Life through the thorns

As I took the pictures above, I didn't really think about spiritual truths that could be attached to them. Then I listened to a great sermon by Bill Johnson out of Bethel Church in Redding, CA about "Transformation through Loyalty", and it got me thinking about how we view life, relationships, love, friendship, and even our work.

So often, like the picture above, the thorns of life are what are in focus, and the life behind the thorns, as depicted by the ducks, is either out of focus or not even noticed. It's very easy to get focused on the thorns because that is what is right in front of us; the thorns hurt, and often, there's nothing we can do about the thorns. We often cannot cut through them or walk around them; sometimes we have to stay IN the thorns and yet we are called to see the LIFE beyond the thorns! This takes discernment, faith, hope, and, from today's sermon, loyalty.

Every relationship in our lives will be fraught with thorns at one point or another; the easy thing to do is to turn around and walk away; however, that may be the most destructive action for both the one who turns away and the life of those on the other side of the thorns.

There was once a man who bore a crown of thorns which were not simply placed gently on his head, but rather forced into his skull. Then, the men who put this crown of thorns on his head beat him about the head, driving the thorns deeper. This man could have SO easily, in a flash, walked away from the thorns and the pain they inflicted, but he chose to endure the thorns because he saw the LIFE that lay on the other side of those thorns, and the life He would provide as a result of being loyal to His Father and loving every single person on the planet! Enduring the thorns brought us the ultimate freedom!

Friday at 7 - our first wedding!

Nigerian students from another church brought special music to the wedding ceremony! It was truly an international event!

We also had a baby/child dedication! Tamas and Denes were dedicated to the Lord following the wedding ceremony!

THE KISS!!!!

Eszter served as translator for the whole evening!

Anita and Zoli preparing to walk down the aisle!

Here are more pictures. Story is below!

ICF more wedding pictures!

The wedding party and spouses and kid! Note the colors.......the theme???

Eszter, Anita, Gabi and Arden....we've known each other for 17 years, and have met for Bible study together for the past 8+ years! These are my dearest friends and sisters in Christ here in Hungary!......the theme?????.................................FIRE!!!!!

Yummy wedding cake!

Guests are attentive! Yes, we had a full house, and some people came to ICF not knowing we were going to have a wedding, and absolutely loved it!

Eszter reads from Ephesians and opens the ceremony with prayer.

Here are more pictures from the wedding held at ICF this past Friday evening!

Wedding at ICF!!!!

Mary Jill and Anita making last minute plans!

Tamas and Denes - Anita and Zoli's boys, both of whom have been healed physically by God!

Zoltan Lauko, the groom!

Edith, Melitta and Mary Jill.

They walked down the aisle to the song "Give Thanks"!

We had a WONDERFUL evening celebrating the union of Anita Pelle and Zoltan Lauko! They were married legally in the city hall here in Szeged nearly 5 years ago and have wanted to have a 'church' wedding! So, since they consider ICF to be their home fellowship, my dear friend Mary Jill Callery, who is an ordained pastor, performed the ceremony! The pictures say everything! It was a blessed evening, with a huge turnout, and even after the ceremony and cake eating, we had worship time, and no one wanted to leave! Thank you Lord for your amazing goodness to all of us!

Thanksgiving meal

Way too much yummy food!

This is one HUGE turkey breast!

The salad! YUM!

And of course, great grandmother Campbell's famous pumpkin pie!

We ate YUMMY food!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Zsolti and Laci Albert.

Laci Nagy.

Arden, Bori, Krisztina, Laci, Laci, Zsolt, and Dudi!

Bori, Krisztina and Dudi! Krisztina and I spent a number of years ministering at the children's home together when these "kids" lived there.

Krisztina, Dudi, and Zsolt

I believe I just experienced the most blessed Thanksgiving I've ever had in my life so far! About 3 weeks ago, the Lord put on my heart to invite my "kids" who grew up in the children's home and whom I've known for nearly 8 years, or more, now. Five of them came, all in their 20s now and we were able to share a wonderful meal together, conversation, and get caught up on each others' lives! I'm sitting here quite speechless at the goodness of God to give me such a precious time with such wonderful people!

Thanksgiving.....sooooo cute

Have a look at the video in the link. SOOOOOOOOOOO cute! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e7a4e540c5408f9820be

Divine appointments

No one could have orchestrated a conversation that happened at school this week. It happened in the English staff room. We have 4 American teachers this year, and we all found ourselves in the staff room together after having finished all our classes for the day. Three of us are believers and the fourth is searching.

