God's Sovereignty 

Recently (July)  I had the tremendous privilege to speak to about 270 church leaders in Kalimantan. Being given the freedom to develop my messages as I saw fit… and as I felt God’s Spirit leading me, I felt very much at ease talking about God’s awesomeness and His Grace. Often the church tends to focus on what we as Christians are supposed to be doing. No often enough do we concentrate on what God has done. I am as guilty as anyone. We tend to build our lives on our religious beliefs and guard or guide our lives by the rules we feel are what God wants us to keep. Too seldom do I just allow God to be my vision for life. Too seldom do I look at the world the way He would have me to look at it.

In His Sovereignty, God has allowed Janet and me to live in S.E. Asia for most of the last 33 years (even longer for Janet, who was born in Kalimantan). We have been blessed by what God has done, and by whom God has placed in our lives (that would include you!) Yet, I know so little about this amazing God who created the universe. And sadly, it is so easy to get sidetracked by the little things that can cause irritation or disappointment (especially in other people), or by challenges that we were not expecting (such as having to raise more financial support so that we can rent a flat)… and lose sight of what God is trying to do in our lives through those things.

Lately I have been challenged by a book I am reading … called “King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus” by Timothy Keller. Now, I know that not everyone gets the same sense of impact or satisfaction out of a book or a movie, but I don’t think you could miss on this one. Keller’s insights into scripture and his applications to my life are incredible.

For example, from his comments on Mark 4: 35-41, concerning the reaction of the disciples to the storm on the sea… and to how Jesus then stilled the sea…. “… if I go to Jesus, he’s not under my control either. He lets things happen that I don’t understand. He doesn’t do things according to my plan, or in a way that makes sense to me. But if Jesus is God, then he’s got to be great enough to have some reasons to let you go through things you can’t
understand….. He can love somebody and still let bad things happen to them, because He is God – because he knows better than they do.” I remember the amazing peace I had 10 years ago when Janet was in the critical care ward for 8 weeks on life-support. I knew God would do the right thing, but I had no assurance that Janet would still be with us. It was out of my control, but Jesus gave me peace.

Keller’s comments on Mark 5 really hit home: “Right now, is God delaying something in your life? Are you ready to give up? Are you impatient with Him? There may be a crucial factor that you just don’t have access to. The answer, as with Jairus (whose daughter died while he waited for Jesus to talk to a woman who had touched Him in the crowd*), is to trust Jesus.” (*explanation added by me) Just as I was able to trust Jesus with Janet’s life (whether she stayed with us or went to be with her Saviour was not the point; knowing that Jesus was in control, no matter what happened, I could trust Him) am I now willing to trust God for my future? Now that I face the challenge of raising more finances for rent? Now that my job description is still in the process of being written? Now, after living out of suitcases for 5 months.. with a possible 5 months of the same on the horizon?

30 some-odd years of learning

A whole truck load of blessings and challenges awaits in Paul E. Miller's book A Praying Life.  (A whole truck load of good reviews on it can be found here .) It's kind of funny (in a sad sort of way) as you look back at your life and begin to realize that you didn't have it all together... especially if your main vocation has been that of "missionary."  Yesterday my wife and I celebrated an anniversary.  30 years ago we left Canada for Kalimantan, Indonesia. (last week we came back to Canada for a short Home Assignment, but we are still connected to Kalimantan).  Today we celebrate another Anniversary... 32 years of marriage. Still learning, still growing...  Life is a process of learning how much we don't know.  The only way one can ever really be "successful" in life is if they are open to learning...

mid-life crisis

Perhaps mid-fifties is a bit late for a mid-life crisis, but sometimes it feels like we are in the middle of one... Changing jobs (ministry) in a foreign country has some unique challenges to it.  We have a number of options in front of us; choosing is sometimes a bit difficult.  There are time limitations, situational complications of various sorts, financial challenges to overcome, choices to make in regards to what to keep, what to give or throw away, where to store what we are keeping, where we are going to live after our 6 month Home Assignment in Canada ..... Is God really in all of this?  Of course, things could be a lot worse.. with so many countries in the midst of suffering...earthquakes, tsunami, nuclear fallout, uprisings, wars, famine, human rights violations too numerous to count...
'He has told you, oh man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?'  - Micah 6:8

In November we had the opportunity, along with Dave and Phyllis Enns, to participate in  a Family Seminar in Pontianak. It was a great time of interaction, not to mention the chance for a pictures with a few good friends, many of whom we have known for 30 years!  We are so blessed!

