Ryan's Ramblings

Teachable

Proverbs 12:15 says,

"Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to others."

I try to read a chapter of Proverbs every morning.  I have been doing this a long time and every day I am challenged to consider my ways and to incorporate some of the wisdom that I find in the book into my life.

I find it amazing that Solomon, the writer of Proverbs and the wisest person who ever lived, says time and again that it is the wise who seek counsel and it is the wise who listen to others.

In other words, the wise among us are those that put away their pride and who are teachable.

Last February I spent a week at an orphanage in India and during my days there I had the privilege of teaching some Math and Science lessons to a group of 5th graders who lived at the orphanage.   What a delight that was for me.  The students sat up on the edge of their seats drinking in every word of "wisdom" that I had for them.  They were ready to answer questions, participate in the lessons and they were quick to listen.

There is a time to talk and a time to listen.  Listening puts us in a position where we are able to be taught--teachable.

I have so much to learn from the Holy Spirit, King Solomon and those precious orphans in India.  As I put away my pride and live in a teachable manner, I hope that I am a delight to the ultimate teacher--God.

Tuesday Night

It is almost eleven o'clock at night.  I just got home from work for the second time this evening.  I got called away from my home earlier in the evening to go and help solve a problem at one of our school's campus dormitories.  It is late, I am tired and I should be justifiably "grouchy" about putting in a sixteen hour day, but instead I am brimming over with gratitude towards God.

At the International School in South Korea where I work, we board nearly 220 students.  I got called into one of our high school dormitories this evening to assist the Residence Director with a potentially serious situation.  The issue was resolved rather quickly and as I was walking out the front door of the dormitory, headed for home, I noticed the dorm students gathering in the recreation room for a time of late night Bible study and prayer.  I decided to stay.

As the kids gathered and sat on couches, chairs and pillows throughout the room many of them said "hello" to me and acted surprised to see me in their "home."  The evening devotional time was simply a time of silent prayer as the R.A. on duty strummed quietly on her guitar.

As I sat there praying with a bunch of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade boys and girls from different places, experiences and cultures throughout the world, I quickly realized that I was in a place that many would call "holy ground." 

Tonight I sat and prayed with children of missionaries whose parents are serving in very "dark" places in the world.  The kids know much better than I of struggle and sacrifice and they know what a privilege it is to be attending school and living in safety in a dormitory with friends and adults that care about them and love them.

I prayed with teenagers who are essentially, "on their own."  They have been living away from their upwardly mobile, affluent parents for years and they are tasked with the responsibility of achieving educational success and subsequently a "ticket" to the good life of Western Education.  They are alone except for the fact that they have dorm parents, good friends and God.

For me there was something special about praying with these kids tonight.  As I prayed, I wondered what the students were thinking about and praying for.  Tears filled my eyes as I remembered the joys, the pain, the fears and the questions that filled my teenage heart so long ago.  Tonight God reminded me that He was with me then and he is with the students in the dorm now. 

God also reminded me that He is with me now too.

It is late. The house is quiet.  My wife and daughters are asleep and I have had a long day.  I am tired, but I am not feeling alone, discouraged or justifiably grouchy.  Rather, I am at peace.  I know that God is with me, He loves me and I am thankful.

By the way, He loves you too.  G'nite.

Taxi Thoughts...

I had just spent a fantastic three day vacation, with my family and some friends, on a beach on the Southern tip of the South Korean peninsula.

I was in a taxi with my daughter Becca and her friends, on the way from the hotel in Busan to the train station.  We were beginning the journey home.  In the back seat the kids were all bemoaning the fact that they had to go back to school and do lots of schoolwork, projects etc.  This made me think about my own responsibilities that I had to face upon returning from vacation.  As I listened to the kids and to my own thoughts of anxiety and dread regarding the "real life" responsibilities that I had to return to, I realized that the good time that I had just had was beginning to recede in my mind.

