So, I've been reading Matthew... it's a hard read for churchy Christians. I see myself in the mirror that is the Bible (James 1:23-25). Jesus slams the Pharisees and Sadducees so many times and I see so much of them in the modern church. They "bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders" and "all their works they do to be seen by men" (Matthew 23:4-5).
This seems like so many churches today: demanding things of people that are silly. For instance, that we need to dress a certain way, even speak a certain way, or play a certain kind of music in church, etc.
Matthew 23 is basically Jesus calling the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes on their hypocrisy. How is it the church still acts like the Pharisees, but doesn't see that it does? Jesus Christ Himself condemns this attitude and action. We need to read our Bibles!
May 1, 2008
My Friends in South Africa
I like to kind of toot my own horn and tell people that I know people in South Africa. But it's even more than just the pride of it, it's that these are some of th emost incredible people in the world: Dave, Jill, Hannah, and Luke Boman. Dave and Jill are some of the most genuine, Godly Christians that I've ever known.
So, they committed to being in Africa for a year and their visa is up in September or so. But these guys do some serious ministry with AIDS patients and with kids and adults in the slums (locations). They open their house to children who barely have homes and they take the kids to the beach to actually have fun once in a while.
This isn't about being cool in the Christian world. A lot of these people are dying--most people would mark them as useless to spend energy on. These are the least of these (Matthew 25:40, 45). This is what true Christianity is all about.
So, they committed to being in Africa for a year and their visa is up in September or so. But these guys do some serious ministry with AIDS patients and with kids and adults in the slums (locations). They open their house to children who barely have homes and they take the kids to the beach to actually have fun once in a while.
This isn't about being cool in the Christian world. A lot of these people are dying--most people would mark them as useless to spend energy on. These are the least of these (Matthew 25:40, 45). This is what true Christianity is all about.
April 28, 2008
A Lesson About God... from Texas?
I had the privilege of seeing a Texas hail/lightning storm in March. I have to say, it was pretty freaky. I could barely see the road and some people around me were still driving 30-40 MPH. I guess the Texans are used to it, but it was somewhat scary.
The hailstones seemed like they were as big as golf balls (they weren't), but they sounded like it. I thought they might break through the windshield (they didn't).
The lightning, though: A-mazing. I always think of Psalm 8--when I think of Your wonders, Lord... what is man that You are mindful of him? Lightning is kind of like God, actually. It's scary because it's so powerful, but it's beautiful and awesome and exciting at the same time! You can't help but wonder at it.
The hailstones seemed like they were as big as golf balls (they weren't), but they sounded like it. I thought they might break through the windshield (they didn't).
The lightning, though: A-mazing. I always think of Psalm 8--when I think of Your wonders, Lord... what is man that You are mindful of him? Lightning is kind of like God, actually. It's scary because it's so powerful, but it's beautiful and awesome and exciting at the same time! You can't help but wonder at it.
Love v. Grumpiness
Have you ever driven for 20 hours straight with a bunch of people after having spent a week doing hard labor, and within that 20 hours you only slept for one or two? That's a trial.
This is a test of the amount of love you have for your brothers and sisters in Christ. I've always been able to sleep anywhere but on this last trip to Mississippi I didn't hardly sleep on the way there or the way back.
The littlest things annoy you. Especially through Texas. But this is human nature. We are called to love each other and God never included the statement "except when you don't feel like it."
This is my greatest challenge--I'm not really a loving kind of person most of the time. I always call myself the protege of Oscar the Grouch. But I need to shape up because this is the call of the church: to love God and to love others. I mean, God loves Oscar, too, but as a follower of the living and loving God, we seek to be more like Him, not like puppets (cool as they are).
This is a test of the amount of love you have for your brothers and sisters in Christ. I've always been able to sleep anywhere but on this last trip to Mississippi I didn't hardly sleep on the way there or the way back.
The littlest things annoy you. Especially through Texas. But this is human nature. We are called to love each other and God never included the statement "except when you don't feel like it."
This is my greatest challenge--I'm not really a loving kind of person most of the time. I always call myself the protege of Oscar the Grouch. But I need to shape up because this is the call of the church: to love God and to love others. I mean, God loves Oscar, too, but as a follower of the living and loving God, we seek to be more like Him, not like puppets (cool as they are).
A Memorial
A friend of mine died last week.
I had worked with her at Manfisher Ministries before I came to school in Pueblo. Manfisher was a place that worked with bums and drunks and poor people and not-too-poor people to help furnish their needs.
