Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 29-30, Days 12 & 13: The Element of Surprise

The best plots contain the element of surprise. Whether it be a mystery novel, an animated cartoon, a poem, a movie, sonnet, or a personal relationship – those that have an unexpected turn for the better or for the worst, always keep us glued to our seats.

And so it is true for the Gospels, indeed for the whole Bible. It is also true for our lives. God is a god of surprises, who takes the impossible and makes it a moment in time that can stretch across generations. God knows that had we no surprises we would have no joy – and joy is at the heart or blessings.

Have you ever experienced blessings that were expected. Or, let me put it this way if you thought a blessing was coming, once it did come as a blessing, was it just the way you had played it out in your mind…or was it even better?!

Here’s a what Jesus said about those who would be blessed:

Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

These are the people whom we would least expected to receiving blessing…for the very reason that they are blessed: They are poor, they mourn, they are hungry and thirsty, they are persecuted. God always turns the tables. It’s not because we don’t deserve blessing. God’s blessing is totally “his,” and the blessing is not based on our expectations, criteria, or demands. Blessings are not something we can earn or strive for, only something conferred upon us in surprising unanticipated volume, form, timing, qualitiy and extraordinariness.

How has God surprised you today? If it’s come from his hand, it is a blessing, and always a blessing in surprise.

Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 28, Day 11: Who Am I [Casting Crowns]

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Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 27, Day 10: Earth shaking blessings

In the Bible, in chapter 4 of the Book of  Acts, we read of one of those literally earth-shaking events experienced by the early Church:

[31] After they [the apostles Peter and John] prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. [32] All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. [33] With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all [34] that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales [35] and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Most people in the church today are familiar with this passage as a model for living in community as followers of Jesus Christ: being one in heart and mind, sharing possessions, meeting each others’ needs. Isn’t that our ideal and goal to live in such harmony and with mutual love for one another? It certainly is mine. The world would be such a better place if we did.

However, it was not until rereading this passage today that I realized I had missed the first point, the first goal the preempts and predicates the goal of living in community. It is this in verse 33: And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

God’s Grace. That is the key, the engine, the nuclear power that drives blessing – and not our good intentions or understanding, compassion, mercy, kindness, or love. Blessing does not start with us. Blessing starts with God and His grace working powerfully in us. It is His grace that turns our world upside down. His grace that moves us to do the unheard of. Grace that draws us together, makes us of one heart and mind, looses selfishness from our clenched fists. It God’s grace that gives us a testimony of any kind. It is the God’s grace that we have a redeemed, resurrected and changed life. And it is because of God’s tremendous, unmerited grace toward us that we can bless anyone.

It’s all because of God. And that, friends, is earth-shaking.

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 26, Day 9: Word of God Speak

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All that I need is to be with You and in the quiet hear Your voice.

Word of God Speak
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[sung by Big Daddy Weave]

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 25, Day 9: Counting my blessings

On Day 9 of our annual 40-day church fast, a brief list of some of the things I’ve learned about blessing lately.

1. I’m blessed when I slow down to hear Jesus and appreciate others
2. Blessing doesn’t depend upon quantity or size
3. Blessing sometimes requires cracking open a hard, protective shell: mine
4. I can bless even when I’m grouchy; it just doesn’t look as pretty
5. Being able to forgive is a huge blessing
6. Asking for forgiveness blesses me even more than the person I’m asking forgiveness of
7. An authentic affirmation is the blessing that can make another person’s day
8. Blessing that involves creativity makes the reward all mine
9. Sometimes the best blessing I can give someone is to not say anything at all
10. Blessedness is being connected to God through the Holy Spirit
11. Blessing someone else is an act I do in conjunction with God and never apart from Him.
12. I feel blessed by even the smallest thank you
13. If I dig down with God, beneath the pain there’s always blessing just waiting to escape
14. The well of blessing Jesus draws from can never be emptied, never runs dry
15. God loves to bless his children. If we’re not receiving any, simply acting like adults
    

