This Advent season is our anticipation of the birth of Jesus. This year, Advent comes immediately after my trip to Ecuador. While in Ecuador, I was reminded of the miracle of the Advent season, the humble circumstances in which our Savior was born.

My ten-day trip helped me to remember humility, mainly because of communication challenges. When I arrived in Ecuador, my friend and YWAM colleague Maria Isabel, the director of YWAM Guayaquil, and Wayner, a 21-year-old volunteer from Peru, met me at the airport. Wayner was recently accepted into Guayaquil's next Discipleship Training School (DTS). I became his roommate, and he became my constant companion. Neither Maria nor Wayner speaks English, and my Spanish still needs to improve. However, the language barrier was not the only challenge.

Power Outages

Due to widespread drought, the lights were out throughout the city and the country. We navigated with flashlights to the 3rd-floor apartment, which also serves as the YWAM office. My previous trips to Ecuador were very different. On one occasion, I taught at the first University DTS. On two other trips, I was the first and last speaker at the School of University Ministries & Missions (SUMM) and a speaker at the University of Guayaquil’s MBA class. Maria had dozens of staff and students living in a large rented house near the university. Her leadership and the SUMM helped us send out new leaders of university ministries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. But now, she works out of a tiny two-bedroom apartment with electricity and wifi available only a few hours a day.

In terms of modern conveniences, this trip was similar to my first experience leading an outreach team in 1987. Showers were icy at 12,000 ft in the Andes Mountains of Peru. I’m not unfamiliar with cold showers, and I didn’t mind experiencing extended quiet times because we could not communicate. But some communication was critical. Because the wifi was frequently down, the translation apps on our phones were rarely available. I realized I have been taking modern technology for granted. I needed to be humbled. And I needed our humble Savior to help me.

A Full Schedule

Maria did her best to inform me about the schedule, which included a week of speaking engagements and teaching at the National Staff Conference. Due to the national drought, Ecuador’s limited hydroelectric power made everything difficult for Maria, especially setting up meetings and translators. Maria put me on the phone with at least one of my translators. One asked for my notes in advance, which I promptly sent to him to help him prepare.

On my first night, we jumped in a taxi and crossed town without traffic lights to a large Assemblies of God church, where I was scheduled to speak to their young adults. Thankfully, they had a generator for lights. But their hyped-up praise band, and the loud traffic noises echoing through the open auditorium were distracting. My translator introduced himself as we were invited to the excessively elevated platform. As I began my message, he said he could not hear me, so instead of looking at the audience, I had to turn to look at my translator when I spoke. This was more than just a communication problem. I was losing God’s peace.

Humbling

My message that first night was about emotional and circumstantial obstacles to spiritual growth, which comes from the WHO I AM young adult retreat curriculum. As I spoke things that keep us from knowing our identity and purpose in Christ, I used the word “Humility.” He didn’t know how to translate the word, so I said, “Humilidad.” Then I saw a giant rat walking across the floor of the church.

As you might imagine, I was not sensing God’s presence. I knew the message was not landing in the hearts of the people. The pastor understood the message and invited me back to speak at their Wednesday night service. Still, I was discouraged and began to think about how my translator failed and how the rat distracted me. I needed more than a translator; I needed Jesus.

God reminded me that the keyword of the night was “humility.” God began to humble me. I prayed, “God, you can do all things. You can break through any obstacle, power outages, translation problems, and even my foolish pride.” I asked the Lord to break through.

Following Instructions

The next night, I was at a small Pentecostal Church where several elderly men and women took turns walking up to the altar to sing a solo. They all sang out of tune. It was horrible. I nearly forgot “humility.” God can break through any circumstance, but we miss Him if we fail to humble ourselves. So, I asked God what He was doing. He reminded me of the verse from 1 Cor. 14:26, “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”

I commend the congregation for their faithfulness to the Bible’s instruction. I taught about Table Fellowship as a mission strategy, exhorting them to welcome neighbors to share meals at their tables. Jesus modeled Table Fellowship. It is the strategy God gave to Paul to encourage Jewish believers to share their stories with Gentile believers. To close, I encouraged someone to volunteer to pray. One lady came up and shared a prayer concern for her daughter. Then, I asked for another volunteer to pray for the woman’s daughter. Several came forward to pray. Prayers continued until the congregation prayed and rejoiced at the altar. Jesus loves it when we humble ourselves, no matter the circumstances.

