Nothing impedes a person's ability to change more than the idea that nothing can improve your present situation, and that your social strata is scripted by destiny. Nothing brings hope to the poor except realizing God is the great change agent who invites the poor to well-being and deliverance.
"Why is it that we keep giving dimes without daring to look into the face of the beggar?" asks Henri Nouwen
There is poverty all around us – in the First World as well as in the Third World.
There is poverty of spirit, of relationship, of community. There is spiritual poverty where worship and prayer have become absent from people’s lives. There are the permanently unemployed, the disabled, the alcoholic, and the drug addict.
But the question is: Are all of these living in poverty just strangers to us? Have we ever shared a cup of coffee or a meal? Offered true companionship? Stopped long enough to sit with them and hear their heart cry?
There must come a time when “companionship” becomes the call to integrity. It means we clasp the beggars hand, break bread together, and join one another in the journey toward wholeness. (Charles Ringma)
“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love” (1 Cor. 13:3 Message).
Everywhere there are opportunities and challenges to love, to care, to give. “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11). Have you become blind to the needs?
As Mother Teresa said, “The needs are always greater than our ability to meet them.” Her work in Calcutta was among the poorest of the poor, including lepers and abandoned children. Throughout India, the needs defy counting. The challenges are staggering.
Love in action gives us the opportunity to help and bless others. This often opens the way for sharing the good news of the gospel. “The deeds of the gospel make way for the words of the gospel.” – Charles Ringma
And isn’t this our Calling: the call to care for, proclaim good news to, and advocate on behalf of those who are needy. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).
Reflection: Giving opens us to mysterious graces because it brings us in touch with the heart of God. – Charles Ringma
Showing posts with label charles ringma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charles ringma. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Surprised by A Friend's Question
It was about five-years ago when out-of-the-blue, a friend said, "God has asked me to wash your feet. May I wash your feet?”
Yes, I was shocked. Although I knew about and had watched foot-washing services, it had not been a part of my Baptist upbringing. It was something I always associated with either more liturgical or Pentecostal churches.
The experience was life-changing. A sign-post on my spiritual journey. For me, it was an example of someone being so sold-out to God they were willing to do anything, no matter how awkward or unusual. It also sent a very clear message to me that God knew my deepest needs and heart-cry and He was indeed anointing me for further service as I would soon be making my mission trip to India.
John 14:13 The Message, says: “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Before the Passover meal, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command. Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”(John 13:34-35 Message)
This commandment to love one another came as a precursor to the very manifestation of the "mandate" —as Christ allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified as a sign of His total obedience unto God the Father and His love for all people.
As we bow down like humble servants, we learn the obedience of Christ that ushers in the kingdom of God’s love. Symbolically washing someone’s feet is a way of restoring them to their best for the Lord and others. By our love, we encourage people to rise above their shackling circumstances and enable them to walk upright in their anointed Calling.
How wonderful that our own difficulties need not prevent us from doing good, that in spite of our own pain, we can still bring encouragement to others!
“It is clearly not true that we have to be perfect before we can help another person. Frequently a ‘wounded healer’ is used to bring hope and well-being to another, which results in growth well beyond that experienced by the giver. Sometimes the wounded healer can bring to the other the very blessing and healing for which the healer himself or herself is seeking.” – Charles Ringma
Henri Nouwen reminds us that frequently one “must look after his own wounds, but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.”
The practice of washing another’s feet reminds us of the biblical principles of servant-hood, humility, and forgiveness. Foot-washing is symbolic and reminds us that we are called to serve others—for the glory of God.
Many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services, but how much more life-changing when foot-washing happens anytime just because of the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend-to-friend.
Yes, I was shocked. Although I knew about and had watched foot-washing services, it had not been a part of my Baptist upbringing. It was something I always associated with either more liturgical or Pentecostal churches.
The experience was life-changing. A sign-post on my spiritual journey. For me, it was an example of someone being so sold-out to God they were willing to do anything, no matter how awkward or unusual. It also sent a very clear message to me that God knew my deepest needs and heart-cry and He was indeed anointing me for further service as I would soon be making my mission trip to India.