All I can say is that the Holy Spirit led conversation of 45 minutes was heavenly as God guided every word. True vulnerability, humility, love, encouragement, hope and grace flowed like a river! I left the school that afternoon wanting to jump and praise the Lord for His goodness to all of us!

This Thanksgiving week I give thanks for SO many things and this conversation is just one of them. I am increasingly humbled by God's mercy and grace that He pours out every day!

Women's retreat

Samantha, Joanna and Arden

Sarolta speaking the Word of God over Erzsi....these women are from two different congregations in the city!

Jenny Jack, the conference speaker and Donna George, the conference organizer.

Group photo!

My friend Donna organized a women's retreat in Kubekhaza, Hungary this past weekend. I was able to attend on Saturday and then hang with the American ladies that night and Sunday morning! All who attended were blessed and I received some much needed encouragement and got some much needed laughter! It was exciting to see women from 3 different congregations come together to seek the Lord!

Friday at 7 - ICF!

Lorand, a student at a local high school, and Jozsi, a new friend, during fellowship time.

Always good eats during fellowship time!

Hannah, Regina, Rob, Sara and Bela...great friends and fellow missionaries!

We had a precious group show up on Friday...many Hungarians, and many who don't even speak English! Go figure, God is doing something to attract these non-English speakers to an English speaking International Fellowship! So, our wonderful and gifted Eszter Szabo volunteered to translate the message this past Friday evening, which we don't normally do. A number of people were richly blessed, challenged as we talked about spiritual gifts, and the Lord even gave one young lady a 'picture' in her mind as we prayed. May God continue to grow His church!

Jesus' words......

"THEY (people in the world) will know YOU (believers in the church) are MY (Jesus') disciples (followers of me who only do what they see the Father doing) if YOU (believers in the church) love one another (believers loving each other!)"

Is there anywhere else in the Bible where Jesus says that people who do not yet know Him will know Him any other way? Pretty strong admonition....

Former student and friend

Kinga Klener at the tea room!

A former student of mine from Deak and I got together the other evening for tea. Kinga is a precious young lady who speaks Hungarian, English and Spanish fluently, and is learning French. I love it when my relationships with my students go from being teacher-student to friend-friend.

Bonhoeffer

Formed by Christ

Christ remains the only one who forms. Christian people do not form the world with their ideas. Rather, Christ forms human beings to a form the same as Christ's own. However, just as the form of Christ is misperceived where he is understood essentially as the teaher of a pious and good life, so formation of human beings is also wrongly understood where one see it only as a guidance for a pious and good life.

The real human being is the object of the love of God....To be conformed with the one who became human means that we may be the human beings that we really are.

New Covenant Church

New Covenant Church plus Mary Jill and Edith.

Mary Jill shared a message with us, mostly from Psalm 119.

These two precious sisters sang a fabulous song accapella! They will come share their gifts with us at ICF on the 28th of November!

Last Sunday morning, my friends Mary Jill, Edith and I visited a new church here in Szeged called New Covenant Church. A dear Nigerian brother, Olisa, is one of the leaders in this church while also doing his medical studies here at the University of Szeged!

The Spirit of the Living God is definitely present in this small group of believers, and we at ICF look forward to fellowshipping and partnering with them for the furtherance of the Gospel in this city and to the nations!

More ticket stories

I ran into a friend today who told me her story about getting a ticket from the police. Yep, she and her husband received a $25 ticket because they failed to use their turn signal when turning! Welcome to Hungary!

Bonhoeffer

Here's another from Bonhoeffer:

Spiritual Love

Spiritual love will prove successful insofar as it commends Christ to the other in all that it says and does. It will not seek to agitate another by exerting all too personal, direct influence or by crudely interfering in one's life.

It will not take pleasure in pious, emotional fervor and excitement. Rather, it will encounter the other with the clear word of God and be prepared to leave the other alone with this word for a long time.

It will be willing to release others again so that Christ may deal with them.

It will respect the other as the boundary that Christ establishes between us; and it will find full community with the other in the Christ who alone binds us together. This spiritual love will thus speak to Christ about the other Christian more than to the other Christian about Christ.

It knows that the most direct way to others is always through prayer to Christ and that love of the other is completely tied to the truth found in Christ. It is out of this love that John the disciple speaks: "I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 4). (From Life Together p. 44)

Laci

Laci Albert.....

