BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING

The Roman author Tertullian (c.160–c. 225), when speaking of the early church, reported that the pagans would exclaim, “See how they love one another!” Clearly the Christians’ concern and care was visible in their actions, attitudes, and words.

One of the early Christians named Joses seems to have had a special talent for understanding and encouraging others, so much so that the believers named him Barnabas. He demonstrated his trust and good judgment by being one of the first believers to trust Paul after the latter’s dramatic conversion.

Jesus Himself was a great example of someone who encouraged others and inspired them to grow. He spoke highly of Nathanael in his presence. (Read more about this in “The VIPs,” on p.15 of this issue.) He gave Simon a new identity as the “Rock,” and despite his impetuosity, weakness, and failures, entrusted him with the mission of taking care of His followers.

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to try to do as He did, to bring out the good in others, to build them up, to believe in them. Anybody can dispense encouragement. You don’t need money or unusual intellect or special talents—in fact, it’s a gift in its own right. You just need a caring and understanding heart.

One biblical metaphor for the Christian life pictures it as a race we’re taking part in. No one said running a race—or living a godly life—is easy, but it certainly seems much easier when the fellow runners we pass by are calling out encouragement to us. What a boost that gives! And that shows us what a boost we can be to others when we return the favor!

SPEED UP, SLOW DOWN

The books on the shelf have similar titles: Slowing Down the Speed of Life, The Culture of Speed, What Price the Pace of Modern Life? Most everyone agrees that contemporary life is lived in the fast lane, and we’re battling the consequences in the form of stress and other maladies. It might seem as though life was much simpler a hundred years ago, but even changes taking place back then were a cause for concern for people at the time, as illustrated in the following extracts:

The cause of the … increase in nervous disease is increased demand made by the conditions of modern life. … Everything is done in a hurry. We talk across a continent, telegraph across an ocean, take a trip to Chicago for an hour’s talk. … What wonder if the pressure is almost more than our nerves can bear.—G. Shrady (from P.C. Knapp), “Are Nervous Diseases Increasing?” Medical Record, 1896

With the advent of cheap newspapers and superior means of locomotion … the dreamy quiet old days are over. … Men now live think and work at express speed. They have their Mercury or Post laid on their breakfast table in the early morning, and if they are too hurried to snatch from it the news during that meal, they carry it off, to be sulkily read as they travel … leaving them no time to talk with the friend who may share the compartment with them. … The hurry and bustle of modern life … lacks the quiet and repose of the period when our forefathers, the day’s work done, took their ease.—Morley William Smith in Ancient and Modern, 1886

If it was seen as that bad well over a century ago, when horses were still the main means of transportation, landline phones were a rarity, and the internet had not even been dreamed of, what hope is there for us today? Perhaps the answer is: no matter the circumstances of the world around us, we can slow down, take time to talk with a friend, to notice the daisies at our feet, to savor our food. We can lift up our eyes to the heavens and discover that the stars are still silently twinkling. De-stressing is a matter of the mind and heart.

ESCAPE STRESS

How often do we finally reach a state of peaceful contentment and then wish we could hang out a sign that says, “Do not disturb”?

Of course we can’t prevent disturbances or stressful situations, but when they come, the Bible says God can give us peace inside. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” If we turn to Jesus, He will give us peace. If we are spending time talking with Him in prayer, reading His words, or even just thinking about Him, the Bible says the reward is peace.

At times it may seem impossible for us to remain peaceful inside. Just coping may be difficult. But Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” So when you feel like hanging a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your forehead, remember He has a special brand of peace—eternal, deep, tangible. And it’s available for the asking.

Stress is the trash of modern life—we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.
—Terri Guillemets (b. 1973), American quotation anthologist

Jesus lay in the boat sleeping. The waves rose, the wind blew and the storm battered the small vessel about. His disciples were afraid: afraid of the wind, afraid of the waves and fearful for their lives. They came to Jesus, woke Him up, begging for His help. The answer lay in His power. He said, “Peace, be still,” and there was peace. The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. No matter the turmoil of our life, we too can find peace if we turn to Jesus for His help.
—Abi May

CREATIVE SILENCE

India, where I live, is a country of wide, sweeping farmlands; huge mountains jutting their peaks into the sky; broad rivers lazily moving over rocks. The land is as peaceful as it always has been, but the people who live here, like anywhere in the world, are often stressed.

Dr. Hans Selye, a prominent medical research scientist, has observed, “In this hurry-up world we are subjecting ourselves to too many stresses. We hurry constantly and worry incessantly.” Unfortunately, many have yet to learn to develop inner peace.