Why Did I Go?

I was in Guayaquil to support Maria Isabel and the work we started there years ago. We looked at another house that could work well for the next DTS in January. We met with Andreas, a former YWAM student who is now a lawyer, to share the vision and ask for his advice about how Maria could raise enough money through investors and donors to purchase a permanent house for YWAM Guayaquil.

After a few more days of speaking, first at the big AoG church, then at a high school and a Vo-Tech college, we took a seven-hour bus ride into the Andes Mountains to YWAM Aqua Viva in Baños. Two more YWAMers joined us on that bus ride to the Ecuador National Staff Conference. One of them was Gustavo, a 23-year-old YWAMer who knew a little English. He decided we would spend all our time together talking. Gustavo arranged for us to sit together on the bus ride. He crowded me, and he demanded my full and constant attention. I was getting exhausted.

Knowing Our Stories

Then, while teaching at the conference, I had the participants do one of the story exercises for the WHO I AM Weekend Intensive. My translator read my 30 questions about their story. For answers to positive experiences, the participants took one step to their right. For negative experiences, the participants took one step to their left. We did the positive questions first. Gustavo didn’t move. He did not know his father. He did not live in the same home. Nobody helped him at school. He did not have a happy childhood. When the negative questions were asked, including homelessness, parental abandonment, drug abuse, jail time, etc., Gustavo took a step to the left for every one of them. My heart sank when I could literally see his story. God humbled me again.

A Season of Miracles

Maria was grateful that I came to Ecuador. She has scheduled the first WHO I AM Weekend Intensive in South America and invited me back to teach in the next DTS. A lot’s already lined up for 2025, such as the WHO I AM Weekend Intensives in NJ (January) and TN (March). In a little while, we will be able to announce some even bigger news. This is a Season of Miracles.

I pray you experience the Miracle of the Season. I pray that you experience the humility of Jesus. Christ our Savior is born!

Have a blessed Christmas.

John

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“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” - Ephesians 1:18-19a 

What is your calling?  To know God and to make Him known. 

• First to Identity: It is the call to be restored to a right relationship with God—to know God—and to remain in Him. To abide is to obey, including obedience to the Great Commandment. We love God and love our neighbor. This is the general call. 

• Second to Purpose: it is the call to bear fruit, to be productive in obedience to the Great Commission with the spiritual gifts and natural abilities God has given you. This is your specific call.

“There is much evidence on several levels that there are at least two major tasks to human life. The first task is to build a strong “container” or identity; the second is to find the contents that the container was meant to hold. The first task we take for granted as the very purpose of life, which does not mean we do it well. The second task, I am told, is more encountered than sought; few arrive at it with much preplanning, purpose, or passion.” -Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Career and Vocation

God calls us to work, which is our life’s worship. Finding the work you love involves both Identity and Purpose. But the work of your calling is not just a career. It will continue after your career. 

“People entering the second half of life usually have difficulty understanding the difference between career and vocation. Many confuse or conflate the two. When careers end it is typical for seniors to not feel needed or to know what to do with their time. But careers end, and vocations go on.” - Todd Johnson, Professor of Mission and Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Seminary.

Six Questions for Discerning Your Vocation in Every Season of Life.

1. Who is the Lord, and what on earth is He doing? Where do you find yourself in God’s plan? 

He is the Good Shepherd (Only 3 in 10 Americans attend religious services); He Sends (Only 430,000 Missionaries worldwide, down from 1,135,000 in 2001); He is the Word (Currently, 20% of the world has no Bible); He is Lord of the Nations (7,290 “unreached of the 17,311 people groups); He is the Living Water (1 in 10 people -703 million- lack access to clean water); He is the Bread of Life (712 million people lived on less than $2.15 per day).

