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Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
Manila Project
Making the Transition
May 27-June 21, 2000
May 27-29
InterVarsity's purpose is to establish witnessing communities of
On the Plane
students and others who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, growing in
love for God, God's Word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture
Over the next few days, although it may be hard to tell in the generic
and God's purposes in the world.
and rather changeless environment of an airplane cabin, we will be
undergoing a major journey. The speed and convenience of modern
Our main purpose is to serve the children of Manila in any way we
travel can hide just how much change we are actually experiencing.
can. As we do this we hope to:
1. Be witnesses to the love of God in Jesus for the Philippines.
Of course, by the time we finally land in Manila, we will have
2. Be immersed in another setting and its culture, and learn from it.
physically traveled half-way around the world. We are literally
3. Grow as a team in our relationships.
leaving Boston, BU's campus, our dorm rooms or apartments, and
4. Learn through risk-taking, servanthood, Scripture study, discussion, and
many of our belongings behind us. Some of us have also made brief
worship.
stops at home; so we will be leaving our homes, families, and other
5. Gain a global vision for God's purposes in the world, and our part in
things and people behind there. During our physical journey, we have
them.
a perfect opportunity to make a mental and emotional journey also.
Take some time during the trip to make the mental transition.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
Departure
Arrival
What are you leaving behind?
Where are you going?
Y How have you been spending your time the last few days?
Y What are you looking forward to about the upcoming project with
the Museo? About being in the Philippines? About being on this
Y How have you been feeling?
team?
Y With whom have you been spending your time?
Y What are some things that worry you about the project? About
being in the Philippines? About being on this team?
Y Who will you miss?
Spend some time praying, bringing these hopes and concerns to God.
Y What are the things that are still nagging at the corners of your
mind? The things you forgot to pack, the things you didn't quite
Pray for the person you know the best on the team. Pray for safety
finish, the things that have been bothering you.
for that person, for the ability to serve the children well, and for the
chance to learn much during the project.
Y What are some things you are worried about?
Pray the same thing for the person you know least.
Some of us are more familiar than others with the Philippines, but all
Sometime during the flight, spend some time in prayer about those
of us are going on this trip out of a desire to learn more. Use the time
things and people. Ask God to take care of the things that you didn't
on the plane to cultivate an interest in the Philippines and to begin to
get to. Pray for the people you are leaving behind; ask God to be
learn about the country. Ask questions of those who are more
working in their next month. Pray for peace for yourself on this
familiar with the Philippines and Filipino culture. Read from the many
journey and for peace for the people who will be concerned about
books we have available.
you.
Spend some time praying for the Philippines, cultivating God's heart
for the country in which we will spend the next month.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
May 30
May 31
Anxiety, Fear, Trust in God
Being Sent Out By Jesus
Mark 6:6-13: Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve
Micah 6:6-8
and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no
"With what shall I come before the LORD,
money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them,
and bow myself before God on high?
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your
with calves a year old?
feet as a testimony against them." 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
What risks did the disciples have to take? Take a guess at some of their fears.
8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
What risks are you aware of taking? What fears/anxieties do you face?
The prophet quotes a person anxious about the demands of God. "Would God require my
firstborn? What can I give to satisfy God?" As we begin this trip, we might feel pressure to
do GREAT THINGS. If you were to write this poem, with images of heroic devotion you
might expect God to require of you, what would you depict? How have you been tempted to
How do you hope to see God provide for you?
think in noble, even heroic terms about the next few weeks?
With jet lag and the dis-orientation of a new place, you probably aren't feeling up to acts of
heroism. Thankfully, God's requirements are simpler:
Y do justice,
How have you already seen God provide?
Y love kindness
Y and walk humbly.
The disciples had seen Jesus heal people, but they themselves hadn't healed anyone before
they were sent out. How would you like to see God work in and through you in ways you
Re-word these things into practical, daily terms you can use here in Manila.
haven't seen before?
Pray for God to give you that attitude.
Ask God for his power, and for eyes to see his work..
