By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
The mission isn’t the people, the people are the mission. At first glance, this sentence screams “fallacy,” or at least “contradiction.” So, let me rework it visually:
Mission = People
OR
People = Mission
Which of these equations make the greatest sense? Many would say that the first is correct according to the Great Commission (which is every Christian’s mission): “Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them…teach them…(Matthew 28:19-20).” But, let me point out that we cannot baptize or teach a nation without people, for the people are the nation. Without people, therefore, we cannot have a mission, because we need the “them” to fulfill the Great Commission. Often, however, we have a reverse mentality in which the goal or the nation is our sole focus as opposed to HUMAN HEARTS.
People are the mission. When we understand this, we beat the Jonah-complex which I wrote about last week. Jonah was angry when Nineveh didn’t burn because he was focused on the mission as opposed to saving the people. He missed the joy of participating in the deliverance of an entire city because he was so wrapped up in the execution of his task.
If we focus solely on a mission or calling in our lives, we miss the miracles happening along the way to the completion of that mission. Essentially, we miss the whole purpose of having a mission – the purpose is to make an eternal difference. The only way to make an eternal difference is to affect the hearts and souls of human beings. Missions don’t exist without people.
Jesus’ life exemplifies this point. He certainly had a mission – his entire life built towards the purpose of the cross – but He stopped on the way for the people, showing they were His first priority…they were IT. He never ignored the need of a crying heart for the sake of a goal or plan in which He was endeavoring to fulfill. Take, for example, the story of Jarirus’ daughter, Luke 8:40-55.
Jarius was a very important official, highly esteemed in the eyes of the people. His daughter was sick, and he tried everything. Nothing worked. She was only twelve, and she was dying. Jarius was desperate. So, he opted to find Jesus personally, as opposed to sending his servant. When Jarius located Jesus, he fell at His feet and begged Christ to come to his house. The people all watched in astonishment. In modern day, this would be like a famous superstar prostrating himself and begging a “middle-class” individual for help…the press coverage would be epic. Therefore, Mission-Jarius’-Daughter was a red-carpet event for Jesus. He agreed, and Jarius led the way at a frantic pace. The gossip-hungry crowd pressed tightly around them, wanting to be a part of this significant event. Each step was another second in which the little girl could be taking her last breath. But, Jesus stopped. Abruptly. Jarius looked back, confused, “Hurry, hurry!” Jesus was looking around at all the people and asked, “Who touched me?” Everyone wondered if He’d gone nuts! There were thousands brushing against Jesus, what could He mean? Why was he allowing himself to be distracted from this mission at hand by such a little detail? The daughter of this famous man was dying! He was risking his reputation and ministry! Nevertheless, Jesus persisted. “Someone has touched me.” Finally, a frightened woman came forth, and threw herself before Jesus in fear. She had suffered bleeding for twelve years and knew that if she could only touch His garments, she would be healed. And, she was! This woman – who had endured scorn from others, who had felt dirty for so long, who’s life savings had been spent on trying to find a cure – was finally whole. Yet, she was still ashamed, sprawled in the dirt before Jesus. Jesus knew that although her body was healed, her heart was still bleeding. He touched her and spoke, “Daughter…Go in peace.” He delivered this woman from turmoil and shame by ministering peace and calling her daughter – an endearing term only recorded coming from His lips this once. As Jesus was giving this woman acceptance and belonging, a servant came to Jarius with news. His daughter was dead. Jesus was no longer needed. In everyone’s eyes, the mission was a failure. But for Jesus, so long as there are people, the mission is never abandoned. He told Jarius that his daughter would be healed. Jarius remains in shock. He stared at this crazy man thinking, She’s dead. Why didn’t you complete your mission to my daughter. Why did you stop for this woman and let my daughter die? When Jesus arrived at the house, people mocked and jeered. Jesus looked past the circumstances towards the girl in need. With a word and a touch, he raised Jarius’ daughter up from the dead, completely whole and healed. His mission was completed, despite it all, because His mission was based on the souls of the people, which are eternal and never fade.
Along the road to whatever Jesus was seeking to accomplish, he never looked at the needs of the people as an interruption…because he operated out of a people mentality. He did not allow fame, or importance of a goal, nor the voices of the crowd to override the cry of human souls. And, Christ did not die for the sake of a mission; He died for the hearts and souls of the PEOPLE. Our Great Commission is to epitomize Jesus Christ…our mission is not about reaching goals, it’s about reaching souls. The people are our mission.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
WE the JONAHS
WE the JONAHS
Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
Lately, the Bible’s been funny to me. Not the Bible itself, the stories in it. This morning I was reading Jonah and had to laugh! Jonah, like all the other characters in the Bible, was one-hundred percent human – just like us. He was stubborn, he was afraid, he didn’t want to do the task God asked, and he was the ultimate dramatic. The story starts like this:
God says GO!
Jonah says no.
He actually physically tries to run from God. The first place he goes is a shipyard, thinking maybe he can put some ocean between him and God, as if contact with the Creator of the Universe could only be made on land! But, he can’t escape. At sea, a storm tosses the ship about like a rubber-ducky. The sailors are frantic and petition their various gods, to no avail. Finally, they went to Jonah, knowing he was in the process of running away from God since he announced it to them when he boarded the ship. Instead of praying and submitting, Jonah tells them to throw him overboard.
Jonah decides he should die.
God decides He’ll give him another try.
So, did God send a life-raft to pick him up, or a sailor to rescue Jonah? No, He “provided” a great fish “to swallow” Jonah (if anyone ever tries to say God doesn’t have a sense of humor, just point them to this story)! Jonah sat in that mucky-yucky, not to mention slimy, innards of the fish until he finally prayed and turned to the Lord. The Bible says that the fish then VOMITED Jonah out on shore. And, he gets another chance.
God, again, says GO!
Jonah says ok, I’ll bring to Nineveh your woe!
SO, Jonah finally travels to fulfill the original mission God sent Him on. When he gets to Nineveh, he warns the people of their sin and tells them that they will be destroyed. The king and his people are so repentant, they denounce all their gods and pray and fast to the One true God. God sees this, and has compassion on the people of Nineveh. Meanwhile, Jonah is watching for the city to be destroyed. He’d brought the warning of God, and now he waits for the message he brought to be fulfilled. After all, this is what he was sent for! When Jonah realizes that Nineveh is getting a second chance, he gets angry that the word he delivered didn’t happen like he said, so he begins berating God. “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,” he shook his fist to heaven. “Slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending the calamity.” Aaaaarrrrrr, “Now, O Lord, take away my life!” With that, the angered man stormed to the desolate landscape outside the city, without supplies or shelter.
Jonah goes to the desert to bake.