He is the Light (Xian-yi Wu from Singapore is one of our former interns who found his place in God’s plan and started a company called D.Light Design. They empower 175 million lives through 596 GWh generated from renewable energy, avoiding 38 million tons of CO₂ of air pollution. They’ve saved $5 billion in energy-related expenses for the poor; 72 million school-aged children and families are provided 27 billion productive hours).

2. Who are you?

1 Corinthians 1:30: “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” 

Write down three or four keywords that describe your story. “You cannot know your calling if you do not know your story.” - John Henry

3. What is your stage of life?

Deut 8:2-3: “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, … to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

“There is a qualitative difference between our purpose for the first and second halves of life. However, many Christians perpetuate a first-half mentality while entering the second half. We need to pivot when we reach the second half.” -Todd Johnson

“Most of us need a call to focus with greater intentionality. We do not need to be urged to do more. Many of us are trying to do too much! Rather, we need greater clarity about what we are truly called to and freedom to accept those things that do not need to concern us, at least in the use of our time and energy. We need to give our attention, in an age of distraction, to the zone of life and work that merits our vocational energy.” -Gordon Smith, Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential 

 “As we age, it’s important to get clear about the difference between the jobs by which we make a living and the callings, or vocations, by which make meaning. Many elders leave or lose their jobs. But it’s possible to follow a calling to the end of life and continue to make meaning at a time when it’s much needed.” - Parker Palmer 

4. What are your circumstances?

Psalm 32:7: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

“From the Scriptures, it would seem that seniors have two primary responsibilities—two fundamental ways they make a difference: sharing wisdom and giving blessing.” -Gordon Smith

5. What is the cross you will have to bear?

1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

“The most obvious external feature of transition [to latter years] is that we let go of the roles, titles, offices, and occupations that previously gave expression to our vocation. We let go of the formal structures of power and influence. We retire from these responsibilities.” -Gordon Smith

6. What are you afraid of?

Psalm 27:1a: “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?”

As we age, we need more discernment about how to fulfill our vocation in a changing context.

“Late adulthood is not a blank slate—the individual has become someone, done something, and made commitments and choices. Who one is and what he can do are interpreted in light of his circumstance—he has followed, or not, certain callings. Second, the future is open but not limitless; choices must be made within the choices that have thus far shaped a person’s life. Third, callings arise in situations not of our choosing but to which we must respond. When a person discerns and responds to callings in late adulthood, she does so within a life history as well as in the current circumstances and possible futures that are available to her.” -Kathleen Cahalan, professor of practical theology at St. John’s University

Calling in the Second Half 

When the time comes to retire from a career, there is a great sense of loss, and many have difficulty letting go. 

“I am convinced that part of the essence of vocational identity during this period of our lives is that we let go of power and control: people listen to us because we are wise and because we bless, not because of our office or any formal structure of power. This is why it is essential that we learn how to let go of power and resist the temptation to hang on to power as long as we can—however easy it is to justify the notion that we are needed.” - Gordon Smith

But how? Jesus said, "Make disciples," who will be salt and light in the world. For 35 years, we’ve placed university students on missional internships and continue to do that. 

Many know God has used universities in revivals and new mission movements for nearly 1,000 years. Why is that? God functions through faithful work. He’s the original gardener, communicator, lawgiver, counselor, teacher, and healer. God seeks those who will be his witnesses everywhere until he returns. 

The majority church has shifted to the global south in recent years, representing incredible missionary success over the past 1000 years. However, the Western church has become marginalized, and the church in America is at a crossroads. Churches can either stand in faithfulness and get labeled as hateful bigots or proudly display a rainbow flag. Things have changed in recent years. Evangelical leaders' voices are no longer welcome in the public square.

I’ve observed students walking the halls of universities for many years. Today’s students have grown up in a post-Christian hyper-connected world. Christian students hold their heads down, walking the halls in fear. The problem today is that without shared biblical values, universities and nearly every institution are now distorting the truth about history, justice, and gender.