Lynn knew the worst of it: addiction to pain killers, divorce, single parenthood, poverty. But she loved God! She came through those circumstances and then came to Manfisher to spread the love of Christ to others who were in dire circumstances.
After having come through her own battles, she then had to face her 7-year-old son getting cancer. Which meant chemo in Seattle (a five-six hour drive from where she lived). Lynn was someone you knew God trusted because she went through all this crap.
But then one night last week she just died. I don't even know why. She has two little kids, including the one still fighting cancer, and also an older daughter. Sometimes you have to wonder why: this is the real world.
But I can have hope because there isn't a doubt in my mind that she was a believer. I'll get to see her again someday in a much brighter place than the world she lived in and the world that we live in. Death might not seem fair to us, but to Lynn right now, death is sweet.
I had worked with her at Manfisher Ministries before I came to school in Pueblo. Manfisher was a place that worked with bums and drunks and poor people and not-too-poor people to help furnish their needs.
Lynn knew the worst of it: addiction to pain killers, divorce, single parenthood, poverty. But she loved God! She came through those circumstances and then came to Manfisher to spread the love of Christ to others who were in dire circumstances.
After having come through her own battles, she then had to face her 7-year-old son getting cancer. Which meant chemo in Seattle (a five-six hour drive from where she lived). Lynn was someone you knew God trusted because she went through all this crap.
But then one night last week she just died. I don't even know why. She has two little kids, including the one still fighting cancer, and also an older daughter. Sometimes you have to wonder why: this is the real world.
But I can have hope because there isn't a doubt in my mind that she was a believer. I'll get to see her again someday in a much brighter place than the world she lived in and the world that we live in. Death might not seem fair to us, but to Lynn right now, death is sweet.
Baptism is a lot funner than we make it
Friday night was a great picture of the church in Paul's day, I think. Hopefully, most won't think us blasphemous for doing what we did, but we baptized two people in the Atlantic. Well, I didn't; I just carried their towels.
Our three male leaders baptized two women in the group. First, the leaders told us what baptism was about, then the women gave their testimonies and people who knew them testified on their behalfs that they were walking with Christ, and then we went out to the water and two of the leaders "dunked" them.
It was a great picture of the church as a whole. Not as a denomination or as a specific church body. We all had different beliefs here and there, but baptism isn't about joining a church, it's about publicly displaying that you're part of the church.
Today, you have to be something like a pastor in most circles to baptize people. But who was John the Baptist? Now we think we was amazing, but he certainly didn't have any formal training--he walked around in camel clothes and ate locusts for crying out loud! I think that baptism becomes so unreal because it's so outlined--do this and do that--when really it's your testimony to the world. Why make it so specific and boring? It should be exciting and celebratory!
Church... work on this...
Our three male leaders baptized two women in the group. First, the leaders told us what baptism was about, then the women gave their testimonies and people who knew them testified on their behalfs that they were walking with Christ, and then we went out to the water and two of the leaders "dunked" them.
It was a great picture of the church as a whole. Not as a denomination or as a specific church body. We all had different beliefs here and there, but baptism isn't about joining a church, it's about publicly displaying that you're part of the church.
Today, you have to be something like a pastor in most circles to baptize people. But who was John the Baptist? Now we think we was amazing, but he certainly didn't have any formal training--he walked around in camel clothes and ate locusts for crying out loud! I think that baptism becomes so unreal because it's so outlined--do this and do that--when really it's your testimony to the world. Why make it so specific and boring? It should be exciting and celebratory!
Church... work on this...
April 27, 2008
The Know-It-All-Ness Contest
Friday was a great day in Bay Saint Louis, my friends. I got to be in the group that cut down three rather tall trees that were threatening the integrity of a couples' house.
Today was a lesson in know-it-all-ness. The guy we were helping out knew how to cut down trees with only one or two people, but his body was too beat up to do it anymore. Well, I swear we spent an hour conjecturing on how it would be done even though the guy told us how to best do it. We even practiced on a smaller tree.
Eventually, though, we gave in. His way was faster, easier, and safer. And Dave still got to use the chainsaw. What we had to do was get a rope tied around the targeted tree and then use a pulley-like system connected to another tree--this would get the tree to go down in the approximate direction that we wished. Plus, no one would be in the way of the tree as it fell.
Well, it worked! And it was amazing watching these giant trees fall to the ground! And I would have to say that Brian won the contest for the least know-it-all-ness even though he was probably the most capable of all us college-age people. Humility, even though most desired for us by God, isn't common, so it's obvious when present.
Today was a lesson in know-it-all-ness. The guy we were helping out knew how to cut down trees with only one or two people, but his body was too beat up to do it anymore. Well, I swear we spent an hour conjecturing on how it would be done even though the guy told us how to best do it. We even practiced on a smaller tree.