John 14:13 The Message, says: “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Before the Passover meal, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command. Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”(John 13:34-35 Message)
This commandment to love one another came as a precursor to the very manifestation of the "mandate" —as Christ allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified as a sign of His total obedience unto God the Father and His love for all people.
As we bow down like humble servants, we learn the obedience of Christ that ushers in the kingdom of God’s love. Symbolically washing someone’s feet is a way of restoring them to their best for the Lord and others. By our love, we encourage people to rise above their shackling circumstances and enable them to walk upright in their anointed Calling.
How wonderful that our own difficulties need not prevent us from doing good, that in spite of our own pain, we can still bring encouragement to others!
“It is clearly not true that we have to be perfect before we can help another person. Frequently a ‘wounded healer’ is used to bring hope and well-being to another, which results in growth well beyond that experienced by the giver. Sometimes the wounded healer can bring to the other the very blessing and healing for which the healer himself or herself is seeking.” – Charles Ringma
Henri Nouwen reminds us that frequently one “must look after his own wounds, but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.”
The practice of washing another’s feet reminds us of the biblical principles of servant-hood, humility, and forgiveness. Foot-washing is symbolic and reminds us that we are called to serve others—for the glory of God.
Many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services, but how much more life-changing when foot-washing happens anytime just because of the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend-to-friend.
Friday, March 25, 2011
I Have A Dream
[“…there will also be some who are the visionaries, who can see new possibilities and who call for change.” --- Martin Luther King Jr.]
Yesterday, my business lunch date, an editor from a nearby city newspaper and author of several books, excused himself to go to the restroom. I watched him walk from the table and when I turned back to my soup bowl, I was shocked to find a young lady kneeling beside my chair.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt,” she stammered. “But I couldn’t help but overhear the words you were saying, ‘writing, God, India, orphans.’ Who are you and what do you do? These are not words I usually hear around here.”
We talked fast as I tried to give a brief explanation of what she had heard: who I am and what I do. She was totally overwhelmed because her God had been leading her to believe she is to go to India for at least a year and work in an orphanage.
“We have so much here and they have nothing. I can afford to go. I want my life to count for something. But my friends don’t understand and they think I’m crazy. I really don’t know anyone in India and I’m just starting my search for connections.”
I was more than happy to give her my business card, along with a few serious warnings about being very careful as to whom she goes to work for. There are plenty of horror stories of USA college-age girls being taken advantage of when they go to work for some of the orphan businesses (unfortunately many are in it for the money you can bring them).
I could hear the wistfulness in her voice. I saw the excitement and yearning in her body language. I felt her heart motivation to help the poorest of the poor. I am looking forward to getting together with Tracey soon and learning more about her heart-call to India.
As Charles Ringma said in “Let My People Go With Martin Luther King Jr.”: “Discontent may be the first glimmer of light. It may lead to a growing hope that things could be different. And hope may lead to an emerging vision of what is possible. To say to the oppressed that they should not be discontent is to condemn them to the dark night of subexistence. Rather, discontent is the harbinger of hope.”
I also heard clearly that still, small voice saying, “Elaine, this is what I mean by being salt and light. How can I use you in my harvest field right here in your hometown if you are always stuck in your office at your computer? I need you to be a witness here on your island. I need you to bloom right where I’ve placed you – and then I can bless you in all the traveling you want to do.”
“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:14-15 NIV).
Yesterday, my business lunch date, an editor from a nearby city newspaper and author of several books, excused himself to go to the restroom. I watched him walk from the table and when I turned back to my soup bowl, I was shocked to find a young lady kneeling beside my chair.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt,” she stammered. “But I couldn’t help but overhear the words you were saying, ‘writing, God, India, orphans.’ Who are you and what do you do? These are not words I usually hear around here.”
We talked fast as I tried to give a brief explanation of what she had heard: who I am and what I do. She was totally overwhelmed because her God had been leading her to believe she is to go to India for at least a year and work in an orphanage.
“We have so much here and they have nothing. I can afford to go. I want my life to count for something. But my friends don’t understand and they think I’m crazy. I really don’t know anyone in India and I’m just starting my search for connections.”