The result is a confused and emotionally stressed generation, many of whom are rejecting God and His good gifts and even their bodies. Universities fail in their mission because the Church abandoned them 100 years ago. Instead of encouraging debate and civil discourse, they foster a victim mentality and offer safe spaces, cry rooms, and petting zoos. What is the Biblical Christian response? Our ministry is founded on the eight steps of 2 PETER chapter one: teaching emerging leaders to “make every effort” to be “effective and productive” in their faith and calling. 

But I’ve discovered that we cannot know God’s calling until we know our story. For many of us, our stories are painful. Schools are hyper-focused on emotional trauma and Social Emotional Learning for good reason; there is an epidemic of depression. Trauma happens to everyone, and it blinds us. Even Moses had trauma; placed in a basket on a river and raised by a tyrant king, he popped in anger and killed someone. Half his life, he hid until God called him back to his story. God knows our stories and why we run, hide, lie, rage, or cry. 

We created the WHO I AM Weekend Intensive to give young adults the tools to engage with their stories and confront the wounds and behaviors hindering their spiritual and emotional progress. We guide students through activities to help them understand their obstacles, engage with their story, and engage with God's story. 

The first weekend was at YWAM Philadelphia, with the help of YWAM staff from five States! Mary provides additional one-on-one healing through Transformational Prayer Ministries. With Mary’s gentle guidance, God leads her clients into their childhood memories, which affect their emotions today. It doesn’t take angry outbursts, deep depression, or addictive behaviors to have emotional struggles. Often, without knowing it, we put up a protective shield to keep us from seeing our pain. The protective shield can appear like perfectionism or pride.

Mary and I have faced our stories with the Lord. He’s shown us memories from childhood when lies, such as “unworthiness” or “inescapable failure,” set into our young minds. Those lies put people on the trajectory of seeking approval through performance or resentment for not being noticed. God’s truth appears to us during times of prayer. He takes us to those harmful memories to give us truth and freedom! 

We had our second WHO I AM weekend intensive at Ocean City Tabernacle a few weeks ago. We had eight participants and nine staff, which made it very intimate. We went deep. The feedback is so encouraging; everyone said they wanted “more”. One participant said, “Overcoming challenges and having joy is possible. It is possible to know Him, His presence, here and now.” 

The weekend is about our identity, purpose, and calling from God. We went deep into our stories, including our sins and trauma. We removed hindrances to our relationship with God.

When we see children neglected, wives abused, laws violated, and perversion celebrated, we naturally get angry. However, the Bible says, “In your anger do not sin” (Eph. 4:26 NIV). The question is, “How should we express our anger?” or rather, “What did Jesus do when he was angry?” Jesus lived without sin; he saw injustice through sinless eyes. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus had more reason to be angry at injustice than anyone. 

We all know how “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there” (Matt. 21:12 NIV). However, money changing in the temple was not the only time Jesus was angry. Jesus' anger was not always evident. 

Was Jesus angry when he wept at the grave of his friend, Lazarus?  Perhaps the spirit of death stirred Jesus’ anger when he called Lazarus to rise from his grave. Was Jesus angered by the customs that restricted women from learning in school? He was not likely angered at Martha for her complaining, but his way of showing anger at injustice was to permit Mary to sit among the disciples as a fellow student. 

Jesus was undoubtedly angered by the thievery of tax collectors, which kept people in poverty. But he shows his anger differently than we might imagine. He invites Matthew, a tax collector, to be reconciled to God and join his followers. 

Was it only because he was short, that Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, could not see Jesus over the heads of the crowd? Or was there an angry protest in Jericho that day? The crowd who gathered knew Zacchaeus. The region's most prominent and wealthy man was there to see Jesus, but they did not stand aside to allow Zacchaeus to see him. Perhaps their silent anger became a public protest that day. Someone could have stood aside to let the short man see, but that did not happen. 

