Pie in the Sky...and Here Too

This is not a new thought. It's something I have been churning in my mind for several weeks. While listening to a message on spiritual gifts at our church we moved from, a picture formed in my mind of a pie chart with about 8 equal sections (or however many gifts were mentioned). The idea was that each gift was just as important as the next and had an important and needed place in the body of Christ. On revisiting that thought, I am seeing a pie chart with a sliver for each individual--still equal, but each person with a complex, unique mix of personality and abilities to contribute to the health and well-being of the body so that it can be an accurate picture of Jesus among us.



Sadly, I'm afraid some pieces of the pie get enlarged and seem overly important, overstepping the bounds of the circle. Others, for whatever reason--lack of appreciation, laziness, straying away and distracted by the world--either don't make it into the radius of the circle or get swallowed up altogether.



The new thought this morning was "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." When we get to heaven, we will say that was then, but this is now--every pie piece is just the right size and fits in its exact place like a puzzle piece. Every person will be there and there will be one large pie,

Perpetual Gallery

When I was little, my dad gave me a perpetual calendar that I was completely enthralled with. I could tell the day of the week anyone I knew was born, what day Christmas would be on in five years, and when the last leap year was. Fascinating! Looking out the window beyond my computer screen and thinking about the Father of all who specializes in "perpetual", I was just thinking that He gives us a perpetual art gallery. Those new picture frames that revolve with pictures have nothing on God! I have this habit of whipping out my camera, which I always have with me in my purse, to take a picture of the sky and now have quite a collection of rainbows, billowy clouds it looks like you could sit on, and dark streaky skies full of color.

The heavens truly are telling the glory of God, and anyone in the world has a birdseye view of His museum of clouds, planets and stars. Many pockets of the world don't have any written descriptions of the pictures in their gallery, but the Spirit of God, the Great Curator, is still speaking to some to go so they will know who the Great Artist of the Gallery Above is. He is calling many who already are trained and great admirers of His work to write descriptions for them in their own languages so they can really know Him who painted a great masterpiece of eternity He has made it possible for them to actually step into. What a perpetual and ultimate Old Master He is!

The Fruit Diet

I want to go on the fruit diet, and like many other realities in the upside-down world of the Kingdom, the diet I discipline myself for is for other people around me more than for my own benefit. Think of all the bright colored, sweet things others could be seeing and enjoying in me--cold, crisp Fuji apples (love), cute little seedless and easy-to-peel clementines (joy), those ultra-sweet pears from Harry and David (peace), and those fuzzy little kiwi fruits from far-away New Zealand (patience). The result is a more energized, better-looking me that fits in the spiritual clothes I want to wear. Just like when one person goes on the South Beach diet and shapes up, it makes everyone else want to shape up too. That's what I want to do for the body of Christ. Instead, I often succumb to my diet of "pecan pie" (jealousy), "French fries" (bursts of anger), and "doughnuts"(it's-all-about-Me thoughts), which equates to a lazy, indulgent, overweight me with untoned muscles. I know it's almost Christmas when we think it's OK to indulge, but I want to have the January, new-start mentality all year round.

The Driving Force of "Lost"

How could it have happened? The shiny new cabinet door hardware we bought to upgrade the somewhat mousy cabinets in our 20-year-old house is no where to be found. Why can't we just be happy that we have found the other 99.99% of things we moved? Why is it that we are consumed with daily opening of boxes in the attic and garage, hoping that--just maybe--we will uncover the lost treasure and be at peace at last and the time of the search will have ended. Hmmm...wasn't there a story about the shepherd who couldn't rest until he found that missing sheep? We KNOW him! He's still looking for that sheep in the remotest mountains of Afghanistan and the tribes of Indonesia. The US Center for World Mission on Mt. Sequoyah gives a great vantage point for feeling the breeze of the Spirit as we stand by the cross looking out over the landscape. We long to be driven by the Heart of the Shepherd for those nameless faces of that lone "sheep" caught in thickets around the world. The Spirit in us drives us on.