Laci helping to lead worship at Zion Church!

Sorry the pix aren't very clear, but hopefully you can see the young man playing guitar in the background! This is Laci, one of my 'sons' from the children's home. He is on the worship team at Zion Church here in Szeged. A bit about Laci...

I met Laci (short for Laszlo) about 8 years ago when I was going out to the now closed down children's home. Laci was a boy who was deeply involved in metal music, alcohol and drugs, had dyed hair, and even at one point, sported a mowhawk. He comes from a dysfunctional family and he and his brothers were put into the children's home at fairly early ages. I remember thinking, way back then, that Laci is the last young man who would ever come to know Jesus.

God had other plans. God broke through and drew Laci to Himself! Of course there are struggles, but he is pressing forward and pressing in to Jesus! Recently, he enlisted in the military, but was unable to pass one of the tests, so he is now trying to regroup and figure out what is next for him. The hardened boy I met 8 years ago has a precious, soft heart for the Lord and for people. Pray for him!

ICF weekend teaching

Saturday's crew!

Jim teaching about hearing from God.

Friday night group at ICF!

Our entire leadership team was present this weekend for a special weekend teaching seminar. Jim and Tanya Person spoke on Hearing the Voice of God and Using Spiritual Gifts. We had a great time together, learning lots and enjoying sweet fellowship together!

Bonhoeffer continued.....

Here's the next devotional:

CHRIST BETWEEN

Christ stands between me and others. I do not know in advance what love of others means on the basis of the general idea of love that grows out of my emotional desires. All this may instead be hatred and the worst kind of selfishness in the yes of Christ. Only Christ in his Word tells me what love is. Contrary to all my own opinions and convictions, Jesus Christ will tell me what love for my brothers and sisters really looks like.

Therefore, spiritual love is bound to the word of Jesus Christ alone. Where Christ tells me to maintain community for the sake of love, I desire to maintain it. Where the truth of Christ orders me to dissolve a community for the sake of love, I will dissolve it, despite all the protests of my self-centered love.

Because spiritual love does not desire but rather serves, it loves an enemy as a brother or sister. It originates neither in the brother or sister nor in the enemy, but in Christ and his word.

Self-centered, emotional love can never comprehend spiritual love, for spiritual love is from above. It is something completely strange, new, and incomprehensible to all earthly love.

(from Life Together p. 43)

Oh God, pour into us through YOUR HOLY SPIRIT this kind of transforming, life-giving, serving love.

More from Bonhoeffer

Here's today's devotional from Bonhoeffer....related to the one in the blog below.

Emotional Community

Two factors, which are really one and the same thing, reveal the difference between spiritual and self-centered love. Emotional, self-centered love cannot tolerate the dissolution of a community that has become false, even for the sake of genuine community. And such self-centered love cannot love an enemy, that is to say, one who seriously and stubbornly resists it. Both spring from the same source: emotional love is by its very nature desire, desire for self-centered community. As long as it can possibly satisfy this desire, it will not give it up, even for the sake of truth, even for the sake of genuine love for others. But emotional, self-centered love is at an end when it can no longer expect its desire to be fulfilled, namely, in the face of an enemy. There it turns into hatred, contempt, and slander. (from Life Together p. 43)

Stay tuned for tomorrow's entry....it pulls these together...........

From Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I was going through some books on my shelves when I came across a devotional I bought over a year ago and totally forgot I had. I opened it up to today's meditation and was struck, once again, by God's perfect timing. May this bless you as well.

"Self-Centered Love"

There is...a "merely emotional" love of neighbor. Such love is capable of making the most unheard-of sacrifices. Often it far surpasses the genuine love of Christ in fervent devotion and visible results. It speaks the Christian language with overwhelming and stirring eloquence. But it is what the apostle Paul is speaking of when he says: "If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames" (1 Cor. 13:3)---in other words, if I combine the utmost deeds of love with the utmost of devotion---"but do not have love (that is, the love of Christ), I would be nothing" (1 Cor 13:2). Self-centered love loves the other for the sake of itself; spiritual love loves the other for the sake of Christ. that is why self-centered love seeks direct contact with other persons. It loves them, not as free persons, but as those whom it binds to itself. It wants to do everything it can to win and conquer; it puts pressure on the other person. It desires to be irresistible, to dominate. Self-centered love does not think much of truth. It makes the truth relative, since nothing, not even the truth, must come between it and the person loved. emotional, self-centered love desires other persons, their company. It wants them to return its love, but it does not serve them. On the contrary, it continues to desire even when it seems to be serving. (from Life Together p. 42)

Whoa...........

