Thinking About Thinking
Today I find myself thinking about thinking. You see, I have had more time to think lately than usual. We have a 3-year old son who likes to wander into our bedroom in the middle of the night a few times each week. For whatever reason, he’s not content to stop
at one visit- he usually makes 3 or 4 before he falls back asleep!
When I wake and put him back in bed the first time, I can usually fall back to sleep myself fairly quickly. But my son has a knack of coming back just as I’m drifting off and waking me yet again. On this second time (or third!), I find that sleep becomes much more challenging. I typically lay awake for another hour or so in the dead of night with nothing to do. So, I find myself thinking.
I am humbled to admit that my thoughts are as random and chaotic as the night is peaceful and silent. My mind races from Seahawks games (and disappointments) to unresolved relational conflict to the full schedule of the next day. Unfinished tasks, confrontation with my children, and plans for the weekend spin their way through on the thinking carousel. Sometimes I turn these into prayers, but often I find myself succumbing to the varied whims of my brain and whatever needs to be downloaded at that quiet hour.
Recently, I ran across this great quote about our thinking:
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits. –James Allen
So what if all that time I spend thinking- whether in the dead of night or in the midst of my day- really is the seed of action? This thought challenges me, because when I look at my thought patterns, they don’t lead to the kind of joy-filled, confident life I would like to see.
As it turns out, Scripture is filled with verses about the power of our thinking. Here is just a sampling of dozens and dozens that could be listed:
You must commit yourself wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Deut. 6:6&7.
Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked…But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it night and day. Ps. 1:1&2
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. Ps. 16:7
Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise! Phil. 4:8
So today I am thinking about thinking, and I am becoming increasingly convicted that what I think leads to who I am. If this is the case, as I believe it is, then my thoughts need greater structure and guidance. My prayer is that God’s Word, and His Spirit, will more frequently be on my heart and in my mind so that my life will more consistently reflect his character and joy.
Join me in thinking about your thinking! And may our thoughts be ever more so His thoughts.
Peace-
Pastor Nick
Monday Night Live - Foundations
What do I believe? What do you believe? What are the foundations of what we believe? Monday Night Live is currently answering these questions through a course titled “Foundations: Establishing a Firm Foundation for faith.” Pastors Nick and Jon are leading this study. Following are a few quotes from students involved in the study.
“I have been spending worthwhile time in our church’s latest class offering called “Foundations.” I have been ‘churched’ for a long time now, but it sure doesn’t hurt to review some of the basic tenets of our faith. My memory, not unlike anyone else’s, develops gaps from forgetting, and there are also new things not learned before that are brought up and shared in a collegial atmosphere under the partnered leadership of Pastors Nick and Jon. Attending this class serves a dual purpose in that not only do I refresh my memory on things forgotten, but it also allows me to see that our leadership is not straying in any way from what are the very basic foundations of our faith.”—Clyde Pharr
“Well, I suppose my reasons for taking the foundations class have changed over time (in only 6-7 weeks). They have gone from first just wanting to see what this church was all about, to then just connecting to people at the church (we are new). Then I found myself really needing to know how to defend my faith in Jesus, the Trinity, and the Holy Spirit. Who knows when we finish why the ultimate reason will be, but it has effectively answered all of my needs as they have popped up. (Praise be to God)!—Kristen Janiszewski
“I've developed a real hunger to press into God and develop the intimate relationship that Paul talks about in his letter to the churches in Ephesus and Corinth. I want to know God's mind, His power, His mercy and His true love for me! I believe these foundations classes are a piece of my journey.”—David Janiszewski
I have loved our Monday Night Foundations group. Coming Monday night is not easy for me; I am often working late into the evening getting lab materials & lessons prepped for my Tueday Chemistry students. But, the Foundation’s small group discussions have been so good that I hate to miss. Group members have shared great questions as well as great insights. MNL also gives us another day a week to see people, share our lives and support one another. This is a treasure in our busy lives. So glad I decided to be here!!!—Karla Bean
Although the subject material has been great, what I've enjoyed the most about the Monday Night Live Foundations Class this fall has been the fellowship we've enjoyed at our small group table. Our table group is a mix of old friends and new ones - some that I've known for many years, and others that I'd never met until the first night of class. In our time together, we've read scriptures together and talked with one another about the deep truths of our faith, and how those truths impact our day to day life as Christ followers. People have really opened up and shared their hearts - not just what they think, but what they feel: their doubts, hurts and fears, and their dreams and testimonies of joy. We've really grown connected with each other as we've gotten to know each other better, lifted each other in prayer, and encouraged each other in our faith.—Greg Bean
Greetings East Hills!