What we miss is Jesus' anger toward injustice is how he responds. Glancing at the crowd, he looked up in the tree at Zacchaeus and invited himself to his house. The crowd was angry. It was a protest. How do we know the crowd was angry? Because their anger shifted toward Jesus. They said, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” (Luke 19:7 NIV)

Jesus’ response to injustice accomplished two things. In addition to salvation coming to Zacchaeus’ house that day, injustice was reversed. Zacchaeus said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8 NIV)

Jesus’ primary way to protest injustice is by appealing to sinners to be reconciled to God and demonstrating the kingdom of God in our midst. 

A few weeks ago, we heard a report of a truck on an African highway in Tanzania that lost its brakes and smashed into a bus carrying several Youth With A Mission staff. Shocked and saddened, we watched and prayed for our friends and colleagues in our Executive Masters in Leadership course with the University of the Nations. Were they okay?  

The tragic news came within a few days. The bus was instantly crushed. I learned that eleven YWAM missionaries were killed. Several others were severely wounded. One of those who died was Lovanambinina Ranaivoarinoro (Lova), a YWAM Campus Ministry and Training Base leader in Madagascar. Lova was a significant leader who started as a YWAMer at the very first Discipleship Training School in Madagascar. He is survived by his wife, Olivia, and their two children. I wrote to Olivia as soon as I heard the news. She responded immediately: “Thank you so much. We need your prayers. It's so hard and painful.” 

Reflections

This shocking loss and sadness is like a gut punch. Like gasping for air, I’ve thought about the extended family of fellow believers and servants of Jesus that I’ve known and loved. I’ve been reflecting on life’s fragility and permanence. I’ve thought of these faithful ministers of the gospel and the fruit of their lives. I’ve been thinking about God’s enduring call. 

All of YWAM and many others grieve the loss of our friends and pray for the families and communities affected. I write this today as Lova’s memorial services are taking place in Madagascar. I taught Lova and several other Malagasy YWAMers in our School of University Ministries in South Korea in 2010. That training, including my teaching about God’s calling, helped strengthen and multiply university ministries all over that fourth-largest island nation along the South East Coast of Africa. 

Memories endure

Life is fragile, but in Christ, it is also eternal. It’s what we do with this life that matters. Whether young or old, stop to reflect on the road you are traveling—the highs, the lows, and the multitude of experiences in between. Amid the busyness of life, don’t fail to take account of significant memories, the moments that have defined you. Those pivotal moments shape us and inform us of our calling. 

We can’t always hear God’s calling, just as we don’t naturally see God. Calling is not primarily about hearing an audible voice or seeing an extraordinary sign. Calling is about knowing our identity in Christ and His purpose for us. But we are hindered from hearing, and obstacles get in the way of our vision. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (Eph. 1:18). Paul understood that our vision could be blocked. We can get stuck. 

Are you stuck? 

If God is calling us and our life’s events are God’s way of informing us of our purpose, then our memories are important. Some memories are difficult to recall, some haunt us, and others are blocked out for whatever reason. Memories are often laced with pain, sorrow, guilt, and regret; many are traumatic. Traumatic memories are why we get stuck.

While teaching about God’s calling, I tell the story of Moses at the burning bush. Moses was a fugitive who was not fulfilling God’s design and purpose for his life. God invited Moses into an intimate relationship. God introduced Himself to Moses and shared his heart for his people suffering in Egypt. From that place of intimacy, Moses encountered God’s character and nature; He is holy. After many years of teaching thousands of university students about God’s calling, God met me with an even deeper understanding. Let’s look again at Moses. 

Moses was stuck

Moses had trauma. He was put in a basket on the Nile River. He was raised by a tyrant king who enslaved and murdered his people. One day, Moses popped. He killed a man. He was a murderer. He had an anger issue. We know that anger remained even after many years of knowing God. He struck a rock in anger. He had a fear issue. He was a fugitive from the most powerful man on the planet. In hiding, he would not do what he was trained to do. Instead of building a city in the wilderness, Moses cared for his father-in-law’s sheep. What struck me about Moses is his trauma. He was filled with pain.

How does God call us? 

God sees, God hears, God knows our stories. God knows why we run, hide, lie, rage, and cry. When God said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exo. 3:7), He was telling Moses that he was not alone in his pain. God also carries the pain and suffering we experience. And it is in this place of pain that God calls us. 

