After working on the plans for the trip to Thailand, we discovered that we had overlooked one minor detail; however, we discovered that it really isn't all that minor to forget to make sure that all the passports are current.
Molly looked at hers Friday night, just hours before we were to leave on Saturday, and it was expired. Not a happy moment at the Buchan household as the ramifications for an expired passport sunk in. No passport, no trip. The four of us: Bill, Bonnie, Molly and myself gathered at the dinner table and tried to decide what to do. We were at an impasse.
We didn't actually decide the plan until the morning of our scheduled departure at noon. I came with a willingness to relinquish the trip, after feeling the night before that I couldn't let go of it because of how it would affect Heather. Bill came with a decision to bless Bonnie and I going, with an intent to try to move heaven and earth to get himself and Molly on the plane.
So, with just a little over an hour, Bonnie and I got ready to go. Everyone was upset, but I knew that this is one of those times when the Scripture says that "we can speak to a mountain and tell it go into the sea." I began to pray that verse in Mark 11, asking God to move a mountain that was caused by our negligence, but to have mercy on us because of the importance of this trip to our family.
I did not know until this morning that the people of Missio Lux also went to the Lord and asked him to move the mountain. I will always be grateful for their prayers. One woman organized a 24 hour prayer chain of people that willingly prayed for our family and for the passport agent who would make the decision whether our family trip happened or not.
I am excited about this on lots of levels: the first is that Molly got her passport and tomorrow Bill and Molly will be on the plane to meet us. We will get to be together and experience Asia as a family. The second reason I am grateful is the love that the people of Missio Lux showed us in making this a priority in their lives. The last and very important reason I am thrilled is that we are discovering the correlation between prayer and God's willingness to intervene in situations; even those that aren't life or death matters, but do determine our level of well being and happiness.
God isn't a God who stands apart; no, he is Immanual.
God in flesh, amongst us.
In the messiness and forgetfulness of life.
I am forever grateful to be his follower!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Leaving for Thailand
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26th
We are leaving for Thailand tomorrow! I can't believe it is finally here, we have been dreaming, talking, planning for over a year for this trip. Our daughter, Heather, is spending 9 months going around the world, just a little over halfway done. So, we are meeting her and her friend, Toriann, in Bankok, after our 24 hour trip to join them.
What are my dreams for this trip?
First, for family memories that will be etched in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.
For, rest....Bill and I have had a pretty big year, so we'd love some downtime.
To experience a part of the world that is very different than Seattle, WA!
One of my dreams is that God would show us a specific way that we can make a small dent in the sea of human trafficking. I don't know how that can happen, but it is my prayer, that he will be so clear in his direction that we just can't miss the opportunity.
I will let you know what happens.....
We are leaving for Thailand tomorrow! I can't believe it is finally here, we have been dreaming, talking, planning for over a year for this trip. Our daughter, Heather, is spending 9 months going around the world, just a little over halfway done. So, we are meeting her and her friend, Toriann, in Bankok, after our 24 hour trip to join them.
What are my dreams for this trip?
First, for family memories that will be etched in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.
For, rest....Bill and I have had a pretty big year, so we'd love some downtime.
To experience a part of the world that is very different than Seattle, WA!
One of my dreams is that God would show us a specific way that we can make a small dent in the sea of human trafficking. I don't know how that can happen, but it is my prayer, that he will be so clear in his direction that we just can't miss the opportunity.
I will let you know what happens.....
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Messy Christmas Story
Last night we celebrated Christmas Eve and it was messy. We had to change locations due to the continual snow storm in Seattle. Everyone had a hard time getting to the destination; it was fun but crowded, it was all the messiness of life.
I spoke about how God allowed the first Christmas to be really messy so that we would know that we don't have to clean up our act to be in relationship with God. He wants to join us in the messiness of our real lives...holding nothing back! We ended up each taking a balloon, writing the "messy situation" that we wanted to give to him to dwell with us in, and then tying it to the manger or even the Baby King, until it looked like a great birthday celebration for the King!