An excellent technique for overcoming stress is the practice of silence. It entails going into a quiet place and doing your best to be still and shift your mind into neutral. William James (1842–1910) said, “It is as important to cultivate your silence power as it is your word power,” and Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) declared, “Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together.” God’s Word gives the same advice: “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

I recently read an interview with a rubber manufacturer who pointed out that his industry did not learn to make efficient tires until they were redesigned to absorb road shock rather than merely to resist it. We too would be more successful if we learned to relax and let the pressures and stress of life flow right through us rather than rigidly battling them.

Sumit Dhamija is an Activated reader in India who says, “I have been reading Activated since 2005, and the spiritual content has helped me hold on to my faith during turbulent times.”

If you are to maintain power to meet your responsibilities and to continue effectively over the long pull, you must give as much consideration to that delicate, yet powerful mechanism known as your human personality as engineers give to their engines. You can purchase another engine, but that “engine” known as yourself cannot be reproduced if it fails, and stress is a major cause of that failure.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993), American minister and author

We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. See how nature, the trees, the flowers, and the grass grow in perfect silence. … We need to be alone with God in silence to be renewed and to be transformed. For silence can give us a new outlook on life.
—Mother Teresa (1910–1997), founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity

ANTI-FEAR THERAPY

I was cleaning up my brushes and paint cans after some volunteers and I finished painting a large mural for the local Sunday school when Maxim passed me a note:

I was really encouraged to meet and work on this project with people like you, so full of faith and positiveness. Can you please remember to say a prayer for me, as I’m going through a very tough time in my life? Thank you.

I was rather surprised, as he didn’t appear to be someone with a lot of problems. He was a successful, well-mannered, friendly gentleman.

Some months later, Maxim invited me to his home for dinner. It was then that he confided how he had been battling for years with debilitating panic attacks that prevented him having a full social life. Lately, even just the fear of having an attack was enough to discourage him from going out. Therapy hadn’t seemed to help, and he was so ashamed of his condition that he’d begun making up excuses whenever he was invited to an event.

As he was sharing this, I felt I could relate, as I had also experienced a recurrent fear that brought on distress and worry, albeit milder than his.
For several years following a car accident, I had become very fearful of driving, particularly on busy highways. My heart would start beating faster and I’d break into a cold sweat, and eventually I started dreading getting into any kind of vehicle. It took a while to get over, so I understood what Maxim was going through.

Maxim told me more about his condition. At first, I just listened, then I told him about my own experience.

“How were you able to overcome this?” he asked eagerly.

I shared how trusting in Jesus, praying, and listening to uplifting music was the key. Things didn’t change for me instantly, and even now I occasionally have small bouts of the same fear, but these mostly serve to remind me of how far I’ve already come. Before the evening ended, we prayed together for him to learn to entrust his fears to Jesus.

The good news is that after a few months of following the same “therapy” as I had, Maxim was freed from his panic attacks. He has resumed his social life, started traveling again, and opened up his home and heart to other needy situations.

LAUGHING WITH ABANDON

How easy it is to listen to the advice of others and change ourselves into something we are not. To quit being our unique and wonderfully made selves. To base our worth on what others think instead of what God thinks.

An elderly family member came for a visit. “A lady does not laugh with her mouth wide open, head thrown back, submitting all viewers to the spectacle of her tonsils,” she advised.

I was crushed. “Do I really laugh like that?”

She did an imitation of me that was pretty frightening.

I grew careful. I would catch myself laughing, enjoying the moment, but then my relative’s words and impersonation would flash through my thoughts. So I’d close my mouth a little to shield spectators from the sight of my back teeth, lower my chin until I was looking straight ahead, and try to relax my lips into a smaller, more controlled shape and manner.

I wanted to enjoy life, laugh with abandon, but my self-consciousness haunted me and was stealing my joy. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Then one day I forgot and laughed like I had before. The sun kept shining. No one said my tonsils were unusually shaped. No one moved away calling me a hyena. I began laughing again, enjoying the sound and rhythm.

One day while in Ireland with family, my daughter, who loves to snap pictures unawares, took a candid camera photo of me laughing. It is one of my favorite images.

We had stopped on the sidewalk during our walk around Dublin and had started joking with each other. In the picture I am sharing a laugh with my dad. My arm is reaching out to touch him, my head is tipping back, my mouth is opening wide, and I am laughing. Not just with my voice and lips, but with my whole body. My whole spirit.

Psalm 4:7 says, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” That’s how I want to approach life. Laughing. Truly laughing and enjoying this temporal, messy, and yet so mysterious life that is God’s gift to me. I want to laugh with abandon because God is on my side and He also has a sense of humor. Just look at a platypus.

Territorial Leaders (Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar) Welcome and Installation Meeting

Dear Friends

We are so pleased that our new Territorial Leaders have arrived.  Please continue to pray for them during these days of transition.

