change your life. change your world.

Vol 12 • Issue 5

THE KINGFISHER
EFFECT
Good news for nerves

Wings from Weights

How to rise above problems

Peace Plan
10 keys to inner calm
 Browse our website or contact one of the
distributors below to enjoy the inspirational,
motivational, and practical help offered in our
books and audiovisual material.
Vol 12, Issue 5
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out. She was talking to the Son of God, and He was about to put her in Antipolo City P.O.
direct contact with the source of everything she longed for, God Himself. 1870 Antipolo City, Philippines
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Don’t we all want the same things that woman wanted? If we only knew. Email: info@activated.org.au
If we knew—really knew—how much God loves us, we would never www.activated.org.au
feel unloved. If we knew how unconditional His love is, we would never Editor Keith Phillips
feel insecure. If we knew how accepting He is of us—blemishes, blow-its, Design Gentian Suçi
and all—we wouldn’t worry so much about what anyone else might think. Production Jessie Richards
If we knew how much He appreciates our love for Him and others, we www.auroraproduction.com
would find fulfillment in that, first and foremost. If we knew what He has © 2011 Aurora Production AG. All Rights Re-
served. Printed in Taiwan by Ji Yi Co., Ltd.
planned for us, we wouldn’t fear the future. If we only knew how much He
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indi-
loves us for who we are, we wouldn’t want to be anyone else. cated, are taken from the New King James Ver-
sion®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Keith Phillips Used by permission. All rights reserved. Other
For Activated Bible references are from the following sources:
King James Version (KJV). The Contemporary
English Version (CEV). Copyright © 1995 by the
American Bible Society. Used by permission.
The New Century Version (NCV). Copyright ©
1. John, chapter 4 1991 by Word Publishing. Used by permission.

2
 Finding
perfection
I remember, as a very little
girl, looking out across
the field behind our home
at what appeared to be
the perfect tree. I could
hardly contain my excitement as I
ran to inspect it up close. But as I
reached out to gather some perfect
leaves from the perfect tree, I had
one of my first big disappointments.
On closer inspection, each leaf was
marred somehow—a scrape, a brown
splotch, an insect bite. There wasn’t
one that I could take home and
hang in my room as a symbol of
perfection.
Images may appear perfect from
a distance, but as we look closer we
see the imperfections. We watch
strangers drive by in their shiny
new cars and assume that they have
perfect lives, not realizing that they
may have problems worse than
our own. We watch television and
movies and see images of perfection,
1. Matthew 22:37–39
By Joyce Suttin
illusions that fade as the final credits roll. A scenic view may look perfect from
a distance, but up close we see the mud and the litter. The world looks better
without binoculars or microscopes.
We look for perfection—perfect people, perfect situations, perfect relation-
ships, perfect happiness—but because none of us are perfect, we wind up
discouraged or disillusioned. But God isn’t looking for perfection—at least not
our idea of perfection. Sure, we can all do better, but often what we perceive as
flaws and foibles are actually His doing, part of our unique makeup, blessings
in disguise. And are all problems all bad? Aren’t they sometimes God’s way of
steering us to better things?
God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. All He asks is that we try our best to
love Him and others.1 When we do that, we can feel secure in His love, and
that changes our whole outlook. We feel better about ourselves, and that helps
us to see the best in others and to make the most of our circumstances. Life
isn’t perfect, but that’s okay. God knew better.
Joyce Suttin is a member of the Family International in the U.S.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Because [God] delights in me, he saved me.”—Psalm 18:19 NCV
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had
a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every
spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk,
he’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose
your heart. Face it, friend. He’s crazy about you.—Max Lucado
3
 There is a beautiful stained glass window
in the historic Wesley’s Chapel in London,
inscribed with these words: “If I take the wings of the
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there
shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”1
People have always wanted wings—a way to be lifted above
their earthbound lives and troubles. It seems to be human nature
to feel confined and discontented with “here.” Things surely must
be easier, brighter, better, freer “there,” just over the next hill.
There’s another verse where the Psalmist echoes the get-me-
away-from-it-all sentiment. He says, “Oh, that I had wings like
a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”2 But he also knew the
secret to finding that wonderful place away from it all, and he
shared that secret with us: “The Lord sustained me.”3
God sustained David through all his difficulties and tests, and
He transformed his weights into wings. “But those who wait on
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint.”4 When we turn to God’s Word and wait in
WINGS from
WEIGHTS
By Virginia Brandt Berg
1. Psalm 139:9–10 KJV 4. Isaiah 40:31
2. Psalm 55:6 5. Psalm 27:14
3. Psalm 3:5 6. See Isaiah 26:3.
4
prayer until God touches our soul, we mount
up to realms of peace and rest and are truly
“sustained by the Lord.”
This old world daily strives to pull us
down, but there is an upward pull that will
lift us to the very heart of God. If you read
God’s Word, share your heart with Him, and
wait for Him to speak to you, you will find
all the strength you need. But many people
try to run on their own strength, hoping that
they will somehow surmount their difficulties
that way. They put the feet before the wings.
But read that verse again. The running and
walking come after the renewing. What
chance does your soul have if you never take
those moments to connect with God and
draw strength from Him? “Wait on the Lord;
be of good courage, and He shall strengthen
your heart.”5
Evangelist and pastor Virginia Brandt
Berg (1886–1968) was the mother of
David Brandt Berg, founder of the
Family International.
God can solve your problems in
one little glimpse. He can refresh
your spirit with one deep breath.
He can clarify your thoughts with
just one sweet strain of heavenly
music. He can wipe away your
fears and tears with just one little
restful moment in that perfect
peace He gives when your mind is
fixed on Him and Him alone.6
—David Brandt Berg
 THE
KINGFISHER
EFFECT
By David Bolick

