Why Work?

On Labor Day ... I think its a good time to remind ourselves as to what the proper motivation should be in working the jobs we work. Scripture gives us a couple of motivators ....

1. We should work to provide for the needs of our family. Two passages come to my mind as I contemplate this motive for gainful employment:

"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." ¹¹We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹²Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12).

"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)

2. We should work in order to give to those in need.

"He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. " (Ephesians 4:28)

During these times of economic turmoil, my prayers go out to those who would like to fulfill God's plan for their work life - but are either unemployed or underemployed. May God grant you the desire of your heart!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Monsoon Rains!

I saw an article on the Internet this week that reminded me of the weather we experienced while in India. Philip Dongre, the Executive Director of Children's Fellowship of India assured me last fall when we made the decision to travel to India in mid August of this year that the majority of the monsoon rains would be over by then. When we experienced a number of days of heavy rain (leaving much of CFI's campus quite water logged), he again assured me that this was not the norm. I was not convinced - until I saw this Internet article. According to this article, Mumbai has received 2,896 mm of rain since June 1st. Now that did not really register with me ... so I got my calculator out and converted the millimeters to inches. The result? 2,896 mm = 114 inches! Now that is a lot of rain! (here in eastern PA we receive, on average, approximately 43 inches of precipitation in a year) And, according to the report I read, August was the rainiest of the three months! (and the rain is not over yet!)

Now how does this compare (114 inches of rain and counting) with a normal monsoon season in India? Up until this year, the record rainfall for a monsoon season was 105 inches (set back in 1983). So you as you can see, Philip was quite right. This was not a normal Monsoon season.

But life is like that, isn't it. The "seasons" we experience are not always "normal." We face trials of many kind that interrupt the ebb and flow of the seasons of our lives. But this should not surprise us. It should be something for which we learn to be thankful! Really? Absolutely. It is true that trials are never easy to go through. They hurt! And sometimes they hurt a lot! So am I a masochist? Do I love pain for pain's sake? Not at all. But God tells us that there is great benefit to suffering. In James 1:2-4 we read,

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Suffering is to be welcomed (and even REJOICED in) because of what it will do in our lives .... developing in us a perseverance which in turn will help us to grow in our faith. So the next time your current "season of life" is interrupted by a trial of some sort - view it for what it can be - "growing pains!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Divorce or Not to Divorce - That Is the Question!

Recently, I ran across the following comments about the recently announced divorce of Tiger Woods and his wife Elin. I thought the writer had some good insights into the whole marriage, divorce and sexual addiction scene. Please take a few minutes to read the article. It will be some time well spent!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj


The Tragedy of Tiger and Elin
Sarah Jennings
Crosswalk.com Family Editor


Major news outlets are reporting that Tiger Woods' marriage to Elin Nordegren officially ended on Monday. I am so sad for this couple and their children, ages 3 and 1.

In their joint statement, Tiger and Elin state, "While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us. Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being."

Sadly, the demise of their marriage was a major blow to their children's future well-beings. It's not that the kids can't learn to cope with their new reality. But couples so often make the mistake of compartmentalizing their children into a separate category from their marriage.

Divorcing couples often don't comprehend that statements like, "Mommy and Daddy may not love each other anymore but we still love you" send incredibly confusing messages to a child. Because a child comes from both Mom and Dad. A child shares Dad's eyes and Mom's nose. Dad's tenacity and Mom's kindness. At their very core, children cannot split Mom and Dad in two because that is like splitting their own selves in two.

How can Mommy not love Daddy and still love me when I am just like Daddy?

Kids are not only genetically intertwined with both parents but emotionally they are fiercely attached to both parents. So it is confusing and distressing when the two people they adore, the two people who define their very existence, don't adore each other and don't want to exist together.

I love Daddy. I need Daddy. But... should I? Mommy doesn't. Is he trustworthy? Is my mom trustworthy? Who is wrong? Me? Mommy? Daddy? Who is right? Anyone?

More than anything else, divorce demonstrates the sacredness of marriage. The shattering of a family reveals the incredible bonds that were never meant to break - that no man was to separate (Matt 19: 6). The child will spend the rest of his childhood - perhaps even his life - doing the hard work of reconciling the two worlds his parents chose not to reconcile (a reality Elizabeth Marquardt articulates so well in her book Between Two Worlds). Splitting may make things simpler for the parents but inevitably complicates things for the kids.

Many may say, "Well, when you look at what Tiger Woods did, how can you advocate staying married?"