God sends shade for his sake.
Despite his original dramatic intentions, Jonah was happy for the shade, but the next day the vine, which was providing protection for the sun, withered. He became angry all over again at God – angry because nothing was going the way he planned. His solution? Nothing less than death (this is the third of Jonah’s death wishes in the short book!).
Jonah asks, “Death to me, O God, please render!”
God asks, “Jonah, my child, just surrender.”
And then book ends – fin, complete. We never discover the resolution of the story. But I think that’s the point of the Book of Jonah. The end of the story is ours. God gives us Jonah because we can relate, then leaves the story unfinished for us to complete. After all, we are all Jonahs who are being shaped into vessels God can use. Maybe you haven’t done any of the following, but I can guarantee you know someone who has…
Ran from the difficult things God asks him to do.
Blamed God for bad things that happen to her.
Been angry when something didn’t turn out the way he or she thought it should.
Just generally whined, complained, and dramatized when life was out of their control.
Sometimes, we only see the unpleasant, stinky part of life, or the things that are removed from our lives. When, in fact, Jonah’s story shows us that the smelly fish wasn’t a curse, it was a blessing because it preserved his life; just as the vine in the desert was provided for a season, until it was time for Jonah to move on. God didn’t send the fish or remove the vine out of anger but out of loving compassion. He did not send Jonah to Nineveh simply because he was angry with the city, He sent him because He loved the people and desired to provide them with another chance. After Jonah rejected the call, God could have chosen someone different, but God wanted Jonah because He cared. Just like with Nineveh, God provided Jonah with second chances. God did not relent. He kept on pursuing Jonah.
That’s how God is with us, he’s gracious and compassionate. He doesn’t sit in heaven and wait for us to fail so He can get angry and send calamity. No matter how much we mess up, God still wants to use us! If we run, He’ll send a storm to redirect our route. If we jump into the ocean, He’ll send a big fish to swallow us up and spit us where we need to go. If we decided to wander in the desert, He’ll eventually spring something from the ground to bring us back to our right minds. You see, God can handle our dramatics and our fears, but the one thing He does expect of us is to let HIM BE GOD. The problem with Jonah trying to control his life, the weather, the plant, and the fate of the city is that he operates out of the human condition of condemnation. Even condemnation upon himself (note: his desire to die). Whereas, God’s plan, which we see played out in the story, is one of grace. He extends this redemption in equal amounts to all peoples. So, when the Book ends with God asking Jonah, “Don’t I have the right to do as I please with my creation?” He is asking this same question of us. We all come to the point where we must answer this question, which is why the end of Jonah is our beginning. For, our journey starts with acknowledging God’s right and might to control with His great love. So, you can choose to run or surrender.
But if you run, He’ll smile and send a fish just for you…
because you’re a Jonah, with a calling too!
Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
Lately, the Bible’s been funny to me. Not the Bible itself, the stories in it. This morning I was reading Jonah and had to laugh! Jonah, like all the other characters in the Bible, was one-hundred percent human – just like us. He was stubborn, he was afraid, he didn’t want to do the task God asked, and he was the ultimate dramatic. The story starts like this:
God says GO!
Jonah says no.
He actually physically tries to run from God. The first place he goes is a shipyard, thinking maybe he can put some ocean between him and God, as if contact with the Creator of the Universe could only be made on land! But, he can’t escape. At sea, a storm tosses the ship about like a rubber-ducky. The sailors are frantic and petition their various gods, to no avail. Finally, they went to Jonah, knowing he was in the process of running away from God since he announced it to them when he boarded the ship. Instead of praying and submitting, Jonah tells them to throw him overboard.
Jonah decides he should die.
God decides He’ll give him another try.
So, did God send a life-raft to pick him up, or a sailor to rescue Jonah? No, He “provided” a great fish “to swallow” Jonah (if anyone ever tries to say God doesn’t have a sense of humor, just point them to this story)! Jonah sat in that mucky-yucky, not to mention slimy, innards of the fish until he finally prayed and turned to the Lord. The Bible says that the fish then VOMITED Jonah out on shore. And, he gets another chance.
God, again, says GO!
Jonah says ok, I’ll bring to Nineveh your woe!
SO, Jonah finally travels to fulfill the original mission God sent Him on. When he gets to Nineveh, he warns the people of their sin and tells them that they will be destroyed. The king and his people are so repentant, they denounce all their gods and pray and fast to the One true God. God sees this, and has compassion on the people of Nineveh. Meanwhile, Jonah is watching for the city to be destroyed. He’d brought the warning of God, and now he waits for the message he brought to be fulfilled. After all, this is what he was sent for! When Jonah realizes that Nineveh is getting a second chance, he gets angry that the word he delivered didn’t happen like he said, so he begins berating God. “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,” he shook his fist to heaven. “Slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending the calamity.” Aaaaarrrrrr, “Now, O Lord, take away my life!” With that, the angered man stormed to the desolate landscape outside the city, without supplies or shelter.
Jonah goes to the desert to bake.
God sends shade for his sake.
Despite his original dramatic intentions, Jonah was happy for the shade, but the next day the vine, which was providing protection for the sun, withered. He became angry all over again at God – angry because nothing was going the way he planned. His solution? Nothing less than death (this is the third of Jonah’s death wishes in the short book!).
Jonah asks, “Death to me, O God, please render!”
God asks, “Jonah, my child, just surrender.”
And then book ends – fin, complete. We never discover the resolution of the story. But I think that’s the point of the Book of Jonah. The end of the story is ours. God gives us Jonah because we can relate, then leaves the story unfinished for us to complete. After all, we are all Jonahs who are being shaped into vessels God can use. Maybe you haven’t done any of the following, but I can guarantee you know someone who has…
Ran from the difficult things God asks him to do.
Blamed God for bad things that happen to her.
Been angry when something didn’t turn out the way he or she thought it should.
Just generally whined, complained, and dramatized when life was out of their control.
Sometimes, we only see the unpleasant, stinky part of life, or the things that are removed from our lives. When, in fact, Jonah’s story shows us that the smelly fish wasn’t a curse, it was a blessing because it preserved his life; just as the vine in the desert was provided for a season, until it was time for Jonah to move on. God didn’t send the fish or remove the vine out of anger but out of loving compassion. He did not send Jonah to Nineveh simply because he was angry with the city, He sent him because He loved the people and desired to provide them with another chance. After Jonah rejected the call, God could have chosen someone different, but God wanted Jonah because He cared. Just like with Nineveh, God provided Jonah with second chances. God did not relent. He kept on pursuing Jonah.