When Japan’s Sanyo Shinkansen “bullet train” was

first put in service, residents along the train line
complained about the noise level. About half the line
was made up of tunnel sections, and the train would produce a tun-
nel boom on exiting due to the sudden change in air resistance.
The engineers pondered the problem until one of them remem-
bered having read about a bird with a unique design feature, the
kingfisher. To catch its prey, the kingfisher dives from the air, which
has low resistance, into high-resistance water—and it only creates
the smallest splash upon entry. The engineer surmised that this was
due to the shape of the kingfisher’s beak being perfectly suited to deal
with such changes in resistance.
He and his colleagues conducted simulations by shooting various
shapes into a pipe and measuring the pressure waves on exit. The
data showed that the ideal shape for the nose of the bullet train was
almost identical to a kingfisher’s beak—problem solved! The engi-
neers probably would have had a much more difficult time finding
the solution if they had relied solely on their training and experience
as mechanical engineers. The solution was found only when one of
them looked elsewhere.
One of the problems with problems is that we tend to rely too
much on our own abilities and experience to solve them, when God
often has a better idea. It takes faith to stop
trying so hard on our own and turn to God
for help, but that’s usually what it takes for
Him to get through to us. Faith is to prob-
lems what the kingfisher’s beak is to water.
When obstacles present themselves, the sud-
den added resistance to our plans or routine
can give us quite a jolt, but faith helps us find
solutions quicker and with less wear and tear
on our nerves. Faith doesn’t eliminate all our
problems, but it lessens their impact.
David Bolick is a member of the Family
International in Mexico.

H OW TO H A N D L E ANYTHING
There are well-meaning people who believe that life is too harsh. They would like to plan and arrange
the world so that no one need suffer. But without struggle, how could the end result of personality be
developed? How could a person become rounded and mature and strong?
As tough and unpleasant as difficulty may be, it is the source of potential development. Surround
every difficulty with prayer, with faith, and with straight thinking. Then let enthusiasm build power
under it. On this basis, you can handle any situation that can ever develop.—Norman Vincent Peale