If God Shopped at WalMart

I have been thinking about how, in it's simplest form, the message of our relationship with God is that we are containers for His glory. My mind ran to these wonderful clear boxes with blue lids that they sell at WalMart that we have chosen to organize our previously disorganized lives with. I'm embarrassed to tell you how many we have bought, but the number is not a lot unlike the stars in the sky that God promised Abraham He would fill.

If God shopped at WalMart--and I say this in total reverence to loosely illustrate my point--I think He would use boxes like these to store His Treasures. In His grace though, He has given us--the boxes--a will of their own. We are allowed to choose if we will let Him fill our storage capacity up with what He wants to put in, or will we--

* Never open the lid for Him?

* Be so concerned with having the prettiest decoration on the outside (rather than its storage purpose), making it impossible to see inside?

* Look at the box next to itself and wish it had what it has inside.

* Try to mislabel our box.

* Take on so many heavy things in our box that when the Owner tries to pick it up, it's so heavy the handle comes off and rather than using what He had stored, He has to stop and put the handle back on so He can carry it to where its needed. Or He has to sort out all the miscellaneous things that we containers have opened our lids to.

Of course, He never minds the sorting process and loves His boxes so much that He never minds sorting or fixing, but when the boxes cooperate, it makes Him happy. God knows exactly what He wants to store in our containers and they fit perfectly on His shelves. He has purchased them all, even though He knows the mischievous containers jump off shelves, throw useless stuff in, and graffiti the outside. "But this precious treasure, this light and power that now shine within us, is held in perishable containers, so everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own." II Cor. 4:7

Blessing of the Pipes

I (John) spent the better part of last Thursday afternoon under the house (now why didn't we press for that home warranty?) attempting to restore the kitchen sink to its previous state of drainage. First trip to Home Depot for a 25 foot drain snake--too short. Try the garden hose--big mess. Change clothes and make second trip to Home Depot for 50 foot drain snake--yes! But, while fishing the snake down the clogged drain, thoughts I had recently subconsciously absorbed drifted into my mind: some 74 million people in India have no bathrooms and no PVC pipes that allow them the conveniences we enjoy every day without a thought. There--staring at those conduits of grace, I was overtaken with a sense of blessing. Just a little encouragement to praise God for His overwhelming goodness in the small things. Hmmm...today I'm going to think about postage stamps...

Our Portraits

In the preface to a book on fasting, I recently read this profound statement: "The neglect of truth followed by its rediscovery often results in its overemphasis." ...AND "Truth is like a portrait, and to exaggerate one feature is to turn the portrait into a caricature of the truth." This may or may not be true of fasting today, but in a larger sense, it struck me that when we overemphasize one aspect of the truth and de-emphasize another, the world gets a distorted view of the truth. May we be faithful to paint realistic masterpieces--not modern interpretations--of the nature of our great God in an array of scenes in different play of light so the world around us will see Him as He really is and want to take up their own brushes and canvases!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Our new home, our new workplace, our new friends--our passion, purpose, and joy.

Chinese Checkers

"Jump". We call it Chinese Checkers. We regained an interest in this--what we consider--childhood game through the expertise of some of our Chinese friends and acquired multiple boards with marbles and pegs. In the move, I found a particularly nice one of these, but one of the pegs was missing so it has been demoted to the box going into the next sale. That is, unless that missing peg surfaces.

In a community of believers, if every peg is there, the "game" can be played, skills can be improved as the pegs are moved in relation to each other, and it's a very satisfying experience. If some of the crucial playing pieces are missing or stuck in one place, the "game" is seriously hindered (an inferior "sub" must be found) or written off as not worth playing. Hmmm...choose your color. Do you want to go first or do you want me to?

High Season in Razorback Country

We spent the day a week ago Saturday moving what we hope is our last big load of boxes and collapsed on the couch Saturday night to listen to the Alabama game--on the radio, since we sold our TVs in the garage sale. Yes, down by three touchdowns, the Hogs came roaring back and seemed to have everything well in hand until the final seconds when the home team....well, it's too sad. What looked like would happen didn't happen. And, of course, there was more sadness last week.