Eventually, though, we gave in. His way was faster, easier, and safer. And Dave still got to use the chainsaw. What we had to do was get a rope tied around the targeted tree and then use a pulley-like system connected to another tree--this would get the tree to go down in the approximate direction that we wished. Plus, no one would be in the way of the tree as it fell.
Well, it worked! And it was amazing watching these giant trees fall to the ground! And I would have to say that Brian won the contest for the least know-it-all-ness even though he was probably the most capable of all us college-age people. Humility, even though most desired for us by God, isn't common, so it's obvious when present.
By Now I'm Getting Sun Stroke...
Well, we started digging on Wednesday afternoon and didn't get the poles situated until Thursday afternoon. That was some hard work, I tell you what! If ever you want upper body strength, dig out holes 4 and a half feet deep with a post hole digger.
There was literally a swamp underneath our feet. It even smelled like sulfur because of all of the swamp gasses. We had to bucket out water so that the mud would be solid enough for us to dig out. Some people were covered in mud and clay, others covered themselves in mud and clay just for fun.
On Thursday I got to do the funnest thing yet: ride the lawn tractor. John Deere, baby! We shoveled dirt and mud to our heart's content into the tractor's trailer and back out again. The piles of dirt needed to be moved so that the cement truck could get sufficiently close the next day. So, we leveled out some ground for Miss Cunningham's daughter, Tidi. She's probably going to plant some tomatoes now.
I'm sure I picked up trash this day, too, but I'm pretty positive I blocked that from my memory. It's funny how the most humble acts of service in the world are probably the least enjoyable.
There was literally a swamp underneath our feet. It even smelled like sulfur because of all of the swamp gasses. We had to bucket out water so that the mud would be solid enough for us to dig out. Some people were covered in mud and clay, others covered themselves in mud and clay just for fun.
On Thursday I got to do the funnest thing yet: ride the lawn tractor. John Deere, baby! We shoveled dirt and mud to our heart's content into the tractor's trailer and back out again. The piles of dirt needed to be moved so that the cement truck could get sufficiently close the next day. So, we leveled out some ground for Miss Cunningham's daughter, Tidi. She's probably going to plant some tomatoes now.
I'm sure I picked up trash this day, too, but I'm pretty positive I blocked that from my memory. It's funny how the most humble acts of service in the world are probably the least enjoyable.
Strategic Positioning
The third day of Katrina relief was kind of discouraging at first. I mean, from working with real people who need real help to picking up trash. Big difference.
My team came across a house that we actually shouldn't have entered--we were technically trespassing. It still had clothes hung up in the closet. On the door was written in mud, "We are OK." Two years later. Incredible.
It was also on this day that two of my team members came across a man by the name of Frank (I think). He was building a house for Miss Cunningham, a very nice elderly lady. He was building a house for Miss Cunningham by himself. Eventually he would get help from two or three Mennonites, but that's still a measely amount of people for building a house.
So this house had to be 11 feet up in order to meet insurance guidelines, and the holes that had been dug by a machine the day before had partially collapsed. Word to the wise: don't build a house on swamp ground. So, we told him that we just happened to have 30 people and were looking for more projects.
He was astounded. He had just been asking God how He was going to get this done: it looked hopeless. But God uses His people--He organizes them in a way we don't understand. Who would have thought that 32 college students from Colorado would end up helping this particular person in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi? God would.
My team came across a house that we actually shouldn't have entered--we were technically trespassing. It still had clothes hung up in the closet. On the door was written in mud, "We are OK." Two years later. Incredible.
It was also on this day that two of my team members came across a man by the name of Frank (I think). He was building a house for Miss Cunningham, a very nice elderly lady. He was building a house for Miss Cunningham by himself. Eventually he would get help from two or three Mennonites, but that's still a measely amount of people for building a house.
So this house had to be 11 feet up in order to meet insurance guidelines, and the holes that had been dug by a machine the day before had partially collapsed. Word to the wise: don't build a house on swamp ground. So, we told him that we just happened to have 30 people and were looking for more projects.
He was astounded. He had just been asking God how He was going to get this done: it looked hopeless. But God uses His people--He organizes them in a way we don't understand. Who would have thought that 32 college students from Colorado would end up helping this particular person in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi? God would.
April 21, 2008
Buena Suerte!
On the second day of my trip to the Gulf Coast, my group did homeless ministry (which sounds weird but I don't know how else to say it). A lot of people are still homeless or pretty close to it because of Katrina. They are cold and hungry so we brought them food and a few pieces of clothing.
