Kansas City Wordle and The Great Commission
I’m in Kansas City, so I made a Wordle based on this great city, and what I’ve been doing here this week:
My mother passed away seven years ago, and I was here in her home this year on that date. Everything reminds me of her, of course. I’ve also thought a lot about my grandparents. I’ve been keeping up on the Compassion Blog while here, and some other favorites. I’ve had the opportunity to spend days with high school friends–shopping, eating in favorite restaurants, and recalling old memories. Then I saw some friends I haven’t seen for years. I also got to go to Worlds of Fun with two of our kids — we all love the roller coasters, and also got to attend a concert with David Crowder Band and Mercy Me. So it’s been a busy and fun-filled week. I just thought I’d like to share some of this with you.
Please send Wordles for next week! It’s so easy — give it a try! Just click the link on the right sidebar here to get directions. All I need is the code for the Wordle, which shows up below the image as soon as you add it to the Wordle gallery. And here is another one from my internet friend, Alyssa:
“The Great Commission” by Alyssa
Scriptures on Poverty
The Word of God is full of references to the poor, and of the Christian’s responsibility to help care for them. Here are some of my favorites:
- “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own…At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality.” –2 Corinthians 8:3, 14
[Note from JJ: I can't help but think about the fact that I need the poor as much as they need me. As Wess Stafford says, without each other, "They die in need and we die in greed." They certainly need my financial support, but equally so -- I need their joy, contentment and strong faith in trials. We need each other so desperately.]
- “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” –James 1:27
- “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” –Luke 14:13
- “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” –Matthew 18:10
- “He who oppressed the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” –Proverbs 14:31
- “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” –Proverbs 28:27
- “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.” –Jeremiah 22:16
Anointed
I’ve been feeling somewhat disconnected from the Lord while I’ve been away from home this week. I’ve still been reading several devotions each morning, and spending time in the Bible as usual, but just haven’t felt connected for some reason. This morning, before I began my devotions, I discussed this with God and asked Him to speak to me. I knew He had answered this prayer immediately when I found the same topic in the first two devotions I read [Days of Praise, from the Institute for Creation Research, and my daily reading in the ESV Bible].
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” 1 John 2:20 The word “unction” is translated “anointing.” [This was in my 1st devotion]
“…You have poured over me fresh oil.” Psalm 92:10b [This was in my 2nd devotion]
I started reading about oil and anointing in the New Testament in particular. Although the words aren’t used often here, I did find several things.
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.” 1 John 2:20
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:21
“But the anointing that you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you…” 1 John 2:27 Isn’t it interesting that our anointing isn’t just poured on the outside of us, but on the inside as well? No wonder He refers to our bodies as ”a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…” [1 Corinthians 6:19a]
Sometimes we are admonished to anoint ourselves:
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face…” Matthew 6:17
When we are in the presence of enemies, He anoints us — sets us apart as holy, out of touch from the enemy:
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5
“They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” Mark 6:13
“Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14
Jesus was anointed, most likely, at his dedication at the temple as an infant; then at His baptism, and again at His burial.
“You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached–how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power..” Acts 10:37-38a
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…” Luke 4:18
You can hardly get five sentences in the Bible without finding a reference to the poor, and to our responsibility, as Christians, to provide for them. Here is Jesus referring to His anointing, and yet He once again refers to the needs of the poor. Shall I repeat this here? Please pray about Sponsoring a Child in need–it’s His plan for this world of suffering and trial for those with means to help those without.
And then I came across this — my favorite:
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:9
I thought about Compassion Dave’s recent post on joy.
The posting of this particular blog has been a “joyless” experience! I’ve been staying in a home that doesn’t have internet connections, so I have been trying to pick up random access from insecure servers in the neighborhood. Sometimes they’re available for hours, and other times I have to re-connect every 5 minutes. That has been the case this morning. I finally gave up and took off for the nearest Panera Bread (several miles away) to complete this post. Why? Because I knew that God was telling me to post this, now.