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 1
June 2
Welcoming and Receiving Children
Shaping our Hearts
Children are an important part of the project. What have you noticed about how you tend
Psalm 51:10, 17:
to respond to children? In general? On this trip?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit
within me. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O
What are some things that are difficult about relating with children?
God, you will not despise.
What has been unexpected so far about working with the children?
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Read what Jesus has to say about children in the following stories:
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Mark 9:33-37: Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he
asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34But they were silent, for on the
What we think and what we do are important, but our feelings are also important. Our
way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35He sat down, called the
hearts have a tendency to stray from God and the things of God. On this trip we want to
twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."
36
grow in love for God, for God's word, for all his people and for his purposes in the world.
Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to
Think about your own heart. Ask God to create and keep your heart:
them, 37"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever
Y
welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
Clean and pure: repent, ask for forgiveness, of ways you are aware of your impatience,
ingratitude, relational laziness.
Mark 10:13-16: People were bringing little children to him in order that he might
touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was
indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to
Y Soft and teachable: Ask God to mold your heart, to keep it soft in his hands, not
such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive
hardened, not stone. In what ways do you see hardness forming?
the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." 16And he took them up in his arms,
laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Y Available: Is your heart available to the needs and concerns of others? Some of us will
Why do you think Jesus says these things about children?
have compassion for the children and impatience with our teammates, while others may
have ready sympathy for our partners but be unavailable emotionally for the children
we will see or meet today. Which of these is more likely for you? Pray that your heart
How can you make choices to welcome the Filipino children we see?
would be available to people today, to respond in patience, honor, compassion and love
for all.
Who are "the least" for you? (It may not be children at all) To whom is Jesus inviting you to
become a servant?
Pray
to God for a heart
for God, that breaks over the things that break the heart
of God.
Jesus also seems to say that children have something to teach us. What have you learned
from children? Are you open to learning from children on this trip?
Pray for eyes to see and a heart ready to respond to opportunities that will come.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 3
June 4
Living the Beatitudes
Thanksgiving and Praise
Psalm 147:1-12: Praise the LORD!
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
2
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
3
He heals the brokenhearted,
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
and binds up their wounds.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
4
He determines the number of the stars;
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
he gives to all of them their names.
heaven.
5
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6
The LORD lifts up the downtrodden;
Are you feeling any of these things today? Do they feel like blessings to you? Why or why
he casts the wicked to the ground.
not?
7
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8
He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
Do you see the need for any of these things today?
makes grass grow on the hills.
9
He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
Which of the rewards do you most want to see in your own life? What would it mean to live
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
out the attached beatitude today?
11
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
Praise the LORD!
Thank God for all he has done this week. Write you own psalm, expressing the ways he has
built up, healed, binded up, lifted up, given to you and to others.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 5
June 6
Love for the Poor
God's character and our character
Proverbs 19:17:
"Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD;
he will reward you for what you have done."
Matthew 5: 45: He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the
Psalm 35:10:
righteous and the unrighteous.
All my bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like you?
You deliver the weak from those too strong for them,
the weak and needy from those who despoil them."
What is the most powerful experience of mercy you have ever had? How did it feel to be the
Psalm 68:5-6: Father of orphans and protector of widows
recipient of mercy? What was difficult about receiving it? What was great? Are there ways
is God in his holy habitation.
you actively resisted it? Why?
6
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious live in a parched land.
What do you think is an appropriate response to receiving mercy?
Psalm 109:30-31: With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
Yesterday's passage says that mercy is such a defining characteristic of God that whoever
31
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
acts mercifully should be called God's child. Does that fit with your impression of God?
to save them from those who would condemn them to death.
What does it say about God?
Psalm 140:12: I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy,
The passage also calls upon us to respond to God's mercy by being imitators of God's mercy.
and executes justice for the poor.
How does it feel to extend mercy? What do you need in order to be merciful?
As you may know, these are just a small fraction of the vast quantity of Scripture devoted to
God's concern for the poor. How does this scripture effect you?
