Consumerism

Check out this video about being a "good" consumer. Obviously it is an exercise in irony.

Here in Costa Rica we too are bombarded with the endless commercials during this time of year (most of which are squarely aimed at our children). When you think about all of the money and effort that are put into the consumer mentality, it is quite mind boggling. Enjoy. :-)

Am I Dreaming?

They say that there are multiple seismic tremors every day in Costa Rica. They say that lots of small, harmless tremors are good because they release pressure from the tectonic plates and make large earthquakes less likely to occur.

During our time here in Costa Rica, a little more than a year now, we have had only 3 or 4 tremors that were noticeable to us. Usually they were very short, and by the time you had figured out what was happening, they were already over.

This past Tuesday night, around midnight, I was awakened by the sensation that I was moving. Now, I am known to have vivid dreams that have a tendency to blend with my reality, especially in that muddled state between asleep and fully awake (just ask my wife, she has quite a collection of stories). So when I felt like I felt like the room was moving, my first instinct was to assume I was dreaming.

As I became more and more awake by the second however, it became apparent that this was no dream. We have a large dressing mirror hanging on the wall above our dresser and it was loudly slapping against the wall. Wind chimes are a very popular decoration here, but they are normally put inside the house where they are exposed to very little wind. The purpose of the wind chimes here is to indicate the presence of a tremor. Ours was making a lot of noise.

Once the reality hit that this indeed was an earthquake, two thoughts were running through my mind. 1) Is it going to be over in a second or two like all the ones before it? or 2) Do we need to get the girls and get out of the house?

I regularly pray that God would give us wisdom in the event that we need to get out of the house, because the small tremors and a potentially deadly large earthquake can begin in the same way. The 5 sets of locks that keep us safe from those outside the house that would do us harm, are the same 5 sets of locks that would keep us from exiting the house quickly in an emergency.

If you have never personally experienced an earthquake, it is hard to imagine what it is like. I have never been in a really big one, and God willing I never will be, but I have spoken to some people that have. The ground under your feet that has behaved in a predictable way for all of your life begins to do things it is not supposed to do. There is a feeling of complete lack of control. This is not something you went looking for, it has found you. And there is no way to get away from its affects, only attempts to position yourself in such a way as to not have something fall on you.

God knows when the earthquakes are going to come, small or large. We are trusting that He will give us wisdom about what to do if a big one comes.

You can read below and article that talks about this most recent activity.

Have you ever experienced and earthquake?

Early morning 6.2 quake was felt all over country

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

An earthquake that was estimated at a magnitude 6.2 struck at a point on the Panamá-Costa Rica border at 12:12 a.m. today.

The epicenter appeared to be a few kilometers inland from the peninsula that both countries share.

The location was listed by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center to be 55 km (35 miles) west-southwest of David, Panamá, 45 km (30 miles) south-southeast of Golfito and 220 km (135 miles) southeast of San José.

The quake was felt in San José as a short and a long tremor. The duration may have been as much as a minute.

The area of the quake, Punta Burica, and nearby Puerto Armulles in Panamá are a frequent location for such events. There have been no reports of injuries or damage yet, the magnitude of the quake is in the danger range.

Online seismographs at the Obvservatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica showed that the quake was felt all over the country.

A quake hit the same area early Dec. 25, 2003, and killed two persons and damaged at least 70 homes. That quake was registered as a 6.3 magnitude.


U.S. Geological Survey, National
Earthquake Information Center
Red dot shows estimated location of quake

A Family Favorite Video

This video is one our girls favorite to watch. In case you weren't clear on the plot of Star Wars, this little girl will clear things up for you. Enjoy!

Our Creative Daughter

Here are some merfolk that our daughter (5 years old) Avigail put together. She first drew the different body sections on colored paper, then cut them out and glued them together. She is very creative and likes to draw and make things.

She is a true joy to us.

Learning from Mistakes

Learning from mistakes should be a integral part of our lives.

Mistakes happen, so why let them go to waste? Post-mistake is an excellent time to evaluate what happened, what went wrong, and how you can keep from making the same mistake again. While learning from our own mistakes is vitally important, learning from the mistakes of others can be incredibly valuable as well. Sometimes we can learn life lessons from the time other people spend in the well attended School of Hard Knocks.

This morning I was reading in the book of Matthew, chapter 8, and I came across the familiar story in verses 23 to 28 about Jesus and the disciples as they crossed the Sea of Galilee in a ship.

