What's the worst that can happen?

On nearly every missions trip that involves travel, there's at least one person that feels anxious about traveling, fear of flying.  In reality, it's not a fear of flying but a fear of crashing they're struggling with.  I try to assure them that I've been on many trips, traveled in many planes, been on boats and I've never died in crash.  Then I typically follow up by saying something like, besides, really, if something did happen is that the worst thing?  We just get there quicker, right?  Perhaps not the most reassuring thing to say in the moment, but I believe it's true.  I've heard stories of missionaries and met pastors who have had their days cut short for the sake of the gospel.  Did they fail?  Of course not.  I'm in no hurry to enter the other side of eternity, but I know that it's a reality for me (as well as every other person).  And quite frankly, I do look forward to the "not yet", experiencing God without the limitations that I currently have.    

John Wimber used to say, when it's all said and done dying is the last, worst thing that everyone of us will face. As Christians, we need to recognize that it's also the best thing.  Going to heaven is what we signed up for, right?

Truth is, recognizing and reaffirming that death no longer has the final power over you goes along way in defusing the anxiety that exists around the issue.  The pain in a loss carries another burden to it tho, doesn't it?  We question if God's good, does He care ?  There are times when God chooses to do things that seem contrary to what we believe His will toward us ought to be.  By accepting the tension between what we know and what we don't know yet, we can begin to let go of the anxiety.

Freedom defined?

When we think of freedom, as Americans, we tend to think of freedoms spelled out by our Constitution (freedoms that I personally value and enjoy). How do these constitutional rights relate to "Kingdom" freedom? Meeting folks in different places in the world challenge our notion of freedom. Meeting a small group of Christians who live and minister in the (garbage) dump of Mexico City, literally unable to leave without threat of violence and possible death. They create a church building out of pieces of sheet metal. Here, they reach their "community" with the message of the gospel, that Jesus loves them and that even though they are confined in this area and basically live like slaves to the drug lords who run the property, they can live in freedom, in Jesus.

Visiting a settlement on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa called Mayville. Many Zulu's and other nations living in huts and shacks. Meeting a pastor in this area named Simon, who perseveres in growing the church, in this settlement, under the threat of xenophobia. You can't chase Simon or his church out because they love Jesus and they love the people in this settlement. They are making a difference. They are seeing lives changed, drug addicts and alcoholics freed from their addiction, prostitutes freed from living a life of self degradation (as they come into the knowledge that Jesus has a plan and purpose for their lives, they are not disposable). Most of these people will never live outside of Mayville or similar circumstances, but in Jesus, they can live in freedom, fulfilling the purpose that God has for their life.  Historically, those changes bring about social change.

Truth is, as I've visited some of these places, I've been greatly influenced by the people that I meet and the friends I've made. I often walk away wanting "some of what they have". Not material stuff, but their passion for Jesus and the ability to follow Him and do what's right in the most difficult circumstances. I sometimes think that our right to pursue "happiness" can become like a shackle and chain, depending on how we define "happiness".

Happy 4th of July and remember to consider those who have sacrificed so that we can live and worship in freedom. Let's also remember what defines freedom, it has more to do with a cross than a constitution.
 

Worlds Apart - Yet The Same

In preparing for this year's Missions Trip to the Amazon Region of Brazil, I've been thinking back to past trips, teams, times of ministry and friends that I've made. I feel blessed to be in a church that is committed to both local and int'l missions. The Kingdom is big, and so is the task at hand.
Recently been thinking about my first big trip, to South India back in 2001. Can't believe it's going on 10 years. The trip made a huge impact in my life. To be in such an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar smells, foods & customs. I truly loved it. I especially loved to listen and join in the worship of Jesus with the indigenous folks in the area. Sitting in a mango grove, singing to just the beat of some primitively made hand drums is an experience I'll never forget. Singing Atta Yesu, Namma Yesu (sp?). The song had a powerful impact on the small group. I asked one of the pastors what it meant. He told me that it means "This Jesus, My Jesus". He went on to explain that in India, with it's millions of impersonal gods who cause fear in the lives of followers, no grace, no mercy, no love it really means something to have a personal savior in Jesus.
Visiting homes, I came across this elderly women and her grandchild. I tried to speak Hindi to her, with the help of a translator. The translator was too kind to say how badly I butchered their language, but the look of confusion on the ladies face said it all. The look of confusion is a universal language. One thing that hit me during this trip tho and I think it's true about any place I've been... customs and culture can be extremely different, but concerns are the same. Regardless of nationality, most parents care for their children and want them to live a good life. Most people highly regard relationships.  Most wives want their husbands to be more romantic (it's true!). Most people want to live a life of purpose, they want to feel like they're making a positive impact in their world. Most people feel a longing inside to know their creator.

