Christmas Questions

Christmas and some gnawing questions

Advent and Christmas 2017 takes a twist for us.  For years, our calendar filled up with familiar seasonal activities, outreach to needy families, personal preparations, and always wondering if we will have snow on December 25. While stationed at Grand Falls Citadel about ten years ago, the meaning of Advent especially deepened for us during our Sunday morning worship times. The message?  Christ, light of the world, remains unshakable as we learn to ‘wait’ for God to fulfill His promise. Here in Kenya, observing Advent is not a particularly common practice, so we introduced it to our THQ family. We’ve made a wreath from an old Christmas tree and found some candles to use.  In a country where uncertainty is always just below the surface, it was appropriate to begin our reflections with the candle of HOPE.  

At home, we placed our miniature tree and modest decorations (less is more!) in the corner of our living room while sipping a cold beverage in shorts & t-shirts (a first). Our special ornaments still reflect what we value most – family and friends and the handmade wooden Nativity set (a gift from Sherman & Dona Stryde) points to what’s important.  We confess we are still adapting to the absence of planning and enjoying our family gatherings this month– though grateful we had Christmas Day in October! J And happy that Don and Denise are coming on Dec. 23.

Last week, I reached for one of my favourite Christmas books by Stormie Ormartian. The short chapters echo how God fulfilled his Genesis promise to provide a Saviour for fallen humanity.  As I read again what happened to Zechariah, I began to stir a little and in the midst of all I know to be true, some gnawing questions caused me to wonder …

Biblical text: Luke 1

Why does it sometimes look like God treats people differently?  I know He doesn’t but the appearance occasionally surfaces. Why was Zechariah punished when he doubted and questioned God but Mary wasn’t?  When an angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear a child (the forerunner to Jesus), he was afraid (‘gripped with fear’) and asked: “how can my wife possibly become pregnant when she has been barren for years and is now very old?” Logical inquiry. When the angel emerged later to Mary announcing her pending conception, she also responded with fear and unbelief.  “How can I conceive when I am a virgin?” Yet, Zechariah was given a silent tongue for the whole of his wife’s pregnancy - more than a little embarrassing if you ask me. He was a priest and speaking was essential, wasn’t it? At the same time, Mary’s doubting was left as it was. I know it wouldn’t be easy for Mary to face her situation and her community. She would be ridiculed and potentially ostracized.  No doubt that was more than enough to contend with, but why the consequences for Zechariah?

What did the priest do to deserve this? Simply question God? In character, Zechariah is an upright, faithful man, even blameless. So why this? Is the whole conversation not recorded? Did his bewildering escalate into a further argument? Was God really punishing him for some sin? One scholar suggests Zehchariah’s question was one of needless doubt when he should have truly believed, but Mary’s question was simply childlike faith with a normal query “how can this be”?  

Does it really matter though? Was God expecting a better response from a mature spiritual man than from an innocent, naïve young girl?  

Perhaps we will never know the answer to our Christmas questions, like other mysteries about God. So ... is it more a matter of truth?  Bottom line - we do not always understand why certain things happen to some people and not to others. The questions continue.

Why does the ‘permissive’ will of God allow tough things to occur without some reasonable rationale?  I remember something that happened in our family a long time ago.  One of my first cousins, a young man in his early 20’s, was murdered. His parents, my aunt and uncle, were (and still are), godly Christian people. Surely they must have asked: why Lord? I don’t know if the answer ever came.

To consider God punishing Zechariah for some character flaw seems highly unlikely and uncharacteristic of God’s nature. Perhaps the better question is: how did Zechariah eventually respond? Jerk reactions seldom reveal our truest self. When we stay with the story, both Zechariah and Mary accept what God revealed to them. They were humbled and trusted God for what they did not understand. 

We will not always reason out our circumstances or find a cause for what God gives to us. It is unlikely we will ever explain why ‘bad things happen to good people’ or why some situations seem unwarranted, unjust, or just plain tough in the moment and we wish it were different. It’s true in the face of enormous global injustice and it can be true in the privacy of our own context. Perhaps the only invitation God gives us is one of deep trust. Trust in His unchanging good nature, His sovereignty to see what we cannot. And His promise that one day all things (public and private) which seem unequal and unfair will be reconciled in a better way. 

God came into the world. “He took on flesh and moved into our neighborhood.” (John 1:12, The Message). He is one with us – in every situation of life. He is not always understood. He is always good.

Ordination and Commissioning Nov. 26.17

Kenya West Commissioning and Ordination of the Joyful Intercessors

One June 25, 1994, Morris and I accepted the declaration to be ordained for sacred service and commissioned for spiritual leadership within The Salvation Army. A vocation of sharing the love of Jesus, helping meet human need, and supporting the Army’s mission in whatever way possible began. It has never failed to amaze me how God chooses ‘the weak things (people) of the world’ to do His eternal business.