Joy relates to being conected with the source of all joy — with Jesus. God was giving me an object lesson this morning, and I almost missed it because of my grumbling. In order to know joy, we have to stay connected to the source of joy. He anoints us with the oil of joy, of gladness. What if I had run off in another direction with my frustration? What if I hadn’t stayed connected with Him long enough to get the message He was trying to give me today? I was feeling pressed to get past the internet complications, and just get on with my big city shopping, going places, and touring about. I would’ve missed the special anointing He had for me today.
Joy — anointing — connection. All these things are of vital importance in our busy lives today. Don’t miss it!
Storms and Raising Children — Wordle
When my first child was very small, the most difficult thing for me was not being able to rest or have a quiet time. When I needed God the most, He seemed so far away. It was as if I was in a boat adrift at sea, with a great storm pounding all around me. I prayed and prayed and begged God to take this storm away, and to give me the things I felt I needed:
1). Rest
2). Quiet Time With Him
He didn’t seem to be willing to give me either. I fought and struggled against the wind and the waves; I shouted to Him in the storm and I even accused Him of not wanting to be alone with me!
Then one day it all changed. He told me the storm that was troubling me was the one inside me. I was fighting against Him instead of trusting Him. He told me He would gladly calm the storm inside me, if I would let Him. I submitted to Him, and the storm was immediately calmed. Oh, the baby still wasn’t sleeping all night and I still was not always able to sit down quietly with my Bible, but His Peace reigned within me. I no longer fought against Him, and He started showing me the wonders of His creation, the truth of His Presence, and the sufficiency of His provisions. I saw Him in all that happened — all through the day – and it wasn’t long until I was able to have those “Quiet Times” again. For as we all know, children grow up and leave all too soon.
The chorus of the song by Scott Krippayne goes like this: “Sometimes He calms the storm with a whispered, “Peace, be still.” He can settle any sea, but it doesn’t mean He will. Sometimes He holds us close and lets the wind and waves go wild. Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He Calms His child.” Isn’t that beautiful?
I’m glad I learned the concept of letting God calm inner storms so early in life. When those storm are at peace, the ones on the outside don’t matter. I’ve certainly faced some storms, but having a calm, peaceful inner Spirit has been such a joy & calm assurance in the midst of anything I face.
Here are some other Wordles that have arrived. As always, you can click on the image to see it better:
“Time Travel” — Jeremy Jarvis
“Passion” — Alyssa — See also Passion Conferences
“Family” — Patty Peterson
I need Wordles for next week, so make sure you send me some!
John Piper Speaks about Jesus and Children — and Us
What did Jesus think about children? Here is an excellent excerpt from John Piper’s book A Godward Life:
Strong Enough to Care about the Weak — Jesus and the Children-and Us
When Isaiah says that God “exalts himself to show mercy to you” (Isaiah 30:18 RSV), he teaches us that one mark of great, self-sufficient poise is the willingness to get down low with the weak. This is probably why Jesus was so taken with children. It is also why Christians care about children in church and children on the streets.
According to some estimates, there are probably one hundred million children who live on the streets of our cities around the world [note from JJ: This book was copyrighted in 1997, so this number is substantially higher now]. Some estimates say that by the year 2000, half the global population will be children under the age of fifteen, and perhaps two billion of them will live in extreme poverty or be at risk. The United Nations estimates that one million children enter the trade of child prostitution each year.
The impulse to move toward this need rather than away from it is a sign that the Spirit of Jesus is at work in us. Consider a few of his relations with children.