My greatest adventure on this day was utilizing my poor Spanish skills. I did alright, I think, but luckily we were able to find a fluent Spanish speaker at a Catholic diocese office that dealt specifically with migrants and immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries. Like this man.
He was from Honduras, had been in the US for six months, and didn't speak any English. His 17-year-old son had been caught on the Texas border trying to cross illegally. He was in prison, so his father was looking for him. Can you imagine your son being in a prison in Texas, but you don't know which one, and you can't speak the language to ask people for help? How frustrating and hopeless a situation!
Well, hopefully he was able to work it out. I think I did as much as I could. His son probably had already been deported. But I can't help but wonder...
My greatest adventure on this day was utilizing my poor Spanish skills. I did alright, I think, but luckily we were able to find a fluent Spanish speaker at a Catholic diocese office that dealt specifically with migrants and immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries. Like this man.
He was from Honduras, had been in the US for six months, and didn't speak any English. His 17-year-old son had been caught on the Texas border trying to cross illegally. He was in prison, so his father was looking for him. Can you imagine your son being in a prison in Texas, but you don't know which one, and you can't speak the language to ask people for help? How frustrating and hopeless a situation!
Well, hopefully he was able to work it out. I think I did as much as I could. His son probably had already been deported. But I can't help but wonder...
Fear v. Love: Death Match
During spring break, I stayed in Pass Christian (pronounced pass krish-tee-ann') at a place called Camp Gospel. I could see the beach from the camp. It was always beautiful.
Our first day of work, we picked up trash and debris. It was ridiculous. There wasn't as much trash as there were remnants of houses. My group found most of a bathroom--bathtub, part of a toilet, a sink still in the counter top, and even some really nice granite floor tiles. The group next to us covered an area maybe 35 feet long and 29 feet wide and stayed there all day because of the amount of debris in that one small location. It was great: it was an adventure finding as much junk as possible.
Anyway, during this first escapade, we came across a sleeping water moccasin (aka very poisonous snake). It was not so fun anymore finding bathroom parts. This sense of fear came over me and I no longer was enjoying this experience. I finally realized what fear felt like, at least some kind of fear. It was a knowledge that I could die if I got bit and I could get bit by cleaning out this swamp land.
So then, how does "perfect love cast out fear" like it says in the Bible? I knew that what I was doing was for the Lord and the snakes had no power over me. If He wanted one to bite me so be it, but they couldn't do anything to me that God didn't first permit. And besides, if I did die, I would go to Heaven to be with my Savior face to face forever. A love for God and His presence which led to a love for His work and His Kingdom cast out the fear and I was once again able to have an amazing time (though perhaps with a little more caution).
Our first day of work, we picked up trash and debris. It was ridiculous. There wasn't as much trash as there were remnants of houses. My group found most of a bathroom--bathtub, part of a toilet, a sink still in the counter top, and even some really nice granite floor tiles. The group next to us covered an area maybe 35 feet long and 29 feet wide and stayed there all day because of the amount of debris in that one small location. It was great: it was an adventure finding as much junk as possible.
Anyway, during this first escapade, we came across a sleeping water moccasin (aka very poisonous snake). It was not so fun anymore finding bathroom parts. This sense of fear came over me and I no longer was enjoying this experience. I finally realized what fear felt like, at least some kind of fear. It was a knowledge that I could die if I got bit and I could get bit by cleaning out this swamp land.
So then, how does "perfect love cast out fear" like it says in the Bible? I knew that what I was doing was for the Lord and the snakes had no power over me. If He wanted one to bite me so be it, but they couldn't do anything to me that God didn't first permit. And besides, if I did die, I would go to Heaven to be with my Savior face to face forever. A love for God and His presence which led to a love for His work and His Kingdom cast out the fear and I was once again able to have an amazing time (though perhaps with a little more caution).
April 10, 2008
Obeying the Great Commission through Drama
Drama is one of the best ways of following the great commission: it shows in a very short time and interesting manner the message of the gospel.
One thing I often don't like about dramas is the extremity--not everybody struggles with alcohol, drugs, sex (the classic sins)--but we have to admit that many do. Also, there are so many dramas that do the same thing, but again we have to admit that human nature has never changed so why should the message going out to it change?
The following drama is very well done and its message is wonderful--the message will remain the same for all eternity that Jesus saves.
One thing I often don't like about dramas is the extremity--not everybody struggles with alcohol, drugs, sex (the classic sins)--but we have to admit that many do. Also, there are so many dramas that do the same thing, but again we have to admit that human nature has never changed so why should the message going out to it change?