You are all aware of the Welcome and Installation Meeting for our new leaders this Sunday (28th January) at 3pm.  We hope to see as many of you as possible in attendance... it is going to be a wonderful time of worship unto the Lord.

For our friends who are not able to make it for whatever reason (particularly our officers, soldiers and friends from Malaysia and Myanmar), you will be pleased to know that the Meeting will be live-streamed on The Salvation Army Singapore Facebook page.  Please click on the link https://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmySingapore/ and LIKE the page.  Please not that you have to LIKE the page.  You will get a notification once we are live.  

We trust that those who not able to make it in person will feel part of this significant meeting through the live-streaming of the event.

Blessings!

THE SECRET

Oh, how divinely sweet it is to come into the secret of His presence and abide in His pavilion!
—David Brainerd (1718–1747), missionary to the Native Americans

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.
—Psalm 37:7

God does not stand afar off as I struggle to speak. He cares enough to listen with more than casual attention. He translates my scrubby words and hears what is truly inside. He hears my sighs and uncertain gropings as fine prose.
—Timothy Jones

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
—Exodus 33:14 ESV

My little boy came in one day and stuck his little head into the doorway of my study. Now he knew he was not supposed to disturb me during working hours. And his conscience troubled him a little on account of this. But he looked at me nevertheless with his kind, round baby eyes and said, “Daddy, I will sit still all the time if you will only let me be here with you!” That he received permission when he approached my father-heart in that way, every father will know.

That little experience gave me a great deal to think about. Is not that just the way we often feel with regard to our Heavenly Father? We do so love to be with Him, just to be in His presence! Moreover, we never disturb Him, no matter when we come nor how often we come!
—Ole Hallesby (1879–1961), Norwegian Christian teacher

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
—Psalm 55:22 NLT

Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.
—Unknown

Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God’s own smile,
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.
—Edith Linn Forbes (1865–1945)

Learn to know Jesus so well that we feel safe when we have left our difficulties with Him. … As … we learn to know Jesus better and better, our prayers become quiet, confidential, and blessed conversations with Him, our best Friend, about the things that are on our minds, whether it be our own needs or the needs of others. … And especially will our prayer life become restful when it really dawns upon us that we have done all we are supposed to do when we have spoken to Him about it. From that moment we have left it with Him. It is His responsibility then.

“A little while with Jesus—
oh, how it soothes the soul,
and gathers all the threads of life
into a perfect whole.”
—Ole Hallesby

It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.
—Hans Selye (1907–1982), pioneering Austrian-Canadian endocrinologist acknowledged as the “Father” of the field of stress research

DEATH OF HORSESHOES

I vividly recall the men in our neighborhood gathering every evening after work in a vacant lot next to my house for a game of horseshoes. The pace of life was more relaxed when I was a child. Work was from nine to five, and then it was time to knock off and play horseshoes.

You may not know the game of horseshoes. A U-shaped metal horseshoe is thrown toward a metal stake placed in a sawdust or dirt square about 13 yards (12 m) away. The player to land his horseshoes closest to the stake is the winner. When a horseshoe encircles the stake, it is called a “ringer.”
It was a perfect time to chat about the day. The men would relate their latest triumphs or woes, or talk about current events. It all went over my head, of course, but I could see they enjoyed it.

All of that disappeared with the advent of TV. As each family bought a TV set, people spent less and less time playing horseshoes. Instead they spent their evenings in front of the new marvel with its flickering black-and-white images. And that was just the start.

According to recent research, Britons spend more than 50% of their waking day using technology devices, including watching TV, surfing the Internet, and communicating via social media. The daily average of 8 hours and 41 minutes is more than an average night’s sleep!

The first commercial flights were only one hundred years ago. Now more than 8 million people fly each day on average. It is questionable whether this speed has made us happier. Nor do I think the advance in technology has brought us peace of mind.

We race from birth to death with hardly time to stop and smell the roses. Do more, do it better, do it yesterday, get rich quick—or in debt quick. Fast food, fast computers, fast money, fast cars in fast lanes, fast talk in sound bites. “Live fast” seems to be our slogan.

Sometimes we pile so much stress on ourselves in this speedy lifestyle that we find it hard to cope. Sometimes we get under stress and don’t even know it. On a recent trip to the dentist, I found that I had developed cracks in some of my teeth. My dentist explained that stress had apparently caused me to bite and grind my teeth in my sleep.

Major studies have been done on the subject of stress alleviation, as inefficiency, lost production, and absenteeism—all of which have been linked to stress in the workplace—sap the economy of billions each year.

