Foreigner in a Foreign World

Hong Kong is an amazing city.  Not only is it a beautiful, modern city, with more skyscrapers than any other city in the world, it is also full of traditional culture and delicious food.  I’ve gotten a chance to experience this city for the last few days, and it has been a joy.  One night, I went on my own adventure through Hong Kong.  I took the train through town to watch an international badminton tournament, visit the main tourist sites, get food, and return to the hotel.  These thoughts come from my hour-long adventure on the subway as I noticed the people and situations in my surroundings. 

In my country in South East Asia, I don’t feel too much like a foreigner.  I can speak enough of the language to get around, I have expat and local friends, I know where to go, and I generally feel fairly comfortable.  It has become a second home for me; in some ways, more of a home than America.  But that night on the subway, I felt exactly the opposite: I don’t speak the language of Hong Kong (except for “thank you” which I learned from the nice usher at the badminton – it is pronounced “Nn Goh” for those of you who want to learn Cantonese!), I have no friends there, I have no idea where I am going, and I am overwhelmed by the people, the pace, and the cultural differences so very present in this huge city.  We are not in in my country anymore. 

When faced with this difficult and sometimes stressful situation, being a foreigner in a foreign world gives a person two different options.  A person could chose to embrace the challenge, learn from it, and grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, or choose to avoid the hard work, run away from the challenge, and lose the opportunity to grow through the differences.  This is a choice, a success-defining choice, that all cross-cultural workers chose before they arrive on the field.  They know the hard work, and they commit to making the foreign become familiar in as many ways as they can.

This same concept, of being a foreigner in a foreign world, is true in education.  If I were to hand my ninth grade music students my Music Theory 4 college textbook, they would be lost.  They would be foreigners in a foreign world, understanding none of the terminology, concepts, or ideas.  They would be as lost as I was on that Hong Kong train.  But through many hours of hard work on my part and theirs, they can become more comfortable with the concepts of Music Theory 4.  I could assign a composition project, and they could use the correct techniques and terminology to create a piece.  They would think more like a musician and less like a ninth grade student.  And once these students see that they are actually understanding, applying, and succeeding in their new “world” of music theory, they gain confidence that they can succeed in other challenging situations as well.  Whether they go on to use their music theory knowledge as they perform in a professional orchestra or just enjoy singing in the church choir is irrelevant: the joy is in the process, and from learning the process, they can find hope and confidence to continue making whatever “foreign worlds” they experience become familiar. 

The same thing happens in history.  History is the study of the past, which presents itself as a foreign world to us.  I know about as much of the culture of France in the 1200s as I do about the public transportation culture in Hong Kong, very little.  Yet both of these places have research, various articles, and case studies written about them, where we can explore their culture and become more familiar.  Again, through persevering in the challenge, we can learn about the foreign culture of the past and become more familiar, as our present world intersects with the world of our ancestors.

At the ACSI Teacher’s Conference I attended in Hong Kong, many presenters talked about the process of education, that the joy and the reason of education is less about the final result and more about the process.  Although certain results are important (you must be able to read by high school graduation to be a successful adult!), I agree with many of these presenters.  In music theory, I understand that these topics will have little influence on the rest of their lives, unless they continue to perform music.  I understand that learning the culture of France in the 1200s is not extremely relevant to the world today.  If you as a student have ever asked yourself “Why are we learning this?” I understand, and even sympathize with you, in certain aspects. 

But through this conference, I’ve gained a new perspective on what is truly important in education.  Because of my previous education, both in cross-cultural work training and my high school and college education, I could navigate Hong Kong by myself.  I could read a map, think critically when I got lost, communicate with who I needed to communicate with, and eventually return home safely.  I could analyze these people, learn from them, adapt to their culture (as much as I could- don’t look at people on the train or else you get really angry looks), evaluate the positives and negatives of their culture, and enjoy the journey of this experience.  Various teachers throughout my educational career have taught me all of these life skills. 