The following drama is very well done and its message is wonderful--the message will remain the same for all eternity that Jesus saves.
March 31, 2008
The Church is a Family and Team
One thing I love about the church: being a family even if we are miles apart and don't even know each other. I found a site that is a Christian travel agency, specializing in getting discounts to Christians who are going on short or long-term mission trips.
Christians have so many different abilities and callings that it all seems to work together. Like an athletic team--we each have different positions in the team, but each position is needed for the best efficiency and affectiveness. But we are also a family, loving each other and being there for each other when we need to buy a plane ticket.
God knew what He was doing when he created us so differently.
Christians have so many different abilities and callings that it all seems to work together. Like an athletic team--we each have different positions in the team, but each position is needed for the best efficiency and affectiveness. But we are also a family, loving each other and being there for each other when we need to buy a plane ticket.
God knew what He was doing when he created us so differently.
A Thank You to the Christians of the Gulf Coast
As I mentioned in my last blog, I went down to Mississippi for spring break to help out with Katrina relief. Two and a half years later there are still people without houses, money, and hope. Two and a half years later there is still trash and debris everywhere, though much of it can't be seen because of the two and a half years of overgrowth. People have lived two and a half years worrying about a dead tree that with the right amount of wind could fall on what is left of their home.
This is the first entry of many that will detail some of my experiences in MS. The needs in our very own country, our supposedly rich country, are very great. In Biloxi, MS, we encountered several people who were still homeless, living on the streets or in their cars, ever since Katrina. Some people have been lucky enough to get Katrina cottages, but some are still living in and getting sick from FEMA trailers, waiting...
The scenery looks nice if you didn't live there before. Many of the trees are bare--killed by the massive amount of salt water that flooded the area. There are many, many lots where houses used to be but where now only a remnant remains. The elderly are immensely suffering as there is little they can do themselves and very few who are able to help so many.
And two and a half years later, there are still a few camps, organizations, and individuals that are dedicated to restoring the people of the gulf, most of them are Christian. There are not nearly as many as are needed, but the communities of the gulf are grateful for whatever help they can get.
So, I would like to say that I am thankful for the Christians whose hearts are so in tune with God's. For those who labor constantly for the lives of the people of the gulf. This is what missions, what the church, is all about.
This is the first entry of many that will detail some of my experiences in MS. The needs in our very own country, our supposedly rich country, are very great. In Biloxi, MS, we encountered several people who were still homeless, living on the streets or in their cars, ever since Katrina. Some people have been lucky enough to get Katrina cottages, but some are still living in and getting sick from FEMA trailers, waiting...
The scenery looks nice if you didn't live there before. Many of the trees are bare--killed by the massive amount of salt water that flooded the area. There are many, many lots where houses used to be but where now only a remnant remains. The elderly are immensely suffering as there is little they can do themselves and very few who are able to help so many.
And two and a half years later, there are still a few camps, organizations, and individuals that are dedicated to restoring the people of the gulf, most of them are Christian. There are not nearly as many as are needed, but the communities of the gulf are grateful for whatever help they can get.
So, I would like to say that I am thankful for the Christians whose hearts are so in tune with God's. For those who labor constantly for the lives of the people of the gulf. This is what missions, what the church, is all about.
The Mennonite Example
Speaking of Mennonites, I tell you what, they are hard-core. At least the ones I've met.
For the last two spring breaks from school I've gone down to Mississippi to help with Katrina relief. The Mennonites have been there and continue to be there. Some are from Virginia, others from Pennsylvania, etc. They help build houses, giving free manual labor. And you know that they are doing an amazing job!
This is evangelical ministry at its finest. People giving of their skills and time to those who need it. This is "pure and undefiled religion" (James).
Well, I would welcome anyone and everyone to do the same thing: help out with Katrina relief, whether it's building houses, tearing apart houses, or picking up trash. If you would like to, or if you'd like to start some kind of church mission trip, begin by searching through the churches that are down on the gulf coast.
For the last two spring breaks from school I've gone down to Mississippi to help with Katrina relief. The Mennonites have been there and continue to be there. Some are from Virginia, others from Pennsylvania, etc. They help build houses, giving free manual labor. And you know that they are doing an amazing job!
This is evangelical ministry at its finest. People giving of their skills and time to those who need it. This is "pure and undefiled religion" (James).
Well, I would welcome anyone and everyone to do the same thing: help out with Katrina relief, whether it's building houses, tearing apart houses, or picking up trash. If you would like to, or if you'd like to start some kind of church mission trip, begin by searching through the churches that are down on the gulf coast.