Here are some prayer needs:
We have started classes at Mostar Bible School and have 6 solid students. Zana and Izabela are from the West Mostar Church. Ivan is from Chapljina. Aleksander is from Sarajevo. Boris is from Vrata Nade (Door of Hope drug rehab center) in Breza. We also have Tony from Ploche, who will be coming for the next session. His father died suddenly just before classes started. We would appreciate your prayers for each of them. Our next session starts November 9. Viviane will be cooking again for students and staff.
Viviane is leading a fitness class 3 times a week and a mother’s prayer group weekly. She helps with a clothing boutique in Rodoch, a suburb of Mostar. She also visits regularly with women from these ministries, from the church and from our neighborhood. Pray that she gets opportunities to share Christ.
Mark is preparing for the next Bible School board meeting. He presented a plan for broadening the focus of the school to include licensing and ordination of candidates for ministry. This function is currently lacking in the Evangelical Church of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The reaction was positive. Now we need to make some concrete plans to implement it and get the support of the national pastors. I am also meeting with a couple of men in mentoring relationships. It is really exciting to see God working in their lives.
We came back to Mostar this term with apprehension about the future. God has very clearly demonstrated to us that we are in the correct place at this time. We sense that something is about to happen—like we are on the verge of revival or better. Please pray to that end.
Thanks so much,
Mark and Viviane
Mark & Viviane Shady, International Workers in Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina
Mark was born to missionary parents in Guinea, West Africa in 1967. Six months later the family was kicked out of Guinea and moved to Upper Volta—now called Burkina Faso. When he was six years old he headed off to the International Christian Academy in Ivory Coast. “It was there that I gave my life to Christ at age seven,” he said.
“A year or so later, after reading an account of my near death at birth, I realized that my life was not my own and decided then that I would become a missionary.” After graduation from ICA, he headed off to Toccoa Falls College to prepare for missions service. While there, Mark met and married Libby Harvey. Their first daughter, Naomi, was born there in Toccoa. They then moved up to western New York to do their required two years of home service. The family ended up staying three years. During this time Esther was born. From there they moved to Colorado and lived with Libby’s parents while Mark went to Denver Seminary. After he completed a Master’s degree, they moved again—this time to Russellville, AR and the Southwestern District. “My interest was to teach in a mission’s setting and I felt that more pastoral experience was necessary for that, “Mark noted.
The Shadys loved being in Russellville. “While there, in fact, I began to re-evaluate my desire to be a missionary!” Mark said. “But after three years and with the church’s backing, we moved to Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina.” Naomi and Esther were enrolled in Black Forest Academy (BFA) in Germany and Mark and Libby plunged into language study. “It was hard!” he said. “Language study was hard enough, but having the kids away from home was really difficult. “
“As language study began to draw to a close,” Mark said, “I began to teach at the Mostar Bible School (MBS). Libby began to interact with some of women of the church and we were both asked to teach some extension classes in Sarajevo. During this time Libby was not feeling well. We assumed it was some bug she had picked up. She began to get really weak and so we took her to a local doctor. He took one look and said that Libby had cancer and needed to return to the United States ASAP.”