When I think about high school, I don’t remember any one specific lesson that was taught, and I finished high school was only six years ago.  I don’t remember the literature that was read, the specific physics formulas, the choir warm-ups we sang, or the important events from world history.  But what I do remember are the life skills that I learned from these teachers.  I learned to write and communicate effectively, to think critically, to feel empathy for people in different situations, and to give my best effort to accomplish each goal.  In every subject, I had another chance to practice adapting to change, to practice making the unfamiliar more familiar. These lessons have equipped me to be successful as I travel the world, teach, and become a more globally informed citizen. 

So maybe education is all about the process, all about teaching students how to transition and adapt to change.  As we watch each student go from being a foreigner in a foreign world, to an amateur in an comfortable world, or a professional in a enjoyable world, we should encourage his or her growth more than the product, knowing that the process learned and life skills developed will be what each student remembers.  Learning how to adapt, understand, and appreciate other “worlds” will have a lasting effect on the culture and society of our future generations, and influencing these students far past the doors on the classroom or the school should be every teacher’s goal. 

And if I can teach my students to enjoy the “foreign world” of music theory, a world where I find so much joy and understanding, that is an added bonus!

Luke Forshey

November 27, 2016

PS. I welcome your thoughts on this post!  I know this might be a different way of thinking than most teachers, but I’ve been quite inspired by some new thinking at this conference.  If you are a teacher (or even if you aren’t), please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks!

An Eternal Perspective on November 8, 2016

The US presidential election has had more drama, more anger, more division, and more cruelty than I, and so many Americans, ever thought possible.  Who could have imagined these two candidates would emerge from a pool of over fifteen candidates, who both sides agree are not qualified for the responsibilities of President.  These two candidates beat long-time senators, representatives, and governors, some with a fairly decent record, and have left us all in a huge predicament: which of these two potential leaders do I want to support? 

Living on the other side of the world, I have only gotten to observe this election from news articles, biased Facebook posts, and occasional conversations with the people around me.  I clearly am not an expert on the candidates’ positions, I’ve never heard them speak in person, and I’ve only rarely heard them on TV.  But I want to bring you a perspective a bit different than what you might be used to hearing. 

Through the last year or more, we’ve spent so much time worrying about the people that we are choosing, while we spend such little time thinking about the One who allowed this situation to happen.  It’s so easy for us to say, “How could He not find any better people to lead our country?”  But instead, let’s take a look at a few commands that He says in the Holy Book that could give us an eternal perspective on the upcoming week.

1. All of us are flawed people.  Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of (Him),” and that means you, me, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and every other person in the world.  In His eyes we are all sinners, regardless of the wrong that we have committed.  In earthly terms, some sins are larger than others, but in His eyes, all sins are the same.  As we strive to bring His kingdom to earth, we need to have this same attitude as we observe and critique the lives of others. 

2.  The laws of Heaven will always be more important than the laws of man.  Recently, I’ve been reading through Mark, and last night I came to Mark 7, where JC calls out the Pharisees for following the laws of the people, not the laws of Heaven.  The Pharisees are so focused on the disciples not ceremonially washing their hands before eating that Jesus calls them hypocrites, by saying “You have let go of the commands of (Him) and are holding onto human traditions (Mark 7:8).”  Throughout all four gospels, JC criticizes the teachers of the law for placing more importance on human laws.  Regardless of which leader we have leading our country, the laws of the Kingdom should always be our first aim, while the laws of the people should be second. 

3. Whoever wins the election, his or her authority has been established by Heaven.  Paul states this in Romans 13:1: “Everyone should be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which (He) has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by (Him).”  Through this verse, I believe that He is working something through this election.  His plan was for these two leading people to be the two candidates and for us to have to support one of them in this election.

So as you focus on your final decisions of who to vote for, I hope that you remember these few thoughts.  Even in bleak situations, such as this one, He has a plan, and everything will work out for “the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).”

Instead of reading the last news articles leading up to this election, I’m going to spend extra time in prayer, thanking God that part of His plan will be fulfilled through this election.  I know that thankfulness has not been the common state of our hearts (mine included) through this election season, but even when we don’t understand why, He always does, and for that, we should to be thankful. 

Happy Election Week from across the world. 