I don't think this is right.  Real life and worries should not be allowed to consume our minds so that we forget the blessings of God in our lives.

There is always a real life to return to after a time of goodness, joy and blessing in our lives.  God does not want us to allow these pressures to overshadow his presence in our lives.  I want to remember the blessings, continue to smile at the memories of Busan and savor the time that I had together with my family and my friends in that place.  I can't allow the pressures of real life to cloud my thinking and blind me from the goodness that God has bestowed into my life.

As I think about it--most people in the world will never have a time like I just spent in Busan with my family and friends.  Along with that, most people in the world will never have the opportunity to feel the pressure and responsibility of the challenges that I am facing in life.  I have a challenging yet fulfilling job; I am working on a graduate degree and have some deadlines looming; I have many relationships and friendships to maintain and invest in...all of this is weighty...but oh such a privilege. 

I pray that God will help me to see things this way.  I now understand a bit better Jesus' comment that "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

God help me to live a life of gratitude and to keep my mind and heart fixed on you.

Life to the Hilt

“Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be in the will of God.”—Jim Elliot

These are the words of a man who lived his life in the light of the Resurrection.  Just over fifty years ago Jim Elliot and four missionary companions were speared to death on a remote river beach in Ecuador, South America.  The missionaries were there to share the gospel of Jesus Christ—the Risen One—with the Auca Indian tribe.  They gave their lives to share with others about the God who is greater than death.  In the light of the Resurrection, they found the freedom to truly live.

How are you living your life?  Are you living in freedom?  As the sun rises over the empty tomb on this Easter morning are you living in the light of the Resurrection?  Are you living to the hilt your life and your situation in God?  Regardless of where you are, what your condition, or whom you are with—you can live your story fully and completely for Jesus Christ—leaving the details to be played out in the eternal light of the Resurrection.

Today, the Auca Indian tribe exists as a community of Christ followers.  The warriors who brandished the machetes and spears so long ago are now preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their own people and to neighboring tribes.  Some of the warriors have passed on from this life and are now walking the streets of heaven with Jesus, Jim Elliot and the other missionaries.  In the light of the Resurrection, their story continues—and so does ours.  Eternity will tell the stories of our lives.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”—Jim  Elliot

He is Risen!  Live life to the hilt.

Inching Through Holy Saturday

I woke up this morning feeling a sense of dread for the day.  I felt blank and blasé.  I didn’t want to get out of bed and I have no idea why.  I have no regrets.  I am not sick.  It is not raining outside.  I even got to bed at a decent time the night before.  There is no reason for me to feel this way.

Today is Holy Saturday—the day after the crucifixion of Jesus and the day before His glorious resurrection.

I did finally get out of bed this morning and I read John 19—it is the account in the Bible of the crucifixion of Jesus.  As I read about Jesus on the cross, my attention went to those who witnessed the horrific event:  Mary, John, the disciples, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and the others.

Chapter 19 in the book of John details the crucifixion of Jesus and chapter 20 tells of the resurrection of Christ on Easter morning.  But what about Holy Saturday?  In my Bible there is an inch of space between the end of John 19 and the beginning of John 20 that is as blank and empty as I felt this morning.

If they slept at all, I wonder how Mary, John, the disciples, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and the others felt on that Saturday morning?  I can’t imagine-but what I do know is that their doubts, questions, feelings and fears did not go unaddressed.

I don’t think we are supposed to spend too much time and energy in the realm of the painful, awkward silence of Holy Saturday—rather, give it its allotted space and read on to the next chapter.  We need to rise up from the gloom and despair of Holy Saturday morning realizing that with each tick of the clock we are inching closer to the hope and life of Easter morning.

