GlocalNet

This morning I got up - and I’m reading through Luke - large portions at a time - something I’ve been doing with several books over the past few months - it’s a very powerful thing.  The last prayer I wrote in my wide margin Bible for 2009 was from Luke 11:28 - “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”  More than anything that is my desire for my life, my family, my church, my country - and the whole wide world.

When I look back over 2009 it was both an exciting year and a tough year.  Exciting in the people who found Jesus, the ministries that flourished, the doors and opportunities that continue to open, the families that were healed, kids that matured and developed into adults - I could go on and on and on.  Tough - in the economy, tough as growth always means change and having to get out of your comfort zone - tough as in having to learn to say “No” to a lot of really “great” opportunities and things so you can say “Yes” to things that are “blessed” and “directed” by God.  I could go on about all the tough stuff - it’s just a part of life. 

Nikki and Jill and I came to Hanoi for Ti’s wedding and to meet with the staff here.  We wound up meeting with lots of business and government leaders.  The fruit of what NorthWood has done here is exceptional and it just continues to grow.  We’ve already had pledges and offerings that amount to over half of what we need in our glocal budget this year - incredible!  Church planters continue to call in record numbers, Haltom City is exploding with NorthWood members doing things - as well as Mexico.  We’ve also been looking anew at how we engage at a far deeper level right in Keller. 

My response to it all?  Gratitude - for who God is, for what he’s done for us personally, for what he’s done for us as the body of Christ.  Last night I had supper with some young business leaders in Hanoi and we were talking about God and different religions as they were asking me about my faith.  I mentioned that, at the core of all we believe, it comes down to a grateful response for all that God has done.  The most basic response to God is gratitude.  They all agreed - and said that would be so for any “religion.”  Not a bad place to start sharing your faith!  Start with gratitude!

Is God grateful for me?  Am I a blessing to him?  Do I bring him great joy?  Only as I can hear and obey what he says.  I have a few goals for 2010.  Candidly - less goals.  When I began to look over my previous journals and read my prayers and write down all God was doing - I asked what are the big ticket things that need to be done - and what if I leave a lot of blank space - and just ask God to fill it in?  We should set goals - I do it every year, for me, my family, NorthWood, etc., but what I’ve realized is the thing that jazzes me the most - isn’t that I reach a goal that I set, but something out of the blue that God does that I don’t expect that I had no idea was coming.  A new believer here in Hanoi asked me, “How do I hear God’s voice?”  I told him you respond in the moment to what God puts in front of you and how it moves you.  Another young believer said, “I used to think God spoke through my ears, but I’ve learned he really speaks through my heart!”  Powerful, powerful, powerful. 

I’m excited to leave 2009 behind and begin 2010 - there are some things that have to be done that God has made clear in advance - but this next year - I’m leaving more open space - and I’m excited about that!