So what’s the cure? We can’t turn back the clock, nor do we necessarily want to. The world today is different from the one I grew up in, and we need to adapt our strategies. Thankfully, some of the practical solutions these studies have come up with seem easy enough to do:

• Take up gardening.
• De-clutter your home or your work environment.
• Give more love and affection, and allow yourself to receive them in return.
• Get a massage.
• Work on developing loving relationships.
• Make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, such as drinking less alcohol, cutting down on caffeine, or stopping smoking.
• Exercise, in nature if possible.
• Give three sincere compliments at work each day.
• Get a good rest.
• Have a good laugh.
• Listen to soft music.
• Take a mini-vacation.
• Get a pet.

All of these practical suggestions are helpful, but finding that peace that passes all understanding takes more. It takes listening for a moment to God’s still small voice in our hearts that reassures us that He still loves us in spite of our shortcomings.

Take a moment today to be refreshed in prayer so that you may find rest for your soul. The problems you face will come into perspective as you experience the awesome love of God. A prophecy about Jesus given shortly before His birth said that He would “guide our feet into the way of peace.” May you follow the way He shows you.

A PERFECT DAY

Today was perfect!I t wasn’t a perfectly lazy day, or perfect in terms of accomplishments, or without problems. Still, it was so perfect from start to finish that I now feel compelled to retrace my steps and try to figure out what made it that way. Maybe I can make it happen again.

I woke early and greeted the new day with a two-mile walk, thanking God for my loved ones and praying for them. Afterwards I read some devotional material, contemplating what I read and praying that it would change me. I listened to some Christian music, letting the inspiring lyrics fill my soul, then spent a few moments watching as a prism hanging in the window caught a sunbeam and sent rainbows around the room.

After breakfast, I planned the coming school year and ordered study materials for my homeschool students, and then I helped them with their first, seventh, and ninth grade classes. It was a full morning, but surprisingly free of pressure. That time I had taken with Jesus surely paid off.

I was beginning to sag as I cut vegetables for lunch, but I found myself thanking God for the abundance of healthy food. My hands were busy, but my heart and mind were far away, sitting at Jesus’ feet and enjoying communion with Him. That was just the boost I needed.

I listened to some piano as I ran an errand in the car. I kept pace with traffic, but without the usual tension in my shoulders. An elderly man driving ahead of me made a slow turn, which aggravated some other drivers, but I found myself praying for him and feeling impressed that he was still able to get around.

Back home, between email, phone calls, and a visit from a neighbor, I cooked, cleaned, and spent some time with my teenage son. Sometimes I worry about him, but as we sat together and he shared his opinions, concerns, and dreams, Jesus helped me see a sweetness and depth in my son that I sometimes overlook.

My husband and I went for an evening walk, and as we held hands and watched the setting sun paint the clouds lavender and pink, we counted our blessings together.

I know I can’t expect every day to be perfect, but I know how to increase my chances: I’ll take time to connect with Jesus and renew that connection throughout the day by turning my thoughts to Him and His goodness.

GETTING THE BEST RESULTS

When you have so much to do, slowing things down and taking time to meditate, getting your mind off the work at hand and onto Jesus could be the last thing you feel like doing. Even if you try, you may find that “resting in Jesus” is often easier said than done. Yet He tells us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. … Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

So how exactly do you “rest in Jesus”? It means trusting that once you have asked Him to provide solutions to your problems or to help you with the work at hand, He will do just that. It means trusting that He will show you what you can do to help the situation, that He will empower you to do your part, and that He will do what you can’t. It means stepping back from your problems or work, shutting out the world around you, and letting your spirit be strengthened through communion with Him.

In short, resting in Jesus means turning matters over to Him and then trusting Him for the outcome. If we want to get the best results, our time with Jesus in prayer and communication with Him can’t just be quick and superficial, squeezed in while our mind is still full of the business of the day. We have to take time to connect with Him, share our heart with Him, and let Him clear our mind and soothe our spirit.

Your time with Jesus is really the most important part of the day. If you get in the habit of giving it priority, His presence will linger with you all day to guide and help you.

The Bible says, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter into that rest.” That sounds a little contrary—making an effort to rest—but it takes effort to pull back. The concept of resting in Jesus isn’t complicated, but actually doing it—leaving your old way of operating behind—takes work, and it can be difficult at first. But once you get the hang of it, it will save you so much time and effort and stress and strain that you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Announcement

Strategic Mission Plan (2015-2018) 
In the name of JESUS we will:
- Make Disciples
- Pursue Holiness of Life
- Engage in Mission
- Promote Justice

Momentum 2018: Make Disciples
Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ

Installation of Territorial Leaders
Colonel Rodney Walters & Colonel Wendy Walters
Date: Sunday, 28th Jan 2018 Time: 3:00pm
Venue: Singapore Central Corps

Women's Camp 2018
Date: 13-15 April 2018 (Fri-Sun)
Venue: Melaka
Theme: Matchless Design
Special Guest: Colonel Cheryl Maynor

ANTI-STRESSANT

The year had been full of events, deadlines, accomplishments. I was working hard teaching English in a private school, as well as tutoring from home. Simultaneously I was working on a diploma in Russian Philology and a Cambridge Proficiency Certificate in English. On top of this, I was leading Christian meetings at a university center and an English Speaking club. It was a full schedule and I loved it.