It would appear that in this story that the disciples didn't handle this very intense, very difficult situation correctly, evidenced by the fact that Jesus rebukes them for their fear and their lack of faith.

So in my desire to learn from the mistakes of others, I started to think about what the disciples should have done instead. What would have been the right way for them to deal with the circumstances they were going through?

They get into the ship and start sailing; an activity these well-seasoned fisherman had engaged in many times before. Somewhere along the line, Jesus goes down below to take a nap. Up on deck, the wind starts to blow, the skies begin to darken, and the storm begins to descend on this small ship in the Sea of Galilee.

These men have surely been through a rough storm or two in their lives. Growing up around the sea and ships, following in the footsteps of their fathers, these guys were not freshmen sailors.

So as the storm grew in intensity and strength, what was going through their minds? Was this storm worse than any of the previous storms they had experienced in their lives? How much worse? At what point in the storm did they decide that this particular storm was going to cause them to perish?

One of the greatest practical applications of this passage is trusting in what Jesus said. Jesus told the disciples they were going to the other side of the lake, as told in Luke 8:22. He didn't say, "We are going to get on a boat and then die in the middle of the Sea of Galilee together. So the clear lesson for us is to trust in what God says He will do, even if it looks like your boat is sinking in a storm.

What mistakes then can we learn from in this story? What would have happened if the disciples had weathered the storm for just a few more moments? Was the plan of Jesus all along to wake up and calm the storm? How could the disciples have chosen to be controlled by faith instead of fear?

These are intriguing questions, but ones we will not know the answers to until we are with our Lord. So in conclusion, here are some practical points of application I drew out for my own life:

• Trust God. If He said He is taking me to the other side, then I need to trust Him in that. Even if I don't see how it could possibly happen. The disciples were afraid, and Jesus rebuked them for that. They feared the storm instead of trusting of Him who would never leave them nor forsake them. I John 4:10-19 talks about the love relationship we need to have with God through His Son Jesus Christ, and that this love relationship casts out fear.
  

• Learn to nap with Jesus. Why should I worry about something that God is not worried about? I need to follow God's lead in all things. If the only concern of Jesus during the storm is whether to sleep on his left side or his right, then why am I freaking out because I think I am about to die? I should be resting in Him.
  

• Hold on in the storm. It may seem that God is asleep and not aware of the tempest around me, but it is not true. If I will wait on Him and trust, He has a plan to deal with the storm in just the right way and at just the right time. Hold on a little longer. So many times the test of our faith is in the waiting.

A Spirit of Fear

Shortly after Keeley and I were married in June of 2001, we had the opportunity to go on an overseas missions trip together to Belarus in September of that same year.  In hindsight, I don’t think either of us would endorse a newly married couple going on such a trip so soon.  Better to wait six months to a year to allow for the inevitable adjustments to be in place or at least begun.

Of course we all know that in September of 2001 is when the attacks on the Twin Towers occurred in New York City.  This history changing event occurred while we were in Belarus with a group of about 30 from our church, and around 30 others from churches around the US.

We were out in a small village inviting people to come to a local Bible study when we first learned of the attacks.  Since the people we were speaking with spoke only Russian, their interpretation of the events that had been interpreted by a Russian newscaster which were then translated back into English by the translator that was working with us left us with a muddled impression, to say the least, of what had happened that tragic day.  One elderly woman we spoke with said that terrorists had destroyed a large shopping mall and had kidnapped President Bush (you can imagine how “trade center” might end up coming across in translation as a place to shop).

Once we got back to the church where the missionaries and the rest of our group was, the facts and details of what had actually transpired became to come together.  Because we had no access to television, cable or otherwise, our only source of information was an extremely slow dial-up connection to the Internet.  One of the missionaries would download updates and share them with the group several times a day. 

When discussing the experiences people in the US had when the attacks occurred, people always talk about having the television on almost nonstop, and seeing video footage of the planes hitting the towers over and over again.  Not having that element of television in Belarus definitely gave us a different perspective on the attacks.  It wasn’t until weeks later after returning to the United States that I saw the video footage for the first time.

Many people have told me that watching the reporting on television during the days following the attacks only served to feed a spirit of fear in them, so they had made a decision to turn it off.

In these recent days as the United States is dealing with a financial mess, once again the television is filled with nonstop reporting and stories that for the most part serve only to feed a spirit of fear.  Even here in Costa Rica, the financial “crisis” in the US is a hot news item, and cable TV allows us to see most of the major US news channels. 