Monday morning reflection tempted us to think that somewhat described our experience lately--feeling behind where we had dreamed of being the last several years serving with a mission of some sort. Sensing God's rousing call, then taking the big steps to follow Him and watching Him work in amazing ways to put us "three touchdowns ahead" but then watching the opposition execute plays that seemed to be erasing our big lead. No one ever said living for the line would be easy, just rewarding in watching God work things out for His own glory and name. We have felt like His word to us from the first was to "stand firm."

This week, we've been watching and enjoying that transforming power of the Spirit in our thinking. We were able to make a quick trip to Clifton Park, New York, to see our next generation in action--Ella ("Melon") and Easton ("Mr. Buddy"). It was like a breath of fresh air to us, and He IS the air we breathe! He also used a little book by Henri Nouwen we read on the plane to realign our thinking in inviting people to come along with us with a common vision of community.

We remember thinking at the beginning of the summer, "Our target date to begin our new positions is the end of August, and we know God can make it happen but we really can't imagine how it will." Now, Sewall Architecture has drawn to a conclusion, we have moved, much of our support is raised. We feel like we are pulled back in a slingshot, looking forward to being released. Our call is sure, and our times are in His hand.

Week of Miracles

Right now, John and I are wondering where "home" really is. Tonight, we are camped out in John's office among boxes piled eye-level deep, which I hate to admit is what is left over after hauling two truckloads of furniture and boxes to our new home in Fayetteville and much selling and hauling off and giving away. What have we been thinking all these years to let this stuff pile up??? We are still referring to last week as the Week of Miracles, when the adrenaline was flowing and our friends were surfacing left and right to encourage us and do anything that needed to be done. There is NO WAY we could have done it by ourselves. We are totally in awe of the body of Christ at work and watching the unique gifts of our friends in full force, each one doing what he/she does best. Simply amazing. We are so blessed.

Crying and Singing

It has always been therapeutic for me to write, and this morning I need to write. In the midst of boxes and piled up furniture, the dramas of life are ongoing. One such drama for us is the sadness of being grandparents positionally but not being able to be grandparents experientially. We received some sad news last night that we will not be able to see our new little Easton and our continually evolving little Ella later this month as we had planned. At first, we were very stoic about it, but in the wee hours of the night, the stoicism dissolved into tears. First, I realized I was going through the stages of grief--shock, denial, anger...

I read the Spirit's own words back to Him, "I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted..." "Oh that I had wings...I would fly away and be at rest."

But after listening patiently to me, the Lover of my soul whispered back to me, "Those tears are being stored in the bottle. Nestle under the shadow of My wing where peace and lovingkindness is rich and free."

"Because of You, my heart will not be shaken. Because You give me the strength to do it, I will sing of that strength to do so (Ps. 59). Even joyfully! You are my stronghold and I am getting to know the depths of your love by stepping behind it. You are incredibly personal and are showing me the sheer essence of Your love."

Yes, there are late night and early morning cries of a little boy in New York and I wish I was there to console him, but there is joy in the gift you've given me to pray that, as he grows, his tears will dissolve into joy in You. Love truly does bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.

A New "E"

Meet Easton Andrew Sewall, the newest addition to Evan and Emily's family in New York. Ella has a brother and we're all ECSTATIC and EVER so EXCITED. You can check out their blog at esewalls.blogspot.com.

Plan your trip and take it!

We have been getting e-mails from an adventurous friend of ours and her other adventurous friend. They have been on a sweeping camping trip of the great northwest and will soon be making a loop into Canada and re-entering at Glacier National Park and have been sending back descriptions of the wonders they are observing, while we are leaning on one elbow staring at the computer screen, trying to escape the de-energizing heat. What one of us would not want to stand on the ridge and look out on the ocean and the sunset? Was it difficult to plan their itinerary, collect the gear, make arrangements for the cats and dogs left behind, pay bills ahead of time, stop the mail, etc. etc.? Of course! Is it worth it? Of course!!!