This weekend we witnessed 33 others receiving this same charge – to go and be part of what God is doing in the world. To join the fight and stand for what is right, to intercede for others and help make this world the place God intended it to be. To be, as Greg Morgan and Lynette Edge so precisely label it, missional Salvationists.  Now don’t misunderstand me, you do not have to be an ordained Salvation Army officer to fulfill this mandate. We affirm the ‘priesthood of all believers’. The body of Christ is just that – a body, with many parts serving many functions in order for the body to be a healthy, growing organism. There is, however, a specific place for those who feel called and set apart by God to be engaged in full time ministry and that’s what this weekend was about.

It began on Tuesday with Covenant Day. If you are a Facebook friend, you will have seen the picture of the second year Cadets kneeling to sign their Covenant, their bond of commitment to “live to win souls and make their salvation the first priority of their lives”. It was a truly sacred day with meaningful worship and a strong Biblical challenge. It was quite moving to watch these Cadets pray earnestly over the decision they were sealing. (The decision had begun more than two years ago).  The Cadets were fully aware that becoming an Officer in this Territory may present significant personal challenges. The majority of officers do not receive their full salary. If they have children, there is no guarantee they will be able to pay school fees or medical bills. Many serve in remote areas. Travel can be difficult, especially in the rainy season. Many live in semi-permanent homes with no electricity or plumbing.  While this is true for many other locals, it still doesn’t make it easy to engage in spiritual leadership in these circumstances. Yet, they willfully sign the Covenant. That was Tuesday.

On Saturday, we gathered back at the Training College for the honoring of family support, culminating in the presentation of the Order of the Silver Star to parents or other mentors who have provided spiritual and moral support.  The Cadets walked proudly across the grassy field, hand in hand with the two people they had chosen to receive the Silver Star. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of attaching the small pins to the lapels of those who stood side by side with their children. The smile of ‘holy pride’ beamed across their faces and I just knew it was a very special moment. In my heart I reminisced about the day my mother received her pin. I can still see her smile.

Then finally, it was Sunday and the great day had arrived. The Cadets had been in Kakamega very late the night before preparing the University grounds for the momentous occasion. Tents, flags, yellow, red and blue drapery, flowers, staging, and the red carpet were all in place.  Hundreds of Salvationists had come from across the Territory to witness the special ceremony. We were privileged to have Commissioners John and Dorita Wainwright from International Headquarters to join us. Morris and I accompanied the Wainwrights and our Territorial leaders, Commissioners Stephen and Grace Chepkurui, as we stood for the march pass led by the Territorial Band and Songsters. The service began with the first half focusing on the Ordination and Commissioning. The Cadets were introduced one by one as they walked and waved across the large grassy field, obviously very excited about the day!  It wasn’t long before the College Principal presented them as a session to the TC, followed by their Affirmation of Faith which Morris was privileged to lead, and then commissioning.  The ritual was one of reverence as the Cadets knelt to hear the words “I ordain you as a minister of the gospel of Christ and commission you a Salvation Army officer”.  Following the ordination, Commissioner John Wainwright shared a challenge from Matthew 14. Taking the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, he reminded everyone how disciples who follow Jesus understand the needs of the crowd and do something about it. It is a call to stand in the gap for others. To not only intercede in prayer but to engage in meeting the needs of human suffering. The best way to do this is in partnership with Jesus and a reliance on God’s abundance grace and power. Following the message, the Territorial Candidates Secretary gave an appeal to the congregation for others to consider the call of God to ministry and service. Many responded and we prayed for them.

This led us to the second part of the service and the march-in of the new Lieutenants to receive their first appointments. Though the march was a little slower than what I anticipated, it was an exciting moment to watch them approach the TC and discover where in the Territory they would begin their ministry. Many of the Divisional and District leaders were shouting their welcomes to their respective areas. It was finally complete and an eager crowd was ready to greet the newest officers of the Salvation Army world!

After a very long service (nearly five hours), we returned to THQ for a late lunch. As we concluded our meal, the final ‘Hooray’ of the day was to see the new Officers wheeling out their brand new modes of transportation – shiny new bikes! Many thanks go out to the Territories around the world who provide much needed support through this type of practical assistance.

God bless the Joyful Intercessors!!

A few pics to mark the activities.

Tuesday's Silver Star ceremony

Cadets affirm their faith and recite the 11 SA doctrines 

Cadets kneel to be ordained 

And stand to be affirmed by the TC. 

New Officers march in and salute the TC

Great Sessional Moment!

Others responding to the call - much needed. 

And off they go - on their new bikes! 