And then there was my graduate thesis. I had been working on this for the entire year, collecting material, analyzing information, asking teachers for advice, rewriting parts, etc. By the end of February, I thought that the main work was nearly complete, with only details left to finalize. How disappointed I was to be told by my mentor that my “masterpiece” did not hit the mark and that I should redo it from scratch!

Until then I had been managing everything fine, teaching in the mornings and afternoons, and studying in the evenings and weekends, and somehow even meeting up with friends. But now my little world was ruined. I had just two months to redo the paper before submitting it at the beginning of June. In a month and a half, I would take the English exam. My school class would also be sitting year-end exams in May, which in itself meant more work than usual—finishing books, filling in forms, updating student records, etc. I was overwhelmed.

By the beginning of May, I felt worried, stressed, incapable, almost depressed. Then, perhaps unsurprisingly, I got physically sick. I was in bed for a week with bronchitis, high fever, and a very bad cough. In this place of forced rest, I read the Bible, prayed, and simply had talks with Jesus. The biggest lesson was not to worry or stress about things. It doesn’t help. It doesn’t work. It’s not worth it!

Recovering my strength, I rewrote my thesis and successfully defended it. All my students passed their exams, and I finished the school paperwork on time. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass my Cambridge exam. It was a pity, but it wasn’t the end of the world. I will prepare better next year, hopefully without as much stress.

Looking back, I am thankful for the time of sickness that reminded me that I should always take time to communicate with my Boss, to ask for His wisdom, knowledge, and peace of mind. That’s the “antidepressant” and “anti-stressant” I need the most.

HEAVEN’S BEST

It was summer. I was fifteen and looked forward to Fridays, as it meant a trip to the beach. Every week, our youth group put on an impromptu performance of songs and skits on the boardwalk to share the message of God’s love with those passing by.

One Friday we received a large donation of bread and pastries from a local bakery. “Let’s take it to the beach,” someone suggested. When we arrived and announced free loaves and pastries, a small crowd of needy and worn-looking people descended on our group. Most gratefully took what was offered, although two grumbled that their favorite variety of bread wasn’t amongst those offered. They refused what we had available to give, and walked off empty-handed, still grumbling.

Later, a young woman approached. She was pushing a double stroller, filled with not only two children, but what looked to be all her earthly possessions. “I heard you were giving away bread.” Her voice sounded almost desperate, like her life might have been. A wide-eyed toddler watched silently from his carriage while a baby slept fitfully. Their clothes looked fairly new, but the things packed into every spare inch of the stroller suggested that the woman had no place to stay.

I gathered the remaining food into a bag—some muffins, a couple of loaves—and gave it to her. She didn’t even look to see what was inside but thanked me profusely.

One of my friends began a conversation with the young mother. I turned to pack up but heard enough of the conversation to understand that he gave her the location of a woman’s shelter and money to get there. I was glad she had come to us, glad she was able to get a bit of help, a bit of hope. I also thought of the two who had left with nothing.

Twice, Jesus fed thousands of people with only a few loaves and fishes. When they wanted another meal, He replied, “I am the bread from heaven.” The best that heaven had was offered freely, just waiting for those who would have the faith to take it, to taste it, to recognize it for what it truly was. Yet most turned away empty.

The bread of heaven is given freely to all who seek. The times I remain unsatisfied are the times I do not let it enter my heart and fill my soul.
We thank Thee, Lord, for this our food,
For life and health and every good;
By Thine own hand may we be fed;
Give us each day our daily bread.
—John Cennick (1718–1755)

NECESSARY FOOD

Food is one of the most basic needs of humanity, so it makes sense that food would make an early entrance in the account of God’s dealings with us. In Genesis, plants and trees are given for food: “Every seed-bearing plant … Every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

Cooking
From the master chef to the housewife preparing a family meal to the student heating a pack of instant noodles for lunch, food preparation is part of our everyday lives. In the cultural milieu of the Bible, this was usually a job for women, unless the food was for ceremonial purposes.
Sarah prepared a meal for the angels visiting her husband Abraham, and Martha was busy preparing food for Jesus while her sister Mary sat and listened to Him.