The amazing thing about God is that he never just lets us talk about "his themes," he lets us experience them in real life. So, if I talk about messy, messy I get.
I was up in the middle of the night and our dog came out and threw up all over the kitchen floor, right in front of me. I was gagging and trying to clean it up and being really frustrated I was up in the middle of Christmas night cleaning up vomit, when I remembered that Jesus is with us in the messiness of our lives. And, literally it was if he was standing right there with me. It almost made cleaning up dog throw up pleasurable, well, maybe not pleasurable but a whole lot more meaningful.
Where are you in the midst of the messy in your life?
How are you positioned?
Are you experiencing Jesus, knowing how much he is delighted to be invited into our messes? He may not always fix them, but he is always present with us.
I spoke about how God allowed the first Christmas to be really messy so that we would know that we don't have to clean up our act to be in relationship with God. He wants to join us in the messiness of our real lives...holding nothing back! We ended up each taking a balloon, writing the "messy situation" that we wanted to give to him to dwell with us in, and then tying it to the manger or even the Baby King, until it looked like a great birthday celebration for the King!
The amazing thing about God is that he never just lets us talk about "his themes," he lets us experience them in real life. So, if I talk about messy, messy I get.
I was up in the middle of the night and our dog came out and threw up all over the kitchen floor, right in front of me. I was gagging and trying to clean it up and being really frustrated I was up in the middle of Christmas night cleaning up vomit, when I remembered that Jesus is with us in the messiness of our lives. And, literally it was if he was standing right there with me. It almost made cleaning up dog throw up pleasurable, well, maybe not pleasurable but a whole lot more meaningful.
Where are you in the midst of the messy in your life?
How are you positioned?
Are you experiencing Jesus, knowing how much he is delighted to be invited into our messes? He may not always fix them, but he is always present with us.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
God's Unwrapping for Christmas
Christmas Day. What was it really like on the first Christmas?
Do you ever wonder what Mary was thinking? After the Angel gave her the announcement that she was to birth the long anticipated Messiah of the Jewish people, do you think that she expected it to look the way it did?
Even the ones who got the announcement were the most unlikely receivers to the message of Jesus birth. The shepherds in Jesus day were considered the “disenfranchised” of our day. They were often criminals, homeless, estranged from family, unable to do anything else. Let’s just put it this way, becoming a shepherd was not what every Jewish parent longed for their child to become.
So, back to Mary. As she sat there, realizing how alone she was, and how “regular” Jesus’ birth was, did she get discouraged or did she understand that God often does his best work in secret?
God has this unique way of keeping his best work secret until it’s his timing to let the world know about it. Sometimes that includes us as he is working to prepare us for his “purpose in us to be fulfilled.” I didn’t have any idea when I was in college that I would end up becoming a pastor and that this calling would fulfill my deepest dreams above all else. I didn’t expect to be planting Missio Lux either; another surprise opened up to me in God’s specific timing!
He has this plan for you too.
How many times have you thought that your life is ordinary and your purpose is unexciting and unfulfilling.
How many times have you gotten up with the expectation that you just want to get through this day?
It’s easy to go there when life begins to feel ordinary and hard to remember that God’s specific purpose for us in anything but ordinary, it’s extraordinary and will change the world.
God is always ready to do this part, but what is our part?
Are we asking him, “What did you create me to do?” and believing that he has answer?
Are we going about our days watching for the God surprises and thanking him when we see one?
Are we in a community of people that is encouraging us to “go for it”
Are we willing to tell people what God is doing, even if it feels scary or prideful or humbling?
Are we willing to make the adjustments that come with receiving a “revelation of his purpose?”
2009 is fast approaching. New Year’s is one of the best points in the calendar to make adjustments in our lives, those resolutions can literally change our life direction if we keep unwrapping God’s gift to us by living into the questions above.