Ask God for whatever you need to follow his example of mercy.
The psalmist often praises God because God's concern for the poor is a personal comfort,
because he identifies with the poor. How do you feel being here in Manila? Have you
experienced ways in which you can identify with people here?
Intercession often happens when we identify closely with people, beyond what we could
humanly come up with. Ask God to give you a heart of intercession for the people we have
met and are among, beyond what you know you have in you. Take some time to pray,
asking God for direction as to for whom and how.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 7
June 8
Slowing Down and Quieting Down
Love for Your Teammates
1 Corinthians 12:12-31: For just as the body is one and has many members, and
Luke 10:38-42: Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a
all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the
woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who
one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were
sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her
all made to drink of one Spirit.
many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me
14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot would say,
to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41But the Lord answered her,
"Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one
part of the body. 16And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to
thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an
eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of
In this passage, we see two women who have chosen different paces of life. Mary sits and
smell be? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he
listens. Martha is restless and active.
chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many
members, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor
How do you feel about the prospect of sitting and listening? Do you consider yourself to be
again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
more like Mary or Martha?
Paul addresses two issues (v14-26). Some people think that they don't fit in because they
don't have special or recognized gifts (feelings of inferiority), while others think that their
Most likely, the pace of life on this project has been calmer than you are used to living at
gifts are the ones that really matter (feelings of superiority). Both pathologies involve
school.
incorrect perceptions, and both make both the individual and the team suffer as a result.
Which end of the spectrum would you tend to fall?
How have you responded to the change?
Inferiority 4 -------- 3 -------- 2 -------- 1 -------- 0 -------- 1 -------- 2 -------- 3 -------- 4 superiority
What have you learned about yourself?
What contributes to these feelings? When are you most susceptible to a skewed perspective?
What has been difficult about the change? Why might a less active life be difficult to accept?
What is attractive about the pace of life?
We are beginning to see that we all play different roles and functions within the team. How
have you seen people with completely different gifts than your own benefiting the team?
Have you told them so?
Most likely, life is more quiet on this project also.
How have you seen your own contributions be helpful to others?
What have you been able to hear that you wouldn't normally?
What is difficult about quiet? What is attractive?
When have you been grateful for someone else?
How might you need to take extra steps of calm and quiet to hear Jesus better?
When have you been tempted to say, "I have no need of you"?
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 9
Pray in this way
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us into the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Start out the day by praying your own version of Jesus' prayer.
Y Where particularly do you want to see God's kingdom come and will be done in Manila
today?
Y What do you need to get through the day?
Y Who have you forgiven, and for what do you need forgiveness?
YWhat temptations are you facing?
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 10
Elijah had his mountaintop showdown with the prophets of Baal, and won (1 Kings 18). Yet
his big day on Mount Carmel didn't completely silence his enemies as he had hoped. His life
is threatened by Jezebel, and he is depressed. God comes to him, not in the laser- multimedia
Discouragement in Ministry
display of wind, earthquake, fire, but in the sound of silence. God hears his complaint, but
1 Kings 19:3-18: Then Elijah was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to
does not validate it. Rather, he calls Elijah into more and greater ministry, and gives him a
Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.
partner Elisha.
4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under
a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away
my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." 5Then he lay down under the broom tree and
How have you been tempted to be disappointed in the results of our time here in Manila so
fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." 6He looked,
far? Has God met your expectations?
and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank,
and lay down again. 7The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said,
"Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." 8He got up, and ate and
drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the
mount of God. 9At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.
How have you met God? How has God gotten your attention?
Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites
have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the
sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."
11He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about
God's message to Elijah carried a promise that Elijah isn't the only faithful Israelite, and that
to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and
God is watching more closely than Elijah might have previously thought. Are there ways you
breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the
have been surprised to see God at work in ways or people you didn't expect?
wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12and after the earthquake a
fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13When
Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of
the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14He
answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have
forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I
alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." 15Then the LORD said to him,
"Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint
Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel;
and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.
