David's Reflections

Second Wind

Drinking coffee. Posting on Facebook. Blogging here on Typepad. This evening Sarah and the children are out visiting with the CLC children of Evart FMC. It is only 25 minutes away. They will be back in about two hours. I get a little privacy. Enough to get me going in my writing, network-blogging, and lesson plan preparations for my teaching when I go back to Taiwan. Yet, I feel this little emptiness inside me sitting in this computer alone in this house without my wife and two children. I am so glad that this is only temporary. They will be here in an hour. Did I say two hours?

Last Sunday we went to Lakeview FMC. Pastor Ted was so gracious. He gave me, not only the sermon time, but also the whole Sunday School time with the adults. I shared about the recent news that, come this November 13, 2009, there will be 4,000 and more Free Methodist churches in the world because of the entry of four different networks of Christians from a Creative Access Country in Asia. What a blessing! Everyone at church got excited with this news. After both service and Sunday School time, we had dinner at the fellowship place of the church. People started asking questions about the work in Asia. I tried my very best to answer all of them. We met Laura, LaWanda and Sean. Enjoyed the drum playing of Ken, who came with his friend Katie. Mark and Dan's special music was great. I chatted with Linda about sponsoring foreign students. I got to meet Yuskay from Japan, one of her sponsored international student. Wish we had more time to sit with everyone and talk some more.

For the evening service, we went to Evergreen FMC, at Sheridan, MI. It was not very far from Lakeview. Jim and Angie were there to meet us. Straight away, Carmen and Jacob connected with Ms. Angie and went outside to play and chit-chat. More people came trickling in. Mr. and Mrs. Jenks were there. We remember them from four years ago. They did too! I saw Virgil, Nancy, Eleanor and Sue. It was asmall group but very lively and vibrant. We met Jim's son, Josh and his best friend, Andrew. After church, we stayed a little bit at parsonage eating some of Angie's homecooked soup and pies. It was a relaxing visit.

One thing that stood out for me was Carmen's comments on our way to the evening meeting. She mentioned about liking these church visits. Sarah asked her what she liked about them. "I like meeting new friends," Carmen responded. In retrospect, I think she is now getting her second wind--she is starting to enjoy the good stuff that she is encountering. Despite the difficulties in traveling from one new place to another every weekend, she has now learned to focus on the good things. I praise the Lord that He is helping Carmen and Jacob. They are taking this Partnership Building (furlough) time with great pride and joy. To God be the glory!

Rejoicing in Suffering

Tomorrow is the day we all pray for the Persecuted Church all around the world.

Colossians 1:24 says: "rejoice in sufferings." Whenever I read this verse I cannot help but think about my fellow Free Methodists in Orissa, India, in Mainland China, in the Middle East, and many other places where they are persecuted. I believe some of them are actually rejoicing in their suffering--rejoicing because God has counted them worthy to suffer for Jesus. But still, it is very hard for me to imagine them being joyful in the midst of their persecution.

However, as I looked deeper into this verse, into the purpose for this "rejoicing," we see that it is for the sake of God's church, the body of believers. Paul says, "I rejoice in my suffering for your sake. . . so that we may present everyone mature in Christ." (Colossians 1:24-28, ESV) It makes sense then that we can all rejoice in the suffering of a few faithful ones. We can celebrate their sacrifices. As they are persecuted, we here in America can claim their victory as our own. We can say: "If they can rejoice in the midst of their persecution, then there is no reason for us, who are living in this beautiful country of wealth and abundance, to feel defeated and discouraged." We can vicariously appropriate their victory and continue in our Christian pilgrimage becoming more mature Christians for the Lord. We struggle with all our energy that God so powerfully work within us (Col. 1:29).

So, the next time you hear about fellow Christians being persecuted for Jesus' sake, pray for them, and pray with them as if you also were one of the persecuted ones. Then live out that prayer and continue to grow in your faith and commitment to Christ becoming a mature Christian man or woman for God. In this way, we partake in Christ's affliction as one body.