I urge you to take some time between today and New Year’s Day to reflect upon that dream that you have either buried or are keeping on life supports. Ask the Lord to bring it back to life and then begin to live each day with the expectancy that God has given you a unique dream and that 2009 will be a significant year as it begins to unwrap and become reality in your life.
Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Keep watching and standing on this promise in Philippians, he is acting on what he has already decided to bring forth his good purpose, his unique and amazing, purpose in you!
Do you ever wonder what Mary was thinking? After the Angel gave her the announcement that she was to birth the long anticipated Messiah of the Jewish people, do you think that she expected it to look the way it did?
Even the ones who got the announcement were the most unlikely receivers to the message of Jesus birth. The shepherds in Jesus day were considered the “disenfranchised” of our day. They were often criminals, homeless, estranged from family, unable to do anything else. Let’s just put it this way, becoming a shepherd was not what every Jewish parent longed for their child to become.
So, back to Mary. As she sat there, realizing how alone she was, and how “regular” Jesus’ birth was, did she get discouraged or did she understand that God often does his best work in secret?
God has this unique way of keeping his best work secret until it’s his timing to let the world know about it. Sometimes that includes us as he is working to prepare us for his “purpose in us to be fulfilled.” I didn’t have any idea when I was in college that I would end up becoming a pastor and that this calling would fulfill my deepest dreams above all else. I didn’t expect to be planting Missio Lux either; another surprise opened up to me in God’s specific timing!
He has this plan for you too.
How many times have you thought that your life is ordinary and your purpose is unexciting and unfulfilling.
How many times have you gotten up with the expectation that you just want to get through this day?
It’s easy to go there when life begins to feel ordinary and hard to remember that God’s specific purpose for us in anything but ordinary, it’s extraordinary and will change the world.
God is always ready to do this part, but what is our part?
Are we asking him, “What did you create me to do?” and believing that he has answer?
Are we going about our days watching for the God surprises and thanking him when we see one?
Are we in a community of people that is encouraging us to “go for it”
Are we willing to tell people what God is doing, even if it feels scary or prideful or humbling?
Are we willing to make the adjustments that come with receiving a “revelation of his purpose?”
2009 is fast approaching. New Year’s is one of the best points in the calendar to make adjustments in our lives, those resolutions can literally change our life direction if we keep unwrapping God’s gift to us by living into the questions above.
I urge you to take some time between today and New Year’s Day to reflect upon that dream that you have either buried or are keeping on life supports. Ask the Lord to bring it back to life and then begin to live each day with the expectancy that God has given you a unique dream and that 2009 will be a significant year as it begins to unwrap and become reality in your life.
Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Keep watching and standing on this promise in Philippians, he is acting on what he has already decided to bring forth his good purpose, his unique and amazing, purpose in you!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Missio Lux
Christmas Missio Lux was designed to three strategic outreaches on Saturday, December 21st but the weather had other plans. Seattle has had more snow in the past week than in the past 30 years, practically combined. It is almost a foot deep at our house.
Saturday was a bit of break in the weather, but only until evening! So, Bill and I made the trek along with several others into the city to feed breakfast to a grateful crowd of cold and hungry people. It wasn't our usual scheduled day for the breakfast, so the guests were more grateful than usual.
My time there didn't start out so great. I went to sit by a woman that was eating alone. She immediately jumped up and started yelling me, calling me some rather colorful names! The next man I tried to speak to started backing up when he saw me. But, I persevered and ended up having some very meaningful experiences as I sought to serve the guests as if they were Jesus himself.
The most moving experience to me was pouring coffe for a table full of men. These men were unusual because they were actually friends, and were sitting together in community. Many homeless people sit alone; preferring their space to the friendship of others. I was so joyful as I poured their coffee, refilled the pot and poured again.
It felt like I was serving the king himself!