5

We can never be com-
pletely happy or whole
until we establish a loving
relationship with God
through His Son, Jesus.
You can do that right now
by praying this simple
prayer:
Jesus, I believe in You and
want to get to know You
better. Please be with me
always. Amen.
6
THE FAITH
FACTOR
Adapted from David Brandt Berg
One of the greatest healing factors is faith, knowing
that God loves us and is going to take care of us no
matter what happens. Faith eliminates fear and tension, which are
two of the greatest causes of disease and ill health. Those and other nega-
tive mental states such as worry, hatred, and bitterness can contribute
to various psychological and nervous disorders, as well as physiological
conditions such as heart trouble, arthritis, and stomach ulcers.
A negative state of mind can have a negative effect on the body, but
if we can counter that negativity, we will find peace of mind, which will
reduce stress on vital organs and promote health. This is why peaceful
meditation, positive attitudes, and concentrating on good thoughts
have a good effect on both mind and body. “Whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if
there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on
these things.”1
The Bible also tells us repeatedly not to worry or be fearful, but rather
to ask God to work things out and to trust that He will. “Be strong and
of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.”2 “God is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the
earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst
of the sea.”3 “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.”4 “Peace I
leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give
to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”5 “Do not
be afraid; only believe.”6
Faith in God gives you peace of mind, contentment of heart, and a
sense of spiritual well-being—all of which tend to greatly improve your
physical well-being.
David Brandt Berg (1919–1994) was the founder of the Family
International.
1. Philippians 4:8 3. Psalm 46:1–2 5. John 14:27
2. Joshua 1:9 4. Psalm 56:11 6. Mark 5:36
The Wave
By Janet Barnes
LIFE
By Mother Teresa

One morning when I was at wits’ end, I checked my Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
email and saw that a friend had sent me a video Life is a beauty, admire it.
clip. It turned out to be a collection of relaxing beach scenes, Life is bliss, taste it.
with soft instrumental music playing in the background. The waves Life is a dream, realize it.
washing on the shore reminded me of the peaceful beauty of God’s Life is a challenge, meet it.
creation, and the gentle, repetitive sight and sound of the surf rolling Life is a duty, complete it.
onto the sand soothed my spirit. Life is a game, play it.
When I had calmed down enough to think more clearly, it dawned Life is costly, care for it.
on me that most waves are the result of winds out at sea, turbulence. Life is wealth, keep it.
There is continual movement as each wave builds over time and Life is love, enjoy it.
distance. It picks up speed and breaks when it reaches the shallows. It Life is mystery, know it.
stretches along the warm sand until it is just a thin sheet. Then, slowly Life is a promise, fulfill it.
and silently, it retreats back into the sea. On and on it goes—build- Life is sorrow, overcome it.
ing, breaking, spreading, and returning in an endless cycle. Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it!

DAY-BY-DAY FAITH
It’s today that you have to have faith
for. It’s today that God has provided
the strength for. “As your days, so
shall your strength be.”1 God gives
you power for the hour, grace for the
trial, at the hour and when it comes,
The winds of adversity can create some pretty big waves, like the not before. You don’t have to have
ones that had engulfed me that morning. I felt buffeted and agitated, faith for tomorrow today. Trust your
but it helped to remember that they were only for a time. Each heavenly Father. He loves you and is
trouble would run its course, retreat, and fade away. Peace and order going to take care of you tomorrow,
would return. And they did. just like He’s taking care of you today.
—David Brandt Berg
Janet Barnes is a member of the Family International in
Romania. 1. Deuteronomy 33:25