That’s how God is with us, he’s gracious and compassionate. He doesn’t sit in heaven and wait for us to fail so He can get angry and send calamity. No matter how much we mess up, God still wants to use us! If we run, He’ll send a storm to redirect our route. If we jump into the ocean, He’ll send a big fish to swallow us up and spit us where we need to go. If we decided to wander in the desert, He’ll eventually spring something from the ground to bring us back to our right minds. You see, God can handle our dramatics and our fears, but the one thing He does expect of us is to let HIM BE GOD. The problem with Jonah trying to control his life, the weather, the plant, and the fate of the city is that he operates out of the human condition of condemnation. Even condemnation upon himself (note: his desire to die). Whereas, God’s plan, which we see played out in the story, is one of grace. He extends this redemption in equal amounts to all peoples. So, when the Book ends with God asking Jonah, “Don’t I have the right to do as I please with my creation?” He is asking this same question of us. We all come to the point where we must answer this question, which is why the end of Jonah is our beginning. For, our journey starts with acknowledging God’s right and might to control with His great love. So, you can choose to run or surrender.
But if you run, He’ll smile and send a fish just for you…
because you’re a Jonah, with a calling too!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stories from the Love-Starved
Stories from the Love-Starved
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
The other day I entered Wal-Mart’s restroom, and in one of the stalls I saw a pregnancy test. It was negative. The image of it sitting there made me want to cry. My first thought was, What type of desperate situation would force someone to take their pregnancy test in Wal-Mart? A scenario played out in my head:
There’s a girl who had it all. She grew up with a family that attended church regularly, lived in a great neighborhood, and had the “perfect” American life. On the outside. Inside, though, she was desperate. Desperate to satisfy her craving for love. Her father never said “I love you,” and she felt her family never talked about real feelings, feelings that were ready to shatter her to pieces if they didn’t find an outlet. So, behind closed doors she sought the cure. Her medicine became attention from boys. But there were side effects, for her hunger to feel special and loved only increased each time she slept with her boyfriend. One day, the inevitable came: she missed her menstrual cycle. It took her a day to gather the courage to drive to Wal-Mart. Standing in the aisle with the pregnancy tests, she waited until she was alone. Her arm felt like lead, barely able to rise and pick up the box. It seemed to mock her. I can’t…I can’t be seen with this. I’m supposed to be this perfect Christian girl! It was so easy for her to slip it in her purse and walk to the bathroom, paranoid the whole time that if she made eye contact the people she passed would know. As she shut herself in the stall. She felt sick – she took the test. The next few minutes of waiting took an infinity. When the results showed, she almost fainted with relief. Blue was her new favorite color. She hung over the toilet, breathing…breathing. After collecting herself, she stared at the test, unable to bring herself to touch it again. And, too afraid someone would see her carrying it to the garbage, she left it sitting in the stall. She had a scare, but she was safe now. Somehow she didn’t feel much better as she left Wal-Mart…all she could think was, I’m a criminal and I’m so dirty. I need…something. But no one will ever know…
She goes home to an empty house.
No one is there to hold her and tell her...
Though I made this particular story up, it’s composed from reality. I’ve worked with numerous girls who have the same story, just translated in a different version. This craving for love, however, doesn’t just gnaw at girls. Guys have their own hunger-pains.
He, too, grew up going to church periodically as a boy, but phased out of attending as he grew older. His family was pretty much a wreck, and he craved something more. He looked, and looked. Maybe it would be found in a woman’s touch? His first serious girlfriend was at age sixteen. She manipulated him, sucked him dry, and left him with his manhood punctured by the barrage of her words. He was sure his heart would never be whole again. Until, an angel came along. She patched the holes and made him feel a man once more. They went to church together, prayed together, and…slept together. After all, they loved eachother. He knew she wanted him, and that made him feel needed, it gave him purpose. But it didn’t seem to be enough. He still hungered. So, he decided that one day they would be married – that would fix his consuming desire. They graduated. A year later, she broke it off. As she left, she ripped off every patch on his heart, and added a few punctures of her own. He stood alone, the wind of pain whistling through his abused heart. Love is a lie, God is a lie. If it was all a lie, he knew life wasn’t worth it. But something inside of him still beat to live, so he chose to numb it all away. Party every weekend, one hook up after the next, experimenting with anything to bring pleasure. I’m iron, I’m steal. Don’t care, don’t care, don’t care…just live. No matter what, when he was alone he still cared. And he panted to be cared for. I’m so dirty. I need…something. He knows better than to open up again…
He goes to sleep with an empty heart.
No one’s there to tell him…
…what? What is no one there to tell him? What did the girl never hear? They both grew up going to church, and yet they were still starved for love. Isn’t the God of love enough to keep these young people from vacuuming up pleasure from the dirty floors of this world? Yes, the God of Love is, but the god of religion is not. How many times does someone enter a church who has a story like this, and all they feel is numbing, burning shame because they are held at arms length. But what if, when they fell, someone was there to hold them tight and tell them, “You’re worth more than ever! God doesn’t love you for what you can do for him, or what you don’t do. HE JUST LOVES YOU.” Religion says instead: you’re worthless, or worth less, to God when you mess up, when you hurt, when you are essentially human. This message breeds stories like the ones above, and, ultimately, death. But Love – in the words of Jesus – says: “I showed My love for you by dying for you while you were still a sinner” (Romans 5:8). This message brings LIFE, and it is the “something” the individuals from our stories instinctively know they need!
As representatives of Jesus on this earth, He asks us to send the message of love and not religion. For until we realize that love is not “that we loved God, but that He loved us” first (1 John 4:10), we’ll always be pursuing and craving after love. But when we realize love is not earned, then we can accept the life-changing, head-over heels, all-out, reach-for-the-stars love relationship God wants to have with us. And, when we understand and accept the real unconditionality of God, it is only then that we truly learn to love Him and others, and our life choices naturally follow. This is what every man, woman, child, and youth longs and hungers for – the ability to love and be loved unconditionally. Two questions then remain:
What message have you been given about God?
And, are you giving religion or the message of Jesus to this love-starved world?
Only the love of Jesus satisfies.