A Missionary Denomination?
Did you know that an entire denomination was formed as a missionary denomination? Interesting. I don't know why I never knew this before.
The missionary church was actually a union between two other missionary denominations. This church was formed on top of the Mennonite doctrine.
Why do we need a missionary denomination? Who knows? Every church should have missions in the forefront, but it would seem that it isn't that way, or at least it hasn't been. May it never be that the church forgets her mission given straight from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Himself.
The missionary church was actually a union between two other missionary denominations. This church was formed on top of the Mennonite doctrine.
Why do we need a missionary denomination? Who knows? Every church should have missions in the forefront, but it would seem that it isn't that way, or at least it hasn't been. May it never be that the church forgets her mission given straight from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Himself.
March 4, 2008
How to Not Mess Up the Great Commission too Much
This video is inspiring... well, sort of. It's definitely creative and has a good message to it. I personally enjoyed the shock value of the original instructions and the cartoon people.
It also shifts your worldview a little. It's difficult to take seriously, but overall it really does make sense if you are open to it. Watch it--you won't regret it.
It also shifts your worldview a little. It's difficult to take seriously, but overall it really does make sense if you are open to it. Watch it--you won't regret it.
March 3, 2008
A Life of Sacrifice Part Two
So what does God want from the church? What does God need from the church? First of all, God doesn't need the church; He doesn't need our money. He doesn't even want our money. He wants our hearts.
He's like a potential husband, trying to win the hearts of humanity whom He loves. So, what does the church give to Him? Everything:
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Mt. 6:21
"A broken and a contrite heart" Ps. 51:17
"Turn to Me with all your heart... Rend your heart" Joel 2:12-13
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Prov. 3:5
In ancient Hebrew, the heart (leb, lebab) was not only the feelings, but also the will and the intellect--the center of anything.
What is the church investing her center in? Where is her treasure? In buildings? In cars? In money? The church is not fulfilling her mission if her heart is so attached to earthly treasures.
I'm not saying that missions should be the heart of the church; it should be in the heart of the church. The heart of the church should be God and God alone, but the reaching out to those in need is the heart of God.
So, what is your center invested in?
He's like a potential husband, trying to win the hearts of humanity whom He loves. So, what does the church give to Him? Everything:
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Mt. 6:21
"A broken and a contrite heart" Ps. 51:17
"Turn to Me with all your heart... Rend your heart" Joel 2:12-13
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Prov. 3:5
In ancient Hebrew, the heart (leb, lebab) was not only the feelings, but also the will and the intellect--the center of anything.
What is the church investing her center in? Where is her treasure? In buildings? In cars? In money? The church is not fulfilling her mission if her heart is so attached to earthly treasures.
I'm not saying that missions should be the heart of the church; it should be in the heart of the church. The heart of the church should be God and God alone, but the reaching out to those in need is the heart of God.
So, what is your center invested in?
February 26, 2008
A Life of Sacrifice Part One
I keep thinking of Hudson Taylor, the great man who once upon a time was a missionary to China. Even before he went to China he lived on bread and water, in a crappy apartment, and he gave the rest of what he had to everyone else.
I wish that I could live like that. In a way, the church should live like that. God doesn't demand what Hudson Taylor did exactly, but He does want us to give Him everything. That looks different to each individual, but everyone has to start by letting God direct them in their spending, living, etc.
I mean, technically He owns everything we have anyway. That's what we need to acknowledge. Everything we have is a gift from God--what's so terrible about giving it back to Him?
"'And try me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it'" (Malachi 3:10). If you give to God what He has asked of you, He WILL reward you for your faithfulness to Him, and that's no TV evangelism message.
I wish that I could live like that. In a way, the church should live like that. God doesn't demand what Hudson Taylor did exactly, but He does want us to give Him everything. That looks different to each individual, but everyone has to start by letting God direct them in their spending, living, etc.
I mean, technically He owns everything we have anyway. That's what we need to acknowledge. Everything we have is a gift from God--what's so terrible about giving it back to Him?
"'And try me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it'" (Malachi 3:10). If you give to God what He has asked of you, He WILL reward you for your faithfulness to Him, and that's no TV evangelism message.
February 18, 2008
Not the Mission of the Church
One of the things the church should never do: complain.
One of the major sins the church is extremely guilty of: complaining.
Do we read the Bible? Philippians2:14 says "Do all things without complaining and disputing." Colossians 4:6 says "Let your speech be always with grace." And I Peter 2:1 tells us to put off "all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking."