7
 PEACE
By Keith Phillips PLAN
10 keys to
inner calm
Peace is a “fruit of the
Spirit,”1 one of the special bless-
ings the Bible promises to those
who strive to live close to God. The
Hebrew word translated “peace” in
most English versions of the Old
Testament denoted completeness,
soundness, and overall well-being.
The New Testament connotation is
inner tranquility—a combination of
hope, trust, and quiet of mind and
soul.2 In this day and age, such peace
can be elusive.
There’s no magic formula for
attaining inner peace, but there are
certain things we can do to nurture it.
Trust God
Trust doesn’t just happen. As children
8
we learn to trust our parents because
we feel their love and benefit from
their care and mature understanding
of life. We trust friends who have
stuck with us through thick and thin.
We trust businesspeople whom we
find to be honest and reliable. We
trust people, in short, because of our
experience with them.
It’s the same with God. The more
we open our hearts to Him, the
more we feel His love and concern.
The more we study the Bible and
Bible-based materials, the better
we understand life and the more
we appreciate God’s wisdom and
goodness. The more we put God’s
promises to the test, the more faith
we have in them. The more we take
our problems to Him, the more we
learn to depend on Him to work
them out. The better we get to know
Him, the more we trust Him; and
the more we trust Him, the more
inner peace we have.
Go God’s way
When we think in terms of what
will please God and do our best to
act accordingly, we can expect His
blessing. “You [God] treat us with
kindness and with honor, never
denying any good thing to those
who live right.”3 That doesn’t mean
everything will come easily or go
smoothly, because hard work and
troubles are part of life. It does mean,
though, that we can have peace of
mind even in difficult times, because
God has promised us good things
in the end. Inner turmoil is often
the result of stubbornly or selfishly
pushing our own plans when deep
down we know that God wants
something else for us or others. That
never works.
 Jesus didn’t promise
to change the
circumstances
around us, but He did
promise great peace
and pure joy to those
who would learn
to believe that God
actually controls all
things.
—Merlin Carothers

Take problems to God in for good to those who love God.”5 In
prayer the meantime, our faith is strength-
Turning our problems over to God in ened and we learn patience. Without
prayer benefits us in two ways. First, either of those—faith and patience—
we get His help, which makes all the it’s hard to be at peace. That’s why
difference in the world. But it also has the Bible tells us to stay positive and
the extra benefit of taking the pressure hang in there. “Count it all joy when
off of us to work things out. “Don’t you fall into various trials, knowing
worry about anything, but pray about that the testing of your faith produces
everything. With thankful hearts offer patience. But let patience have its
up your prayers and requests to God. perfect work, that you may be perfect
Then …God will bless you with peace and complete, lacking nothing.”6
that no one can completely under-
stand. And this peace will control the Let go of the past
way you think and feel.”4 It’s impossible to feel at peace with
ourselves or God as long as we’re still
Give troubles time carrying the burden of past mistakes.
Whatever may befall us and for We can repent a thousand times and
whatever reason, we can rest assured do penance until hell freezes over,
that God can and wants to bring but we won’t experience genuine
about some greater good through it. peace until we fully accept the fact
Eventually, “all things work together that God forgave us for every wrong
1. Galatians 5:22–23 3. Psalm 84:11 CEV 7. Isaiah 43:25
2. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, 4. Philippians 4:6–7 CEV 8. Romans 5:1
Copyright © 1986, Thomas 5. Romans 8:28
Nelson Publishers 6. James 1:2–4
the instant we asked Him to. We say,
“I’m too bad.” God says, “I, even I,
am He who blots out your transgres-
sions for My own sake; and I will
not remember your sins.”7 “We have
peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ.”8
View adversity as
opportunity
In one of his rare hopeful moments,
Friedrich Nietzsche hit on a happy
truth: “What does not kill me, makes
me stronger.” In her book Gratitude:
A Way of Life, Louise L. Hay was
more specific. “No matter what is
happening around us, we can choose
to respond in a way that will help
us learn and grow. When we look
at our difficulties as opportunities
for growth, then we can be grateful
for the lessons we are learning from
these difficult experiences. There is
always a gift in every experience.
Expressing gratitude allows us to find
it.” When we adopt that mindset,
we put problems in perspective, free