Within two weeks Libby was dead. “The cancer was aggressive,” Mark said. “She died on Dec 24, 2002, her 36th birthday. God was near the whole time. I can’t describe that here. It was hard. Naomi and Esther were 11 and 9 years old at that time. We lived with Libby’s parents and began the process of learning what it means to ‘walk in the valley of the shadow of death.’ In the months that followed, the question of whether we would be able to return to Bosnia was foremost in my mind. In consultation with the International Ministries of the C&MA, we decided to return in the summer of 2003.
“About the same time, my mother-in-law began encouraging me to think about remarriage,” he noted. “She even began suggesting possible candidates! So, on my 15th year anniversary of being John and Ruth Harvey’s son-in-law, they gave me a gift to take Viviane Miner on a date!”
Viviane is the daughter of John and Janine Schultz, who served 39 years in Indonesia, and the sister of Mitch Schultz, who served in Great Britain for a number of years. Viviane’s husband died 15 months before
Libby’s death. Viviane and Matt had been dorm parents at Dalat in Penang, Malaysia for six years before he was diagnosed with cancer, Viviane said.
Two years after Matt’s death and within a week of their first date, Mark and Viviane wanted to get married. “God, in his gracious way, showed us we were doing the right thing,” Mark said. “After dating five months, we got married and had an instant family of five kids--Viviane’s three: Melanie, Maria, and Maxwell and my two: Naomi and
Esther. “
At IM’s suggestion, Mark said they stayed on in Toccoa for almost two years after their marriage to work through all the issues that develop when blending a family. In August 2005, the Shady Miner family moved to Bosnia. Melanie stayed in Toccoa and completed studies at Toccoa Falls College. Maria, Naomi, Esther and Max all graduated from Black Forest Academy in Germany and then went on to Toccoa Falls College. Maria and Melanie both met their husbands there and now Melanie has two children. Maria and Naomi also graduated from Toccoa and Naomi is in a Master’s program at Lee University. Esther and Max will be finishing at Toccoa in the next couple of years. “Over the years we have all grown closer together. At times it has been difficult, but God is bringing his healing to each of us, “he said.
The Shadys have served in Bosnia for nine years. For the first two years in Bosnia, Viviane was full-time in language study. Mark took six months to refresh his language skills after being gone for 2.5 years. “Since then, I have been teaching at Mostar Bible School,” he said. “I was the assistant director of the school for several years and have been the director for the past three. Viviane has been working with women from the church. She leads an aerobics class, which draws in unchurched ladies. This ‘bridge’ puts the unchurched in contact with believers who also come to exercise. She also started and leads a Mother’s Prayer Group, a weekly meeting of women who pray for their children and grandchildren. Viviane has become well known as a cook—she regularly makes snacks for a youth group and meals for the Bible School students. She has even appeared on a televised Bosnian cooking show!”
Bosnai Day 8
"Doctor" Wayne examining a patient
Today at breakfast we praised God for the non-rain cloud cover yesterday afternoon and asked for the same today for more painting.
After breakfast we headed out to Mario and Dejana’s property in the country all prepared to paint and have a barbecue lunch. When we arrived we sat down and talked a little bit about their vision of this property. They eventually want a small A-frame house there with a trail for a prayer walk. There is currently a covered area and a swing set (a frame anyway). They would like to call this place “Emanuel” because you truly feel God with you when you are here. We prayed over the property asking for blessing, safety and His spirit to always be present, then we went to work.
Jason and Mario did most of the higher painting that required climbing ladders and barrels to reach, and Debbie had a pretty good reach as well. The rest of the girls worked on the lower parts and as far as we could reach. Wayne spent time with some local men that were not in the best of health. He gave them some advice and Becky showed them some stretches to help with sore areas in their backs and legs. Kathy and Wayne prayed over these men for relief of pain and healing.
Mark, Robbin and Dejana prepared an incredible lunch of grilled pork and veal with grilled peppers and zucchini plus a tomato, onion and pepper salad. It was wonderful, these guys can cook!
After lunch Wayne, Robbin and Debbie went for a hike while Jason and Mario finished up the painting. The rest of us cleaned up and took it easy, just enjoying the beautiful view God created and resting.