You're right. What Tiger Woods did was awful. I don't know all the details of their marriage or reconciliation attempts. Perhaps this is a case where separation truly was the least damaging path.

Still, I think sometimes we give up on people too quickly. We make assumptions. I've seen so many articles claiming Tiger Woods doesn't have an addiction. That he is just a rich jerk. My honest opinion here: there is no way for these writers to know if Tiger Woods has an addiction or not. So often people demonize others in an attempt to feel safer themselves. Oh, that would never happen to me because I am not a bad person like Tiger Woods. I am not rich and famous and greedy.

Newsflash: Sexual addiction does exist, and you don't have to be rich and famous to destroy your marriage.

My biggest fear in labeling Tiger Woods as "the worst husband ever" is that my words may dash the hopes of a couple struggling with this very issue. Because there is hope. Meg Wilson, author of Hope After Betrayal, is one of my favorite writers on this topic. She and her husband not only overcame sexual addiction but have a strong marriage today. And they aren't the only ones.

In my line of work, I come in contact with great Christian marriage counselors all the time. They share some incredible resurrection stories. You would be amazed at how many issues can be worked through with a heavy dose of God's grace, accountability, forgiveness, and some solid therapy. Even something as serious and daunting as sexual addiction.

I was praying Tiger and Elin would be able to work it through. They chose divorce instead. I can't judge them for that but their unhappy ending doesn't have to play out the same way for other couples. My prayer is that more struggling couples find help and healing.

To India and Back ... Some Final Thoughts

Now that I have been home for one week, I thought I would list some final thoughts on my recent trip to India.

1. The actual traveling was grueling . . . about 37 hours on the way over (van, plane, plane, plane, van) and about 27 hours on the way home (van, plane, plane, van). It is not a trip I would want to make with any regularity. But, at the end of the day, all the hours of sitting on the planes and in the terminals was worth every minute as we ministered for Christ in India.

2. Having friends (both old and new) on the other side of the world is indeed a great joy. The Indians I have met in my three trips may speak a different language, dress in different clothes and have names that I have trouble pronouncing - but they are a precious people who love God just like me. I am a better person having met these dear people.

3. Watching the excitement of 160 boys as they received a new shirt was, in a way, a rebuke to me. I have more shirts than I could ever wear. Hmm. Time to simplify and free up resources to help those in need.

4. What a blessing it was to see points of light in the midst of the pervasive spiritual darkness of India. The gospel is alive and well at Children's Fellowship of India in Naya Akola; at Boys and Girls Christian Home in Chaddur Bazzar; at Prakash Institute in Nagpur; at Norton Memorial Christ Church in Daund; at Union Biblical Seminary in Pune. Please join me in praying for the advance of the gospel in India.

5. The ministry of CFI is about far more than providing basic necessities of life to orphans. At the heart of this ministry is raising up a new generation of devoted followers of Jesus. Each time I have been to India (and this time was no exception) I have met Christian leaders who were raised at Boy's Christian Home (the orphanage where Philip Dongre, Executive Director of CFI was raised). I am convinced that in the next two decades, visitors to central and western India will meet a number of Christian leaders who grew up at Children's Fellowship of India.

6. When we are weak, He is strong. As I sat in my hotel room in Mumbai the final Friday we were in country, I asked God, "How am I going to be able to make it through this weekend?" At the time I was suffering the third day of a GI tract infection. We were set to drive to Daund (a 5 hour drive) and then I was scheduled to preach 7 times between Friday evening and Monday morning. I asked God to strengthen me so I could fulfill this ministry of the Word. God enabled in a powerful way. In spite of my sickness and weakness, I was able to fulfill each responsibility. God proved himself strong when I was very weak. God has a way of doing that, doesn't He?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Count your BLESSINGS!

Every day from 7 AM to 3 PM our host family in Daund, India could rely on one thing - no electricity. India cannot generate enough electricity to meet the demands of its people, so rolling blackouts are a part of life. In addition to these scheduled blackouts, the loss of power can also occur at other times. This happened on our last morning in Daund (ever try shaving by flashlight?). The power went out around 4 AM and, I am guessing it stayed out until at least 3 PM that day. What amazed me is how the Indian people take it all in stride. If that were to happen here in the U. S. --- you can just imagine the public outcry!