Pamela A. Chun
©October 25, 2009
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Blessing me as I listen

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As the Deer
By Marty Nystrom (sung in this rendition by Salvador)

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

Chorus
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

You're my friend and You are my brother,
Even though you are a king.
I love you more thank any other,
So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 24, Day 8: Listen to the blessing

For me, personally, prayer becomes more and more a way to listen to the blessing. I have read and written much about prayer, but when I go to a quiet place to pray, I realize that the real “work” of prayer is to become silent and listen to the voice that says good thing is about me. This might sound self-indulgent, but, in practice, it is a hard discipline. I am so afraid of being cursed, of hearing that I am no good or not good enough, that I quickly give in to the temptation to start talking and to keep talking in order to control my fears.

- Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Beloved-Spiritual-Living-Secular/dp/0824519868/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219782553&sr=8-1

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 23, Day 7: All you need is a table

When God asks us to bless others, sometimes all we need is a table – a simple table to invite them to sit with us so we can share our lives. We don’t need a fancy spread, carefully written invitations, or even a lot of forethought. All we need to do is a tiny bit of time and space, enough to say, “I care. Come around my table with me for a few moments.” And then just listen. Love them. Laugh with them. Let them have a place at our table.

Pamela A. Chun
©October 21, 2009
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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 22, Day 6: Blessed at the foot of the cross

Today I listened to a sermon called “The Cross Shouldn’t Be Our Kryptonite” by a friend, Pastor Ken Fong of Evergreen Baptist Church Los Angeles [http://www.ebcla.org/]. I’m not exactly sure about the kryptonite metaphor but Ken’s message hit me hard about understanding the power and the blessing of admitting our need for the cross. It was a message that spoke to me about regularly, even daily, examining myself —not for sin so that God can condemn me, but for sin and shortcomings so that God can forgive and bless me.

The idea isn’t that we do this to become perfect, because no one is perfect. We do this because God is perfect and knows how to love and care for us perfectly in ways that don’t punish us, make us pay pack for our wrong doings, or belittle us. Instead, God says, “Let me bless you even though you are not perfect.”

Blessing comes because of our imperfection. I am blessed by the undeserved, unearned, unmerited grace of God. To receive it I need to live like I need the cross –  acknowledging daily that I am not sufficient to answer all of life’s tough situations and that I certainly am not sufficient for saving others, myself, or the world.

If you would like to listen to Ken’s sermon, you can find it on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=61076624&id=129600028
(The beginning is a report to the congregation of its capital campaign. Ken begins speaking about 8:30 into the audio.)

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The best king of Israel has fallen the farthest. But neither he, nor anyone, can fall beyond the reach of God's love & forgiveness -P.Yancey

Quote from Philip Yancey’s book Meet the Bible and my thought for the day.

http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310243038&QuerySiteString=Zondervan&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 21, Day 5: When fair isn't fair

A friend and I have been struggling over the issue of fairness.

We struggle over situations when things aren’t “fair,” especially in relationships. We understand the concept of pulling our own weight, of pitching in, of being and taking responsibility—and what gets us raw, impatient, grumpy, and sullen is when others don’t. We ask, “Why do we have to be the Responsible Adult all the time?” Why does it seem that when we ask for forgiveness, it isn’t reciprocated? We feel taken advantage of, taken for granted, asked to pitch in even more when we already feel we have given our fair share and probably even more into a situation. We often end up having to suck it up, while “they” luxuriate in their own little worlds.

Not fair, Lord, we complain—and we are tired. You know it would be so much easier if each person did their fair share; or better yet if every person went overboard in giving to a relationship. If each person contributed 60%, added up in a two-person relationship, we’re way over 100! But. But, Lord, they’re not doing 60%. Heck, it feels like their not even doing 50% and most of the time it’s a stretch to see they are putting in much more than 40%

Lord, if everything were done by everyone fairly, the world would be such a better place. And if every one did even just a little more than what was fairly required — say, 51% — everything would be swelling in abundance

But that’s not what happens. Life isn’t fair. Circumstances get thrust upon us. We are perceived as strong and confident: competent, and once again the scales are imbalanced. We do more because we can. And yet, that is what God calls us to do, and to do it freely, do it unfairly.

Here’s what author Philip Yancey says:

To understand this issue of human freedom, it may help to imagine a world in which everyone truly does get what he or she deserves. That world would be just and consistent, and everyone would clearly know what God expected. Fairness would reign. There is, however, one huge problem with such a tidy world: it's not at all what God wants to accomplish on earth. God wants from us love, freely given love, and we dare not underestimate the premium God places on that love. Freely given love is so important that God allows our planet to be a cancer of evil in the universe—for a time.

If this world ran according to fixed, perfectly fair rules, there would be no true freedom. We would act rightly because of our own immediate gain, and selfish motives would taint every act of goodness. In contrast, the Christian virtues described in the Bible develop when we choose God and God's ways in spite of temptation or impulses to do otherwise.

God wants us to choose to love freely, even when that choice involves pain, because we are committed to God, not to our own good feelings and rewards. God wants us to cleave, as Job did, even when we have every reason to deny God hotly. Job clung to God’s justice when he was the best example in history of God’s apparent injustice. He did not seek the Giver because of gifts; after all gifts were removed, he still sought the Giver.

[Where Is God When It Hurts pp 89-91]

Fairness obliviates freedom. Fairness forces people to do things out of fairness and not out of love. When fairness rules, we’ve no more God to run to for mercy, grace, blessing.

  Pamela A. Chun
©October 20, 2009
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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 20, Day 4: The cloak of blessing

Yesterday’s post cited Paul’s Letter to the Romans, who to bless and how to bless, and specifically how to respond to evil (Romans 12:9-21). It’s very practical advice that ends with if your enemy is hungry, feed him, thirsty give him something to drink, overcome evil with good.

  Practical advice that sounds easy enough. But is it easy? I don’t think so, especially since often the people whom we consider our enemies are those whom we feel have hurt us, harmed us, left us angry, sad, and cheated.

  But it’s not only Paul who writes this. Jesus himself says:

  38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-41)

  We want to say to Jesus, “It’s not fair!” If we feel hurt, why should we have to turn the other cheek? If we’ve been cheated, why should we let them cheat us more? Why can’t we just leave them alone and let them leave us alone? They already have our tunic, why give away our cloak?

  I was thinking a lot about this today because this morning, God told me how to go the extra mile with someone who stood on the other side of the fence from me, someone, to borrow Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:11, who had insult me, persecuted me and falsely said all kinds of evil against me.

  Yesterday, God asked me to bless this person and then gave me an in-your-face opportunity to do that, which I did, and which blessed me. Today, God then asked me to bless that person again—this time not with a hard to ignore immediate situation, but instead showing me the opportunity then asking me to go out of my way to take the initiative. Yesterday, he put that person directly in my path and said, “Here, bless him.” Today, he said, “Here’s another opportunity that will make you go out of your way, that will require you to track him down yourself and bless him.”

  But my cloak, Lord, my cloak! I protested, then gave it away anyway.

  And then I discovered something. After I did it, I felt good, I felt fine. In fact, I felt better than fine, I felt filled. I discovered I didn’t need my cloak! I wasn’t cold. The thing that I had held onto so tightly for years to cover me, keep me warm, be my protection, hide under, give me dignity, show me self-worth, make me blend in with everyone else…wasn’t necessary. I didn’t need it anymore – once I gave it away.

  The opportunity to bless our enemies often comes cloaked. We don’t recognize it for what it is. We think it will be hard and cost us too much, when in the end it doesn’t cost us a thing.

  Pamela A. Chun
©October 20, 2009
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Who is blessed?