17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the
sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that
Take some time to listen for God's voice amidst the activity and movement of this day. What
have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
word of encouragement does God have for you? What word of challenge?
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 11
June 12
Celebrating
Miracles
John 2:1 -11On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother
Do you believe that miracles can happen today?
of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the
wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to
Have you seen anything you would characterize as a miracle during your life? During this
her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His
trip?
mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now standing there were six stone
water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus
If miracles do exist, where do you see the need for one?
said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to
them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9 When the
What does the following passage have to say about miracles?
steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from
Matthew 14:22-33: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on
(though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10
ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the
and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the
crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there
guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this, the
alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,£ for the
first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the
sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a
ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take
The story above is of Jesus' first recorded miracle. It was not beneath Jesus' dignity as the
heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Son of God to begin his career of the miraculous by using his power to keep a party going.
28Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
This is a powerful statement of the importance He places on celebration.
29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came
toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind,£ he became frightened, and beginning
to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught
By the end of the wedding, the disciples had several things they were celebrating: a
him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32When they got into the boat,
marriage, very good wine, and Jesus' miraculous power. What are the things you have to
the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of
celebrate this morning?
God."
Y Try to picture the scene as a disciple in the boat. How do you respond to Peter? What
Even though there was cause for celebration, the hosts did not quite have enough supplies to
do you like about him? What annoys you about him?
properly celebrate. Where do you feel like you are running low?
Y What did the disciples learn about Jesus that night? What does Peter get that the
Ask Jesus to give you what you need to celebrate.
others don't? Would you want to get what he did?
Y At this point in our project, it could be tempting to settle in to a routine and "ride it
out." But Jesus loves to surprise his followers. Ask God to give you eyes to see the
amazing ways he is at work today.
What do you have that seems rather ordinary that you would like Jesus to turn into a
party-maker?
Y Take a risk today! Pray boldly, speak courageously, love extravagantly. See how God
will meet you.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 13
Reevaluating our Possessions and Wealth
Matthew 6:19-24 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break
in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will
be full of light; 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If
then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the
other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
In what area are you most tempted to `store up' possessions?
How has your time in Manila caused you to re-evaluate your possessions and wealth?
What would you need from God today to help you invest in things that will not rust?
Spend some time asking God to continue to draw your heart to himself.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 14
While aspects of these three weeks may have seemed long, in the course of a lifetime, this
trip is like "a day." Here the prophet Isaiah is urging his people to cultivate a long-term
commitment to care for the poor. What are some of the things you already anticipate will
A Lifestyle of Compassion
clamor for your attention upon your return?
Isaiah 58:6-12
Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,
How could you change your life so that you, like God, can hear the cry of the poor in North
to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free,
America?
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
What are the blessings promised as you pursue this?
when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
"As far as child psychologists are able to discern, to babies toys cease to exist the
10
if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
very moment it is removed from sight. They have not yet developed the mental capacity for
then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
object permanence, that is, the understanding that objects exist even when they are out of
11
The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places,
sight...
and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden,
"Perhaps the next step in our development as children of God is a capacity for
like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
compassion permanence--a courageous and generous capacity to remember the needs of an
12
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
unjust world even when they are out of our immediate sight. Not content with the infant's
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach, God calls us to a grown-up capacity to engage a world of
you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
oppression with our heart and mind, even though it is not always before our eyes." Gary
Haugen, Good News about Injustice, IVP, 1999.
Pray for compassion permanence!
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 15
June 16
Finishing Well
Perseverance in Intercession
John 13: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to
Luke 11:5-13
: And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to
depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he
him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine
loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon
has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7And he answers from within, `Do not
Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all
bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot
things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from
get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him
the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water
anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give
into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was
him whatever he needs.
tied around him
9
.
"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock,
and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who
searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone
On the very last night of his life, you would think that Jesus might allow himself a
among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the
night off. Perhaps he could assume that he had already done everything he could for
child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give
the disciples. But Jesus loved them to the end. He didn't stop early, and he knew what
good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
he wanted to accomplish before he left.
those who ask him!"