We finished up with dinner at the hotel with all of us feeling refreshed. A day in nature will do that for you. Especially in a country as beautiful as Bosnia - then again we are spoiled with much of the same beauty in the Pacific North West.
Please continue to pray for the vision Mario and Dejana have for this city, the people truly love them and just need to know that Jesus loves them too.
Bosnia Day 7
Bosnia Day 7
Today was a day of variety and busyness. We started the day with yoga/pilates/exercises for the ladies and a walking about the city taking photos for the guys at 6:00 am. 7:15 is met as a group for the day and pray for the day and praises from yesterday. Two of the team were picked up at 7:30 to shop and prepare for breakfast while the rest of us walked to the center about 1.5 miles away. 8:00 am brings breakfast and fellowship (coffee). 9:00am the tables are clear and the dishes clean and put away. We have a time prayer with Mario and Dijana, Mark and Kathy, and any of the local workers who have constructed the playground.
About 9:30 to 9:45 we gather our materials and walk to the playground and start painting the wood. The paint is actually a stain impregnated with wax. Two of the team stay back at the center and help clean and prepare for lunch.
While we are painting some of the locals walk by and watch or greet Mario. A few children come by and a couple of them attempt some English with Debbie or Robbin. While we paint, the stain drip and runs and it does not take very long to look like we have been painting all day instead of 30 minutes. But through the day we get most of the structure painted. Coming back from lunch and an afternoon break, we find 10-12 children playing on the teeter totters, so Mario gently scolds them and they leave to come back next time we take a break. This neighborhood has been highly excited to for this project and even the police stop by to converse with Mario. It almost feels like we are with a local celebrity. While some of us are painting, Dijana and the others of the team are playing some games with the children of the neighborhood. “Between two fires” was a popular game and today was rematch day. God is working through the painting and the smiles on the children’s faces.
Now we go back and take quick showers and get ready for a very special evening. Mario and the policeman had finalized some details for an authentic Bosnian meal at the policeman’s home. We started up the road and as we climbed up the narrow winding road out of Vares the beauty of the landscape became more apparent. This is a beautiful country with steep tree covered ridges and occasional open meadows. A right turn off the rutted pavement onto a gravel road that was a rough(by our standards) but passable road led to the policeman’s home.
We had to walk about 100 yards along a rutted grass path to his house. We found out his name is Anto and we met his family; daughter, wife, mother, and father. We all sat down after introductions and the food was simply amazing. The photos do not do it justice. Everything was homemade, even the plum brandy.
Anto and his wife
This family was so happy to have Mario bring the group from America to share his food and to fellowship with him. After supper, we toured his farm and fought off his bees and he showed us how the meal was prepared. Later we shared little snippets of ourselves with his family. Robbin shared some pictures of her family with Anto’s family and the gates were broken open. Each of them ran into the house and brought out photos or models to share with us. We saw photos of family and weddings, an old police uniform and several different models the family constructs during winter months. After more sitting and sharing stories, and fellowship (coffee) we went back to the cars and came home. When we arrived home it was 11:15 p.m. and everyone was tired after a long full day. I am blogging because everyone else went to bed right away, so forgive my errors.
While typing this out it came to me that this is how Jesus is with us. He invites us to fellowship with him and wants to share all of Him with us. All I have to do is accept.
Bosnia Day 6
Vedrana and the Bosnia Team.
I asked to write the blog today because it was the kind of day where I was left asking, “How can people deny the existence of God?” After yesterday’s amazing day we all woke up refreshed (and a little sore from shoveling 20 tons of sand) and ready to see what God had in store for today. And what a day it was!
After breakfast Mario & Dejanna invited us to do a prayer walk through the neighborhood. As we walked, they talked about various places along the way. It brought home the challenges that they face when they pointed out a village on the hill across from us that had nearly been wiped out during the war: men, women, and children. And it was done in “the name of Jesus.” The entire village is 100% Muslim. Can you imagine what they feel when they hear Mario and Dejanna talk about Jesus and his love? And yet, God’s love shines through so powerfully because Mario has been able to form a relationship with a survivor of that attack.
