Monday, July 6, 2009

Behind the Back with a Scooter in a Sack!










Location: A bedroom in the house where I have been staying in Nancy, France (a little before 9am on July 6)

So I survived the weddings. I say that because, as most of you know, I am not a big fan of weddings. Marriage is a wonderful thing, especially when it is a life of growing together in God. But wedding ceremonies are not my thing, and no matter how nice they are, I have to admit that I can think of many places I would rather be.

Nevertheless, for the last two days, I joined in the marriage celebration. It began at the courthouse in Place Stanislas downtown, where there was a short ceremony that was pretty much straight to the point. We paraded in, applauded, and paraded out. You will see that this all took place behind the back of old Stanislas, standing guard on his pedestal in the center of the square. Before long, I was headed to the church for the mass. I had the distinct privilege of singing with the choir (in a borrowed necktie) for the duration of the nearly two-hour service. Because the groom is a fireman/EMT, the firemen saluted the married couple as they exited, even taking them out in the firetruck with sirens blaring! Then it was to the reception hall for the party. A couple of hours of drinks and hors-d'oeuvres were followed by several hours of meal, with dancing in between courses. When we left around 4:00 am, I was amazed to find that there was a designated driving service, since the French appreciate their wines. These young men arrive on site riding small motor scooters, then they fold up the scooter and place it in a large sack, stow it in the trunk of the car, drive you home, and then unfold their scooter and leave. How is that for nifty!
So we made it to bed by around 5:00 am, napped a little before we started over on Sunday. Then it was to the church for a second meal, this one from about 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm, also complete with music and dancing. I think we had enjoyed it so much the first night that we decided to celebrate again! Sunday though, we did not have the French version of Twist and Shout or the Hokey Pokey, nor was Cotton-Eye Joe or YMCA played again. Do not worry though, there were plenty of apple and raspberry and other kinds of tart, and I ate a piece for each of you!
So as a visiting foreigner, this whole weekend was quite a circus. The house was loaded with people coming and going, I never knew where I would sleep or shower, and there were a lot of cultural things to take in. But I could tell that the family and guests really had a good time, and I enjoyed "putting my hand to the plow" so-to-speak and helping with the work that needed to be done. Admittedly, though, it is nice to have found some peace this morning.
So now what? Well, thank you for your prayers. I have been uneasy about the next couple of weeks, not knowing what I would do or where I would go. As always, I knew I could find something, but I also know the prudence of waiting upon the LORD. As I prayed, He had told me just that; trust Him and wait, He would provide. I was also pretty sure that He was wanting me to stay in France. Wouldn't you know, in one day, I received 4 invitations to houses in France! So I am not certain yet, but I am probably off to one or more of them today or tomorrow. If you do not hear from me for a little while, I may be away from Internet access. The invitation I am most excited about involves a small village of 200 people, complete with cows and cocks wandering around!
So I am thanking and praising the LORD, especially after my time of prayer this morning. I was praying for many of my loved ones, and it is wonderful to see what the LORD is doing in their lives. I found out about the LORD's work in Mozambique through a friend that is enjoying Him there, and I learned that my friends' baby in Indiana got to go home from the hospital after a long, dark stay. My friends in Romania are experiencing His mighty provision, and there are new lives coming into my family and friends in the States through births and adoptions. I am excited to hear about His work in my church congregation in Indianapolis, as well as His plans for France.
The LORD is at work, which means so am I. Many here think I am simply touring on vacation, but this is work. I rest in the LORD and join Him in His work. Just because I do not get "hired" or "paid" in the conventional sense does not mean I do not work. I can assure you that there was plenty of work this past weekend! May you think you would give anything to have a job like mine . . . do it. The LORD asks that you give everything and follow Him! It is well worth it, but I promise it is no walk in the park!
So in a couple of weeks, I will beginning work at a camp in central France. Until then, my "work" will have me on the road, destination unknown. Look forward to meeting you along the way! Thanks for your prayers, Dear Ones! Know you have mine, and that your loving God is the one listening to them and watching over you! And His marriage feast will be better than any we have ever experienced, in France or anywhere else!
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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?