Holy Encounters of the Best Kind

Holy Encounters of the Best Kind:  Sacred Moments for 2011
 I thought I would take this pre-2011 moment of opportunity to share something that God has challenged me with the last while.
Duane Elmer, in his excellent book, Cross-cultural Servanthood, makes a very profound statement. It kind of goes like this:  Every time we encounter someone, anywhere, we have a choice whether to make that moment a Sacred one or a profane one. Recognizing that every person on this earth was made in the Image of God, how I respond to or treat each person I meet will make a Sacred moment (I accept and value them as my equal, as God’s creation, as someone special in God’s eyes) or a profane moment (I view that person with suspicion or think of them as unworthy of my time, money or energy…and thus accuse God of making a mistake.)
Think of this, Sacred or Profane, the next time you run into a foreigner, the next time you get irritated with your co-worker, the next time you see someone who is different from you.  You and I have a choice: to value people who are different from us, and thus reflect God’s glory (Sacred moment) or to de-value them and thus, (in a blunt way of putting it) curse God (profane moment).

I confess, sometimes I find this very difficult; some people can be very difficult to love, and I tend to be impatient and proud. I know I will fail many times, but I believe God is at work in me, wanting me to make each moment a sacred one.
Will you join me in seeking to make each encounter this next year a sacred moment ?
Together we can make this world a bit better place… more reflective of His glory,  more full of His grace, as we accept and value those around us.
Have a very Sacred 2011!
In His Strong Arms,

Better late than never?

Ok, so it's been over half a year since I put something down on this blog. That either means I am very undisiplined, or there were better things to do, or I have different priorities than some other people, or I am still kind of "old school"...(or I have a different blog elsewhere - though that one also is lacking in "posts" . no matter. What is really important is that all this time I have been in His Strong Arms. Yep, we all kind of think that what happens in our life is very important... but at the end of the day, what really matters is our relationship to the Creator. I don't consider myself of that much importance that I need to prove myself. I am satisfied that I have a Creator/Saviour God who bestows His Grace on me each day. And my goal is to be a channel of that grace to those around me. If you are one of the very few people who happen upon this blog, take a moment to reflect on Who God is, how awesome He is, and how amazing His Grace is to you. In the long run, we are all In His Strong Arms.

Step Aside For Encouragement

In about a week we will host our 3rd Step Aside For Encouragement (S.A.F.E.) program here at ACTI. Designed to uplift cross-cultural workers who are feeling weary from all the stress of living and ministering in a culture other than their own, this 2 week retreat has been instrumental in revitalizing some of God's servants last year. We hope to do the same this time around. Discouraged by the small number of people attending? Well, we could be if we didn't know that we are, no matter what happens or where, in His Strong Arms. There are no surprises to God. Our role is to be faithful to Him in this ministry. Pray for us. Thanks!

Back in the Saddle?

I am back to my blog. (those that even care enough to look for it or read it might say, "yes, saddle-ly enough, he's back to his blog...") Can it really be that I have been away from this thing for over a year?

A lot has happened, though nothing that spectacular.....

Over the last year or so, I have experienced the grace of God in so many ways. Strength to keep going when things looked rough, love for the people He has placed in my life, food on the table, money enough to live, good times of fellowship with family and friends in Asia and in North America... I am blessed.

Bridge-sitters

In His Strong Arms

Petronas Towers - KL

This was taken about 3 years ago... not a great picture, but good memories of an awesome structure....

Getting B(l)ogged Down...

Honestly, to keep up with a blog you almost need to be married to your computer!  I'm tied to my computer enough at work, that I don't relish sitting in front of it too much at home. I guess you can see how (un)disciplined I am at keeping up with what is happening in my life.  Wow, life can be so busy!  Here we are at the end of July, half way through '08!  Just celebrated our 29th anniversary 2 days ago.  God has blessed me with a wife who delights in being a channel of His blessings.  Over these years we have truly blessed by all the wonderful people God has placed on our path and in our lives.  More and more I am realizing how unfathomable is the depth of His grace!  

Gospel Truth

When it comes to life, we all struggle with something or another.  For some, it is sickness; for some, broken family relationships; for others, financial problems. Some struggle with habitual sins or with their situation in life, with jealousy or anger or pride... I imagine the list could go on and on.  Over the last 10 years or so I (and a number of good friends) have been learning more about the Gospel. Many people have caught on to this simple truth so much quicker than me. Some of this really hit home a few days ago as a good friend led our church camp in an exploration of Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Often we followers of Christ forget that the Gospel is not just "getting saved", but rather "total help for total need".  It's not the Gospel, plus church attendance, or plus giving, or  plus good works, or plus witnessing, or living a perfect life (as if that were possible)... .  We could do nothing of our own to gain salvation, and there is nothing we can add to it.  We often mess up... but God the Father patiently waits for us to realize that He, as Holy as He is, loves us with such an indescribable love.... There is such a wonderful freedom in that realization... 