Your story may be very different from a missionary on an African highway. Whether it's the joy of starting a family, the fulfillment of a successful career, or the wisdom acquired through hardships, your experiences contribute to the tapestry of your life. God knows your story, even if you have forgotten. God knows your trauma, the moments when you were hurt, neglected, abused, or abandoned. He knows why you run, hide, lie, rage, or cry. God can meet you in your story and clarify your calling if you allow Him. 

WHO I AM: Weekend Intensive

Because God met me in my story, I have revised what I teach, primarily what I teach from 2 Peter 1:3-10. We have created the WHO I AM weekend intensive for young adults and university students. On that weekend, participants examine their stories to remove obstacles to identity and purpose. Through short messages, assessments, activities, exercises, and story group discussions, participants discover God’s calling and how they can be effective and productive in their relationship with God.  

That teaching outline is as follows: 

1. Faith: Stop running to find the rest of faith, 

2. Virtue: Come out of hiding to be known for who you are,

3. Knowledge: Stop lying to come to the understanding of the truth,

4. Self-Control: Stop raging so you can yield in community,

5. Perseverance: Stop crying/mourn losses so you can comfort and intercede for others,

6. Godliness: Stop legalism so you can stand humbly before the audience of One,

7. Brotherly-Kindness: Stop lawlessness so you can genuinely love neighbors,

8. Love: Crucify self-idolatry to spread the aroma of God’s Love.

What comes next?

Those who complete a weekend intensive may need more personalized ministry. We offer Transformational Prayer through our M.E.L.T. process (memories, emotions, lies, truth) to help people find deep healing from emotional trauma. 

Others who complete the weekend seek to get active in ministry immediately through our Missional Table program, DISCIPLE Course, or Converge Internship/Fellowship. We offer opportunities for participants to have a global impact, transcend geographical boundaries, and help others become unstuck so they can fulfill their calling. 

Travel on your road

We invite you to partner with the missionary work of our YWAM staff members. No matter what road you are traveling through life, you can contribute to global outreaches or help us engage university communities. Even if you are an older Christian, you can make a difference today. Your experience, wisdom, and resources make up your story. And your story is related to your calling from God. Your contributions, be they big or small, can bring hope, healing, and transformation to individuals and communities around the globe. This is the essence of living out our faith and making a tangible difference in the world—no matter what road we travel today.

John Henry

Your child is not alone. Anxiety is a symptom of a widespread problem. Most parents think their children are affectionate, resilient, curious, and persistent. However, the truth is that both depression and anxiety have increased among children. A recent Pew survey found that “70 percent of teens say anxiety and depression is a ‘major problem’ among their peers.” According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, about 15% of adolescents experience depression, and 36% have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Nearly 20% seriously consider attempting suicide, and almost 9% actually attempt suicide. 

French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre said anxiety occurs where there is a sense of purposelessness. Your child’s sense of purpose comes from family. Family is where we form and maintain our commitments. Your child also gets her sense of purpose from other influences, such as friends, social media, and school. 

The National Education Association’s response to this growing problem is called Social and Emotional Learning. They say SEL is helping children “develop important life skills, such as goal-setting, self-reliance, and conflict resolution.” Orienting your child’s social and emotional development sounds good, but is your child’s school making her more anxious? 

Some argue that an emphasis on negative emotions like anxiety, fear, and sadness may be perpetuating a victim mentality. Others say SEL is an indoctrination tool—to teach your child a Marxist, oppressor vs. oppressed, vision of the world. Regardless of your feelings on racial inequality, gender identity, or sexual orientation, it appears SEL is a kind of secular character education. Students are not taught wisdom, patience, and courage; instead, they are taught open-mindedness and conformity to a secularized morality. SEL teaches students to choose their own subjective values, stripped of the values and commitments that produce purposeful living.

