Francis Fernandez: No Limits

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

“Greatness of soul proves itself also in a willingness to forgive, in matters large and small, whether it be people close to us in our lives or far from us. It is not Christian to go about the world with a list of grievances in one’s heart, cherishing rancorous thoughts and memories that shrink the spirit and make us incapable of the human and divine ideals to which our Lord is calling us. In the same way that God is ready to forgive everyone everything, our capacity to forgive must have no limits. The number of times does not matter. The seriousness of the wrongs done is irrelevant, as is the status of the persons who supposedly guilty of the offenses. Nothing makes us like unto God so much as always being ready to forgive.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 371.

Traveling internationally may look glamorous but it’s actually really hard. People do things differently, and sometimes it bothers me and pushes my proverbial buttons. Consider the traffic in India. Few roadways are more maddening to navigate. You have to take a deep breath and choose to forgive 70×7 times in a 45-minute airport transfer.

When we cross cultural boundaries and national borders we often step on each other’s toes. And I think it’s ironic that God chose me for this work, because it’s actually hard for me. With a prophetic ministry, I aim to discern what God wants or how God’s Word speaks to a situation, and when the things I see don’t match or are “not right” it’s just hard.

Perhaps you can relate? Maybe not to the international part but the stepping on toes part. We step on the toes of the people around us. We wrong them. We hurt them. This I believe is where real generosity appears. Consider this Bible passage which illustrates the profound implications of “no limits” forgiveness.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38

If we want God to show us “no limits” forgiveness we get to show it to others. It’s only possible with God’s help and may reflect His love more than any other act.

So far the meetings are going well in Hyderabad, India (pictured above). Keep praying for churches and ministries to embrace peer accountability standards and accreditation. Thanks.

I especially appreciate your prayers for favor for the meetings today connecting IMA (India Missions Association), the largest mission association in the world serving 317 organizations and 60,000 foreign missionaries and 300,000 national missionaries, to NobleRank, the new peer accountability group serving India. The goal is to strengthening the capacities of the organizations and missionaries they serve with standards.

I think it is safe to say there are no limits to the impact that can come from this meeting.

Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5

“Magnanimity means greatness of spirit, a largeness of heart wherein many can find refuge. Magnanimity gives us the energy to break out of ourselves and be ready to undertake generous tasks that will be of benefit to all. Small-mindedness has no home in the magnanimous heart, nor has meanness, nor egoistic calculation, nor self-interested trickery. The magnanimous person devotes all his strength, unstintingly, to what is worthwhile. As a result, he is capable of giving himself. He is not content with merely giving. He gives his very self. He thus comes to understand that the greatest expression of magnanimity consists of giving oneself to God.”

Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) in Friends of God: Homilies by Josemaría Escrivá (Sinag-Tala Publishers, 1977) 80.

I want to invite you to undertake a generous task and to give yourself to God.

First, the consider this task. As God is opening doors in India, I want to invite your support to advance the work here with me. I made it safely here, but cost for travel, lodging, meals, and expenses to convene strategic meetings with influential workers from across India in Hyderabad will cost GTP at least $3,500 USD.

But the impact of these meetings is huge. Hundreds of churches and ministries served by India Mission Association will have standards for governance and administration to position them for flourishing. You can join in this work. Pause and make a gift here according to your ability.

Second, I want you to consider what it would look like to move from making gifts to giving yourself to God. Often I quote this verse to myself on days when I feel God stretching me in this area.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

It reminds me that did not give me the judgment I deserved, so I get to give my life as a living sacrifice back to Him and in service to Him. This appears not as living like the world but living in pursuit of God’s will.

Think today about what that might look like for you to devote all your strength, unstintingly, to God, while joining me with a gift of any size to support the work in India. Again, thanks.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

“The disposition to undertake great things for God and humankind always accompanies a holy life… The virtue of magnanimity, which is closely related to fortitude, consists in the soul’s willingness to undertake great things… This disposition to take on important matters for God and for other people always accompanies a holy life. The series effort to struggle for sanctity is in itself a first manifestation of magnanimity. A magnanimous person keeps his mind on high ideals. He is not daunted by obstacles, criticism, or contempt when it is necessary to endure them for a great cause. He is not prepared to let himself be intimidated by human respect or by a hostile environment.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 369-370.