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14, NIV)

Life, Real Life

I am currently reading the biography of Amy Carmichael, A Chance to Die.  So far, I am inspired and humbled by my look into Miss Carmichael’s life.  According to the world’s standards, her life is unremarkable—poor, unknown, difficult and mundane.  But according to heavenly standards, hers is a life of riches, meaning, wisdom and love.  One of the main reasons that I read the biographies of followers of Christ is to gain a bit of wisdom from their lives.  I need wisdom for living.

This morning I read Proverbs 8 from the Message translation of the Bible.   It is all about wisdom.  In the chapter, “wisdom” is personified as a “lady” that was made by God (Proverbs 8:22) who can be seen, heard, dwelt with, heeded, recognized and found.

“When you find me, you find life, real life.” (Proverbs 8:35, MSG)

As I write this, I am living, and if you are reading this, you are alive too.  But, in the midst of life, have we found “real life?”  Lady Wisdom says that real life is found in her.  Where is she to be found?  Is wisdom only found in the halls of education, in the quiet of the monastery, and within the walls of the church?  Lady Wisdom says that, “those who look for me find me.”  Where?

“Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling? Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice?  She's taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection.  Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, "You—I'm talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!” (Proverbs 8:1-4, MSG)

Wisdom is found smack dab in the middle of life.  It is not reserved for only a few, but rather it is available to all.  Wisdom for living finds its source in God and the scripture says that wisdom is calling out to each one of us in the very midst of our daily lives.  In other words—God is calling us to live in Him.

Every day, along the mundane streets and in the midst of the snarled traffic of our lives (our biographies), God is there, calling out to us—offering us mercy, grace, hope, wisdom and … “life, real life.” 

Are you listening?

Back to Work With Joy

There are many great things about being in education and teaching kids, but one of the best things about being a schoolteacher is Christmas break.  A good two weeks off from school, with the festive day of Christmas nestled in the center of the vacation, makes for a truly, “wonderful time of the year.” 

One of the saddest times of the school year, for students and teachers, is when Christmas break is over.  The new toys are shelved, the decorations come down, and the reality of normal life is realized, even as the final strains of “Auld Lang Syne,” hang in the air.

It is sad—almost depressing—to see another Christmas come and go.  Christmas is not only a time for family, presents, vacations, and fun, but it is also a time to reflect on God and His great love for every person who has ever lived.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the arrival of the Savior of the world—God come to earth.  Christmas is a time of hope, joy, peace and amazing love. 

I wish Christmas (and Christmas break) would never end.  I wish that I could just stay in the place of wonder that accompanies the season and the message of Christmas.  Is that how the shepherds felt at the time of Jesus’ birth?  From the little that is known about them, it appears they had it rough.  They were living in a time of harsh governmental rule and their jobs as shepherds were at the bottom of both the social and economic ladders.  They were stuck in dead-end jobs, living seemingly hopeless lives and they ended up being some of the first ones to see the Savior.

In Luke 2, the angels announced the birth of the Savior to an unlikely band of sheepherders and in response the shepherds dropped all they were doing and hurried to town to see the baby.  The shepherds left their flocks—the sheep that were to be used as temple sacrifices—and went to a manger to behold the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  It is hard to imagine the joy and hope that the shepherds must have felt as they knelt before the one proclaimed by the angels as the Savior and Messiah.  I am sure that they never wanted to leave that place and they never wanted that moment to end.

But it did.

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”  Luke 2:20 (NLT)

The shepherds didn’t stay in the company of Mary, Joseph and the infant King.  They left.  They “went back to their flocks.” They went back to the same bleating sheep and to the same challenges, hungers, frustrations, fears, struggles and circumstances that are common to all humankind.  The Christmas decorations came down and they returned to the real world of work and life.  They returned, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

Nothing in the lives of the shepherds had changed…but they were changed.

It wasn’t until thirty years later that Jesus started his ministry and began to show faint signs of Messiahship.  Even then, he didn’t measure up to what anyone had in mind for a Messiah.  Ultimately, the one that the angels proclaimed as Savior and King was crucified on a cruel Roman cross.

