As I pondered how to best explain this ancient and freeing principle to modern readers, I remembered when my friend Cal described walking with his son 500 miles across northern Spain on the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

They carried everything in backpacks, and one day Cal wondered what he could jettison to lighten his load. He looked at his little travel pillow. It weighed only a few ounces. But with hundreds of miles to go, Cal decided he could let it go if that would help reach the sought-after goal of walking the full 500 miles. Out went the pillow!

With recurring, deeper issues such as fighting addiction, wanting my own way, trying to control relationships, pride, fears, etc. detachment can become more difficult. But the principle still holds: Without detachment, growth in my relationship with God will be stunted.

Coffee/tea thought: Do I have the goal of intimate relationship with God? What is retarding my progress?

John

Chinese Version: Detachment 1

Win and I often think of a Sunday many years ago in Washington, D. C. I had finished my PhD and we were soon to leave for a university job in Iowa. On our final Sunday there, the pastor invited us to come to the front of our large church. After sharing that we felt God had called us to the university world, our pastor, Richard C. Halverson (later Chaplain of the U. S. Senate), prayed for us publicly. Over the years we have often recalled that experience, and have been encouraged in difficult times.

In the decades since we left Washington, we have been disappointed to find that rarely is public church affirmation given to believers called to secular work. Those headed to seminary or missions are commended and prayed for in church, and they should be. But God calls _all_ of the body of Christ to work for His sake, wherever He places them.

Some believers are called to fully-supported Christian work, but most are called to work for Christ in the venue of “secular” employment. God calls every believer to serve _Him_, regardless of the source of his or her paycheck.

Coffee/tea thought: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3.17 NIV

John

Chinese Version: A Secular/Spiritual Divide? 2

AO Administrator Pete Boysen, who manages computer aspects of AO Notes, had this perceptive comment:

“Roy — To me there is no difference between secular and spiritual as long as I love God and don’t make the distinction in my own mind. Managing the computer side of AO notes doesn’t seem very ‘spiritual’ yet God is using me to carry out a spiritual calling. John and Win do all the spiritual writing but AO wouldn’t be possible without my help.

Your ‘secular’ work gives you access to people your pastor may never see. If God is using you to love them, care for them or see Christ through you, you are doing spiritual work. — Pete”

Coffee/tea thought: Thank You, Father, for this reminder that You do not distinguish between kinds of work done for You. That You use and bless my desire to honor and serve You, wherever You have placed me.

John

Chinese Version: A Secular/Spiritual Divide? 1

In this case it was William Cowper’s hymn “Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings.” Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”) suffered periods of deep depression over 200 years ago in England. Here are his words:

Sometimes a light surprises
- The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
- With healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining,
- He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
- To cheer it after rain. — W. Cowper (1731-1800)

I identify with Cowper. Singing so often lifts my spirit! Music seems to involve different brain processes than pure logic (in my brain, at least). God has often used meaningful words and music to draw me to His heart.

Coffee/tea thought: Stop for a moment, where you are, and sing quietly to the Lord, perhaps this hymn of Cowper’s. Tell God you give yourself to Him.

John

Chinese Version: When God Showed Up 2

Immediately the thought came into my mind that I was worrying. And that worry is a sin.

Yes, it is sin. Because I was (again!) _failing to trust_ (hope in) my Good and Powerful God.

As I rested and thought about this, I turned back to God, choosing to _trust Him_ with my worries. Then I got up and went about the day’s duties, keeping a promise to help pack meals for needy people. (Earlier I had not wanted to go.) There I met a friend who said he was feeling “down.” I was able to pray with him. (Earlier I had not wanted to be around people.)

That night, to Win’s query of “Where did God show up today?” I had lots to say. Thanks, Lord.

Coffee/tea thought: Thank You, Lord, that You ask us only to turn (back) to You. And You do the rest.

John

Chinese Version: When God Showed Up 1

My Jesus, You know better than I how frail and imperfect I am.
You know that I will never love others as You have loved them,
unless You love them Yourself through me.

I cherish the new commandment You gave us to love one another.
It proves to me that it is Your will to love through me all those
that You ask me to love.

When I show love to others, I know that it is Jesus who is acting
within me, and the more closely I am united to Him, the more truly
I can love others.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” — Jesus (in John 13.34 NLT)

Coffee/tea thought: Let’s reread Therese’s heartfelt prayer above and make it our own for today.

John

{Adapted from SIMPLY SURRENDER by John Kirvan, based on the Little Way of Therese of Lisieux}

Chinese Version: Little Flower 4

“Loving Father, I have been taught all my life that my worth
depends on my earning my way. But I cannot earn Your love.”

Therese recognized her own helplessness to merit God’s love. So she came to expect everything from _God’s_ goodness, not her own. She told God:

“Whatever virtues I may possess are a gift from You,
a treasury that You put at my disposal to be used as I need them.
But they remain Your treasury, Your gift.”

This reminded AO Editor Win of a hymn written earlier expressing the same thoughts:

“And every virtue we possess,
and every conquest won,
and every thought of holiness,
are His alone.” — Henriette Auber, 1829

Coffee/tea thought: Heavenly Father, everything I am and have, “every virtue I possess” is Yours alone. Thank You.

John

Ref: SIMPLY SURRENDER by John Kirvan, modern paraphrase of Little Way of Therese of Lisieux

Chinese Version: Little Flower 3

Therese wrote that trying to understand obtuse theological writings made her brain tired and dried up her heart. But when she turned to the sacred Scriptures with willingness to obey, “all became clear.”

Deeper relationship with God requires using my mind. How else can I love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind? (Therese of Lisieux herself is called one of the Doctors of the Church, an “authoritative teacher” of God’s love.)

But intellect _alone_ is never able to lead me to deeper relationship with my good God. The most educated theologians of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, missed the most important aspects of God’s law — justice, mercy, and faith. (Matt. 23.23) They erred in not loving God with their heart as well as their mind.

Coffee/tea thought: Lord Jesus, I lay aside my desire to “understand” Your ways (read: trying to be in control of my life). Like Therese, I come as a child to You, resting in the security of Your arms. You alone are enough.

John

Ref: SIMPLY SURRENDER by John Kirvan, modern paraphrase based on the Little Way of Therese of Lisieux

Chinese Version: Little Flower 2

The story of Jesus allowing little children to come to Him gave her confidence that she, too, could come to Jesus.

But she found it difficult to accept herself as a helpless child in a world that values only those who are always strong and independent. She asked God to help her understand that her _weakness_ was her strength.

“I see that it is enough to acknowledge one’s own nothingness and surrender oneself like a child to God’s affectionate arms.” — Therese of Lisieux

Coffee/tea thought: “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” — Jesus (2 Cor. 12.9)

John

Ref: SIMPLY SURRENDER by John Kirvan, modern paraphrase based on the Little Way of Therese of Lisieux

Chinese Version: Little Flower 1

In contrast, the Bible has much to teach me about growing in wisdom:

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.”

When I refuse to listen to criticism I am taking the road _away_ from wisdom. I have taken the highway exit to Arrogance, not Wisdom.

“Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”

Coffee/tea thought: Today, notice whether refusing to be corrected — or its opposite, humbly receiving positive criticism — is influencing your growth toward wisdom and good judgment.

John

Ref: Proverbs 15.31-33 (NLT)

Chinese Version: The Source of Wisdom 3