God Hates Mildew

I’ve been reading in the OT lately, you know all the begats and do’s and don’ts. This is that section of the Bible most of us call “boring”. Got to Leviticus and there again is a long list of what to do…with mildew. Doesn’t sound very spiritual. Seems way outside the ten commandments. Why would God be interested in mildew? (Further reading shows that he has a lot to say about our physical bodies, health, nutrition, cleanliness and even sanitation.)

Actually, the more I read, the more I was intrigued. I’ve read this before, yet something struck me afresh this time around. One thing I saw in this was our Father’s amazing care for all of life, down to the smallest details. He wants to be a part of everything in my life, not to keep me occupied with busywork, but involved for my own good. He continually points me to things that are good for me.

I have to admit I couldn’t help but think of another application in my own life, too. Is there “destructive” mildew creeping in that needs to be destroyed before I see serious damage? Are there things in my life that need to be “torn out”, “washed and cleaned” or “destroyed by fire”? Are there things that look innocuous in my life, but may be eating away below the surface? The priest is charged with discerning which type of mildew is present and what needs to be done in each case. Who do I have in my life that can help me discern where I need gentle change or where I need significant evaluation and maybe serious uprooting?

Most of all I have a new reminder that everything matters. All of life is connected. God is interested in my spiritual life and my relationship with him, of course. Yet he is also concerned about my soul and my body, my physical and emotional health. There is nothing in my life outside of God’s concern, even something so seemingly insignificant like mildew.

I Didn’t Choose…

I didn’t choose to…break my ankle!

I’ve had a lot of time to sit and think lately, mostly because I have had a cast on my right foot up to the knee for the past six weeks. I have spent a lot of time in our recliner with my foot elevated.

In August we were teaching at a family camp in France. We were so excited to be back in the land for which we have such a heart and burden. The day we finished our teaching for the week, I was going down a short staircase of six steps. I took the first two quite well. For some unexplained reason, I tried to take the last four all at once. (Not on purpose, I assure you!) I found myself on the ground, holding my leg and moaning loudly in a very undignified manner. I glanced down at my foot and noticed that it was cocked at about a 30 degree angle from my leg. My first thought was, “That doesn’t look right. What in the world have I done?”

Bottom line: I spent six days in the hospital in Grenoble, France (I later learned it has a world renowned orthopedic department.) I had dislocated my foot and broken three bones in my ankle. I had surgery to put in a plate on the outside ankle, two rods on the inside ankle, and ten screws to hold it all together.

As I have thought about this experience it is like so many others in my life. I didn’t choose this. Actually, I have gotten to experience many things in life I didn’t choose…accidents, malaria, stolen items, riots, lost documents, childhood traumas, our own children’s traumas, Margaret’s stroke, etc. You understand, because you have also been through these kinds of things. I can choose what I eat for the next meal, but so much of life I don’t choose, it just happens.

When we got stuck in France for two extra weeks, I saw the Father give us opportunities to share with college students who were at the same conference center. They were there from all over France for a week of training. Several were third culture kids and didn’t know that term or how it applied to them until I explained. Some were seeking discernment about a major for the coming year or work situations. I got to listen, encourage and pray with them, opportunities I would not have had if I didn’t break my ankle.

So, I have chosen to see God’s hand at work in these things. Sometimes I see immediately and other times a bit later. Sometimes it takes me a while to see how God has worked. Yet, he has always been faithful. In faith I choose to wait and see how he will work in these experiences I didn’t choose.

Repent Jesus! Welcome to America!

"REPENT JESUS". Those words were hand stencil-painted across the back door of a nondescript Dodge van that passed me the other day. We have been back in the US for several months now and I am still getting used to the wide range of opinions freely expressed on the back of folks’ cars. Everything from political to religious to humorous expressions are provided for your reading pleasure while you drive down the highway or wait at the traffic light.


Repent Jesus. What is this supposed to mean? There was no grammatical punctuation (period or exclamation point) or explanation or hint in small letters underneath in parentheses. Is it a call to repent and turn to Jesus? Is it a demand that Jesus repent? What is he to repent from? What am I to repent from? What is it to repent? Who is the target audience? Non-believers? Believers gone astray? How would I respond if I really wanted to respond? (Fortunately there was no church name listed!) In the end I don't know if this is a message for or against Jesus.


The day we arrived back in the US a car passed us on the interstate with a bumper sticker that read, "The Blood of Jesus" ...period. Nothing else. No hint of explanation. Now I am grateful that I have been made a child of God and a follower of Jesus because of His blood shed on the cross. However, when I saw that phrase I asked myself what it meant, especially to the uninitiated into Christianese. Is it a cult? Is it a special formula? Where would I get some? Did the driver have some in their vehicle? What do I do with it- drink it, dabble it on myself or my house or car, or spread it around somewhere? I found I had more questions than answers.