The shepherds went back to work, “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen.”

What have you seen and heard?

On this side of the Christmas story we all have a wonderful perspective of the One that the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on that night so long ago.  We know of Jesus’ life.  His miracles.  His love.  We know of the cross…and the empty tomb.

Christmas 2008 is over and we all have gone back to:

• A raging global economic crisis
• A job (if we are lucky) that is rigorous and demanding
• Hectic schedules
• Stacks of homework
• Life…

The festive decorations have come down, but the celebration of Christmas doesn’t have to end.  Move into the New Year with hope and joy.  Though we still “see through a glass darkly”—we all have a clearer vision of Jesus than the shepherds did some 2,000 years ago and they returned to work…

“glorifying and praising God.”

Formed and Molded

Teachers

By Clark Mollenhoff

 

You are the molders of their dreams.

The gods who build or crush their

young beliefs of right or wrong.

 

You are the spark that sets aflame the

poet’s hand or lights the flame

in some great singer’s song.

 

You are the gods of the young—the very young.

You are the guardian of a million dreams.

Your every smile or frown can heal or pierce a heart.

 

Yours are one hundreds lives—one thousand lives.

Yours is the pride of loving them, the sorrow too.

 

Your patient work, your touch, make you the god of hope

That fills their souls with dreams,

and make those dreams come true.

 

*******************************

I love this poem.  I first heard this poem twenty years ago and its message continues to have a profound affect upon my life adventure of teaching students, working with adults, pastoring the church, interacting with others and even in the raising of my own two daughters.  The older I get, the more I am convinced that the message of this poem is not just reserved for teachers and children.  All of us are a work in progress.  Each of us are moldable and being formed by our interactions with one another and with God.

 

We are so powerful.  What a difference a patient, loving touch can make in the life of another.  The value of a smile and a word of encouragement is immeasurable.  What a privilege it is to fan into flame the embers of faith that God has sparked into existence through the cross, His Spirit and love.

 

Chances are, you and I have made a lasting impression on those formative souls that have brushed up against us today.  All of us are a work in progress.  We are either becoming more gracious or more grouchy—more caring or more critical.  It is all too likely that we have made our mark on someone today.  Did we create or crush?  Did we inflict harm or inspire hope?

 

Is it possible that the God of the Universe has in some mysterious way made us the gods of the young…and the old?  I think so.

 

Prayer:

Our Father, you are the potter and we are the clay.  It is a dream come true for us to have your formative hands of love and mercy in our lives.  Lord, please help us to take that precious gift of grace and go into the world as molders of dreams in the lives of others.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Korean Jigae Crucifix

Last Tuesday, I got the privilege to share a message in the TCIS High School chapel service.  My message was to cover the third part of a three message series on Jesus.  My assignment was to talk about the cross of Jesus Christ.  As I was preparing for my message, a friend of mine, David Suhs, shared with me a story about a carving that he had in his office.  The carving was of a Korean Jigae (Jee-gay) Crucifix.  I found the carving and the story behind it so fascinating that I did a bit of research and used the carving and its inherent message as the focus of my chapel talk.

Primary to the symbolic message of the Korean Jigae Crucifix is an understanding of the concept and purpose of the Korean Jigae.  A jigae is a carrying tool used by a Korean laborer.  It is an “A-frame” rack that is designed out of wood and ropes and it is worn on a person’s back like a backpack.  At times it is fitted with a large fanned-out basket that is used to carry very heavy and bulky loads such as bricks, firewood, bags of seed and at times even an elderly or crippled person.  One of the Korean staff members here at the school had an old jigae that had been passed on through the generations in his family and he brought it to school for me to display during my chapel talk.  The picture shows David Suhs wearing the jigae rack.