- Jesus was a child. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)
- Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them. “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.”…And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them. (Mark 10:14, 16, RSV)
- Jesus healed a child of a foreign woman. “Oh woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:28, RSV)
- Jesus cast a demon out of a child. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. (Matthew 17:18, RSV)
- Jesus raised a child from the dead. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up. (Mark 5:41-42, RSV)
- Jesus used a child’s loaves and fish to feed five thousand people. “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” (John 6:9-10, RSV)
- Jesus said you should become like a child. “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4, RSV)
- When Jesus came, children cried “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The chief priests saw…the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15, RSV)
- Jesus predicted the terrible days when fathers would give their children up to death. “And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child.” (Mark 13:12, RSV)
- Jesus said that if you receive a child in his name, you receive him and the one who sent him. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37, RSV)
The question is not whether caring for children is easy and safe, or whether they are responsive and thankful, or whether caring is depleting. The question is whether Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and whether we can say with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
–John Piper, from his wonderful devotional A Godward Life
Please, sponsor a child today – by clicking the link on the right sidebar. It’s the heartbeat of Jesus.
My Great Family
I’m spending time with the kids this week, so thought it would be appropriate to feature a “Jarvis Family” Wordle! Oh, how I love this family!
Here are some others– this first one is from my new internet friend, Alyssa, who also introduced me to Wordles here. She has included Chris Tomlin’s beautiful music with her Wordle entitled “The Wonderful Cross”:
Also, here is one from our daughter, Sarah:
Thanks for stopping by, and as usual, click the link – above right ["What in the World is Wordle Wednesday?"] — for directions for creating and sending your own Wordle!
A Baker’s Dozen for Compassion Dave
I’m very pleased to post an interview with a friend of mine from the Advocate’s Network. Perhaps you have heard of “Compassion Dave” — his blog is a popular website–Jesus and Compassion–and very worth reading every day. He’s been a strong and effective Child Advocate for Compassion International for several years, and I just wanted to find out what makes him tick, so to speak. There are three things I really admire about Dave –
- His love for Jesus and absolute reliance upon Him — He doesn’t try to do this ministry in his own strength
- His passion for the children — He is always speaking up for the poor, not just occasionally
- His eagerness to worship and to learn — At conferences, he sits right up front, completely focused on what the Lord has to say to him
Here are Dave’s answers to my questions, which ended up being a baker’s dozen – and by the way, his real name is Dave Wells!
Here’s Dave with one of their sponsored kids: Allison Juan-Dominican Republic
1. How long have you been a member of the Advocate’s Network for
Compassion International, and how did you get involved?
In 1998 my family and I went to our first Creation Festival. Long story short, my two boys (who were 11 years old at the time) answered an altar-call and gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. My wife and I decided to commemorate the event by getting them each their own Compassion child to sponsor. Since then we have been adding sponsorships (on average) once a year or so (but not all with Compassion International). About seven years ago I signed up to become an Advocate because I wanted to do more and I felt the Lord guiding me in this direction.
2. Obviously, you don’t know how many thousands of children have been
sponsored through concerts and festivals you have worked, but about
how many children have been sponsored through your individual
activities as a Child Advocate?
About 700
3. What is the most rewarding aspect of Child Advocacy?
When I am serving the Lord (with Compassion) it is the closest I have ever come to true worship. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy traditional church worship, it’s just that I feel closest when I am in God’s service.
4. How many children do you sponsor, and where are they?
Well they are not all sponsored through Compassion, but here is the list:
1. Allison Juan – Dominican Republic – Compassion
2. Panlaojua – Thailand – Compassion
3. Pedro – Columbia – Compassion
4. Luis -Dominican Republic – Compassion
5. Matius – LDP student — Indonesia – Compassion
6. Adin – LDP student — Guatemala – Compassion
7. Asue – Thailand – Compassion
8. Monica – Bolivia – Compassion
9. Ange Lusson – Haiti – Daysprings Ministries
10. Lokesh – India – New Hope Ministries
11. Pastor “J” – India – New Hope Ministries
12. Pastor Sampson – India – Gospel for Asia
13. Pastor Prem – India – no ministry affiliation
5. Have you visited any of your children? If so, what were the most
memorable moments?