On one occasion, Jesus Himself cooked: “Then, as soon as [the disciples] had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. … Jesus said to them, ‘Come and eat breakfast.’ … Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.”
Reference is sometimes made to particular ingredients or spices: “Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?”

There’s even the occasional recipe: “Heap on the wood, kindle the fire; cook the meat well, mix in the spices, and let the cuts be burned up.”

Feasting
There’s nothing quite like getting together with friends over a delicious meal. The menu for a three-day feast celebrating King David’s accession included bread and figs, raisins, oil, wine, oxen, and sheep.

Members of the early church enjoyed their fellowship and meals together: “Breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”

Fast forward to the joyous climax of the Bible, and there’s another banquet to which all believers are invited: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”

Sharing
Jesus showed concern for the everyday needs of those around Him. When His followers wanted to send the crowds away to find food, He insisted: “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Jesus shared meals with His followers both before His death and after His resurrection.

Sharing food with others is part of our responsibility: “The Lord … loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger.”

Jesus told us that when we give to the hungry, we are giving to Him: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Sweeter Than Honey
God’s Word itself is likened to spiritual food: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Jesus was quoting the Old Testament when He said: “No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.”

The prophet Jeremiah certainly enjoyed his spiritual food: “When your words showed up, I ate them—swallowed them whole. What a feast!”

God’s Gift
“Life is more than food,” yet God knows we need it: “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.”
Even the enjoyment of food is another of God’s gifts: “People should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”

No matter who we are or where we live, food is something that matters to each of us. We grow or buy it, we prepare it, we eat it. And while we may not connect so easily with the distant history and heroes, miracles, and unearthly events of the Bible, when it comes to food—that’s something we can understand. It’s on our level and relevant, just as God wants to be in our lives. He cares about satisfying our hunger, both literally and spiritually. Quite a thought to digest.

THANKSGIVING TAKEAWAY

The day before Thanksgiving, I saw an article about a “Turkey Operation” here in Austin, Texas. The organization was calling for volunteers to help serve and pack meals for those not fortunate enough to already be looking forward to that wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that I enjoy so much. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry jelly, peas and carrots, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie … and that’s just the beginning!

The next morning, a girlfriend and I headed out bright and early to volunteer. We arrived at a large restaurant and immediately saw the throngs of fellow volunteers. There was a long line of cars backed up to turn into the full parking lot, and what seemed to be hundreds of people were standing outside the restaurant awaiting instructions. I hadn’t expected that.

As it turned out, there were over 1,500 volunteers on site, and it was a small challenge just to find everyone some work to do, but the organizers—all volunteers themselves—did a good job delegating tasks. There were teams deboning turkeys, mashing potatoes, handling every aspect of the Thanksgiving meal, plus organizing donated clothes and coats. Kids drew pictures on the Styrofoam meal boxes, adding a cheery and personal touch. I ended up leading the “pie” team.

By midmorning, with the many pies cut and serving well underway, I joined the long line of people boxing the dinner meals. Each volunteer would take one empty box, walk it through the various serving stations, close it up, and drop it off for the delivery team. I was standing in line for quite a while, so I struck up a conversation with a woman behind me. It was one of those immediate connections, and we ended up spending the next hour or more talking about our lives, travels, and families.

Within a few hours, a few thousand meals had been prepared, served, and boxed, and volunteer drivers whisked them away to be passed out to those in need. There was music in the air, a lot of enthusiasm, and a great sense of camaraderie. After cleanup, people gradually headed home, and so did we.

Driving home, my friend and I swapped stories about how it had gone for each of us. We passed a group of homeless men off the freeway, and spotted Thanksgiving dinner boxes by their sides. We talked about the people we had worked alongside—the fireman, the woman who hosted benefit events professionally who was helping things run more smoothly, the obviously well-to-do older couples, the catering professional making sure the volunteers wore hair nets, and so on. There were people from all walks of life, young to old, rich and poor—all there to give several hours of time on their day off in celebration of our many blessings.

The next day someone asked me how the volunteer experience was, and the highlight that came to mind was meeting the woman in the serving line. I’m glad I didn’t miss that, but I have to say I easily could have. You see, I was feeling a little out of place in that line. Some people were volunteering with their family or a group of friends, chatting away, but I didn’t know anyone standing around me. I don’t know why I sometimes forget that others are just like me. Sometimes it can feel like everyone else has their act together, is 100% happy, problem-free, has their life all figured out, and their friendship fold is full up. I was reminded that day how untrue that usually is, and how everyone (or at least, most everyone) is looking for others to interact with, to befriend, and to potentially connect with on a deep level.

My takeaway from this Thanksgiving was a reminder to just take a step. To reach out. To open the conversation. To give Jesus a chance to put someone in my path who needs a friend, and who perhaps, in time, I can share my faith with. If I do what I can—make some effort, take some action—however small, I can trust Him to keep me in a place of usefulness, regardless of my personal limitations.