Defined by What - Who we stand for, Against or With?

Watching the recent NBA Finals, I realized that something felt missing. No, not the Cavs, something else. As I rooted for the Mavericks (whose tremendous play won the finals, yay), I couldn't help shake the reality that I wasn't really rooting for the Mavericks (c'mon, Dallas?), but I was rooting against the Heat. More specifically, Lebron and the Heat. Wasn't nearly as exciting, thrilling or riveting as it would be if I was actually rooting for a team. Eventually, my interest waned. Don't get me wrong, I love the outcome, but it just wasn't the same, something felt missing.

Faith can be like that. After following Jesus for over twenty years, and being in many different churches going back to the days of when my parents would ship me off to Vacation Bible Schools growing up (thanks mom & dad, no, I really mean that), I'm still faced with religious folks who base their faith on what they stand against. They don't necessarily get fired up or passionate about who the Lord is, or what He's doing, but what He's against. Ever see somebody salivate at the word judgement, it's just weird I tell ya. It seems like they still have something missing in their life. Often their gospel message comes off as an invitation to a life of "us verse thems". Jesus never went about it that way, in fact, He was criticized for being more like "thems". Don't get me wrong, I think there is a place even in politics for followers of Jesus to stand against immoral actions and injustices and to stand with those who have been marginalized and ostracized. When I rededicated my life to Christ at the age of twenty, I feared that I would not find a place in the church. I thought I was a misfit. However, deep inside I hoped that maybe, if the church was like the Jesus that I read in scripture, I might not only find a place, but purpose. Soon after getting involved in a local church, I found myself active, serving others. I felt like I was a part of something positive, a group of people who were making a difference in their community.

Quick story: One day Bob happened to be visiting some relatives in a country town in the deep south. While visiting an elderly relative, Bob asked what was new. The old man replied "well, we got a new preacher in town. Evry' body seems to like the feller". Being polite in showing interest, Bob prodded his relative for more information... "so, what does everybody like about this new preacher?". "Well, the old preacher used to tell us that we're all sinners and unless we get borned again, we're goin to hell", said the old man. "What does the new one say"? Asked Bob. "The new one tells us that we're all sinners and unless we get borned again we're goin to hell". Perplexed, Bob asked, "what's the difference, they're saying the same thing?". The old man glanced up and said "well Bob, the new preacher has a tear in his eye when he says it".

Crazy Summer 2011!

First post on this new blog!  I like to jot down observations about life, family, faith, food and hope that it resonates with readers.  A lot going on right now... my son just graduated HS, having work done around the house, the Mavericks are one up on the Heat and we're in the middle of planning a big outreach / festival we're calling "Freedom Fest" at Jefferson Park in Cleveland, July 2nd.  This is in preparation of lauching our (Vineyard's) third church campus that we're calling Vineyard - Cleveland West and we're team building for a missions trip this Nov to the Amazon Region of Brazil.  So yeah, lots going on!

As previously mentioned, our son Josh graduated last Saturday.  We're very happy and proud of him.  As a parent, you really do experience mixed emotions tho.  You think about the things you wished you could have done, or just didn't take time to do. You also celebrate the good memories.  Brings to mind Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even whe he is old he will not depart from it".   I've heard this scripture misused for discipline or even to highlight the expectation that as children grow, it's natural they they stray away from God, but with the right upbringing they will return to their faith.  Both have a hint of truth, but it's so much more than that.  I was in a group setting recently, and our sr pastor discussed this verse saying that it an encouragement that when we raise our kids, affirming who they're called to be in Christ, affirming the gifts they've been given, they won't depart from these things but will walk in them.  In the favor of the Lord.  I like that.    

peace ~ david