When this posts I will be somewhere between Frankfurt, Germany and Hyderabad, India.

The work GTP will undertake in India is great and has unfathomable implications. On 16 September, Drs. Sanjay Patra, Joycia Thorat, Aby Alexandar will host a seminar called “Biblical Governance for Churches and NGOs” in Hyderabad.

Then on 17-18 September, GTP and Via Nations will sponsor a meeting to encourage IMA (India Missions Agency) to join the peer accountability movement that is activating for churches and ministries in India.

India Missions Association assists and trains hundreds of missions and churches for ministry. It helps members to partner with each other and to share their resources, while also assisting in research, training, accountability, and care.

We have been invited to speak to the accountability piece to help them bolster it. As GTP is helping activate a PAG (peer accountability group) there, we will be connecting them to each other. Pray for fruitful meetings.

This great work reminds me of a sign I helped my mom paint for church when I was a child. It read, “Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.” I love that quote because it reminds me that God matches our faith with His favor.

This India trip is the great work God has for me this week. What great things does God have in store for you? It does not have to be high profile to be magnanimous. Stay focused the high ideals that God cares about and He will show you.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

“God does not want His children to be naïve when faced with life’s harsh events. But he asks them never to be bitter or resentful. God wants us to see whatever is good in people and social events; He does not want us to spend the best years of our lives denouncing or complaining, but rather giving generously from the treasure of our faith. Thus we can help to transform people and society. Let us not forget, either, that good is attractive and that it always engenders much more happiness than lukewarmness does. A large family, for instance, with its many demands and sacrifices, always brings about more happiness than another family which – out of pure selfishness – sought its well-being in a little bit more of material comfort. This joy that other people sense is also a way of cooperating in the good: at times it is the most fruitful one.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 367.

I am flying to India today to help cooperate with good happening there. I’d appreciate your prayers for safe travel from Denver to Frankfurt to Hyderabad.

It’s a long journey. I arrive at about 2:00am on Monday and do a governance seminar that day. I will then help facilitate meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The meetings will help activate a peer accountability group for India like ECFA in USA. But unexpected expenses have arisen onsite for this. Please make a gift here to “where needed most” to help.

In short, the meetings have grown larger than expected and engaging more key people than anticipated so GTP will help burden those expenses.

And we do this, as Fernandez would say, to help transform people and society. Imagine if churches and ministries reflected a consistent witness across India. That’s the long-term goal.

Think about how you might, in the words of Fernandez, give generously from the treasure of your faith  to strengthen others where you are rather than focus on the material comfort of your own family.

Pray with me for my wife and family as I travel and serve in India and then South Korea. When we give generously, encourage each other, and pray for one another, we cooperate in the good.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

“You don’t have to be very clever to see evil; but a deep Christian spirit is required to discover the presence of God in all circumstances. Let us keep our eyes open to good, like the true friends in Mark’s Gospel and let us see, following Paul’s advice, how to conquer evil with an abundance of good.

On many occasions the Christian’s task will be to point out whatever is positive, since things well done encourage us to be better and bring us closer to God. Let us be quick to notice the virtues of those around us: a friend’s generosity, the industriousness of one of our colleagues, our neighbor’s readiness to help, our professor’s patience…

If at times we cannot praise, let us hold our tongues. Or we will be of assistance with a kind correction and our prayer. Let us foster whatever good is born around us – sometimes with an encouraging word, at others with our help given in time and money… This takes little effort and is always fruitful.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 367.

Words like “discover” and “notice” are my favorite words linked to my wife’s service as a spiritual director. She encourages me and others to look for God and to notice His presence and discover what learning, lessons, or love He has for us afresh each and every day.

This echoes the exhortation of Paul and finds affirmation in the words of Fernandez. They seem so relevant in the times we find ourselves. I heard someone spout off all the problems around us. I retorted, “Are you going to do something about it?”