Are schools teaching your child that your values are not good for their psyche because they make them feel guilty? American Sociologist, Phillip Rieff, made the point that guilt is a good thing; it’s an internal pain that tells us we are violating some moral rules that we ought to be maintaining. The proponents of a secular character education reject moral rules and look down on parents who hold traditional values. C.S. Lewis said, “The proud look down on everyone, and therefore fail to look up to anything higher.” If we are taught that all guilt is bad, all communities are temporary, and all standards are arbitrary, then identities must be fluid, and moral commitments must be abandoned. This is why children are anxious. Liberating children to abandon moral commitments is not part of a good education; it creates a sense of purposelessness, and it’s an invitation to a kind of cultural death. 

“The Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.” (Deut. 28:65-66 NIV)

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(Photo: Monument to the Haystack Prayer Meeting at Mission Park, Williams College, Williamstown, MA. This marks the spot where five students prayed for students and missions, effectively launching the North American Missionary Enterprise in 1806.)

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” With that, we are all invited to pray with an intimate and respectful posture toward God. We pray, “Your kingdom come,” acknowledging that we want His will to be fulfilled “on earth as it is in heaven.” Is everything on earth as it should be? No. So Jesus instructs us to ask God to fulfill His purposes, and He further instructs us how to make a request. We are told to ask, “Give us this day,” acknowledging God’s daily promise to provide everything we need. Prayer teaches us to live in a posture of dependence, acknowledging our need for forgiveness and our willingness to forgive others. In doing so, we become part of the answer to our prayer for His kingdom to come and His will to be done. 

Praying according to Jesus’ instructions helps us understand four big truths. First, God is a good Father; He’s personal and ready to hear our appeal. Second, God is all-powerful; He’s always right and can fulfill his purpose. Third, things are not as they should be, but we can ask Him to do His will on Earth. Fourth, our posture of dependence, humility, and forgiveness is how God’s kingdom comes to earth. 

Jesus’ prayer lesson contradicts the notion that everything is as God intends. God can control all things, but things are not as they should be. A fatalistic faith is a temptation to make prayer a pointless practice. Look at Job’s response when he learns that his family and everything he owned was destroyed. Job said, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21. Christian worshipers sing the words of this Bible hero as a courageous declaration of faith in the face of horrible loss. However, Job’s attitude leans more toward fatalism than faith. 

Remember: We pray because Jesus taught us to pray. A Deceiver on planet Earth tempts us to replace faith with fatalism. This may be the Enemy’s most potent weapon. Fatalism is a paralyzing spiritual disease. Job was a hero, but he needed correction from God. Job’s words at that moment of catastrophic loss are not the basis of Christian theology. 

Let’s return to Jesus’ instructions on why we pray. Prayer ignites intimate relationships and heart-to-heart communication with God and others. Prayer is an appeal with power and promise. We are not helpless victims. Prayer is the remedy to fatalism and apathy. Prayer is a weapon against the Evil One. Prayer is not pointless. Prayer changes things. 

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Nathan came to visit with his girlfriend, Olivia. We celebrated his birthday and got some long-awaited hugs. Mom is happy. Justin is coming next month too! Becca continues leading youth at a Korean church and summer classes at the local community college. She decided to attend Rowan to pursue an English major after she completed her Associate's degree.

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Mary and I love watching God work in the lives of friends, family, and co-workers. We love what God has called us to do and where He called us to live. As missionaries, we regularly connect with colleagues and many peopl

e from around the world. Though we can’t tell all the stories, you can be sure they keep happening because of people like you who pray for and support us.

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I just returned from a short trip to Colombia to visit with YWAM Converge translators Glenis and her volunteer team, Maria and Carlos. This was not my first trip to the beautiful city of Cartagena.

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‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be TRANSformedby the renewing of your mind.  THEN you will be able to test & approve what God’s will is ~ His good & perfect will.’ Rom 12:2

John has taught from this passage from Paul’s letter to the Roman church for many years and it’s come alive to me during the last year.  I taped Rom. 12:2 above my computer on the wall as a constant reminder.

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John just received testimony from Coral Bello, a YWAMer who co-led the University Discipleship Training School, which graduates tomorrow in Venezuela. (John taught that course online in August and at the School of University Ministries & Missions in Ecuador, where Coral was trained last year.) 

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