FEED ME

“It’s not fair! They’re getting more than we are.”
“Things are tough enough as it is. How come they’re being favored?”
“What’s the difference between us? Only our language!”

Comments like these were apparently flying around in the daily food line organized by the burgeoning early church for their growing membership. We read in Acts: “Some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.”

Life often doesn’t seem fair. About 800 million people go to bed hungry every night, many of whom are children, while almost one-third of all food purchased in some developed nations is thrown away. At the top end of the scale, there are celebrity chefs cooking sumptuous feasts for the rich and famous. It can easily set you back hundreds of pounds to dine in a top London restaurant, yet Britain has also seen a rise in hunger. Hundreds of food banks, often organized by faith-based organizations, provide millions of meals every year to prevent parents and children going to bed hungry. It seems incongruous to witness this type of food poverty in the seventh-richest country in the world, but of course, this isn’t only in the United Kingdom. Unequal distribution of resources is a global problem.

So, no, life often isn’t fair, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t responsible to do our part to change our world. Let’s look back to the new believers and the unequal distribution of resources. Things weren’t just left to stand: the apostles recognized there was a problem, appointed some competent organizers, prayed for their wisdom, and left them to sort out the matter.

The result: “God’s message continued to spread,” and there is no further mention of strife around food.

Few of us are in positions of political power such that we can make a radical difference in the organization of our country, much less the world, but we are all in a position to do something, like the Good Samaritan—one individual helping one other individual. That’s all it takes: one parcel of food, one bucket of rice, one donation, one offer of a meal to a lonely neighbor.

Any action that results in even one less person going to bed hungry is progress.

THE KING’S BANQUET

My mother often cooked something special on Sundays. I can still remember the big open window in the living room, the unfolded table spread in the center, the delicious food, and the joyful family conversation.

We usually went to Children’s Mass at 10 am, while she stayed back and cooked and my dad did some fixing around the house. The story I remember most from those child-friendly sermons was the parable Jesus told of the king who invited his nobles to a banquet, but they all gave excuses why they couldn’t attend. So he sent for the beggars and poor peasants, who gladly came. Though at the time I didn’t understand its deeper meaning, that story left a deep impression on me.

Food is often connected with unity, good times, and celebrations. When I was a teen, a popular song went: “We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land. But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. … All good things around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank the Lord … for all His love.” Even though I was an unbeliever at the time, this song filled my soul with joy.

Soon after that, I began to grow in faith again and eventually entered Christian service. A few years back, at a time when my problems seemed to have multiplied, I started to think God had forsaken me, but I didn’t go far before reading “The Lord is always with me,” “I have loved you with an everlasting love!” and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Throughout my life, God’s Word has helped me countless times to grow and better understand God and others. Sometimes His words are like a snack, other times a full meal, like my mother’s delicious Sunday specials. I am so grateful that the King invited me to His banquet, and that I accepted the invitation!

Come and Dine
“Come and dine,” You said to Your followers after Your resurrection, and You give the same invitation to everyone today. I accept. I want to know You, to receive You. I want sit at Your table and eat with You in paradise.

Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee.
—John Cennick (1718–1755)

SMOOTH SAILING ON STORMY SEAS

For a good bit of my life, I’ve been a worrier. My take on the “power of positive thinking” / “look on the bright side” philosophy was, “Bah, humbug! That kind of advice is for wimps. I’m a realist. When the going gets rough, I worry about it! No apologies.” It’s not that I’m a pessimist; it’s just that I’d fret when things happened that I couldn’t control. (I have to admit that I’d fret a fair bit over things I could control, too.) It should come as no surprise then that over time I had unknowingly developed an ulcer which then became aggravated.

I first noticed the symptoms on the eve of an expedition into “uncharted seas” with a fair amount of risk and stress involved, but I managed to muddle through. My ship was leaky, but I was able to bail the water out and keep sailing.

This went on for several years, until one day when instead of tapering off and going away on their own, the symptoms came on stronger than ever—and then intensified some more. I couldn’t manage them the way I usually did, and I began rapidly losing weight. My ship was sinking! The doctor’s diagnosis was a bleeding ulcer and severe gastritis. He prescribed antibiotics and told me to watch what I ate. After a time in “dry dock,” the leak was patched, the symptoms cleared up, and I’m happy to say that they haven’t bothered me for about eight years now.

But I don’t think this voyage would have ended so happily had I simply limited myself to the doctor’s advice. The state I was in drove me to look to God as well, and His message to me was direct: “Get with the program, sailor! Stress management is for you too.”