You will never believe his reply. He exclaimed, “I am. I am complaining.” Really? I pondered. Don’t let that be you. Let’s look for God. Get involved with Him where He is at work. Notice the good. Affirm and encourage it. And goodness, pitch in from what we have.

I am back home. Thankful to enjoy time with my wife, to see my granddaughters, to encourage my children, and to celebrate good around me. It’s only for a few days, but I will make them count. Do the same thing with the time God has given you. Make it count.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

“The first Christians found a social environment very far distant from the doctrine they had so very much at heart. Though they opposed the customs that vitiated even human dignity, they did not waste their best energies in complaining about and denouncing evil. On the contrary, they chose rather to distribute the treasure they possessed by spreading it with a joyful and fraternal testimony, serving society through innumerable initiatives in the areas of culture, social service, education, ransoming captives, etc. They could have spent their lives observing everything that was out of keeping with an upright life; thus they would never have given a true solution to the world at large.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 366-367.

Thanks for your prayers. I got to train 70 CEOs yesterday at the Missio Nexus conference in Louisville which has over 1,100 participants in attendance. It’s the largest missions conference in the USA.

Based on the ECFA Press book, The Choice, I shared the 2 paths and the 3 temptations, a model for a discernment retreat, and coaching to map faithful activities with their teams using a 3D (Discerning Direction Document) for accountability and evaluation.

The response was off the charts. One bloke said, “The conference was worth it for this session alone.” Praise God! Others spoke of the freedom and joy that had eluded them and that awaited them by taking this new path.

I love to watch adults interact with each other as they embrace biblical and practical content with great receptivity. And all I could think of during discussion times was the “innumerable initiatives” that will move forward in the 70 ministries they serve.

Pray that readers of this post will shift their energies from denouncing evil to advancing good. Pray with me that the seeds planted in CEOs take root and bear fruit. And pray that together through our collective witness, we can show “the true solution” to the watching world.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“The positive obligation of cooperating in good should lead every Christian to bring Christ’s message to every human activity – professional work included – in the best way or she can. The true Christian cannot simply avoid doing evil himself, being careless about the influence actions have on the behavior of others…

Cooperating in good implies, of course, avoiding any cooperation with evil, not only in important decisions but also in the small ways that easily lie to hand not wasting money – even in small amounts – on magazines, newspapers, books, shows, and entertainment, which because of their sectarian, anti-Christian, or immoral character, damage the soul…

The Christian must cooperate in the common good by seeking and offering positive solutions to the perennial problems; he or she cannot limit himself or herself to simply not voting for a party or a program which attacks Christian family values… There must be a constant, deep doctrinal apostolate, free from false prudence, and not afraid of going against the stream…”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 365.

Yesterday was priceless. It started with an early morning zoom, then a drive through rush hour traffic to the airport and a typical domestic airline flight.

But on the other end of that flight was a friend and a brother with whom I am “cooperating in good” regardless of what others are doing.

He collected me at the airport. Then we spent four hours together. A new park opened up on the north side of Nashville so we went for a hike. We walked a few miles over a few hours.

It was peaceful (see the path pictured above). We did not let the troubles of the world dominate our conversation. We reflected on the faithfulness of God, the gift of our families, and areas of service.

He’s knocking on 70 so I challenged him to do a discernment retreat to think about what God desires for his next year and decade. This time gave me insight on how to pray for my friend.

I added how God keeps stretching me as I trust in Him. We had no agenda other than to enjoy time together as spiritual friends. It was good, really good.

As members of God’s “constant, deep doctrinal apostolate” which is a fancy phrase for God’s fellow workers, we encouraged each other and experienced enrichment from God.

The walk in the woods was the highlight for sure. Over half our time was spent enjoying God’s creation. The trail led us to a small stream. The visit to quiet waters restored our souls.

After this experience we had dinner at Cracker Barrel and he ventured more than an hour south and a Lyft carried me two hours north to Louisville. What if you did something like this?