While watching one of the many reporters talk of impending doom, I was reminded of a team meeting we had in Belarus shortly after the news of the 9/11 attacks had been announced.  Many of the people in our group had children back in the states that were staying with friends or family while their parents went to Belarus, so of course their concern for them was at the forefront of their minds.  For many, a spirit of fear had set in and there was a look of panic and helplessness on their faces.  KCBT Pastor, Alan Shelby, was our team leader for the trip and he called the meeting to address the group.  Alan, with great wisdom, spoke to us and encouraged us to approach the situation soberly and in faith.  One of the things he said that has stuck with me to this day, and serves us equally well in the situation we find ourselves in today, was, “There is nothing that has happened which gives us cause to distrust God”.

Are there problems?  Yes.  Are there people struggling financially?  Yes.  Will the condition of the economy have an affect on the average person in the US?  Probably.  But none of these things give us cause to distrust our God.  Is God only faithful to provide for our needs if the US economy is in good shape?  Of course not, He is always faithful.

I read this morning the following verses and was reminded of God’s faithfulness and how unaffected He is by the world’s economy.

Matthew 6:28-33
28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

A Good Reminder

I was going through some discipleship material this morning and came across a section talking about the importance of allowing our Heavenly Father to care for us.  Obviously He wants to care for us, but He will not force us to receive His care.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  I Peter 5:7

Such a great verse, and one I needed to be reminded of this morning.  Cast some of my care upon him?  Sure, no problem.  But cast all of my care upon him?  That is a bit more difficult.  That requires that I let go of the control I attempt to maintain over situations in my life.

Thanks for the reminder God.  I needed it.

A New Normal

Life is a series of new normals isn’t it?

We get established in patterns, they last for a period of time, and then something happens to cause those familiar patterns to change.  Sometimes the change is for the better, sometimes for the worse, and sometimes it is neutral.

For the last year our normal has been Language School.  Up at 4:30 am to get ourselves and our kids ready before heading off to classes.  Family time, homework, and studying in the evenings, and a constant effort to keep all of the elements in balance.  Get up the next day and do it all again.

After a 3 week visit to the States, we are back in Costa Rica and the process of developing a new normal has begun.  We are excited about this new phase and looking forward to getting the new set of patterns in place.

Although there is still a lot of studying and work to be done, it is incredibly freeing to not have the pressure of homework assignments and exams dominating our evenings.  That is a part of the old normal I am glad to leave behind.

Finding our new normal will be a process rather than an event.  So many of the factors to be considered are dynamic and cannot simply be put down in a list on a piece of paper.  Step by step it will come though, and soon the label of the “new normal” will blend into our daily routine.

Some Language School Graduation Videos

Here are a couple of videos that were played at our graduation ceremony on August 14th. The first one is a slideshow, and the second one is a parady video for fun.

US Soil

The caffeine from the Starbucks cafe americano begins to course through my veins.  It has been over a year since I had my last one; the familiar cup and the little cardboard don’t-burn-your-hand thingy bring back a flood of memories.

We are in the Houston airport, in route to Denver, Colorado.  The layover is long by choice (if you have every tried to navigate US Immigration and Customs with two small children you will know why).  Our flight doesn’t leave for another hour and a half, so we are killing time at a relaxed pace.

Three days from now will mark the one year anniversary of our move from Kansas City, MO to San José, Costa Rica.  Just yesterday we walked down the isle and received our diplomas at our graduation from Spanish Language School.  What a wonderfully difficult year it was; full of highs and lows, challenges and victories, laughter and tears.  By God’s grace we made it through to the other side and now have a great foundation of Spanish to continue building on.

We had heard stories of missionaries going back to the States for a visit and experiencing reverse culture shock.  Although we have only been gone for one year, it is a bit of a shock to be back in the American culture we had lived in for so long.  Keeley and I were saying how strange it is to navigate the airport process without having to think ahead about how to say something important in Spanish.  I found myself having to be intentional about using English with the guy that sold me a sandwich at the food court.  A good problem to have I suppose, it means the Spanish has become much more a part of me than I think I realize.

There is a forecast of snow in the mountains of Colorado where we are going to spend this weekend.  Both Keeley and I are salivating at the thought of playing in the wonderful white stuff.  We enjoy our two seasons in Costa Rica, rainy and less rainy, but admittedly the more drastic changes of seasons we were accustomed to have been missed.  I think our friends are going to loan us some coats since ours were sold to the highest bidder at our everything must go garage sale a year ago.