This (among many other things) reminded me of just how much we have here in the States. We are so wealthy compared to much of the world. Yet we can so easily find things to gripe and complain about, can't we? Let me encourage you to count your blessings today - among which are the many things you (and I) take for granted (like reliable electrical service, clean water, a stocked refrigerator, an automobile to drive, etc.). God has been so good to us here in America. And it's so easy to lose sight of this. But I am grateful that God helps me to regain a focus on His provision for me every time I travel to a developing country. So let's thank God for His generous provision ... and at the same time use our God-given abundance to help those less fortunate.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Joy and Sorrow!

During my time in India I experienced a lot of joy - the first dose of which occurred when I saw the boys lined up to greet us as we entered the CFI campus. Even though I was about to collapse from fatigue (36 hours of continuous travel with little sleep will do that to a person!), when I got out of the vehicle and began walking down the path between the two column of boys all shouting, "Hello Uncle!" - I found the adrenaline that began rushing through my veins made me forget all about my tired body and foggy mind. Oh was it was good to be back at CFI! However, no sooner had I begun to soak in the joy, I was forced to confront a reality that brought great sadness. "Uncle," several of the older boys cried out to me, "Sarug, gone!" These boys knew that for nine years (since Sarug arrived at CFI as a hurting and hungry 6 year old), my wife and I had been Sarug's sponsor. Sarug, however was now gone. He had run away a few times in the past year and when he went "home" to visit family this past May, he never returned (I have since found out that he takes cattle to the fields to graze - which is about as low as one can go in Indian society). Talk about throwing rain on what had been a really good parade!

Now fast forward to my last weekend in India. As I exited the church after preaching on Sunday morning, a beautiful young woman named Alka and her new husband, Satish (just married in June) approached me. My heart jumped with joy as I embraced this young woman and gave her a hug not just from me but from my wife as well. Alka was just a little girl of 6 or so when we began supporting her back in 1992. She lived at Boys and Girls Christian Home, located in Chaddur Bazzar which is not far from the campus of CFI. After graduating from school, she went on for a three year stay at Maharashtra Bible College. During her time there, Sharon and I continued to send support for her schooling. Then in May, when I heard she was in need of financial help with her wedding expenses, Sharon and I gave to help meet that need. So knowing that background, I think you can better understand why I was overjoyed to see her. And since one of our prayers for Alka in recent years was that she marry well - I was just as overjoyed to meet her husband. He is a carpenter (and therefore able to provide for a family) and he is a pastor-evangelist (and thus loves God with a great passion). What a joy to see Alka and Satish face-to-face!

Sponsoring children in India has proven to be a wonderful experience. Since Sarug is no longer at CFI, my wife and I just chose a little 4 year old boy to begin to sponsor. He and his older brother were just brought to CFI in July. Their mother had died and their father is a deaf mute and unable to care for himself, let alone two boys.

Currently both my daughters and their spouses sponsor a CFI boy, and my son on my return from India expressed the desire that he and his wife also want to begin to sponsor a child. How about you? For a mere $30 a month you can sponsor a little boy -- providing him with food, clothing, shelter, health care and an education. But most important of all - you can help a child hear about the One who loves the little children and gave His life for them. Now that's a joy worth knowing!

For info on how you can sponsor, please email me at jsmith@gracewv.org.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Back Home!

When Ted Long (one of the India team members who remained with me in India when the rest of the team left last Thursday night to return to the States) and I left our hotel in Bombay Monday evening (8:30 pm Bombay time; 11:00 Monday morning Lancaster time) - we were more than ready to get home. Both of our flights (Bombay to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Newark) were on time. Once on the ground in Newark, we breezed through immigration, baggage claim and customs. We only had to wait 20 minutes to connect with our ride ... and we were home by about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. I couldn't quite see straight at that point (I had only slept about an hour on the plane). But I saw straight enough to know I was back in the familiar and comfortable surroundings of home!

Going to India always stretches me. And this trip perhaps a little more as I struggled a good bit with my health (which is not the norm for me). But at the end of the day, God proved Himself strong and faithful - as He always does. I believe our team accomplished our goals at the orphanage, and I saw God's blessing on my ministry of the Word this past weekend at both Norton Memorial Christ Church in Daund and Union Biblical Seminary in Pune.

Am I thankful to be home? YEP? But at the same time I am very grateful to God for the opportunities He gave to me and our 14 member team from Grace. I'll give a bit more details in the next few days. And for those of you who prayed -- a heartfelt "THANK YOU!" It was through your prayers that God gave us the strength to serve!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj