Joel Vestal

January 31, 2006

In California next week

Joel Vestal @ 9:32 pm + Uncategorized

We will all be in California next week (all 4 us) If you are a reader of this blog, we would love to see you,meet you - I have several speaking engagements.

Thur - We are having a ServLife gathering in Santa Ana, CA at 7:30 - Please email me for more info - click here

We will be at the Soliton Network on Satuday, Feb 11 in Ventura - And the Bridge Communities Church in Ventura on Sunday, Feb 12

0 Comments + Permalink

January 29, 2006

we have returned from michigan and no amount of entries or pages of words will do justice in communicating the experience over these past 3 weeks. i was in heart surgery without a scapple that you could see with your eyes but could feel with your heart- unlike ever before, was the reality of facing demons and shadows AND light and hope all in the same breath. Health is when you can hold in one hand and see youself as both an image bearer and a sinner AT THE SAME TIME. Some poetry from my experience —

Pain Rises

Confusion

Despair

Pissed off

Broken. Shattered

What comes? What goes?

Rest on what you believe

Hoped for

Have taught

Lived

CHRIST IN YOU

The hope of Glory

Don’t stop the fight

For what you think is right

With His might

See the light

Other wear masks to hide what is inside

I wear masks

You can face today

Tomorrow

CHRIST IN YOU

The hope of Glory

Gaze inward

Intrigued

Entrenched

Reflective

Pensive

Your mouth

Like a gazer

Of wisdom

Perspective

Guidance

You are centered

In peace

Calmed

The ease of streams flowing

With nothing to stop it

You amaze others

With your heart of beauty

And mind of discernment

You move ahead

Even if alone

Without being lonely

You possess what most seek

But rarely find

You embody all that is good, pure

Lovely true, admirable, right,

You flow

Rugged yet smooth

Vague yet clear

Little change you care

Driven – yet why?

Speaks to clarify

Cares for others

Offers to supply

Yet no money-

Tears in his eyes

Heart annihilate

Confused why here

A 2^nd home away from home

Brings his heart cheer.

Makes life more clear

Spirit is free

You go to your knee

To replenish, renew, refocus

The best days lie ahead

Fruit is in sight

The

bowie

is in sight

I know I want to fight

For you

For us

1,2,3,4 – A fool?

REFUGE

4 dreams

4 hearts

4 minds

TOGETHER

Oars in or hands

Love from our lips

Cheering b/c it is insight

Oh, I will work with all my might

understood in

Cairo

springs

Under oak in texas

Powdered sugar and Chinese food

Julio iglesias

Only fools rush in

I must be a fool

For you

For love

For dreams

For what we can create

For justice

For love.

safe

My arms

My whisper

My love

Please receive

Don’t think. Just believe

dreams

I awake – leah or Rachel?

I don’t know

Who cares

You are mine

I will stare

In your eyes

I want to fulfill

Your dreams

Swing dance

Give me a chance

pain

Without it life would not be life

Crazy men

No backyard

Cysts

Hurt

Fear

Guilt

Clouds of despair

Where will they go?

Who cares?

Lewis says God shouts

I want to know what it is all about

big picture – hands on fused together

In 1 vision solely

For God’s fame

Not our own

That would be shame

Thank you wise men –

Only fools rush in

I will always be a fool

To maintain

To love you

No matter what

Always – Forever

All my heart

Until death do us part

1 Comment + Permalink

January 11, 2006

Alongside: Michigan

Joel Vestal @ 2:49 pm + Random Encounters & Experiences

We are all here in Michigan at Alongside - A ministry that exists for pastors and missionaries to stop, reflect, learn,debrief, unpack life for 3 solid weeks - We felt and have been encouraged to take this time before we return to Asia; thus, moving our departure date to March. We have been here 2 days and are enjoying our time here thus far - It is cold! Elise and I both value your prayers! I hope to keep you posted. Our “program” time is just 4 hours every day in the morning time and the afternoons to retreat, be silent, rest (to the degree we can with our kids and cold weather) Every morning Elise and I meet 45 minutes with a counselor/coach to talk about whatever we would like to talk about - THere are many things heavy on my mind and heart and wish to share more later.

6 Comments + Permalink

January 3, 2006

Christmas reflections from USA

Joel Vestal @ 5:06 pm + Uncategorized

Several of you asked if I would post this email I sent out during Christmas - Well, here it is.

For the past two years my family has celebrated Christmas on a roof top with the ServLife India family in northern Bihar, India. Our days were mostly spent singing, praying, playing games, dancing and eating with 27 orphans, ServLife church planters, students, and other staff and people in the community. It will for sure go down for me as the best Christmas memories I have ever had. "Why?" you ask.

As I have been reflecting on this, a few reasons came to mind. First, it was Jesus centered. Having a Jesus centered Christmas is not a matter of geographical location but a matter of the heart. Yet, having less distractions is probably helpful to make it easier to focus on Jesus. In north India those who even celebrate Christmas are not doing it for cultural acceptance or a common holiday, as the region is mostly Hindu. The birth of Jesus, the reign of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the presence of Jesus, and the return of Jesus one day is for sure the focus among everyone who celebrated Christmas in north India. Our son, Zayd, just turned 3 and he is beginning to understand what a birthday means and reminds me the centrality of the meaning of Christmas . When we ask him about Christmas, he replies, "Jesus birthday".. Indeed, being back in America this Christmas season has been a reminder that many in this country are not consumed with love for a baby in a manger that came to this earth to take away the sins of the world but a cultural holiday that gives more priority to gift-giving, parties, and decorations. God help us.

Secondly, there was a great degree of freedom to be yourself when celebrating Christmas in India the past two years. God is teaching me a lot about knowing myself just I am to come to know God in my spiritual pilgrimage. John Calvin wrote, "There is no deep knowing of God without a deep knowing of self and no deep knowing of self without a deep knowing of God. " Thomas a Kempis wrote, "a humble self-knowledge is a surer way to God than a search after deep learning." One of the great realities in self-discovery is the freedom to be the unique self God created you to be and not someone else you think you want to be or others want you to be. There is a cultural stress in the west to be on the best dressed and care more on your appearance during Christmas holidays that I forgot about. We want to decorate and wear green and red colors and I have to ask myself why is this being done. Are we more concerned of what others think of us than merely resting in the love of God? We are unhappy when we do not get what we want, cannot achieve what we desire to, or trapped in what others think of us. There is great freedom I experienced when celebrating Christmas among the poorest in the world in north India. Orphaned children do not care what you are wearing or even if you have bathed but just care that you are present and yourself. Let us be fully present with those we love and engage people with all our senses and all of who we are. God help us.

Thirdly, simplicity was celebrated and embraced. The worries and questions that seem to plague me this year were not present in celebrating Christmas with those in India. "Where will we go to church? What service will we go to? What presents do I still need to buy? Is my son going to get too many gifts? Will I have time to run these errands?" Practicing simplicity is a good discipline to embrace but challenging. A mere smile or traditional Indian greeting were the gifts I loved to receive and give. Spending time singing together was better than any gifts that could be exchanged. Dancing with children on the roof who may otherwise be working in bonded labor or trafficked into prostitution are memories most cannot have on Christmas day. Playing the guitar and sharing songs with a 22 year old man from Nepal who will return to his village to establish a church gives life to Christmas. Not having the access to "be busy" was a blessing in disguise. God help us…

Finally, the beauty among the poor, orphaned, and neglected is always present and realized. In the world’s eyes, north Bihar is "hell on earth". It is the poorest state in India, dirtiest, and most corrupt. Over 85 million people fill a land mass the size of Nebraska. A place where many will say to you, "You will never find anything beautiful there. Do not go there.." They are wrong. Pollution fills the air and garbage lies on every street. Lepers roam the dirt roads and smells that fill the air are in no way pleasant. Yet, the beauty that was experienced in India the past two Christmas seasons was beauty that pierced my soul to the core more than any painting gazed upon in Amsterdam or Paris could ever do. The beauty that comes from being with those you love and know is priceless. Focusing time in celebrating the life of Jesus and life together with brothers and sisters in Christ creates beauty beyond description. Seeing transformation happen in the community before your very eyes and the orphaned cared for and the poor empowered is beauty beyond your wildest dreams. Not being consumed with the external things that consume us, but being content in seeing those around you as children of God who are beautifully and wonderfully made in God’s image is critical. God help us.

I do hope you have a holiday that is filled with the power and wonder of Jesus Christ and his deep love for the all the world to know him. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

0 Comments + Permalink