Yesterday at Big Rapids

Yesterday, Roland and Shirley took the whole family for a lunch buffet at Ponderosa here in Big Rapids, MI. After the dinner, we went to the Card Wildlife Center, located inside the campus of Ferris University. The Center houses a wide variety of stuffed animals from around the globe. I personally felt very uncomfortable. I could not see the logic of preserving wildlife by hunting them down and stuffing them and transporting them away from their natural habitat. I do not want to get political here. I appreciate the Center's efforts to educate the general public about exotic animals from far away lands. And, I am grateful to my hosts for showing me this Center. Carmen and Jacob are having the time in their life. You could see the photos from our family webpage at Dropshots and see for yourself how the children enjoyed the whole thing. For me, I would rather talk about our dinner time at Ponderosa.

At the lunch table, I found out both Roland and Shirley worked at the university. He retired as a professor at the Business department of the university. While we were talking, I often wonder how the Big Rapids FMC could start a college ministry in the campus. It would definitely take a lot of effort. I could see myself retiring in a city like Big Rapids, with its college community and the potential of cultural diversity. I did not share this to Roland and Shirley. Maybe, someday. Perhaps, tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will be going to the Men's Prayer Breakfast of the Big Rapids FMC. Roland told me this is the first time they are doing something like this. It is always good to start something with prayer. I am looking forward to God's revelation of His plan in my life through this local FM church here in Michigan.

Yesterday at Grand Rapids

We went to two churches yesterday, the Lifestream FMC and the New Hope FMC, both in Grand Rapids, MI. At both local churches, the pastors were out for a vacation, something they already had arranged before we made the appointment. Nothing major, just a minor glitch in our visits. At Lifestream, Carmen, the missions coordinator, was there to usher us in. I got to play bass guitar with the worship band. That was fun. I was grateful to Linda, the worship leader, invited me to join in since their guitar player was not around. We saw some old friends: Janet, Phyllis, Mrs. Graybill, Forest, and Chuck, all of them we met when we were in this church three and a half years ago. We also met new friends, Richelle, Rachel, Dave and Theresa. I saw one of my Facebook friends, Roberta. After church, we went downstairs to have our lunch potluck. I remember the Nursery Room where Jacob stayed three and a half years ago, when he was just a 6-month old baby. I had a chat with Mary and Joe, about their daughter who is in China with her family doing missions work for children. I talked to Roschelle and Joe, who are into some kind of financing ministry. I promised them I would check it out sometime later during the week. What a lively church. Full of activity and passion for God's community.

We headed out for New Hope FMC for the evening service. Esther, the missions coordinator, was there together with David and Donna. More people trickled in as we waited for the presentation to begin. There was Gene, Joyce, Cathy, Kim, Kathy, Lora, Jason and a few others I cannot remember. It was a small group. We had some food during my presentation. After my talk, on our way out, Cathy came to me and said, "You are right about the church who is involved in missions. It has no other place to go but grow." She was basically affirming my missions challenge, "Go and Cross Cultures." I said a short prayer for this congregation that someday it will send a team from its locality to participate in a missions trip.

Learning About Adoption

Last night, I went out and ate pizza with Nick (13) and Jason (15). Both teenage boys are waiting for adoption here in Evart, Michigan. After the pizza, the three of us went out to a nearby football field and played a little scrimmage and some plays. Jason is from Cebu, Philippines. I try my best to reconnect him with his Filipino roots. He came to the USA when he was eleven. So, he has lost the language and feels totally disconnected with his original culture. Both boys were released by their adopted families and are currently staying with a foster home waiting for a second chance of adoption. My heart goes out for these boys. They both love Jesus and they are eagerly waiting to belong to a family. I pray that God will be gracious to them.

After a few more fun time of playing football, we headed out to their home. I chatted with their foster parents, Brett and Vicky. Beautiful couple, full of God's love and compassion for marginalized people. They house about 15 more youth and children who are in the same situation as Jason and Nick. A few of them came from foreign countries such as Russia, Colombia, and Ukraine. I felt so overwhelmed just watching all the children, and thought of how much work Brett and Vicky do for these children waiting for adoption. It was a humbling experience for me. I realized I need to support this couple and pray more for Jason and everyone else in that room. I guess, being humbled is a good start in this process of learning all about adoption and orphan children.

Must the Church Suffer?