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
The other day I entered Wal-Mart’s restroom, and in one of the stalls I saw a pregnancy test. It was negative. The image of it sitting there made me want to cry. My first thought was, What type of desperate situation would force someone to take their pregnancy test in Wal-Mart? A scenario played out in my head:
There’s a girl who had it all. She grew up with a family that attended church regularly, lived in a great neighborhood, and had the “perfect” American life. On the outside. Inside, though, she was desperate. Desperate to satisfy her craving for love. Her father never said “I love you,” and she felt her family never talked about real feelings, feelings that were ready to shatter her to pieces if they didn’t find an outlet. So, behind closed doors she sought the cure. Her medicine became attention from boys. But there were side effects, for her hunger to feel special and loved only increased each time she slept with her boyfriend. One day, the inevitable came: she missed her menstrual cycle. It took her a day to gather the courage to drive to Wal-Mart. Standing in the aisle with the pregnancy tests, she waited until she was alone. Her arm felt like lead, barely able to rise and pick up the box. It seemed to mock her. I can’t…I can’t be seen with this. I’m supposed to be this perfect Christian girl! It was so easy for her to slip it in her purse and walk to the bathroom, paranoid the whole time that if she made eye contact the people she passed would know. As she shut herself in the stall. She felt sick – she took the test. The next few minutes of waiting took an infinity. When the results showed, she almost fainted with relief. Blue was her new favorite color. She hung over the toilet, breathing…breathing. After collecting herself, she stared at the test, unable to bring herself to touch it again. And, too afraid someone would see her carrying it to the garbage, she left it sitting in the stall. She had a scare, but she was safe now. Somehow she didn’t feel much better as she left Wal-Mart…all she could think was, I’m a criminal and I’m so dirty. I need…something. But no one will ever know…
She goes home to an empty house.
No one is there to hold her and tell her...
Though I made this particular story up, it’s composed from reality. I’ve worked with numerous girls who have the same story, just translated in a different version. This craving for love, however, doesn’t just gnaw at girls. Guys have their own hunger-pains.
He, too, grew up going to church periodically as a boy, but phased out of attending as he grew older. His family was pretty much a wreck, and he craved something more. He looked, and looked. Maybe it would be found in a woman’s touch? His first serious girlfriend was at age sixteen. She manipulated him, sucked him dry, and left him with his manhood punctured by the barrage of her words. He was sure his heart would never be whole again. Until, an angel came along. She patched the holes and made him feel a man once more. They went to church together, prayed together, and…slept together. After all, they loved eachother. He knew she wanted him, and that made him feel needed, it gave him purpose. But it didn’t seem to be enough. He still hungered. So, he decided that one day they would be married – that would fix his consuming desire. They graduated. A year later, she broke it off. As she left, she ripped off every patch on his heart, and added a few punctures of her own. He stood alone, the wind of pain whistling through his abused heart. Love is a lie, God is a lie. If it was all a lie, he knew life wasn’t worth it. But something inside of him still beat to live, so he chose to numb it all away. Party every weekend, one hook up after the next, experimenting with anything to bring pleasure. I’m iron, I’m steal. Don’t care, don’t care, don’t care…just live. No matter what, when he was alone he still cared. And he panted to be cared for. I’m so dirty. I need…something. He knows better than to open up again…
He goes to sleep with an empty heart.
No one’s there to tell him…
…what? What is no one there to tell him? What did the girl never hear? They both grew up going to church, and yet they were still starved for love. Isn’t the God of love enough to keep these young people from vacuuming up pleasure from the dirty floors of this world? Yes, the God of Love is, but the god of religion is not. How many times does someone enter a church who has a story like this, and all they feel is numbing, burning shame because they are held at arms length. But what if, when they fell, someone was there to hold them tight and tell them, “You’re worth more than ever! God doesn’t love you for what you can do for him, or what you don’t do. HE JUST LOVES YOU.” Religion says instead: you’re worthless, or worth less, to God when you mess up, when you hurt, when you are essentially human. This message breeds stories like the ones above, and, ultimately, death. But Love – in the words of Jesus – says: “I showed My love for you by dying for you while you were still a sinner” (Romans 5:8). This message brings LIFE, and it is the “something” the individuals from our stories instinctively know they need!
As representatives of Jesus on this earth, He asks us to send the message of love and not religion. For until we realize that love is not “that we loved God, but that He loved us” first (1 John 4:10), we’ll always be pursuing and craving after love. But when we realize love is not earned, then we can accept the life-changing, head-over heels, all-out, reach-for-the-stars love relationship God wants to have with us. And, when we understand and accept the real unconditionality of God, it is only then that we truly learn to love Him and others, and our life choices naturally follow. This is what every man, woman, child, and youth longs and hungers for – the ability to love and be loved unconditionally. Two questions then remain:
What message have you been given about God?
And, are you giving religion or the message of Jesus to this love-starved world?
Only the love of Jesus satisfies.
Friday, July 10, 2009
THE ALL-PURPOSE-ALL-POWERFUL TOOL
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
David was given a sling. Ester was given a crown. Sampson was granted amazing strength. Moses was given a rod, oh, and another voice, via Aaron. Solomon was granted the greatest wisdom known to mankind. Joseph was given dreams, to interpret and to encourage. All these important figures of the Bible were given something, a tool of sorts, to do what was needed and accomplish their mission. What was I given?
Sometimes I feel as if God’s sent me to a massive construction site to work, but forgot to give me the tools. I don’t have superhuman strength, I don’t hold a rod that parts obstacles, I don’t even own a backhoe! Yet, I look around and see the need – there are things that need to be built, cracks and divots that require covering, foundations need mapping. In fact, I can’t escape this need because no matter where I go I encounter construction zones; they are all around me, living, moving, breathing…they’re called people.
Many are experiencing their foundations shifting.
Some have holes so big through their hearts that they have no protection from storms. Most are crumbling.
And I look down at my balled fists…they seem so empty. I see the job that needs doing, but feel so ill-equipped. God, give me some nails, some glue – anything! Where is my tool!?
Wait! Suddenly it’s as if I’ve been hoisted by a crane and am dangling above the scene observing...me! I see my own body below, glancing all around, desperately, for something to help the tumbling and cracking people. Then, my vision transcends the external; I see within the frame of Krinda below. I see my tool! All along it’s been sitting inside of me.
Waiting.
Waiting for me to let it out of its box and get to work.
I’m in shock. It is more accurate than David’s sling, more impacting than Joseph’s dreams, demands more authority than Ester’s crown, and is the ultimate all-purpose-all-powerful tool. Its logo is a flame. Its name is the Holy Spirit. God points down to my body below and says, “[Krinda], the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you (Romans 8:11).” With this statement, I realize that I’ve been given the same tool that Jesus Christ used while on earth! I have what is required to help repair the broken and build back up the sick. All I need to do the work is allow the Holy Spirit out of the box, and let Him work THROUGH me! At this revelation, I’m instantly back in my Krinda-frame looking at a project right in front of me. She’s pretty beat up: ripped heart, broken dreams, cracking hope. But now I know where my tool is to start construction and accomplish the mission.
Guess what! I’m not the only one with this tool – chances are high that you have it too. And if you don’t, it’s a gift promised to you by God Himself (Acts 1:4-5). You see, if you’ve asked Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes and lives inside of you. All that needs to be done is for you to let the Holy Spirit outside of the box and let Him flow through you. When this happens, the Holy Spirit also often uses your hands, your feet, and your body to accomplish the work. You never have to look at a need and feel empty, ill-equipped, and useless again. Whatever construction-site and mission God’s called you to, know that you have THE all-purpose-all-powerful tool inside of you!