When I visited the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago with Compassion, I was not Allison Juan’s sponsor, but was able to meet and sponsor him during my visit. I was able to meet his entire family, visit his home, church, and school, and see how the Compassion program works firsthand.
This is Allison Juan’s house. His mom ‘does’ hair beneath the awning in order to support the family.
6. Do you have a favorite scripture regarding the poor?
There are so many, so my favorite is really just my ‘latest’ favorite from Ezekiel 16:49…Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
7. What other types of ministries are you involved in at your church
and in your community?
Well I am sad to say my pastor has not yet allowed me to do a Compassion Sunday at my church. I only bring it up because there might be other advocates who are struggling with the same issue. The good news is that the Lord has opened up other opportunities to share Compassion. I am also an assistant youth leader at my friend’s church.
I am an Area Coordinator with Compassion (as a volunteer) which means I manage a small team of like-minded advocates and I spend a lot of time trying to find opportunities to present the Compassion ministry, whether it be at a church or Christian function like a concert, coffeehouse, or Bible study.
8. In signing up sponsors, is there any moment that stands out above
the others?
Several years ago a young foreign exchange student named Krisztina sponsored a child. She visited the Compassion table several times during a week-long Christian music festival, each time with another round of questions. I confess, there was a point I was becoming a little annoyed, because I didn’t think she actually wanted to sponsor, but just see how many questions she could ask.
On the final day of the event she sponsored a child…And then disappeared. About an hour later she returned to tell me she just got off the phone with her mother (in Budapest, Hungary).
Krisztina then told me why she was so hesitant to sponsor a child. She feared her mother, whom she supported with her meager wages of about $125 a month, would be mad if she found out she wanted to take approximately one quarter of those earnings to sponsor a child.
I started to cry. Krisztina and her mother very well could have benefited from being sponsored themselves, but she chose to open her hand to a child in more need than herself.
By the way, her mother was elated by her decision to sponsor a child.
9. What event has most impacted your effectiveness as an Advocate?
There are too many to list, but a recent one was at a Shaun Groves concert at Old Bridge Calvary Chapel, in Old Bridge, NJ. It wasn’t a huge deal-I was just so overwhelmed by Shaun’s plea for the Compassion children. I have witnessed a lot of Compassion presentations and although I don’t want to set a precedent of grading (presentations), his was the best I ever heard. Suffice it to say, “You had to be there.”
A few months later while reading a Shaun Grove’s blog, he wrote something that has stuck with me ever since. He said (in regards to seeking sponsors for our Compassion children)…
“I am done softening the ask.”
And so am I. Oh I haven’t abandoned love, but that love is now well-seasoned with Holy-Ghost boldness.
10. What process to you go through in order to get opportunities to
speak in churches?
First and foremost, I am in prayer and in the Word because I want the Lord to be directing my steps and not my flesh (although of course that still happens from time-to-time)
When I find myself behind a Compassion table, I seek not only sponsors, but pastors (and other such empowered folks), for the sole reason of building a relationship so that I might be allowed to come to their church and present the ministry.
I spend a lot of time on the computer as well and try to make contacts and maintain contacts through emails, MySpace, and blogging about Compassion. Online I can search for Christian events and church addresses, and then send out my requests to attend whatever function they are hosting.
I suppose the bottom line is that I try to keep my eyes and ears open wherever I find myself, and then being prepared to ‘pounce’ when the opportunity presents itself.
11. Is there anything from your past that gave you a particular heart
for the poor? Why are you so passionate about Child Advocacy?
I went to India on a mission trip, not with Compassion International, but with a native missionary who just happened to be a formerly sponsored Compassion child. That story is long, but in the end, the Lord broke my heart in India for the least of these.
12. What do you like most about Compassion International?
The T-Shirts
13. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I touched on it earlier, but the most critical aspect of being involved with any Christian ministry is how closely you are walking with your Lord and Savior. Our relationship with Jesus Christ must be the most important relationship we have. Then, we must trust Jesus to prioritize the rest of lives.