Must the Christian church suffer? Colossians 1:24-26 says: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." (ESV)

Obviously, we cannot address all the issues related to this question of suffering. There are two things, however, that I want to mention. One is that what it is not about. Suffering mentioned here in these set of verses is not about Christ's atoning sacrifice in the cross. Christ' suffering in the cross is enough and sufficient (Hebrews 9:12). What is "lacking in Christ's affliction" means that there is a need for Christians to continue in Christ' ministry of sacrifice and selflessness. Suffering is a continuation of what Jesus has started.

Second, (what suffering is all about) suffering is for the church, and more specifically, for a witnessing church. From this set of verses in Colossians, we see the direct interconnection between suffering for Jesus and making God's word fully known. We suffer so that others will receive God's forgiveness and salvation.

This month, I have been doing a book study on Colossians. This short reflection on "Suffering" is a result of my on-going immersion in God's Word. It is a work in progress. Feel free to send me your observations and suggestions. Definitely, I will have more reflections from Colossians in the months to come.

So, by way of conclusion, we can say that whenever the Christian church is serious about living a life of selflessness and making God's word fully know to the world, then it will suffer. We do not seek out suffering, but we receive it as a gift from God Almighty.

A Pirate and a Unicorn

“Rrrr, matey!” This was Jacob’s line. He came as a pirate. Carmen came in her unicorn costume. Last weekend, we went to two churches, Wayland FMC and Hastings FMC, both in the southern parts of Michigan. At Wayland, we went to a Saturday evening Fall Festival Fellowship complete with good food and costumes for everyone. I went as a Ninja and Sarah as a Runner (complete with an iShuffle and a running shirt). After the eating, we presented our missions talk, “Go and Cross Cultures.” I noticed how Carmen and Jacob loved this group. Maybe, because everyone was in their costumes. Maybe, because of the informal party atmosphere. Maybe, because Jesse and Stephanie’s children, Jillian and Rhys, who were about Carmen and Jacob’s age, were having a good time playing with each other. It must have been Joyce’s pirate costume, or Tom’s perfect Hobo costume. Maybe because Jim, Jimmy, and their children, or Marsha, Debbie and everyone else were having too much fun. I loved it that our children felt included in the fellowship and church adventure.

That Saturday night we stayed at Dan and Sandy’s home. Their children, Emily, Katelyn, and Brian, were there to welcome us. I was so glad that Carmen and Jacob immediately felt at ease with these three young people. Carmen remembered Emily from our visit to Durley Family Camp in Illinois last summer. Sunday morning, we went to church and met more friends from Hastings FMC. There was Don and Joan, who signed up to sponsor a child. That was neat! Then, there was Janet, Lois, Harold, and the guitar player from the worship band who remembered me from fours years ago. Wow! What memory! I was impressed. Jim invited me to his Sunday School class that he was teaching. I learned later that he was a former MK, missionary kid. I could tell just by the way he poses questions for this class. At church, a skit was presented about Jonah. It was hilarious, and yet drove the point. What a missions minded local church. After church, we had dinner and fellowship. I sat with Don's children. They are a lively bunch, very smart kids. Her junior high daughter is already reading Three Cups of Tea, a book I highly recommended in this webpage. What an inspiration! Before we left, I sat down with Don and had a dialogue about some missiological issues. Wish I have more friends in Taiwan who are like him--very missional and passionate about Christian global issues.

I know God is already preparing the way, calling more Taiwanese mates who are ready to participate in the Free Methodist efforts to spread the Christian gospel in Asia and to equip those who are called to be missional leaders. Rrrr, matey! It is going to happen.

Among God's (Under) Shepherds

What can we do as pastors? How can we motivate our members to bless the world around them? What are the relevant ways that the church can tell God’s story? These are some of the questions we were asking ourselves. This afternoon, I was with a group of local pastors from Michigan huddled together as a small discussion group responding to the speakers’ challenges. We were gathered together with other Free Methodist leaders from across the country for this Imagining Conference (Spring Arbor) hosted by the Board of Bishops of the FMC of North America. This gathering was an attempt to reevaluate our role as a church and as a denomination here in the USA as well as prepare ourselves for the coming General Conference 2010. What a privilege to witness God’s movement among this Free Methodists. I was so excited to hear my fellow FM pastors rise up to the challenge that the church needs to be a missionary church. Dan and Jason had some good insights. I was impressed with Mark’s silent intensity. Paul and Tom were so candid with their observations. Russ was right on target with his questions. For me, this small group was probably the highlight of this conference.