I pray you feel His peace through this potentially stressful, dangerous, decisive time.   

Luke Forshey

November 5, 2016

Live Above Reproach

Live Above Reproach

I don’t enjoy watching boxing. I don’t know why people would want to go beat each other up for sport and entertainment.  It seems violent, unnecessary, and definitely not a Christian idea of recreation. 

But on ESPN this week, I read an article about a boxer named Manny Pacquiao, a Phillipino boxer who is training for a large fight in Las Vegas on November 5.   This is no different than the thousands of other professional boxers training for fights coming soon.  But what makes Pacquiao different is he is also a national Senator in the Philippines, spending 8 hours a day in Congress, serving his people, and training only before and after his Senate duties are finished.  He is also a devoted Christian, and he commonly professes his faith in interviews. 

When Pacquiao fought his “last fight” in April, he claimed he was retiring to focus on his political campaign, which he eventually won.  In those campaign meetings and interviews, he claimed that if he would return to boxing, he would never miss a Senate meeting.  And for the last few months of his training regiment, he has continued that commitment to his people, and ultimately, God. 

His daily schedule starts at 5am, where he runs, lifts weights, and works with his personal trainer.  He finishes around 7, takes a shower, spends time with his wife and kids, reads his Bible, and gets ready for Senate duties by 9.  He serves in the Senate from 9-5, and then returns to the gym to work with his boxing coach until 9pm.  He has continued doing this routine for the last few months, and his trainer says he “outworks ever fighter I’ve ever worked with (ESPN),” even at the age of 38.  His manager has scheduled his fight and promotion in America over the two weeks that the Senate has recess, so even for his fight, he will not miss any Senate meetings. 

When I read through this article, I was very inspired by Pacquiao, a devoted Christian who often fights with Bible verses printed on his pants, gloves, and even headband.  Here is a multi-million-dollar celebrity, who stays focused on his devotion to his country and God.  He never misses a day of Senate meetings, just like he never misses a day of his Bible reading.  He continues to focus on spending time with his family, even in the midst of his busy schedule.  His priorities are in the right place: God first, his country second, and his personal fame and fortune third. 

In 1 Timothy 3:2, the writer instructs the overseers and deacons to be “above reproach.”  To me, living beyond reproach means living a life that no one has any reason to criticize.  This idea has been a focus of mine at school this year.  I’ve tried to give my best effort, be hospitable to everyone, keep short accounts if someone wrongs me, and love everyone with the love of Christ.  I know that I have failed at this, as we all have, but seeing celebrities like Pacquiao who strive to live this life too, gives me hope.  If he has so many more responsibilities than I have, and God gives him strength, I know God will strengthen me to continue His work as well (Philippians 4:13). 

I’m still not encouraging the sport of boxing, but I am encouraging us to appreciate the examples of faithfulness that God places around us.  I pray that you will be strengthened and encouraged by Pacquiao’s testimony just as I have. 

And if you happen to be a boxing fan, please watch Pacquiao’s fight and pray that God gives Pacquiao the strength to “run in such a way as to get the prize.” 

1 Corithians 9:24-27

 “ ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Luke Forshey

October 23, 2016

Pizza Hut Conversations

Yesterday, I went to Pizza Hut. 

I love Pizza Hut.  It's one of my favorite restaurants here, especially because they have this delicious Cheeseburger pizza.  The pizza has ketchup for the sauce, little patties of burger for the meat, and then cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and mustard spread all over the top.  I don't know why cheeseburger hasn't made it to America yet; it was a great invention.  (Ok, you might think it sounds gross, but I think it's pretty tasty!)

I still had some work to do back at my house, so I ordered my cheeseburger pizza for take-out.  While I was waiting for the pizza to be ready, a very friendly local man sat down beside me.  He spoke in nearly perfect English, which is quite rare here.  He told me name was Yosep, and he spent 3 years in America from 1982 to 1985 earning his Master's degree at Stanford.  I was impressed- this simply-dressed gentleman, who is now a low, unassuming farmer, earned a Master's degree at Stanford in Agricultural Sciences, something that I will very likely never do.  He continued sharing his story. 