It could be easy for us to coast from here to the end, knowing we have only a couple of
This "friend at midnight" is forced to go to his friend by 1) his awareness of acute need of
days left in Manila. But this last couple of days could mean a lot in finishing what we
another, 2) his desire to meet that need despite its inconvenience, and 3) his inability on his
have to do, and in allowing God's work to be sealed in us.
own to meet that need. How have you felt forced to go to God during our time in Manila?
Have you seen prayers answered?
Jesus' confidence in his relationship with the Father empowered him to finish well.
What do you need from God these next two days?
What feels unfinished still to you? What would you like to do or see happen before
As we finish our labors today, we are painfully aware of the huge need of this country and
you leave?
people and of our relative resourcelessness in the face of this need. Take time to go before
God on behalf of the people we have met, seen, been approached by.
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 17
June 18
Come to the Party!
Returning with Joy
Isaiah 55: 1-2 Ho, everyone who thirsts,
Luke 10: 17-20 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the
come to the waters;
demons submit to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of
and you that have no money,
lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all
come, buy and eat!
the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this,
Come, buy wine and milk
that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
When the disciples were sent out, they ended up accomplishing things they thought
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
impossible, and they learned more than they ever would have thought?
and delight yourselves in rich food.
What are the amazing things that you have seen happen on this trip?
What are the ways you came on this project without money?
For what were you thirsty?
What new abilities, supernatural or otherwise, have you found yourself possessing?
How have you eaten of rich food?
What have you learned about your own citizenship in the kingdom of heaven?
How have you seen the children and others around us satisfied by rich food during our time?
Praise God for what He has done in you and through you on this trip.
Let us celebrate the Lord's provision!
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 19
Paul says he does one thing: "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies
ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."
Then he calls us to think and live in the same way. The image is one of a runner. The goal is
Pressing On Toward the Goal
the finish line; the prize is the award granted the winning runner. In Paul's case, the goal is
Philippians 3:1-16: Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the
death, death like Jesus, "sharing in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death."
same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.
2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!
We have run a leg of the race, but by no means have we run the race. What will it mean for
3For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ
you to press on toward the goal? What encourages you in the race? Talk to Jesus about how
Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh--4even though I, too, have reason for confidence in
you feel about the race and its goal line.
the flesh.
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the
eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of
Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to
righteousness under the law, blameless.
7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More
Why do you suppose it is so important to Paul to "forget what lies behind"?
than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in
order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own
that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from
God based on faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the
What lies behind you that, failing to forget, could keep you from running to the goal line?
sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11if somehow I may attain the
resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on
to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Beloved, I do not consider
that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining
forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of
God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you
think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16Only let us hold fast to
what we have attained..
Of course, after the race comes the prize, which for Paul, as for us, is that "somehow I may
attain the resurrection from the dead." Ultimately, it is for this prize that we run. What does
this image mean for you? To what do you look forward in the resurrection from the dead?
Praise and thank God for
making you his own (v12).
Journal of Thoughts and Prayers
Manila Project
May 27-June 21, 2000
June 20
June 21
Building the House
Going Out
Everyone then who hears these words and acts on them will be like a wise man whou built his
Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and
house on rock.
on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to
obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the
Spend some time reflecting on the whole sermon on the mount, and on your time in Manila.
end of the age."
In the sermon on the mount, we talked about acting on Jesus' words. In this passage, we see
What did you see and hear?
that Jesus also wants his followers to spread what they have learned to others.
What would it mean to build on them? What will be hard about doing so?
It can be tempting to think that we have finished our project, and now we are simply
returning home. In this passage, Jesus tells us that we aren't just returning, we are being
sent. What's the difference? How do you feel about being sent on a mission like this?
What are the storms you can foresee coming?
What do you know about yourself, Jesus, or the world after this project that you want to tell
How will building on what you've heard prepare you for those storms?
others about?
Jesus makes sure to let us know that he has authority on heaven and earth. What do we
need from Jesus to fulfill this commission?
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