Thursday, March 4, 2010

Almost Only Counts...



Location: Seat 21J on the plane from London to Chicago somewhere high above the Atlantic, about 3:30pm Chicago time on the 3rd of March.

I am almost home.

That is a deceptive phrase, the only certainty being the word "I". Yes, it is definitely me. But "am" is misleading, because I am lost somewhere above a great ocean, somewhere between time zones, somewhere between waking and sleeping, somewhere between American and ex-patriot, etc. "Almost" is extremely relative, as I still have several hours of this flight, the U.S. Customs rigmarole, and another flight--all of which could go smoothly or introduce new adventures. For example, my more than 24-hour day today began at 4am and included a bomb squad and a flight delay, as well as travel by car, bus, train and plane. "Home" is perhaps the most befuddling of the terms, for I have felt quite homeless for the past year, moving from one locality to another, not always knowing where I would stay next. For a long time I have defined home as "where God is," and I truly believe that. It is true that many people who love and welcome me live in Indianapolis, and I am familiar with that place and its people, but it hardly seems home. But, I am almost home...

I counted today, and I have at least passed through ten countries in less than ten months. How ironic that I declined a friend's invitation a little more than a year ago to participate in a missions adventure that would take me to eleven countries in eleven months! You may remember that I was a bit pessimistic about this final week, already worn out from months of travel and work, jet-lagged from China, and knowing that I have more transitions ahead of me. However, my week in France was worth the trouble and was full of blessings, for which I thank my Lord. Not only did I have some very good discussions of a spiritual nature, but I also got to speak to some young people in their Catechism class. Another irony was that I got to see some Taiwanese friends of mine whom I met seven years ago, and in spending time with them, I ended up spending quite a bit of time with the local Chinese community, worshipping in Chinese, eating with chopsticks, and so on! That was fun after I had just left China. It was also good to visit my former host-family from my student-time in France; they treat me very well, and I pray that God continues to draw them closer to Him everyday.

So if you are reading this, I am probably on American soil now. I will continue to blog as I can; keep your eye out for ways we might meet up. In my limited time in the States, there are many skills I am going to try to learn, and I also have to respond to jury duty summons. Yet I plan to spend most of my time in reunion with the Church and friends like you, so let me know if you are in the neighborhood! I will probably be staying at my parents' home for the majority of the next two months. I also hope to have a sort of open house so people can better understand the big picture of my series of adventures, past to future, so watch for information about that, too. Two months from now, I hope to be en route back to Romania, with your blessings as I represent the Church of the United States to encourage the Church of Romania to ever walk closer to our Lord! And as I get things established over there, I am hoping to host those of you who want to come help out, so let me know as the Lord leads you!

Please do not stop praying for me because I have returned to the USA; I doubt not that the adventures of following Jesus will continue, and no less dramatically. Please let me know how I can join you in prayer, too; it is in prayer that we gain and maintain the ground the Lord conquered!

Those of you in the USA, I hope to see you soon! Those of you in Romania and France and beyond, I have not forgotten you! Remember, we are One in the Spirit, we are One, in the blood! I bless you in the Name of Jesus the Christ!
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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?