9
 Anything wonderful
can happen in that
little margin of time
when you don’t give up
but keep on believing.
—Virginia Brandt Berg

ourselves from the negativity they
conjure up, and find peace.
Cultivate contentment
“Godliness with contentment is great
gain.”9 Who doesn’t like the sound
of “great gain”? It’s “godliness” and
“contentment” that people tend to
misinterpret and get hung up on.
“Godliness” is not a matter of piety or
perfection. It isn’t a sinless state, but a
lifelong process; it’s recognizing that
we’re not nearly as much like Him
as we should be and asking Him to
make us better. And “contentment”
isn’t a matter of feigning happiness or
resigning ourselves to the way things
are when they aren’t as they should
be; it’s a matter of loving God and
9. 1 Timothy 6:6
10. Philippians 1:6
11. Andrew Murray, South African writer
and pastor (1828–1917)
12. Ephesians 4:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18
13. Philippians 4:8
14. John 16:33
trusting Him to make things better.
It’s “being confident of this very
thing, that He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ.”10
Take time for quiet
reflection
“Give God time to reveal Himself to
you. Give yourself time to be silent
and quiet before Him, waiting to
receive, through the Spirit, the assur-
ance of His presence with you, His
power working in you. Let [Him]
create within you a holy atmosphere,
a holy, heavenly light‚ in which your
soul will be refreshed and strength-
ened for the work of daily life.”11 In
those quiet moments, God is able to
renew your spirit and also make you
more like Himself.12
Be grateful
Counting our blessings puts us on
a positive channel. It doesn’t solve
all our problems, but it takes our
focus off of the things that upset
and unsettle us. “Whatever things
are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue and if
there is anything praiseworthy—
meditate on these things.”13
Deepen your personal
relationship with Jesus
In Jesus’ farewell to His disciples,
knowing that He was about to be
arrested and crucified, He told them,
“These things have I spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribula-
tion; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.”14 The better
you get to know Jesus by reading His
Word, especially the Gospels, and by
interacting with Him through prayer
and reflection, the more you will be
convinced that He and His Father
have everything under control, no
matter how things may appear on the
surface.

10
SHATTERED!
By Natalia Nazarova
When my husband went on
an extended business trip
for nearly three months, I
found out what challenges
single parents face. It was a big
adjustment to have to keep up with
the house and care for the children on
my own, in addition to my job. Other
circumstances also took a toll on my
emotions, and I found it increasingly
difficult to cope. Each day’s outlook
seemed bleaker than the last. The
struggle exhausted me physically and
mentally. Then came the last straw.
Dinner was almost ready, and it
would be ten minutes before the
children finished their homework
and came to eat. I had been using
my laptop to listen to music while
I cooked, and decided to use those
ten minutes to check my email.
I scooped the laptop from the
kitchen counter and headed
for the living room, but in
my frazzled state I forgot to
unplug the power cord. When
I had gone only a few steps, sud-
den resistance tore the laptop from my
grip. I can still see the scene unfold-
ing, as though in slow motion—my
computer falling, flipping, bouncing,
the screen going blank.
I was in shock the rest of the
evening, and couldn’t fall asleep that
night. When my mind finally stopped
racing, I began to consider how
stressed I had been and consequently
how unhappy I was. I believed that
God wanted to help me get out of the
mess I was in, and He did.
In my desperate, “shattered” state,
He was able to get through to me
about areas where I had been falling
short—my relationships with my
older children and my attitude
toward some of my coworkers, for
example. In that time of quiet
reflection, I sought and found
God’s forgiveness, and faith
and hope were restored.
Then I remembered
my shattered laptop.
But instead of the
despair I had felt
all evening, I had the
distinct feeling that all was
not lost. If God could put me back
together, I reasoned, surely there was
hope for my laptop.
The next morning I switched on
the laptop, and it rebooted. Only
a small portion of the screen lit
up, but the computer was still
functioning. Only the screen had
been damaged, and that was relatively
inexpensive to replace.
Now each time I open my
laptop and the screen lights up, I am
reminded of God’s unfailing love and
forgiveness, the peace He has to offer,
and the inner change He brings when
we take our problems to Him.
Natalia Nazarova is a member
of the Family International in
Argentina.
11
 POINTS TO PONDER

Beat stress
A 113-year-old man, when
asked the secret of his
longevity, replied, “When
it rains, I let it.”
Stress is not what happens to us.
It’s our response to what happens.
And response is something we can
choose.—Maureen Killoran