Matthew 5:1-12 (New International Version)

Matthew 5

The Beatitudes

 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 4Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 5Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 7Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 8Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 9Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 19, Day 3: How to Bless, Who to Bless

From Pauls’ Letter to the Romans 12:9-21 (New International Version)

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
   "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Via Bible Gateway http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:9-21&version=NIV

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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, October 18, Day 2: Unconditional Love

A light bulb went on in my head today as I was listening to yet another Francis Chan podcast, “Motivating Through Grace” [ Download from iTunes here http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=74283811]. In it, Francis speaks of how we can live through the stress and anxieties of life because of the grace of God – and he quotes the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians 6:9-10 about 0:40 in:

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people……

This, I realized, was the essence of showing unconditional love to others — not loving them in spite of the condition of their heart, but loving them in spite of the condition of my heart. Unconditional love is about loving others even when I am weary, even when I am tired, even when I am grumpy, weak, wanting, spent: loving them even when I don’t feel like loving them.

I have forever thought of unconditional love only in terms of the condition of others. I have thought that it only meant that God loves me despite my condition and therefore I should love others despite theirs: despite how imperfect they are, never mindful of their being nasty and needy, selfish and silly, forgetful and frustrating, unreasonable and unwilling, judgmental and jealous, sick and supercilious, hurt, potentially harmful, crazy, nuts, misinformed, stubborn, unthoughtful, self-centered, spiteful, cynical, depressed, critical…hard to love.

That still holds true. However, that takes the higher position of assuming that I am doing them a favor by loving them in spite of themselves.

Today, I realized that unconditional love also means loving others in spite of myself. Paul says in essence, “Are you tired? Do good anyway.” I would elaborate on that to say: Am I feeling inconvenienced, not up to it, begrudging, taken advantage of, misunderstood, drained? Am I less than willing? Love anyway. Love without regard to the condition of my heart because that is true love, God’s type of love —love that loves even when I don’t find it easy.

It’s not up to me to point out the condition of other people’s hearts. That’s called judgment. But it is up to me to love when I don’t feel like it, without condition. That’s unconditional love, and that’s grace.

Prayer and contemplation:
Who am I stopping from giving love to because I feel like it? Have I put myself on a sabbatical from love because I feel burned out from loving too much, as if that were possible? Show me, Lord, how to love unconditionally, freely, without stopping to decide if I am ready or they are worthy. Holy Spirit, examine my heart and my intentions and free me to love despite myself.

Read the full passage and all of Paul’s letter to the Galatians here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6&version=TNIV

Pamela A. Chun
©October 18, 2009
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Fall 2009 40-Day Fast, Day 1: Bless

Slow Down And Show Grace by Francis Chan   (16075 KB)
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Today is the first day of our church’s traditional fall fast. We spend 40 days incorporating a spiritual discipline into our lives that will help us grow in God and break the fast on Thanksgiving. Some people fast from specific foods, or refrain from habits; some go cold turkey on coffee, sweets, alcohol, television, sarcasm, or buying unnecessary items. Other incorporate a new practice into their lives: finding someone in need to help every day, exercise mixed with prayer, reading a devotional or spending more time with God.

It’s become my habit to ask God what he would suggest for my fast. And this time I felt he told me to focus on blessing. Learn about what it means to bless and practice it. Bless someone everyday: someone whom I struggle to love, someone whom I have overlooked or not given that much thought to, or on a given day someone I care about deeply and want to bless even more.

I started by listening to a message by our friend Francis Chan called “Slow Down and Show Grace.” Francis is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA, and he speaks frequently for my nonprofit ministry Hawaiian Islands Ministries. What I love about Francis is how authentic and transparent he is about where he is on the journey with Jesus. This message really spoke to me and was one of the catalysts that pointed me to make this a 40 Day Fast of Blessing. I hope you’ll take time to listen to it, too.

First 15 min is devoted to a guest speaker. Francis’ main message begins at 0:15 in to the podcast.
If you enjoyed Francis’ message, consider subscribing to the podcast. Both audio and video versions are available on iTunes.

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