Friday at 7 - ICF

Sorry, no pictures this week. We had a wonderful turnout of 'regulars' and 'newbies' this week at ICF! I'm excited that three students from Deak, where I teach, and two boys from Piarista (a Catholic boys high school) came for the first time! We had a great time of worship, led by Erik, and I got to share a message, which a number of people said touched their heart. I pray God uses all that took place on Friday evening for HIS glory!

Next week, we are looking forward to having the ENTIRE leadership team....yep, Persons, MJ, Edith, and all of us locals together for a teaching weekend! Friday night will be the same but Jim and Tanya will share about Spiritual gifts and then on Saturday, from 1:30 - 3:30 in the afternoon, they will continue that teaching! If you are a regular blog reader and anywhere near Szeged next Friday and Saturday, please come! It promises to be a GREAT evening and afternoon time together!

P.S. I've enclosed a link that I encourage you to go see. Makes me stop and think about how I view life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI

Tested.......

As I have been crying out to God for mercy, for me first, and that His followers would hear His call to step up and do what Jesus says....feed the poor, care for the widow and orphan, etc. and asked that it start with ME first, Lord...change ME first....I got my test tonight....I nearly failed....I think I passed....outwardly I did ok....but my heart?....well.....God, change ME!

Michelle Obama's Dress?????

With millions of people in the world without clean drinking water, with millions of young boys being trained not in balanced education but rather in radical, violent ways of dealing with issues, with millions of babies being aborted each year (estimated 4000 per day in the U.S.), with thousands of kids trapped in the sex-trafficking trade around the world (estimated the largest number are in the U.S.), with pornography ruining the lives of millions of people/families, and with millions of kids orphaned around the world due to natural disasters, disease and war.....

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MICHELLE OBAMA WORE TO THE CELEBRATION ON ELECTION NIGHT????????


Lord, forgive us, for we do NOT know what we are doing.........

Now we go forward!

Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States. It's a landmark victory and indeed, one that will be remembered forever. Life is exciting and continues to get even more exciting!

What I have to say now is Obama needs prayer; the U.S. needs prayer; this world needs prayer; ALL of the above need an intimate, personal relationship with the Creator God through Jesus Christ. May God glorify His name!

Unofficial voting

Today, I decided to take an unofficial vote in two of my classes. The first was a class of 17 seniors; the second was a class of 12 sophomores. They only had two candidates to vote for: McCain or Obama. Here are the results as well as comments as we discussed why they voted how they did:

Obama: 28

McCain: 1

One sophomore voted for McCain because: "I always vote for the underdog."

Reasons given for others voting for Obama:

"I heard his name more than McCain's."

"I like Obama's first name: Barack, because it means "peach" in Hungarian!"

"I couldn't spell McCain's name."

"I don't really know what either of them stands for, but I heard Obama's name more."

"McCain is too old."

"Obama is a black man and I want to see a black man as President of the U.S." (4 students said this.)

"Obama is against the war in Iraq."

"Obama is younger."

When I asked if they knew what platforms each of the candidates had on various issues, none of the 29 students knew anything, except that Obama is against war."

Vote

To my American friends! Go vote tomorrow! I already did!

Chinese pastor on American Christianity

A friend of mine sent me a question/answer session which took place at a meeting of a major Christian missions organization this past week. Among the participants was R.T. Kendall who answered the question addressed to him from the audience: "What do you see as the failure of the American church?"

R.T. Kendall quotes a Chinese pastor, who visited the U.S. a year ago and visited many, many of the large, mega churches around the country. After his visit, he was asked, "What's your feeling about American Christianity?"

His response: "I am amazed at how much you do without God."

Father, forgive us, everywhere in the world, for doing things without You.

Pictionary night

Judit, Bunmi and Toby drawing!

Sara and Erik relaxing!

Cathy and John and Samm.

Smiles!

The competition was fierce!!!!

ICF didn't have our regular meeting on Friday night. But, some ICF-ers got together out in the country to play pictionay and hang out together! We had a great time together, laughing and getting to know one another better!

We're back at Honved ter next Friday night for ICF!

Funky feet

Yep, these are my feet. Yep, the left one is significantly more swollen than the right. I'm recovering from either: tendonitis, bone infection, or phlebitis. Fun.

When I worship, the pain and soreness subside!