Schedule time with a beloved Christian worker. Go for a walk together. Locate a peaceful place to talk and pray. It might encourage and enrich you in indescribable ways.

And it may also empower you (like it did for us) to continue to cooperate in good in big and small ways and to encourage each other to keep walking the path marked out for us.

And I appreciate your prayers for me as I speak in the Executive Leadership track serving 30-60 CEO’s and Executive Directors at the Missio Nexus 2024 Mission Leaders Conference. Thanks.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

“Frequently in social life many become mere spectators the face of serious problems that are affecting them, their children, or their social environment. They have the mistaken notion that others should be the ones to take the initiative, to stop evil and do good. They content themselves with sterile complaint. A Christian cannot behave in this passive way, because he knows that he should be leaven within society. In the midst of human affairs, ‘what the soul is to the body, Christians are in the world. Such is the place assigned by God to them and they cannot desert it.'”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 364-365.

Today I fly to Nashville, Tennessee, to meet up with a brother than is no passive spectator but aims to serve as active leaven. We will fellowship and then I will head to Louisville, Kentucky, to speak at the Missio Nexus conference on Wednesday.

Notice the wisdom of Fernandez today.

Think of the people you know that sit as passive spectators to the Christian movement. These people excel at offering sterile complaints. Perhaps like “armchair quarterbacks” the cheer on and criticize those on the field.

Don’t let that be you. Be active leaven.

Make it your aim, like my friend Randy Bury whom I will meet up with today, to lift up God’s workers, to encourage them, support them, and ask them ways you can pray for and assist them.

Do this and you play your role.

Here Fernandez concludes with the famous ancient letter of Mathetes to Diognetus: “What the soul is to the body, Christians are in the world. Such is the place assigned by God to them and they cannot desert it.”

Serve as a life-giving and generous soul that actively lifts others!

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

“Since charity must be ordered, the Christian should practice this virtue primarily with those that God has placed close to him [or her]; nevertheless, our respect and admiration for others should be in no way exclusive or focused on only a small circle of friends. Our Lord does not want an apostolate with limited horizons.

The union with God which we try to make fruitful in our daily life, with the help of His grace, must bring us to recognize the attractively human dimension of our apostolate. A Christian’s dealings with his [or her] fellow persons should mean a generous outpouring of supernatural affection and human politesse, overcoming the tendency to egotism and absorption to personal projects.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 361-362.

Sadly, too many people focus their charity on a small circle. But if God blesses us to be a blessing in our community, region, and the world, how do we get off track?

Fernandez points to the answer here. We focus on our own interests and not the things God cares about. We care about those close to us, and often the impact stops there.

What about you? What would it mean for you to move beyond giving attention to your personal projects? “Our Lord does not want an apostolate with limited horizons.”

When you hear the word “apostolate” think “Christian stewards” all over the world. That’s us! God does not want us just to tend toward selfishness and egotism (pursuing the things we care about).

When we do, we have “limited horizons” and forget about the things He cares about. Take five minutes. Ponder what a generous outpouring might look like from you to a larger circle of beneficiaries.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

“A Christian should always have a big heart and show respect for ask those who act as enemies, not because they are brothers, but because brothers they must become; one must show fraternal love towards him who is already a brother, and towards the one who acts as an enemy is that he may become a brother.”

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) in Commentary on the First Epistle of St. John 4, 10, 7.

Today’s post requires a measure of maturity to swallow. If you imagine an enemy in your mind, Jesus desires that person to become to you a brother. Ponder that.

When you and I were enemies to Christ, He made us brothers by His great love. We get to do the same for others. This reading resonated with me as I woke up in Poland today.

Poland is a place where thousands of Ukrainian refugees have fled from the ravages of war. My prayer for each one is the same: Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

But how do we love our enemies? Of course, it’s easier said than done. But a great first step to getting there is imagining, with God’s help, our enemy becoming a brother.

It’s been a fast but fruitful visit to Eastern Europe. I fly home this morning and get home this afternoon with the time change. Appreciate your prayers for safe travel.