Paul, in Romans 8, says that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God which we find in the Messiah, Jesus (Isa).  Not even death can come between us.  And all we have to do is believe in Jesus.  So simple.  So simple that many people cannot believe it... they think there is more we must do.  But there isn't. We need only believe.  Just like the thief on the cross who believed in Jesus.  No chance to go to church, be baptized, give some money, witness to others.... yet, Jesus promised Him a place in Heaven because in his heart this wicked (just like you and me) person believed that Jesus is the Messiah.. the Holy One... Almighty God.   Whether you are a pre-believer in Christ (haven't accepted Him as your saviour) or a believer who is struggling with some habitual sin that is bogging you down... why not come to Him in humility and ask His forgiveness?  He freely gives to all who ask.  

My prayer is that I will always remember that He has done it all... and that I do not need to prove anything... even if I fail Him.  My life is In His Strong Arms.....

People I am Proud of

*My wife, Jenny (Janet). Born and raised in the jungles of Kalimantan, she introduced me to a wonderful world on the other side of the globe. Her love for the Indonesian people still shines. During our 15 years there, all the while struggling with some serious health issues, Jenny served people from villages all around us. With no medical training she cared for upto 30 people a day on our front porch, while teaching our children in home school and keeping up several other ministries. She delivered babies in very unsanitary conditions while trying to teach village mid-wives that saving the baby was more important than getting the after-birth out.Jenny is the type of person every church wants. She excels at seeing potential in every person, she loves to encourage through her spiritual gift of giving, she loves to enhance people’s lives by giving them insights into life and helping them to find teachable moments for their children.Creativity just oozes out of this lovely lady. Her ability to see potential in junk, and then to make something beautiful out of it is just amazing. She has this way with people, too.
*My only son, Joel. An infectious smile, a love for people, a desire to make people feel welcomed and accepted. That’s Joel. Raised in the jungles, Joel made a lot of friends… back in Canada he was the ever-popular good friend to just about everyone. Perhaps the toughest thing for Joel would be deciding where to concentrate his efforts and in which direction to take for life. He seemed to be good at everything he attempted. As an actor he made us proud with his accomplishments in high school and college. Recently he has been concentrating on electronic music… and is doing very well at it. * First daughter, Andrea. The quietest of our 3 children, but underneath lies a heynonnynonny character. Andri is a lot of fun. An accomplished painter/illustrator with a super creative mind, Andri is also very musical. Beautiful smile backed by a beautiful character. *Youngest daughter, Johanna. Joey is bubbly, creative, determined. She has a real big heart for helping others. Great eye for photography… and like all the others, very creative in music, art and drama. Has a way of getting to know a lot of people....

Our children are TCK's (Third Culture Kids). Like all TCK's they face a lot of challenges that most people would not even know exist. Their world view is so great from living in several cultures...

reflections on a good life.

Recently I have been thinking back on my life. Who would have thought that this shy immature kid from the farm would end up living in Singapore? Who would have imagined the privilege of living in the jungles of Borneo for so many years? Of raising 3 great, talented children? Of the thousands of people from various cultures that we count as good friends? God has been so gracious to us. We certainly don't deserve any of it. Back in the early 70's when I was trying to figure out my life (hey, if you think I'm strange now, you should have known me back then!), some good friends, whom God used to steer me back into a personal relationship with Him, introduced me to the music of Andre Crouch. Perhaps his most famous song is the one that could describe my feelings right now: "How can i say thanks, for the things you have done for me? Things, so undeserved, yet You gave to prove your love for me...... To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things He has done...."

Post Departure Thoughts

Our friends left a few hours ago. The amazing thing for us as followers of Jesus is that our farewells are never final, never forever. No matter what happens... to us or to them, ... we will see each other again. We have that blessed assurance of life after death... in fact, Life as it was originally designed to be... not a poor imitation as we now know it today. How privileged we are!
How much we need to tell others about this LIFE!

Going Home?

Less than 12 hours from now we will be saying goodbye to a couple whom we have known and worked with for over half our lives. As we will see them again sometime in the future back in Canada (we think), it is not such an emotional drain on us. As we remain here among people we have come to know and love, there is a measure of comfort. However, for them, after having lived and ministered in S.E. Asia since 1976, this is a very traumatic time. Ill health has forced them to return to a country that somehow is no longer their home. Sure, they have friends and family there, but almost certainly most of them have no clue as to all the things this couple will have to process in their hearts and minds as they return to a country that they are now so different from.
Oh that the churches "back home" would try to understand the emotional turmoil that missionaries go through when they leave places and people they love and have gotten to know over the years. Though I know that God will provide for this couple in every way, yet the journey back will not be easy. They have poured their lives into people here for 30 years, and now they are having to walk away from all that. And they are going back to well meaning people who won't be able to understand what is going on in their lives.
Praise God, that He understands and has promised to supply our every need. It will not be an easy transition, but He will be there with them and for them. All along the way, they will be.... In His Strong Arms.
-Henry