Hasn't God told us to count the cost? I think we all want to stand on the mountain but we can't stand the thought of getting out of town. In my wandering thoughts, I was thinking how we are "trying to get out of town". Is it hard sorting and packing 22 years of accumulation from the five of us, plus various inherited worldly goods and yard sale treasures. Finding renters. Filling out home loan applications and gathering papers. Saying goodbye and getting closure with tried and true friends. Presenting our vision to encourage others to "go" with us with their time, energy, and money. Close John's office and finish up work. Yes, it's a challenge. Will it be worth it? We are trusting that it will be and that the God we serve will honor our willingness to "go for it" for His good pleasure. We are asking Him to allow us to stand on the mountain vistas and be invigorated by the mountain air, really knowing HE is the air we are breathing, to be made willing and ready for the challenge of allowing Him to take us even higher. Yes, we "hike" by faith and not by sight and we KNOW it will be worth it.

What's up with John and Gloria?

We're making a SPIRITUAL move! God is transforming our thinking about the rest of our days.

We're making an EMOTIONAL move! Sewall Architecture is drawing to a conclusion. We're leaving the comfort of the familiar.

We're making a PHYSICAL move! God has surprised us by leading us to a new home in Fayetteville, Arkansas in the growing missions community there. They are passionate about being strategic in seeing that every tongue, tribe and nation will be able to make the choice to worship their creator and their great Savior Jesus in spirit and in truth just as we are.

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OK, but what are the specifics? Here's the long story short: In 1998, we watched a series of videos by Bob Sjogren and Steve Hawthorne that we got so excited about, we had to do something about it! In fact, the fire is still burning in our hearts more brightly than ever, having been through several years of the class, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement . Many of you have crossed to the other side of the street when you saw us coming, knowing we were going to block the sidewalk and give you another set of persuasive arguments about why you should take the Perspectives class. God used it in a mighty way with us to see clearly His missionary heart, and we are ruined for the ordinary.

After several years of being caretakers for my mother until her great homecoming in December, 2004, we knew we were entering a new season, which--interestingly enough--coincided with the move of the Mobilization Division of the U S Center for World Missions (the originator of the Perspectives class) from Pasadena, California, to Fayetteville, Arkansas. A friend from the days of the video excitement of 1998 invited us to consider the possibility of joining the Fayetteville team. I remember the exact place and time several days later--driving down Kanis Road on a Saturday afternoon--when the mutual thought balloon formed in the car between us--"This is of God! Take it to heart and consider what I might have for you there!"

So...how can I "GO" with you? We are looking for a few good men and women. God has a vast number of avenues through which He wants to bless us, and we are confident that God is already at work stirring the hearts of those He has in mind to be blessed through teaming up with us. We're praying it will be clear to you. Is that thought balloon forming in your mind? Can we talk?

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What will this mean for me if I "GO" with you?

1. Yes--FAQ--we are looking for those who want to be part of our team with their financial resources, but we hope you can see our heart to build a team of worshippers who are making the SPIRITUAL move with us and want to be more strategic themselves.

2. We will be equipping you with some tools to do this along the way.

3. We hope you will consider getting involved with the Perspectives class--

If you've taken it already, join the team to make it happen next year for others. If you haven't taken it yet, plan now to take it in the spring of 2008. (We will provide our financial team with the textbook to get you started.)

4. When God grips your heart with His passion to bring all people everywhere to Himself through the class or in an infinite number of other ways, we can join with you to provide the atmosphere to nurture this same passion in your own church, campus, and community.

5. We have many other ideas to share with you but more about that later...


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God's life-giving plan for all of us is to understand that He has blessed us to be a blessing. We'd love to hear from you and visit at your home or ours or at your favorite coffee shop.

Write us at glomom@aristotle.net.