The Earth Rises

Nov. 15.17

The earth rises again

“Lord of wondrous patience, the earth has risen again, emerging from a darkness in a way it has never quite been before; whirling to a fresh time, an unused space; alive with trembling possibilities, and I with it! Such staggering grace.” (Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace)

Why do we say ‘sunset’ and ‘sunrise’ when the sun is stationary?  Ted Loder imagines a new day as the earth rising. And why not? It is, after all, the earth that moves (rotates) around the sun.  Perhaps the phraseology isn’t worth a debate.  The miracle is, as Ted captures in his prayer, every 24 hours we have ‘fresh time, an unused space’ and ‘trembling possibilities’.

Sitting quietly in my living room with my first cup of tea, I glimpse the evidence of the fresh time before me.  The earth has tilted just enough for me to see the sun as I contemplate Loder’s prayer.  Choices lay bare before me. How will I use the ‘unused space’ of the day? Would it make any difference? Would the challenges paralyze or motivate the ‘trembling possibilities’ that are mine?

One of the tasks that sometimes least excite me in an administrative role is reading reports.  Four times a year I read through ten reports from each of the 26 Divisions/Districts.  Sometimes, I confess, it’s a little mundane and I would rather be out of my office connecting with people, hearing stories, or planning strategies with a team. But the reports do paint pictures.  Like the Women’s group who moved ‘out of their box’ because not many people were coming to their program. Instead of despairing, they go out into the community to join another group - the WORTH program. Here they mingle with women from various situations who've gathered for some table banking and education opportunities. The women joined the others just to connect, chat, and pray together.  A new possibility lay bare.

In another area, ladies are washing the house of an elderly woman in the community just because there was a need.  Good use of their fresh time that day. Then I learn how some Community Care members assist in constructing a new dwelling for a family who lost their home to a fire. I wondered if it was related to the news we heard a couple months ago.  A man had his boda-boda (motorcycle) allegedly stolen. An escalated response to the crime ended in 26 houses being burned.  Could this have been one of them?

Last weekend Morris and I found ourselves in Turkana. Our second visit to the northern region where weather conditions can be extreme, often creating an inhospitable environment.  During our February trip, the sweltering heat and lack of rain had caused intense drought wreaking havoc for people and livestock.  This month, extensive flooding, happening about once every five years, destroyed several homes with about 200 families displaced. The heavy rains also damaged roads.  The churches were vacant on Sunday because transport was too difficult. We saw some of the affects as we drove around the town.  During our stay, we traveled from the region’s main city, Lodwar, to the rural town of Kalokol to visit one of the corp. The seventy kilometer trip took us two hours. No traffic delays – we passed about a dozen vehicles on the way – but the Land Rover meandered slowly due to the conditions of the terrain, making it easier (and a little fun) to do some off-roading. This road is always quite rough but worsened now with parts of it washed away in sections.

Reaching the corps, we could hear singing and see dancing inside the building. The Salvationists (many children) welcomed us warmly and we were happy to share some greetings with them.  Before having lunch at the quarters, we drove to the outskirts of the town to see Lake Turkana, the world's largest desert lake (about 250 km long) that reaches into Ethiopia. The shoreline was very muddy and without rubber boots to wade through all the puddles, we were deterred from reaching the edge of the lake.  We were fascinated by several boat builders near the lake, taking pride in their hand crafted vessels and mending their nets, indicating the fishing business still held possibilities. We spoke of another seaside where fishermen were mending nets. The Sea of Galilee, not unlike this lake, was the place Jesus envisioned ‘trembling possibilities’ of another kind for those who would follow Him and become fishers of men. While we reminisced, an eager little boy approached us with a handful of very small fish but was quickly told by a local that he wasn’t allowed to keep them. He was sad.

We returned to the corps to share some time with a few of the members. They shared their concerns about the current reality and desired future for the corps. We know there must be ownership at the local level as well as a wider partnership to fill the gaps. There are no easy answers. The trembling possibilities in some of these situations are unpredictable. What are their choices? What are ours? Perhaps each time the earth tilts them and us a new day, we can merge from the darkness together and make the best use of our fresh time and unused space.

Back in Lodwar on Sunday, about 200 Salvationists throughout the district gather for worship. Some had traveled as much as 7 hours over over the rough road to be together with the THQ visitors. Outside the hall when the service was over, a few women robed in their traditional dress and neck decorations posed for a photo with us. I'm not sure what a new day holds for them, but I pray God gives them new courage and the hope of trembling possibilities.

Until the earth rises tomorrow ...

This is the way we wash the house, wash the house, wash the house ...

Off roading

Lake Turkana

Damaged roads, washed out

Ladies in traditional dress and neck gear pose for a pic with THQ guests.

They honored us with some traditional gifts to wear.

Morris also got a walking stick & chair