I'm in eastern PA this week, stumping for PIONEERS at Messiah College, Philadelphia Biblical University, Eastern University, Thomas Jefferson medical school and points in between. Today was the stop at Messiah in Grantham, PA. Messiah is a Christian school (duh) with a student body of 2800. I spoke briefly in a class on leadership, sharing bits and pieces of what I've been learning about leadership development on a corporate level. I described discipleship and mentorship as forms of leadership in that they develop character in people in much the same way that a good leader does in his followers -- and that a good leader ought to be exhibiting in her or her own right. I relayed my own experience of being discipled for two years beginning as a college freshman and how I, in turn, discipled a freshman when I was a junior and my discipler had graduated. I then asked the class of about 10 how many of them had been discipled or mentored or were currently in such a relationship. Not one student raised a hand.
How tragic. Who knows if this class is indicative of the campus as a whole, but I suspect it is. And what a shame that almost 3000 students live, work and study all within just a few square miles and they're not engaging in each other's lives in this way. I didn't have the heart to tell them it gets harder once you leave that environment.
This may be a generation adrift. They have an undeniable longing for community and personal development, and yet they seem not to know how to get it or provide it for each other. We desperately need Pauls and Barnabases who will step up to the plate and lead the way to consistent discipleship and mentorship relationships for men and women on college campuses and, indeed, in all phases of life.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Thirsty?
My church is going through a Max Lucado book & study called "Come Thirsty". In it he urges Christians to drink deeply of all that Christ offers and to take time to receive from him (because our focus tends to be too much on doing and giving). As I've thought about this, it's occurred to me just how often I neglect both my spiritual and physical needs.
My body doesn't do a very good job telling me when I'm dehydrated. I frequently don't drink anything when eating a meal. There are many days when I consume no more than about 24 ounces of any liquid. This is not good for me. (Naomi gets on me about this frequently, much to her credit). So I get dehydrated, which often leads to headaches. The headache is my body's way of telling me I need more fluids. For most people, getting thirsty is the body's way of sending that message. My body's thirst mechanism seems a little messed up.
Spiritually, I think I'm the same way. How do I know when I'm spiritually in need of refreshment? I don't really feel thirsty in my soul. More often that not I can tell only when I start to experience certain "headaches" that come when I'm working out of my flesh or neglecting communion with the Lord: the fruits of the Spirit don't show up as often in me; I might be cranky or impatient. These are the "headaches" -- the relational aches and pains -- that demonstrate a spiritual thirst -- one which can be simply addressed by drinking deeply of what the Lord offers.
Lord, help me to be more aware of my need for you and to partake more often of the streams of living water that can be found in prayer to you, worship of you and simple time spent with you.
My body doesn't do a very good job telling me when I'm dehydrated. I frequently don't drink anything when eating a meal. There are many days when I consume no more than about 24 ounces of any liquid. This is not good for me. (Naomi gets on me about this frequently, much to her credit). So I get dehydrated, which often leads to headaches. The headache is my body's way of telling me I need more fluids. For most people, getting thirsty is the body's way of sending that message. My body's thirst mechanism seems a little messed up.
Spiritually, I think I'm the same way. How do I know when I'm spiritually in need of refreshment? I don't really feel thirsty in my soul. More often that not I can tell only when I start to experience certain "headaches" that come when I'm working out of my flesh or neglecting communion with the Lord: the fruits of the Spirit don't show up as often in me; I might be cranky or impatient. These are the "headaches" -- the relational aches and pains -- that demonstrate a spiritual thirst -- one which can be simply addressed by drinking deeply of what the Lord offers.
Lord, help me to be more aware of my need for you and to partake more often of the streams of living water that can be found in prayer to you, worship of you and simple time spent with you.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Grace Frizen, 1923-2005
Grace Frizen received her promotion to heaven on December 27th, 2005. I attended her memorial service on Friday afternoon. As I read the brief bio on the back, heard testimonies from those who knew her best (including her husband, Dr. Edwin "Jack" Frizen), I was struck by a couple of things:
-- she and her husband were in full-time ministry for over 50 years, serving as missionaries in the Philippines, starting a Bible school and serving on church mission teams. Jack was president of the IFMA, Grace worked in various capacities for Tyndale Publishing House. They were with SEND International for a long time and had served as consultants to PIONEERS for about the last thirteen years. Such long and varied service; they have both done so much for the advancement of the Kingdom.
-- she and Jack were married 55 years. That's a long time. Grace often played the role of supportive wife and partner, submitting her own life path to serve her husband. In later life, this role was reversed, as Grace suffered numerous health problems. Jack became the cook and care-giver to Grace, serving her as graciously and humbly as she had served him all those years. What a great example of servant leadership!
While sad to hear of her passing, I was happy for her. Her body was breaking down and now she's freed from that to experience the glorious presence of her Lord for eternity.
-- she and her husband were in full-time ministry for over 50 years, serving as missionaries in the Philippines, starting a Bible school and serving on church mission teams. Jack was president of the IFMA, Grace worked in various capacities for Tyndale Publishing House. They were with SEND International for a long time and had served as consultants to PIONEERS for about the last thirteen years. Such long and varied service; they have both done so much for the advancement of the Kingdom.
-- she and Jack were married 55 years. That's a long time. Grace often played the role of supportive wife and partner, submitting her own life path to serve her husband. In later life, this role was reversed, as Grace suffered numerous health problems. Jack became the cook and care-giver to Grace, serving her as graciously and humbly as she had served him all those years. What a great example of servant leadership!
While sad to hear of her passing, I was happy for her. Her body was breaking down and now she's freed from that to experience the glorious presence of her Lord for eternity.
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