I like to tell my advocates that Compassion is not the most important thing, Jesus is. I trust my Lord to guide each advocate in the appropriate amount of time they need to be spending in this (or any) ministry. The last thing I want is for someone to put a gazillion hours into the ministry because I (seem) to. Heaven forbid! Unless God builds the house, our labor is in vain!
Listen to the Lord and He will prepare a schedule that suits His needs and in turn blesses you. The only factor that remains is our obedience. We can be as close to Jesus as we want, heck, we can be sitting on His shoulders, but if we are not going to obey what He says, then what’s the point?
This isn’t a picture of me, but my good friend Barry. I just wanted to include it because it is one of my favorite pictures. I took the picture as Barry said goodbye to his sponsored child and his mom (in Ecuador).
A Wordle about Heaven
Please click the link below to enjoy the music while you study this week’s Wordle. This Wordle is based on two hymns — “Sweet By and By,” and “When We All Get to Heaven.” I’m posting this in memory of one of my best friends, Marilyn, who passed away one year ago today from cancer. I will forever miss her laughter, spiritual insights, and friendship in this life (especially sharing so many lunch dates together, and many deep, spiritual discussions), but I also know we will be together again some day. I also want to dedicate this to my mother who passed away from cancer seven years ago this month; and even remember our precious Golden Retriever, Holly, who also left us three years ago this month. I miss each of them daily, but we have the hope of reunion. Below this, you will also see other great Wordles from other friends and family.
Click to enlarge the images, and enjoy the music from “The Jordanaires!”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“My 1st Try” — Compassion Dave
“Prayer to a Parent” – ”Your kids are beautiful. I pray they will always make you proud. If you sing to them once in a while the whole world will change positively. I am proud of you!”
— Jeremy Jarvis
“Compassion’s ‘Big 25′” — Jane Gillis
Please — Send me Wordles for next week! It’s not so difficult, as you will find out quickly! Directions are in my sidebar under “About Wordles.”
New Weekly Feature — Compassion Sunday
I’m very pleased to announce that this weekend I will begin a new weekly page called “Compassion Sunday.” Although I will continue to talk about the ministry of Compassion International throughout the week, I wanted to dedicate one day specifically to Compassion’s ministry. The posts will fall under several different categories, which will include:
- Advocate’s Network — Stories and photos from Compassion’s Advocate’s Network
- Book Excerpts — Great excerpts I’ve read in books recently
- Click This — Blog posts that deserve an extra click
- Compelling Stories — Stories from the field or at home
- Featured Facts — Up-to-date information about poverty
- Great Quotes — Quotes worth repeating
- My Thoughts — Writings from my own pen
- Pic Clicks — Photos from Compassion events & trips
- Sponsor Visits — Photos and stories related to visits with sponsored children
- Tagged Scriptures — God’s Word concerning the poor
I hope you will enjoy this post and contribute any photos or ideas you have along the way. Also–I’m collecting stories about you and your sponsored child — so speak up! I’d love to hear your stories!
This week’s theme is “Click This.” Here are some posts from others that deserve an extra click:
- Regina Hopewell on praying and fasting for the Global Food Crisis
- Regina Hopewell’s follow-up — “I Hope”
- Compassion Dave on camping
- Lisa Miles’ Message to Mothers
- Testimony of a formerly sponsored child — Michelle Tolentino
If you would like to sponsor a child, or learn more about Compassion’s ministry, please send me a note and I will be glad to answer your questions. Also, please click the image below to look at children in need of sponsors.
Woohoo! Wordle Wednesday! — Compassion International
Here is my first “Wordle” for your reflection and contemplation. I plan to post a different one every Wednesday, along with any that you would like to create and post. Click here for instructions and send to pjarvis@bresnan.net. C’mon everybody! Gather friends and family and send me your Wordles!
“Compassion International” by Juli Jarvis (Click on image to enlarge it)
Compassion International
Sheep Fold