Finding a Home in Simplicity

I’ve pretty much resolved in my heart that this world is not my home. As C.S. Lewis describes in his chapter entitled “Hope” in Mere Christianity, I used to be very much like the “foolish man” chasing one thing after another, thinking that the next thing would bring me true happiness. I realize that what my heart was longing for was something deeper than what can be found in this imperfect world. I was created for another world, and my heart will only be fully satisfied after the resurrection in the world to come.

With that said, I am finding joy more and more in the simple things of life like reading early in the morning with a cup of coffee or spending an evening with Jill and Jovi. I’ve also found a couple of other simple pleasures in the last month that are filling some of the gaps that I’ve had since moving to Michigan. First, a few of weeks ago I found a group of guys to play basketball with. I played ball for the first time in over a year last week, and it was a surprising blessing to my soul. They play Saturday mornings at 7am, which is a great reason to get out of bed in the morning. Second, I recently made a friend with a local guy about my age who happens to be Christian. In the midst of our conversations I discovered that he is a thinking Christian who has a passion for apologetics and likes to read and engage in the same kinds of conversations that I have a passion for.

This world is not my home, but I’m finding joy in the quiet moments of life, in time with my family, in exercise, and in friendship. I’m truly blessed.

A Message From Jovi

This is my first attempt at putting a video on this blog, but I figured all our family in MN would want to see Jovi in action. Let me know if you have a hard time viewing it or not.

Grace in the Midst of Conflict

Ministry certainly has its share of situations that can become frustrating. Being in the public eye and being a leader of an organization has opened me up to criticism and conflict, neither of which is enjoyable. I’m finding that when I am faced with criticism or conflict, I can quickly become combative....rather than stopping, praying, and doing my best to show grace to those who are critical or bitter, I often quickly strike back. I argue with them, try to convince them that they are wrong, but most of the time I’m not very successful.

God is beginning to show me another way. I recently read an account of Mother Teresa in a book about her ministry entitled “Faith and Compassion.” The author recounts a situation in which Mother Teresa is faced with an angry crowd of lepers whom her sisters have been trying to serve:

“The crowd that surrounded Mother Teresa at Seemapuri on a hot summer afternoon in 1993 was angry and resentful. They were full of complaints, which they hurled at her in rapid succession. Was Mother Teresa aware how bad the dal (souped lentils, a staple ingredient of the diet) tasted? She would never be able to eat it herself, said one. But she had just had it for lunch, and it was fine, she replied. Don’t eat it again he retorted, or you’ll fall ill. We are not allowed to smoke in the dormitories, objected another. “Try not to smoke at all,” said Mother with a smile, “or, if you must, step onto the verandah.” Look at my hand, said a third, it’s been bleeding and the Sisters have not done anything about it. “We’ll show it the doctor in a little while,” replied Mother, and the man lapsed into a somewhat satisfied silence. Look at my shoes, remonstrated another, the rehabilitation unit had made them so badly that they hurt. “We’ll get them to fit you into another pair,” she said. It continued in this vein for 20 minutes or so, until everyone seemed to have had their say. To each she replied calmly and gently. Finally, silence descended. As she prepared to move away, they rose and, one by one, came to touch her feet. She restrained as many as she could, for she doesn’t encourage this practice….it is, however, a battle she invariably loses, for in India this is a custom that signifies respect for an elder, and is a daily, commonplace occurrence. As they turned away, Mother Teresa said to me, “Each of them has suffered so much pain and humiliation. Once in a while their bitterness overcomes them. Sometimes the Sisters have a very difficult time calming them. Yet when we ask our young Sisters who would like to go and work with the lepers, every hand is up.”

What a gracious spirit! Mother was not unreasonable in the way she responded, but her capacity to reason was not what won over her critics. It was her patience, gentleness, and goodness that turned the situation around from an environment of conflict and criticism to one of grace and gratitude.

Cutest Kid in the World

Perhaps I'm a little biased, but I happen to think Jovi is the cutest little girl in the entire world....but I suppose most daddy's feel the same way.

I wanted to show ya'll my new favorite picture. Our sister-in-law Jenny is a photographer and took some awesome pics for us when we were up in MN at the beginning of August. She did a great job, and this one is my favorite. Excellent work Jenny!