He hasn't returned to America in the 31 years since he graduated, but last year he applied for a visa to return to California and see his old campus.  When he sent in his application, he was quite excited for the prospect of returning to America.  When the letter from the US Embassy returned to his home, he was hoping for positive news.  Instead, his visa was rejected, purely because he was Muslim and his name is a very stereotypical Muslim name.  He was devastated: a country that shaped his life and his career was now prohibiting him from returning, purely because of his name and religion.  He ended his story by saying that America has become a dark place, and he is glad that I am here, not living in America currently.  Eventually he returned to his table, and I got my pizza and returned home. 

Although this story should be received with caution, because I'm not sure if this is true, it brings up a greater issue.  If this story is true, how prejudiced and judgmental can we be?  This gentleman gave me his number, said that he now is a farmer and a driver if I ever need to get somewhere far away, and invited me to his house for dinner the next night.  He is one of the friendliest people I've ever met.  Why would his name and religious upbringing change who he is as a person?  If it isn't true, I started to think a step deeper into his story.  If he could return to Stanford, how would he be treated while he was there?  Would people run away from him, or just stand and stare?  Would people welcome him into the same restaurants or just try to avoid him?  Would he find the same community that he did then in his classes at Stanford now?  Regardless of the validity of his story, an important lesson can be learned here. 

As I went home to eat my pizza, I started writing a song about Yosep and his situation.  We have so many things that can divide us: religion, politics, nationality, but deep down inside, we are truly all the same.  We all want the same things, we all do the same things to keep us happy, and we all hope to better ourselves, with cultural difference throughout.  We are truly all the same.  

It would be such a shame if stories like Yosep continued to happen throughout America.  You and I can't change the whole country, but we can change one person's mindset at a time, hopefully creating a country of peace and love instead of fear and hate. 

"It's just the color of my skin,
Just the name I'm given,
Just the way that I was raised,
Deep down I know we're all the same."

If we are truly all the same in the eyes of our Father, why are we not all the same in the eyes of each other?



Luke Forshey
September 29, 2016

Beach Beauty

Everyone back home…I so wish you could be here right now. 

I’m currently sitting on a beach, watching the stars and the moon, preparing to fall asleep.  That’s right, falling asleep on the beach.  This has always been a dream of mine, and because tomorrow is a holiday here, 4 friends and I went camping at a beach tonight.  We first went to the first market to buy our dinner, then started a fire on the beach to cook it, along with rice and veggies.  After that we played dominos (which I lost terribly) and are now getting ready to sleep.  It has been a truly blessed day. 

But as I sit here and write, hearing the crashing of the waves, feeling the sand in my toes and the breeze in my hair, I just feel so overwhelmed by His power.  Before dinner, we were talking about how he created all of this beauty in Heaven and on Earth, yet He still wants to be with us and know us.  This is one of the greatest mysteries, yet the greatest blessing of our faith.  The greatest power, came to earth as the humble of humble, the perfect sinless lamb to live with sinners, and ultimately die a criminal’s death only to provide us criminals a way to live in His glory forever.  It doesn’t seem right, yet in this fact is beauty. 

So many times, we discount this incredible gift.  Many of us have heard it since grade school, the same old story again and again, that sometimes it doesn’t have as much meaning to us.  I’ve been there recently, trying to breathe life into these stories, stories that are incredibly alive and waiting to work, yet my heart isn’t open to hear it.  This attitude of our hearts can have us in a rut, a spiritual hole, and a place where we are unable to truly experience God as He wants to make himself known. 

But as soon as we take time to step back and reflect, we quickly see how incredible our God truly is.  When we’re in this spiritual hole, it isn’t Him who changes, it is us.  And all we have to do is make a conscious effort to run back, and He will surely meet us there, with the same power and majesty as the waves, the wind, the moon, and the sea that I see now.  It is a beautiful sight, an experience that I only pray you will have sometime in your life. 

Maybe you’re not sitting on a beach when you read this.  Maybe you don’t feel close to God right now, or maybe you do.  But it is my prayer that you will take time today to stop, listen, and soak up his majesty.  It is there, all we have to do is look up and see. 