One of my goals for this visit is to not gain much weight.  In case you didn’t know it, the portion sizes in the US are HUGE compared to those in most other countries.  The fine custom of sharing time with good friends over a meal is one we enjoy, but it is also one that could send us home to Costa Rica with some extra pounds as souvenirs.  There are several foods that I have been missing from the states, but I think the one at the top of my list is Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage.  Crazy, I know.  But I really enjoy some greasy Jimmy Dean for breakfast.  Yumm.

It is good to be back.  We definitely miss people and relationships, although Costa Rica has become home for us.  This will be a great visit and we are grateful for the opportunity to re-connect with people in person.  I plan on posting again soon with some of the things we have learned in the past year in addition to Spanish.

Lord willing I will get a chance to bump into you in Denver or Kansas City.  Pura vida!

What do you mean I can’t drive my car today?

Recently the government here in Costa Rica put into effect a driving restriction that is intended to reduce traffic and “save gas”.

The restriction is based on the last digit of your license plate number, and the plates work a little differently here.  Instead of each person that buys a new or used car being issued a new set of plates, there is one set of plates issued for a new car and that set of plates stays with the car throughout it’s car life.  So the plates I have on my 1996 Toyota Corolla are the same ones that all of the previous owners have had as well.

So here is how the restriction breaks down.  Cars with plate numbers ending in:

• 1 & 2 Can’t drive on Mondays in the restricted zone
• 3 & 4 Can’t drive on Tuesdays in the restricted zone
• 5 & 6 Can’t drive on Wednesdays in the restricted zone
• 7 & 8 Can’t drive on Thursdays in the restricted zone
• 9 & 0 Can’t drive on Fridays in the restricted zone

Many people live and work outside of the restricted zone, so for them this new policy is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.  We, however, live well within the borders of this zone.  This means that for us, on Mondays since our plates end in 2, it would be against the law for us to so much as move our car out of the garage.

So this morning we walked out of our house to head to Language School, leaving a perfectly good car behind in the garage.  We located a taxi nearby and paid him around $3.00 to shuttle us over the school about 5 minutes away.

Although I am not fond of the inconvenience this poses to us on Mondays, nor am I fond of the idea that someone is telling me I can’t use the vehicle that I own when and where I want (it is my right after all isn’t it? – oh, wait, wrong country :-) ), the amount of cars and backups in the traffic circles is significantly less and this is a very good thing.

A friend of mine at the Language School who also has a car was going to ask me about setting up a car pool where he picked us up on our no-drive day, and we would pick them up on their no-drive day.  This was a wonderful idea, but unfortunately he and I both have plates that end in “2” and therefore share Mondays as our no-drive day.

In reality, this will only affect us in a big way for the next four weeks as we finish Language School.  After that there will be fewer reasons to venture out on Mondays during the restricted driving hours of 6 AM to 7 PM.  Good times!

The Water is All Tapped Out

Utilities going out for hours at a time are a common occurrence here in Central America.

If the power goes out once a week for several hours, we simply accept it as a normal part of life.  We have a gas stove, so even without power we are able to cook, and Keeley has plenty of candles to light the house.

About once a month the water stops working as well.  Usually the government controlled water company notifies everyone in advance of the outage and we prepare by filling up an extra jug or two.  But sometimes accidents happen….

This past Thursday there was a landslide that caused major damage to a very large main pipe that feeds water to a large part of San Jose.  The water stayed off until Sunday evening with only short times of limited flow mixed in a couple of times.

Our supply of emergency water jugs, used mostly for filling up the toilet tanks in order to flush them, were depleted by Saturday evening.  What we had thought was an exaggerated amount of jugs started to appear insufficient.

The McGyver in me started thinking about how to collect the copious amounts of water that fall from the sky just about every afternoon.  I have included a picture of my rain collector that we used to gather some to-be-boiled drinking water.

Here are some things we take for granted:

• Turning the faucet handle and having water come out
• Flushing the toilet anytime we want
• Washing clothes at the touch of a button
• Taking hot (or cold) showers
• Having enough drinkable water to make some delicious Costa Rican coffee in the morning

Although inconvenient, we survived the Great Water Outage of 2008.  Sure made us think about how much we appreciate water and how hard it must be to not have it on a consistent basis.

Massive blackout hits D.C.

June 13, 2008 - 5:22pm
(WTOP Photo/Adam Tuss)

WASHINGTON - A blackout brought much of the nation's capital to a standstill for more than two hours Friday morning.

