Tuesday, July 14, 2009

3 Posts Today--don't miss the two below!



Location: Under a tree on the side of a hill overlooking the small French village where I have been staying. It is a little after 4:30pm on the French Independence Day, July 14.

Weather-wise, today has been one of the most beautiful since I arrived here; it is hot in the sun and perfect with the breeze in the shade. The plump clouds are reminders of the this morning's sprinkles; such overcast demeanor and showers in cool temperatures have been more the norm here this past week.

Not long ago, I would have fallen asleep here in the peace, except for the cow-bell tinkling below me, gravity pulling me down the hill, and a few ants in the pants. I am near some beehives, and sure enough, the beekeeper came to check on them while I was here! However, I know him, and he would not have noticed me had I not hailed him; he told me to make myself at home in this little spot under the tree. I have found that my poncho was a great purchase before I left! It has kept me dry more than once, and it makes a good seat on dirty or wet ground.

Before I walked out into the countryside, I spent some time in the church. I have found it to be a great place to sing (the echoes are really cool!), and I confess that I like to play the keyboard in there since there are no other instruments around. Today, though, I got caught! But it turned out to be good. The young man who found me, F., is the organist, and he let me play the old pipe organ! Just like everyone else in town, he is super nice, and it was a joy to converse with him.

I met another new friend this morning. My buddy, E., has been trying to convince me to take a bike out, and I have wanted to do so, but I never remember until I am halfway out into the countryside. Today Nelly suggested a bike, so off I went, not planning to ride far, but to go somewhere to write a story that was ready to burst out of my head. I had just peddled off when I crossed paths with a Belgian man who joined me. Unfortunately, the result of that was a terrible uphill climb that left us gasping for breath! It made me think of my mentor, J., back in Indiana. He is obsessed with cycling; he is jealous that I am here during the Tour de France, and he has roped me into not a few cycling endeavors. He says that the amateurs are weeded out from the veterans by the hills--a true cyclist can maintain his pace uphill. I am not a true cyclist!

Nevertheless, I enjoyed speaking with the man until I thought I was going to get sick from exertion after a full breakfast, then I could not get him to leave fast enough! But as soon as I felt better, I continued into the forest to a French military cemetery I knew of: there I found a bench and spit out my story, until the rain chased me home!

As I rode back down the hill I had crawled up, I was flying! How great it was to go downhill, my only thoughts being "watch for oncoming traffic" and "I hope my cap doesn't fly off!"

But I realized that the past week has been a beautiful downhill ride for me. I have caught up on rest and laundry and food and joy and prayer and housekeeping items. I have been blessed and cared for, far beyond normal hospitality. So it is with mixed feelings that I consider leaving this place in a couple of days. I realize there will be more uphill climbs and rain, and I will have to peddle steadily. Instead of being found out in my refuges of peace (i.e. the church building or under this tree), I will have to take the peace with me.

I used to have a professor who said that tension is necessary for growth. I believe that is true not only for me, but for God's Kingdom. Most people who are terribly oppressed by the things of this world cannot imagine that there is a good God who loves them. Most people who have a relatively good life cannot imagine a need for a relationship with that loving God--life seems fine without Him. Maybe it is only when there is tension between the seemingly good things of this world and the storms of life that people are willing to consider God and His love.

It pleased me to learn that thirty or forty people gather in the empty church here once a month for mass. It is virtually dead the rest of the time, but there is a glimmer of life inside occasionally. Like when F. was playing the organ: I could imaging people dancing and leaping with joy! That is what life is like when you realize that the God of the Universe has been asking you to join Him in His holy life since before you can remember!

Life is not always easy or fun. Do you know that I bought bread from the baker that drove through town this morning? In the same way, doctors still make house-calls in France. Why? I think it is because the sickly parts of life hit us in the midst of our normal routines, when we least expect it, even in our homes! What would happen if your routine was interrupted today? What if it was interrupted drastically? What if tragedy suddenly struck? Would you be able to keep your pace as you peddled up the mountain? Or would your voice merely echo back to you in an empty church?

As I look out over this quaint village that seems so peaceful, I remember that all but two of its houses were destroyed during the first World War. It has since been rebuilt.

Our lives can be rebuilt, too. It is naive to think that nothing bad will ever happen to us. We live in a corrupted world, among a crooked and twisted generation. Bad things happen. So let's use the downhill ride to prepare. Let's rest up and pray in advance. Let's take shelter under the protective "wing" of our loving God; let's get know Him personally long before we have to run to Him in an emergency. Because when it is time to climb that hill, a cross will not help you. Neither will a panicked recitation of the Lord's Prayer, nor a fish sticker on your car, nor the fact that you dropped change in the Salvation Army's Christmas bucket. When the storms of life come, it is the Name of the Lord that is the strong tower, the refuge and shelter from the storm. It is the Calmer of the Storms who walks on water and pulls you out when you are drowning. And as His Kingdom grows in you, it will be almost impossible to keep from dancing and leaping in joy!
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A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?