Stress is the trash of modern life— Stress believes that everything is an

we all generate it but if you don’t
dispose of it properly, it will pile up
and overtake your life.
—Terri Guillemets
Our anxiety does not empty
tomorrow of its sorrow, but only
empties today of its strength.
—Charles Haddon Spurgeon
For fast-acting relief, try slowing
down.—Lily Tomlin
emergency.—Natalie Goldberg
The greatest weapon against stress
is our ability to choose one thought
over another.—William James
If you focus on the negative in
any situation, you can expect high
stress levels. However, if you try
and see the good in the situation,
your stress levels will greatly dimin-
ish.—Catherine Pulsifer

Take rest; a field that has rested
gives a bountiful crop.—Ovid
Believing that you must do some-
thing perfectly is a recipe for stress,
and you’ll associate that stress
with the task and thus condition
yourself to avoid it.—Steve Pavlina
Keep your sense of humor. There’s
enough stress in the rest of your life
to let bad shots ruin a game you’re
supposed to enjoy.—Amy Alcott
I will cast all my cares on God.
They cannot burden Him.
—Joseph Hall

P R AYER FOR THE DAY

Jesus, when I feel weak, tired, or out of sorts, You’re right there to put Your arms around me,
to comfort me, and tell me that everything is going to be okay. You reach down and soothe
my ruffled nerves, melt away my worries and fears, and lift the confusion that surrounds me.
Thank You that I can find relief from the pressure of a busy schedule by turning to You.
When I stop what I’m doing and take a few minutes to think about You and Your love, my
spirit is refreshed and I find the strength to continue on with my busy day.
Thank You for the peace You pour into me when I’m stressed or down. And thank You, too,
that when I feel good, You make me feel even better.

12
rest assured By Samuel Keating

Stress is no fun. Whether as a student cramming before an important

exam, a parent juggling the demands of work and family, a relative or close
friend of someone facing a serious health problem, a professional struggling to
stay current, or one of millions trying to stay on their feet in a shaky economy,
everyone has experienced the debilitating effects of stress.
Some of the primary causes of stress may have changed since the Bible was
written, but the Bible’s instruction and promises on the subject are as valid
now as they were thousands of years ago.

God promises peace to those

who turn to Him.

The Lord will give strength to His

people; the Lord will bless His
people with peace.—Psalm 29:11
Come to Me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.—Matthew 11:28
Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you.—John 14:27
Counter worry with prayer.
Be anxious for nothing, but let
your requests be made known to
God; and the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds.
—Philippians 4:6–7
Cast your burden on the Lord, and
He shall sustain you.—Psalm 55:22
Casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you.—1 Peter 5:7
Stay close to God.
Now acquaint yourself with Him,
and be at peace.—Job 22:21
My Presence will go with you, and
I will give you rest.—Exodus 33:14
You will keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on
You, because he trusts in You.
—Isaiah 26:3
I have set the Lord always before
me; because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.—Psalm 16:8
Trust in God’s unfailing
love and care.
Are not two sparrows sold for a
copper coin? And not one of them
falls to the ground apart from your
Father’s will. Do not fear therefore;
you are of more value than many
sparrows.—Matthew 10:29,31
He who did not spare His own
Son, but delivered Him up for us
all, how shall He not with Him
also freely give us all things?
—Romans 8:32
I am persuaded that neither death
nor life, nor angels nor principali-
ties nor powers, nor things present
nor things to come, nor height nor
depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.—Romans 8:38–39
13