We prayed for the neighborhoods as we walked and stopped at the school to specifically pray for the students that enter their doors. In this town there are Mosques strategically placed right next to the schools to serve as a gateway to the Muslim religion. When Mario helps the students with their schoolwork he feels like he is reading from the Koran because their books are filled with Arabic and Muslim teachings.
As we walked we came across a woman who was a friend of Dejanna’s. She invited us into her home and we learned that she suffered a stroke two months ago, her husband is unemployed, and her son suffers from a bacterial infection that has required multiple surgeries to remove flesh from his legs. In short, her life is filled with hardship and pain- and she’s not a believer. After sampling her DELICIOUS homemade blueberry juice we asked if we could pray for her. As soon as our prayer started she began to sob. I held onto her small hands as we prayed and could feel her shaking. As if on cue her phone began to ring, over and over, trying to interrupt our prayer. But, we kept right on praying. NOTHING was going to stop that prayer. We left her with a smile on her face and she promised to come and visit us later this week. And here is where God’s timing is so perfect. What makes me believe with my heart and soul that he brings all things to fruition at just the right time. Little did we know, but that morning she had called Dejanna and shared that her life meant so little to her, she was contemplating suicide. And here we were, walking through her neighborhood, outside her home at the exact moment she came outside. God is so good!
After returning home and resting a bit we organized some games for the local neighborhood children and learned many things about them and our team. For example, did you know that even Duck, Duck, Goose can get lost in translation? We were surprised to learn that Dejanna is a hardcore Dodgeball player who takes no mercy on anyone. And both children and the team were in awe of Sarah’s athletic ability and prowess. Attention Cowlitz County, do NOT engage Sarah in a foot chase of any kind. She means business!
Our night ended with a time of fellowship and food with Mario & Dejanna’s home group. There, two members as well as Robbin and Wayne, shared their testimonies of how God has brought them to this point in their lives. As I said before, how can you deny the existence of God when he moves through people’s lives with such unfailing love, protection, grace, and mercy. Surely, this is a God that lives.
We thank you for your continued prayers and can’t to see what wonders God has in store for us tomorrow. God Bless, Becky
Bosnia Day 5
Today was awesome! We are praising the God who answers prayers. Yesterday we were all a bit down after spending much of our time watching one man work. We were done picking up litter and smoothing the ground and making a berm along the edge. In the evening we had a great team meeting to share our concerns and encourage each other. I love these brothers and sisters! Each one makes a unique contribution. Today? Wow!! Mario arranged for the sand (small limestone rock) to be delivered one day early. A long dump truck (semi) came down our narrow street and left us 20 tons! We went right to work. Well, some of us did. I was having a conversations with a very nice young man who stopped to talk in English. That, by the way, is maybe more important than building the playground. Relationships that can continue with Mario and Dajana after we leave are one of the ways God's love will shine brighter and brighter here. It has been a joy to watch the ways that individuals have connected here. We all will go home with specific people that have been put on our hearts. Many are children, but there are also the people that stop to talk with us or who join in on working with us. One man told of how his grandfather lived here and that he played on a playground on this site many years ago.
So may our short time here enlarge the ministry of Vares!
Today! Today we worked hard! Did I mention that 20 tons? We spread all of it over a 34 by 18 square meter area and this is exactly what we came to do. We were so encouraged as we saw men who were bystanders join in to help and the 17 children who worked with Dajana to clean the edges of the street. Even the neighborhood president moved sand and scraped away weeds. It was a fulfilling day!
Before signing off I must mention that when Wayne took Robbin and me on an adventure walk during our rest time, we met a farmer who invited us to come to his home. He and Wayne communicated through each of their bit of German. We ended that time with an invitation to come in the morgen to milk his cow! So stay tuned! :-)