I was able to connect with Angela: she asked if she could come again and serve. She had just lost her job at the newspaper and knew that to sit around her empty apartment was destructive for her. She got right up and started clearing the tables. We were able to pray for her unemployment as well as a friend she was worried about because she hadn't seen her since the cold spell.
I was able to reconnect with Tom. He is a rather put together young man who has a father that is a pastor, so he knows about faith but is struggling to believe in God's love for him. I told him that we would pray for him over the Christmas days as they are about the hardest days of the year for those who are estranged from their family.
I ended up with Sarah, who looked very classy. She was also extremely bright as I conversed with her. She seemed an unlikely candidate for homelessness, but when I asked her about it, once again she was estranged from her family so the safety net that is present for many, was missing for her. She is considering starting a Bible Study at the YWCA and wants to become an administrative assistant.
We had to cancel our other outreaches Saturday. The storm moved in, but I will always cherish the memories I took away from my time at the breakfast. I was much more filled than they as I served the King....
Matthew 25:37-40:
"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and helped you?"
The King will reply: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Saturday was a bit of break in the weather, but only until evening! So, Bill and I made the trek along with several others into the city to feed breakfast to a grateful crowd of cold and hungry people. It wasn't our usual scheduled day for the breakfast, so the guests were more grateful than usual.
My time there didn't start out so great. I went to sit by a woman that was eating alone. She immediately jumped up and started yelling me, calling me some rather colorful names! The next man I tried to speak to started backing up when he saw me. But, I persevered and ended up having some very meaningful experiences as I sought to serve the guests as if they were Jesus himself.
The most moving experience to me was pouring coffe for a table full of men. These men were unusual because they were actually friends, and were sitting together in community. Many homeless people sit alone; preferring their space to the friendship of others. I was so joyful as I poured their coffee, refilled the pot and poured again.
It felt like I was serving the king himself!
I was able to connect with Angela: she asked if she could come again and serve. She had just lost her job at the newspaper and knew that to sit around her empty apartment was destructive for her. She got right up and started clearing the tables. We were able to pray for her unemployment as well as a friend she was worried about because she hadn't seen her since the cold spell.
I was able to reconnect with Tom. He is a rather put together young man who has a father that is a pastor, so he knows about faith but is struggling to believe in God's love for him. I told him that we would pray for him over the Christmas days as they are about the hardest days of the year for those who are estranged from their family.
I ended up with Sarah, who looked very classy. She was also extremely bright as I conversed with her. She seemed an unlikely candidate for homelessness, but when I asked her about it, once again she was estranged from her family so the safety net that is present for many, was missing for her. She is considering starting a Bible Study at the YWCA and wants to become an administrative assistant.
We had to cancel our other outreaches Saturday. The storm moved in, but I will always cherish the memories I took away from my time at the breakfast. I was much more filled than they as I served the King....
Matthew 25:37-40:
"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and helped you?"
The King will reply: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Missio Lux Prayer Team
I've always dreamed of being part of a church where the direction is given by Jesus himself.
No, listen, it's not as far fetched as you would think. I have been on numerous church staffs over the past 18 years, as well as ministry teams. Often, plans are made without even a prayer. If there is prayer; often it is asking God to bless what we have decided. I have done ministry this way too. This type of ministry makes small advances, but what could happen if we aligned with God and his timing and direction?
I started a prayer team early on with Missio Lux, but I could quickly see that this is not the team that the Lord had chosen, so I let it drop to the ground (end).
This time is different. It is happening as I always dreamed. I began to know in my spirit that the Lord was calling a prayer team together. First, he pointed out who should lead it. I wrestled with the choice as the one he showed me was preparing to move. But, in faith and obedience, I asked her. She said, "Yes." The Lord had prepared her to receive the call by desiring a prayer team like I am describing. And, shortly after she said yes, they found out, surprise!, that they weren't moving.