Luke Forshey

September 12, 2016

Reflections of a Perfectionist Worship Leader

Last night was a unique, challenging, and beautiful night.  

One Friday night per quarter, my school hosts a worship night for all high school students. It is typically a powerful night of worship, allowing students and teachers time to connect to God and each other.  I always look forward to worship nights, although worship night weeks are always busy, as it is my job to plan the music and rehearse the band leading up to the event.  Last night was the first worship night of the year, and God showed up for me in a way I never expected Him to. 

As it was the first worship night of the year, the musicians I chose had not worked together for a worship night before.  In addition, for training purposes, I asked one of the senior students to lead the worship night, including choosing music and rehearsing the band through the rehearsals, a job that I had done for all of the previous worship nights.   It was a lot of change and confusion at the same time.  Because of this, we didn’t have adequate practice time and we weren’t as organized as worship night worship teams have been before.  We were rehearsing the final run-through as the people entered, and we didn’t even know who started some of the songs or what key we were playing in.  The students did their best effort with the amount of change and practice time as we had; I was proud of them.  But the music quality, though, was less than polished performance quality, on the shoulders of no one except myself. 

For those of you who know me as a musician, you know that I am quite a perfectionist when it comes to public performances.  I struggle to present a finished project that is not of high quality, and if the lack of quality is my responsibility, I feel quite burdened for a while after the event.  When I get really upset, I become very negative and cynical, refusing to show emotion to anyone around me.  Because of this, I wasn’t myself through most of the worship night.  As I played the bass in the background of our band, I couldn’t help thinking “how can people worship to this music?” and “Is this quality of performance truly bringing God glory?” I knew these questions were irrational, but they were my immediate thoughts.  I was crying out to God to get this night over with as quickly as possible.  This pessimistic thinking continued for about three-quarters of the worship night.

But for one song, I took a chance to look out of my music to actually see the people who I was leading.  And the beautiful sight that I saw changed my whole perspective on the evening.  I saw one teacher raising his hands in worship.  I saw another teacher, who openly professes to not enjoying contemporary music, singing a modern song at the top of his lungs.  I saw a senior leader of our school standing and worshipping, lifting hands, with heart abandoned to God.  I saw a few younger students kneeling in prayer.  I saw two friends comforting each other as they cried, swept away in His love.  I saw 5 high school boys, who usually focus on their friends around, actually singing and engaging with the worship.  I saw the members of my band presenting a message that was so real and relevant.  And very quickly I felt guilty for missing the work that He was doing.   

During the last few songs, I took the time to get right with God.  I followed the example of the people in the audience, truly worshipping God and praising Him for his goodness.  I felt freedom, joy, and peace – feelings only God can bring.  After the music finished, we had some coffee and tea and hung out with the students, who are such a blessing.  It truly turned out to be a great evening, with God speaking to many people, even though I had written it off as a failed night of worship.  How foolish can I be?    

As I drove, I was blown away by the message that I learned.  Yes, God uses us to do His work on the earth, but He doesn’t need us.  He doesn’t need our highest quality music or the most polished band.  He doesn’t need perfection; in fact He doesn’t even want perfection.  He just wants our hearts.  He wants us to completely surrender to Him, and then He shows up, independently of our efforts.  This message is one that I’ve heard so often, but had yet to truly believe until last night.  I always put so much effort and importance into teaching and performing high quality music, so much that it is easy to forget the reason why I choose to perform music: to glorify God.  He desires our highest praise, but that praise doesn’t always come through musical quality – that comes through a life surrendered to God.  I pray that I will use this situation as a defining moment in my career, and I will never let the music come before the message again.  Praise God that He works through our weaknesses to bring Himself greater glory. 

Although last night might not have been a success musically, it was a success in ministry, thanks to Him, not me. 

And for that, I am thankful.  

