We fortified ourselves with lunch at a lovely restaurant (no one starved on this trip!) before visiting the poorest gypsies in Stara Zagora who live at the top of a very steep hill! then stopped by

gypsy men dancing - Kazanlak, BG

 Kazanlak to see the last 2 or 3 sheep slaughtered before the worship festival (Korban, same as in Hebrew) the next day. Our team leaders were very encouraged to hear the local gypsy ministers speaking powerful public words about the Father's heart for this very special community as we left. Drove all day to Istanbul on Sunday (Father's Day). Flew to Ephesus and toured the ruins, visited a carpet factory, and met with great favor in the Turkish gypsy community of Urla which had been a lot less welcoming on a previous trip (Georgian was delighted). 

Invitation to tea - Urla, Turkey

Shopped at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul on our last day, ending with a farewell dinner, shared testimonies into the night, and flew home after only 2 hours of sleep (some stayed up all night since we had to leave so early). After two weeks of touching sick people and hugging all the dirty children we could find :) it took some of us another week to fully shake some kind of respiratory virus, but I tested negative for flu or TB, and in the end it seemed a pretty small price to pay, considering how many glorious experiences we shared :)

When I first got the itinerary via email, I thought it was a little odd that the last line said – before we’d even left yet - "Thanks for joining us! I hope you can come again next year!!”  haha… now I understand.  :)

June 2011 - "In the Steps of Paul" - Itinerary

Sunday, June 12:  Depart Washington DC. The fun begins! – Get ready to meet new friends and dive into the Glory!

Monday, June 13:  Arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria. Travel 2 hours to town of Bretsnica. Worship and feeding outreach to local Gypsies. Orientation Dinner and overnight at hotel in nearby city.

Tuesday, June 14:  Drive most of the morning to reach the city of Kazanlak. All day Jesus Celebration in Kazanlak ministering, blessing and feeding our crown jewel Gypsy community of over 5,000 people. Dinner and overnight in Kazanlak.

Wednesday, June 15:  School of the Cross - Travel Day – Drive over the border into Greece to the port city of Kavala. Overnight in Kavala.

Thursday, June 16:  School of the Cross - Travel to historical ruins of Philip and then on to Thessaloniki – Gypsy outreach in the evening.

Friday, June 17:   School of the Cross - Travel Day – Drive to Athens, Greece.

Saturday, June 18:   School of the Cross - See Athens and Mars Hill – afternoon off for sightseeing/shopping – Visit museums and/or The Acropolis.

Sunday, June 19:  School of the Cross - Visit Corinth ruins, site of the early church of the Corinthians. Take the overnight Ferry to Turkey.

Monday, June 20:  Outreach to local Turkish Gypsies in the town of Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.

Tuesday, June 21: Visit ancient ruins of Ephesus, walk the roads where Paul travelled and ministered. Receive powerful revelations from Georgian and Winnie as they preach from the historic site of Paul’s teachings. Afternoon flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Wednesday, June 22:  Day off for shopping at the exotic Grand Bazaar. Farewell dinner at private restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

Thursday, June 23: Morning flight to Paris, France. Afternoon and evening off for sightseeing / shopping. Overnight at Airport Hotel.

Friday, June 24: Flight back to the U.S.   See you next year!

For more info re: Global Celebration mission trips & other events, see http://www.riverlution.net/



Note from Gina: Thanks & blessings to all who prayed & supported me on these trips. Greece is the new stamp on my passport this year :)  I've now seen 17 countries outside the U.S. in my life so far... short-term missions is lots of FUN !!! <3

Serious Joy! (Part 3)

The following is Part 3 of my trip report from "Party with the Gypsies 2009," which I'm scheduling to post on 6/8, 6/15, 6/22 & 6/29 while I prepare to travel to Bulgaria, Greece & Turkey with Global Celebrations again this year.  For 12 days, we'll be sharing God's Love, food, clothing, music & prayers as we reach out to poor gypsy neighborhoods in 3 countries; Georgian & Winnie Banov will also teach a "School of the Cross" missions internship while we travel "In the Steps of Paul" to historic sites of New Testament Christianity including Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus & Smyrna... Thank you for remembering us all in your prayers!