Carmen wrote her second song

I was practicing my guitar and singing a few songs, when Carmen came to me with a new praise song. I helped out a little bit with the melody, but she wrote this all by herself. I am proud of her.

I PRAISE YOUR NAME

I am up in the clouds.

I made this world for you.

Who am I? I am God.

The Lord of lords; Jesus, Son of God.

I praise Your name. (3x)

Jesus, Son of God.

(C. 2009, Carmen Clemente)

One More Time Again

Off to Cornerstone Free Methodist Church at Holton, Michigan. We saw Shelley, Sue and David one more time. The last time was in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, when these three friends were there for a short term missions trip helping Fong Shan FMC in its Chi Gu work located two hours north of the city. Last Sunday, we saw them one more time in Michigan. It was a sweet reunion, except David (the church pastor) was not feeling very well that day, so we did not really have a good time to visit. Hopefully there will be a next time.

Saturday, Shelley and her friend Jamie, treated us to a petting farm at New Era, about 30 minutes away from their home in Twin Lakes, MI. Carmen and Jacob had a blast. They both tried the slides and the go-cart rides. We all took the hay ride around an apple orchard. Later, Carmen had the chance of choosing two pumpkins to bring home with us to Big Rapids. We will carve them out sometime next week.

Sunday, at Cornerstone FMC, we saw Joy and Al. They always took care of us when we were at the Manton Family Camp. Sue introduced us to her son, Dan and his wife, Stephanie, and their son Luke. Gary was there to greet us. He told us his wife Cindy could not make it because she was taking care of sick grand children. God bless Cindy! We enjoyed the Praise and Worship time, with Jamie on vocals and her sister Wendy on the keys, Shelley on guitar, and a few other church members.

Sunday dinner time, we gathered at Shelley and Jamie's home for a hearty lunch. Jamie's parents, Dick and Charity, were there. We also met Jenny Lin, from Taiwan. She is Shelley's good friend who helped with translation and preparation for their last Taiwan Mission Trip 2008. We talked about some of the ways our partnership can grow. I won't be surprised if another team will come out of this congregation to visit us there in Taiwan or Southeast Asia. We will pray.

Sunday evening, we drove to Ravenna FMC, for another missions presentation. We saw Andy and his wife, Morgan, and met with Arthur, the pastor of the church, as well as some familiar faces, mostly Melinda's relatives. We saw Melinda's mother, her sisters, Kris and Debbie, Melinda's nephew, Marcus, Melinda's brother in-law, Ted, and some other relatives of hers. Of course, everyone knew her as Mindy, not Melinda.

We had dinner first, then church happened around 6:30 PM. Kyle, the pastor from Ludington FMC, about an hour away from Ravenna, came with some other church members. We were so blessed to have them visit with us and hear us talk about God's missions work in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. I presented my "Go And Cross Cultures" talk and challenged everyone to continue participating in missions work. We met Beth, the missions coordinator for Ludington FMC, and Maxine, the missions coordinator for Ravenna FMC. Both grand ladies are in their retirement years, and yet they are actively involved in the work of missions as church mobilizers and promoters. God bless people like Beth and Maxine.

At the end of my talk, Kris came up to me and said, "I was waiting for you to say, 'Go and cross cultures, even crossing the economic boundaries in our midst.'" She was making the point that, here in America, the boundaries between the "haves and have-nots" are getting broader making it more difficult for people to cross and thus, there are less opportunities for the sharing of the Christian gospel. I totally agreeed with her. We talked some more about the situation in Ravenna FMC. I made a short prayer for Kris and like-minded Christians in that church, that they will be all endowed with the Spirit's wisdom so they can be bridges across the many boundaries in their localities, whether these may be cultural, spiritual, economic or linguistic boundaries. God bless these "local missionaries," local church leaders who see the many cultural divides and are doing something about them. May they receive God's empowering.

One more time: "God bless Your children who are participating in cross-cultural ministry in their localities or around the globe. Amen!"