Luke Forshey

August 27, 2016

Lessons from a Terrible Drummer

Today, I came home from school and felt really sick.  I didn’t want to do anything except sleep, and I nap sounded like a great idea.  But I knew I had other things to get done this afternoon, so I chose to go back to school and finish lesson plans for the next day.  I still didn’t feel well, and I was really looking for someone to hang out with, but there was no one around.  It wasn’t a good way to end a long day of school, and emotionally, I was pretty down.

After I finished my lesson plans, I went to the chapel and began practicing the drum set.  I’ve been learning the drum set since I’ve been here, even giving one student drum lessons, but I would definitely not consider myself an adequate drummer.  Drumming is frustrating, because it’s an instrument that I am not good at, and not being good at an instrument is a very humbling experience for me.  I knew we had worship practice later that evening, though, so reluctantly, I went to practice the songs for rehearsal. 

A few weeks ago, I was selected as the drummer for the service trip worship band.  At the end of the month, fourteen students, four other teachers and I are traveling to a different island to lead worship, build a house, and teach English.  I’m not sure if the teacher leading the trip knows that I can’t really play drums (last rehearsal, I needed to look up a drum beat on my phone for how to play one of the songs!), but it has given me a reason to continue working on this difficult instrument.  So I went to the chapel to practice.  A few minutes later, one of my students, a much more accomplished drummer than I, came to give me some pointers.  “I should be teaching him,” I thought, “why can’t I be the teacher and musician that I want to be on this instrument?”  It was humbling, and I became more frustrated than I started the evening.  Slowly, all of the students arrived, though, and we started the rehearsal. 

Our songs for the service trip are both in English and the local language, so I really enjoyed learning some common worship songs in a different language.  I embarrassed myself quite a few times with some terrible drum sounds and dropped beats, but overall, my playing was better than last week, so I was happy…ok, happy-ish.  But quickly, we were through all of the songs, and it was time to go home. 

After the other teacher went home, I had the opportunity to hang out with the students for a while.  We talked about their upcoming exams, their former teachers, and their current state of stress, and it was a really enjoyable time.  Each of these students is so special, and it is a joy to see into their lives and their hearts more each day that I am here.  God is doing a special work in this school and these students, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of that work.

As I came back to my apartment, it was around 7:30pm.  I hadn’t had dinner yet; I was still not feeling well (my pounding headache made worse by playing drums for the last two hours!), and I knew I still had some work to do before going to sleep.  But God showed me a lesson through the events of this evening. 

Sometimes, ministry can be really messy.  It can ask all of you when you aren’t able to give all you have.  It can stretch you outside your physical or mental limitations.  It can ask you to humble yourself, take a risk, and learn from one of your students.  It can ask you to put aside sleep, food, or social plans, for something that may seem less important at the time, like one worship rehearsal four weeks away from the event.  But through each one of those sacrifices, of dying to yourself each minute, you grow closer to the heart of Jesus.  And through that transformation, you can better portray Jesus to the people in your care.  And sometimes, God blesses those sacrifices by offering special conversations, or unique opportunities, that fill you more than a nap or a good meal ever could.

As I’m writing this, I’m still exhausted.  I did get food, but much later than my stomach would have liked.  My headache continues to pound, and my thoughts are not very coherent (sorry if this isn’t the best blog I’ve ever written!).  But my heart is full.  Full of love for my students, full of gratitude for His calling on my life, and full of peace, even about my poor drumming skills.  And as we continue to offer everything we have in pursuit of His Kingdom work, I am so thankful that He can turn the messy situations of our lives into a beautiful picture of His love in the world.  Tonight, I was swept away by the power and love of Our Creator, and I hope you experience the same thing in your ministries every day.    

I am so thankful that I serve a God who calls us to give so much of ourselves to follow Him.  The rewards are so much greater than we could ever imagine. 

Luke Forshey

March 2, 2016

Is Facebook Your Hope?

Reading through Facebook these days is a depressing place. 

One post is about the election.  The next is about a new shooting in America.  The next is a complaining rant about the neighbors, the poor service at the grocery store, jobs, kids, teachers, or any other minor problem that becomes a giant issue.  It all finishes with a news video about a girl getting raped, or an update on the violence in the Middle East, or a music video that just supports all of the things just mentioned.  And the cycle just repeats.  Over, and over, and over again. 