I was more than happy to give her my business card, along with a few serious warnings about being very careful as to whom she goes to work for. There are plenty of horror stories of USA college-age girls being taken advantage of when they go to work for some of the orphan businesses (unfortunately many are in it for the money you can bring them).
I could hear the wistfulness in her voice. I saw the excitement and yearning in her body language. I felt her heart motivation to help the poorest of the poor. I am looking forward to getting together with Tracey soon and learning more about her heart-call to India.
As Charles Ringma said in “Let My People Go With Martin Luther King Jr.”: “Discontent may be the first glimmer of light. It may lead to a growing hope that things could be different. And hope may lead to an emerging vision of what is possible. To say to the oppressed that they should not be discontent is to condemn them to the dark night of subexistence. Rather, discontent is the harbinger of hope.”
I also heard clearly that still, small voice saying, “Elaine, this is what I mean by being salt and light. How can I use you in my harvest field right here in your hometown if you are always stuck in your office at your computer? I need you to be a witness here on your island. I need you to bloom right where I’ve placed you – and then I can bless you in all the traveling you want to do.”
“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:14-15 NIV).
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Running From The Loneliness
No abundance of friends, no number of different marriages, no quantity of moves to new cities can ever take the loneliness away.
"Jesus experienced the loneliness of being misunderstood immediately after giving a series of discourses regarding his identity. He had explained that he was the bread of life, the source of living water, and the light of the world. In addition to all this teaching, Jesus had lived among the people, walked their roads, healed their sick, and fed their hungry. But even after all this, the people still asked him, 'Who are you?'" -- M. Craig Barnes (Sacred Thirst)
"Each of us has a deep-seated need to be significant, unique, connected, and enjoying a powerful relationship with God that is relevant to our everyday life. We have an unquenched hunger to understand and to be understood. ... Loneliness disguised as incompatibility and generated from failing to be understood is the enemy of many marriages. The pain of having no one with similar beliefs, convictions, and choices of recreation leaves both spouses feeling isolated." -- John D. Carlson (Passion for His Presence--Entering His Gates)
Mother Terresa said it well: "Suffering, pain, sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus."
It is our loneliness, our "suffering that so often causes us to see our need. It is our suffering that makes us cry out to God." -- Charles Ringma (Wash the Feet of the World)
"God has not forgotten about our dark nights of restless sorrow. Only when we discover God in the darkest moments of life will we believe that he can and will make the sun finally rise and the new day dawn.
To stand alone in the presence of God is to stand in a place of transformation. There our lonely hearts are reformed and transformed with deep emotions such as joy, love, and compassion for those around us.
It is only in solitude with God that we discover the sufficiency of a God who also yearns for us--so much so that in Jesus Christ he came looking for us.
So instead of running from the loneliness, stay with it. Stare it straight in the eye, and turn it into a prayer of confession. It is the only way to hear the word of the Lord: I HAVE NOT LEFT YOU ALONE." -- M. Craig Barnes (emphasis mine)
Loneliness drives us to aloneness. Aloneness drives us to solitude.
Henri Nouwen reminds us, "Solitude is the way in which we grow into the realization that where we are most alone, we are most loved by God. It is a quality of heart, an inner quality that helps us to accept our aloneness lovingly, as a gift from God."
The Heart can only be satisfied by the One who created it. The yearning is for God.
"Jesus experienced the loneliness of being misunderstood immediately after giving a series of discourses regarding his identity. He had explained that he was the bread of life, the source of living water, and the light of the world. In addition to all this teaching, Jesus had lived among the people, walked their roads, healed their sick, and fed their hungry. But even after all this, the people still asked him, 'Who are you?'" -- M. Craig Barnes (Sacred Thirst)
"Each of us has a deep-seated need to be significant, unique, connected, and enjoying a powerful relationship with God that is relevant to our everyday life. We have an unquenched hunger to understand and to be understood. ... Loneliness disguised as incompatibility and generated from failing to be understood is the enemy of many marriages. The pain of having no one with similar beliefs, convictions, and choices of recreation leaves both spouses feeling isolated." -- John D. Carlson (Passion for His Presence--Entering His Gates)
Mother Terresa said it well: "Suffering, pain, sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus."