I am glad we have the freedom to express our opinions. What a privilege to be able to freely share my faith. I admit I was soon thinking about my vehicle (and even my driving!). What message is displayed? Does it communicate what I want to communicate? Does it open a door to dialogue or shut it? How am I reflecting the One who made me and redeemed me? What kind of message are people reading from me?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Just a few months back I went hang gliding! What an awesome experience! Even though I flew our four-seater Cessna in Africa, it was completely different to skim the tree tops as we stepped off the mountain and slowly, quietly float towards the earth. Margaret and I celebrated our 37th anniversary by going together (not in the same harness, just almost simultaneously in tandem with an instructor!). That is usually the type of experience I think of when reflecting on doing something I haven't done before. Got to thinking about how often or even when was the last time I did something for the first time? It was pretty easy when the children were home. In order to keep up with them or spend time with them I would try something new– a new coffee shop, a roller coaster, a trip somewhere we had never been before, etc. As I observe the changing world around me I realize how much I enjoy routine and the familiar! I know where they make good coffee! I'm reaching a season in life where I know what I like to do and it's so easy to just keep doing that most of the the time. Yet another part of me is recognizing more and more how that since I was created with the stamp of the creator on and in me, I was intended to create and to live an abundant life. Comfort and familiarity can be my enemies. Our society puts lots of pressure on us to conform, to go with the herd. Yet look around and you see a myriad of objects and technology that we use and enjoy because someone stepped out and did something for the first time. Seth Godin says it this way. "The essence of being human is to initiate". Looking at the life of Jesus I see a series of constant "first times" - a blind man, a cripple man, a demonized boy, a sick woman, a dead little girl, a rich man, etc., etc. Am I seeking out those around me who just might be open to the love of Jesus for the first time? How aware am I today that as I live it for the first time (and only time!) I may have an opportunity to impact someone for eternity? Stepping off that hillside in the Alpes made me realize I was taking a much bigger risk than I am when I initiate a conversation with my neighbor, yet part of me was more excited to float around in the sky than I was last week talking with that neighbor. May the Lord put us in more situations to take risks, step out, initiate, create, go for it, do something for the first time! I'm praying for more courage to do things for the first time, not just for the experience and excitement, but for the potential impact for the Kingdom.

Help me or kill me!!

Help me or kill me!! That phrase leaped out at me from a recent email. It was the prayer of someone I’ve known for several years who is struggling with a personal issue (and has been for almost 15 years). This person, a committed and engaged believer for many years, said their prayer at this point is for the Lord to help them or kill them, they are so tired of the struggle. They feel as though they’re in a constant battle and are getting worn down. I was forced to look back over my life in the past few years. How many of my personal struggles are ones I’ve dealt with before? How many times have I “laid them at the feet of the cross” only to have them resurge into life later on? How many times have I experienced victory for months or even years, and then in a moment of relaxing my guard or being in a weak place I find myself yielding to a thought or temptation once again? Our adversary is roaming about seeking to kill and destroy and devour all that he can (1 Peter 5:8)! Is it any wonder we are in a battle not of flesh and blood, but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12) Followers of Jesus are a minority in France, less than 1% of the population. Many are isolated and discouraged. Pray for my friend and others in similar situations. Pray for perseverance, renewed strength for the battle, grace in time of need, a fresh outpouring of His Spirit and encouragement from like-minded believers. Pray, too, for us to be salt and light. We may have difficulties in a few battles and skimishes, yet we know the final outcome of the war!

Fragile whispers

Just a few days ago I attended the memorial service for Claude. He and his wife of 50 years, Ginnette, are one of the two founding couples of Famille Je t'Aime, the family ministry we work with here in France. Celebrating the life of Claude was again a reminder of how fragile life really is. It was also a reminder of the bitter sweet experience it is to loose someone who has been suffering from illness for quite a few years. (He had Parkinson's disease for 12 years.) There is the aspect that he is no longer suffering, yet the very reality that he is indeed gone leaves a hole in our lives. With our schedule of traveling I had not seen him in several weeks. I happened to go by the hospital to see him and spend a little time with Ginnette the afternoon of the day he died. I am so grateful for those slight whispers from the Holy Spirit that prod us into action and I know later that He gave me an opportunity that I might have missed and never had another chance to do. As I stood beside Claude's bed I watched him struggle to breathe. He had not responded in any way for over a week. Ginnette and I went out to the waiting area to visit and she said that he appeared to have already gone, that his body was still here, but he wasn't there any longer. That evening after he passed away, she told a close friend that she was wrong. She understood now the difference when he really died, he was gone. Signs of life may be diminished but there is still life. Up until that final breathe there is life and therefore there is hope. Once death arrives our hope shifts toward eternity. Life is a whisper of the hope we have in Jesus who is there through it all. Fragile though it may be life holds so much- joy and delight, pain and sorrow, questions and adventures, crisis and suffering, challenges and fulfillment. I am grateful for every breathe the Lord gives me to live.

Communication is important

Blog start number 2
Communication is important
I have become peaceful with the fact that even sporadic communication is better than no communication. Granted, to maintain a relationship takes regular and effective communication. So...I desire to write more regularly. I'm not saying how often that is yet!
Life is too short and too much fun to keep to ourselves. It really is a feast that is both abundant and mobile. Sometimes in the routine and mundane of everyday I can easily forget. I am fortunate to have lived in several countries. I have friends and incredible memories of experiences from each of them. St. Paul once wrote to a group of his friends in Ephesus the following declaration: "God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" I have a short memory though. I need regular reminders of this truth
That has actually been our life's motto and experience from the beginning of our relationship as a couple. And we have seen God grant us so much and so faithfully over these thirty six plus years we've shared together. I am so incredibly blessed! I have wonderful wife,four great kids, three of whom have awesome spouses (and an amazing friend who would be an awesome wife for someone, just saying)! We have three fantastic grandkids (and two more arriving before year's end!). I have the best job in the world, living in our adopted country and culture (of choice) with the privilege of loving people into the Kingdom of God and making a difference in families and relationships.
I believe that what I am doing at this moment God has been preparing me for my entire life. What else can I say...life for me is truly a mobile celebration, "a moveable feast" of all that God so graciously allows us to experience wherever we are or whatever we do and no matter the circumstance.

Andrew Howell
Buhl, France