This is the stuff we fill our minds with every day.  We spend so much time keeping in touch with the news, the election results, the latest music and trends, and it plunges us into this perpetual cycle of darkness, depression, and hopelessness.  When was the last time you felt hopeful from reading election news?  When was the last time you felt uplifted or morally encouraged from reading through Facebook?  For me, it has been quite a while, and I think you might say the same thing. 

Yet I still continue to spend time every day reading through Facebook, searching local news stations, or listening to new music.  Why do I keep plunging myself deeper and deeper into the hopelessness of the world, when there is such a better way available? 

Every person is looking for something in his or her life.  Each person also looks at different places to find that one thing.  Each presidential candidate wants fame, or popularity, or money.  Each teenager wants to fit in and know the new trends.  Each adult wants to be informed and safe in a world of rising danger.  We all want something out of life.  What determines if we get it is the place we look to find it. 

If you want hope, look no further than the word of God.  Promises that people cannot keep, He can.  Situations that people are powerless to fix, He can.  He is the definition of all hope, all truth, all purity, and all things good in the world.  And as we all search to find these good things in life, it’s a shame that His Word, the obvious choice, is often the last place we look. 

Being away from home is hard.  I want to be informed of what is happening in my country, my hometown, and my family.  But I’m learning that Facebook and CNN are not the best way to keep in touch.  The darkness that resounds from these forms of media are astounding, and they distract from living a life of purity and hope that God calls us to. 

So my challenge for you: read the Word every day before you search Facebook.  Before you read the next election news.  Before you fill your mind with darkness, fill it with joy.  It might be a challenge for you, especially if Facebook is a big part of your life currently.  But as we continue on this journey together, we will find a hope and fulfillment that this world cannot offer.   And who knows?  When we continue to learn more and know more about the heart of the Father, the things of this world may just fade in importance. 

Tomorrow, before I read Facebook, I will read the Word.  I challenge you to do the same.  And maybe, just maybe, through a small group of us focusing on the good things in life, we can change the culture of our communities to point them more to the heart and love of Him, the one thing people are truly looking for anyway. 

Luke Forshey

February 27, 2016

Challenge of 2016

To say that 2015 has been a year of change would be an understatement.  I started student teaching, graduated college, moved to the South Pacific, and began my first teaching position- all within about 6 months.  These experiences have each had their challenges, but also incredible joy that comes with the challenges of growing up and moving away.

Many people have asked, since I have been here, what have I learned most about myself through this experience.  I completely believe that each person should spend at least a year living outside of his or her home country; living away has taught me so much about myself, the beautiful people around the world, and God’s love, that I wouldn’t have experienced if I was still in my “comfort zone” at home.  So to answer many of your questions, these are 15 things I’ve learned throughout 2015.  I pray that many of these statements these can challenge you and inspire you to make 2016 even better than 2015. 

1. Cherish the people around you, for you never know when their time will pass. 

2. Change is a part of life; embrace it, don’t run from it.

3. You know who your true friends are by the ones who care enough to ask questions. 

4. The world is a beautiful place; you are missing out if you don’t take time to explore it.

5. Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from taking the next step. 

6. Security should not come from earthly things; instead, security must come from inside.

7. Every person you meet has a story; embrace the role you play in each person’s. 

8. Regardless of culture, religion, or locational differences, all people want to be loved.

9. You only ever see a fraction of the reward, but seeing that fraction makes all the effort worth it.

10. There is always a positive in every negative situation.

11. No amount of pain will ever break you if you don’t let it. 

12. Perspective and mindset make all the difference. 

13. As long as you are living in Christ, you will never regret making a new friend.

14. Life is short; live, love, and laugh as much as you can. 

15. Jesus is the one constant through a life of change and uncertainty. 

Thank you for all of your love and support throughout this year.  Overall, 2015 was a great year, a growing year, and a trying year, but nonetheless, so special.  I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2016.

Praying blessings on your new year!  May it be filled to overflowing with the joy of Christ. 

Luke Forshey

January 2, 2016