It is our loneliness, our "suffering that so often causes us to see our need. It is our suffering that makes us cry out to God." -- Charles Ringma (Wash the Feet of the World)
"God has not forgotten about our dark nights of restless sorrow. Only when we discover God in the darkest moments of life will we believe that he can and will make the sun finally rise and the new day dawn.
To stand alone in the presence of God is to stand in a place of transformation. There our lonely hearts are reformed and transformed with deep emotions such as joy, love, and compassion for those around us.
It is only in solitude with God that we discover the sufficiency of a God who also yearns for us--so much so that in Jesus Christ he came looking for us.
So instead of running from the loneliness, stay with it. Stare it straight in the eye, and turn it into a prayer of confession. It is the only way to hear the word of the Lord: I HAVE NOT LEFT YOU ALONE." -- M. Craig Barnes (emphasis mine)
Loneliness drives us to aloneness. Aloneness drives us to solitude.
Henri Nouwen reminds us, "Solitude is the way in which we grow into the realization that where we are most alone, we are most loved by God. It is a quality of heart, an inner quality that helps us to accept our aloneness lovingly, as a gift from God."
The Heart can only be satisfied by the One who created it. The yearning is for God.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Being In The Place To Find New Direction
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining where we are." -- Max DePree (Leadership Is An Art)
Where can we go that we will not hear the old and familiar call to do more, to give more, to be more? Where can we hear God's voice and know what he thinks about our life's direction, priorities, and endless activities?
Where can we go that we will be able to hear what our heart is saying? What are the heart changes God is bringing into your life--into my life?
Learning to listen carefully to the inner movements of the spirit and struggling with the question: How do I follow Jesus all the way? -- is a prerequisite to change.
"This is the struggle to hear what we may not wish to hear. It is groping toward an openness that may cause our life to be turned around. Yet hear new things we must! For we cannnot simply continue to plunge headlong into the incessant round of activities that are no longer part of God's direction for our lives and that no longer express our creativity and our central concerns," says Charles Ringma (Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen).
I believe we can all hear God speak, we can be aware of his still small voice, and we can recognize Holy Spirit nudges. He is more anxious for us to know his will for our lives than we are ready to listen. He is more anxious for us to understand our gifts, calling, and place than we are to change, leave our nets, and follow him.
In that day when we hear "the call to the new" may we answer with the words of Samuel, "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9 TNIV).
God is not looking for us in a certain place, position, or posture to receive guidance and direction. But he is looking for hearts that long to hear his voice and are truly open when he bids us to "come and do my will." And often we will hear that "still small voice" when we least deserve or expect it. It is God's surprise confirming that he is here for us when we so urgently need him.
"...and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13 TNIV).
Where can we go that we will not hear the old and familiar call to do more, to give more, to be more? Where can we hear God's voice and know what he thinks about our life's direction, priorities, and endless activities?
Where can we go that we will be able to hear what our heart is saying? What are the heart changes God is bringing into your life--into my life?
Learning to listen carefully to the inner movements of the spirit and struggling with the question: How do I follow Jesus all the way? -- is a prerequisite to change.
"This is the struggle to hear what we may not wish to hear. It is groping toward an openness that may cause our life to be turned around. Yet hear new things we must! For we cannnot simply continue to plunge headlong into the incessant round of activities that are no longer part of God's direction for our lives and that no longer express our creativity and our central concerns," says Charles Ringma (Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen).
I believe we can all hear God speak, we can be aware of his still small voice, and we can recognize Holy Spirit nudges. He is more anxious for us to know his will for our lives than we are ready to listen. He is more anxious for us to understand our gifts, calling, and place than we are to change, leave our nets, and follow him.
In that day when we hear "the call to the new" may we answer with the words of Samuel, "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9 TNIV).
God is not looking for us in a certain place, position, or posture to receive guidance and direction. But he is looking for hearts that long to hear his voice and are truly open when he bids us to "come and do my will." And often we will hear that "still small voice" when we least deserve or expect it. It is God's surprise confirming that he is here for us when we so urgently need him.
"...and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13 TNIV).
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