We have been meeting at 5 a.m. on Tuesdays for the past several weeks to listen to the Lord for his direction. The first day we met, she received the clear instruction from Exodus to "build it according to the instructions that I give you."
We have been given bits and pieces of direction the past few weeks, but it must be time to move because today the Lord gave us so much specific direction, it left us spinning in expectation! He showed us who to invite, when to meet, how often to meet, how long we are to meet--nothing was left unclear.
Now, this newly called leader is making contact to those God identified. My prayer is that they will receive the call and consider it in God's eyes and plans; listening for his voice of direction.
I will keep you posted on what happens from here!
No, listen, it's not as far fetched as you would think. I have been on numerous church staffs over the past 18 years, as well as ministry teams. Often, plans are made without even a prayer. If there is prayer; often it is asking God to bless what we have decided. I have done ministry this way too. This type of ministry makes small advances, but what could happen if we aligned with God and his timing and direction?
I started a prayer team early on with Missio Lux, but I could quickly see that this is not the team that the Lord had chosen, so I let it drop to the ground (end).
This time is different. It is happening as I always dreamed. I began to know in my spirit that the Lord was calling a prayer team together. First, he pointed out who should lead it. I wrestled with the choice as the one he showed me was preparing to move. But, in faith and obedience, I asked her. She said, "Yes." The Lord had prepared her to receive the call by desiring a prayer team like I am describing. And, shortly after she said yes, they found out, surprise!, that they weren't moving.
We have been meeting at 5 a.m. on Tuesdays for the past several weeks to listen to the Lord for his direction. The first day we met, she received the clear instruction from Exodus to "build it according to the instructions that I give you."
We have been given bits and pieces of direction the past few weeks, but it must be time to move because today the Lord gave us so much specific direction, it left us spinning in expectation! He showed us who to invite, when to meet, how often to meet, how long we are to meet--nothing was left unclear.
Now, this newly called leader is making contact to those God identified. My prayer is that they will receive the call and consider it in God's eyes and plans; listening for his voice of direction.
I will keep you posted on what happens from here!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Gift of Wasting Time
Today it's snowing in Seattle!
This only happens once or twice per year, but it is extra special today because we are so close to Christmas. The timing is even better because today is my scheduled monthly prayer day. My daughter Bonnie had gotten up to go to her job as a nanny, but she was given the day off so we had the rare gift of "wasting time."
It is a gift to waste time in our culture. We are so scheduled and feel pressed up against the edge so often that when I have a chance to just watste time, it's like drinking from the best artisian spring!
What are some things I did today to waste time?
I watched my Bernese Mountain Dog who was created to pull sleds through snow frolic in the snow!
I savored the newspaper and finished the daily Suduko.
I hung out with Bonnie and looked at the pictures she is choosing for a book she is creating.
I kept looking out the window, watching the flakes come down!
I listened to the Josh Groban Christmas album.
I am blogging.....about "the gift of wasting time!"
I hope that today or at least some point before Christmas you give yourself the "gift of wasting time." It can help renew us faster than a speeding bullet.....
This only happens once or twice per year, but it is extra special today because we are so close to Christmas. The timing is even better because today is my scheduled monthly prayer day. My daughter Bonnie had gotten up to go to her job as a nanny, but she was given the day off so we had the rare gift of "wasting time."
It is a gift to waste time in our culture. We are so scheduled and feel pressed up against the edge so often that when I have a chance to just watste time, it's like drinking from the best artisian spring!
What are some things I did today to waste time?
I watched my Bernese Mountain Dog who was created to pull sleds through snow frolic in the snow!
I savored the newspaper and finished the daily Suduko.
I hung out with Bonnie and looked at the pictures she is choosing for a book she is creating.
I kept looking out the window, watching the flakes come down!
I listened to the Josh Groban Christmas album.
I am blogging.....about "the gift of wasting time!"
I hope that today or at least some point before Christmas you give yourself the "gift of wasting time." It can help renew us faster than a speeding bullet.....
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