Deuteronomy 4 - What My Eyes Have Seen

Several things stuck out to me in the 4th chapter of the awesome book of Deuteronomy and really resonated truth in me, as I was even able to see in my life how God's character has revealed itself, that unchanging character that has reigned for all of time, both thousands of years ago and today.

First: "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? ... Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children..." (v. 7, 9)

Is God so close to me whenever I call upon him? Maybe he was close to Israel, or Moses, but to think that he is similarly close to me is something else entirely.

No, James. Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.


Wow! Okay, then, now where am I? Well let's take a moment to look back at my life, lest I forget the things that my eyes have seen, and lest they depart from my heart. I have not seen a sea part, water come from a rock, or food raining down from heaven, but I have been delivered into a safe childhood, loving family, lasting friends, and an unshakable faith in God.

I haven't seen a burning bush, but I have heard and felt a distinct calling to both deliver people and to bring peace into their lives. I've seen supernatural, physical healing where some other force penetrated this world and worked joints and muscles into their proper place.

I never saw a mountain shake and tremble with fear, but I have felt a distinctly loving and powerful person tickle me deep inside my flesh, leaving me with no other option but to laugh! Laugh and shake my head, wondering what I did to deserve God's attention.

And time would fail for me to mention that he is a jealous God, and how he has demonstrated that to me, or even the deep and mystical word, covenant, which he has promised to never forget, because of his mercy.

Please read Deuteronomy 4 and let God show you what he has done for you, and how his heart is jealous for you, for your attention and devotion. He is a consuming fire, so whatever you give him he will take. You may lose something precious, like a falsity you have clung to, but it will be worth it, I promise. Above anything I have experienced in my short life so far, I have felt fulfillment, joy, and peace. And those don't rust or become obsolete.

Rollin' Along

Here we are in Penang, Malaysia! After lots and lots of travelling, we arrived on this island of food perfection. Seriously, it's awesome. There's a small shop a stone's throw away and I've systematically worked my way down the list of fried rice meals. I'm taking them two at a time (still under budget!) and have had the privilege of trying Kam Heong, Baracava, and Satay dishes... all of which I would not have tried normally, and so would not have found tastes unimaginably good! I'm at 12 and 13 next, and if I make it to the end of the list, number 16 is Ham with Raisin Fried Rice!

Besides food, we've done a bit of ministry. It feels disjointed because we left right after we got here for a few days. Anyway, we did a short Christmas skit at an orphanage's Christmas party. The theme was God as a good Father who loves his children, and you can be his children! (You see, orphans don't have fathers). We visited that same group the next day at their home and played with them for hours! I performed countless rocketships, played tag, did more rocketships, played hide and seek, and rested to let the sweating slow down a bit.

Rocketships!

As a staff member of this 13-person team, I find lots of joy through comments like, "I can't believe we're in Asia!" "It's amazing to be here," and "I've never done that before." I get to encourage people to step out, to take responsibility and make something happen, while being challenged to be willing to do the things I'm asking, like approaching taxi drivers for a survey about HIV/AIDS, or praying for the injured and sick at the hospital. (A woman's arm was healed before us!)

We've seen lots of fruit so far, including a man being undeniably led to Christ. God is meeting those expectations I believed in while in the comfort of Vancouver.

Outreach has lots of its own little things you don't experience otherwise. Besides the vast variety of food, there's the unpredictable "sidewalks," the 6-ft. monitor lizard in the sewer beneath, and comments such as, "Can we take a picture with you? We do not see giant men like you."

Fire-breathing dragon

This is my favorite outreach so far, since God has equipped me more thoroughly, and I am more wise to do the things that bring life and sustain me, like reading, writing, praying, journaling, and spending time in my nothing box. :-)

In a week we head north to Thailand for two months!

Away We Go! But not before a quick story...

It's time to leave this hemisphere! From this Western one to the Eastern one, where lots of things are different!

Blogs often seem to be about lessons learned from failures, or making the best of something after you've messed it up. I want to tell a quick story where I can humbly say I did the right thing, without messing up. If it's not interesting or dramatic, I'm sorry.

Just a few weeks ago I needed about 3500 dollars for a 3-month outreach. I had enough to pay my November rent and then be down to about 200 (which I was hoping to keep in savings). I had a choice; I could either worry and bite my nails until God provided it all, and then have joy and peace and celebrate. Or, I could have joy and peace and celebrate until God provided all the finances, and then have joy and peace and celebrate after he provided the finances... This time, I chose wisely.

So, I sent out my support e-mail and blog and said something like, "I am sure God will provide the funds. If you want to be involved in this and claim ownership in what God's doing through us, you can pray or donate money.
:-)"

So this is the part of the story where I somehow lost faith in the ensuing weeks, but God still provided. However, amazingly, I didn't! No plot twist here; I stuck to the plan and didn't worry. I honestly had peace and, when praying for finances, didn't pray with desperation or beg with doubt.

I am so grateful and inexpressibly humbled by the generosity of my family and friends! People gave out of their hearts, out of their little; you saw a need in the Kingdom and acted. I don't really know how it happened. There was almost no activity with the amount that I still needed until, all at once, 700 dollars here, 300 there, a steady flow of 50, 65, 90, 100 dollars started pouring in! And now, I virtually need nothing! I have maybe 200 that I still need in a month or two, but my regular support should cover that just fine. So I'm good to go!

God, family, and friends: thank you! God provided for this trip - it's meant to be. My expectations of God in the last few weeks were met; my expectations of miracles, of power, and transformation in the next 12 weeks be met in a whole new, surprising and life-giving way, but with the same "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."