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
[I Corinthians 2:1-5]

I think there is something about knowing you have little or nothing to rely on in the natural realm that makes this kind of faith so simple - the reality of God is so near as we walk into village after village with nothing but love and joy and faith to be His hands extended to a sick, dirty, and impoverished world... this is the reality we forget when we have so many other things to rely on back home, but the truth is that God is just as real and miracles are just as possible, love and joy are just as desperately needed in North America or anywhere else in the world. I'm learning to take these little glimpses of God's heart and see with new eyes when I get back home - think less, drink more of His love and joy and truth, laugh often, enjoy His kind of life... be open to receive the miraculous things He wants to do in our lives every day... and I'm learning that just because we have nice clothes or a comfortable house doesn't mean we aren't desperately needy for God in lots of other ways! :)

One night in Varna, Bulgaria, I sense God wants me to just put away my camera and "dance with Me" - I know He means that dancing with the gypsy children is the same as dancing with Jesus Himself (“whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” Mt 25:40). That night, as the band plays gypsy worship music from a nearby rooftop and we all spin and jump and hug and smile, I realize that the JOY in this place is just as important as any material help - even healing! - we could possibly bring. as if to confirm that revelation, a local woman is weeping as we get on the bus to leave, gratefully telling one of the Bulgarian workers, "Thank you! Thank you!" - she lives in one of the ubiquitous concrete apartment buildings nearby, and she had been feeling heaviness and discouragement, like so many of those we have danced with this week. She says this has been like a "spiritual meal" to her - she had been so hungry for life and hope and joy until we came that day...

A few closing notes about photos and itinerary that follow - there is one photo from a restaurant in Burgas, with about half of our team in a tickling, laughing pile on the floor... all I can say about this is that I believe the overflow of laughter and joy that erupted during that dinner is also part of tapping into God's miraculous grace and love. It was a bit of shock for our servers, who knew full well we'd had nothing but bottled water to drink all evening! :) and joy like that affects people in different ways: one of our waitresses was so delighted to see such hilarity that she took pictures with her cell phone; the restaurant manager, on the other hand, whose focus was on keeping control of the atmosphere, looked intensely fearful. Georgian spoke about this on the bus the next day - what does it say about our world that abundant joy is so frightening? we'd been gracious and loving all evening - we weren't breaking anything, or dangerous to anyone - it's just so out of the ordinary to be so happy that you can't stop laughing!  I almost didn't include this photo, because I know it's hard to explain that kind of expression (which also happened at our farewell dinner in Turkey, to the amusement of some Muslim businessmen who were meeting on the terrace just outside our dining area)... I felt this photo needed to be included, because some people would like to have miraculous healings and spiritual results without being willing to give up "control" and fully yield to God's love and joy. I saw God do amazing things on this trip through people who aren't overly preoccupied with their reputation, and are really willing to enjoy Him :)

To be continued (on 6/29/11)...

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. [I Corinthians 1:25-29]

"And as for the outsiders who now follow me,

working for me, loving my name,  

and wanting to be my servants—
All who keep Sabbath and don't defile it,
holding fast to my covenant—
I'll bring them to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
They'll be welcome to worship the same as the 'insiders,'
to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar.
Oh yes, my house of worship
will be known as a house of prayer for all people."
The Decree of the Master, God himself,
who gathers in the exiles of Israel:
"I will gather others also,
gather them in with those already gathered."
[Isaiah 56:6-8 MSG]

for more info on Global Celebrations, see http://www.riverlution.net/ and http://www.globalcelebration.com/news/110/185/In-the-Footsteps-of-Paul-Internship-and-Missionary-Trip/