In the jigae crucifix wood carving, the artist, Lee, Young Jong, takes concepts from within the Korean culture and uses them to interpret the message and idea of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Primary to the carving and its symbolic message, the artist depicts Jesus Christ being crucified on an over-sized jigae.  This element of the wood carving illustrates the idea that Jesus on the cross took all of the sins and “burdens” of the world upon His back—upon Himself.  The very presence of the jigae also communicates the idea that Jesus represents and reaches out to even the most common person.  The jigae is equated with the poor, working class of Korean society.

The clothing of the Jesus figure on the jigae crucifix seemingly holds multiple layers of meaning.  It is unclear whether the clothing on the figure is representative of the traditional Korean Hanbok or if it is representative of the Korean social class of the Yangban.  Perhaps, it is representative of both.  The Hanbok is the traditional Korean dress composed of formal and semi-formal wear that is worn during traditional festivals and celebrations.  The presence of the Hanbok is representative of all Korean people. 

It is possible that the clothing on the Jesus figure is representative of that of the Yangban, who were the well educated, scholarly class of Korean society.  They served as officials, educators and teachers within the Korean community.  In the scriptures, Jesus was known and referred to as a teacher or rabbi.  Within this context, the idea that the Jesus figure is dressed in the tradition of a Yangban is plausible.

On the head of the Jesus figure on the jigae crucifix the artist has placed a very powerful and noteworthy symbol of Korean Culture.  The Jesus figure is wearing the crown of the traditional Korean emperor upon his head.  Within this image, the artist, Lee, Young Jong, is stating that the one that is hanging upon the jigae cross is the emperor of emperors—the ultimate representative of Korean rule and royalty.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who hung on the cross and took the sins of the world upon himself, is the King of Kings and Emperor of Emperors.

I love the symbolic message of the jigae crucifix.  In fact, I purchased a jigae crucifix wood carving and have it sitting on a shelf in my office in South Korea.  Along with the jigae crucifix, I have a small wooden cross displayed in my office.  For me, the small wooden cross completes the wonderful story of the jigae crucifix.  The small wooden cross in my office stands empty—the Jesus figure is gone.  Not only did the emperor of emperors die upon the cross and take the sins of every man and woman upon himself, but he also rose again from the grave on the third day.  As the angel said, “He is not here, He is risen!”

The emperor of emperors lives again, offering all who would believe in him the promise of eternal life.  In the jigae cross, I see life for all cultures in the midst of death.  In the empty wooden cross I see hope for all people in the midst of hopelessness.  As I gaze upon both crosses, I see the love of God for me and for the entire world.

Servant Leadership

Throughout the year here at our school in Daejeon, South Korea our high school student council has been involved in enacting RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) upon our student body as a means of servant leadership and to model and encourage a sense of care and community within and amongst the student body.

Some of the RAKs over the year have included things like handing out ice cream treats at lunch time, free hugs, and the offering of after school tutoring sessions.  This month the student council decided that the RAK would be foot washing. 

Yes, you read it correctly—foot washing.

Our high school is a Christian School however, it is important to remember that at least half of our students are not Christian believers.  The student council chose foot washing as the April RAK activity.

Today was the day of the foot washing activity.  During the long morning break the student council leaders set up a foot washing station in the school multi-purpose room.  As I walked down the stairs and through the hallway to observe the activity I came upon student council leaders transporting basins of warm water from the restrooms to the multi-purpose room. 

They were filling the basins with water to wash the feet of their peers.

As I entered the multi-purpose room the lights were off and the room was dark except for the illumined glow of candles throughout the room.  By candlelight I could see students kneeling before their peers, washing their feet in basins of water.  There was a quiet peacefulness in the room.  Some of the students were talking softly with one another as the one washed the other’s feet and some were silent.

I was speechless.

Over the years, I have observed and taken part in many foot washing activities in worship services and at church camps, but never have I seen or experienced a foot washing like I did today.  In the middle of a very normal and busy school day, our student leaders knelt and humbly washed the feet of their peers.  It was beautiful.

From John 13 (NIV)

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”