ओं माय मंद वी

That title should say: "On My Mind VI". For some reason completely foreign to me, it's switching to what I believe is Hindi script (no pun intended).

These were passed on to me at my last birthday and I felt they would be helpful to review on this New Year's Eve. (You can see the full article and further questions here. Having not read or heard any of the author's other works I don't "recommend" him; however, I do appreciate his thoughtfulness in these particular questions.) And so without further ado...

Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year or On Your Birthday

Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.
11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn't considered the question.

If you've found these questions helpful, you might want to put them someplace—in a day planner, PDA, calendar, bulletin board, etc.—where you can review them more frequently than once a year.

So let's evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage" (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let's also remember our dependence on our King who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

- end of article -

It's Thursday

I have new pictures posted, friends! The Mollet wedding/ roommate reunion, my triathlon, and our Grace Group retreat are the newest photos on display! Click HERE.

I just finished reading the blog entries of a beautiful, courageous, suffering family who just lost their dear little 2-year-old boy, JUD. I was "introduced" to the family by fellow church members who asked for prayer on their behalf. Their honestly, pleading, hope-filled, trusting hearts were an encouragement and conviction to me as I read their faith working itself out in such heart-wrenching ways. My heart is full of praise for our glorious God... strength will come as we wait upon the Lord, our hope and strong deliverer!

Pass Me My Specs...

My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please...
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:10b, 11b

Read that and rejoice! This evening I've been preparing a Sunday school lesson for my precious 2nd & 3rd graders. In a humbling and wonderful way, preparing for Sunday school is always a convicting and growing experience. Tomorrow's lesson is on faith in God's sovereign plan as exemplified in the life of Abraham. I love how teaching something makes you savor it - as a result of tonight's preparation I am enjoying the results of savoring the sweet reminder of God's faithfulness, purposefulness, and sovereignty. The difficult circumstances that sometimes threaten to overwhelm me with their seeming impassibility can be readily entrusted to God's purposes.

Late September I completed my second triathlon. It was cold and difficult, but also wonderful and worshipful. Yes, worshipful. There is something satisfying in working my body that hard. There is a peculiar joy I feel at realizing that every foot forward is a beautiful testimony to God's intricate design. The deep breath of life-giving air is never more obvious than when I'm sucking it after coming out of the water at the swim. There is also a sweet joy experienced throughout the race as you are receiving the encouragement of community. Not only are there hundreds of people cheering, it's also not unusual for someone to offer words of encouragement as they run alongside (or past, as the case may be). When that person is a friend the result is a tangible surge of adrenalin and emotion - spurring one another on exemplified. My mind becomes, in a triathlon, a sermon illustration mill. Truly, I feel like there are an endless number of "oh, goodness, I understand Philippians better right at this moment" moments, and, as a result, I usually end the race feeling encouraged and convicted. Of course, those semi-intelligent moments come fewer and farther between towards the end of the race. The foremost motivating factor in me putting one foot in front of the other during the bits were the rhythmic strains of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" in my head. I love that I'm unable to think of anything else but that over and over and over as I plod along...and often look back and wish that my daily life was that clearly focused: pain, fatigue? Great is Thy Faithfulness!

My one-year anniversary of leaving for India came and went. Its passing has spurred a host of "this day last year I was...(insert random, adventurous, challenging, wonderful time/lesson here)". I needed that milestone reminder. As a result I've been reading my India journal and memorializing what God was doing/has done in my life. How disappointing it is to see how quickly I forget the lessons learned; how wonderful it is to see how God worked. This time last year I went to one of the WINN village centers for a computer graduation program. I was lonely and my journal was filled with frustration and sadness. At the end I wrote: "A dear girl, whose name I never got, but who was my age – 23 or 24 -- and was Christopher’s sister came and sat beside me. Her English was limited, but I felt instantly connected with her – I wanted to love her and pray for her and laugh with her and share with her – but she had to leave quickly. I am praying for an opportunity to meet her again: when she left she said “sister, please see me soon”. Father, could this be my friend? Even if I don’t see her on a daily (or weekly, or monthly) basis, I pray that the connection I made will spur me on to love her through prayer, be compassionate to her through thought, be encouraging to her through words." I did get chances, though very few, to spend time with her. God answered that prayer. It also marked a change in my heart toward loving people even though I felt isolated. It was a hard time, but reading that portion of my journal I remember that God not only answered my prayer, he increased my ability to love people through prayer, deepening my trust of him as I entrusted them (and myself in my need for fellowship) to him.

Also in October I started my new, full time job. The position, which had been something I'd considered before I left for India, opened up again at the exact time I began my job search. The interview process - though difficult - was affirming, and I got to see God hand me a job that was beautifully fitted to both my gifts and my areas of desired growth, that paid me more than I could have made if I'd stayed the whole year previous and gotten incremental raises (someone, a wise person, thought India experience constituted some serious "job experience"), and that provided me with a stable, wholesome working environment alongside dear friends. How graciously - and clearly - God has provided for me.

When I started this post I had tentatively listed the title as "Eclectic". It had been so long since I'd posted that I assumed this could be nothing more than a collection of random tid-bits and updates. It's turned out to be a much needed reminder for myself that I need to press on in faith. Should the above have sounded uber-rosy, I wish I could pass you my (figurative) glasses. They're not rose colored -- people hurt and disappoint; I am weak and prone to wander; and, ashamedly, the praise of my Savior that should so obviously rise from my lips is sometimes held back in frustration and fatigue. And yet, as I read back through this "eclectic" collection of my last two months, how can I do anything but recognize God's perfect plan there...and be reassured to continue to hope, trust, and rejoice?