Key words: "All," "Always," "All." The Bible doesn't give a list of things that we can't complain about, it says all things; it says always; it says all evil speaking. In the Greek? Just like the pastor always says: "All means all."
The mission of the church is constantly forgotten because we can't get past our own agendas. We complain about... gee... just about everything, and then wonder why the world is going to hell.
And if you think you can't stop complaining, remember you "can do all things through Christ" (Phil 4:13).
One of the major sins the church is extremely guilty of: complaining.
Do we read the Bible? Philippians2:14 says "Do all things without complaining and disputing." Colossians 4:6 says "Let your speech be always with grace." And I Peter 2:1 tells us to put off "all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking."
Key words: "All," "Always," "All." The Bible doesn't give a list of things that we can't complain about, it says all things; it says always; it says all evil speaking. In the Greek? Just like the pastor always says: "All means all."
The mission of the church is constantly forgotten because we can't get past our own agendas. We complain about... gee... just about everything, and then wonder why the world is going to hell.
And if you think you can't stop complaining, remember you "can do all things through Christ" (Phil 4:13).
February 12, 2008
Division Anyone?
How much are Christians supposed to work together? There are opinions that span the entire spectrum from they shouldn't at all (so as not to compromise beliefs) to they all should all the time (in order to reach more).
Now, there's no black and white here. There are a lot of issues in between the above words that skew our vision. I wish that on my campus the three evangelical Christian organizations I know of would work together more and not be so territorial over the same few acres, but is God using that as well?
Take Paul and Barnabas. We all know that they made a great team, but they just couldn't work together anymore. Despite their imperfections and possible bad decisions, God increased the amount of people that got reached because Paul went one direction and Barnabas went another.
Maybe the same thing happens today, not that I would encourage derision in any form. But maybe the many denominations and churches have been able to reach more... or maybe they've caused a schism wider than there should be.
I don't know. Seek God first--then worry about your opinion.
Now, there's no black and white here. There are a lot of issues in between the above words that skew our vision. I wish that on my campus the three evangelical Christian organizations I know of would work together more and not be so territorial over the same few acres, but is God using that as well?
Take Paul and Barnabas. We all know that they made a great team, but they just couldn't work together anymore. Despite their imperfections and possible bad decisions, God increased the amount of people that got reached because Paul went one direction and Barnabas went another.
Maybe the same thing happens today, not that I would encourage derision in any form. But maybe the many denominations and churches have been able to reach more... or maybe they've caused a schism wider than there should be.
I don't know. Seek God first--then worry about your opinion.
February 4, 2008
Living Outside of Ourselves
One of the things that I personally have been learning and, I think, my church along with me is that of reaching outside of ourselves and our church body. The church is a place of fellowship and we get a lot of encouragement from having that base, that family. But the church's purpose isn't to bless ME and to feed ME: the purpose of the church is to reach out to the lost and dying.
Think about it. While Jesus walked the earth, did He only go to the church? No. He taught in the synagogue a few times, but the majority of His ministry that He saw fit to have written down was spent with publicans, sinners, prostitutes, and hungry people. He came to seek and to save those who are LOST; He came to heal the sick, not to hang out with those who are "well."
No, Christians aren't necessarily well in the way we think of it. But we have all the necessary ingredients to be healed--Jesus. Now it's time to look outside of ourselves and start fulfilling God's purpose for our lives--helping others find the Everlasting Father, the Wellspring of Life, the Great Physician, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace.
Think about it. While Jesus walked the earth, did He only go to the church? No. He taught in the synagogue a few times, but the majority of His ministry that He saw fit to have written down was spent with publicans, sinners, prostitutes, and hungry people. He came to seek and to save those who are LOST; He came to heal the sick, not to hang out with those who are "well."
No, Christians aren't necessarily well in the way we think of it. But we have all the necessary ingredients to be healed--Jesus. Now it's time to look outside of ourselves and start fulfilling God's purpose for our lives--helping others find the Everlasting Father, the Wellspring of Life, the Great Physician, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace.
January 24, 2008
My Top Five Mission Organizations (in no particular order)
1. Gospel for Asia
Through Gospel for Asia, founded and directed by K.P. Yohannan, the Gospel is spread through the use of native missionaries. Instead of paying big bucks for leisurely Americans to go to other countries, GFA trains converts to be missionaries to their own people in their own languages. Americans and other spoiled nations can then financially support these missionaries or even their "Bridge of Hope" children for a measely amount, 100% going directly to the missionary or child of your choice. If you can't afford monthly, then you can just buy a bike for a native missionary to use for the spread of the Gospel!
2. Operation Mobilization International
OM offers short-term and long-term mission trips to all who are willing. Their ships, in particular, not only spread the Word, but also offer practical help, whether medical, educational, or for survival. They are one of the most internationally spread mission organizations in existence. Thank you George Verwer!
3. Open Doors
In a phrase: to serve and support the persecuted church. This is the mission of Open Doors (all for the glory of Christ, of course). It's all about prayer and the Word. As the churches who are being persecuted are spreading the good news, Open Doors encourages and relieves our courageous brothers and sisters through multiple facets. Brother Andrew, who founded the organization, still continues to fight in many dangerous nations for the believer's right to worship the one true God.
4. New Tribes Mission
New Tribes plants churches in previously unreached areas. They do not force our culture or language on these tribes, but simply teach Biblical truth in its purest, un-Americanized form in the tribes' own languages (which you can imagine is a challenge). Trained pilots can be a part of the Mission Aviation division, which allows the Gospel to reach more places; you can take part in short-term or long-term missions, or you can decide to teach missionary children (MK's) while the students' parents are working in the ministry.
5. Compassion International
Though a little different from Gospel for Asia's "Bridge of Hope" program, Compassion International does cover more territory. You can sponsor a child or children for a small amount each month from many, many countries. This monthly cost pays for food, shelter, education, medical needs, etc. for the child; and we all know that the education of the next generation will help get these countries into better shape... hopefully. Compassion also maintains a focus on children suffering from the AIDS epidemic, which has devastated more than one continent. All this from Everett Swanson trying to help a South Korean orphanage!
Through Gospel for Asia, founded and directed by K.P. Yohannan, the Gospel is spread through the use of native missionaries. Instead of paying big bucks for leisurely Americans to go to other countries, GFA trains converts to be missionaries to their own people in their own languages. Americans and other spoiled nations can then financially support these missionaries or even their "Bridge of Hope" children for a measely amount, 100% going directly to the missionary or child of your choice. If you can't afford monthly, then you can just buy a bike for a native missionary to use for the spread of the Gospel!
2. Operation Mobilization International
OM offers short-term and long-term mission trips to all who are willing. Their ships, in particular, not only spread the Word, but also offer practical help, whether medical, educational, or for survival. They are one of the most internationally spread mission organizations in existence. Thank you George Verwer!
3. Open Doors
In a phrase: to serve and support the persecuted church. This is the mission of Open Doors (all for the glory of Christ, of course). It's all about prayer and the Word. As the churches who are being persecuted are spreading the good news, Open Doors encourages and relieves our courageous brothers and sisters through multiple facets. Brother Andrew, who founded the organization, still continues to fight in many dangerous nations for the believer's right to worship the one true God.
4. New Tribes Mission
New Tribes plants churches in previously unreached areas. They do not force our culture or language on these tribes, but simply teach Biblical truth in its purest, un-Americanized form in the tribes' own languages (which you can imagine is a challenge). Trained pilots can be a part of the Mission Aviation division, which allows the Gospel to reach more places; you can take part in short-term or long-term missions, or you can decide to teach missionary children (MK's) while the students' parents are working in the ministry.
5. Compassion International
Though a little different from Gospel for Asia's "Bridge of Hope" program, Compassion International does cover more territory. You can sponsor a child or children for a small amount each month from many, many countries. This monthly cost pays for food, shelter, education, medical needs, etc. for the child; and we all know that the education of the next generation will help get these countries into better shape... hopefully. Compassion also maintains a focus on children suffering from the AIDS epidemic, which has devastated more than one continent. All this from Everett Swanson trying to help a South Korean orphanage!
January 22, 2008
The Introduction--Why Missions?
Why don't Christians just leave people alone? Who do they think they are, intruding into people's cultures?
Well, hypocritical Christians would subscribe to the above opinions. Anyone who claims the name of Christ has a duty to fulfill His command of "going into all the world" to share the Gospel. Real Christians believe that those who don't believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are going to hell--the worst possible place to go: the only place where God isn't. If we truly believe this, why would we sit on our duffs and watch the world go by? (See Interview with an Atheist)
Well, hypocritical Christians would subscribe to the above opinions. Anyone who claims the name of Christ has a duty to fulfill His command of "going into all the world" to share the Gospel. Real Christians believe that those who don't believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are going to hell--the worst possible place to go: the only place where God isn't. If we truly believe this, why would we sit on our duffs and watch the world go by? (See Interview with an Atheist)
NO, I don't mean we shove our beliefs on others, but we have to at least give the world the option--maybe Jesus really is Who He says He is?--they can't make that call if they don't have a clue who the heck He is.
And so we go...
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