Let’s allow the Holy Spirit within us to work…let’s light the flame!
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
David was given a sling. Ester was given a crown. Sampson was granted amazing strength. Moses was given a rod, oh, and another voice, via Aaron. Solomon was granted the greatest wisdom known to mankind. Joseph was given dreams, to interpret and to encourage. All these important figures of the Bible were given something, a tool of sorts, to do what was needed and accomplish their mission. What was I given?
Sometimes I feel as if God’s sent me to a massive construction site to work, but forgot to give me the tools. I don’t have superhuman strength, I don’t hold a rod that parts obstacles, I don’t even own a backhoe! Yet, I look around and see the need – there are things that need to be built, cracks and divots that require covering, foundations need mapping. In fact, I can’t escape this need because no matter where I go I encounter construction zones; they are all around me, living, moving, breathing…they’re called people.
Many are experiencing their foundations shifting.
Some have holes so big through their hearts that they have no protection from storms. Most are crumbling.
And I look down at my balled fists…they seem so empty. I see the job that needs doing, but feel so ill-equipped. God, give me some nails, some glue – anything! Where is my tool!?
Wait! Suddenly it’s as if I’ve been hoisted by a crane and am dangling above the scene observing...me! I see my own body below, glancing all around, desperately, for something to help the tumbling and cracking people. Then, my vision transcends the external; I see within the frame of Krinda below. I see my tool! All along it’s been sitting inside of me.
Waiting.
Waiting for me to let it out of its box and get to work.
I’m in shock. It is more accurate than David’s sling, more impacting than Joseph’s dreams, demands more authority than Ester’s crown, and is the ultimate all-purpose-all-powerful tool. Its logo is a flame. Its name is the Holy Spirit. God points down to my body below and says, “[Krinda], the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you (Romans 8:11).” With this statement, I realize that I’ve been given the same tool that Jesus Christ used while on earth! I have what is required to help repair the broken and build back up the sick. All I need to do the work is allow the Holy Spirit out of the box, and let Him work THROUGH me! At this revelation, I’m instantly back in my Krinda-frame looking at a project right in front of me. She’s pretty beat up: ripped heart, broken dreams, cracking hope. But now I know where my tool is to start construction and accomplish the mission.
Guess what! I’m not the only one with this tool – chances are high that you have it too. And if you don’t, it’s a gift promised to you by God Himself (Acts 1:4-5). You see, if you’ve asked Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes and lives inside of you. All that needs to be done is for you to let the Holy Spirit outside of the box and let Him flow through you. When this happens, the Holy Spirit also often uses your hands, your feet, and your body to accomplish the work. You never have to look at a need and feel empty, ill-equipped, and useless again. Whatever construction-site and mission God’s called you to, know that you have THE all-purpose-all-powerful tool inside of you!
Let’s allow the Holy Spirit within us to work…let’s light the flame!
Friday, July 3, 2009
ESSENCE OF GIVING
ESSENCE OF GIVING
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
Food. Talk. Jokes. The group of men enjoyed the meal with a comradeship born from countless hours spent together. However, tonight, something was lingering in the air – a heaviness marked the movements of their leader. They went about the motions of chewing bread and drinking their wine as if everything was normal, but between bites, furtive glances were cast towards the man at the head of the table.
In the middle of a lapse in conversation, the door to the meeting room suddenly flung open. There stood a woman clothed in scarlet. All eyes stared. She moved silently, grimly towards their leader clutching an elaborate jar to her chest. As she halted before him, one of the men nearby seemed to snap from his stupor, preparing to remove her from their presence. His leader motioned that he be seated. The man questioned, “Jesus…?”
But his leader, Jesus, had his eyes focused upon the woman’s as she uncorked the bottle in her hands. She extended the jar. Halted. Looked imploringly at the man in front of her.
He simply nodded.
Without breaking eye contact, the woman poured the contents of the jar over the head of Jesus. The sweet, distinct smell of one of the most costly perfumes available began to fill the room. The liquid spilled down Jesus’ hair, dripped onto his clothes, and mixed with the tears now sliding down his cheeks. The woman, too, began to cry, and shared a special smile with the man in front of her. The rest of the men, however, started muttering amongst themselves, none-too subtly.
“This is ridiculous! What’s she thinking? Is she crazy?”
“That perfume costs a fortune! What a waste.”
“We could have sold that and used the money for something better!”
The woman hung her head. Doubts taking root in her heart, Maybe I am foolish.
His gaze with the woman broken, Jesus turned a stern eye on the others. “Why are you bothering this woman?” He asked. “She has done a beautiful thing to me…when she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told.” With that said, he reached out and embraced the woman, who then departed as silently as she came.
This time when the door shut, she stood outside it and hugged the bottle to herself with a smile. Though empty of perfume, it was full now of something better – a priceless memory of Jesus’ acceptance that would be a continual reservoir of sweet joy. (Matthew 26:6-13)
This true story takes place shortly before Jesus is arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. Although Jesus is preparing to give the most valuable gift mankind will ever experience – his life – he still calls this woman’s offering beautiful! Why? Because her gift captures the essence of giving.
The woman brings to Jesus what is costly to her, and she pours it all out for his sake. That’s what Jesus asks of us when we come to him and when we give to others. He asks us to give with all our heart, thus the deed that represented this essence of giving costs something of us. It is befriending the social misfit in the office, which costs us because it places us on the gossip-list of our coworkers; it is listening to our lonely aunt repeat the same story over and over that costs us our time; it is being the first to extend an apology, which costs us our pride; and it is embracing the dirty, smelly outcast, which costs us our comfort. True giving like this costs the pouring out of the “self” for another. As shown by the men in the story, people won’t always understand this kind of giving, they may even mock you. But you’re not doing it for them, you’re pouring your offering upon the head of Jesus…you’re doing it for Him. Like the woman who gave Jesus what was costly to her, Jesus is looking at us and nodding encouragement that we do the same. When we pour out of the part of our heart we clutch so tightly to, the offering is a sweet and beautiful perfume to Jesus.
Then, he smiles upon us.
He embraces us.
He fills the now emptied bottle of our offering…
with the joy of His love and acceptance. Now that’s priceless beyond measure.
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
Food. Talk. Jokes. The group of men enjoyed the meal with a comradeship born from countless hours spent together. However, tonight, something was lingering in the air – a heaviness marked the movements of their leader. They went about the motions of chewing bread and drinking their wine as if everything was normal, but between bites, furtive glances were cast towards the man at the head of the table.