Frustrated officials muttered darkly about the "Friday the 13th" blackout as some government employees were given the rest of the day off.

The power went out at 7:25 a.m., idling arriving office workers outside darkened workplaces. At one point, Pepco reported more than 18,000 customers without power.

Pepco reported power was restored to all customers before 11 a.m.

Having the power go out can be a major inconvenience, trust me, I know. I must admit though that I laughed when I read this headline. I didn't read about anyone getting hurt as a result of the blackout, and if I missed it somehow I am not making light of that. It is just that here in Costa Rica, our power goes off at least once a week on average, sometimes more.

What tickled my funny bone is that you won't see headlines like that here, because it is such a common occurrence. Part of what I found humorous was the use of the word "massive". MASSIVE power outage.

OK, so maybe it was only funny for me. Thanks for trying to understand. :-)

My Heart Growing Fonder

We all know the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Today my heart has increased in fondness for my wife.

Keeley left last night (Friday) for a one night ladies retreat that is being put on by our Language School.  In addition to having the opportunity to be encouraged and fellowship with some other ladies, Keeley is also in charge of leading the praise and worship times.  It has been a lot of work for her to prepare for this retreat, but she has done a great job.

The girls and I had a movie night last night, complete with popcorn.  We had a great time hanging out and laughing together.  This morning was pancakes and some cartoons.  I love spending time with our girls, so times like these don’t feel like a “big sacrifice”.

Keeley will get back around 5:00 PM this evening.  Both the girls and I are greatly anticipating her return, as home just isn’t the same without Mom there.  And although I try to show her how much I appreciate her all the time, opportunities to care for the girls and the home all by myself tend to accentuate exactly how much I value who Keeley is and how she cares for us in such an awesome way.

Thank you Lord for my godly wife, I am truly a blessed man.  :-)

Can’t Wait for August!

We love being in Costa Rica.  After all, there is no better place in the world to be than exactly where God wants you, and right now God wants us here.  God has blessed us with a fairly easy transition into the culture and has given us many good relationships here in our new home.

That being said, we are VERY excited for our visit to the states this August.  It’s not that we want to move back, but we definitely miss our families, our friends, and our church.

Having moved around a lot while growing up, I got used to being in new places and getting adjusted to new surroundings.  I never really remember missing a particular house, or a particular city, but I most certainly remember missing people.

Here is a quick summary of my moves:

1. Born in California
2. Moved to North Carolina shortly thereafter
3. Moved back across the country to Washington State
4. Next back to North Carolina
5. Then on to Oklahoma
6. Independence, Missouri
7. San Mateo, California
8. Independence, Missouri
9. Missoula, Montana to help start a new church
10. Back to Kansas City, Missouri
11. And now, San Jose, Costa Rica

Lots of moves, I know.  Many people ask me if it was hard moving around so much.  I always explain that it was not hard, in fact it was my version of normal.  Having moved around all my life, I didn’t know any different.  In hindsight, God was preparing me for the part of His plan that includes moving to countries other than the one I was born in.  :-)

Please don’t misunderstand, I miss Kansas City summers where you open the front door of your house to leave and the heat hits you in the face like you just opened the oven door after your wife baked cookies, but most of all I miss the people and relationships there.

One of the blessings of moving to a new place is the new relationships that are waiting for you there.  So in addition to the existing relationships that are now a little further away (in distance), we get to make new friends in the next place God has us.

In August we will have been in Costa Rica, and physically separated from family and friends in the states, for one year.  It is amazing how the impact of not seeing someone for one year is amplified when you are several countries away.  So we are definitely looking forward to the visit. 

If you happen to be one of the people we are blessed to visit during our time in the states and we hug you a little tighter than usual, now you know why.  :-)

Tim Hawkins - Christian Comedian

I came across this video and laughed my head off. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank You Lord, May I Have Another?

Do you like to be corrected?

I think it would be fair to say that most of us don't particularly enjoy being corrected, it goes against our nature.

One of the critical components of learning a language is to receive continual and consistent correction. If you think about it, we do that with our children as they begin to learn their first language. Our daughters will learn to speak English better and better as they add new words to their vocabulary and we as their parents gently correct them when they use a word incorrectly.