My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please...
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:10b, 11b

Beauty is...

... seeing the prickly, caustic desert warm to wondrous purples, blues, and oranges in the wake of the setting sun:



Which reminds me, delightfully and gratefully, of the natural dryness of my own soul and the overwhelming beauty and satisfaction found in God alone.

Psalm 63.


... an orphan becoming a daughter:

Watching the joyful preparation, reveling in the sweetness of Romans 8 being exemplified, and expectantly waiting for a toothless-7-year-old grin to, one day, smile with the joy of her salvation.


... worshipping with the body:

During corporate worship, hearing a five-year-old answer the question, “What’s heaven like?” with: “Be(ing) with God. And we won’t want to do things we wanted to do on earth.”

Being reminded via the sermon that the promise of eternal life is this: fellowship with God. That our greatest, trial-enduring, joy and righteousness-producing HOPE now is that sweet promise of eternal life.

Being pulled along by my fellow believers. One dear, faithful servant displaying his longing, yearning desire for heaven and it spurring me on to plead that my heart might become more disengaged from this world and, like this believer, inclined toward the hope of heaven…unadulterated fellowship with God alone. Felling inadaqute and stumped in my prayer life, only to be rushed along in the Spirit’s work during a prayer meeting. To experience the joy of prayer and have my heart stimulated in worship, adoration, and wisdom by the heartfelt, Spirit-induced, Word-based, God-centered cries of the body. To be able to then join in prayer with renewed hope, joy, and eager trust in God’s sovereign work because of the dear saints praying around me.

Beautiful!

Loving (and Leaving) India

My heart and mind have been ruminating on this post for a while. In fact, I've had the body of it written since April -- almost 3 months before I left India. I started writing it at a time in India when things clicked... when I realized that, despite some hard things, many frustrating things, lots of sweat, and general confusion, I loved India. I wouldn't say that before that time I didn't love India... I just hadn't experienced that un-doing, heart-produced compassion for India that I'd been longing for.

I got busy with my visiting brother and saying goodbye and before I knew it was busy back here in the states. But the last three weeks the services at church have been reinforcing the lessons learned and "ah ha!" moments I experienced towards the end of my India time that led me to leave in love. I thought it was worth revisiting and sharing with you as a type of wrap-up on my time there.

"One of the most important things the Holy Spirit prompted me to do as I came to India was to read through His Word – in it’s entirety – while I am here. I’ve been obedient in that; it’s been one of my biggest sources of blessing, comfort, and strength.

Using D.A. Carson’s For the Love of God as a guide and built in thought provoker, I’ve learned much – and been reminded of much – simply by tracing God’s sovereign plan. But one thing has particularly stood out; namely, God is holy, and the only, God. Put another way, my awe for God – His worthiness as the only and most holy God, worthy to be worshipped – has increased.

As this has happened my awareness of the profound weight of the gospel of grace in my life has deepened. My recognition of my need of God’s mercy has grown as my absolute astonishment of His sheer greatness has grown.

And this has freed me to love India.

To be heartbroken at poverty and abuse because it demonstrates injustice and sin, both contrary to God’s nature. To be enchanted by the unique beauty of the people and the culture, because it displays God’s creativity and image. To desire to worship God boldly and confidently, encouraging others to do the same, because he is worthy. To earnestly proclaim and defend God as the only true God, while weeping at the rampant and bonding creation and service of idols. To love self-sacrificially, even when it’s not received, because He did.

My growing understanding of His holiness is so freeing. My hatred of sin displayed here and my broken heart and care are not feelings setting me apart or above from everyone else. Freedom comes in the compassion I have in light of my own comparable state. I’m more concerned that the gospel should be joyfully and freely offered… because that display of God’s merciful, faithful, redemptive work in view of His holiness and our sin is ultimately glorifying. And this is all freeing and produces love for India because my growing understanding of his holiness is increasing my awareness of my own sin, God’s right wrath and fearsomeness conjoined with his sweet mercy and loving grace. I want that for India, for His namesake.

As I’ve thought about this, I’ve realized that I probably haven’t loved America rightly. It’s comfortable and known so I like it. But now I want to love it like God’s taught me to love India. How, in fact, God loves the whole world.

I’ve left India and returned to America worshiping God for His holiness. I’m deeply grateful for my time in India, namely that the experience led to these reminders and awakenings in my heart toward loving God rightly and, in turn, loving people – even nations."

”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whosoever should believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

On My Mind V

God, be merciful to me,
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just,
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.

I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.

Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.

Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.

Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to Thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.

Is. 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Two SERMONS: The Terrible God of Mercy (Daniel 10) and The Gracious Condescension of the Glorious One (Daniel 10)

Better Late Than Never

Though the last blog post would make you think I've been back for the past 28 days, don't let the calendar fool you. I've actually been here, there, and everywhere. Certainly I've been most every place possible without feeling really "back". But, two weddings, two road trips, one fantastic hike, some family time, and lots lunches and coffee times later, and I'm finally settling down. I'm back.

Almost. Trying, at least.

Nice side effect of my "I'm back" feeling week is that I've finally (hence the post title) updated my pictures site. Not only do I have my last weeks in India duly documented, but I've also posted photo evidence of Ry and I's remaining India time and Russian jaunt. Plus, I've added my photos of the recent California/Idaho shin digs, outdoor adventures, etc.

I do have some "leaving India" thoughts I'll be posting (hopefully) in the not-to-distant future. For now it's working in my favor that a picture's worth a thousand words. Saves me a lot of typing.

As usual, just click on my pictures link on the right of this page.

With love,

Duffy