And here’s where the story gets interesting. My life went on without any major revamping. I still get hit with worry, but instead of continuing along on that tack, I catch myself and realize I’m getting off course. Then I either get my bearings on my own, or ask my wife or someone else to pray for me, and that does it. The first step was accepting that I needed to change—that no matter how careful I was about diet and exercise, large helpings of worry and stress were harmful, like trying to navigate and scuttle the ship at the same time.

It’s like the story in John 6 about the disciples having a hard time of it, trying to row their boat in a strong wind, with rough waves, in the dark. They saw Jesus walking toward them on the water and were terrified. But He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were eager to let Him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

Not long after, Jesus told His disciples that He would leave them His peace and told them not to be troubled or fearful. The apostle Paul gave his readers the following formula for peace of mind: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Paul himself certainly spent a lot of time in a variety of very stressful places, from raging seas to prison and more. Once, he was set free by an earthquake;5 other times, he had to tough it out for long days and nights6—but no matter what happened to him, he was never left comfortless. God always saw him through. Though my tale is nowhere near as harrowing and thrilling as any of his, I have experienced the same peace—my deliverance from being a chronic worrier is proof that Jesus can do it for anyone.

Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose.—Maureen Killoran

The truth is that stress doesn’t come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about these circumstances.—Andrew Bernstein (b. 1949), American author and philosopher

Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.—Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892), British Baptist preacher

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.—Lily Tomlin (b. 1939), American comedian, writer, and producer

It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there’s nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized.—Wayne Dyer (b. 1940), American author and motivational speaker

SETTING THE MENU

Christians who are interested in spiritual growth recognize that spending time taking in and absorbing God’s Word is of utmost importance. It is within the Bible that we learn about God’s love for humanity, Jesus’ message, and how to live in harmony with God and our fellow human beings.

Setting aside daily time to read the Bible provides the opportunity to connect with God each day. It opens us up to receiving His instruction, guidance, and help through life’s problems and difficulties. It reminds us of the moral code upon which we try to fashion our lives and provides us with guidance when we are faced with decisions. It’s a key element for those who seek to be like Jesus, because it is in the Bible that we hear His teaching, see the example of His love, and are introduced to the relationship with His Father that His sacrifice has opened up for us.

Each day we are flooded with a barrage of input from a wide variety of delivery systems that try to influence us in one direction or another. Taking time daily to read what God has said provides a way to navigate through the maelstrom of input that we are faced with. It enhances our spiritual ability to discern truth and falsehood. It makes it easier to keep our hearts centered on those things which are important, to living lives of true happiness, inner peace, and alignment with God and His will. It helps us to survive and overcome all that life brings our way. Abiding in God’s Word brings us in regular contact with His Spirit. “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Carving out the time to read daily is no easy task—it requires self-discipline. Like the workouts and training that maintain our physical conditioning and improve our performance, taking regular time to read God’s Word will strengthen your spirit and make you a stronger Christian—one who is grounded in God’s truth and love. The connection you’ll develop with God will help you be Spirit-led in your daily interactions with others, in your decision making, and in your ability to stay strong in the face of temptations.

There is no specific formula for how much you need to read daily or what portions of the Bible you should read. The key is setting aside the time to do it and then sticking to it even on busy days. Finding and following a Bible reading plan of some kind can help you persevere with your reading and forge ahead when you find yourself in the more difficult portions of Scripture. It may also be helpful to use a contemporary translation that you’re comfortable with.

Ideally, you should try to read when your day is the most free from distractions, perhaps early in the morning before your day begins or late at night when all is winding down. The quietness and absence of activity around you facilitates meditating on what you’re reading. And if you can’t carve out some quiet time, you can still read on the run, in whatever time opens up for you—or listen to the Bible in audio form as you go. It’s a fight to keep your commitment to read and study God’s Word, but doing so will make a difference in your life.

When you read the Bible or listen to others expound on it, think about what you’re reading. If a passage stands out to you, read it again. Think about it; ask yourself why it stood out and what God might be trying to tell you through it. He desires to speak to each of us directly, and by meditating on what we read, we create the opportunity for His Word to speak to our hearts. Take the time to commune deeply with God through His Word. It will change your life.

Digestion
There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We would be better Christians if we were alone more, waiting upon God, and gathering spiritual strength for His service through meditation on His Word. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nourishment out of them.

Our bodies are not supported by merely taking food into the mouth, but it is by digestion that the food becomes assimilated. Our souls are not nourished merely by listening awhile to this, and then to that, and then to the other part of divine truth. Hearing, reading, marking, and learning, all require inwardly digesting to complete their usefulness, and the inward digesting of the truth lies for the most part in meditating upon it.
Let this be our resolve: “I will meditate on Your precepts.”—Charles Spurgeon, adapted