Learning Spanish has put us in the exact same position of needing to receive continual and consistent correction. Sometimes in my conversation class as I attempt to read a paragraph I have written in Spanish, I barely get two words out before the teacher is gently correcting what I have said (again). There are days when it feels as if I can say nothing right and afterwards I feel as if I have been beaten up. Sometimes even constructive correction can be painful.

Really there are two responses we can choose to have when we are given constructive correction.

1. We can choose to embrace it and appreciate it for what it is, a caring attempt to keep us on the right track. Or..

2. We can choose to fight against the correction, to resent it, and therefore receive little or no benefit from it.

So why in the world would someone fight against the caring attempts of another to keep them on the right track? One word for you:

Pride

It is terrible how often the "P" word comes up isn't it? But that is certainly the reason I fight against correction in my life. Because really what someone is saying when they give you correction is that you were wrong.

I don't like to be wrong. There, I said it. Are you happy now?

Who does like to be wrong though really? Maybe the guy whose job it is to predict devastating hurricanes. But I digress...

Here is a quick summary of some great verses in the Book of Proverbs that speak to this issue:

Proverbs 5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

OK, so it is pretty important for us to be wise and heed the reproof and correction that the Lord gives us. But what about seeking out correction from God?

We all know the old saying about being careful about praying for patience, because we only grow in patience as we are given opportunities to be patient. So should we seek out the correction and reproof of God even if it hurts? Even if we feel a little beat up afterwards?

The obvious, but difficult answer is yes. God's correction is given to us to keep us on track in His plan for our lives, to move us away from sin and toward His righteousness. To make us more like His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

So just as I must have consistent and continual correction as I learn to speak Spanish, we as Christians must have the consistent and continual correction of our Lord. I don't want to have bad habits in my Spanish where I say words or phrases incorrectly. Nor do I want to have bad habits or sin in my life that prevents or hinders me from completing every bit of the plan God has for my life.

God, I want your correction. I want your correction even if it hurts because I know it will yield fruit in my life to your glory if I will take heed to it.

When God gives you correction and reproof, which way do you choose to respond?

Help me Help you Help me

One of my favorite things to hear come from the mouths of my daughters is the question, "Can I help you with that?". Especially my oldest daughter Avigail has started asking this question a lot.

Many times the question comes in the kitchen, when Keeley or I are cooking a meal. Another common context for this precious question is when I am using my tools to fix or build something.

This morning I heard Avigail pose this question to Keeley in another room and it started me thinking about the ramifications it carries with it. One of the things I considered is the tremendous opportunity to learn that can result from this question. If Keeley and I are careful to grant their requests to help (when possible of course), then our daughters will have the chance to be exposed to many real-life situations and to learn from them.

I want my girls to know how to use common tools to fix stuff, but how will they learn if I don't let them help me? I want my girls to know their way around a kitchen and how to cook meals, but how will they learn if we don't let them crack some eggs?

Next I considered what my reasons are for saying no to their requests to help me. Now I am not saying that every time they ask to help I should say yes, certainly there are times when it is not realistic. But surely I could say yes more than I currently do. So why do I say no when I could say yes? Without having to expel too much smoke from my ears by overtaxing my small brain, I came to the conclusion that the majority of times I say no when I could say yes it is because it would cause me to be inconvenienced.

Yuck. I feel ugly just typing it. It would be easier for me if you don't help me, that's what I am really saying isn't it? I can get this project done faster if you don't help me. I can make breakfast faster and with substantially less mess if you don't help me.

I'll get to the obvious personal application in just a moment.

This thought journey took me next to the fine art of delegation. I will be the first one to admit that I am not good at delegating. I would like to think that I am getting better at it, but I am certainly not where I believe the Lord would want me to be with it yet. For 7 years I had the distinct honor of serving under Pastor Alan Shelby at the Kansas City Baptist Temple. In my opinion, one of Alan's greatest gifts is his ability (and willingness) to delegate. I personally experienced and was witness to many instances when Alan was approached with an idea for ministry by someone serving under him. With a great deal of wisdom, Alan would usually allow the person with the idea to take it and run with it. Many times the person was qualified to undertake the task at hand, but there were other times when it was going to be a stretch for them to accomplish it. I believe Alan was putting into action the same principle that I need to use with my daughters.

Let people try things even though they may fail, even though they may make a mess that will need to be cleaned up (by me). This is how we learn. This is how we grow. It is true for our kids, and it is true in ministry.

I have been guilty of sitting under some great delegators and enjoying growth as a result, then turning around and not granting that same opportunity to those I have influence with.