In the middle of a lapse in conversation, the door to the meeting room suddenly flung open. There stood a woman clothed in scarlet. All eyes stared. She moved silently, grimly towards their leader clutching an elaborate jar to her chest. As she halted before him, one of the men nearby seemed to snap from his stupor, preparing to remove her from their presence. His leader motioned that he be seated. The man questioned, “Jesus…?”
But his leader, Jesus, had his eyes focused upon the woman’s as she uncorked the bottle in her hands. She extended the jar. Halted. Looked imploringly at the man in front of her.
He simply nodded.
Without breaking eye contact, the woman poured the contents of the jar over the head of Jesus. The sweet, distinct smell of one of the most costly perfumes available began to fill the room. The liquid spilled down Jesus’ hair, dripped onto his clothes, and mixed with the tears now sliding down his cheeks. The woman, too, began to cry, and shared a special smile with the man in front of her. The rest of the men, however, started muttering amongst themselves, none-too subtly.
“This is ridiculous! What’s she thinking? Is she crazy?”
“That perfume costs a fortune! What a waste.”
“We could have sold that and used the money for something better!”
The woman hung her head. Doubts taking root in her heart, Maybe I am foolish.
His gaze with the woman broken, Jesus turned a stern eye on the others. “Why are you bothering this woman?” He asked. “She has done a beautiful thing to me…when she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told.” With that said, he reached out and embraced the woman, who then departed as silently as she came.
This time when the door shut, she stood outside it and hugged the bottle to herself with a smile. Though empty of perfume, it was full now of something better – a priceless memory of Jesus’ acceptance that would be a continual reservoir of sweet joy. (Matthew 26:6-13)
This true story takes place shortly before Jesus is arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. Although Jesus is preparing to give the most valuable gift mankind will ever experience – his life – he still calls this woman’s offering beautiful! Why? Because her gift captures the essence of giving.
The woman brings to Jesus what is costly to her, and she pours it all out for his sake. That’s what Jesus asks of us when we come to him and when we give to others. He asks us to give with all our heart, thus the deed that represented this essence of giving costs something of us. It is befriending the social misfit in the office, which costs us because it places us on the gossip-list of our coworkers; it is listening to our lonely aunt repeat the same story over and over that costs us our time; it is being the first to extend an apology, which costs us our pride; and it is embracing the dirty, smelly outcast, which costs us our comfort. True giving like this costs the pouring out of the “self” for another. As shown by the men in the story, people won’t always understand this kind of giving, they may even mock you. But you’re not doing it for them, you’re pouring your offering upon the head of Jesus…you’re doing it for Him. Like the woman who gave Jesus what was costly to her, Jesus is looking at us and nodding encouragement that we do the same. When we pour out of the part of our heart we clutch so tightly to, the offering is a sweet and beautiful perfume to Jesus.
Then, he smiles upon us.
He embraces us.
He fills the now emptied bottle of our offering…
with the joy of His love and acceptance. Now that’s priceless beyond measure.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day of The Double-Take
Day of The Double-Take
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
What if, in the middle of your daily rush to get everything done, someone suddenly stepped into your path begging for help? What if they looked you right in the eye and said,
“I’m Desperate.”
“Anything will help right now.”
“I need food. I’m disabled – can’t work – and I’m caring for my grandkids.”
What if this happened? What would you do?
It happens to me on a weekly basis.
When I’m carrying out my daily life, someone suddenly steps before me desperate, begging, in need. What do I do? Sick as it seems, my instant response is to look away. I justify it, They brought this upon themselves. They probably just don’t want to work. I don’t have time…
Is the scenario beginning to sound familiar yet? We’ve all encountered someone in need and looked away. Usually, we turn our eyes from the man on the street holding up the “Desperate” sign, or the woman with “Anything Helps” scratched on a piece of cardboard. Instinctively, we know that if we look twice, really consider the need, we won’t be able to ignore it because the heart of Jesus inside of us begins to pound. The day I looked twice, it was all over…
I was driving along a busy street heading for the freeway on-ramp. It was a sunny day after church and I was singing away to blasting worship when I looked over at the sidewalk, and there she was. She was thin, with grey coarse hair and had a sign that read, “Need food. Disabled, can’t work, caring for grandkids.” I looked away. Here I was, just coming from church and listening to worship, and I looked away. But, the thought of my own grandma having to take on responsibility for some of my younger cousins caused me to look a second time. The sight of those wrinkled hands holding the plea out to me and her hunched-back, no longer able to straighten against the lifetimes of burdens she’d endured, switch something inside of me. I recklessly swung my wheel and screeched into a nearby parking lot. That second look combated the thought that said, She’s probably lying, and replaced it with, So what if she IS lying! What if she’s not?! It can’t hurt to give food! Turns out, I had a box of nutrition bars in my trunk, so I pulled them out and rushed to her as fast as my heels would let me to give the offering. She was so thankful, gushing, “Oh thank you! Those will help so much. My grandchildren will love them – something healthy too!” I left with a feeling of euphoria, which carried all the way into the next day.
Since this initial day of doing a double-take, looking away has become harder and harder. I wrote about looking, really looking, into the faces of our children in my last blog because when you gaze into the eyes of those in need, you cannot look away and ignore the urge to act. The Bible says the eyes are the window of the soul, and so when we look into the eyes of another we get a glimpse into their soul. It’s as if the cry from inside them climbs from their soul-window, crawls the distance between you both, and enters you through your own soul-window. And when it truly gets inside of you, the cry, or need, sits there in the little room of your heart, asking that you DO something – and doesn’t leave until you do. The beauty of this type of soul exchange is that when we meet that need, we get to experience the same joy the receiver feels. For, not only do we answer the other’s cry, but we’re answering the cry our own heart begins to scream – the cry of Jesus inside of us that asks, “If anyone…sees [another] in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17).”
You see, the love of God inside of us longs to minister and meet the needs of others. Opportunities are all around us, not just in the form of the homeless or orphans. Each of our souls clutches a sign voicing a specific need. There are people you encounter in line at the grocery store, at your workplace, or friends you hang out with that are holding signs pleading, “Confused and lost, help me find my way,” or “Starved! Hungry for love – never satisfied.” Today, don’t glance away any longer from the souls crying out all around you! Look twice; let their needs get inside of you; and release the love of God, materially and spiritually, to the hurting, hungry, lost souls.
Then, experience the euphoria of being the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus!
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
What if, in the middle of your daily rush to get everything done, someone suddenly stepped into your path begging for help? What if they looked you right in the eye and said,
“I’m Desperate.”
“Anything will help right now.”
“I need food. I’m disabled – can’t work – and I’m caring for my grandkids.”
