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Last month I pontificated on the subject of time as it relates to "calendar time". This month at our School of Reconciliation, we've heard several times about another kind of time that many of you are probably already familiar with. It's the kind of time in English that we might term the "right time" or the "right season". It's the kind of time that Solomon spoke of in Ecclesiastes 3. Frequently people call it "kairos", which is a transliteration from the Greek word used in the New Testament for this sort of time. (disclaimer - I'm no Greek scholar and if you are and I have this all wrong...please don't come down too hard on me!)
Calendar time, as we spoke of last month, is given to us as bite-sized chunks of eternity to allow us to train our hearts in walking with God. Kairos time, on the other hand, is when God's purposes in this world and in our lives, are ripe, i.e. His "timing". Both kinds of time excite me. Calendar time allows me to grow in closeness to God's heart and to receive revelation and refreshment from Him as I walk with Him. Kairos time allows me to play a part in making history; whether that's my personal history or the history of nations (and everything in between). Calendar time requires faithfulness, patience and perseverance. Kairos time requires faith and discernment. We need discernment to see what it is that God is doing/wants to do here on earth and when He wants to do it, but we need faith to join Him in that! When we decide to obey and join Him, we are connecting eternity and our calendar-bound physical existence through the conduit of our lives so that His will is done on earth even as it is in heaven!
Right now for us, is a time of discerning God's purposes for us, for France and for Europe and exercising our faith to walk in those purposes. They take the form of decisions of where to live, ministry opportunities to embrace and timing for all of that. We are excited about God's heart for France and Europe and where we will fit in His puzzle...we're just not quite sure where it is yet!
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Health - Going through a "colds" thing right now - appreciate your prayers for strength and a quick end to this!
- Connecting with home - We have desired to come to the States in 2004. We had thought to come in the summer when we're all free and of course are re-discovering the joy of high-season ticket prices. Consequently, Angela's ditching me for a shorter trip with just the kids (ouch, life's rough!) during their spring break in April. Ticket prices are still problematic and we still feel the need to strengthen our connections with others throughout the States. So pray, please, about how we make sure we keep the bonds strong with our family and friends. We need God's wisdom about how to do this. He has the perfect solution.
- Reconciliation School - We've had a great start to this trimester and see that God is moving the school into a higher gear. We are beginning to plan heavily for our outreach time. This presents challenges with an already full schedule and a need for teams to gel. Pray for God's plans to be accomplished with the outreach teams and for us to really persevere through the relationship issues that crop up as new teams are formed
- Teaching - I'll be teaching this week in the Reconciliation School with respect to some of the things I see God doing in Europe and France right now and how foreigners fit into that picture. Pray for my ability to transmit God's heart on this in French.
- Settling in France - We now lack only one official identity/residence permit...Angela's. We were at the local government office and they had mine ready but not hers. While waiting for hers we've received the kids'. So, when hers finally gets here, we'll find out more about how we'll be able to integrate into France's social system. This can affect the cost of many things relating to education and housing. At that point, we need to make some decisions about settling in this region, as the end of the school (end of June) is on the horizon and other post-school ministry options are beginning to appear. Pray for a unity with Angela and me that comes from following the Lord's heart.
- Europe-Africa Reconciliation - I will be attending a 2 day conference in Brussels, Belgium in late February connected with an initiative working on reconciliation issues between Africa and Europe. Africa obviously needs this, but what's not as obvious is that Europe needs this too. The sins of Europe (and the US) with respect to Africa are myriad and horrible, of course, but they are also blocking a move of God in Europe. By bringing these sins not just to the light, but under the blood of Jesus with repentance, forgiveness, restitution and restoration, we play a part in changing the spiritual climate in both Africa and Europe and help to "prepare the way of the Lord" in the land. Pray on February 19-22 for traveling mercies for all involved and a real spirit of repentance. This is a multi-step initiative that is struggling a bit at the moment and we need to see the Lord's breakthrough as there are strategic implications for the Gospel in Europe.
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