Growth through trying (and sometimes failing), that's the way God grows me many times. I want to create that kind of environment for growth for my kids and for those God would allow me to influence in His kingdom.

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way
wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Exodus 18:20

Are you a good delegator? Have you had someone in your life that gave you chances to grow through trying, someone who shewed you how to walk?

More Than Desire

As many of us are accustomed to doing, I was reading in the book of Proverbs this morning in chapter 13 that corresponds to today's date.

God pointed out many verses in this rich chapter, one of them being verse 10, which is one of my favorite marriage verses. But today God really brought my attention to verse 4.

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

I was reminded again of the fact that desiring something, and actually realizing it are two different things.

Lots of people desire things to be different in their lives, and yet year after year things go on in the same manner. Why?

The second half of the verse gives us the key in contrast. Everyone desires, but sluggards desire and have nothing. The soul of the diligent desires too, and is made fat because they act in obedience to God's instruction.

So really that is the difference isn't it? Everyone desires, but the diligent act, and therefore realize their desires (Godly desires that is...).

Learning Spanish is a great example of this concept. In our Language School, everyone here desires to learn Spanish. But who will actually see that desire realized? Only those that are diligent to study and practice.

Are there positive things or changes you have desired for your life for a long time now that have never come to pass? Are you being diligent to follow God's direction in order to see those desires realized?

When we desire those things consistent with the Word of God, God will direct you in how to diligently act in obedience. Then the ball is in your court. Sluggard or Diligent?

Psalm 37:4

But I cooked that just for you!

This time of being at Language School has taken our normal family routine and turned it on its ear. Schedules have changed, free time has changed, and roles within the home have been adjusted significantly.

One of my newly acquired responsibilities is to cook breakfast for the family on weekdays before we go to school. Now before you go and feel too sorry for my wife and daughters, you need to know that my cooking is not too bad. I like to cook and actually have a fairly extensive list of things I can make, considering my gender. So each weekday morning I am challenged to find something tasty, nutritious, and quick to prepare.

It has come to my attention that there is a somewhat negative scenario that can occur when you are responsible for preparing a meal for people. I have actually discussed this scenario with my wife before, but in that instance I was the giving end instead of the receiving end.

What happens is this: The person responsible for preparing the meal uses their mind and hands to lovingly craft some delectable representation of culinary art. The food is carefully served to the intended benefactors, and the proud artisan awaits with bated breath for them to taste of their masterpiece. And then it happens.

- I'm not very hungry
- I'm not feeling well, I'm not going to eat
- This doesn't look very good

These and other possible statements are the dagger thrust into the heart of the chef.

Now I am quite sure that I have thrust many more of these daggers than I have ever received, but a week ago I got stabbed.

Usually the dagger thrusters aren't even aware of the wound they have inflicted. Rarely is it done intentionally, and many times it passes without them realizing anything has even happened.

But for the person who poured themselves into the preparation, only to have it sit untouched and unappreciated, it can be a painful experience.

Obviously, I have embellished the story a bit, but the scenario is certainly a real one. When it happened to me recently, it got me to thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I wondered, since I am made in the image of God (or at least the original pattern was...), does God feel like this whenever I don't utilize that which He has lovingly prepared for me? Perhaps hours of theological debate could be had over this question, but the moral of the story for me is still the same.

God has given to us as Christians so much. His provision out of a heart of love for his children is magnificent. But how often do I leave God's provision for me on the table, untouched and unappreciated.

Specifically, God has impressed upon me the importance of putting on the spiritual armor provided in Ephesians chapter 6. The armor is there, lovingly crafted and prepared for us to benefit from, but many times I do not take advantage of his provision. Now if God has provided for my protection, but I leave the armor in the closet and consequently get shot in the chest by a fiery dart, who do I have to blame?

God promises and provision are so great, I could make a long, long list of things He has set on the table for us to partake of. How many of those things am I "eating" and benefiting from?

And to take it even further, how do I make God feel when He has lovingly provided for me and then I walk away from it without so much as a taste?

My eyes have been opened to the importance of showing appreciation to those that prepare food for my consumption. But more importantly my eyes have been opened to the importance of utilizing all of the provision of God, not just the flavor that sounds good to me at the time.

What provision have you left on the table untouched?

Reductor de Velocidad

Whenever you take your course on survival driving in Costa Rica, one of the lessons you will learn during your first week is the meaning of this phrase, reductor de velocidad. For most of you this item will be better recognized by its English name: speed bump. Loosely translated, it means "velocity reducer", and they definitely do their job well.

