Functional vs Dysfunctional

Who is the Father Carving You To Be?

Understanding who I am in Christ, out trumps who I was and how it is that I became numbered among the vast sea of dysfunctionals. No family or person is perfect, but that did not seem to slow me down from trying. That’s what dysfunctional people do, we try and try to make sense of a world that has none. The harder we try to sort through what seems to be an unending cycle of chaos or insecurities the deeper we fall into despair and denial. In an escape to flee the inevitable branding of being “damaged goods”, many of us ran smack into the undeniable, unconditional, inescapable love of a Heavenly Father.

How great is the Father’s love that we should be called children of God! Today I am a new creature in Christ, old things have passed away. My value does not come from who I am, but who’s I am. I belong to Jesus. He calls me; Beloved, Chosen and Redeemed. These new titles may have been stamped on me at the time of my conversion, but they become engraved in me through the struggles and trials of life.

God is not the one who subjects us to terrors; dysfunction begets dysfunction, sin brings forth more sin. During my younger years I observed unhealthy patterns for marriage, conflict resolution and life in general. I filed these pieces of information away in my mind as “normal”. As an adult, these same dysfunctional patterns manifest themselves through 15 years of marriage. I played a part in repeating the cycle.

The scars of domestic violence never really fade away. They are like deep gouges that disfigure a fine piece of wood. So how do people move forward? Where and how does healing take place? I can only share with you how it has been happening in my life.

Among other things, my earthly father was a craftsman, a carver who painstakingly transformed ordinary blocks of wood into beautiful master pieces. In a similar way I see my Heavenly Father, as a master craftsman, lovingly transforming my damaged life through the years. Seeing the deep gouges of fear and distrust in my life, He carefully, painstakingly chiseled over the top of them with His grace and love. What others might have discarded as damaged or scrap lumber, unfit for any good thing, God has firmly set hold of for His Kingdom purposes. He engraved deep into my soul that which was initially only stamped on to the surface. I am a daughter of the King, I am His workmanship created for His glory!

The weather is changing and so are the leaves in North Carolina!

Have you ever noticed how our lives are marked by seasons? There have been periods of time throughout my life when God has allowed circumstances (both good and bad) to prevail. These seasons have led me to significant revelation as to who I am and who God is. Surprisingly, some of the most valuable lessons concerning God's grace, mercy and love have come during the painful or lonely seasons of my life.

May Day! May Day!

Language learning involves training my mouth,
my thinking patterns and my ears to respond correctly
to new and unfamiliar data! Cross-cultural work will require
me to become somewhat of a communication specialist in
a culture other than my own. Learning to process EVERYTHING
through new cultural filters is not easy, the simplest tasks
can become very complicated or be completely misunderstood.
Attempting to immerse oneself in a new
culture can be challenging and there will no doubt be
times when even my best efforts will not be enough. It will
be those times when I can take great comfort in knowing
THIS MINISTRY IS NOT MY OWN, IT IS GOD'S.
He initiated it, He will accomplishing His purposes
with or without me and yet He has graciously invited me to
join Him in this work. II Corinthians 4:1 is a good reminder
for me when I begin to feel overwhelmed. It is through God's
mercy that I have this ministry, and for that reason, I am not
to lose heart ... even when I fall short. Thankfully God has
promised to never leave me alone to fend for myself!
Unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. Have you ever felt like
the the guy in this clip? If so, send me your comments.
Enjoy!

North Carolina Fair Time!

Last weekend a few of us took a break from our studies and drove to the Shelby County Fair. This is the largest county fair in North Carolina. We had all sorts of fun adventures and experienced many cultural surprises. For one thing, people aren't bashful around here! At one point in the evening we heard an announcement go out over the PA System, "--------, meet your husband at the water wheel right away! Your hemorrhoid medicine has been located!"

Can You Guess What These Are?

DEEP FRIED OREOS!

My Friends and I decided to try one of these interesting little treats while we were at the Shelby County Fair. The oroes were okay, but not as amazingly delicious as we expected. It was still fun trying something different!

These are crispy Ribbon Fries. They are potatoes that have been peeled and cut in such a way that they all remain connected together like a long chain or ribbon. They are served with vinagar, salt and pepper or with ranch dressing. Wash them down with a cherry-lime-aid, an RC cola or a cold Cherrie-Wine! By the way, Cherrie-Wine isn't wine at all, it's more like a cherrie coke.

Now that I have your attention, have you ever heard of deep fried candy Bars? I hadn't either. Snickers or Milky Ways seem to be the favorites. How do I know? I was so amazed, I started interviewing people who were standing in line for one of these crazy treats.

Move over COTTON CANDY and CORN DOGS, it's time for more adventurous "County Fair Cuisine". How about a Deep Fried TWINKIE? Maybe you would prefer a giant frozen cheese cake triangle dipped in chocolate, or a mountian of deep fried PICKLES! Don't worry we didn't eat all these crazy foods. We did however enjoy watching others dine on their deep fried delicacies.

Seeing is believing
Southerns will fry anything, even pickles! As I said earlier, you do not have to travel to exotic international countries to experience unusual, culturally unique foods.

At least now I have a better understanding as to why 65% of the US population has become overweight......she says, as she ties the laces of her jogging shoes!

The clouds are starting to lift. Finally, a little time to relax! I just completed my first school on Equipping for Ministry. It has been a time of deep reflecting and processing with plenty challenging questions being tossed my way.

My friend summed up our classes with this statement, " I like eating onions, but it's no fun being one!" God has been carefully, purposely peeling away the layers of selfishness and pride in our lives. He lovingly peels away one layer, then the next and the next. So far I have survived... but just barely. My final 15 + page document on cultural values and contextualization was turned in today. Through this process of growing and being stretched, I take great courage in seeing what He has already accomplished in my life. What a mighty God we serve!

I have learned may important truths through these classes, but one of the most important lessons is a very simple one. "Therefore since through God's mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart". II Corinthians 4:1-12 begins by reminding me that this ministry I have been called to is His. This is not about me, it's all about the love and hope that Jesus brings to lost people. It is through His mercy that I am invited to join Him as He loves and blesses the nations with this Good News. Although this ministry involves laying aside my agendas, my expectations, even my familiar, comfortable cultural values and habits, I am not to lose heart, I WILL NOT LOSE HEART. God is good!

Jesus Said, Follow Me...

I Will Go

I will go where there are no easy roads

Leave the comfort that I know

I will go and let this journey be my home

I will go, I will go, I'll let go of my ambitions

Cut the roots that run too deep

I will learn to give away

What I really can not keep

I will go where Your glory is unknown

I will live for You alone

I will go because my life is not my own

I will go

"The extent to which we identify ourselves with the people to whom we go is a matter of controversy. Certainly it must include mastering their language, immersing ourselves in their culture, learning to think as they think, feel as they feel, do as they do..."

The Willowbank Report-Lausanne Committee

Liver Mush?

Yep! Liver Mush, or as the folks around here refer to it, "Liva moosh". Doesn't sound very appitizing does it? Well, the folks around here would disagree. Apparently this is a favorite food in this neck of the woods. Observing or studying a new culture is as easy as going out to breakfast in North Carolina. Don't expect to be served a bowl of Special K or low fat yogurt, that's what them Californ-ians eat! Here in NC, you better be ready for a REAL breakfast. This last weekend I had a chance to enjoy a traditional southern style breakfast. It included, eggs, buscuits'n gravey, an assortment of jams and jellies, grits (that's a whole other blog entery!) ham, sausages and last but not least LIVER MUSH, a crispy slab of the stuff. Yes, of course I ate my brown square of mush, I had to... I was a guest, remember! I'll bet you don't know what liver mush is really made from. To find out, YOU'VE GOT TO WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO. Come on...I dare ya, I double dog dare ya!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HIpRRxta4w