What if this happened? What would you do?
It happens to me on a weekly basis.
When I’m carrying out my daily life, someone suddenly steps before me desperate, begging, in need. What do I do? Sick as it seems, my instant response is to look away. I justify it, They brought this upon themselves. They probably just don’t want to work. I don’t have time…
Is the scenario beginning to sound familiar yet? We’ve all encountered someone in need and looked away. Usually, we turn our eyes from the man on the street holding up the “Desperate” sign, or the woman with “Anything Helps” scratched on a piece of cardboard. Instinctively, we know that if we look twice, really consider the need, we won’t be able to ignore it because the heart of Jesus inside of us begins to pound. The day I looked twice, it was all over…
I was driving along a busy street heading for the freeway on-ramp. It was a sunny day after church and I was singing away to blasting worship when I looked over at the sidewalk, and there she was. She was thin, with grey coarse hair and had a sign that read, “Need food. Disabled, can’t work, caring for grandkids.” I looked away. Here I was, just coming from church and listening to worship, and I looked away. But, the thought of my own grandma having to take on responsibility for some of my younger cousins caused me to look a second time. The sight of those wrinkled hands holding the plea out to me and her hunched-back, no longer able to straighten against the lifetimes of burdens she’d endured, switch something inside of me. I recklessly swung my wheel and screeched into a nearby parking lot. That second look combated the thought that said, She’s probably lying, and replaced it with, So what if she IS lying! What if she’s not?! It can’t hurt to give food! Turns out, I had a box of nutrition bars in my trunk, so I pulled them out and rushed to her as fast as my heels would let me to give the offering. She was so thankful, gushing, “Oh thank you! Those will help so much. My grandchildren will love them – something healthy too!” I left with a feeling of euphoria, which carried all the way into the next day.
Since this initial day of doing a double-take, looking away has become harder and harder. I wrote about looking, really looking, into the faces of our children in my last blog because when you gaze into the eyes of those in need, you cannot look away and ignore the urge to act. The Bible says the eyes are the window of the soul, and so when we look into the eyes of another we get a glimpse into their soul. It’s as if the cry from inside them climbs from their soul-window, crawls the distance between you both, and enters you through your own soul-window. And when it truly gets inside of you, the cry, or need, sits there in the little room of your heart, asking that you DO something – and doesn’t leave until you do. The beauty of this type of soul exchange is that when we meet that need, we get to experience the same joy the receiver feels. For, not only do we answer the other’s cry, but we’re answering the cry our own heart begins to scream – the cry of Jesus inside of us that asks, “If anyone…sees [another] in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17).”
You see, the love of God inside of us longs to minister and meet the needs of others. Opportunities are all around us, not just in the form of the homeless or orphans. Each of our souls clutches a sign voicing a specific need. There are people you encounter in line at the grocery store, at your workplace, or friends you hang out with that are holding signs pleading, “Confused and lost, help me find my way,” or “Starved! Hungry for love – never satisfied.” Today, don’t glance away any longer from the souls crying out all around you! Look twice; let their needs get inside of you; and release the love of God, materially and spiritually, to the hurting, hungry, lost souls.
Then, experience the euphoria of being the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Look In...The Faces of Our Children
LOOK IN….
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern, Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
Almost a year ago, while working as a camp councilor for my church youth group, I was struck by the horrifying reality of a pandemic striking our children. It was onset by a picture that was shown during an evening sermon of a little child of Africa, huddled on the ground, his skeletal frame protruding from leathery skin. The most haunting image from this picture was the vulture hovering in the background, just waiting for the babe to die. I think most of us have viewed images like this of children in third world countries, and they’ve pierced our hearts to the core. However, something different occurred inside of me when I saw this particular picture – for it birthed a further revelation. As the speaker was talking, I was looking around at the energetic and “healthy” youth surrounding me and thinking, God, how come you’ve called me here? Should I be overseas where the need is great and kids are dying right now, even as we worship? Suddenly, in my mind hovered a group of American youth, but I was seeing past the exterior and straight inside – and what I saw within them changed my life. Inside of every seemingly healthy young person was that dying little African child, right where their heart should have been. The vulture was there too. It was the devil. Waiting to devour the children spiritually. God whispered to me, “Krinda, this is why! The hearts and souls of America’s youth are shriveling and malnourished. Spiritually, they are like the children of a third world country and I need missionaries to rescue them as well.” I know for myself, I am called to be a missionary to the children right in my backyard, who are dying figuratively every day. I’m called to help keep the murderous devil from swooping down for the kill. Also, I must do what I can for those who literally are dying overseas. What about you? Will you look – really look – into the faces of our children across the world and in America – will you allow yourself to answer to the pain written there? Jesus loved and reached out to touch the needs of the little children. What about you?
"Let the little children come to me… And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:14,16
…The Faces of Our Children
Poem By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Starved and thirsty with an empty cup.
Sick and throwing up.
A disease from the water,
or daily dying is someone’s daughter.
Mal-nourished and wasting …gone.
Third-word child and American girl sing the same song.
Exploit of the sex-trade.
Trapped in the moral degrade.
Just surviving from trick to trick,
or striving to satisfy from click to click.
Slavery – cost of porn.
From captured trafficked to captive viewer the industry born.
Alone with no home.
“Lonely. Empty.” is the groan.
Family gone from disease at the age of six,
or neglected boy lost in the mix.
Estranged and losing hope fast.
Child of Africa and son of a parental split seek to belong at long-last.
Children are starving, hurting, broken,
trapped in the system they live or in lies spoken.
The malnourished baby.
The anorexic teen.
The prostituted girl.
The sex-craved slave.
The orphaned boy.
The divorce-afflicted child.
This generation, whether literal or figurative, is dying –
eyes of the casualties pleading out, crying.
Look! Don’t ignore the faces of our children
or allow numbing from the painful truth.
Across the continent to right in America here,
the youth’s stare speaks stark and clear.