Lots of countries utilize speed bumps, but here in Costa Rica they have some that resemble small mountains. The car God has blessed us with, a Toyota Corolla, is a great car, but it definitely lacks in the area of how high it sits off of the ground.

Because of this, we have to slow to a crawl while crossing the velocity reducers in order not to loudly scrape the frame of our car across the raised mound of concrete.

Sometimes the speed bumps are helpfully painted a bright yellow. Sometimes they are left as black as the road around them so you don't see them until it is too late.

Although I might complain about the speed bumps sometimes, I do realize and appreciate their function. Without them, there would be a lot more accidents or the potential for them.

These reductors de velocidad got me to thinking the other day.

God uses speed bumps in my life.

There are times when I get to moving along too quickly in my life and I need to slow down before having a crash of some sort. Some times God allows me to crash, but many times He puts a speed bump in my life in an attempt to slow me down for my own good.

There is a difference between a speed bump and a wall. If you hit a wall you will stop, but a speed bump is only designed to reduce your velocity.

Here are some examples of speed bumps that God has used to slow down my pace.

- Illnesses (my own or my children's)
- Long unavoidable lines
- Power outages
- Received phone calls
- Friends or neighbors dropping by

Slowing down at speed bumps is still optional isn't it? You can choose to hit them going full speed and get over them quickly. Now you will probably trash your car and leave your muffler behind you, but it can be done.

In the same way, I can choose to not yield to the speed bumps God puts in my life. I can plow right through them being frustrated and irritated that my "agenda" was disrupted, or I can take the God provided opportunity to slow down and catch my breath.

Has God ever put speed bumps in your life?

It is far to easy in today's world to develop a lead-foot lifestyle. We have a tendency to keep the petal to the metal all of the time. Praise God that He will intervene at times and give us the chance to regulate our speed back to something healthy.

What kind of speed bumps has God used to slow you down?

Lunch Sharer or Lunch Trader?

Back to school. Our 3 week break is over and it is time for us to begin
our 2nd trimester of Language School. The schedule is an hour longer
this trimester due to the large group of students that are beggining
their studies in December. Because of this longer schedule, our girls
are in class longer and therefore need to take their lunch each day,
whereas before we all got out at noon and ate lunch together at home.

Yesterday my almost 5 year old, Avigail, was telling Keeley and I how
she has been sharing her lunch with several of her friends. After doing
the fatherly thing and explaining to her that it was kind to share, but
she needed to make sure she personally ate enough of her lunch in order
to not be hungry too soon, I started to reflect on this desireable trait
my daugter was exibiting.

Thinking back to my elementary school days, I could clearly remember taking my lunch box to school (Scooby-Doo if you must know...) and eating lunch with my friends in the cafeteria (aka the gym). I recall having three distinct categories of items in my lunchbox most days.

First, there was the necessary, but mostly boring main item, usually a sandwich of some variety. Second, was the slightly more appealing side item, commonly potato chips. And then came the third, and most important item, desert. Desert came in many different delicious forms. Anything made by Hostess, Dolly Madison, or Little Debbie was always a big hit.

In the economy of lunch box items, category one items were nearly
worthless in terms of trade value. Category two items had a little
value, especially if you had the envogue flavor of chip. But category
three items were as good as gold.

As each pre-adolescent boy unlatched and opened his cartoon themed metal
lunch box, a quick scan of the contents was made and eyes become fixed
upon the prized pieces. The lunchroom floor is now open for trading.
In a mad flury of bids, rejections, counter-bds, and deals closing, the
trading process begins and ends. Usually everyone ended up happier at
the end of trading (unless you traded for an "unknown" and ended up not
liking it).

So what does this have to do with my daughter? As I already mentioned,
she is a lunch sharer. As is evident from my story, I am (or at least
was) a lunch trader.

My daughter simply shares her lunch with her friends without asking for
anything in return. She enjoys giving away that which is valuable to
her simply because it brings joy to others. As I reflected on my days
as a lunch trader, I realized that I only gave away that which was
valuable to me if I was going to receive in return something of equal or
greater value.

Have I carried that same "lunch trader" mentality into my life as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do I only share with others that which is valuable to me when I am going to receive something in return?

The answers to these questions has prompted me to get on my face before God and ask for his forgiveness.

I want to be a man who freely gives of all that God has entrusted to my care. God please make me a lunch sharer.

Are you a lunch sharer or a lunch trader?