motorcycle
mom
By Tina Kapp
Some of my earliest memories are of riding
on the back of a motorcycle, behind my
mom. And it wasn’t just for a spin around the block. We
were a missionary family and lived in countries where
motorcycles were often the most practical or affordable
means of transportation. (I grew up in Hong Kong,
Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Macau,
and Singapore.)
But that wasn’t the only unusual or outstanding thing
about Mom. She always made a point to learn and fit into
the local culture as much as she could, and she loved to
communicate with people in their own language. She was
also an expert at organizing fun, educational outings for
us kids, and encouraged us to try local foods, sports, and
ways of doing things.
I moved to Uganda as a young adult, and after a while
Mom joined me. It was wonderful to see how quickly and
well she adapted to Africa after having lived in Japan for
many years. As always, she was eager to learn new things,
14
I love you, Mom. I love your aliveness,
your joy in living, your understanding,
your giving.
And what I love best of all
is that you love me.
God of all Mothers,
thank you for my mom!
—Gaynell Bordes Cronin
His little arms crept ’round my neck,
and then I heard him say
Four simple words I can’t forget,
four words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul,
on secrets no one knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet,
he said, “I’ll be like you!”
—Herbert Parker
studying various local dialects and learning all she could
about the Ugandan culture. It wasn’t long before she was
greeting sellers at the street market in their own vernacu-
lars. She got to know all of our Ugandan neighbors, right
down to details of their children’s education and interests,
and she never hesitated to help a friend or stranger in need.
She also hadn’t lost her fun-loving, slightly reckless side.
On one of her days off, she could be found riding her dirt
bike to Lake Victoria, renting motorbikes for others of us
to learn to ride, or her favorite—kayaking down the Nile.
The best moms, I’ve found, aren’t necessarily perfect
cooks or housekeepers, but they love their children
completely and in their own way. They also set an example
by living what they teach, and aren’t afraid to let their
children try new things and be themselves. And while
they’re at it, they enjoy life to the full.
Tina Kapp is a member of the Family International
in South Africa.

We know who to turn
to in trying times—“God
is a very present help in
trouble”1—but often we can’t
find words to express what we’re
going through or what we want
Him to do about it. Some people are
gifted at that, but those of us who
aren’t have another option: we can
use a prayer from the Bible or other
source. Jesus gave us an example in
what probably has become the most
famous prayer of all time, the Lord’s
Prayer.2 When His disciples asked
Him to teach them to pray, He didn’t
give them theory, mechanics, or
generalities; He gave them a prayer
they could memorize and repeat.
Here are two prayers for try-
ing times. Jot a list of the difficult
situations you encountered today or
anticipate, and then turn them over
to God using one of these prayers.
The first is great for starting the day;
the second for when the difficulties
of the day have taken a toll.
Your Prayer,
Their Words
A spiritual exercise
1. Psalm 46:1
2. Matthew 6:9–13
O
O Lord, grant me the blessing of greeting the coming day in peace.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with
peace of soul, and with firm conviction that Thy will governs us all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by Thee.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embar-
rassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of this coming day with all
that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Thou Thyself in me.
—Filaret Drozdov (1782–1867)
G
God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our
shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and end-
less, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in
them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light; run our eyes to where the skies are
full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of
comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our
spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey
with us on the road of life, to Your honor and glory.
—Attributed to Saint Augustine (354–430)
15
FR OM JESUS WITH LOVE
Let Me help
Life wasn’t designed to coast through without
any troubles or hardships. There will always be
setbacks, difficulties, and pressures, but if you
learn to see those as challenges that I can help
you overcome, I will do just that.
I want to lift the weight of uncertainty from
your shoulders. I want you to hold on to the
knowledge that no matter how great the need,
how dark the night, or how seemingly impos-
sible the situation, I am in control and never
fail those who turn to Me for help. No matter
what you are up against, you and I can over-
come it. Allow Me to work on your behalf.
When you find yourself in a stressful
situation and decide to trust Me to bring
you through it, your faith releases My power,
1. Matthew 17:20 3. Matthew 11:28
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 4. Philippians 4:7
which is vastly greater than your own. You may
be able to sort things out eventually, but I can
help you do it much quicker. You may be able
to withstand a lot of pressure, but I can relieve
the pressure. You may be able to do something
well, but you and I can do it better.
I will never leave your side. I will make
good on My promises to move mountains,1
give you sustaining grace,2 rest of spirit,3
and peace that surpasses understanding.4 No
matter what is going on around you, you can
be at peace when you are anchored deeply in
Me. Beneath the churning waves, your anchor
will hold.
Come to Me, lay your burdens on My
shoulders, and find that I have all you need.