They need a rescuer to reach out a hand,
someone that cares and loves enough to stand
in the gap between life and death,
to be the bridge to Jesus – the Hope, the Healer… the very source of Breath.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Power of One
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern with Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
There’s a method to my madness for writing my first blog about escaping life on the deserted island of isolation. I hope it at least sparked thoughts upon what we do with our hearts. For, though God instructs us to “guard” our hearts, He never told us to keep it from fulfilling its purpose – which is to love. If we are so drown in our own emotions, our own fears, and our own self doubt, how will we ever be able to see the needs of others and reach the nations for Christ – much less one person? And it all begins with one…
My dad is one of those “ones” who then sprouted to reach multiple other “ones,” and those multiples in turn are going after their “one.” My dad didn’t grow up in a Christian home. His childhood is riddled with parental splits, witnessing alcohol abuse, and an intensive work schedule, all starting at a very young age. When he entered college, someone finally explained to him that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the reason for our existence. This person who ministered to my father saw the need, and wasn’t afraid to answer the questions my dad asked. Because of the open heart of this individual, my dad entered into an authentic relationship with Jesus. From then on, he’s been opening his heart to others – he and my mother raised me and my three siblings to really seek God, not just know about God. Over half of my dad’s extended family members are now Christians also, because of his heart to give and share God’s love. And, everyday, my dad speaks into the lives of the people who come into his work office; weekly, one by one, people who come across his path are leaving to start their own personal journey towards knowing God. If anyone had a reason to retreat into isolation and harden himself from the needs around him, it was my father. Yet, instead, he kept his heart unblocked from the Holy Spirit, who guides us to touch the hurts and needs of others.
My point is – when we open our hearts, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes! We no longer stay focused on our own selves, but we really see others; and, when we see others through God’s viewpoint we can’t help but reach out to them, one by one.
Because of one college student who stopped to make time in his busy schedule for my dad, who was desperate for the source of real love and contentment…
Because my dad was determined to give love and healing, and not the hurt and pain he experienced growing up, to every-one who entered his life…
Because I was one of the recipients of my father’s open and giving heart, I am writing this for any-one it may inspire to reach their own one.
After all, it all started with One: “for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son” (John 3:16). And the love of that One – Jesus Christ – is all we need to open our hearts and, in turn, open our eyes to reach the nations, one by one.
Intern with Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
There’s a method to my madness for writing my first blog about escaping life on the deserted island of isolation. I hope it at least sparked thoughts upon what we do with our hearts. For, though God instructs us to “guard” our hearts, He never told us to keep it from fulfilling its purpose – which is to love. If we are so drown in our own emotions, our own fears, and our own self doubt, how will we ever be able to see the needs of others and reach the nations for Christ – much less one person? And it all begins with one…
My dad is one of those “ones” who then sprouted to reach multiple other “ones,” and those multiples in turn are going after their “one.” My dad didn’t grow up in a Christian home. His childhood is riddled with parental splits, witnessing alcohol abuse, and an intensive work schedule, all starting at a very young age. When he entered college, someone finally explained to him that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the reason for our existence. This person who ministered to my father saw the need, and wasn’t afraid to answer the questions my dad asked. Because of the open heart of this individual, my dad entered into an authentic relationship with Jesus. From then on, he’s been opening his heart to others – he and my mother raised me and my three siblings to really seek God, not just know about God. Over half of my dad’s extended family members are now Christians also, because of his heart to give and share God’s love. And, everyday, my dad speaks into the lives of the people who come into his work office; weekly, one by one, people who come across his path are leaving to start their own personal journey towards knowing God. If anyone had a reason to retreat into isolation and harden himself from the needs around him, it was my father. Yet, instead, he kept his heart unblocked from the Holy Spirit, who guides us to touch the hurts and needs of others.
My point is – when we open our hearts, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes! We no longer stay focused on our own selves, but we really see others; and, when we see others through God’s viewpoint we can’t help but reach out to them, one by one.
Because of one college student who stopped to make time in his busy schedule for my dad, who was desperate for the source of real love and contentment…
Because my dad was determined to give love and healing, and not the hurt and pain he experienced growing up, to every-one who entered his life…
Because I was one of the recipients of my father’s open and giving heart, I am writing this for any-one it may inspire to reach their own one.
After all, it all started with One: “for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son” (John 3:16). And the love of that One – Jesus Christ – is all we need to open our hearts and, in turn, open our eyes to reach the nations, one by one.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dangers of a Deserted Island
By: Krinda Joy Carlson
Intern at Ceitci Demirkova Ministries
I dwelt on a deserted island for a whole year.
There, I ate the same non-substantial diet and endured the constant storms alone. I wasted away a little more each week and though I knew I was weakening, I still chose to live on the island.
I thought I was protecting myself.
You see, this deserted island wasn’t an actual location on the map, it was a spot I created inside where I kept my heart. Isolating my heart was my attempt to keep it safe from others; alone, I didn’t have to be hurt or angered on account people. At first it seemed bliss, but the danger began to show after a short month. My emotions rolled like the seas, and my marooned heart was taking a beating.
The storm was constant:
fears…
and worries…
eroding my island with no one to help me stand strong or escape. Also, as I said, I was wasting away, not only figuratively but literally. I lost my normal joy and hope; I dragged, barely able to get up; I even lost my appetite.
Still, I was determined to live on my little island and would not let the emotions, which threatened to drown me, flow out and dissipate. Nor was I willing to let someone get close enough to the island to rescue my heart. After all, people (more aptly put, the hurts people caused me) were what provoked me to hole up in the first place – no way I was letting them come destroy my “paradise.” I expressed my state of being that year in the following lines:
Surround by a crowd,
mixed and loud.
Yet, on an island alone,
the roar of ocean my groan.
If I was willing to listen to my own words at the time, I would have realized the island was actually the opposite of paradise.
Though I was well liked by this “crowd,” was athletic, a successful student, and had a good life generally, I pushed it all away for a life of loneliness and eventually developed numerous food intolerances, chronic fatigue, and fought despair. Despite extensive testing, doctors were not able to diagnose the cause of my poor health. They weren’t able to because the disease stemmed from my heart. The isolation created a scurvy-like condition both spiritually and physically.
Author Erwin McManus says, “For us to be healthy we must be a part of others.”
We were made to love others.
By me refusing to let my heart off the island to give love to others, I also was not allowing God to reach me across the sea of my raging emotions. The Bible instructs, “Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves…knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” and “whoever does not love abides in death” (1 John 4:7, John 3:14, NIV).
Therein lay my problem – I abided in death for a year by living without loving as we are commanded to do, and thus cut my connection with God Himself, the very source of vitality and hope I so desperately needed. Therefore, the worse danger to our hearts is not the hurt and pain others inflict upon us, but what we choose to do to our own hearts.
Upon realizing my sickness oozed from the very core of my being, I had to make a choice: would I keep hiding away from society and the pain loving can cause, or would I allow God to rescue me from the deserted island and bring me back to the mainland of LIFE! I can write this today because I chose the latter, and slowly my body, mind, and spirit are all returning to health. By letting my heart open up and love others, and give, and serve, I have opened it up to being loved, being served, and being healed by Jesus. Now, I can testify that a life without giving of ourselves leaves us buried beneath the depths of our own loneliness and emotions.
Today, if you are living on your own deserted island, take a lesson from me and don’t stay an entire year, letting your heart die bit by bit. Choose to emerge from the isolation…choose this moment to love and be loved.
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